Chapter Twelve – “Heavy Metal”

“Who are you?” The Professor’s voice creaked, on the brink of frustration.

Ilamaral cleaned his black horn-rimmed glasses and then peered through the periscope once more. His white knuckles strained as his fists tightened around the handles of the viewing device. The lustre of his short black hair diminished as nervous sweat caked strands of it to his forehead. He grunted, wishing he could hear the chatter of the three women approaching his compound. Through the viewfinder, he saw his assistant—make that former assistant, he thought—Sekkai canoodling with that blasted dryad again. Long were the days he thought about excising that woman from his library. She did nothing but fill the cat’s ears with rebellious nonsense. What is worse is that now they had a third woman with them, and a rather ugly one at that. He imagined this hag was here to help usurp his rule over the Ark and stop his research at its most critical phase.

With a groan, the Professor forced the periscope away from himself furiously. Tucking his head down, he yanked at his hair and began mumbling incoherently. His white lab coat hunched up on his shoulders, contrasting the all black outfit he wore beneath it.

“Sekkai, you insolent little whelp! I made you what you are. I raised you from a mindless little tiger cub to the voluptuous creature you are today, and this is how you repay me? Betrayal?” Ilamaral ranted, though there was nobody else in the stark white room. Only a large, curved window framed by the Ark’s open blast shields kept him company. “I knew that allowing you to learn on your own was a mistake! Well, believe me, when I get my hands on you again, I will make sure that you are nothing but an obedient little slave girl!”

Ilamaral fumed as he slammed his fist against the window. From that vantage point, the malcontents below were just featureless figures, carefully trekking towards the Ark. What insidious machinations were the tiny trio concocting? Despite the unknown of the third woman, that Shota was the biggest problem. Leave it to a dryad to be a tree hugging, save the planet Eco-nutjob, he thought. Of course he was going to discard the run-off that his potions created. He had never seen any evidence that his policies were just a disaster waiting to happen. Ilamaral suspected that the redheaded woman was still holding a grudge for running her tree through a paper mill. It was not as if he had killed her. She still had quite a fine home, and should have been thankful towards him for allowing her to stay in his library for so long.

His thoughts only served to build his rage to its boiling point. He was certain that his latest feminizing serum was perfect, but as of yet, did not have a test subject for it. The interference of a bunch of no-goodnicks now, was the worst thing that could happen. As much as he detested the thought of using violence to solve his problems, this was a case of do it or pay the consequences of not acting. It was time to call on the ship’s security.

“Nim! Nephlite! Get in here now! I have need of your assistance!”

Foom! The automated door slid out of view like something out of Star Trek. All Ilamaral needed to do was yell for the security team and they would come running. When you are hardwired into the ship’s computers to begin with, there is no need for an intercom. Upon first glance to someone not in the know, a floating orb covered in blue circuitry and a puddle of chrome slime slinking into the room might not seem like the best security, but then again, looks can be deceiving. The air flickered around the orb and the form of a young man came into view. He was of average height with long brown hair and a well-trimmed goatee. His outfit seemed to mirror the Professor’s own penchant for black, consisting of a black trench coat, t-shirt, cargo pants and heavy Gothic boots. Once the man was in view, the slime lifted up off the ground, taking a comely shape. A young girl formed from the mercurous ooze, though outside of the basic shape, she had no definitive features.

“Reporting for duty, Sir!” Nim, the metallic girl, chirped in a voice that sounded like a symphony of female voices in unison.

“Oh,” The Professor sounded disappointed. “You went with that form today, Nephlite?”

“Given the gravity of the situation, I thought it inappropriate to show up as a buxom lass, though I see my partner had no problem with it.” Nephlite responded in a gravely serious tone.

“Nim is just grateful to me for giving her sentience. This is how she shows her appreciation, isn’t that right, Nim?” Ilamaral stroked the girl’s cheek, the liquid metal oozing over his hand to the chorus of millions of tiny giggles.

“Of course, Professor, I aim to please,” Nim said with a smile. “Now, how may we be of service?”

“My assistant has turned traitor on me and joined up with the dryad. They are on their way here with some disgustingly hairy woman. I can only assume that this woman is rich with magical abilities and has come to take me out,” the Professor began. “I wish for them to be dealt with by any means necessary. I can not allow them to delay my experiments.”

“Ahem,” Nephlite made the sound of one clearing their throat, although for him it was only mimicry. “If I may, I have been monitoring the situation and I believe that you are in error in your assessment of the incoming intruders. While two of them do appear to be Sekkai and Shota, a more detailed scan of the third would have shown you this…”

Neplite’s holographic form flickered again, shifting and getting smaller, taking on a new appearance. When the image solidified again, Nephlite was the perfect replica of Jason, down to the paper-cloth dress that Shota stuck him in when he was asleep.

“As you can see, your third woman is not a woman at all. Contrary to the way this being is dressed, he is still undoubtedly male.”

In a trick of the light, Ilamaral’s glasses seemed to turn white and his grin widened in a way that would make The Joker jealous. Slowly, laughter escaped from his upturned lips until it became uproariously maniacal. Nephlite changed his appearance back to that of the longhaired Gothic male and looked on with absolute curiosity.

“Did I err in telling him the gender of the mystery being?” Nephlite questioned.

“No, no, I think he’s happy. Look, he’s smiling. Smiling always means happy, I think.” Nim answered.

“Of course I’m happy!” The Professor shouted. “I swear the naiveté of my subjects is the only drawback to my experimentation. Change of plans! Nim, I want you to take a guard unit to the entrance and wait for our meddlers, but you must be as stealthy as a fox. I want you to capture this male specimen and bring him to my laboratory.”

“And what task did you have in mind for me?” Nephlite asked.

“Activate all the security systems, have the sentinels on high alert, release Foe if you have to. Do whatever it takes to make sure Shota and Sekkai do not come between me and my future bride!”

 

***

 

The strumming of a guitar filled the blonde girl’s—who Kacie was now calling Amber, though there was little chance that was her real name—head as she nervously stared at Kacie. Her friend, from here on out known as Sienna, heard the opening chords of the familiar song as well, perking up at the metallic sound coming from the other side of the door.

“Do you hear music? I hear music.” Sienna, much like her friend nicknamed because of the color of her hair, inquired.

“It’s nothing. The power is back on. Somebody down the hall probably just has their stereo on too loud. Stop worrying about it and get over here.”

Amber’s hands shook as she pointed her gun at their tempestuous captive. She was not prepared for this. They were not properly armed to deal with any serious threat. They were only supposed to watch the girl until it was time to set the trap for Anibelle. Her mind raced, and she thought about shooting Kacie right then and there to neutralize any threat she possessed, but what if this was nothing and they lost their only piece of bait to take down the demon? She did not want to make the decision on her own, and she wished desperately for a little guidance. Sienna was no help. The brunette was getting distracted by a guitar line when there was something potentially worse in the girl in front of them.

“No, really, I hear a guitar. Doesn’t the song seem familiar to you? Listen closely, doesn’t it sound a lot like Me—”

“Exit light, enter night. Take my hand, off to never never land.” Chanting in a soothing voice interrupted Sienna.

The girls wobbled. Kacie watched with interest as her captors’ eyes drooped and the pistol pointed at her skull dropped to the ground. Amber’s knees buckled and she drowsily looked right into a pair of piercing blue eyes. Kacie smirked, seeing that some sort of spell had come over the girls. It was that, or it was a coincidence that they both became unbearably sleepy at the same time. Either way, the chocolate-haired girl knew the tides had just turned in her favor.

“Sucks to be you, doesn’t it?” She said snidely, making sure that her gloating was the last thing that the blonde heard.

Amber momentarily looked like she wanted to belt Kacie across the face again, but gravity had different plans for her. She slumped over in a heap, and then her eyelids closed and began to twitch as if she was already peacefully dreaming. Sienna had slightly better luck as she was close to the bed.

“That’s not how you sing it,” she said with a yawn, and then collapsed face first into the sheets, snoring loudly.

The doorknob turned with a click and the door swung open in a casual way that you would expect if it were done by someone who lived there. As if out of a music video, in stepped a man with long, very light blonde hair. He wore a leather vest, left open for the bound girl to see his impressive muscle tone. One arm was tattooed with a cross and a lot of Gothic lettering that Kacie could not be bothered to read. The other had Jimi Hendrix looking to the sky as he played his guitar. Speaking of guitars, the man carried a cherry red Fender Strat. He looked at Kacie with curiosity, and she stared at the piercing in his eyebrow, as well as those in his ears that seemed to gleam brighter than they should.

“You’re supposed to be asleep,” He said, staring at the girl.

“Yeah, well, I’m not, Guitar Hero. How about you quit standing around looking stupid and untie me?” Kacie snapped back, though she sounded to be in considerable pain.

After one quick power chord, the ropes around the girl dropped to the floor as if they were just sitting there loose the entire time. Kacie gingerly stood up and then prodded at the icy layer covering her scar. She had learned to control the blaze she received when around a demon, but this was all new. From experience, she figured the ice would be much like her fire, extremely painful, but not tissue damaging. It was not a huge leap for her, either, to affix blame to the hair band wannabe before her.

“Do you mind explaining what in the Hell, you’re supposed to be?” She asked, though she might as well have demanded it.

“Not Hell, babe, and my name is Hamel. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Kacie Cross.”

“Great, you know my name too. What? Are you my guardian angel or some shit?”

“Not quite, but you are not far off.” Hamel responded with a smirk.

He casually dropped his vest to the floor. The sight of a shirtless man made Kacie a little uneasy, and made her wonder if he was going to ask to be repaid for saving her by asking for some kind of “special” favor. Instead, she found herself staring again as an impressive set of heavenly white wings burst forth from Hamel’s back in an explosion of feathers.

 

***

 

The Amazon Queen faced the open mouth of the cave disquietly. Her two best remaining warriors stood nobly at her sides, ready to defend their Queen no matter the obstacle. Although, they knew that it would be foolish to trifle with the being inside the lair. Strong and proud, the Amazon trio passed over the precipice and into the darkness. Luce had instructed them that no torches would be needed, though they could not see how. They could not even see their Queen once engulfed by the blackness of the cave, yet they could feel her presence and knew she was only an arm’s length away. Silence crept over the Queen and her guards. The gentle patter of their sandals against the rocky floor was the only thing that echoed in the artificial night, but soon even that sound subsisted.

The Queen’s outstretched arms held her warriors at bay. They were at their destination. The trickle of running water was the first thing to break the silence, but signs of life were surrounding them at an alarming rate. Vibrant green grass popped up from the ground and pierced the darkness as if it had the power of the sun itself. Birds chirped and trees came to life. Where the cave’s ceiling should have been, a perfect sky replaced the void. Mere minutes ago, they were in the grips of nothingness, and now it appeared as if they were in the middle of a meadow on one of the most beautiful days they had ever seen. The muscled dark-haired women held their spears at the ready, not sure which way they should look. The newly born field stretched endlessly in every direction. Even the stream at their backs appeared to have no beginning or end. Their Queen remained motionless, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

“Turn around, Daughters.” Luce spoke softly.

When the girls turned to look, a golden four-post bed with the whitest linens in all of existence was sitting amongst the grass. It was a piece of extravagance that put even their own Queen’s bedding to shame, but a sheath of white cloth obscured the inner sanctum of the bed. The only clues they had to who was behind this sheet was the shadow of a figure, and a golden voice that was ancient and wise and yet youthful and naïve.

“Luce, it has been years since you last visited. I see that the years have been very kind to you, my dear. The last time I saw you, you were just a young thing like your nervous companions there. Now, you come to me dressed in a manner befitting of someone who has received my services.”

“Yes, Djinni, your gifts have served us well, but we are not here solely to show our gratitude.” Luce responded humbly.

“Alas, I am never visited without wish for a favor. It is my nature to provide for others.” The Djinni sounded disappointed. “You have already been granted the proliferation of your people and a meaningful victory over the Professor. You must be aware that this is the last time I can help your clan, Luce.”

“I am aware. I would not have come if there was any other option, but the heavens have delivered us a threat that eclipses even that of Ilamaral. Our legions were devastated at the hands of three outsiders. They bested the Stone Gazer and killed Rana. You are our only hope.”

“Then make your wish, Luce, Daughter of Athena.”

“I wish for the power to stop the other worldly invaders, to make them pay for what they’ve wrought.” Luce responded, taking a knee before the shadowed Djinni, motioning for her warriors to do the same.

Divine light closed in around the trio and their bodies began to shift. Their dark hair and grim faces gave way to locks of gold and cherubic faces. Muscles rippled and then subsided as their bodies shrank to a size more befitting of their handmaidens. Majestic silvery-grey wings sprouted from their backs. Lastly, platinum helmets appeared on their heads, along with matching armor and spears. The changed women stared at their new forms, seeming anything but grateful.

“I see that you do not like your lithe figures. I suppose you think I’ve turned you into slave girls, but believe me, in those spears and magic helmets lies the power of the gods.”

“Spears and magic helmets?” Luce inquired.

“Let me give you a sample. Do you see that tree on the horizon? It contains some of the juiciest apples you have ever tasted. Throw your spear at that tree and procure an apple for me. Do not argue, just do it.”

Luce nodded to one of her confused warriors and the girl complied. The spear flew launched like a missile from the girl’s hand, and was perfectly on target. Though she was surprised by her newfound strength, the girl was ready to complete the task, but before she could take a step, her spear reappeared in her hand with a red apple clinging to the tip.

“There, you see, power of the gods. Your enemies will tremble at your might. Now, since business is complete, I bid you adieu.”

Before the Queen or her warriors could object, everything around them vanished and they were once again in the void.

 

***

 

“I get it. You’re an angel. Put away the hardware, Warren Worthington.” Kacie said, rubbing her wrists.

“As I just said, my name is Hamel, and I am curious to know why you were not affected by my song. Our records indicate you having no special abilities.”

“Okay, two things: one, I heard you the first time you told me your name and B, what kind of backwards angel likes Metallica?” Kacie asked in her usual bitter tone. “Are you one of the ’special’ angels? Did you have to ride the short cloud to angel school when you were a kid?”

“Do you not know, Kacie? Though our fallen brethren might wish you to think otherwise, Rock music was created in the heavens. You may not believe it, but during my time as a muse, I inspired many—” Hamel was cut off.

“I don’t want to hear your life story, and that’s not what I was talking about. I was referring to the fact that Metallica was instrumental, pardon the pun, in bringing the wrath of the recording industry down upon the heads of poor college students. They were one of the bands that started that bullshit. I don’t see how anybody can listen to them anymore after that.”

“Let me get this straight, you are insinuating that my mental capacities are in need of repair because you can not pirate music without the threat of litigation now?”

“Yeah, that’s the long and short of it. Admit it; I have a completely valid argument. Go ahead; you know I’m right. You’re a huge douche bag. Don’t be afraid to come out and say it.” She mocked.

“I am rather certain that you are a bit off your rocker. From the stench of demons about you, I can only assume that they have corrupted you. I see no other reason why you would mock someone after they rescued you.”

“What? Do you want a medal or something? I don’t remember taking out an ad for a guardian angel. I’m sure you have your own selfish reasons for rescuing me, so do not pretend to be altruistic. Spit it out, what do you want?” Kacie asked impatiently.

“You knew the demon, Anibelle, in her human life and—”

“Well, I knew that this girl would be useful, but I didn’t realize it would be like setting honey out for the flies.”

Damon Blake stood in the open doorway, flanked by agents wielding futuristic weaponry. He pushed the brim of his glasses up with a forefinger, giving both Kacie and Hamel a satisfied smirk.

“Set a trap for a demon, get an angel instead. You’re as reckless as I was told, my feathered friend.” Blake postured. “Yes, we know all about you Mr. Hamel, so do not even think of playing one of your little tunes. It would be futile, but then again, so is this entire speech. You’re on my list, so accept your fate and die!”

Like miniature lightning bolts, blue streaks fired from the agents’ guns at the angel. Kacie quickly dived behind the bed, ducking into the position she was taught to use in a tornado drill. She was not about to get caught in the crossfire of some crazy battle. To her surprise though, neither was her savior. The first chance he got, he plucked an e-minor as he dove head first into the window. The glass shattered outward right as he was about to hit it and then he was gone.

“Miss Cross, am I correct? It appears that your benefactor has flown the coop.” Damon said in a quiet, yet serious tone.

“Yeah, well, fuck the both of you.”

 

***

 

“Time is not our friend, Jason Grey. There is great turmoil in the planet’s life force, and I fear that if we do not act quickly, we may be too late to stop the bleeding. Why do you persist in delaying our operation? Come out from behind there this instant!” Shota reprimanded her traveling companion.

“Like Hell! I’m not walking in there in a dress!” Jason shouted back, hiding around the corner of the ship from Sekkai and Shota.

“Why did you let him have your knapsack, Sekkai?”

“I didn’t mean to,” Sekkai whimpered, stroking and kissing the tip of her tail. “He stepped on my tail and grabbed it. It really hurt, Shota. You should give me lots of hugs and kisses.”

“You know that I would love to, my sweet Sekkai, but you know that when you get hugs and kisses, things tend to devolve into a completely different activity rather quickly. I would be a hypocrite if I allowed our sexy fun to postpone our mission.”

“You’d also make me sick,” Jason interjected, appearing in his Phoenix t-shirt and jeans once again. “Now, what’s our plan? How are we going to take down Doctor Doom? You don’t happen to have a Squirrel Girl around here, do you?”

“Oh, I know a squirrel! She’s the nicest rodent you’ll ever meet, but I don’t know how—” Sekkai started to respond.

“It was a joke. You need some comic books on this planet. Seriously though, what are we going to do? I suggest burning the place to the ground.” Jason had a gleam in his eyes at the mere thought of fire.

“No, there are far too many creatures inside that deserve our handling this with the utmost care. The first step will be sneaking past the sentinels. This will be the tricky part, because they are made up of lions and tigers and—”

“Bears?” Jason asked, interrupting the redheaded woman.

“Oh my, no, but now that I think about it, bears would have made very fine soldiers. The third group is wolves.”

“Yeah, and they’re a bunch of perverts too! They’re always staring at my breasts and whistling when I walk past.” Sekkai chimed in.

The travelers slowed, approaching a rounded square entrance at the back of the ship. It led directly into the Ark, but the strange thing was that the expected guards were not there. The door was wide open as if inviting them to walk right in. Sekkai stopped a few body lengths from the door and sniffed the air. There was an oily metallic scent wafting towards her from the gaping doorway that was quite familiar. She grabbed Shota by the wrist and pulled her back, whispering to her.

“I don’t think we should go in here. Something’s not right.”

Jason, unaware of the girls’ chatter, and wanting to get this over with so that he could get back to his favorite hobbies, stepped over the threshold and into the clean, white room.

“Jason Grey, stop!” Shota shouted a moment too late.

Silvery sludge dripped from the archway of the entrance and then spread quickly, closing off access to the vessel. Jason’s attempt to escape was cut off before he even knew it, and Shota and Sekkai watched as he disappeared behind the shiny barrier. Sekkai punched it, and then yelped in pain, surprised that it was suddenly as impregnable as steel.

“Nim! Give Jason back!” Sekkai shouted.

“We’re sorry; the human you are trying to reach is no longer available. If you would like to leave a message, I’m sure that the Professor’s bride to be will gladly return it at her leisure.” Nim’s voice echoed back and then slithered through a crevice in the locked door that appeared in her place.

 

***

 

Following the phantom trail proved to be exhaustive. It circled around the lobby several times before dead-ending at the theater, at which point it turned around and headed right back the way it came. Jenette had long since found her bloodhound form to be rather blasé. The slight increase in the sensitivity of her nose came with the drawback of children following her around like it was some kind of parade. She gladly would have stopped and given each of them a hug if she was not already preoccupied, but current circumstances made them nothing more than an annoyance.

As Jenette sat in the lobby, picking at one of her horns, whilst deciding which way she should follow the trail next, the power flickered back on. Lack of electricity was only a slight inconvenience to the demon, who required none of the benefits it gave, but it still brought the hint of a grin to her lips. Raucous cheers erupted around her and the oddity of a demon scratching herself on a couch no longer registered with the relieved hotel guests. There was an aura of good nature that swelled in the room as people hugged one another. For the first time in days, there seemed to be hope that everything would work out fine.

The demon felt a renewed determination to find the source of the trail and perkily stretched and readied herself. Patrons now filing into the Triumph’s main restaurant and the fact that that was one of the paths available to her, made her decision for her. Wherever the action was, she wanted to be, and there was the good chance of something interesting happening even if she did not find what she was seeking.

“There’s a zombie in the mall! It’s Dawn of the Dead people! Run for your lives!” A panicked voice shouted.

Jenette watched curiously, as Beatrice moved across the lobby as fast as her heels could carry her. That explained the bloody prints that she was initially following, but zombies were not nearly as interesting as the unknown. Besides, she had seen plenty of zombies before. There was nothing special about them, and apparently nobody else thought so either, or they were just too glad to have power back on again to pay attention to a raving madwoman.

It was astonishing, given the commotion that Jenette’s acute senses picked up the sound at all. Beyond the chatter, coming from somewhere in the back of the restaurant was the sound of a frustrated whimper. While this normally would not have interested the demon, there was a supernatural quality to the voice that begged investigation. In true shapeshifter fashion, Jenette wanted to make sure she could pinpoint the location of the sound exactly and altered her form accordingly. She shrunk tremendously in size and turned pure white. Cute little whiskers and large ears accompanied her tiny form. She was now a mouse, at least for the time being.

Quickly, she scurried between legs and under tables, receiving more than one requisite scream. Unsurprisingly, people did not like the idea of a mouse in the place they were going to eat. She moved too fast for anyone to catch her though and before she knew it, she had followed the sound to the kitchen. It resounded louder in her ears as she came upon the freezer, which was sealed to the point that she required her regular body again.

A quick tug with her reformed hand, pried the freezer door open. The unit was still cold, left sealed while the power was out and once again chugging along and trying to freeze its contents again before they spoiled. It did not take long to find the source of the weeping. Sitting in the corner of the room, hugging her knees was the transparent shape of a familiar young girl. Her color was drained from both her body and clothing, replaced with an eerie blue, but Jenette still immediately knew her.

“Hi, Haley’s ghost! Why are you hiding in a freezer?”

“Huh? Jenette? You can see me? I’ve been trying to get someone’s attention for hours. I didn’t think anybody could see or hear me, so I wanted to find a place where I could just curl up and disappear.” The ghostly Haley responded.

“Well duh, of course I can see you. Why are you a ghost? Being a ghost is stupid, you can’t hug anybody. You should be not a ghost, Haley!”

“Don’t you think I’ve tried? If I knew how to stop being dead, I’d do it.”

“Hm, we should go find Ani then.” Jenette pondered aloud.

“Why? Will she know what to do?”

“I don’t know, she might. I just wanted to go play with her again, but asking her what to do about being a ghost is a good idea too. Let’s do that!”