Raven’s Personal Log 17
(NOTE to reader: *something said* is telepathic communications)
I travel the road back to my daughter and entered in the land of my lost love. I became one to the air to look upon her once more. She lay in the cradle just like the vision of so long ago. Our mind touched as I poured my love for her through the link. I dared not stay long; I could feel the growing want to keep her, within me, it welling inside. It was not safe for her. I departed.
I went to the gateway for my son and entered, the black mist swirled. I was still upon the road. I tried again. Again I landed back on the road. I rested. I let the warmth of this place warm my chilled bones and open my mind to the emptiness of it. It felt somehow good. No one to bother me. No duty calling for me. Nothing but me and my pain in the vast emptiness. I tried once more.
The underground passage surrounded me. The rock that formed the walls where glowing hot. I followed deeper into the earth till I stood before the great one. His eye danced upon my form as I entered the room. He said not a word but lowered his right hand that held my son. I held myself from running and moved quickly to him.
Aldarien’s eyes where bright, my sweet little Gene, and his mind raced as I touched it. The old soul and new raced in a constant motion. Each blending as one but still each of its own.
The great one looked down at me, “He is still shifting. Soon he will be whole.” I looked up at the great one. He gave me a tooth grin; “You are much like your mother. She to always had questions unasked.” He looked to his other arm. Something held hidden to his chest. “It is time for you to leave. I don’t need you taking her elven life force to speak with you. She has to long to hold, for it to be wasted.” I opened my mouth to speak but I found myself on the road.
I should tell of the land Sorcha and the sky people. I should tell of the star. I should have logged my travels more carefully. So many stories I did not recorded in my logs. I moved to place to place to try and lose the pain but wherever I went, it went with me. Someplace I held my mind and others I lost it. Some places I was cherished, others I was in bondage and others I had to kill or be killed. I traveled from places of brute men to the places of great floating buildings in the sky. Time means nothing to the Fireoak Forest or for me. But …
The time did come for me to return to the land of the cold and green. I knew I would never lose this curse or reclaim what was lost unless I found my greatness there. The star now guiding me, keeping the pain in the dream where it belonged. The jar was cover in a layer of dust. I wondered how long I had been gone. The gate opened and I was back to the land of the cold and green. The paper told me only a few days had past for them. I began to make my way back to the streets.
I entered the warehouse, one to the air in form. I climbed to the hut where Josho laid. Linda was not within and slipped in to see my son. He was my first and was safe with his father. He slept quietly. His soft brown hair moist against his forehead. I pulled a blanket over him. “Sweet little Josho, I love you so.” I left quickly; I had turned from the star for that moment. I could hear the others voices drifting towards the hut. It was not yet time for my return to this place.
To the new house of the hunt I traveled I had business to deal with there. As I approached the house another came from the other direction. He formed a slide of ice and moved swiftly towards me. He wore dark blue accented with white and a brown down filled vest. The male circled me on his sheet of ice taking in my form. His dazzling ice blue eyes shone, as his snow white hair tossed itself freely in the breeze. He was well formed and stood at least a foot taller than me. His nicely tanned face was warm and inviting as he smiled and spoke. “Greetings and salutations!” He sprayed ice across the way as he slide to a stop. At the door besides me, “Hmm.”
I looked at his form still not dropping my hood, “Greetings.” I knocked on the door.
The stranger grinned brightly, “This place sure has far better scenery than Stormwatch.”
Cat arrived to open the door his face buried in a schoolbook. “Greetings little brother.” I spoke to get his attention.
“Hi ya…er…is this the Seattle hunt place or am I lost?” The man joined the conversation.
“Oh, Hi Raven what have you been doing?” Cat said as stood in the full of the door. “Hi Ice, Good timing. I’ve been wanting you to meet Raven here.”
“I have come to see your new home.” I glanced to the man called Ice and back to Cat, “So can I enter?”
“Raven can you tell me if Ice Hawk attacked me on his own accord.” Cat requested, “Please Come in.”
I removed my cloak. My living art shining through my one-piece body suit. I straighten the top of my thigh high boots, careful not to damage them from the claws on my gloves.
“Whoa.” Ice Hawk stated as he stared at me. “Very nice.”
“You look great as always Raven.” Cat agreed.
My eyes looked off to the distant as I viewed the play. “Thank you little brother.”
Cat looked worried as he spoke, “Raven sit down.”
I sat on the couch and crossed my legs. Icehawk slide in beside me. He scanned over the whole of the room.
I started the chatter, “So your name is ICE? Like that of the Cold north.”
“Nah, James Hawkins,” He glanced over to me as I leaned back into the couch. “Icehawk… Like blues in a blizzard… Cool…”
“Please to meet you.” I said as I watched him slide around the room, leaving a thin trail of ice. He spun to a stop and took a deep bow.
“I am very please to meet you, Raven.” He sounded so gallant.
Cat’s eyes never left me, “Raven, What’s wrong?” he looked to the ice melting and addressed Icehawk, “Stop that Ice and mop it up.”
Icehawk grinned as the ice evaporated, “Mop what?”
“Fine.” Cat grumbled, “That’s a good trick? What’s the ice made of CO2?”
I left them to see my old friend. He, too, was part of the play. I went in to visit my once one and only friend.
Valoki spoke within my mind *I heard that … Ex-friend? You would discard me?*
I returned my words in his, *Valoki you have been so involved with your new family, you missed much*
*Raven you have been so involved with your new family, you missed much.*
My heart tore, *I no longer carry the babies.*
*You think I don’t see that?* Valoki circled the bed.
*I no longer will ever see him. He is but a painful dream.*
*Good … now I can kill him like I suggested a long time ago. One good sting, it’ll all be over*
*No you can’t. I doubt you will ever get close enough*
*I am a sneaky little dragon*
I felt new pain erupting it was so hard to do what I must, *I would rather see … This is not what I came to say*
*What is?*
*I had an awakening*I sighed heavily, *it is the second of seven*
Valoki nodded, *I see it in your eyes.*
*If I take you with me you will die*
*So I am Kara’s now…* he was filling with hurt I could feel it in my mind, *How do you know I would not prefer to die at your side?*
*You are as you have always been one unto yourself* I looked at Mercury that he protected *Because you to have found a love. Not just a companion.*
*But one does not abandon the other.*
*You choose a different path just like archer.*
Valoki was offended, *Comparing me to him? Thanks …*
*I will not stand in the way of your happiness and take you to your death. I will loss all in order to save all. It is the only way to get rid of my curse of greatness. It is better for me to let you live than take you to your death. You have known my heart all my days. You know I do not do this lightly. Take your freedom and be happy. Just remember me in your stories of life.*
*We were born in an instant. We have shared out lives … it would be only right to go out together in the same instant.*
*NO! I will not have it, dragon!*
*Who asked you?*
*All ready two of your kin died for me. I will not have you die too!* I left the room quickly closing door, which locked him in. Valoki slammed against the door, claws scratching the wood.
I walked down the stairs Cat pulled me into the computer room. “Raven, please tell me what’s wrong? What… What happened?”
“Archer and me walk separate paths and the children are no longer.”
Cat sat there too stunned to get up. The house phone rang and I heard Icehawk answer.
“Hello?” Ice listened to the receiver and replied, “The voice isn’t familiar but the breath is … Don’t know … funny like that … Whatcha got fish breath?” Icehawk called out to us as he hung up the phone, “Sounds like a call to arm! To arms, to arms!” Icehawk bounced out of the chair and slided into the room. I headed to the door and looked at the ice boy. Such a nice new actor on the stage.
Cat was still stunned at my word, “I don’t know if I want to go. Are you up for it Raven?”
I nodded at Cat and spoke in jest, “I have two arms.”
“Come on, putty tat,” Icehawk was full of energy, “We go get us a threat …” He looked at me as I covered myself with my cloak, “Hey, Raven … going to join the party?”
“I am of the team.” I said with a heaviness of duty bearing on my shoulders.
Icehawk grinned at Cat. “You might want to watch your back. This is the same people that mind controlled me the other day.”
I touched Icehawk mind as he spoke and confirmed his words true for my little brother. I cursed under my breath as I thought, *more to deal with will the green ever stop?” I spoke aloud, “To where do we travel??”
“Roosevelt and 45th. Where ever that is…”
Cat smiled, “Gee, we have to fight in a mini mall. I hope they have pretzels there. It’s by the school. Are we on are our own again or do we have mass transit?”
“Icehawk can I travel with you?” I requested.
“You bet!” Icehawk scooped me in his arms. He felt like the cold north but I said nothing. “Point the way.” My eyes meet his but the distant star called me to look upon it.
Cat piped up, “Ok. Don’t start with out me.”
Icehawk grinned, “Don’t worry, I won’t… ain’t that stupid.” He skated to the door. “Mind opening it?” With my mind I turned the handle pulled it open. “That’s one way…” He slide down the walkway and up the street, “Where are we headed?”
I spoke the direction, “Three blocks from the college, south from here. Take Ravenia to Roosevelt. We should run right into 45th.”
Icehawk did a U-turn and headed south, blowing by Cat. He grinned as he skated, never looking down, the pure joy of the speed evident on his handsome face. Weaving in and out of pre-Christmas traffic, doing the occasional loop around a particularly attractive woman. Icehawk skated down Ravenia. He leaned into the turn as he moved around the corner at Roosevelt.
There was a gas Station on one corner and cars were lined up to get in and a bank with people coming in and out across from it. A fruit market stood on the third. A small mini mall filled the fourth. The traffic was heavy on the street and the mall lot was full of cars. But not many people were in sight. I became one with the air still in his arms as Cat arrived.
“Ok, let’s go in,” Cat spoke quickly eager to enter the battle, “Raven cover us and don’t get to far away.”
I spoke, “Thank you Icehawk. You can set me down now.” He release my legs and I slide against the fullness of his form as I found my legs. He than release the rest of me.
Four stores where closed, one stood empty I hugged the wall and made my way to Cat. Icehawk crowded in behind Cat and me. He whispered. “I have always been a fan of keeping together … easier to get us all in an explosion. Cat, I’m going to skate around to the far end of the place a take quick look.”
I whispered “Want to go shopping?”
Icehawk grinned to the air, “Here? No way!
Cat whispered, “Yes, I think the Pretzels are this way.” Cat peered into the first building window. Icehawk skated off, around the back of the buildings, checking out the back and far side. Cat’s danger sense kicked in. I could see the fur standing up on the back of his neck.
Using my mind’s eyes I reported over the radio, “There are many in each building crowded together.”
Icehawk responded over the earpiece, “I’ll open the back door on this one.”
Cat saw his target and ran into the building shouting, “This is not your day.”
Cat threw a multi punch at the armored man. One of his powerful swings caught the man unaware but the evil one, being skilled, avoid the next.
I was a fool. I watched so carefully Cat’s back I did not see the blast from the giant raising from the center of the parking lot. I screamed in pain and radioed, “There is a ton of them moving in on your building”
Cat threw a snap kick at the armored man. “I have better things to do.” He stated as his foot connected and the man folded to the floor. Cat looked around to see what took me down.
He flew from the door to be stopped by a 30 foot robot. He extended his claws and took a swipe.
The hulk stopped his move to take possession of me and instead moved to Cat. He grabbed for Little brother but missed. Three more men rushed the front of the building. I tried to gather my self.
From out of the building a man came sailing through the plate glass window. Icehawk’s happy face appeared in sight. The battle raged on. Ice attacked the robot sending it into the traffic. The men that could run, ran from the fight but the giant bot stood crushing a car with people still trapped within. Hawkins had join in the fray but battled at the other end of the mall.
Icehawk skated quickly behind the bot as it regained it self and chose a target. The bot went sailing back into the parking lot and I rushed to it as the dust began to settle.
“Dog pile on the robot!” screamed Icehawk as he skated to the metal machine.
Cat ran to the crushed car and saw one man still live. With his great claws he ripped the steel to cut him out. Cat moved from car to car free doors and ripping roofs to release those in the cars.
Icehawk slide up to the ‘bot, scowling. He stopped, spraying ice chips and drove four feet of an ice sword through the thing. Within the bot a counter activated and the numbers start flashing in a count down. “Holy shit!” exclaimed Icehawk, “Uh oh… Where’s Titan when you need him?”
Cat screamed to me, “Raven I think it’s time for you to send it flying.”
“WAIT!” Icehawk screamed in a panicked voice, “It’s counting down! It might self-destruct! We need to minimize damage and unless you can move this thing into the Sound, it’s gonna kill someone. ”
Hawkins landed, “I know, I’m trying to get it out of here ”
A battle of minds argued as precious moment ticked away on the counter. Icehawk blanketed the thing in a thick blanket ice. The timer still ticked. Eight, seven. All took cover, six, five. I held my breath. Four, three, the world seemed silent, two, and one. Nothing happened. I sagged in relief. Cat gathered himself first. He called the police as he checked out the other buildings.
A voice radioed, “Thank you for showing up. You are the most profitable business venture I have ever dealt in. I will call again”
Icehawk radioed, “Fish breath. No offense to the hawk.”
I called King to give him the scoop. We went to every call to aid and we release the prisoners and did duty of the green. This newest member I was in need to know, after all had been helped. I watched Icehawk. He questioned all till he received the report of seven dead, fifteen injured, two in serious condition. His mood went dark as he slid off after hearing the body count without a word.
“ICE!” I called after him.
Icehawk spun to a stop and glided back to me, “Yes?”
“Please get me out of here I don’t feel like talking to the press.”
“You either, huh?” He nodded, “Sure…where too?”
“I know this donut shop by the park.”
Icehawk scooped me up in his arms as if I was a doll, “I know San Francisco, not Seattle. Direct me.” Icehawk kicked off, accelerating to breakneck speeds for a crowded city street. He skated through the streets, his face grim, the joy of speed no longer charging his batteries.
“What’s wrong Ice?”
“Four people died because of me. Lot’s more hurt…”
“I felt the same way, once.” I thought of the stone and steel and the bombing I did not stop. “The one who fault is the one who directed the play not the actors.”
Icehawk slide up on the sidewalk, stopping before the donut stop. Slowly he put me to my feet. We where joined by Cat and enjoyed donuts and tea. I didn’t feel like eating.
Icehawk borrowed my cell phone. “Hawkins here … we just had a major set to with Genocide here in Seattle … Yeah, one Mk. 5 or 6 … I only saw two pawns … Two dead … I’ll see if I can …” I informed him there was five. He covered the phone and thanked me and than continued his call. “I am told five pawns. Five bystanders … I need you to get me info on the four in the street … yeah, them too … set up the usual. Yeah … Thanks.” Icehawk flipped the phone closed and handed it back.
Cat looked into his soda, “Ice, Some times I think they shouldn’t let Supers on the street until they go through some sort of boot camp. I can’t tell you how many died around me.” I placed my hand on Cat’s shoulder and turned my head to the park. Cat squeezed my hand and added, “Some training so we don’t do more damage than good. We’re kind of stuck, the funny thing is, that it was the results of the action of former members.”
Icehawk asked, “What do you mean, Cat?” He poked a donut with length of ice extending from his index finger.
I felt a tear fall from my eye, across the way a young girl lifted her baby to her breast. I could not take my eyes from her, I could not hear the voices of those who talked. I could only feel the pain. I was letting the shadows be real, to the star I looked for help.
The chatter proceed, something about Captain Victory being arrogant, a Silver Avenger wanna be. I felt the Icehawks eyes on me as he played with the donut.
I rubbed my neck where the moisture of my tear landed. I casually commented, “The food here is really quite good.”
Icehawk continued to stab at the donut, “Don’t feel like eating right now.”
“I know that feeling too.” I responded still looking out the window.
“Yeah, you look like hell … if you don’t mind my saying so.” Ice commented.
“Finally someone who speaks no lies on how beautiful I am.” I was shocked at his honesty but most pleased, “That is refreshing. Why people of the green do try to fool me that way is beyond me.”
Icehawk asked, “Green?”
I slid from the booth, “Who wants to walk.”
Cat shrugged, “We’re a happy group. I guess I have my own problems. I’ll talk to you later.” Cat called back from the door, “Sorry, I have to study. Unless you need me Raven?”
Icehawk snorted, “I’ll try to walk …”
Chameleon radioed “Guys I just got a call warning of trouble tonight.”
I radioed back “Really?”
Chameleon radioed, “Park outside of town hall around midnight.”
Cat radioed, “Ok, I’ll be meet you back at the house.”
Chameleon radioed, “Good I will be in my room, children trouble here.”
I radioed, “Kara, Cat, please check the area and come up with a position for best defense
Hawkins radioed, “I’m heading back as soon as I drop this robber off.”
I walked in the park with Icehawk at my side. I was begged to sing and dance by the sweet young Teddy but was cornered to do so for Kevin. I finally agreed to dance for him. No song dwelt within the spirit of a shadow. I moved to the notes play. I swayed to them and spun lightly. My cloak twirled out. The music picked up a little as people began to watch. I danced to the music each note matched in a movement as my spirit reached to me. Kevin grinned and played on for the crowd that now watched the dance carry me across the void within. Real and Shadow meeting and twisting. The pain taking hold as the happiness busted in and out of my mind. The flood of all was merging in the dance.
Icehawk moved away from the water and leaned against a tree. He watched the crowd. I cared not, the dance swiped me into a leap and spin and I lifted off the ground in the spin. Lightly to the ground I landed as the last note played. Kevin grinned as the people applauded and tossed the coins and bills into his case. I drew my cloak tightly around myself. The star called to me to gaze unto it and I did not. I allowed the feelings to move inside. Joy, Pleasure, fear, anger, hatred, and the pain, they all moved in a dance and all inside my shadow of a shell.
Icehawk pushed away from the tree and dropped a hundred-dollar bill in the case. Kevin looked at him a little surprised, “Thanks man.” Icehawk took my elbow and lead me off.
Kevin shouted after us, “See yeah tomorrow Raven>”
Icehawk talked as we walked. He offered me a place to stay. In a fashion I accepted and thought about the need for rest. I did need rest. The feelings swimming demanded me to rest. “Would you mind me using your place now?”
“That would be fine,” he said. “May I transport you?”
“That would be lovely.” I spoke as I took the arm he offered. He held me tightly and pushed off down the street. I rested my head his shoulder. The cold of his slide moving across me as he accelerated, again he dodged. We went to his room in the hotel. Ice quickly gave me a run down of the suite of rooms. I dropped my cloak on the chair and watched his eyes gaze at the living art that shone through my body suit. I took my bag off my back as he pulled off his vest, dropping it on the couch.
Icehawk stepped to the bar “Drink?”
“Something hot would be nice.”
Icehawk offered, “Tea? Coffee? Soup? Cocoa?
I looked into the bedroom, “Surprise me.” I walked in the other room calling back. “I won’t be long.” I went to the bathroom. I slide out of my suit, with the water of the green I cleansed myself and took the shirt of my love and covered myself. It hung loose and brought back more of the pain within. The Star called and I heeded not. I placed all that was mine back in the bag and went to the sitting room where Icehawk waited.
Icehawk was sitting before a roaring fire, his feet propped up in a low table, a goblet of a dark liquid coating the bottom of his glass. On the table was also a steaming pot of tea, cups, sugar, lemon and milk, laid neatly in front of a chair. I moved to the fire. My eyes traveled back in time to the flames of his library. To the warmth of his touch. I knelt before the flames. I looked to the star.
“You have a nice place.” I spoke as I turned to the table sitting on the floor.
“Merely a place to stay while in town,” He spoke, watching my movements.
I poured a cup of tea. “I can understand that.” I gulped the tea the steam rushing over my cheeks.
Icehawk closed his eyes as he asked, “How long have you been in town?”
“I have been in the land of cold and green for three of your months according to your calendars but not all is counted.” I drank down my cup pouring another and drinking it to. I placed the cup down and stretched out in front to the flames. My eyes transfixed on the movement. His eyes swept across my form. I could feel them on me.
“Would you care for a pillow or blanket?” He offered.
My arm lay under my head. My mind floated back in time to when I had my love. “If you wish.”
Icehawk climbed out of the chair and disappeared into the bedroom, returning shortly with a pillow and blanket. My mind slipped off to the lands of dreams way before the warmth of the blanket covered me.
I felt his hand touch my shoulder. He called out my name. “Raven.”
“Yes my one and only” I replied. Cufean still wrapped around me. His warmth keeping me real in the shadows of my dreams.
Icehawk frowned a little, “It’s almost midnight, Raven.”
My beloved tore from my mind. His arms once again faded into the darkness of my dreams. The star called and quieted me. The pain was light at his leaving, yet the emptiness stayed. I came to my senses. The voice that called was not my love. My love was lost. I opened my eyes, above me was the young form of the newest actor to the play.
“Sorry to wake you,” Icehawk apologized. He poured some fresh tea and offered it.
I thought of the dream now faded and lied, “It is alright I was nearly finished.” I declined the cup, “I will go dress.” I jumped to my feet, Icehawk eyes watched my every move. I entered the bedroom and realized I must have just gave him a view of a “full moon rising”. I grinned the green had such nice way of putting things. I dressed quickly.
When I returned, the young man was ready for battle. I put my bag across my back and covered in my cloak, drawing it tight. His strong arms took my form into him and a slide of ice formed as he skated down the stairs at break neck speeds. Icehawk reached the bottom of the steps and slammed his hip into the door, throwing it open and sliding out into the streets. I ignored the cold he sprayed. Some how the ice cold of his closeness took me back to another time.
****
Michael teleported us both to a snow field. Michael laughed. “You think, Tsarsaidor will stop me?”
I pulled my cloak tightly around me.
“No, you are the other great one that was seen.” Michael laughed harshly. He glared at me.
“Never underestimate Evil.” He placed his hand on my shoulder and in one quick tug he held my cloak in his hand. Michael pulled the amulet and locket from my neck. “And I think you’ll not need this.” He dangled the two before my eyes as he stepped back.
“Why? They are a burden anyway and you come to tease?”
The cold wind brushed my cheeks and I knew he was not finished yet and I was right. He spoke a word and I was naked in the snow. The cold claimed me quickly as I fell to my knees covering my self with my limbs. It was to no avail for I quietly laid in the snow. “Good bye, Raven of the Fireoak Forest.”
****
So long ago, he held an innocent that he could have molded. Should I thank the Flame he was blind. Would I have become the evil he perceived? I did do crimes of evil, embraced evil and held evil in my arms. Never did I become the evil he said I had to be. Or did I? That was another time and another place. Some day maybe …
The voice over the radio drew me back to the play. I radioed, “Let’s meet at the Denny’s. Guys are you there?”
Hawkins radioed, “Which one?”
A new voice echoed across the air waves, “Denny’s? Denny’s?”
I radioed, “The Denny’s across from City Hall”
Icehawk radioed, “Denny’s” He leaned into my ear and whispered in my ear softly, “Where is City Hall?” I guided his way as he accelerated to 400 mph, weaving through the sparse traffic.
I radioed, “Keep your eyes open. We still don’t know who or what they are.”
Icehawk slid up the door, spraying the door with ice. I spotted Hawkins landing on the roof. Icehawk opened the door.
“Ice I think we should wait for them here.” I suggested.
Little brother arrived and standing next to him was a 6-ft forever man “Cat who’s your friend?”
Cat purred, “This is tiny. He calls himself Titan.”
I bowed my head, my eyes not leaving the second of the new actors, “It is a pleasure to meet you Sir Titan.” I smiled deep beneath the shadow of my hood. How long was it since I used that title? This new one towered over me. His hair flowed long in the back and cropped short atop. His muscles expand the size of twice my waist. His stern face stared down at my form.
Icehawk grinned at Titan, “She called you Sir.”
Titan let a grin soften his face, “The pleasures all mine little lady, waha …”
“Bad, Titan, where’s your spurs … Or did you leave them in the bed post again?” Icehawk chuckled at the bad impersonation.
“What? Nobody knows John Wayne?” Titan shook his head in disbelief.
Icehawk raised a hand “I do … was that John Wayne?
I was caught in the play. I drifted in to the scene, “What is a John Wayne?”
Laughter filled the air as Icehawk tried to answer me through his choked back laugh, “A hero, Raven! The greatest American hero!”
“A dead actor.” Cat words echoed in my mind. The distant star called. I focused on the task as hand.
Icehawk still grinning spoke to little brother, “Careful, Cat, them are fightin’ words!”
“We are here for a job,” I spoke as the play returned outside of me, “I think we have need to figure it out.”
Titan spoke up, “That we don’t know much about.”
“Okay … who’s in charge of this … team?” Ice questioned.
“Cat, Hawkins, how should we approach?” I ignored the question. How many times had that been asked? How many times was it tossed around? How many times did it go unanswered as we entered into battle hoping for the best?
“And are we expecting Genocide again?” questions started to flow from Icehawk’s lips.
“We can expect anything willing to pay for us.” I stated dryly. “They picked the spot and the time.”
Titan face turned in question, “Who is this ‘They'”?
“I think they are making plans without us, bud!” spoke as he slapped Titan on the shoulder.
“Titan … We have been getting phone calls telling us to show up at places, else people will get hurt.” I held my temper at all this prattle. Again, the actors wanted to talk, instead of taking the parts they needed to act out.
Cat added, “We don’t know, they are suppose to be here at midnight.”
“Nice.” Titan spoke sarcastically, “How many phone calls?”
Icehawk stated, “Sorta like blackmail, come get beat up or people die …”
“This makes four.” I answered
“How often?” the large man wanted more information.
“This is the second one today.” I was growing weary of the questions. Time again was being wasted.
“And?” Titan raised an eyebrow, “the other two?”
“The one earlier Ice can tell you about.” I said shortly.
Cat could sense my growing anxiety, “Hawken you take high cover and tell us where they are. Ok?”
“Oh, pawn it off on the new guy…” Ice chuckled.
“Ice tried to kill Cat on one of the others,” I hurried my words, “I was not with them.”
Titan asked, “Teamwork huh?”
Icehawk held up his hands “Not my fault … Mind Control sucks!”
Titan and Icehawk bantered on as I tried to ease the mind of Little Brother. I opened my minds eyes and looked out to the park. “There are a few in the park.” I stated as I continued to scan, “None in the city hall. What the…” I open my eyes, “One mind left to nowhere.”
Titan raised an eyebrow.
“One mind left to nowhere?” Ice spoke the unasked question, “What do you mean?”
“It was there and than not.”
“Sounds like a t-port,” Icehawk spoke, “I suggest you all give me a wide berth. I don’t want to attack anyone else.”
Cat radioed as he jumped into the air, towards the park, “Raven, Ice which one with me?”
Ice radioed, “I’d think you prefer not to hang with me, Cat, and I understand.”
Cat radioed, “Raven cleared you that’s good enough for me. Me and Titan are the ground troops and we shouldn’t be teamed up. Your choice.”
I faded one with the air, “I will scream when I need you all.”
Titan pulled out his hammer and jumped into the air towards the park.
“Titan and I have worked together for some time … we’ll take the left side.” Icehawk reported.
I radioed. “Search the area and secure the innocent out.”
“You got it boss, lady.” Chimed the ice boy, “Let’s do it, tall dark and ugly.”
I radioed back, “I am not the boss.”
Icehawk pushed off, gliding toward the park Titan jumped again and bounded beside Hawk. Icehawk plants, stopping and throwing up ice chips. He scanned the trees. His lips pressed together and began humming a few bars of “Ice Castles.” Icehawk extruded an ice sword.
Cat radioed, “Raven, should I meet you?”
From out of the blacken sky. Hawkins swooped from above. His flight was fast and direction straight. He rammed his target. Icehawk rolled to the ground, his pain escaped his lungs
Titan radioed. “I got a bogey over here, Ice has been hit.”
Cat says “Shoot” as he radioed, “Raven. Can you stop Hawkins”
I replied into my mic, “I will try.”
Titan responded, “Affirmative.” He ran grabbing Hawkins. His powerful arms wrapped tightly about the huge bird. Hawkins becomes motionless as his consciousness slipped from him.
I radioed, “Two members down and I can’t get any signals on the dark. I think we should regroup.” I needed to gain time to find our enemies. I was one was unto myself and hide from my mind.
Cat radioed, “Can you protect my mind? Me or Titan will have to leave even if you can.”
At least little brother was trying to form a plan.
Titan radioed, “Please, stay out of my mind, if you don’t mind.” He looked down at the body on the ground, “Hey Ice wake up,” hr kicked him.
I didn’t know my enemy. There was no focus to this action. It was useless to continue. Nothing truly to gain. I screamed over the radio, “Lets retreat!!!”
Titan looked around “From what? Ourselves?”
My blood churned, the Star called, I ignored it. I radioed. “From the mentalist and that thing cat is with. We need to regroup.” I looked to the star and became quiet. If the pawns wished to be foolish so shall it be.
Titan radioed, “I’m big not oblivious. I ain’t afraid a no mentalist.”
Icehawk sat up, spits out a feather and glared at Titan “I got talon marks on my back?”
Titan stated, “Ya, mind control I’d say.” The two of them joked on about chicken dinners and McNuggets as Cat fought with one of our enemies.
Titan radioed, “Hey raven what should I do with the bird? I think Ice is being mind controlled…. He’s got that glazed over look.”
Icehawk sounded off, “and soon as I get unstunned, I am going to kick your ass!”
“Yep, definitely not himself.”
I moved to the grouping in my unseen form speaking to the hulk of man. “Let him go, retreat.”
Icehawk took a double take, “What did she say? Retreat?”
“Not hardly, retreat that is.” Titan lets the bird fall to the ground.
I opened my mind and touched Icehawk. His mind melted to my touch and I tried to order him to the Hunt house but all I did was release her power over him. I had words with the huge one. He was so bound to jump into combat with the unknown. We still didn’t even have a count of how many or who or anything and two member had been taken down. They tired fought on. Was this bravery or stupidity? Was there any difference in the land of the green?
Cat radioed, “Titan follow me I’ll give you someone to fight.”
Titan jumped off as he asked, “Coming Ice?”
“Be right there.” Ice muttered, “Soon as I catch my wind.” He wiped his hand over his face.
Cat radioed, “Raven, Ice can you protect each other?”
Icehawk laid there panting. He radioed “She keeps the mental woman out of me, I can do it!”
I was still one to the air so I touched his arm as I spoke softly, “I am here.”
Icehawk glanced in my direction with a smile. He muttered, “I thought I was supposed to watch YOU sleep.” His breath still labored to come back to him. Moments passed and over the radio I could hear the battle between Cat, Titan and Metal Head. Their battle had left the park. I watched the wooded park for any sign of others. Icehawk climbed slowly to his feet “Okay, time to freeze some ass-sets, Raven, wherever you are.”
I took his arm, my hand laid on him. “I am here.”
Icehawk slipped an arm around the air and pushed off toward the park. As he did a couple turned the corner. Arm and arm they walked heading towards the park. Icehawk breezed by the couple and yelled “I am a mugger, as soon as I get the couple up the street, I am coming back for you!” The two started to run deeper into danger, across the front of the city hall. He shook his head, “Stupid people.”
Titan radioed, “Hey Ice, what’s your 1020?”
Icehawk radioed, “Got an arm full of babe and heading your way… You might want to get off here, Raven.” His eyes glazed over in a glassy stare, “Yes, Mistress…..”
Titan radioed, “Raven, where the hell are these damn headhunters?”
Raven radioed, ” I am about to find out.”
Titan radioed, “Hey guys, I don’t know how you usually do things around here, but we need to isolate and negate the egoists first! This running around attacking each other is for the birds. No offense Hawkins!”
I radioed, “Gee thanks does that mean me too?”
Cat radioed, “Leave Hawkins out of it.”
Icehawk skated toward the statue like a good little mindless zombie boy. He slid up to the statue, plants, spraying ice and sits down, placing the invisible Raven on his lap. I opened my mind to make sure Ice was freed from the other.
I freed Ice’s mind and whispered, “Pretend you are still under control till we see them.”
Icehawk twiddled his thumbs.
Titan radioed “Does anybody know how to operate their radios? Hey Hawk where are you?”
The bushes moved by the treeline. A man appeared through them the glint of steel in his hand as he approached us. He took Ice’s arm and snapped on a handcuff. I left Icehawk’s lap as the cold started. Weakness swipe the man as Ice punched him hard. The body of the man sailed through the air and into the woods.
Titan radioed, “Since everyone is obviously too scared to use their radios,”
Cat radioed, “You guys still in the park? How’s it going?”
Raven radioed, “They are listening to us cat and we are not afraid. We also just got one.”
Titan voice echoed over the radio, “RAVEN, you’re alive!”
Raven radioed, “I was hiding as we trapped one of the mind guys. Couldn’t talk.”
We made our way to the body. He laid motionless in the moonlight. Branches, twigs and leaves had snagged through out his clothes. I looked up at and the glint of the handcuff that was on Icehawk’s arm, “I don’t think that jewelry is right for you.” My hands danced through the pockets of the man. I hoped that Ice was covering me just in case. My fingers felt keys and I pulled them out. I became one with the eye as I pulled a business card from the inner pocket of the man’s pocket.
It read
First Round Inc.
Pick your opponent. We deliver.
(206) 345-9783
first_round@battlegrounds.com
I slipped the card into my cloak. Took the keys and release Icehawks, arm. The handcuffs and keys, I slid nicely into my cloak.
Titan radioed, “Hey Icey”
Icehawk replied, “Yes, Titan?”
Titan asked over the radio, “What ya up to?”
Icehawk grinned as he spoke into the mic, “Hangin’ with the best looking girl in Seattle, you got some guy lined up, as usual?” Icehawk moved off looking around the statue for his female attacker.
Titan growls came over the radio as their opponent escaped from their efforts. “Does anyone have anything they need me to hit?” he radioed. “My friend picked up his toys and went home. I THINK I HEARD HIS MOM CALLING HIM!”
I radioed, “We can’t find any others. Did you catch yours yet?””
Cat radioed, “I’m on my way back.”
Titan replied, “No, he vanished like the wind. Quite remarkable actually.”
Raven radioed, “We have one let’s regroup at the house. We need to talk.”
The scene was closing. The police, who the major had on stand by near the park arrived quickly. We all went to the house. Titan was voted into our team. The chatter rose and fall. I looked on the two new actors that replaced my dear little sister and the arrogant dragonkin, I hoped one would be able to control the next act. I looked upon the members of the Seattle Hunt, each held the secret loneliness of the green.
I slipped out the door and walked in the silence of the night. The cold and dark of the green surrounding me. The emptiness of the street seemed so full as compared to the vastness that was within me. Slowly I moved through this shadowland. Some how, some where, my greatness awaited me.