Agent Justin and Arx stood with Gar in the Operations center of the BADGE station. They watched with no small amount of dread in their eyes as the ethereal monolithic Krampus loomed over Ka’an Dorado. The BADGE drones keeping an eye on this were far above the city so that they could see from border to border of the city itself, and this only enhanced the surreal nature of the monster.
NightShadow stepped out of the lift. “I’ve secured the space around the station. If anyone tries to use shadow powers to spy on us, they will be blinded.”
Justin asked, “Do you know if anything else has come through?”
“I can’t be certain. I don’t know when this Lady Echidna came through. But it is so small now that it would need to be widened if anything tries to enter this reality.”
Arx said, “I get the feeling this lady doesn’t want to get anywhere near that hole in space again.”
“That’d be my guess.” Justin said. He looked at Gar. “Where is the shuttle now?”
Gar looked at a special tablet that was built with top security. “The shuttle has landed near the palace.”
“Okay, that’s our cue. 10915 activate the Black Alert Comm line.”
The lights changed color to a red hue and a beeping sounded to indicate the top-level alert status. Comm windows opened to League HQ’s all over Earth. Some had people already there to take this call.
“This is Agent Justin. We have a situation in Ka’an Dorado. Another Shadow Krampus has shown up, and this time, he’s much bigger and stronger than any other before. You are to go in and strike it down. Once you have completed this task, you are to proceed to the Ka’an Dorado capitol building and lend assistance as necessary. You will be given further instructions once you have entered the Capitol building. Remember, BADGE wants minimal property damage, but your focus is taking out this Shadow Krampus. For the duration of this battle, Director Nova is unavailable. I will be in charge of BADGE. Agent Justin out.”
Gar said, “That was good.”
Justin whispered, his eyes quivering at the ominous sight before him. “God, I hope this works.”
Nova walked into the capital building of Ka’an Dorado with Strange Quark on his left and EB on his right. Men and women dressed in elegant outfits lined the hall as a greeting. No AMA weapons were present, only party guests.
“Wow, that’s creepy.” EB stated when all the men and women slowly turned to look at them. Masquerade masks still on their faces.
Nova said, “She was always one for making an impression. Ignore them. She has no intention of attacking us now.”
Strange Quark waved his hand over his face and created a duck-style mask that resembled theirs. When Nova gave him a slanted glare, he smiled. “Hey, just thought I’d try to fit in.”
Before Nova could scold him for this, that sultry voice echoed down the corridor. “Welcome home, sweetie.”
It did not rattle Nova. At least he didn’t show any emotions to this, but his focus was all the more determined.
EB hopped along beside him, an explosive egg in his paw. “She looks nothing like the woman we fought before. I didn’t even know it was her. She’s a lot sexier now, in an evil villain that might eat your soul kinda way. But, still hot.”
They were let into the throne room by two men who opened the doors for them. Lady Echidna was draped across the throne, smiling at them. “How nice of you to say, Easter Bunny, or is it EB these days?”
“Look, darling, you can call me whatever you want. I’m still gonna shove this right...”
Nova stopped him. “I’m here. If you think this changes anything, you’re wrong. I still protect this world from the likes of you.”
“Oh, so you are still the champion of this little race of children. Sad. You are worthy of so much more. Once, you recognized that.” She beckoned to one of her servants, who rushed to give her a glass of wine.
Nova said, “I don’t have time to play your games. Give me back Chase, let her go and I’ll consider not shoving you into the void again.”
She sipped some wine and smiled. “Do you know what it was like, all those years, in the vast nothingness between realms? Terrifying, and a little sweet. I learned a great many new tricks there, things that even the great...what do you call yourself these days...Nova, don’t know about.”
Nova looked around the room, “I command you to submit! Obey me!” His voice became a booming echo that rattled the walls. Only EB had ever truly experienced this power of his before. Strange Quark was a bit befuddled.
The surrounding minions were swaying, and some held their heads in confusion. Lady Echidna merely sipped a little more wine and then said, “So, that was your game? You come in here and expect to erase my control over my new army. Like I even needed them.”
EB chortled. “That’s not our only plan, babe. We’re so far ahead of you!”
EB stopped smiling, “Uh...no...that’s not our plan...um...”
She rose and swept over to Nova. “You think I’m not prepared for your little tricks and tactics? I’ve been preparing for this day for the past five hundred years. I have every moment meticulously planned out. Want to see how far you are from being able to defeat me? Watch!” She waved her hand and clouds of darkness formed in the air, each containing a view of the outside.
Heroes stormed in and attacked the Shadow Krampus. The fight was raging and Midgard eventually slammed the giant figure against the ground, which was followed by hundreds of energy blasts that destroyed the creature. EB was already celebrating when two more Shadow Krampus rose in the city and went after the heroes.
She whispered in Nova’s ear, “They can summon him again and again, and they will continue to defeat him. But, he will return. They will spend hours, days, even weeks hoping to defeat him but they will fail in the end. Even the strongest heroes you have cannot last forever, but my pet has no end. You lose.”
Nova grabbed her by the throat and spoke with that commanding voice. “YOU WILL OBEY ME, YOU WILL SUBMIT TO ME!”
She smiled and laughed at him. “You forget, sweetie, you could never control me.” She vanished and reappeared a few feet away from him. “But I certainly can control you.”
Nova pointed at her. “I’ll never obey you!”
“Oh, then watch them die.” She returned to her throne.
Nova heard gagging sounds and realized that his two companions were on the floor, clutching their chests. “EB! QUARK!”
EB’s eyes rolled back into his skull while Quark transformed into several creatures, each one in the same agony.
“They will die. I could have killed them the first time, but I chose to let them bring you to me. All those I touched with my power before have the darkness seeded into their hearts. In moments they will die, as will your precious Chase.”
Nova slapped the comm unit on his arm, “JUSTIN!”
Gar came through, “Director, Justin is on the floor in pain. I think he’s dying.”
Nova flicked it off and asked, “What do you want from me? Please, don’t do this!”
“Begging. That’s a pleasant start. Oh, how I missed being able to bring you to your knees. But, I’m also not unreasonable. My demand is very simple, Nova, sweetie. Return to my side. Obey as you once did. Then, they will be released. Be quick about this. They don’t have much time.”
Nova felt something he had rarely felt in his life. Helplessness. When he heard EB gasping for breath, he knew he had no choice. “Fine...I’ll join you.”
“Say it.” She demanded.
“Let them go, first. And, I will say it.”
She smiled, “I know you to be a man of your word. Do not disappoint me.” She snapped her fingers and both EB and Quark gasped in a breath and then were transported away in a flash of black mist. “Now, say it!”
He stood firm and clenched his fists. “I will...worship you.” With those words, he became as vacant as the other minions.
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