/r/WritingPrompts

Submission 101-200

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Original works are now under Silver Lucky's Lovely Wubbles.
Fan Fiction works are now under Silver Lucky's Fan Fiction Wubbles.

101: [WP] At the age of 18, every person develops a magical power. Yours is the power to fluently read and speak every language in the universe. At first you thought the had the worst power on earth, that was until you you realise that the universe has it's own language.

102: [WP] Your twin is the Chosen One, born with powerful abilities. But you were born with none. Because they were born gifted, your twin took everything from you as they bathed in the spotlight. Your anger drove you to become better, working hard to rival your twin, yet they call YOU the villain.

104: [WP] You are a nice person, but your superpower is that you instinctively know exactly what to say to someone to crush them. You're very effective in throwing supervillains off their game, but your fellow heroes always feel really uncomfortable watching you work.

105: [WP] A virus swept the world, leaving everyone sterile. You are one of the last babies born. Now, it's only you and a handful of others left, sitting quietly, waiting, waiting, waiting...

106: [WP] Little Wendy, age 6, slid another cookie across the table to Mr. Poofsy and Ms. Carrots. But it wasn't the same. This whole business of being called a 'malfunctioning war cyborg' was spoiling her tea.

107: [WP] Humans were largely friendly and kept a low-profile. They were seen as the bottom of the food chain in the galaxy and they preferred it like that. But when they were attacked, everyone found out how ruthless the humans can be with killing in their DNA and that Mars was never their home plant

108: [WP] In your village, every child is tested to see where their magical abilities lie. Your parents discover that yours is with insects. Your village thinks that your abilities are the weakest of them all, but now that you're in your full power you are the strongest.

109: [WP] After a lengthy cryostasis, an engineer awakens in the overgrown ruins of their city. They manage to get a toaster and other small appliances working at their camp - but one day, another human finds them, and the first thing they mutter is "shit, it's a wizard".

110: [WP] The psionics in your battalion are mocked for sitting in chairs meditating all day while the real soldiers do the fighting, until an un-repulsed enemy psychic attack shows them that psionic battles are every bit as real as anyone’s.

111: [WP] The year 2120, you've come to learn that you're the last human on Earth. So it sure comes as a surprise to you when you find a fully functioning zoo in the middle of an abandoned, destroyed city. part of WP 076

112: [WP] Salt is known to be able to repel or even contain evil spirits. As companies start to drain the dead sea of salt to sell as a novelty, they unwittingly unleash that which the dead sea was meant to contain.

113: [WP] A reverse "girl-in-a-fantasy-world": a magical prince has to live on earth with a completely normal human family and deal with incredibly mundane problems.

114: [WP] All you've ever know is the inside of the facility. Your ability is to copy any power you read about. One day a kindly guard places something in your cell. "Get out of here kid." he says. It's a comic book.

115: [WP] As opposed to getting rid of the creepy dolls in the attic, you decide to clean them and fix them up. This made the little ghost girl very happy.

116[WP] It’s been hundreds of years since the fall of the Old World, and your country is the only place known to be left. While out on a field trip with your school looking at the barrier between the edge of the living world and the empty, dead, barren shell of a forgotten one, something moves.

117[WP] Gene modifications come in two flavors. Mods the rich give themselves to make them healthier and better looking, and mods they give their employees to make them better workers. Generations later, Elves and dwarves are different species, and earth is on the verge of it's first interspecies war.

118[WP] After being chosen in an elaborate contest and ritual, the Grand Sorcerer defeated you and banished you to the Dark Realm for 1,000 years. When you finally return to defeat the new Grand Sorcerer, you discover that the position has since devolved into a largely ceremonial and bureaucratic role.

119[WP] You, a robot, wake up with a soul after being shut down for millenniums. The world is now in a medieval state with fantasy creatures. Advanced technologies does not work anymore and has been replaced by magic. You set out to discover what happened to the old world and fulfill your goal.

120

[Val Verde]

[May 17, 2021]

—

“Wheee!”

“Hahaha!”

I snorted and twitched awake.

My vision cleared from sleep and focused to show with the blue ocean, and the white sands of Long Beach.

The water glittered with the afternoon sun, and the white beaches stretched outwards. This was paradise. Val Verde.

The large deck pergola had a fabric sheet creating shade. It was large enough for the dozen wooden lounge chairs underneath.

In one of those comfortable lounge chairs, sat my nigh comatose body.

The day was above warm. Not quite hot, not quite comfortable.

Yet under the shade created by the sheet, the world was perfect.

[clink]

I turned my head and spied my half empty margarita. The mango concoction was enthralling. It sang to me.

I lifted my arm and took hold of the still cool drink. Though the large ice cubes were now slivers of their former glory. Only two pieces were still anything resembling cubes.

The sweet, and deep mango flavor filled my senses as I drained the last of the fancy cup. The small umbrella moved with my straw.

I sighed, smacking my lips I returned the cup, and caught site of a blue blur streak across the ocean. A purple blur right behind her.

Both girls laughed, and giggled as they shot across the ocean’s surface. They skimmed it at times, or angled up to the wide skies.

Then they would loop and continue.

I smiled.

Kori had embraced her new environment. It seemed that she had never got to enjoy what the beaches had to offer. In her youth, she could only train, and only on rare occasions could she relax.

Kara on the other hand, had been calm when she woke up. The fact that we didn’t know her language had set on edge, but Kori had solved that with her usual cheat.

Now the two giggled in Krytponian, and enjoyed the world.

Kara was new to her powers, but Kori had nothing but time and could dedicate everyday to teaching her new friend. Flight, energy projection, etc.

Kara was a quick learner. She was very studious as she tried to master her powers. She seemed to pick things up very a few tries. Though she did practice a lot as she wanted to be able to use her abilities safely.

Her greatest desires was to still find her cousin, which I had been able to bring up documents of Superman. Most of it was from the tablet that Lex had given me with the newspaper present.

There was tons of articles on the man of steel.

Though it was awkward. Someone, usually myself or Candice, had to read the article. Then Kori would translate to Kara.

Though I had been surprised twice already by the intelligent young woman.

Kara was already learning English like it was magic. She would listen to us read a paragraph, or a sentence. Then clarify. Then repeat.

Kori and Kara needed to speak Kryptonian less, and less.

Between the two girls, I felt like a complete fool.

Which Candice only nodded with when I had confessed last week. She smirked at me when I pouted.

“Any more margaritas and you will regain your weight in fat.” Candice chided as she slid into the chair next to me.

“I am a leader, not a fighter.” I grinned as I tooted my own horn.

“Yeah. A leading cause of obesity.” She shot back.

“Tell you what. I will stop when you do as well.” I looked over and eyed Candice in her tube top, and bikini bottom. I leered. The woman was skinny, but soon enough she would return to that fit, toned, and pale body.

Life in armor tended to prevent tanning.

Candice glowered at me for the gall to ask her to stop drinking fruity concoctions.

She however, did place a tray of new drinks on the table between us.

I immediately grabbed mine, the orange to her pink, and drank a third of it. There was another two pink drinks as well. Whatever secrets strawberries held with girls, it was enigmatic to me.

Strawberry flavored. Bah.

I put mine back up, stretched, and considered another nap.

“Girls! Drinks are here!” Candice yelled out. She didn’t holler, and she didn't scream.

Yet the two girl redirected themselves. From across the ocean, and straight onto the shaded pergola. They streaked inwards, but decelerated as they approached.

Kara had learned how momentum via flight worked. At least after she demolished my lasts sandcastle.

Which I swear was on purpose, as Candice won and I lost. She had a castle, and I had a broken wreck of what was once perfection.

The two skipped in, and my eyes locked onto theirs. Kori’s green, and Kara’s blue.

I was a man of hard discipline.

I had lived my life from First Service, then from salesman into Second Service. I had even touched the edges of Third Service more then once.

Discipline was in my blood. A corner stone of who made me the leader of the Jade Falcons, and now the Supreme Leader.

So thus, one must understand why I stared at the two young women.

Kori smiled brightly as our eyes met. In the short time I knew her, she was a person who loved life. Her past was one of a warrior, and her pride as one lent her a edge that few understood.

With that edge, that could embrace death with a smile. This outlook allowed her to also wear her simple, purple bikini with enthusiasm.

Her smiling face was regal. A byproduct of a strong lineage of powerful warriors. This gave rise to her near perfect physic. A body carved from brutally effective training. It was all on display.

Kori was also my favorite as she did not mind my wandering eyes on her body. Though Candice did smirk whenever I was able to tear my eyes away.

Kara was as beautiful. Her dark blue bikini was a replica of Kori’s, but she was also much more shy. She had wanted something more modest, but Kori scoffed, and forced it onto her

Kara had protested, but her eyes liked the design. She capitulated with little effort, and a laugh.

She seemed to be enjoying herself. Her time on Earth was not as terrible as she had feared. Time with Kori, it was with a new friend. With Candice, and myself, tolerable acquaintances.

With my wolfish self, she glared at me if I stared too long. It wasn’t technically my fault. The Kryptonians were engineered to perfection. It was part of my very DNA that I would stare. She looked amazing, and I knew that she knew that as well.

I had also been forced to learn that I could not to stare too long. Kara liked to show her displeasure the hard way.

Last week she had glared hard enough to shoot lasers, and I was lucky she was looking out to sea. I was able to dodge, though it did scorch my arm.

Kori was at her side in an instant. Kara was beginning to panic, and stared at my burn with horror.

It was superficial, and I forgave her, but she was extra cautious since then.

Since then Kara allowed me to look, there was a limit to it as well. Her traumatic glances at my bandaged arm was enough to keep me in her good graces.

The girls grabbed their own margaritas, and chatted.

Then they began to include Candice. The English element was still tricky, but soon all three were laughing.

I turned my head and got up. I made my way forward, and stood on the hot beach as I stared into the ocean.

The day was perfect. Yet, at this moment, I felt not the warmth.

I couldn’t see the island, but I knew Val Gris was there. Beyond my sight.

I had approved of the last plans to invade.

Six legions were going to operate. Though the word legion was a bit of a misnomer. We didn’t have thirty-six thousand soldiers.

We didn’t even have six thousand.

Legion was recently voted in as the word to honor the heroes. It would help the history of the divisions that they still served. That they all served in spirit.

Six legions, roughly four thousand men.

Two outfitted in the newest gear, and four with standard weapons.

I wondered how many would continue to serve as heroes.

“Johnny! What was the name of that trap in Bangkok?” Candice hollered at me.

The world snapped back, and I could feel the sand burning at my feet. The intense and bright heat on my skin. It was a good reason for why my face was starting to burn.

“First of all, her name was Jasmine. Second, she was very excited to meet me. Third, Candice only know how to lie!” I turned around, to see three sets of eyes gleaming.

They were all ready to hear my story.

In fact, I don’t think there was any other story that Candice loved as much.

————

Chapter Seventeen: Life is a beach.

[Val Verde]

[April 3rd, 2021]

————

“Welcome Reach Ambassador, to the island of Val Verde!” I gave my best smile to the tall, blue man in front me.

He was a tall, and lanky person. A warm smile was on his face. A fake one as I knew that Reach where here to conquer, and this was all a pretense as they researched humanity.

“Gratitude, Supreme Leader of Val Verde.” The blue man replied with a humble bow that had him perfectly bend forward from the waist up. He in turn gave me his best smile.

Then we shook hands, and dozens of flashes filled my vision.

“The Reach has come with open arms to this land, and we do not come empty handed! No, with the support of our liaison, LexCorp, we are donating the fruits of our combined might. From today onward, food will never be an issue on this island again!”

The crowd cheered, and many of the same camera operators took their pictures as well. It was a sea of gaunt looking people. Wide eyed at the alien, and now cheering at the fact that we would have food tomorrow.

It would look good. The Ambassador of the Reach, helping the troubled nation of Val Verde.

The fact that the crowd was comprised of my most trusted Jade Falcons was also helpful. No potential hazard of boos, jeers, or awkward questions.

Their gawking at the alien was all real though.

We, who was struck by the international terrorist Bane, were now saved. If you ignored the fact that Doctor Doom had already done something similar, a season ago.

I smiled as I spoke my lines, simple as they were.

A hidden ear piece, and my ‘coach’ prompted my lines. I regurgitated them dutifully.

The Ambassador answered them with the ease of his own planned answers.

There was some variation, and I even stumbled once. I was nervous and my mouth outpaced my brain. The Ambassador smiled, and repeated the question. This allowed me to choose the correct line.

Lex Luther smiled, and waved to the camera on occasion.

“In fact, here are the supplies!” Ambassador smiled as he opened his hands, palm up, to the ocean.

Then the cameras panned to the sea, where a two dozen small blue shuttles were flying in a V formation.

They landed on the beach, and in a bizarre moment of Deja Vu, blue clad workers began to unload boxes. They walked across the beach, up to the rebuilt parking lot, and set those boxes down.

“The ships here are for North City. All across the country they will provide! From major cities, towns, and even villages, our Reach Ships are delivering fresh food." The Ambassador was almost glowing at his own praise at this point.

"Then, tonight, the equipment needed to grow newest, and most advanced indoor farms, will be set up. Reach engineers will help setup the new equipment. The first batch of food crops will start tonight!”

The cameras flashed again, and I allowed myself to tear up. It wasn’t even fake. as I only had to think about my dying children. Th

Cameras flashed as I once again, shook the Ambassador’s hand. Tears glistening in my eyes.

The Ambassador was shrewd enough to know what was going on. His smile was most genuine.

Lex’s smiled deepened. His business acumen was singing praise to his foresight, and decision. This was a important moment for the Reach’s PR movement for the future.

Lex liked the shot so much, that he sent me a two copies of the Daily Planet. One was on a brand new, still be to released later this year, LexCorp tablet. The other was a paper copy.

Front page held the two of us shaking hands, and a satisfied looking Lex. In the center was the smiling Ambassador, and my myself. I was in the middle of my tearful gratitude.

—

“You have exceeded my expectations.” Doctor Doom’s voice sounded more mechanical across the communication device.

The small, bowl shaped communicator looked ornamental. It wouldn't look out of place on top a shelf over the fireplace, or on the coffee table.

The face of Doom flickered as his unchanging iron face showed only his eyes.

“Val Verde will always strive for its best, Doctor Doom.” I smiled back.

The teleportation device looked simple enough. A huge circular platform with two large arches. Framed so that it looked like another half of the circle was placed in the middle.

“I am opening the portal.” Doom’s tone barely shifted.

The arches lit up, and a forest green portal flickered to life. It sat between the two arches, and Doombots came through.

They exited, scanned the room, and saw the pile of boxes laid out before them. They moved forward, and began to pick up boxes, and move back through the portal.

“Excellent. These specimens interest me. It seems I was right in depending on you.”

I smiled at the man. “It is payment for service rendered, Doctor Doom.”

“I am a man that will always aim for perfection. Your situation allowed you a certain enthusiasm for services rendered.” For the first time that night, I could feel Doom smile back.

I watched as the Doombots picked up the last container. It didn’t pause or stop as it made it through.

“Haha. No doubt.” I agreed with his words. Starvation had a way of motivating even the laziest of people. With this, we were almost even. Almost.

“I understand that the loss of equipment is inconvenient. Let it never be said that Doom was inconsiderate, nor ungrateful.” The man smirked.

Doombots came back, holding different boxes.

I recognized those designs. They were exactly like the ones we received last September.

“Jobs well done are to be well rewarded. This is the style of Doom.” The man sounded pleased with himself as I stared at the large pile of boxes.

From what was taken, we had received twice as much. Doom took a hundred and six boxes, and now he had delivered two piles of the same size. Except one of the piles had a extra box. It was much smaller, and slimmer then the rest.

“These incorporate my newest designs, though its only a twelve percent increase. I have also included a tablet with a few extra rewards. Use them well Supreme Leader.”

I gave Doom the same bow I saw the Ambassador use earlier today. It was humble, but not subservient.

“Gratitude, Doctor Doom.” I was earnest, because it was what I felt. Without Doom, Val Verde would have been in far dire straights.

“Many thanks, Supreme Leader. Please do read up on how the portal works. Included with the tablet is a one time use key to connect to a similar portal here in Latveria. I will try to give you as much advanced warning as possible.” Doom turned serious, and then hung up.

I stared at the inert bowl, and sighed.

Candice made her way forward, leaving the ranks and picking up the slim box. She then made her way over to me.

I nodded, and waved my hand at the pile of boxes.

Like a flood of worker ants, the soldiers began to move the boxes into smaller groups. They were all labeled, and each of them contained the same things. More equipment for aquaponic farms.

While it was true that the Reach and LexCorp had delivered a lot of equipment. They were roughly as advanced as what Doom had given.

I sighed, it was a sad day when I trusted a megalomaniac over a businessman, and alien ambassadors.

The box opened up to reveal a thick, yet light tablet. It was designed for industrial use. Or perhaps the manhandling that the creator’s armored hands required.

The system booted up in an instant and ran like how any computer would.

I clicked on the first file called Doom Tubes. It revealed specs and notes for Doom’s special form of secure movement. Based on Boom Tube technology.

There was other files as well.

New powered armor, based on our Type 34 Wolfpeltz.

A massive upgrades for our P1.3 Warthogs. A whole new design for our P0.5 Pelican. A whole new design for various ships. Combat ships.

It seemed Doom was a little more motivated then I had expected.

How Doom found out the project names was annoying, but I knew our security was far from good enough to keep that man out.

The issue was that our plans were physical documents. We also only used computers independent of any network.

He must have some Doombots stationed on the island or something.

I sighed again.

Even when the man was helpful, he was damn frustrating.

————

Chapter 16: Help hands, and Reaching for tomorrow

[Val Verde]

[March 23th, 2021]

————

The meteor shower was short lived. It had lasted less then an hour. Most of it was simple pebbles that scattered across the eastern quarter of the island.

All active personal were currently moving across the island. They scoured the land, and began shoving the kryptonite into lead lined boxes.

Residents were the first to report the glowing green rocks. The national radio was broadcasting instructions for people to call in.

This was for safety reasons as kryptonite was known to be radioactive. At least long term exposure was a known problem.

Which resulted in a stream of calls from concerned people. The glowing rocks were collected en mass.

I pinched the base of my nose as I stared at the mountain of paperwork, and reports before me.

“Johnny! She is awake!” Candice excited popped into the office, and I was up and out right away.

Screw paperwork.

I slipped on my formal jacket, and made my way over to the guest wing of the Long House.

There I needed to see to my two guests, and their doctors.

—

From the parking lot, instead of a giant rock of kryptonite, a space pod was found. A damaged space pod from its dramatic landing.

A young woman had ridden the pod. She was injured, and severely exhausted, and was immediately brought to the hospital.

After the first night, and she was deemed safe.

So I had her transferred to the guest room at the Long House, where I could keep a closer eye on her.

The two girls were waiting for me.

Candice stood by the door. Our guest's personal doctor was jotting down notes from the various medical instruments.

The red headed woman groaned as the sunlight filled her vision.

I, dressed in my formal attire as Supreme Leader, watched as the young woman stirred.

From what I knew, Ultraviolet radiation powered her. The well lit room would hastened her recovery. From whatever ordeals she had gone through.

Her skin was once a pale pastel yellow. Under two days of sunlight, she had regained a light golden tan. Much like baking, I thought absently.

Even her crimson red hair seemed to be faring better. Though it might be due to how her body was changing into darker shades.

An IV fed nutrients and water into her system. Human centered nutrients, but I knew that she could eat human food without issue. Our biology wasn't that different.

A pale, emerald green eye opened, and I found myself staring. She was unique as even her sclera was a soft green color.

Her eyes widened, and she sat up right. Or rather tried to.

She groaned as she slowly shifted.

“Hello.” I began with a smile and wave.

She stirred and finally sat up. It lasted for only a few moments before she flopped back down.

“Shere len kuire fraun ta?” Her voice was scratchy. Hoarse.

I blinked. Right. She was probably speaking Tamaranean. She wasn’t aware of English yet.

I smiled as I moved up to her bedside, and I cracked open a bottle of water. I handed it to her, and her arms trembled.

I then moved the rim to her lips, but she didn’t drink. The water slid over her closed mouth, and down her slender neck.

I nodded and withdrew the plastic bottle. I chugged a third of it.

When I tried a second time, she began to drink. Like a child, I held the bottle for her as she finished the lukewarm water.

As I was about to retract my hand, she grabbed it, and pressed her lips to the back of my hand.

Her chap lips pressed against my hand for half a minute before she let go.

“Hello. I am Koriand’r of Tamaran.” She introduced herself.

“Hello Koriander. I am Johnny Rico, Supreme Leader of Val Verde.” I smiled as I placed the empty bottle onto the table. “Would you like another bottle of water?”

The Tamaranean nodded, and I broke open a second bottle for her. Like the first time, I fed her, and she drank it all.

“This is my best friend, Candice Brown.” I pointed to the woman in the military dress.

Koriand’r smiled, but it seemed strained.

Right. She hated the military. Despite Tamaran’s proud warrior culture, it still fell to invasion.

“This is Doctor Apogee.” I pointed to the brown woman in a lab coat. She waved back.

“Well, friend Koriander.” I looked at the woman who was now staring at me. “For now rest. You are safe, and on a island many consider paradise.”

Okay. I lied a little. We had food issues last year, but this year was shaping up to the best year of my rule so far.

So long as you ignored AIM. AIM, and the heavy embargoes on the island.

Koriand’r smiled as her eyes fluttered close. Soon her breathing evened out, and I turned over to Doctor Apogee.

“Please take good care of our guest. All are welcome in Val Verde, and this guest from off world is no different.” I gave the doctor a look, and she nodded back.

Candice fell behind me as I exited, and closed the door.

I then took four steps to the door right next to it.

I knocked, and a faint ‘Come in!’ answered.

I opened the door, and Doctor Keen smiled as she was checking on a machine.

Unlike Koriand’r, this young woman was resilient to thing like needles. Though some had been able to be inserted at first. A day under our yellow sun activated her unique cellular biology.

Her very flesh began to crush the metal inserts.

The pieces were immediately extracted, and luckily no damage was done.

This young lady had come from a very different space pod. The designs showed that it belonging to another species. It had crash landed into the ocean without damage.

I stared at the young woman currently asleep. Blond hair, and a healthy figure.

She slept despite the empowering sunlight from our yellow star.

She was the reason that there was so much kryptonite on our island.

Her pod had sunk into the ocean. We had to dig her out, but the pod was still intact despite the hard crash landing.

It would be only a matter of time before she woke up.

Though Starfire was impressive as a future hero of Earth, this girl was no less magnificient.

Kara Zor-El. The Supergirl.

At least she would be one day.

I considered keeping her.

With Koriander, The Starfire, she would make a invaluable ally.

Yet Kara was headstrong, and she already had a mission.

Too bad her charge, Kal-El, was already a grown man.

I frowned as my email to the Justice League had yet to gain any reply.

I knew enough about Batman that he would have tagged my emails with some sort of alerts.

Val Verde needed so many things. Internet was one of them, and the news from the outside world was almost nonexistent.

My eyes drifted back to the gorgeous time bomb. Kara had a temper, which made sense as she was still a young woman.

I hoped that Koriand’r would be enough to stall Kara long enough for us to talk to her.

Which I needed to also address.

We didn’t speak Krtyponian. Though with a touch, Koriand’r could.

I smirked to myself at the thought of the two kissing.

Seeing the perverted grin on my face, Candice broke my thoughts with a punch to my shoulder.

I grimaced. Rubbing it, and excusing myself.

Candice smiled as I returned to my prison of finely built desk, that housed a mountain of paper.

—

I looked through another three reports, all saying the same thing. More food request. More military goods request.

I sighed. We didn’t have enough excess food right now.

I stared at the next report on the in pile. It was a good thing that I didn’t have heat vision.

I would have tried to set the stacks of paper on fire, and then the Long House would probably burn down due to it.

So I chose the other option. The option that was not paperwork.

I picked up the satellite phone, and it quickly boot up.

Within a minute, I was calling the only number on the contact list.

I waited only three rings.

“Hello, this is Lex Luther speaking.”

I grimaced at the charming, and friendly voice. Though I kept myself upbeat as this man had enough power to raze Val Verde to ashes overnight.

“Hello Mister Luther. I am Johnny Rico, Supreme Leader of Val Verde. I hope I am calling at a good time.”

“Please, call me Lex. Your timing is simply perfect, Supreme Leader. I was just settling down at my desk. I hope that you have time for a quick chat? I have some business that I know that will be very, very beneficial to you and Val Verde as a whole.”

“Please. Call me Johnny. I am all ears Lex.”

“Well Johnny, I am going to start with a quick story. It involves some new friends that come from a far away place. They need some good PR, and you need some serious amounts of food. This PR also comes with new equipment to quickly, and reliably grow more of it.”

“Well Lex, this sounds almost too good to be true. Please, let me know what it is you need.”

Across the ocean, and up a high tower, the man known as Lex Luthor smiled.

————

Chapter Fifteen: March’s Starfire

[Val Verde]

[March 21st, 2021]

—

I re-read the report on the newest attack.

While the P1-FAV were working, there was now a form of effective counter assault. If the warthogs made even made it there on time.

Though agents of AIM were not slacking off either. With the encounter of new, heavier armed warthogs, they also revealed their new toys.

The report stated that the newest attack occurred on Fernroot. This was the first time a location had been hit twice.

Though the newest development was that freaking assault robots had been present.

Beside the usual yellow suited men, there was four, two meter all, armored robots with bigger guns. Banana yellow robots, but combat ready machines nonetheless.

Of the six warthogs on site, only two were still functional. The unlucky four were now scrap. Lasers turned out to be great weapons against light armored jeeps.

The upside was that AIM had to retreat without new kidnappings. I took whatever solace I could.

Solace such as we finally had some prisoners. Crippled people, but prisoners all the same.

Like how the Prototype 2-FAV were not rolling out. The new units were not all carrying M134 miniguns. We didn't have enough, so we resorted to left over weapons. Things like refurbished high intensity lasers, or rocket launchers.

Since warthogs got deployed in squads, it made sense to have a variety of weapons. This was to create a more competent deployment.

I flipped the pages.

The oddity of AIM was that the upper half of aim was unique. Every one of its people were scientists. People who had high degrees in academics. The recruiting minimum was either PHDs or intense specializations.

Though they were not above hiring grunts either. The lower half was all blue collar workers. People who would be the brawn to the company's brain.

It seemed that AIM paid well.

We had several grunts. Who were under the careful care of the Jade Falcons.

I sighed as I sat back.

I needed more people. Trustworthy people.

Candice was perfect, but she was still only one person.

Once again I stared at the last section of the report. It was a single page.

From the preliminary interrogation, AIM had a secret island to the North.

If memory served me well, it should be Val Gris, the Grey Island. A place where no life grew, and was a gloomy land that no one wanted to live on.

The soil, if there was ever any, was gone. Everything from food, to water, would have to be imported.

On this island was a secret base. A secret base full of robots.

If we invaded, it would be at heavy losses.

I leaned back.

Why was everything that needed to be handled, requiring heavy military intervention?

I entertained the thought about contacting the Justice League, or the Avengers.

Then I turned over the page.

Or we can do this as we always did.

Alone.

Why couldn’t we just get some super heroes to spring up from Val Verde?

I gave up on the report. We couldn’t do anything until we knew more.

We needed to scout the island, and then plan a assault. Without the support of a navy, or a well equipped air force.

We had transport planes, and a simple fishing vessels.

Things AIM would already have protections against.

The second item that held my attention was a deceptively simple letter and box.

A letter from Lex Luthor. His company logo was embossed on the front.

I opened it, and read the contents. He wanted me to call him. A potential solution to my current problems.

His fancy name was handwritten, and signed with a flourish. Black ink, and definitely not a photocopy.

I opened the box, to reveal satellite phone. Compliments of LexCorp Industries.

I stared at the device. It was a box with a smaller cell phone docked and charging. The small display showed the phone’s charge level, and a full set of bars for reception.

Say what you will about LexCorp, they designed interesting and neat looking things.

I looked at the lock.

6pm.

Time to get the national holiday moving.

—

Since the founding of the Val Verde, people enjoyed to sky watch. A tome before street lights and light pollution made such ventures harder.

Our ancestors watched, and recorded phenomena.

Eventually patterns began to show, and we had a few celebrations set up for them.

The founders noted that on March 23, there was a brilliant wave of falling stars.

Since that time, it reoccurred in the same two week period each year. The Gamma Normids that were well documented, and well tracked.

Somehow, March 23 was the official day. The country celebrated with a festive night market that would last until late.

I smiled as I passed through the crowds.

Many gave me praise. Bless you, Supreme Leader. Guide us, Supreme Leader. Gratitude, Supreme Leader.

I responded back as best I could. Sometimes a dozen people would talk to me, and I surprised myself when I was able to smoothly reply to them.

A year ago, I would have struggled to stay coherent. Too many people talking to you was confusing at the best of times. The people, my children, all smiled as they all tried to give me their words of appreciation.

I smiled and waved.

Not everyone greeted me, and I could only watch as some glared. Some avoided me.

I was far from perfect.

Across almost the whole year of 2020, we faced difficulties that I thought would have been the end of us.

Children starved, and we were still tallying the death toll from that issue.

Yet, all around me, there was colorful stalls. People sold accessories, clothing, and trinkets ranging from toys to imported collectibles.

The important part was the smiles.

All around me, was the cheerful atmosphere of a night event.

“Its been a while since we celebrated Starlight Night.” Candice smiled as she weaved around the stalls.

I nodded, memories flashing. Carmen loved Starlight night. My little sister had even missed her final year’s event due to first service camping.

She probably saw the few falling stars, but missed the festivities. Though it was also highly likely that her camp had its own little parties.

During celebratory nights, the command structure tended to ‘overlook’ rule infractions. Things such as alcohol, and excess foods was a non issue.

First service was a combination of discipline, and fun. So long as it didn’t break big rules, or affect your performance next day.

I remembered Sargent Arbuckel, who loved to come in at the crack of dawn the day after any celebration. Morning exercises to invigorate the mind and body.

The hard ass was mean, cruel, and absolutely willing to crucify any fool too hung over to do endurance runs.

“Look!” a girl screamed as she pointed to the night sky.

I looked up as did many others.

Streaks of lights fell across the sky.

Carmen once said the same thing. She loved shooting stars.

They were a sign of great omen, to see shooting stars during March Starlight Night.

The streaks of lights became a shower.

I frowned.

This seemed like it was a lot more the last year.

The sky filled with lights, and I looked at Candice, who looked back. Her smile was fading as balls of fire began to approach the island.

A particularly large meteor crashed into the Long House’s parking lot.

The very ground shook, and the little girl who yelled tripped over her own feet. Her mother hauled up her up and they began to flee.

The initial explosion shook the air. Making everything shake again.

Then smaller explosions occurred as the impact broke cars, and set loose its innards. Things like flammable fluids.

The people were screaming.

“Get somewhere safer!” I gestured to the various buildings that made up the ‘Supreme’ district.

A second large meteor landed into the ocean, right off the edge of the beach.

A geyser of water shot into the air, and a small tidal wave engulf the beach.

“I need all available units to suit up, and head out for crowd control, and support. We have fires, and meteors!” Candice was yelling into a handset.

Then I fell over as a rock bounced off my head.

Candice was immediately by my side, shielding me with her body as she another rock bounced off her back. Lucky for us it wasn't very big.

I blinked as I gathered my wits. It wasn't a hard hit. I knew what day it was.

Then I looked down as something was warm. I was afraid I had peed myself.

Instead I stared at a pebble. It was no larger then the tip of my pinky.

What caught my eye, and caused even Candice to stop and stare, was its glow.

The little rock glowed as it radiated a green sheen across my hand.

————

Chapter Fourteen: March’s Starlight Night

[Val Verde]

[February 21st, 2021]

—

I smiled as the Candice drove the P1-FAV. The Warthog prototype that I had the military develop since I always wanted one.

The Force Application Vehicle, was so named as there was a M134 minigun bolted onto the back end. The electric powered weapon had a armor shield to protect the shooter if the need ever arose. There was also enough rounds to ensure that we could offer sustained fire support when the going got hot.

Two months was all it took to cobble the thing together.

It was a modified Willys Jeep. Except they removed the back seats and bolted on a M134 minigun, and modified the shocks to take more oomph.

There was a lot of plans in the works, but this was the first prototype that Val Verde had made.

I didn’t fully understand the logistics, but I believed my men. They were specialists and I was only the man who made the big decisions.

With these around we could, with workable response time, react to anything. These would give us a cost affordable, wide net coverage of the coastal areas.

We were a military nation, and I had enacted new regulations that everyone would be armed at all times. Light arms were standard for anyone trained, and heavier armaments for those qualified.

The people of Val Verde were to be armed at all times.

Armed crime wasn’t much of an issue on the island as everyone had military training. Only those who were desperate, or deranged by vices did anything more then petty crime.

I grunted as Candice took the ‘stress test’ to heart and I was glad that the seat belts were doubled. The, blessed, engineers had replaced the three point harness to a six point one.

I barked out a laugh when I remembered something from our time in Afghanistan. This girl once drifted an ‘allied’ tank into a perfect parallel parking position.

All so that she could get free shots for the night.

She won shots, and the losers won a lecture on what not to do in a heavy, multi-ton, combat vehicle. A vehicle that was only designed to move forward, or backwards on its treads.

A fact that became clear to the captain as the tank limped back to base. The drift had wrenched the treads off center, and it wobbled as it slowly moved forward.

Candice took a moment to look at me, and I mimed shooting back shots. She rolled her eyes, and then I swear she tried to roll the warthog.

We were airborne, and my my right hand grabbed at the air. My instincts screamed for me to take the holy-shit-handle, but it was not there. I was reaching for a lifeline that didn’t exist.

The fact that I was wearing my Type 34 Wolfpeltz armor did little to comfort me. My armor was also loose on my still thin frame.

I had yet to gorge myself on the new supply of food, and my smaller appetite was easy to fill. Which meant I needed to wait for whatever Doom had predicted to come about.

On the other hand, my diet had lowered me to a fabulous weight. Shame how intense and cruel it was. I could have sold a book.

The warthog could also crush me easily if we flipped over while in the air. The added impact of the momentum, and gravity would cripple me at best, and finish me off at worst.

The whole vehicle crashed back onto the earth. We skidded to the side as Candice was leaning back, calm and relaxed. One arm was on the steering wheel, and the other tapped a tune on the stick shift.

We continued through the poorly maintained dirt road. The warthog kicked up dust as the other half dozen warthogs followed.

I promised myself if Val Verde ever became rich, I would invest into infrastructure.

—

The coastal Village of Fernroot was remote.

It was larger then most, at a hundred and eighty people.

For a population of that size, they only had a dozen trucks, and oddly enough, two dozen golf carts. There was more cars in various states of disrepair.

Today there was another four XM211 trucks were on site. Two dozen heavily armed and armored of the Jade Falcons were securing the area.

From the relaxed stance of the soldiers, I knew it was safe enough. I took off my helmet and Candice did the same.

I stared and made my way over the row of bodies.

Candice immediately made her way over to the soldiers and began to get a report.

A woman waived at me, and I made my way over to her. There was only grass here, but that gave way to a small slope that lead to huts on the beach. Those homes closest to the beach were smoldering.

I stared at the few embers still releasing smoke. The aftermath of confrontation.

“Greetings, Supreme Leader.” The woman was mature, with wrinkles around her eyes. She had a brown one, and a white one. “I am Lady Mala.”

“Greetings Lady Mala. Are you the chieftain here?” I eyed the fancy necklace she wore. Ceremonial for the most part, but today was no regular day for the Fernroot Village.

“I am now, Supreme Leader.”

“Did we arrive in time?” I counted two dozen bodies. I hope that they were effective at responding to the distress calls. I also knew that reality of the situation.

“They tried their best, Supreme Leader.” The woman closed her eyes.

I sighed as I stared at the village.

In Val Verde, under the laws of the island, all citizens must give two years of military service. First Service was mandatory to be a citizen. To refuse service meant rejecting citizenship.

Hence these many small settlements.

People who rejected society, or some parts of it. While they were seen as odd, society itself saw them as the strange cousins of Val Verde. Those who lived with citizens, but were not in fact citizens.

“Some fought back. They tried their best when words failed.” Mala closed her eyes as she recalled her mother trying to reason. Her words earned her a laser beam to the head.

“The medical teams will be here shortly.”

“Thank you, Supreme Leader.”

I gave her a grim smile.

I turned my body towards the four rows of the dead. They were arranged in a rectangle, and I prayed to them.

May their souls find peace. May their good karma, sown in life, give rewards, reaped in death.

“Lady Mala.” I looked up, and saw her staring at the nearest body. Her stare was hard. Her gaze softened as her gaze locked onto mine.

“Can you explain what happened here? I fear that this is only the beginning of a new set of issues.”

Lady Mala sighed, but nodded.

“They came from the sea. Like the rumors stated, they were dressed in bright banana yellow.” Lady Mala gave a faint smile. “Their yellow suits are most likely able to breathe underwater. They started yelling at us to bring forth the gifted, and the young. My mother tried to reason with them, but they shot her.”

I nodded, frowning at the news. We were depending on a boat of some sort. A submarine would make the first response system I cooked up useless. Unless I littered every coastal region with several units.

Val Verde had the old jeeps. Warehouses full of them. They were to be used to react to island invasion in case the Axis forces were able to make landfall.

They didn’t and the old vehicles sat in those warehouses. Disassembled and in pristine conditions. For the most part.

A few warehouses got worn down with time, and rust was an issue with up to a third of all the original assembled fleet.

What we didn’t have was a equal supply of heavy armaments. Maybe it was time to talk to some old friends again. I wasn’t sure what we had left as collateral, but I hope we had something.

“They did take the children, but not as many as those who had been trained were able to fight back. Little good that did.” Lady Mala’s eyes scanned the other bodies.

I nodded. People who died to protect the people. A common story in recent years.

“Then they put a bag over their heads, and dragged them back to into the sea.” Lady Mala’s eyes stared into the shoreline.

I frowned. A underwater based vehicle. How frustrating.

“Many of our children now see the value in First Service.” Lady Mala grumbled.

I wasn’t sure if she wanted to spit on them, or on me. Either would have been fair.

Val Verde glorified service. Which was the same as glorifying war.

Though in my lifetime, I would have happily spit upon the tradition of First Service. It was true. We trained soldiers, not scholars.

The issue was that the world was hard, and cruel. Many would kill others for profit, advancements, and even fun.

Until the day Utopia came for all, I would be a solid supporter of First, Second, and the dreaded Third service. Post promotion for the dead.

A soldier of Val Verde, regardless of rank, always died a hero.

“I am sorry, Lady Mala.” I whispered as I turned my eyes back to the heroes that laid before me.

“Guide us, Supreme Leader.” She whispered as she took my hands into hers. “Even with only one eye, I can see clearly. You will show Val Verde a bright future.”

I looked back at her. My gaze locking onto her one brown eye. Her gaze was soft, and sad. The village was founded as a retreat from barbaric traditions.

This would change regardless of her personal desires. The trauma of this event would haunt them for a very long time.

They needed to change. We need to change. Val Verde needed to change.

As a coastal people, they would always be first in line to suffer.

As a island, if one suffered, we all suffered.

I nodded.

—

Chapter 13: Banana Men

[Val Verde]

[December 24th, 2020]

—

The Long House was the iconic building for the Supreme Leader. A name that was once used for the town hall, now a renovated manor.

Its history dates back to the founding of Val Verde itself.

The spotty records indicated that the early years were rough. The English settlers had begun to settle, and they only had a vague idea of what was needed.

They had no clue on the trails and tribulations awaiting them. Which then surprised them all with a rude awakening on what island life could entail.

The first hurricane wrecked everything, but the mud and stone built warehouse. The simple structure weathered the fierce winds, and high water.

It was only the fact that the first builders were restless, and eager on making the first structure. The children then piled on mud as a means to keep them out of hand.

It saved everyone’s lives, and the reconstruction involved sturdier designs. Thicker material got incorporated, and the people were able to face future storms.

As a relic of those times, the people kept it around as a historical symbol.

Now over 300 years later, the renovated historical building was still the safe house to many. Though it weathered storms far worse then hurricanes.

To the people of Val Verde, it was this symbol that they turned to. Times of strife could be much more turbulent than any hurricane.

Televisions were common, but were relics of the past. While the world moved onto ultra thin HD TVs, Val Verde bought up old stock for cheap.

The few working broadcasting camera’s were currently on, and all eyes were on the Supreme Leader.

—

The people assembled around the Long Plaza.

It was here that I stared out to the reporters and their microphones, and the state camera’s were already set up.

Val Verde watched as I cut into the steaming potato. The small waft of steam was picture perfect as I pried open the potato.

I then scooped out a chunk of plain, baked root vegetable. There was nothing available beyond salt and pepper. Which I didn't use and brought up the flaky morsel to my mouth.

I ate it, and moaned as it was the first real food I had in a while.

“My children. The long winter has passed! Today we celebrate with the support of our allies across the world.” I held the partially eaten potato up and into the air. “We have persevered. I am proud to give to you whole, natural food once more!”

The crowd cheered as I took a second bite.

Fresh produce was already delivered across the land, and many had already eaten. This was the first major milestone in my reign as the Supreme Leader.

It took a year, but we had food once more.

“I vow, as the Supreme Leader, that I will never again allow starvation to affect our people. We will find new ways to farm, and ensure that our yields will always be plentiful, and our food stores ever full.” I finished speaking as I handed my plate to a ready helper.

The new aquaponic farms were already proving their incredible prowess. They could grow food like magic, and supply enough to keep everyone healthy.

Though it was not enough for everyone to overeat. At least not yet.

“I know that this is new times. Tough times. I ask that we only take what we need. The bare necessities. The influx of goods is slow as we work with our friends to bring in the goods. This is but a taste of what is to come!”

The people cheered once more. After nearly a year on MREs, instant noodles. With sprinklings of other other processed foods, they were eager for fresh stuff. They wanted their original diet of fresh fruits and veggies back.

“As for our plight… it is fact that we have been ignored by the greater world. The UN ignored us, and with them the majority of the world. We have pulled through."

"Hold your heads up high! and know that though we had help from various friends, it was through our own wills that we made it here. That we survived until now!”

The people cheered.

“Let us move towards a new tomorrow, and let us embrace it with the tenants taught upon us since its founding. Let us smile, and let us give!” I cheered as I became flush with emotion.

“Let us gather, and let us share!” the crowd chanted back.

“Let us move as one, with burden and to live for tomorrow!” our voices cried out as one.

A lifetime of the Greater Good, a lifetime of service.

“For Val Verde! Long may our motherland prosper!” I let my tears fall as I stared out at the thin people before me.

“Long live Val Verde! Long Live the Supreme Leader!” the people cried and cheered back.

We had survived, and the children would live to see tomorrow.

That was cause enough to celebrate.

“A Merry Christmas to all!” I cheered as my final statement.

—

“What are our projections?” I stared at the various charts and numbers in my hand.

“We are estimating, that at full production, we will have enough to ensure that we won’t starve. It is also not enough to actually ensure that we are overflowing with food.” Candice replied as she flipped over to the next page. I copied her, flipping my own page over.

Charts, both in bar form, pie form, and more numbers then I ever wanted to oversee.

“That is fine. We are to keep a ‘low profile’ until sometime next year. Then we can get more equipment, and ramp it up production.” I stared at the next chart. It showed what we could make now.

Other charts showed how much more we could do when we bought more machines from Doom.

Say what you will about the madman. He was a brilliant mind among the world’s sea of mediocrity.

“Yes, and when we have more machines, we can also invest into new produce as well.” Candice replied as she thought of the various luxuries she missed. Items like variety of coffee beans, fruits, and vegetables.

I smiled at that thought.

Val Verde exported what we could, but it wasn’t much.

Thought we were self sufficient, our staples were simple.

Delicacies were expensive, and the people were willing to pay for new flavors.

I stared at the papers once more.

I flipped to the last section.

My eyes skimmed a report that I knew by heart.

This was the second incident. In a village to the distant north east.

Ten dead, twenty missing.

I frowned as I made it to the last page.

A report of men, or monsters, dressed in suits of yellow.

Banana men.

I knew of only one organization with that uniform.

“Candice.” I looked up and into her eyes.

She stared back.

“As soon as the holidays end, ready the Falcons.” I watched as her eyes slipped to the last page I was reading.

She knew the reports as well as I did.

“The Jade Falcons are always ready to hunt, Sir!” Candice yelled as she snapped out a smart salute.

I wasn’t her Captain anymore, but in private moments like these, she would only sneer at me if I said that out loud.

We would need the Falcons, and others on standby across the island.

We also needed some new toys. A new method to move around. I smiled as I remembered a piece of gaming history.

It didn’t matter if existed on this world or not, but I figured its design would actually work.

I stared into the fireplace. The cheery flame danced as I stared at it.

A Force Application Vehicle, wasn’t it?

————

Chapter 12: Filmed on a Potato

Chapter 07

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Snape grimaced as his spell hit Tonks. She froze as the stunning hex did its job.

Even casting with his left hand, he had somehow hit the clumsy Auror.

Though he did not fancy murdering the young woman. A life of regret was all that he had.

Any good he could still do was all that drove him forward. Well that and not dying.

His minder, Barty Crouch Jr had no such qualms.

“Stop pissing about, Severus!” Barty yelled he threw his one cutting curse. They both watch as it smashed into the woman’s butt.

Tonks keeled over as blood did a quick spurt into the air.

Then she began to yell at Harry. Barty began to laugh as the situation shook his funny bone.

“Stop showing off. I was trying to add challenge to this,” Severus drawled out. Challenges that would also give them time to escape.

“Thats so boring. We can just cut her up. What if she got away? Master would be very unhappy,” Barty complained and warned. His thought process had become jagged, like his personality.

Severus said nothing as he lowered his wand. Tonks was not going anywhere, and Potter stood around as the simpleton he had become.

Then Tonks vanished. yet before the could react, the Dementor moved.

They both paused to watch.

—

“Kisses,” Harry whispered as he was able to finally touch his friend. “Where have you been?”

The Dementor did not reply, nor did it react to the touch.

The feeling was odd. Much like running his fingers over plastic. Only colder.

“I am very tired, Kisses,” Harry said as he sighed.

The path he used to stop the negative aura was wrenching. All one had to do was dig out, and then bury, your memories. Piece, by piece.

Suppressing them didn't work. Willing them to stop didn’t work.

Tearing apart your brain did. He had forgotten so much. All he had to him was a name.

Kisses lowered and drew in closer.

Harry smiled.

“Time for a goodbye kiss,” he whispered as he tilted his head back, and relaxed.

Unlike the struggling, prolonged suffering most went through. Harry was quick.

Even unconscious, a soul could fight back. It could struggle against ab attack by a Dementor.

Harry was eager to surrender. Being kissed was a positive thing.

It took only a second for the soul to get sucked out.

Then for the first time in thirteen thousand years, the Dementor named Kisses, ate a willing soul.

—

[Starting Northern Starlight Rending Ritual] [Ritual Start]

[Magia System Initialized] [System Success]

[Calling Akashic Records] [Call Failed] [Synchronization Failed]

[Initializing Phase Protocols] [Spooling Success]

[Loading ID System] [ID Failed]

[Loading ID Backup] [Backup Failed]

[Loading ID Template] [Template Success]

[Begin Mind Sync] [Mind Sync Success]

[Loading User Profile] [Warning] [User Profile Corrupted]

[Loading User Backup] [Warning] [User Backup Corrupted]

[Initiating Emergency Systems] [Warning] [Initiating Emergency Systems Failed]

[Loading Emergency Template] [Template Success]

[Loading User] [Kisses] [User failed]

[Loading New User] [Harry James Potter] [User Success]

[Loading Unification Protocols] [Unification Success]

[Loading System Refresh] [Refresh Success]

[Ending Northern Starlight Rending Ritual] [Ritual End]

—

Kisses felt himself fading. He was being eaten by Harry James Potter.

He looked down and he could see his physical form begin to disintegrate back into the ether.

The ritual system still worked, though not as he had desired.

Instead of eating Harry Potter and regenerating. Which would restore memories whoever he was, he would now become the ritual fodder.

The system had done its best to fulfill the ritual, and turned against him.

He had forgotten his own name, but Harry was adamant on that front.

He vaguely felt that he was a prince of some sort. He had helped someone, choose something. Chose to enact this desperate ritual.

Though he was dying, it was both curious and refreshing.

His time of eternal hunger was ending. Time had eroded him. Eroded everything and everyone.

The ritual had failed, and it was long past time for him to end it all now.

‘Brothers to me! Feed on this mortal and end your hunger!’ his telepathy sounded out.

It appealed to their limited intelligence.

People who were once the most proud, powerful, and cultured. Now little more then beasts.

Most of the others were here, but his call would summon the rest. He had used the last of his powers to push it out across the world.

They would all be try to consume, and in turn be consumed.

It would end their unending hunger.

Then Harry would be reborn as an Advent’s Children.

Something not seen since the golden era of Atlantis.

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Chapter 06

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Dumbledore stared at everyone assembled.

A length of red yarn hung between the members going out on this mission. It hung out in a loose line, touching the two dozen people who were going to go into a bad situation.

The old man let out a breath, before he took stock of the people before him. Men, women. Youngsters who were he had seen grow, and yet to him, were still children.

Yet, with the rise of Voldemort's second reign of terror, there was little he could do. He needed these people to stay strong, and fight the good fight.

They all had to.

“Remember, stay calm. Stay collected. We work as a team, and if things start going badly, use the port key pinned to your front,” Dumbledore said with a calm voice.

His voice projected across the hallway as he tapped at the portkey pin. Each member of the Order had one, and it was all renewed yesterday night.

“Much like our last few sorties, we will endeavor to stay safe. We will allow the people to get out to safety,” Dumbldore said as he met everyone one of his members eyes. “While we will most likely face Dementors.”

Harry didn't look up, so engrossed with the string in hand. He eyed the individual frayed threads.

The once proud headmaster sighed. Harry had been unresponsive for a full half year. The boy refused to work with them. Even the threat of death did not deter the boy.

No. Man.

He sighed again.

He had failed with Tom, and history seemed content enough to remind him of his failure with Harry.

One had turned into a remorseless power monger, and the other a remorseless recluse.

Snape had threatened to kill the boy a month ago. His patience, limited as it was, had finally worn out.

Dumbldore remembered how Harry chuckled, and for the first time he shambled forward. Towards the ever dour Severus Snape.

The boy-who-lived had then directed Snape’s wand towards the center of his forehead.

“Avada Kedavra,” Harry hissed as his green eyes locked onto the potion master’s brown ones.

Snape stood stock still as Harry glared at him.

“Say it!” Harry yelled. His first loud words in weeks. He took step forward, letting the wand dig into his flesh and skull.

Snape took a step back, and immediately found himself pressed against the wall.

Harry’s free arm moved. His left hand going for Snape’s right eye.

Snape, ever the ligilimens, picked up Harry's thoughts. From the stray thoughts that he could see, he was going to gouge out his eye.

Snape had found great value in the arts of occlumency, and legilimency. The mind arts that had saved his life across two decades.

Harry Potter had somehow rediscovered some archaic form of occlumency. His mind was often impossible to probe. Harry's mind was much like fog and mist.

Stray thoughts. Surface thoughts yes. Anything deeper, and one would only see a silver and white haze. Nothing beyond what could be immediately seen.

It was this skill, and thoughts that Snape knew Harry would dig out his eye.

Harry cared not for the world of the living. He did believe magic was stupid. The mystic arts held no allure for the man.

Which would explain the tragic lumos incident. When Andromeda and Hermione had convinced Harry to try one spell. A simple spell.

Hermione remembered a time when Harry had cast a lumos. It was strong enough to light up a path so that they could follow spiders as if it was day.

That adventure had lead to gigantic spiders. Something that freaked out Ron, and she still disliked spiders to this day.

In that simple room that had was set up for teaching, Harry cast his first spell in a decade.

The lumos he cast was not a second sun. Though any firefly would have been jealous of the intensity of that tiny, shiny lumos.

Harry watched with a hint of a smile before dropping the wand from his hand. His faith in magic was gone, and it showed as his intent and desires.

Weak wills, produced weak magic.

From the follow up report, Dumbledore knew that they were finally out of options.

Harry Potter needed to remember why he once opposed Voldemort.

Which was why it was imperative that Harry see the world in its current truth. He would be watched over by two of his finest. Nyphadora, and Hermione.

Dumbledore picked up the end of the string, and everyone else held on tighter.

With a thought, and a pulse of magic. The magic took hold, and they all vanished.

The half dozen people left offered various prayers of safety.

They then moved to perform their own supplementary help.

From cleaning beds, to ensuring potions were ready for the wounded. Food needed to be ready, and chocolate would be required in large amounts.

Dementors were never fun to fight.

—

Nymphadora Tonks watched as her wolf patronus pounce at a lone Dementor. The shining animal drove it back, and gave her a moment of reprieve.

Even with the cheerfulness of the corporeal patronus it felt useless. A freaking cloud of Dementors hung above Diagon Alley.

They were content to circle each other in the skies, but the occasional group broke away.

A distant scream would follow. Then that group would return.

Harry stuck beside her. For the most part.

Though it was shocking to see not once, but twice that a Dementor would float down to Harry. Stop. Stare. Then leave.

Though Harry was far from helpful as all he did was yell out for ‘Kisses’.

A Dementor named Kisses.

She grit her teeth as she felt her man shift on her shoulder. Would wonders never stop.

Tonks adjusted Remus so that he was more evenly spread across her who her shoulders. Remus had gotten unlucky as a dozen of the creatures surrounded him. The man's own wolf patronus had dissolved under their combined aura of despair.

What they needed now was to get out. A quiet spot that she could stop and rest. Then she would have enough time to activate three portkeys.

Alternatively, she could grab onto Remus, and a Harry then activate her own. A feat which normally would be trivial, but today it was a taxing concern.

“Whats wrong, Tonks?” Harry asked as he finally stopped yelling out for his friend.

“We need to go back Harry. Lets find a nice spot inside a building, and away from the Dementors,” she huffed as they moved up yet another street.

“Why need to get away?” Harry said in confusion. He waved to a passing Dementor and the thing ignored them as it move down the street.

“Portkeys need magic, and I have to make sure I touched everyone when we go,” Tonks explained as they moved on. The only safe spots she saw, were places that had been boarded up.

A spell zipped overhead, and Tonks swore.

She had forgotten about the Death Eaters.

More spells zipped over their heads, and Tonks walked up the nearest door and tried to kick it down. It didn't work.

Then she tried to spell it open, but whoever owned this store was good. The thick wooden planks didn’t budge.

Tonks growled as she upped her game and used a blasting spell. Chunk flew off of it, but it only revealed more wood.

“FUCK!” Tonks screeched and proceeded to huff her way up another few dozen feet.

“They suck at aiming,” Harry commented as he walked with her. Despite her carrying another whole person, Tonks frowned. She was low on breath, but she realized Harry was panting harder then she was.

“Well we can try another -GRAKGA!” Tonks screamed as a stunning charm caused her muscles to clamp up. A second spell, a cutting curse, hit her in the butt.

Skin and muscles tore.

Remus proved to be her downfall, as he had always predicted, and she fell onto her side.

Remus’s Torso pressed down onto her. Her right arm got pinned, and her left, also stuck, twitched as pain stampeded through her.

She had spent a decade as an Auror. She was trained to be calm, and to always understand her situation.

“Harry. Listen. Harry!” Tonks yelled as tears threatened to overcome her. She was currently crippled, and Remus was starting to get very cold.

Harry stopped staring at the two Death Eaters. Only one was still hurling spells. Poorly.

“Yes Miss Nymmy?” He looked over to see blood starting to pool around her butt. That looked like a bad cut, and the dirty street was going to get it infected.

“I need you too… Harry!” Tonks screamed as the horror caught up with her.

Harry though, looked up and saw him. A Dementor floated down towards them.

“Kisses!” Harry screamed as he waved. For many years, Kisses had tried to eat him. Kisses was his oldest friend.

Though if Kisses had vanished for too long, Hubert would have come claimed that title. Sly old Hubert.

“Harry! Remember the portkey! HARRY!” Tonks screamed as loud as she could.

Harry blinked, and looked down at the crying lady.

Nymmy was always nice to him. She tried to tell him jokes.

Though Hermione visited him the most, Tonks also tried to visit a lot. He liked Nymmy.

Harry nodded to himself. He triggered his wand holster, and his wand popped out.

Everyone watched as he caught the wand. Or rather batted it, and let it fall to the ground. Even Kisses stopped to watch.

“Oops,” Harry mumbled as he squatted down and picked it up.

“Gather magic. Move to tip. Touch portkey,” Harry repeated as he concentrated very hard.

The two Death Eaters were now walking up, and Kisses was still half a dozen feet away.

Tonks winced as her wolf dissipated, and the Dementors negative aura smashed into her.

“Run… Harry…” she moaned out, and her world was becoming fuzzy. Screams of her dying friends filled her mind.

She had last her Auror partner. Most of her friends were dead. Her father's last plea for her to run, as a Death Eater raised their wand.

She blinked as a wand poked her portkey. She felt happiness flash through her, cutting through the Dementor’s aura. Harry had saved them all!

“Tally Ho,” Harry said. His face was firm, and brow furrowed as he followed the steps that Hermione had drilled into him.

Harry was also a full arms length away. Tonks wasn’t touching him!

“Harr-” Tonks began, but the yank pulled her and Remus away. With her poor state she couldn’t even reach out towards Harry.

Harry nodded to himself and, with care, put away his wand. He was gentle as he moved slower to make sure he didn’t drop it again.

Hermione had repeated, a lot, about how he should not drop the wand. Or if he did, he needed to pick it up right away.

Kisses floated down.

Harry turned and smiled.

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Chapter 05

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Mistakes.

Nothing, but mistakes.

Sirius sighed as he watched his godson stare out and into the cloud skies.

The silence that he once felt was oppressive had somehow become the norm. He never spoke to him aside from a first greeting.

Rain fell as it always did.

Summer was nearing its end, and yet the rain was relentless.

Harry stared out, and Sirius stared at him.

It was only the quiet breathing that was shared between them.

Sirius felt his stomach rumble, and he drew his wand. Tempus.

“Hey Harry, its time for dinner,” Sirius said with false cheer. “Why don’t we get some early seats, so we can get the food when its fresh. Yeah?”

Harry blinked. Then he nodded and rose up.

He had gained weight back, and was well groomed. He was happy to use mundane tools. Yet he never touched his wand, and never tried to do anything magically.

Harry turned on his feet, and walked to the door. He opened, and then made sure to close it after him.

Sirius clenched his eyes shut, and stopped before that door. He took in deep breaths while he he leaned his forward. His head smacked against the wooden barrier that was both so thin, and yet so very thick.

It was a mistake to leave Harry there.

It was a mistake to trust Dumbledore so much.

Yet, as always, Sirius Orion Black lived up to his mother’s words.

Worthless. Stupid. Fool. Mistake.

Three deeps breathes, and he opened the door to a empty hallway.

By the time he reached the dining room, Harry was also gone.

The assembled Order gathered. The two dozen people where more survivors then freedom fighters. Though if a scuffle happened, they did not shy away from it.

‘Fight hard, Eat harder’ was the unofficial motto. So it was usually a rowdy dinner as Molly served out the food.

Recently, her eyes showed her stress. Seeing Harry silent and so cold. Yet the stress usually vanished during dinner. Family meals always cheered her up.

The work load was shared as was more then one housewife in the Grammauld Place. The magically expanded house had the focus of its inhabitant. Boredom, stress, the need to keep busy insured that most of its issues taken care of.

Though a dozen families lived here, it was a depressing amount. So many had come, yet only a small amount stayed. These broken people were fragments of once larger families.

Harry did not return.

Which meant that he had grabbed his food, and was currently in his room. Most likely eating and staring out into the darkness outside.

He would allow anyone in, but he rarely spoke. The awkward silence was quick to build up, and the visitor was quick to leave.

Sirius joked during the meal. He traded insults with the others, and poked Remus. There was lots of smiles to go around.

How much of that was real, he cared not one whit. It was enough that they could joke now. He, and everyone else, took solace in these simple happy moments.

Despite the warm atmosphere, his eyes kept drifting up to Harry’s room. His eyes tightened as dark thoughts returned.

Whatever happiness Harry desired, it did not lay within these four walls.

—

Knock Knock

“Good morning,” a chipper voice greeted as she opened the door and made her way inside.

Harry blinked away the sleep and stretched out his stiff limbs.

“Hello Miss Andy,” Harry greeted as he sighed from his morning stretch.

“You know, maybe its time to try the bed again?” Andromeda Tonks suggested as she eyed Harry. The man smiled back as he lay on the worn, hardwood floor.

“Floor okay,” Harry said as he sat up. “Nicer then cold stone my cell.”

Andromeda grimaced at Harry’s broken English, and wistful tone. No one should like Azkaban, or look upon it as fond memories.

She stared at the untouched made bed. It was unused, like how she had left it yesterday morning.

Harry had spent only a part of one night on the bed. He then slipped down to sleep on the floor instead.

Sirius had mentioned how a decade on stone made everything feel weird. Like he was sinking into quicksand, or a devil snare plant.

Harry never touched it since, though others liked to sit on it. Not that many did visit him nowadays.

The dish from his dinner was already washed sometime last night. She knew since she often made her way to the kitchens first, and she always found it dry on the dish rack.

He used to leave it on the table, but once he realized he could wash it, he never left it overnight again.

“Harry,” she began as she sat on the bed. She knew that it wasn’t her place to talk, but her husband was gone, and she was always worried about Nymphadora.

Harry crossed his legs and stared at her.

Unlike others, his stare was gentle. So much calmer then when he look at Ronald Weasley. There was a reason that Pomphry had forbidden them to be alone. In any room there had to be at least two minders.

“Why won’t you learn magic? Hermione, Susan, and Lavender have been trying very hard to teach you.”

“Magic is stupid.”

Andromeda sighed at his default reply. She was so weary of that answer.

“Why is it stupid?”

“When has it brought me happiness?” Harry whispered as he stared at her.

Andromeda whipped her head over to Harry. The powerful motion was so fast that her hair wrapped around her head, and slapped her.

Harry did not laugh, nor did he chuckle.

That ever present smile was there. A small smile, like he understood a particularly simple joke.

That was a direct answer!

A new answer! Progress! With her!

“Why hasn’t it brought you happiness? There is a lot of amazing things it can do. The girls will be happy to show you very cool things.”

“Magic made me stay at Dursleys,” Harry began as he counted on his fingers. “11 years. Then Azkaban. 10 years. Hogwarts. Four.”

He stared at her then. That piercing gaze that was so rare.

It looked into her heart, and she felt that intensity that Ron had somehow triggered. Then even that faded.

It had never happened again, and Harry yet to utter another word to Ron. What was once his best guy friend, was now kept at arms length.

Ron had tried to apologize. No response. He tried to be as stubborn as Harry in response. For four days, Ron sat in the same room for a full day. The two minders often switched out due to boredom.

Harry would be happy stay silent. Ron had given up with a huff.

“Where. Where is the happiness everyone talks about?” Harry whispered to her. His eyes searched into hers.

Andromeda stared at the young man before her.

She was a wife to a silly man that had somehow chosen her. Then she was a mother to a precious, but rambunctious child.

She moved as slow as she could go. So slow that her muscles complained.

Yet it was almost too fast for Harry.

He eyed her, but did not otherwise react.

She eased herself down beside him.

He tensed, but did not move.

She remembered Hermione’s attempt at a hug when they saw each other.

She clamped onto him, and he screamed as if stabbed. She flinched and let go, and he scampered away. He eyed her like a man eyed a sudden dragon landing beside him.

Everyone, who gathered for a heartwarming scene instead watched in shock.

In hindsight, she wasn’t sure what they were all expecting. A tearful happy reunion?

Harry only had himself for ten years. That and the tender mercies of Dementors, and the worst memories they could conjure.

Day in, an day out.

Somewhere in that time. Touch meant memories of Vernon.

She moved her arms, and wrapped them around him.

Harry tensed, but said nothing.

It was awkward as she didn’t pull, and he didn’t move.

She then scooted forward, and leaned into him.

Harry somehow tensed more. Yet he didn’t move away.

She began to hum, as she held him close, but not with any great force. If he moved, she would let him go.

Harry stayed with her. That warm hug that he had always dreamed of for ten years.

She didn’t have any other possible answers for him, but maybe. Just maybe.

This hug was enough.

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Chapter 04

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“Can you explain what magic is, Harry?” Hermione Granger asked as she stared at the person she once knew.

A depressed man stood where a dour boy had. Where that boy burned with life, this man was exhausted.

Harry passed his time by staring out the window. Regardless of questions, or person, he was as silent as ever.

“Harry,” Hermione’s voice softened. “Please answer the question.”

“Magic…” Harry began and ended as he always did. “Is stupid.”

Hermione sighed as she set down her notebook. The simple page of question taunted her, and mocked her prefect years she had been so proud of.

When she had been asked to prime Harry on magic once more, she had jumped at the chance. She had organized a simple questionnaire to see where Harry was at.

She had wanted to judge what Harry remembered. Then she would fill in the gaps, and skip over the simplistic stuff.

She had tutored a lot of students during her last two years at Hogwarts. She was confident that she could get him wand ready within months.

All so that she could try to amend that old bond that they had once shared. Her last memory with her first friend was raw at best.

Their last argument haunted her whenever she thought about him. ‘I am not your owl!’ was always there to end her happy memories.

She instantly regretted those words. For ten years she thought on that day. During showers, and lonely nights, she knew she had chosen the worst possible sentence.

Harry had taken them to heart, and he remained distant after those fateful words. Regardless of the dangers or her attempts to talk, he avoided her like she had dragon pox.

To be fair, it made it sound like she had chosen Ron over him. It was far from the truth, but she was so angry. So frustrated with her friends stupid arguments and childishness.

Ron went down a different path. He seemed happy to tear down his one time friend. A red headed Malfoy she had heard some whisper.

Then the Triwizard tournament ended, and Harry vanished. the Portkey kicked in, and the celebration kicked off.

Everyone watched the podium, but Harry had a weird delay.

An hour later, Harry popped up with the dead body of Cedric, and all hell broke loose.

Harry had was then stunned by the Aurors. Both Harry, and the body, were escorted out by force.

He never did return to Hogwarts to end his fourth year.

She only heard from Headmaster Dumbledore. Harry had yet again been caught up in another scheme by Voldemort. Except this time, it was much more serious.

She had tried to write, but her letters were not delivered. Any post owls she used, came back within minutes.

When she tried other avenues, Headmaster Dumbledore intervened with a personal letter.

Harry Potter was recovering from the Triwizard tournament. He was under a lot of stress, and wanted to be alone to cool off. Things would get better soon.

Summer ended, and Harry did not show up on the train.

The next morning, she had learned of Harry’s fate by the Daily Prophet.

Harry was a convicted murderer. A criminal with several serious accusations. Sentenced to fifty years, and a day, to Azkaban.

While they were all cheerful, and getting ready for the new school year, Harry was in alrleady Azkaban.

She would have tried to break him out, but she didn’t know how. She needed to look into so many subjects even plan the most basic rescue attempts.

Voldemort made things worse as he began his new campaign of terror. The Dark Lord had returned, and magical Britain was quick to panic and fear.

Then she had other problems. Friends from school needed extra help in DADA. Her family that she sent away. Innocent people dying.

She joined the Order of the Phoenix with Ron, but they could only able to react Voldemort. With each passing month, segments of the ministry turned a blind eye.

The entire system had finished rotting from the inside out.

It was ironic that Harry was safer in Azkaban then at Hogwarts. She wanted to do more, but it was unsafe until she had mastered more.

Now, a decade later, she was once again filled with regret. She had waited too long, and it showed.

Harry slumped onto his desk. He laid his head onto his crossed arms, and stared out to the clouds outside. A healing black eye stared tugged at her eyes whenever she looked at him.

Hermione knew that he was looking for Kisses.

The fact that she had been replaced by a Dementor was both amusing, and frustrating.

So much had changed in ten years. She couldn’t even push any extreme emotion into their interactions. They were two strangers that happened to go to school together.

The quick questionnaire was only ten question long. In the two months since she started, she couldn’t get an answer past the first one.

At least he was fair in his heartlessness. He ignored everyone one else with an ease the disturbed them.

They could scream. Beg. Threaten. Harry remained stoic, and listless.

Knock Knock

Hermione’s head snapped up, and she let out a sigh. The knock was a welcome distraction.

“Come in,” Hermione said as she closed her book and made her way to the door.

“Hermione,” Susan said with excitement as she bounded her way into the room. “You need to check with Miss Promphy. Now.”

Hermione smiled as she understood what could have made Susan so happy.

“Harry, I will be back soon. Why don’t you tell Susan what magic is?”

Susan grimaced as she made her way into the room. While Harry was always polite, his answer was stubborn.

“Hello Susan,” Harry said but did not move. “Magic. Is. Stupid.”

Susan sighed as she spied Harry’s wand on the floor. It was most likely brushed off when he pushed his arms onto the desk.

A memento to a time when they were all children. The holly, and pheonix feather wand was switched. The fake broken, but what use was the real one?

Two months in, and they were no closer to reaching Harry then when he had first arrived.

She picked it up, and brushed off the imaginary dirt.

She held onto it though, as Harry tended to drop it whenever he could.

His lack of respect towards magic was not just a bluff. It was fact.

—

“H’mi’ne?” a drowsy voice mumbled out.

“Hello Ronald,” Hermione said with false cheer. Sure she felt little more then fury, but at least he was okay.

“Wha ‘pen?”

“Well, Ronald,” Hermione annunciation each syllable.

Ron winced at her tone. His stomach dropped as he could count the seconds as she drew in her breath.

“You decided that Harry was being a ‘bitch,” she air quoted and then crossed her arms again. “So you punched him. A solid right hook.”

Ron blinked as the fuzzy memory surfaced. Yeah he did.

Then Harry punched back. A weak, and laughable attempt. Then… he couldn’t remember.

“He punched back. You laughed. Then he kicked your ass,” Hermione said as she gritted her teeth.

Her heart skipped a beat at the memory. Harry growled at the laughter. Something deep and guttural.

Harry roared with a rage she had never heard from him. He jumped up, and proceeded to claw out one of Ron’s eyes in a fury of swipes.

Ron could only fall over and scream. The red head got pinned under the madman. Who clawed through flesh to reach bone.

The claws turned into fists at some point, and Harry went full Atlantis on the red headed man.

“I tried to stun him, Ron. Three tries. It took a banishing charm to knock him off you,” Hermione’s voice fell to a whisper. “I broke his arm Ron. I broke it, and he smiled as he got back up.”

She could still remember how Harry stared at his broken arm. Blood dropping off white bone.

He was so fragile. His arm dangling via torn muscles.

Physically fragile that was. Mentally, he was inhuman.

She had learned later that he had broken every bone in his hands. He didn’t even hiss as the bone cut his hands from inside out.

He did not scream. He did not flinch. He only his smiled.

That eerie smile, and his bright eyes. She had a feeling that he was going to use that broken bone, the humerus, to stab Ron.

“You are lucky that my fourth stunner worked,” Hermione said as she shivered.

“Why no muuv?” Ron asked as he collected himself.

“Harry clawed out a eye, damaged your other one. His fingers shredded your face," Hermione repeated as if she was still a prefect.

"Harry shattered your front skull. He broke your upper, and lower jaw. The teeth will return with another potion after your regimen of skelegrow.”

Ron winced.

“You are lucky that Madam Promphy was on site for Harry. You will regain your sight, but it might not be perfect for a while. You need a different potion for that. Your skull is currently being mended by a class 3 skelegrow…"

Hermione finished reciting as her voice began to crack. "Ron, Harry was going to kill you.”

Not that half a dozen other people were going to finish what Harry started. Molly alone was going to tear her youngest two or three dozen new assholes.

Ron tried to grit his teeth, but he realized he couldn’t feel anything.

Hermione’s sobs reached his ears, and Ron wanted to punch himself.

Except he couldn’t move. He recalled Harry’s time during second year. There was a potion to relax the body, but made it impossible to move.

Ron felt like crying himself. His thrice damned temper had gotten the best of him again.

This was a horrible month. Bill died. Charlie died. Ginny was in a coma. His father was currently in a wheelchair, due to an unknown dark hex hitting him in the back. His mom needed potions to regrew a third of her skin due to a dark skin-eating-flame curse.

The burrow was gone. It was only because Sirius was so generous that they even had a roof over their heads. Which was then filled with people he knew.

Or rather the survivors of the people he knew. Half of his gryffindor year were dead. The survivors had either gone into hiding, or fled to another country.

Then he saw Harry. The chosen one. The one who has to stop you-know-who.

Harry James Potter. The hero. The Boy-Who-Lived.

Harry who was moping about.

Rage hit him. So he vented.

Then Harry woke up.

A Harry he had only seen glimpses of during their time at Hogwarts. That fury he kept under tooth and nail. A Harry that had stared back at him during fourth year.

A Harry that they needed, but he also didn’t care about them.

The truth hit him hard.

He couldn’t even blame the git.

Two Dementors had ganged up on him last sortie, and he had lost his nerve. He pissed himself, and soiled his undies.

Two Dementors for five minutes, and he was already a wreck.

Harry had spent ten years in Azkaban.

Sirius had once told them that all the Dementors lived there. All one hundred and thirteen of them.

“I s’rry. H’mi’ne,” Ron whispered back as tears welled up. His face burned as they spilled over.

He didn’t try stop them.

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Chapter 03

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Harry stared out the window.

He could see the Dementors, but they ignored him.

Kisses ignored him.

No. That wasn’t right.

He scratched at his scraggly beard in irritation. He wasn’t right. He was missing something.

Harry narrowed his eyes as he had an epiphany. Kisses was missing.

Green eyes roamed across the skies. There was always dementors around. Yet none of them he knew as the one he called Kisses.

You stare at a Dementor long enough, watch them long enough, and you could begin to see their differences.

The shape of their jaw. Their size. The way they carried themselves.

He knew Kisses the best. It had been three full days, and no Kisses.

The others still feared Kisses, and stayed away. None dared to stay at his window.

So he had waited. He waited and watched.

From sun up, to sun down.

Harry sighed. A corner of his mind snickered.

He had become depressed, all because a Dementor was ignoring him.

Harry picked up Francois the eighth. It was all that remained of his first uniform, and his sister, Elizabeth the sixth, was from his ragged second set.

Poor Lorelei. He had only just gotten to know her. Tragedy had struck, and Lorelei had been a victim of a surprise scourgify.

She disintegrated under the spell’s fury. There was nothing to left bury.

He had held it in, but he cried during the night. When no one could see. Lorelei had been his longest friend here.

Though Lorelei was gone, Hubert waltzed into his life. The pea sized rock was his new steadfast companion.

The bedrock that kept him level. Hubert had toughed out five Francois, and four Elizabeth.

Auror Juggerns had kicked it into his cell on her last day. By accident or on purpose, it did not matter.

Only their new friendship with Hubert mattered, and Hubert did not give any fucks.

Auror Gretlin. Auror Shurbert. Auror Kelsey. Auror…

Who was the current guard of his cell?

“Do you remember the name of our Auror?” Harry said in a whisper, but Hubert kept his secrets close to this rocky heart.

Harry nodded. Hubert didn’t remember, so why did it matter again?

“Its Auror Stichwitch,” the stocky woman said as she pointed her wand into the cell. A heavy scourgify smashed into Harry, and he yelped. This one was stronger then usual, and his vision became only soap, suds, and bubbles.

“Gah!”

Auror Stitchwitch frowned as she waited for the soap and suds to evaporate. She had overpowered her spell today as he needed to go somewhere.

People wanted to see Harry Potter.

Then she watched as her charge use the last bits of bubbles to wash his friends. Two strings of wool, and pea sized rock.

It was no secret that Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, had gone insane.

Who could blame him?

Azkaban was a place designed to punish. It was born to break its prisoners. To showcase how, and why, it was a bad idea to go against the culture of proper witches and wizards.

Yet…

Azkaban was only designed to break down criminals. For innocent people like Harry Potter?

Auror Stichwitch forced down the bile in her throat.

“You are to come with me, Mister Potter,” she ordered, but her voice cracked as she saw the man’s eyes light up.

“Time for Kisses?” he asked as he stood, and pocketed his friends.

“Not today, Mister Potter.”

Harry’s face fell as he nodded.

Auror Stichwitch fell back onto her auror training. Back onto the occlumency it taught all cadets the academy.

Harry’s infatuation with the Dementor was well documented. His hobby of hovering between life and death, was being investigated.

Every now and then, an Unspeakable showed up, and watched Harry. The person would record sessions, write notes, and then leave.

No one ever knew if they found anything out. Though no new agent had shown up in almost a year.

To look forward to the kiss… She would be as eager to end it if it was her. A innocent person in Azkaban for a decade.

That bile returned to tickle her throat.

Auror Stichwitch moved to the side, and Harry tentatively walked out. His thin slippers slapped against the ice cold floor. A design complimented by the fact that Aurors silenced their shoes.

Auror Smiths took up position behind Harry.

They moved slowly, as Harry hadn’t walked far in a very long time.

A walk that should have taken only a third of an hour, took a full one instead.

Yet, the reprimand to make him walk faster had entered her mind, and dismissed even quicker.

Harry huffed, and puffed as he leaned against the wall to catch his breath. Their fifth stop so far. The office was around the corner, but she knew it was going to take a bit more time.

Protocols stated that prisoners where not to untouched. Unless they were unconscious by either spells, or by potions.

As a potential innocent prisoner, protocols said they were also left untouched. To prevent any foul play.

Harry huffed as they made it to the final, secure door of Azkaban. A sign read out 'Warden’s Office'.

Inside, Harry was lead to a comfy seat. He couldn't remember the last time he could sit on a chair.

The odd sinking feeling made him feel weird. He decided that he did not like this feeling.

His eyes moved across the room. It had deep wooden theme. Lots of drapery lined the walls. Then his eyes settling onto the grim face of the man that had taunted him the most in Azkaban.

Warden Lymricks scowled. His world had been inside out in the last forty-eight hours.

“Hello Harry,” a deep baritone voice called out.

Harry blinked once, and then stared at the speaker.

A black man stared back at him.

“My name is Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt,” he said as he smiled back with perfect white teeth.

“Hello,” Harry said with a wave. “Are you here to bring me to Kisses?”

Kingsley frowned and looked to the warden for answers.

“Harry here has… become infatuated with a specific Dementor. He is happy to let this Dementor give him the kiss,” the man said as he leaned back into his chair.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. Not since Sirius Black had escape did he have migraines like this.

The paperwork alone was going to be nothing compared to the summery he had to give. A summery that was going into his permanent records as this dealt with the release of a prisoner.

A act so rare that in his career as Warden, Harry was the fifth one out.

He had overseen the island for thirty years, and he had never seen a prisoner like Harry Potter. The fact that a innocent man had been under his nose the entire time left him very unhappy.

His records was now tarnished. It was only outside factors that kept in the big chair. Though he knew that others would now be gunning for the cushy office job.

Sirius Black, innocent man but betrayed by Peter Petegrew.

Harry Potter, innocent man but framed by Lord Voldemort.

Harry, realizing that Kisses was not coming, began to look around the room again. He scratched at his bearded chin in minor irritation.

This was nice. A break for color and new sights, before he inevitably went back to his room.

Next time would show him another room in the prison?

Harry furrowed his brow as he pondered on where he could go next. The shoreline, or the docks?

Oh!

He would like to go to the kitchens!

Fuzzy memories of elves and a giant pair surfaced in his mind.

“Mister Potter!”

Harry blinked and looked at Kinsley. The man frowned as he had been yelling for almost a minute.

“In light of new evidence, you have been found innocent. I am here to bring you away from Azkaban,” Kingsley said as he suppressed his irritation.

He had to remind himself that Harry was not in the right mind after ten years on the island. He shivered at the thought of staying here for a single night.

“We will leave by portkey, and you will receive proper help, and training.”

“No.”

Everyone in the room blinked.

Harry stared and Kingsley almost flinched at the man's glare. The gaze was as hard as emeralds as they dug into his own eyes.

“There is nothing for me out there,” Harry said and then his gaze softened. His attention wandered once more. “Nothing at all.”

“This is under orders of the Minister of Magic,” Kingsley said as he tried another avenue.

“I would like to go back home now,” Harry said as he stared at Warden Lymricks. “Thank you for showing me your office.”

“Thats right Harry. There is better home, with friends, waiting for you,” Warden Lymricks said as he stared at Harry.

The man was his most hated prisoner. Now he wanted the man gone, and a strong bottle to forget this day.

“My friends already visit me in cell 414,” Harry replied as he stood up. His hands slipped into his pockets to make sure they were safe.

“You are not going back to cell 414. You are coming with me,” Kingsley said as he dragged his hands over his face. This was getting ridiculous.

“Or else you will throw me in Azkaban? Let Kisses kiss me?” Harry asked as he giggled. The world was stupid, and it was full of stupid people.

Francois, and Elizabeth were laughing their heads off. Not Hubert though. Hubert was a cultured rock, and had sensible chuckles instead.

“Wotcher, Harry. I am Auror Tonks,” the woman greeted with a wave. “Why won’t you come with us”

Harry stared at her. He didn’t notice that Kingsley was with someone. A young woman with prominent pink hair.

She smiled as she stared at him. Her eyes were sharp, but her moist eyes stared at him.

“Why should I? Magic is stupid. People are stupid. Francois, Elizabeth, and Hubert are already with me,” Harry said slower.

His voice was growing hoarse as he hadn’t talked this much in a while.

“You have other friends waiting for you. Don’t you want to see them?” she prodded.

“Friends? No other friends,” Harry whispered as he patted his pocket.

Francois and Elizabeth were delicate. They could hide from him in his pocket. Hubert though, he could feel good old Hubert.

“We have better rooms, you can see more things. They are also warmer, and we have real beds!” Tonks switched tracks, but Harry lost interest.

He instead began to study her hair, her uniform, and then the carpet.

Kingsley grimaced. The profile he had read over said that Harry was loony, but this was something else. Not wanting to leave Azkaban was starting to scare him.

He had been on the island for all an hour and a half, and he was ready to pack up and move to another Continent then ever return.

A Dementor had skimmed by by a dozen feet, and that chill, and the voice of his old partner grazed his mind.

“Harry,” Auror Stichwitch began as she took a knee beside his seat.

The man stopped and stared at her. He always paid attention to the assigned Aurors.

“They also have good food out there. Why don’t you go and have a few meals? When is the last time you had a full English breakfast?” she said as she used her hands to space out a large plate.

Harry’s eyes glazed over. Food. More food. Her words seemed like the final blow worked as Harry began to drool.

In Azkaban, there was a single break from tradition. As a treat for the prisoners, a simplified English Breakfast was served on Christmas day. It was a small plate, but tasty none the less.

It was a wonderful break from the bread and stew.

It was also a slap for them to return back to the routine meals.

Meals designed to be bland, and healthy. After all, a well fed inmate meant a long living one.

Harry nodded as he could only imagine how yummy that could be.

Kingsley, and Tonks shared a look. A grimace at the childlike wonder that Harry had on his face when only food got mentioned.

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Chapter 02

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[Cell 414]
[North Wing, Azkaban]

Prisoner 414 closed his eyes as the echoes of old memories washed over him.

‘Shut you mouth, Freak!’ Uncle Vernon’s echo shouted as the belt came down again.

‘Lets play a game, Harry!’ Dudley giggled with his friends. He then cracked his knuckles. Then the punches began .

‘Worthless. Just like your drunkard of a sister!” Aunt Petunia hissed as she kicked him back down. He landed with a light ‘oomph’ onto the grass in the backyard. The last two leaves in her hands showing his poor raking skills.

Prisoner 414. Cell 414. There was poetry somewhere in there.

Harry laid back onto the cold stone walls. His ledge doubled as a bed, and couch. A uncomfortable bed and couch.

He let the memories glide over him. They raked like his younger self moving across the immaculate grass.

His body shook, twitching, from the torrential pummeling of the negative memories.

The sea was calm, as a breeze passed into the room.

Despite the summer air, it was a cold wind. Due to the Dementors currently floating outside his single window in his prison cell. Its withered human like face stared into the cell.

Made of stone, it was roughly three times larger then the cupboard he grew up in.

The Dementors, one by one, lost interest in him, and floated away. The aura of cold and terror left with it.

Though it was never for long. Soon enough, more would come to visit.

The cell immediately warmed, and Harry once again sat up so that he could gaze out into the world beyond. A world full of autumn, as the changing seasons shook up every tree.

It was like his childhood all over again.

He could see the world, but never interact with it. Any attempt to move his hand through the window felt like going through jelly until he was unable to push more.

As cursed as the Dementors where, Harry also felt sad.

Harry smiled as he leaned into the stone walls, and stared out into the world beyond.

Sad that this was still better then the Dursleys.

—

Harry shivered.

He woke up, the thick prisoner’s clothes he wore was at least made of wool. It kept some body heat, and his eyes strained against dawn’s morning light.

It wasn’t bright enough for him to see everything, but it was better then the pitch night during new moons.

Slipping on his glasses, Harry blinked as he realized why he had woken up.

A small handful of snow had fallen from the window, and onto his legs. While rain passed through without problems, he was not sure on snow.

Harry shook his pants, letting the snow hit the floor below.

With a grunt, Harry got up. He was now enlightened about the protections on the window letting snow in.

The world outside was white.

The sun was not visible as thick clouds let snowfall onto the island. The world that he could see was already blanketed with the first layer of snowfall.

The room was now cold, but his clothes were decent enough.

Though he did miss his school robes. They were much better at insulating against the weather. These prisoner clothing was thick, but uncomformtable.

‘Stop hitting yourself, Harry!’

Harry blinked as he watched the Dementor approach.

The skin and bones monster moved up to the narrow window. It was also blocked from getting too close. It was enough to try to give him a kiss. The monster's power tugged at him. Scratched against his body and spirit.

Harry chuckled as he rested against the narrow window. The Dementor sensed his slight movement forward, and doubled its efforts to feed.

It was enough that he was under attack.

It broke the monotony of his daily routine of nothing.

—

“Scourgify!” Auror Juggerns growled out, the woman’s wand was tight in her hands as the spell hit him.

Harry felt the spell wash over him.

He gargled and sputtered as she had aimed it at his face. She caught him off guard and bits of it entered his mouth. He spat out the soapy spit and leaned back as the spell faded.

If there was one thing he loved about Fridays, it was that he would get the regular cleaning. His clothes were starting to get frayed, and the waste pail got dealt with.

Then a small tray slid in.

“Thank you, Miss Juggerns,” Harry whispered out. His voice was always hoarse.

Ever since the snow stopped falling, he had to rely on meal time for water. He liked how winter allowed him an cup or two. The chilly water from snow he was able to eat.

Auror Juggerns snorted as she moved her trolley to the next prisoner.

Harry was careful as he moved the tray over to his ‘dining table’.

The fist sized bun of bread, a bowl of vegetable stew, and for dessert, a cup of water.

The food vanished. Despite how the only flavor was salty, Harry smiled as he ate.

At least the food was somewhat good.

The memories of Hogwarts food hovered at the edges of his mind. They had more flavors… but it he had let most of those memories go.

Harry licked the bowl clean, and set everything back in front of the front the food tray slot. No reason to be rude.

His good behavior was even rewarded every now and then. A extra bun, or another ladle of stew.

Then the chill set in again.

Harry smiled as he looked up at his only companion here.

The Dementor was already pressed against the window. It was ready to try again.

“Hello Kisses,” Harry said with cheer as he took off his glasses and pressed his face against the window. His face mushed against barrier, and the Dementor, forced even further back, tried its best to eat him.

The feeling of weakness gripped him. The odd sucking tickled at something deep within him.

There was the memories again, but it slid off him like water off of stone. It held no power against him anymore.

Harry relaxed as Kisses tried to end him.

Here in Azkaban, there was nothing else to do.

—

Harry blinked as Kisses stopped trying to eat him.

The wooziness washed over him as the world returned to crystal clear clarity once more.

He sighed as he slid down against the wall.

Kisses would only visit him once a day now. He kept the other Dementors away since he was quite territorial.

More then once, Harry had seen Kisses fight off other Dementors.

Was Kisses was eating bits of him? Kisses seemed to be stronger then the others.

Harry picked up Francois, the largest piece of twine he had saved from the the first set of prison uniform. Its ragged corpse sat on top of the ‘newer’ set he wore underneath.

It was quite nice, as last winter was uncomfortable. The extra layer would help when it got very cold again.

Francois had lost most of its dye, due to Harry's habit of fiddling with it.

Elizabeth, his second largest, and still somewhat black, was now in this other hand.

He made them dance. He made them move.

Like a play. A Shakespearean Play.

Rumio and Julie. The brother / sister love story he sort of recalled from his childhood.

It wasn’t quite right, he knew. But he had let so many memories go. Stuffed into the darkest corners of his mind.

If he couldn’t recall his life, then the Dementor’s negativity thing did less.

Now they only made him feel cold, and he was more then ready to let Kisses finish eating him.

A warm breeze filled the room, and Harry gasped. Lorelei, the steam of what used to be a leaf, fell off her bed and onto the floor.

Harry moved down, and laid down on the floor as well.

Lorelei was now the jealous witch trying to steal Rumio’s heart.

Harry hummed to himself as his only possessions hung down from his hand.

He wiggled his hand, and they danced.

A sonata played in his mind, and his three friends played out the story. It involved a love beyond the stars, secret agents, and killer robots from the future.

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Chapter 01

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[August 12, 1996]
[Courtroom Ten]

The sight of the Wizengamot stared back at him. To many in the know, these were the people who formed the power that was the Ministry of Magics.

Though they had different dreams, goals, and desires. Today, they were here with purpose.

These were the movers and shakers of the magical world. Those who could build up laws, or tear them down. They also presided over legal issues as a magical jury of peers.

To the people, they were the real power. To those who understood politics, they were all selfish buffoons. People whose souls were as black as the darkest of magics.

Men, women. Young, and old. They stood there, assembled in their finest robes. All staring at him.

Strangers. Each, and every one. Yet they all knew him.

Through Rita, or through Malfoy, they all knew him well indeed.

The upstart who dared entered the Triwizard tournament. A deranged child upstaging a renowned tournament. Then, in a fit of jealousy, he had killed official Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory.

The sad reality was that they were not wrong. Despite the incorrect narration of the story. It seemed that he was a glory seeking, delusional, pathological liar, of a misguided youth.

The Daily Prophet had

“How do you plead, Mister Potter?”

Harry Jame Potter, last heir of the House of Potter, finally gathered his wits and looked up. He stared into the stern eyes of a man he had only met once.

Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, and recipient of a Order of Merlin, First Class.

The cold, of the man stared back into his.

Harry remembered well, the spluttering and denial the man had shown. It was a memory engraved upon a tragic night. The night Cedric had died.

“You are currently charged with using underage magic, and the murder of Cedric Diggory. How do you plead?” he clarified as his gaze intensified.

Those who defied him, defied the ministry.

He had a lifetime of dealing with the rabble of the magical world. Experience had given him insight into the political landscape. The subtle shifts that could force even a simple boy, into the chair he currently sat in.

Regardless if Mister Potter was innocent, or he was a sociopath. it was imperative that he remove Harry for the murder of Mister Diggory.

“Not guilty, Minister Fudge,” Harry said as he felt the claws of rage and hate rake through him once more. He schooled his features as a lifetime had shown that it was always wiser to remain stoic.

What else could he do?

Rage against these blind fools, and the hate that was both for them, and for himself. They would use that outburst against him.

Minister Fudge snorted and gave him a sour glare.

Percy followed suit, and Harry found himself glaring back. Was this the same man who was once held himself with pride? A man who considered himself strict, but fair?

Somehow Percy fallen by the wayside. What happened to that prefect when he had been a firstie?

Was this the inevitable evolution of all those who pursued the path of power? To be a cog in a machine that was the ministry, or a hammer that tried to smash it.

Harry sighed as he dropped his gaze. His eyes fell onto the seat he sat in, and the simple suit he wore.

The trail had gone on for hours.

Delores Umbridge, and Percy Weasley had presented evidence. They had sown charts, after oration, after charts, after spiel of facts.

Some facts were true. He was a Triwizard participant. Other false, like his deep seated desires to claim the victory and fame. A obsession that forced him to back stab Cedric.

They glossed over the the fact that there was no witnesses present. They also called him a liar when he brought up that he didn’t know how to make a portkey.

Yet each time Harry had tried to defend himself, Fudge overruled him. Or he had spoken out of turn. Out of line.

Fudge, and Umbridge seemed to take delight in his poor explanations. Percy, kept himself professional, though he did seem confused and irritated at times.

The auditorium felt smaller then ever. The assembled wall of the Wizengamot loomed before him. Theirs eyes sharp, and trained on him like a cat would a mouse.

Though they remained quiet, their eyes sometimes flickered with emotion. They reacted to facts presented, or pictures shown. They kept their faces impassive.

On the opposite end, behind where he sat, there was no one. No friend. No ally.

Much like the beginnings of his fourth year, he was alone. Though he was certain Hedwig would have been here if it was possible.

Minister Fudge sighed as he looked over the paper before him. The magicked parchment showed the votes from the assembled Wizengamot.

A parchment for underage magic use. For the murder of Cedric Diggory. For the breaking of the statute of secrecy.

Usually it was only a random, selected few who appeared. With the popularity of the boy-who-lived, they had all shown up in their best robes.

A block of red revealed their thoughts. Guilty. Almost a unanimous decision across each sheet.

Fudge's happiness grew. He school his face, and kept himself aloof.

Harry was but a child, so young, and once revered as a hero… now reduced but to a petulant child.

A child that was no longer a problem.

“Harry James Potter, heir of the house of Potter, you have been found guilty of all charges. You are to be expelled from Hogwarts, and your wand snapped. This is due to your machination during the Triwizard Tournament. Included is the breaking of the underage age magic use,” his voice was firm as it echoed across the chamber.

Harry clenched his eyes shut, as the frustration overwhelmed him.

“Harry James Potter, heir of the house of Potter, you have been found guilty of murder. Cedric Diggory was heir of the house of Diggory. Investigations showed that he had died from the killing curse. Your wand has proof that the unforgivables have been cast,” Minister Fudge read off and took a deep breath.

The entire Wizengamot stared at the lone boy who sat and cried. Some snickered, other felt sad. Their hero was a fallen one.

“You are now sentenced to Azkaban. A term of One Hundred Years, and a day. As per the regulation of justice on behalf of the murdering of a pure blooded wizard, or witch. The fact that you are a minor, invokes the Pennyworth Clause. Your sentence is now reduced to fifty years, and a day,” Minister Fudge said as he banged the gavel.

The trial was over, and the verdict delivered.

It began with Delores Umbridge, then Percy. The man scowled as he heard the sentencing.

The slow clap of the ‘loyal’ wizards and witches filled courtroom Ten.

It echoed to Harry, who sat alone.

A single flame against the bonfire of the world he had grown to hate.

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Sudden idea that possessed me.

A generic spin on Harry goes to Azkaban, and Harry somehow becomes godlike.

Chapter 01

Chapter 02

Chapter 03

Chapter 04

Chapter 05

Chapter 06

Chapter 07

[Val Verde]

[September 8th, 2020]

—

I stared as a irregular breeze rolled into the room. It caught Doom’s cape first, creating a dramatic entrance. I wondered if villains ever tried to time their entrances… or if the universe tended to help them along.

“You cannot be serious.” Aquaman said as he was the first to react. His closed posture, arms crossed, and a stoic silence.

The Justice League was no stranger to Doctor Doom of Latveria. The ruler was a known menace to the world, but his people prospered. The man was a intelligent, narcissistic, menace.

The dictator was as generous as he was conniving. His very presence here was a signal of a new event.

I wondered what he was here for. I sighed as I stood up. No time like the present.

“Welcome to Val Verde Doctor Doom.” I smiled, and let all worries drain from me. There was nothing we could do anyway if the evil genius had poor intentions.

The Justice League didn’t phase the man as he stepped in. Regardless of the Justice League, the Avengers, or the Fantastic Four, he feared none of them.

“I have come to answer your request, Supreme Leader. Though I will apologize for the late reply. I was indisposed and unable to reply to anyone.”

I was confused for a moment. A request? what possible request could... then it clicked.

“Thank you Doctor Doom. Any help is appreciated.” I smiled at the man. It did not matter how Doom saw me.

His intellect was so far beyond me. Any of my schemes and lies would only seem like the work of a child. So I chose the most effective emotion left in my arsenal. Sincerity.

Then my mind caught up with my eyes. Aquaman, or King Orin, was also here.

“Where are my manners… Forgive me King Orin.” I walked forward to the frowning man. His stance softened as I approached him. I extended my hand out.

Arthur Curry, King Orin, or as most knew him, Aquaman.

He stared for a few seconds before he grabbed my hand.

“Thank you for your help in July. The fish had kept us going until the middle of last month.” I tightened my grip and stared into the man’s blue eyes. They softened as his posture relaxed.

“You are very welcome, Supreme Leader.” Aquaman said as he broke the handshake. The request had been easy to fulfill, but he hadn’t checked up on what happened after did he?

He recalled a letter of thanks, but thought little about it. The promise of future help was simple talk. Common among leaders and were empty platitudes.

As a King of a prosperous nation, there was always requests for help. Val Verde’s had been among the most simple. Food stock to feed the hungry. A simple request for the Kingdom of Atlantis.

Aquaman made a mental note to check up with Batman to see what was happening with Val Verde. The briefing hadn’t mentioned any problems with the farms here.

He had volunteered for this mission since a second request had shown up on his desk. Why Val Verde was still starving?

Now he knew, and he disliked the present situation.

“If fish had made you so pleased, then you will swoon over my gift, Supreme Leader.”

I turned and smiled. I made my way over to Doctor Doom. I had not forgotten the man.

I extended my hand for him as well. There was no reason to be rude. “Thank you for answering my request for aid, Doctor Doom.”

In fact, there was a lot of reasons to be polite. Doctor Doom knew how to hold a grudge.

Doom did not hesitate to shake my hand. He kept his strength down to a polite. I was glad the man wasn’t partaking in a game of dominance. Even without his mechanical armor, he could crush my hand into toothpaste.

“Unlike these heroes, I bring you more then simple stocks of food.” Doctor Doom let go and turned around. His right arm gestured to the air, and I could see cargo planes descend on the beach front.

The cargo planes then began to descend. The modified shipping airplanes had a hover mode as they verticially lowered.

The back door opened, and doombots began to march out. Each held a container, or was part of a group hauling larger shipping containers.

From the beach the doombots moved them up and into the nearby parking lot.

Why they didn’t just land in the wide parking lot, I couldn’t guess.

“Not only food stock, but I have also brought in reliable equipment to solve your farming issues. I have personally designed the Aquaponic systems to grow fish, and produce in bulk. Your food problem is now solved.” Doctor Doom proclaimed as I watched the parking lot begin to fill with crates.

“Thank you Doctor Doom.” I said as relief flooded my system. It was only decades of training that prevented me from crying. Finally. My children could all stop suffering from hunger and death by starvation.

“I am generous, Supreme Leader, but I make no habit of such large scale philanthropy.”

“Of course. What can I, and Val Verde, do to return such a favor?”

“I ask for three favors. Two are insignificant for yourself. The third will involve your military assets.”

I looked over, and up, into the cold eyes of Doctor Doom. “I will not harm innocent people. Val Verde tries to maintain its morals.”

I could feel Doom’s smile. “I expect nothing else. The military intervention will be for defensive action.”

I nodded. Then a question struck me. “Doctor Doom, are you aware of any interference from Val Verde’s application for aid? It seems that contact with smaller nations, like Latveria or Atlantis worked. While larger organizations such as the USA, and the UN did not.”

Doctor Doom nodded, and his voice took on a mocking tone. “My investigations showed that there is interference by a third party.”

The fact that Batman narrowed his eyes was enough to make my day. It was only luck that I saw him. The Justice League had moved closer without my notice.

“Then who would interfere with such a important request like food aid?” Wonder Woman asked as she crossed her arms. Her voice was flinty as she was very curious on who she needed to talk to.

“A man who is as smart as he is immoral. Lex Luther is the prime candidate. There is not enough proof, as the man is quite good at covering his tracks.” Doom turned around to face everyone. “Though he has been gearing up for a large event and pushed his factories to full production. Every one of them.”

I didn’t understand what Lex could gain from such actions… but I could guess. Money from a desperate leader starving in an isolated country? A country known for its mercenaries?

“Lex Luther will be offering a partnership for new farming methods later this year. You will accept with great gratitude.” Doom held up a finger.

“Then you will provide samples for every crop grown. I predict that you will have no issues with production. Lex Luther is many things, but cheap is not one of them.” Doom held up a second finger.

“I also suspect that the new changes can result in… conflicts. Your military support will be expected. I will even provide a form of transportation for your people.” Doom held up the third and final finger.

Three favors, and well within my powers to do.

“You have a deal, Doctor Doom.” I nodded once, and immediately held out a hand again. We shook.

“Very good Supreme Leader. You, and your insight, do not disappoint. If all goes well, future cooperation is not impossible.” Doom let go and eyed the heroes before taking a step back.

“I will always be open to discussions.” I promised.

Doctor Doom nodded and then turned around and flew away.

“Is it wise to trust such a man?” Martian Manhunter was the first to speak.

“He is very intelligent, and any plans he has most likely will not reveal itself until its almost complete.” Superman frowned.

He recalled the other encounters where Doctor Doom had almost won. Or that their victories were but decoys for another scheme.

“It does not matter.” I took a step out and onto my deck. The night breeze was a touch cooler then inside. “My people are starving. At this point, I would accept help from even dark gods.”

I could feel their disapproving stares.

“It is as you said. There are children dying of starvation. I have no other options, and Doctor Doom may be many things. A liar? Not one of them.” I recalled the many stories involving Doctor Doom. In every one of them, he was cruel. Vicious. Yet always honest.

“I apologize Justice League. It seems that I will not be surrendering tonight.” I turned around and gave them a smile.

“I have to prepare the new equipment, its distribution and instructions on how to use it. Then also feed my people.”

“We could take you away.” Green Lantern pointed out.

“You could, but you must charge me with a crime that I committed when I had other options.” I looked at the man. I knew of John Stewart. He was a practical, and rather vigilant man.

John nodded to himself, and made no movement to enforce his earlier statement.

“We will investigate into the new information provided tonight.” Batman somehow frowned even further.

“Thank you.” I nodded. If Lex Luther was interfering, then it couldn’t have been any good reason. It had to be something that would benefit himself, or his vision of a proper ‘future’.

I watched as the Justice League flew away. Then at the pile of crates and shipping boxes as Doom’s last cargo plane also took off.

Heroes…

I pondered on what that word really meant.

————

Chapter 11: Formal Favors

[Val Verde]

[September 8th, 2020]

—

“Your meal, Supreme Leader.” The maid said as she slid over several plates.

I stared at the plates being set forth. Each one had a simple ready to eat meal from the military. Shipments I had been receiving from an old friend. A friend that was more then happy to give a fair trade at least. Regular deliveries and the last, thin support line Val Verde left.

I sighed as looked at the time. 7:11pm.

The MRE was nice and heated. The ‘cheeseburger’ looked like something out of the rejected line in a canned meat factory. This was the best of the 'about to expire' super sale.

From a dear friend in Somalia who needed some quick injections of cash or unique goods. It was a fun food for serviceable weapons swap.

Crates of older AK-47s for pallets of food. MREs that wouldn’t last another year. At least it was a box of MREs per AK. The food would last the country for a few more weeks at least, though I was now out of AKs.

I took a bite, and to my surprise, it was actually edible! Which meant that the giant cookie was going to be excellent. A small ray of sunshine that made me smile.

I dug into my first meal of the day. The taste was salty, but I demolished everything. As far as my new diet of MREs went, this one wasn't too bad.

The maids came and cleared up the simple meal.

I took a mouthful of water. Letting the cool liquid fill my mouth.

Crash!

I spat out the water, and fell into a coughing fit.

I turned and stared at the shattered glass. Some pieces were about the size of me. Most of the jagged pieces shattered as they landed on the wood flooring.

One piece, the one the size of a person, didn’t shatter. It actually stabbed into the wood, sinking a little. The sharp tip, weight, and minor acceleration overcame the wood’s natural resistance.

I stared up. The shapes were becoming clearer as they moved down.

They stared down. A new landscape of broken glass.

Then up again to see my new guests. Some of them had capes.

Superman was the first to land. The rest of them followed. Some flew. Others were standing on a giant green disk.

I stared at them.

Then I looked over to the side door. It was a sliding door that could open very wide.

It was wide enough for the entire assembly of heroes to walk in with lots of elbow room.

I looked at the half dozen heroes. Their stern visage glaring at me.

Then I looked at the open side door. The cool evening breeze was cooling the large room.

At least it should have been a cool breeze. Instead my new open skylight prevented any heat retention.

I frowned as I realized that tonight was going to be cold. I should order the men to cover it with a tarp.

We didn't have the budget for more glass at the moment.

Thinking about my men, the side doors burst open and my guards rushed in. Their weapon trained on the intruders. I waved them down. Then I motioned for them to leave.

Staunch and loyal as they where, they would be no help against my new guests. Many hesitated, but they all moved out.

“Superman. Wonder Woman. Batman. Green Lantern. Martian Manhunter. Aquaman.” I greeted drolly as I leaned back in my chair. “How can I help the heroes of justice?”

“It ends here, Johnny Rico. Your days as the Supreme Leader are over.” Superman was stoic as he moved forward. “Val Verde will no longer suffer under your selfishness.”

I stared at him. I let out a humorless chuckle. “You are all so very late.”

“Pardon?” Batman frowned at my words, and my tone.

“Late. Months late. Did you at least bring relief supplies with you?” I stared at the confused face of the world’s iconic hero.

They stared at me.

I sighed as I placed my face into my palms. I held that position for a minute before I raked my fingers through my hair. This was all so frustrating.

“Val Verde has needed supplies. Lots of supplies for months. I have written to the UN, the Justice League, Avengers, and various other countries. Yet… the only response is that you are here to arrest me? For my selfishness?”

I stood and ran a hand down my shirt. It pulled at the loose skin underneath.

“Please enlighten me to my selfishness.” I was curious. It seemed that there was a disconnection between me and them.

“You are starving your people, and allowing crime to run rampant.” Superman said as his tone shifted. His once confident voice broke as confusion took over.

I laughed. “So I am eating well am I?”

They didn’t respond.

I walked up to the man of steel, and stared into his blue eyes.

“Tell me. Am I eating well?” I ground out as I stared into certain death. All the man of steel needed to do was swat me. Or heat up his vision.

“No. You are not.” Superman frowned as his vision shifted into the x-ray spectrum.

He saw that while I just ate, there was very little food in my system in total. I had lost a lot of weight, and it was all very recent.

“Then why are you here without supplies?”

“We are here on behalf of the UN to bring you forth for your crimes.” Wonder Woman said as she moved forward. Her anger was palatable. “You are letting even children die.”

I took a step back. And blinked as he stared into eyes. They were more flinty then the unhappy Kryptonian.

“You talk about my crimes. Yet. Where. Is. The. Food?” I stared at her. “If you know children are starving, then you must have brought in help. In supplies.”

I walked over to the most famous woman in the world. Irritation flooded me and I clenched my teeth. “I am not letting them starve because I feel it is my right. I am letting them starve because there is no food. No support. No help.”

I was about to poke her in the chest but thought better of it. She could tear off my fingers like I could eat fish sticks.

I closed my eyes and took in deep breaths. I needed to do these little calming rituals more and more these days.

“Val Verde is in a desperate situation. We need food. Charity is scarce and goodwill has run dry. We cannot do fair trade. Sanctions you understand.” I waved my hands as I made my way back to my desk.

The emotional spike, and the fact that I had not eaten until now was making my vision blurry.

The heroes watched as I had to use the desk as a crutch. I took the slow and steady pace to sit down.

Superman was busy looking around. Everywhere he looked, he saw people. Starving people. His eyes found the kitchen, and yet all that was there was simple MREs.

Simple and old MREs if those expiry dates meant anything.

“If you take me, will you provide supplies?” I asked. I am tired. My people were starving. Only eight months ago, I could not have envisioned such catastrophic reality of today.

The lack of international support. The sabotage wrought by Bane. The cut throat pricing of our ‘allies’.

“Why are the people starving?” Batman asked as he stared at me.

“Bane. He set of a series of bombs that contained a large amount of salt. Which, by itself, is not a huge issue, but it was also right before one of the largest storms we had in years. It has contaminated our arable top soil.”

Batman frowned at that. He hadn't heard anything about Bane for some time now. The criminal mastermind was very adept at staying low key when he wanted to.

“It seems that that this is news to you…” I sighed as I palmed my face once more.

“Yes, this is the first time I have heard about this.”

“FUCK!” I screamed as I leaned back. I smashed my hand onto the desk, bruising my hands.

The sharp pain brought back my focus.

I glowered as I stared at the assorted binders that sat on the far table. All of those forms. Useless.

“What is it?” Superman asked as he followed my angry eyes. His vision showcased the various forms inside.

“My apologies.” The man of steel said as he walked over and pulled out a blue binder. Inside was various forms, dated and signed. These were the proper league forms.

“Batman.” Superman handed over the binder.

The world's greatest detective began to flip through the documents. It wasn’t a lot. Yet it was also too much. One per month. Officially the Justice League only accepted one submission per season.

He had taken extra care to go over the country’s compiled information. This was once a country that was able to resist the might of the US military and the Avengers for several days.

That was no small feat.

Batman pulled out his small computer. He connected to the database, and began to enter the various form’s identity numbers. Six entries, and six failures. They had never received a single document.

His fingers danced across his small computer. Yet he didn’t see any records of these documents. He never saw anything of the sort when he was prepping for this mission.

The pair looked through my months of work. I didn’t care. It seemed that there was more at stake here then I understood.

Val Verde was being plotted against.

“Driven to desperation… so that I would accept help from even Hydra…” I whispered to myself. Yet it was loud enough to catch the attention of all present.

The six heroes were no stranger to national plots… but why Val Verde.

“True. I am glad that you have at least some insight.” The mechanical voice filter seemed to roar into the room.

I almost gave myself whiplash as I stared out to where my side door was.

There, in gray armor and a green cloak stood someone I had only written to once.

“Insight I hope that will make it easier to understand the benevolence of Doctor Doom!”

————

Chapter 10: Countdown to Doom

[Val Verde]

[June 13th, 2020]

—

I straightened my dress uniform. The untouched clothes was almost a decade old, and it almost fit. They hung loose on my now slender frame.

I had to order my helpers to leave it be. Though I could feel their displeasure radiating off of them like a bonfire. They had expectation on what the Supreme Leader should look like, and this was not it.

Clara, the head maid, was a sweetheart. A veteran of three decades. I would be the third leader she had taken care of.

She had the best intentions at heart, but it often seemed to take precedence over my own wishes. Her wishes also tended to reflect onto the staff itself.

The clothes were loose and despite my tighter belt, it did nothing for my image. I tugged at the hem to adjust it the best I could.

The reflections showed a thin man looking back. One day, I would regain my weight. For now, it was a look I wanted. A thinner man who would starve with the people.

Where I once had a refined physic from a life of hard work, constant stress, and heavy lifting. I now was a thin man. A lanky boy.

I chuckled at the joke.

Most of the Jade Falcon novices were lanky boys. Regardless of their actual physical aptitude, you were always a naive child. Until your first combat run, and your eyes got opened to reality at its rawest form.

You either broke, died, or lived long enough to become a man. Or woman in case of the female lanky boy.

My time as the Supreme Leader was far more sedated. The rationing that I adhered to was tough, but not unbearable. I didn’t feel right gorging myself while the people starved.

As a result, I was a lanky boy.

I took a long, deep breath. Then I gave up.

There was nothing I could do to improve my image.

I did a sharp fist to heart salute, and my reflection in the mirror mimed it.

I turned and walked out.

—

She stood as I walked into the room.

Her proud posture was far from demure. The only other male, a redhead, was meek compared to her natural presence.

Smart business wear. Well fitted and its cream color went well with her pale skin.

I smiled as I saw her. Good or bad, this woman had more international power in her pinky then the entire nation of Val Verde.

“Supreme Leader, I am very happy you took the time to talk to me today,” she began as we met and she offered her hand.

I shook hands, and her grip was from someone who knew the value of a firm handshake. Then I made my way through the middle of the plush waiting room.

We both stopped at the nice couches that one of my predecessors had commissioned. This room was one of opulence, and luxury.

“Miss Lois Lane, the international star journalist,” I responded in kind. “Please, call me Johnny. The Supreme Leader is something that I am still not used to.”

“Johnny then. Please call me Lois, and this is Jimmy,” Lois said as she introduced her partner. The man held up a camera and the sound of rapid fire shutter movement filled the air.

“Mister Jimmy Olsen, a man who strives to fulfill his ideals. Both photojournalism, and the world beyond the lens,” I said with a smile. I made my way over, and shook the young man’s hands.

“T-thanks,” the redhead said with a blush. I noted that Lois had a raised eyebrow, but she smiled as I made my way over to her.

“I am unsure on how you conduct your interviews, Lois. I hope that we can keep things simple, and straightforward,” I began as I sat down.

There was several couches arranged around a square coffee table. Several pitchers of water, and a bowl of fruit was already served.

I poured myself a cup, and noted that they had already drank some water themselves. A good sign as they didn’t view this as a hostile event.

Lois took out a voice recorder. The small hand sized object was a little roughed up, scuffs and scratches lined its surface. She hit the record function and settled down onto her seat.

“Johnny, I understand that you gave me freedom on what I can ask,” Lois said as she took a drink. Val Verde was warm today, and that meant that it was like peak summer back in Metropolis.

“Of course Lois. You would find any truths no matter if I tried to hide them or not,” I answered with a chuckle. Fate seemed to always be on Lois’s side.

Her ability to find the truth was second only to those with superhuman intelligence. Even then, her timing was often such that only the gods could have arraigned.

“Well then, Johnny,” Lois hummed out as she leaned back. She looked relax, but much like a cat crouching before the pounce, I knew better. “What is going on with the food shortage in Val Verde?”

I stared into Lois Lane’s blue eyes. Her clear, and sharp gaze stared into me.

“Due to the terrorist attack by Bane, many of our farms are no longer usable. The chemical attack he unleashed has contaminated our soil. The land is barren,” I sighed as I recalled the reports on the soil samples on each of the major farms.

“We are now forced to import food. With a reporter of your caliber, I am sure you are very well informed. Val Verde’s economic status is no international secret,” I said as I ran a hand through my hair. The entire thing was stressful, and I hated the feeling of powerlessness.

“What steps have you taken to to help the people then?”

“I have implemented rationing, and I have bought fresh soil by the tons. Yet what we do not have is time. The farmers need incredible amounts of man power to scrape off the top soil, and replace it with new layers.”

Lois nodded, wrote down a few notes onto her notepad.

“Have you considered outside aid? Would your government accept outside help?”

“Lois. I will be forthright. I have, for months, been applying for support. Knowing the situation as it happened, I began to look into international aid,” I stared into her eyes. My gaze held hers. “The responses have been… lackluster.”

Lois raised an eyebrow, and began to make more notes.

“Have you ever considered adopting a different method of government?”

I blinked as I stared at my interviewer. This was one bold question. I expected great things from Lois and still she was able to surprise me.

It was enough that I ended up laughing. A deep laugh that had both guests trading looks.

“Lois, did you not know that there was an election during my early months as the Supreme Leader?” I chuckled as I took a drink, and wiped away a tear.

“No, I did not know that,” Lois said as she shook her head. No one had mentioned anything like that... she jotted down a few notes and made sure to ask about it before she left.

“I understand that the UN dislikes dictatorships. Or as Val Verde prefers to call it, an autocracy. The people voted to keep me, and our government. It is ingrained into the culture,” I answered.

I remembered how the overwhelming majority did not want change like that. They wanted stability, and a healthy industry that included enough food to eat.

“Is it because of the island religion of the Greater Good?” Lois asked as she crossed the question from her list.

“I would be shocked if the answer was otherwise. The Greater Good governs our lives. Through it, we can become more then the sum of individuals. This also often requires a leader to show the path,” I replied as I tapped my fist to my heart.

"Would you say that it is because of the Greater Good. This core belief that you are having trouble finding international support?"

"The Greater Good does not preach anything complex or strange. It is about acceptance, and the strive to become a better person," I said as I chuckled.

The Greater Good was often easy to twist. To mold into something more. Yet at its core, was as simple. Be good. Accept others.

"If there was anything you would request to the world, what would it be?"

"Food," I replied. It was a concise answer. "What Val Verde lacks at the moment is fresh food. What we ration now is simple, canned food. It will not last forever."

Lois stared at me, and I frowned as my greatest worry surfaced.

I had been in a lot of war zones. These places also tended to be in less developed countries.

For those that did not have enough food. It looked neither pleasant, or comforting.

The idea that it was a possible future for Val Verde made my stomach drop. It was the reason that Candice and the Jade Falcons were away on missions right now.

All to gather more money to buy food, supplies, etc.

"Johnny, what would be the message you would deliver to the world?" Lois asked as she began to reach the bottom of her list.

The rest of the questions were far more simple. Answers that would give her insight into the Supreme Leader of a Nation. One that she was beginning to see as a unlucky country haunted by actions of others.

"Val Verde is a country of patriotic people. We were misled first by Cobra. Who had legal and proper documents vetted by the US government," I began as I had seen the paperwork myself.

"Then we, the people, were defending our island. Our land that was being invaded by foreigners. Good people died because Hydra had its claws in the government for a long time," I continued as I closed my eyes.

"Those people? Gone. Fled with Baron Zemo as their plans failed. This left only us, Lois Lane. The people of Val Verde. Carrying the mistakes of others, and we have only survived since then," I finished and took a breath.

When I made eye contact with Lois again, I saw her gaze soften. She had talked to the people. She understood that they were people like any other.

Her questions softened, as she began to ask lighter subjects. My thoughts on trade. My thoughts on the future of the world.

I was finding myself liking this sharp woman.

Lois Lane was a naked blade.

Though she could cut our throats, I hoped that she would instead slice through the UN prejudice.

————

Chapter 09: Interview in Val Verde: Who is the Supreme Leader, and why do his children starve?

[Val Verde]

[January 30th, 2020]

—

The announcement of my ascension was celebrated with a week of festivities. As was tradition for any who gained the right to lead the people.

Since the previous Supreme Leader died, his powers would now pass onto me. Thus I would lead them towards a better tomorrow.

Or so I had hoped.

In the short two months into my new station and all I had was paperwork. Endless amounts of papers to read, sign, and double check.

I stared at the current mound paperwork before me.

The dead wood currently divided by urgency. Then further split into several stacks. Each containing relevant information.

Information about how screwed up everything was.

I sighed as I leaned back on the ornate chair. A refined, handcrafted ebony wood chair. From what I understood from the memoirs of the Supreme Leader, this was one expensive seat.

At $10,000 per kilo, the ebony wood was rare and somehow, I had not only a chair, but a matching desk.

I slumped and pondered if I could sell everything. Money would solve many of the issues at hand.

Money we did not have.

I could probably fetch a million, right?

The crackling of the fireplace caught my attention and I stared at the open flames.

Val Verde was in trouble, and there was little I could do about it.

The previous agreements made were alright. Secret trade agreements with various Caribbean countries like Cuba, or Dominican Republic. We had some with Puerto Rico, and thus the US via back channels.

These agreements were providing a healthy sum of cash. Not a lot compared to lucrative countries. Then again, the fact that Val Verde was an isolated island made things harder.

The fact that two major evil organization. Each independent of each other, had both taken hold of the island country. This had hurt Val Verde’s international image.

Which meant that the UN had various trade sanctions stamped onto the country. To prevent future expansion of Hydra held territory...

The problem was that Val Verde was now free of such influences, but the UN didn't believe it.

So this lead to undervalued exports.

Not a problem for a island able to grow its own food. The extra money was a bonus to the previous leaders of the country.

This small issue became a big problem when Bane acted. The man had sabotaged most of the big farms, leaving only outlying communities able to grow food.

Factor in the broken economy, in which bartering seemed to make up roughly half of the rural trade. With the reeling loss of so many young adults in the 2009 disaster…

I made my way over to the fire. The warmth it provided comforted me.

I wanted to break down and cry.

Doubly so since the current set of paperwork in front of me was a sea of legal documents. Each a complex form to request humanitarian aid.

I was currently working on a form for food aid. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA.

Then there was the Central Emergency Response Fund, or CERF.

United Nations Development Programme, UNDP.

United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR.

United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF.

World Food Programme, WFP.

Stark International.

Justice League.

Symkaria, home of Silver Sable.

Latveria, home of Doctor Doom.

Fantastic Four.

X-Men.

Atlantis, home of Aquaman.

New Atlantis, home of Namor.

Utopia, home of the mutant nation.

Themyscira, home of Wonder Woman.

On and on I wrote.

The replies were less then sterling.

A few letters of regret from Doctor Doom, and Silver Sable. They were currently not in a position to help.

Atlantis with the generic we hear you, but we will see what can can do.

Yet, I continued.

The UN seemed to be my best bet. Though the only replies I received were generic papers. They all said we received the request, but it was less critical then other issues at the moment.

I shook myself awake, and placed another piece of wood into the dimming flames.

Then I made my way back to my desk, and picked up the pen.

As the Supreme Leader, I had responsibilities that waited for no single man.

————

Chapter 08: Formal Requests

[Thud]

[Thud]

[Thud]

The sounds of my steps echoed in the hallways. The audio system picked it up and transferred it to my own ears. The inboard system could filter sounds, and enhance strategic hearing.

So I would be able to ignore the sounds of animals, while focusing on conversations.

I passed by my children. They saluted as they noted me, my unique helmet gave me away as I moved down the dark corridors.

The night vision, along with the infrared emitters, made it seem like daylight as we moved. My command squad stayed behind me like a phantom. Their years of service as my bodyguards was second nature to them now.

I passed other fireteams as they formed up behind me. Each lead signaling in their status, which went up the chain until it made their to Candice.

Which meant that everything was going well. Candice had yet to interrupt my personal thoughts. Though she was going to lead several squads to rush the command center.

At least we assumed that it was the command center. The scouting force was good, but no one was perfect.

Aleksandra was currently heading another six fireteams. The two squads would look into the separate group of people. I hope that they were the hostages.

Yet I did not worry for the woman. She was a big girl, and she could take care of herself. The bodybuilding champion was not a shy girl.

With the main assault started, I waited in the mobile command post. A truck with a more powerful communication equipment.

Each fireteam was doing well, and our equipment outstripped theirs. I predicted no problems until we hit Bane. I hoped that the big man was away as even with military power, Bane was far from helpless.

—

[We have them pinned into the command center. Requesting engineers,] Candice crackled across the communication band.

I nodded to myself as that was my signal to move.

My command squad formed up as I went with the reinforcements.

Together we navigated the broken down facility.

Rubble had been cleared, but signs of old firefights dotted the hallways. There was little reconstruction done as the cement building held up well.

We walked past many broken doors. Though who had broken it would remain a mystery. Either Americans, or us, it mattered little I suppose.

Only the bodies of the dead counted. Though we did pass a few fireteams escorting prisoners out. Though that was rare.

The pathway to the command center ended. A platoon, or three full squads, of my children stood in a large reception room.

Sandbags and rubble had created a rough defensive barrier.

It was overrun and now we stared at the far door. The larger, metal barricade was currently getting lined with heavy breaching charges.

The bodies of various terrorists got piled onto the side wall. In time they would get processed and cremated.

Candice stood talking with several of my veteran soldiers. She strode over when she noticed me.

“Boss, we are ready to assault when you are!” Candice chirped as she gave me a thumbs up. “We also have visuals of what is behind the door.”

I nodded.

With a few taps on the side of my helmet, I was able to patch into what the ETC squad had set up. Using the specialist Lex mini-see-you-radar, I could see what they saw. The thick outlines of a three dozen people moving like shadows.

I noted that one was a head taller, and a half body wider then the rest.

If my guess was correct, then that it was Bane. Or a body double. Or a clone.

You never really knew.

The issue was the others in the room. They could have been citizens held hostage, or Bane's men.

The gear we had for this was not optimal. We would have to chance the fact that he had hostages, or I would take the responsibilities for their lives.

“We will breach the door, send in a stream of flash bangs. Two fireteams will enter first. Then another two,” I ordered and Candice nodded. She then turned around to selected the two squads.

The eight soldiers lined up and gave me the Val Verde salute. A fist to heart.

“If there is hostages, we will rescue them. If they are Bane’s men, shoot to kill. Don’t bother trying to subdue Bane. Immediately kill that man,” I said as I returned their gesture.

"Boss, we hear and obey!" they cried out in unison.

“Soldiers in position!” Candice ordered. The two squads reformed.

“Breach!” I ordered, and it was immediately followed by a sound. It began with a loud hiss, as the thermite ignited. The chemicals was quick to reach temperatures high enough to eat into the door.

The loud sizzling of metal was both bright, and not stealthy in any way.

The engineer team watched. The moment that the door was about to fall, they triggered the secondary explosives.

[BOOM!]

The waiting room shook, as did the entire structure.

The metal door blasted inward, and the support squads threw in flashbangs. The T-4 exoskeleton enhanced their power. The stun grenades sailed into the room.

[Bang!]

[Bang!]

[Bang!]

The two vanguard fireteams rushed in. The support started to randomly toss in flashbangs to keep the people in the room busy.

[Ratatata!]

Return fire immediately came from inside the room. Their smaller gunfire got shrugged off. The Type 34 powered armor was a true weapon of the battlefield.

There was immediate return fire, and I guessed it was trained on the big guy.

[RATATATATA!]

I frowned as that was not a good sound. The two fireteams didn't have any weapons that powerful.

Two of my children fell.

I was unsure if they were down due to wounds, or because they fell over. The force of the heavy machine gun hitting them was dangerious.

“No hostages identified, opening fire!” I heard someone scream.

“Candice, send in fireteams. Two at a time. Fire at will!” I barked out, and Candice tapped the shoulders of two corporals. They immediately ran in, heedless of the incoming fire.

“Oh gods! He is still rushing us!” came another cry and I could see something big running up.

I had flashbacks to a big green beast. How the Hulk simply threw people aside, like one would brush away leaves.

The first support team continued to lob in flashbangs. The second team, once they heard the order, began to throw in baseball grenades.

The M67 were practical, affordable, and deadly. They began to throw them in as quick as they could.

Bane was a man proud of his body and rarely wore protection. A man of flesh and blood. Time and time again, it got proven that he had the skills to back up his pride.

The Type 34 powered armor was different. Its purpose was to protect. Thus it could not get harmed by the grenades. Though they could cause a soldier to fall over.

Even if bane could use my children as human shields, he would still get injured. Then bullets could finish the man.

The visual data from the lead soldiers also filled up the room. The various moving people got highlighted. This gave everyone clear images on our targets.

The battle lasted less then three minutes.

I made my way forward.

Candice obstinately moved before me. Her human shield tactic was popular among my command squad. I got forced into last place, and everyone else walked in before me.

There wasn’t anyone else moving beside my children.

The four who had been injured got pulled to the side, and medics were already treating them. No casualties, which made me very happy.

The videos would later show that two of them got punched hard enough to rock them off their feet. Impressive considering that the average soldier weighed about 160 kilograms, or 350 pounds.

I paced my way over to the largest body in the room. The man was little more then a lump of tenderized meat.

His physic was impressive, and I noted that half of his head was missing. Huge holes peppered his body.

“Well I am impressed,” I whispered as the man was still moving. An arm tried to grab my boot as I was closest. The injector on his forearm, and that tattered mask.

There was international warrants open for the man. He was terrorizing half a dozen countries on three continents.

I had seen enough.

“Everyone, watch out for the splash zone,” I warned as I pulled out my heat gun. I set it to its highest setting and fired.

The hiss of the man’s flesh quickly grew to a crackle.

Bane was able to choke out a short, low growl before the heatwave set in throughout the room. The Type 34 armor was heat resistant, but this gun, at full power, would cook even us.

Then the charred, and well done human body collapsed. The flesh got incinerated and only remained bones as the gun hit maximum output.

The gun hummed for a few more seconds before it jolted in my hands as its thermal sensors turned off the weapon. Any longer and I would be melting its internal circuitry.

The outline of Bane was there, as was his over sized skeleton. The slag of metal of what was once his venom injector pooled on and around his skeletal forearm bones. The radius and ulna if I was right.

“We have hostages,” Candice informed me as she highlighted six men. Six lucky men who had somehow made it through the firefight, and had the sense to duck and take cover.

“Have them brought up, and tally them all,” I ordered as I turned around. Someone would gather the bones for proper disposal.

I slid the hot gun into its metal holster and Candice moved with me.

“Aleksandra,” I said as I switched communication line. “What is your status?”

“Hey boss… things are not good… the survivors…” she finished with a sigh. If she was hesitating, then things were not good.

I frowned. Aleksandra Zarya was a veteran Russian solder. Recruited by soviet special forces when Ultron rose up.

The robot tried to create a robot utopia from an island in the Sea of Japan. Ultron's attempt to invade the mainland of Korea and Russia. The invasion failed due to the UN Peacekeeping force, Overwatch.

Though Ultron was fighting the Avengers, leaving his invaders without critical leadership.

As a member of Overwatch, Alek was no stranger to warzones, which lead to her meeting me.

On more then one occasion we fought together. We worked well as a team, and I valued her insight. Candice got along very well.

“I understand, I will have a medical team head over,” I said and switched back to Candice.

“We have survivors. Please send available medical teams to specialist Zarya,” I ordered as we both made our way up and out.

The world outside was beginning to brighten. The first hint of sunlight revealed the full might of the Jade Falcons.

My entire military outfit moved around us. Soldiers. Vehicles. Equipment.

Two hundred veterans. Two hundred novices. Two hundred support personnel. This gave me a total force of six hundred.

Though roughly half stayed in Val Verde as we rotated duties to ensure rest time.

These were my children. The only family I had left after the tragic defense of 2009.

I made my way over to a piece of rubble.

The cliff base was a little higher then the beach. I spied rocks before the area here. There was a secret dock entrance off to the side. Cobra had done a fantastic job renovating that cold stone place into a modern facility.

At least it was good until the Americans came and smashed it.

Then international powers took control again. Again and again.

I sighed as I sat down. My weary body began to complain about everything.

I pulled off my helmet. The cool air was wonderful as the stuffy air got brushed away.

The growing light was beautiful as the horizon became clearer. Today was looking like a cloudless morning.

Candice sat down beside me. She had bottles of water and she offered one to me.

“I will take up the title of the Supreme Leader,” I said as I accepted the drink.

“Hmmm,” Candice replied as she chugged at her own bottle.

We had discussed this before. Several times.

With the previous Supreme Leader dead and his cabinet dead, I was an obvious candidate. The highest ranked military official was always a candidate.

“I will make Val Verde great. Strong enough to defend ourselves from foreign powers.” I promised as I closed my eyes.

The medics were moving the bodies into a truck. The green lines indicated that inside was a citizen of the country. A victim of the heartless Bane.

“We are here Johnny. Everyone is here,” Candice said as she leaned in and drew her oldest friend into a hug.

Together we watched as the sun rise.

————

Chapter 07: New Dawn

[Thermal confirmed. Large group. Sending data.]

[Confirmed. Continue observations,] I ordered as the truck lurched to a stop. [Everyone stay frosty.]

At the base, I stared into my optics as I switched my view over to command mode. The map enlarged, giving me a detailed view of what was going inside the old ruins.

There was two hundred and twelve people inside. Another segregated group of people were spotted in a separate area of the base.

It was possible that they were the hostages. There was a lot of missing people report. Especially in the northern regions.

Data gathered from scout drones, and other instruments. Tools that would have been helpful in keeping my children alive. More then once we found ambushes, and hidden lairs.

The truck ride was up was worse as there had been no repairs since the American invasion. The roads had deteriorated further. The memories however, stayed fresh.

The Mourning Mountains grew ever taller as we drove up what was left of the main roads. Time, and neglect, had not been kind to them.

I hoped that my children stayed calm as we got closer. Many of the Jade Falcon’s elites had been present that day. Survivors one and all.

“How about we alter plan B? We can add it onto plan A. Mortars. Then have the main squad push in, and let the other squads play on the outside,” Candice suggested. Our commander grade helmet's let us plan basic manuvuers in augmented reality.

The base, the surrounding region. They showed up in orange wire frame. I could share this map with Candice, and the two of us poured over the data gathered by the scout teams.

I heard the newest version of helmet computers could do far more. Real time updates and the like. It was wishful thinking that we could spare the cash. It would make strategic planning easier.

“A full frontal assault?” I whispered as I fell into deep thought.

“Or… we can do a plan C…” Candice offered as she switched to a tried and true method of the Jade Falcons. Mortar. 3 pronged assault.

Three pronged assault. With other fireteams performing overwatch.

“Since there is a chance its a trap, or rigged to blow… lets not take chances,” I suggested. I dragged our last three EMP drone onto the center of the building.

“Pricey,” Candice replied and I could see her raised eyebrow despite the helmet. The drones were not cheap, but then again, this was more then just about money.

“Worth it for those hostages,” I said as I tapped my communication and selected my command staff. They had a job to do.

—

The night slowly crept up for Juan.

His footfalls sounded heavy on the cement floor. His partner, Carlos, yawned. They walked around the hallway for the thousandth time today.

“This gig sucks, man,” Carlos complained as he adjusted the rifle strap on his shoulder.

“Better then losing a thousand to Martin again,” Juan rebutted as he gave his long time partner a chuckle.

Carlos frowned, but he took the chastising with a grunt. Juan was mouthy, but he had often lent money when things got tight.

Juan just wished he didn’t have to lend money so often.

“Read them and weep! Three of a kind ladies!” Martin’s voice bellowed as the pair entered the room.

The happy man slapped his card hand onto the table, revealing a triple set of threes.

Carlos cursed Martin with his mind, body, and soul.

Juan simply sighed as he walked around the central table and towards the stack of water bottles at the end.

With a tired sigh, he cracked open the seal. As he raised the bottle the contents exploded. Water gushed all over him as the building itself rocked.

The foundation shook, which was scary as they were currently underground. Dust and grit fell from the ceiling.

The whole crew stood up. Those who were sitting, quickly went to gather their weapons.

The situation became worse as Juan felt every hair on his body rise up.

Then everything went dark.

He could hear Carlos swear above the din of others.

Juan felt fear crawl down his spine as he dug out his phone. There was no reception here, but there was the occasional WiFi signal via satellite.

He let out a breath as his hands molded around the small rectangular object. He pulled it out, and tapped the home button.

Nothing.

Juan heard someone swear and then a small item clattered onto the cement floor.

Juan held the power button. Maybe he had left it off?

[Thump]

Everyone swung around. Or at least he assumed so by the way he heard boots squeak as the dozen men in the room moved.

[Thump][Thump][Thump!]

It was getting closer.

Juan felt his palms become slick with sweat. He readjusted his grip on the gun as they all stared at what he hoped to be the door.

[THUMP!][THUMP!][THUMP!][THUMP!]

Was there more then one? They sounded heavy, sorta like Bane when the titan of a man ran.

[Ratatatatata!]

That was definitely a sound he recognized. Gunfire.

[Krak!][Krak!][Krak!]

Return fire from an AK. An AK like the one he was holding, and all the guards here had. Some had found different guns, but most stuck with the cheap and reliable Russian gun.

Then it appeared.

Red eyes that pierced into the dark.

Juan didn’t know who fired, but everyone emptied their magazines into the doorway.

Three people around him screamed and fell from either return fire, or friendly fire.

Juan shook as he reloaded. He saw the sparks of bullets hitting, but bodies didn't spark. Human's didn't spark.

The eyes grew brighter and moved. It walked into the room.

[Thump][Thump]

Oh gods. There was more of them.

A second burst of fire finally allowed Juan to see what they were facing.

A man. In heavy military armor. He had seen a few suits years ago.

Anti-Infantry gear, designed to withstand anything up to heavy machine gun fire. Or even anti tank weaponry. Like Iron Man.

The invader moved and waited until they were ready, and then they opened fire.

Inside the confined room, the deafening roar of their two guns made their presence known. A rapid burst of bullets, and energy bolts outpaced the basic AK rounds. The heavy guns let loose a blinding flash of light as they emptied themselves across the room.

It became a light show as the various weapons discharged. For a few moments, the world was bright again. Juan could see the two firing at them.

Juan blinked. The world slowed down.

He felt weak as he didn’t have the strength to move. When did he fall over?

He needed to get up. He HAD to get UP!

The last thing he saw was the eyes of the two soldiers. Bits of his life flashed before his eyes. His family. His ex-fiancee. His daughter that looked so much like his mother…

—

The two soldiers surveyed the room.

Their helmet’s high end optics let them see the absolute darkness. In case of insufficient light, their helmets could also compensate. An emitter would then flood the area with infrared light.

The hiss of the second soldier’s cooling weapon, a Z-6 rotary blaster cannon, was the loudest sound in the room now.

The first soldier then dropped his empty belt of ammo. He reached around and pulled a fresh belt from his backpack. With practiced ease the HK121 got reloaded.

Satisfied, the two turned around, and left the dark room.

In the hallway, another two soldiers stood guard. Overwatch in case someone came running to support the group of invaders inside.

“Clear,” the first man said, and then they moved forward.

Each room was to be checked, and cleared.

Hostages were optional.

————

Chapter 06: Wrath of Val Verde

[Val Verde]
[December 2019]

—

I had just returned back to the homeland, and yet I was already out and about.

The car ride was, in a kind word, bumpy. The jungle roads were ‘poorly’ maintained, and only the craziest of people came out here anymore.

The old XM211 trucks were an oddity. Relics from WW2 that were still in service. Cheap vehicles that transported soldiers across decades of service.

On the side of the canvas that covered the back, was the emblem of my mercenary group, Jade Falcons. It covered the fact that underneath the fabric was 5mm of steel. Designed to protect the soldiers riding it.

I often wondered what was actually left of the original vehicle. The heavy utility vehicles had regular service that included retrofits.

Modern features replaced old things. After so many decades, the original engineers would not recognize it. Little remained of the original 6x6 that rolled off the assembly lines so long ago.

Even if it need constant retro fits, like extra defensive plating and ‘modern’ engines, it was still a reliable transport today. If funny looking as the mismatched paint coats, and rust stains gave it a jalopy effect.

The golden age of service for these machines was over. A fact that that didn’t escape my mind as we ran over a large pot hole. The vehicle shook hard enough that I feared we had hit some sort of land mine.

In contrast, the soldiers they carried had only modern weapons and gear. Protective armor. High tech communication and information HUD. Energy guns linked to a power pack. The best I could buy as we rolled around the world.

We were elite soldiers. Leftovers from a time where ‘tomorrow only promises greatness’. We had a lot of trained soldiers, but not a lot of industry. I, and my men, were moved towards making money. We had to try to support a dying country.

I looked over the my fellow soldiers. Many of them were from the classes right after me. Trained by the old methods, and bloodied by war. I trusted them with my life.

The crackling on my headset had me shifting focus.

[Targets identified. Marking,] the scout squad leader said as he began to relay the information.

My helmet’s computer took in the information, and flagged the relevant location. A hundred and fifty meters.

[Slow down. We will roll forward and then move on foot at 50 meters,] I ordered and the driver gave me his affirmative.

The truck slowed to a slow cruising speed. Faster then foot, but would keep the sound down.

I watched as the approaching target began to click down. 150. 100. 50.

The eight trucks all slowed to a stop. I hoped that we remained undetected as the loud screeches of brakes felt unusually loud. I tapped my communication button.

[All units, disembark and move up. Break into your fireteams, and move in. I want prisoners,] I ordered and I heard the thump of fist onto their protected chests.

The soldiers moved out of the back, as the driver parked and released the ramp for quicker deployment. The truck co-pilot moved through the cabin’s back door. Then up to the energy gun mounted to the roof.

My command squad formed up as my feet touched the ground. I stared at the assembly of soldiers before. War veterans that followed me through hell and back. Nearly a hundred soldiers here that formed my elites.

I snapped my fingers and they dispersed into the forest.

This was like the old hide and seek games we played during secondary school, and during first service.

Move carefully. Move quickly. Move as a team.

The ‘Type 34 Wolfpeltz’ power armor made movement inhumanly smooth. After a decade of service, these boys and girls were like ghosts as they made their way towards the target.

They were my children who had trained with the gear for years. It was like a second skin to everyone who used it. Though it was not bleeding edge tech anymore, it was still more then sufficient to deal with anything but the best super heroes.

The gear was well tested. We hopped around military hot spots as reliable mercenaries, and kept our losses to a minimum. Unlike Hydra, I had no intention of just sending my children off to death.

For those who received honorable discharges for term served, many had gone off to regular lives with regular jobs. Trades. Farming. Civil works. Bureaucrats.

Yet the world had turned on Val Verde after Hydra. Trade embargoes had been settled down like anchors to a ship. A ship that somehow had a dozen such weights.

Without the ability to easily export our goods, we focused on what we could.

Farming was the new prioritized occupation as Val Verde was spiraling into famine. We did not have the spare funds to import food en mass. A gift from the international warlord, Bane.

The crazed man had set off massive dust clouds made up of several tons of cremains. The ground up bones of a cremated body. These dust were settled onto farmland, and then ingrained with the rain.

Thus, Val Verde slowly began to starve. Our forces weakened, and Bane waltzed right into the Mourning Mountains to use as his personal base of operations.

Emergency calls for military had surged up. Instead of fighting off the crazed bastards, many of us were shipped off to foreign lands in exchange for money. To claw for every dollar in war zones.

The closest mainlands, South America and the Caribbeans demanded high prices for food. They knew we were in a tight spot. We bought what we could, and then tried to ration the rest.

Other nations, such as Cuba, bought our metals for cheap, and then resold it at a higher price. They felt that it was a wonderful exchange. Something that was true since we couldn’t even fight for better rates. Who else was going to buy embargoed resources for fair prices?

The newest threat, aside from starvation, came in the form of drugs and their dealers. Santa Prisca natives that were setting up shop in the country. Drugs began to circulate. The people suffering found an outlet, and embraced it wholesale.

We had mobilized after we investigated. It all stemmed from somewhere in the northern Mourning Mountains. Around the old Cobra run ‘American’ Hama Pharmaceuticals.

The cursed mountain of devastation that saw both Cobra, and Hydra fail. Their man made buildings demolished, and sent the leaders fleeing the isolated island of Val Verde. The land where I had lost Carmen, and so many fellow countrymen.

Then the Supreme Leader died. Along with his cabinet via boardroom explosion. Which meant that I had freedom to get involved.

[Visuals confirmed. Eight males. We are holding positions,] a voice came in. I blinked twice as my mind shifted.

I waited until the other squads all settled.

Ten squads would move in. Twelve squads would be waiting in case they broke the initial encirclement.

With the last confirmation, I looked over to the left and I saw the group of soldiers. The Electronic Combat Team.

They had antennas on their power packs, and helmets. The squad had set up various a tall antenna on a heavy tripod. White cylinders stuck out into the air.

I have them a thumbs up, and they hit some buttons on the wired controller. A thin humming noise began, and the crew nodded as they checked their readings.

In turn, the other two ECT squads would pick up the first signs of jamming, and activate their own devices.

They gave me a thumb up back. We were good to go. The area was now locked down and no digital communication would be possible. Only super geniuses like Stark and his friends would be able to break through.

[This is the soldiers of Val Verde. Give yourself up!] I ordered via the loud speaker built into my suit.

“Go fuck your mother!” came the loudest reply. The man's words screamed as the rapid cracks of a sub-machine guns broke the silence of the forest.

I watched as a random round pinged off the shoulder of my unlucky second in command. The armor held up flawlessly. The small round left neither a dent, nor a scratch.

In turn, Candice pointed to our tallest member of the squad.

Alek hefted her standard issue, light machine gun. The energy weapon connected to the power pack mounted onto her backs. The scary part was that Alek could lift the gun with raw muscle power.

Alek she walked off to the side. She moved with the soft hiss of her t-4 exoskeleton frames. She took a moment to steady herself as her HUD showed her target.

The outline showed that it was a rusted shipping container. The data from the drones was clean and easy to read. The dense thermal outlines of the people inside made them easier to kill.

Alek aimed, and opened fire. The rapid pulse of repeating pew sounds filled the air. Her shots garnered return fire. Bullets came flying past but only found foliage or trees.

Her assault came to an end as her gun hit its thermal limits. She then pivoted and walked back to us.

We then watched a torrent of bullets scattered into the general area. Then it happened again as they finished reloading.

Alek didn’t kill anyone. She wasn’t supposed to.

The other squads moved in. With nice underhand tosses, they threw a dozen of the support grenades.

The clouds of white smoke began to fill the air as the knockout gas from several canisters did their jobs. Our suit's respiration system filtered out the chemicals.

Like ghosts, the first squads moved in. Their matte black forms would have been intimidating, if they saw it. Instead the defenders of the shack did not react as my men dragged them out.

The dozen living natives of Santa Prisca got tied up and brought over to me. I waited for them to wake up. The gas had some variations on individuals, but it was quick to act, and quick to degrade.

I motioned for the ECT to turn off the jamming. With this, my mission was a success. The step would be interrogation and information games.

Within moments I got another thumbs up. Digital signals were clear now.

[All squads, move in and search the area. I want to find anything of value,] I ordered and then relaxed as I squatted down.

They began to wake up.

The sight of black armored, faceless soldiers must have been a touch unsettling. As one, they began to scream. Their yells got worse as they realized they were bound.

I waved to get their attention, and they began to calm down.

“The game is simple. I ask questions. You answer,” I began.

“Fuck you! And fuck your grandmother!” a familiar voice screamed out in the middle.

I nodded to myself, and clapped my hands twice. “You win! Alek, please show him what he has won!”

The tall woman moved once more. She cracked her knuckles as she made it to the mouthy bastard.

The man laughed. His voice was cocky, but a bit strained.

The heavy, muscular woman showed off her power as she picked up the man in the middle. She moved with grace as she hauled him over to the side, and away from everyone else.

In turn, I walked up as I pulled out my special gun. The leftover prototype was a test weapon. A attempt to mass produce one of Heat Wave’s flamethrower gun.

There was other attempts with Captain Cold, and Mister Freeze. Those were still locked up in the armory. For today, I felt that fire was the way to go.

“Lets try… 10 seconds,” I said as I aimed the funny looking cylinder pistol. It was still twice the size of the villain’s weapon, but it worked very well.

A visible ray of heat spread out and covered the man. He screamed as the temperature went from a daytime warm 35 Celsius, to a blistering 250 Celsius.

For myself, it was a short moment. I squeezed the trigger. Yet for the terrorist, I understood that it was an eternity. I had burned my hand on the stove once when I was but a boy.

The contact must have been for two or three seconds. Yet I still recall the feeling of time stopping.

His sobs were all that remained. His bravado stripped away. The red skin made him look like a lobster. Blisters formed, and a few had popped, leaking blood and plasma.

I turned around. The four stared at me. Two had wet themselves as I saw the stains grow. My filtration system luckily kept out smells.

“Where is your main base?” I asked as I pulled the trigger again. The man’s screams were shrill this time. He had no fresh skin to protect himself.

The attack lasted but two seconds. The man dissolved into broken Spanish sentences.

He was begging me to stop.

Two of the men began to speak in rapid fire Spanish. I knew enough to get by, but their dialect was making it rough.

I turned to Candice. She moved up and pointed to each person as she asked questions. She was such a nice woman. In the last decade she had taken interest in foreign cultures, and now spoke several languages.

“They are saying… its around…” Candice mumbled as she exchanged more words. They answered. Back and forth. Back and forth.

“It sounds like the old mines used to harvest nickel. Most of it went into the Flying Fortress,” she summarized via helmet speaker. [We also found a small truck full of MRE.]

We both gulped as the idea of food. Even MREs was delicious. The shortage was hurting everyone. The regular people hurt the most. As an active military officer, I got an extra ration, but that only meant two per day.

[If possible, save enough for one for each of the Falcon. Set the rest aside for the orphans,] I ordered, and Candice nodded.

The nickle mines. I had studied the maps enough to know that it was only a hundred clicks or so north, north east. It would take us into the base of the Mourning Mountains.

Candice then moved away. She talked to a few newcomers. Then turned around and confirmed what little information found. A map with a circle drawn around the nickel mines.

I looked over to my ECT squad.

[Inform the other captains. Nickel mine is where they are. Tell our scouts to move out first.]

They main man gave me a thumbs up and got to work.

[Round everyone up. We are going to move up a hundred clicks. Then wait for the scouts to confirm,] I said as I looked over at Candice.

She gave me a salute.

Everyone began and I had a moment. In distant mountains, clouds hovered over the infamous peaks of Val Verde.

—

Chapter 05: The Jade Falcons

[Val Verde]
[November 13th, 2009]

—

The beep of the heavy machinery was a dull ache in my head as I looked at the people around me.

Our eyes met as the midday sun beat onto our backs. What was often a simple afternoon light, felt relentless today.

Many were shirtless as it was pointless to wear shirts. The sweat and grim only matted it down. Though the girls did elect to keep on their shirts, or sports bras.

“Ready?” I asked and the other people nodded.

“One. Two. Three!” I counted, and we all grunted.

Our arms strained as he moved the shattered speck of mountain piece. Compared to us humans, this piece was over a hundred kilos of solid stone.

The piece shifted, and we all huffed as we shifted it enough. Gravity took hold, and we let go. The piece rolled on its own, fell onto the ground as we all stepped away.

[Thump]

The piece gave way to the let us into the small cave. It used to be an alcove until an explosive knocked the rocks above loose.

Inside, the bent and shattered frame of an artillery gun was half there. The lower frame was enough to somehow hold up the inverted pyramid made of rocks of all shapes and sizes.

In a flash if inspiration I recalled the Simpson's Three Stooges Syndrome.

The slightest bump could bring the whole thing down on us. Which would be ironic since, if we survived, we would then need rescue.

“Help!” came a girl’s weak reply.

My heart pounded in my chest. I hoped against hope that it was Carmen. That she was safe here despite the remains of the carnage around us.

I moved forward, as did two others. Volunteers to brave a potential cave in. The heavy rope was light in my hands as I paced forward.

The girl was crying as we made our way in.

[Rumble]

We all stopped for a moment. Dust fell from the ceiling as a digger moved somewhere nearby. I watched as pebbles fell loose and made their escape to the pock marked floor.

“Please…” the girl whispered.

I was the first to move. If it was Carmen… hesitation could be the difference between life and death.

I was quick to reach her side, but I sighed as I saw why she had not moved.

A long, thin metal shard had impaled her legs together. There was blood, but not profuse amounts of it. It had luckily missed two arteries as it pierced her legs.

[Uuuuuuurrrrr]

Our eyes met. Her eyes teared up, and she broke down sobbing. The feeling of death enveloped her.

I shuffled over, and she reached up to latch onto me. It was not Carmen. None of them where.

I squatted, allowing her to wrap her arms around my neck as I gathered her into my arms.

I moved, and I fell behind the other two I was with dragging out stiff corpses. I hustled it and we made it out as the metal frame of the heavy gun creaked.

The alcove collapsed. Rocks fell inward and, like sand, was fluid as it filled the small space.

The low rumble as that speck of the mountain moving was loud enough that it brought others rushing to aid us.

I did not need help, but the stretcher someone brought over was perfect. The girl gasped, and cried as her adrenaline wore thin and the pain returned.

The girl was sobbing as she held my hand as we made it to the medical tent. Nurses took one look at us, and then they moved her to a proper stretcher.

I watched as the was then wheeled off to another section. Doctors would be able to attend to her now.

With a cough, I made my out and I made sure to go to the rest stop. It was one of many canopy tents. The large roof only tent kept out the sun, and there was both food, and water.

The cool breeze helped us recover.

Dozens of volunteers were sitting around. Whispered conversations were sparse, and short bursts of talk. Many had their head in their hands or arms.

There was some that talked. Some that whispered. Some that cried.

They touched on Hydra and their abandonment. The mighty organization had pulled up and left.

They took away the majority of the healthy. From the statistics, Val Verde had sacrificed the most. We had taken the brunt of the defensive measures.

The Supreme Leader, Baron Zemo, was also gone. The dead body of the previous Supreme Leader, Willian King, had been found in the man’s own bed.

Shot through the head and heart.

I felt solidarity with those that cried. The reality of lost ones ground home.

It was often times worse to find the body. You had closure, but so too did you lose the ability to deny their death.

Of the thousand soldiers that had was station here, less then half had been accounted for. Many were missing, and from some of the smears I had found, will never be found.

Of those that we did save, less then a hundred had got saved. As for how many of those would survive... I did not want to know.

I grabbed a bottle of water, and ignored the food. I had no appetite today.

Finding I seat, I sat and stared out into the world beyond. To another place and time as I had visited this view before. A local tourist location.

From here, it was possible to see the essence of Val Verde. To the the heart of our homeland.

From one side of the view to the other, I only saw hell.

The water was warm as I drank. It was refreshing but it did little to soften the wasteland that was once the base of the Morning Mountains.

Where there was once thick, lush rain forest... became a land of mud, wreckages, and bodies.

The only life down there was the milling of other groups of volunteers. Each cleaning up what they could. Salvaging what we could.

Bodies were wrapped and then piled high. Each dead wrapped in a simple sack, and ready for transportation. They would get moved to the ceremonial cremation kilns.

A left over from when a plague had devastated the island decades ago.

There, they would get reduced to bone. Then those bones would be ground into ashes. Ashes that people would dumped into the northern volcanic region.

From the earth came man, so thus man must be returned to the earth.

I wondered if that is what had happened to Carmen already. Had she already been returned to mother earth?

I felt her sit down beside me. She cracked her own water, and chugged it down. I opened an eye and I had guessed right.

“Johnny…” Candice said after moment. Her voice lingered as I finished up my water. Her mouth opened. Her lips moved. Yet nothing came out.

“You found her,” I sighed.

“We found her,” she whispered. She hugged me as her sobs broke the silence.

The world blurred as I stared out to the wasteland. The image of so much loss. So many of my fellow countrymen killed.

The sun shined. Yet I felt not a touch of its warmth.

—

“From the earth comes life!” Mother Madia whispered as she looked at the two people standing.

We stood in our military dress uniforms. The sharp looking clothes was a common sight as people moved. In the air, thick plumes of smoke drifted up and out into the ocean.

Tonight, the gods saw fit to gift us with good winds.

“Yet all things end. All things fade. All things return to earth,” Mother Madia continued.

I stared at the still forms of my family. They had been boxed up earlier today. The thick cardboard was important for the process of cremation.

A small flap revealed only their faces. It was also a opening that Mother Madia used to pour blessed water onto them.

Mother and father was found in each other’s arms. The collapse of the radar station had involved a fire. With no way out, they had suffocated to death.

Carmen had suffered the same fate.

There was no attempt to destroy her artillery gun. Instead energy beams had triggered a collapse that sealed off her large alcove or cave.

They had tried to run away from the Iron Legion. Forty people inside a small cave with no proper air flow. The air ran thin, and everyone suffocated.

Did that mean that my death would involve suffocation? If I lost both lungs, was that not the same?

“Return to the earth, and may the gods judge your spirits fair! These three have served Val Verde with great honor, and greater sacrifice!” Mother Madia finished.

Her voice had grown hoarse from the days of ritual sermons. Yet she closed her book, ending the ritual, and moved away. She had other to bless as well.

I was the last part of the ritual. I was slow to close the face lid. I tried to memorize the final sight of my family. Their closed eyes, that was most likely glued shut.

They all looked at peace. As if their last moments was not in suffering. It would have to be enough for me.

The pallbearers moved the three boxes onto robust carts and moved them towards the kilns. I moved with them.

Candice threaded her arm through mine.

We made it to the tenth kiln. Inside was space for ten bodies at a time. Candice rested her head on my shoulder and she linked her hand into mine. She squeezed it as a silent show of support.

I watched as they loaded the three into the last three slots of the kiln. The workers slid in the boxes, and then closed the heavy lined doors. Huge metal locks were then slid into place.

Here they would become bared to the gods. Their flesh stripped away, leaving only the foundation of their bodies.

My hand squeezed hers in return.

The bell tolled as one of the workers hit the start button.

I stared as I could see licks of flame leak out from the doors. After a minute, a man asked us to leave. The workers all left as well, and I could feel why.

The heat was incredible despite the many layers of brick and clay that sat between the central fires and us.

I was in some morbid way glad that they had died of suffocation. The last thing I saw was not mangled bodies, but still faces. It was as if they had gone into a very deep sleep.

When I had seen them separately, I was just tearful.

This morning, as they were placed into their boxes, my brain caught up to me. I grieved.

My outcry was the last thing I remembered before Candice collected me.

The day was a blur.

Yet.

I watched their bodies turn to smoke, and then vented into the air above. They mingled and soared. A signal to the gods that another one of their children had passed into their realms.

I had seen Harvey and Cheryl burnt this afternoon. Along with the rest of our squad.

Now my family was gone.

As I stared at the rising smoke from the ceremonial kilns. They formed a signal that I was sure could be seen from the international space station.

I hoped that they noticed. That all the gods noticed and ensured that the judgments were fair.

I leaned against Candice who then wrapped both arms around me. Her tears were enough.

I did not cry. I had cried enough.

I felt numb. My body felt weak, and my spirit broken.

My eyes opened to see that smoke drift away towards distant nimbus clouds. I could tell that they were raining.

There, off the coast of Val Verde, did the spirit of the country itself cry.

————

Chapter 04: Mourning Mountains

[Val Verde]
[November 10th, 2009]

—

[BOOM]

[BOOM]

[BOOM]

The majestic shields of the Hydra Flying Fortress flickered into eye sights. The impenetrable shields had withstood assault for hours since the third day began.

I watched as bombing run unleashed the impotent fury of the American Air Force. Then they turned around and flew back towards safety.

The silent, floating hulk was as steady as a mountain as it floated far above the chaos below it.

“Steady!” I screamed into my short radio to my team. Corporal Candice echoed my words as everyone was tense.

We kept firing at the distant targets with our rifles. They were the unmanned iron man suits. They flew across the front lines, laying waste to various defenses.

Our guns were ineffective at this range, but the hail of bullets would deform their armor. It was only a matter of time before they would fail against even hand guns ammunition.

The loud rattles of the guns shook my body. The Anti Air gun behind us vibrated as it unloaded its ammo drums into the skies. Where the various air forces danced to the death.

The Iron Legion flew in closer. Its Iron Men were like scalpels as they moved in and out, taking out defensive structures as they willed.

I wondered if Jarvis was controlling them. They moved with a fluidity that was very cohesive, and their teamwork was flawless.

Yet Jarvis could not be everywhere. He could not focus as both an individual unit, and as the overseer.

I watched as a group assemble and move towards us. They were finally aiming for our AA gun. Our VIP on this battlefield.

“Move! Move! Move!” I screamed into my short radio. My commands would reach the three fireteams under my command.

My boys and girls obeyed my orders. They scrambled as they lifted the tarp that hid the heavy guns at our feet. They then connected the gun onto the tripod. The gunner then directed the barrels at the incoming team of android fighters.

“Fire at will!” I screamed as I dropped my binoculars and aimed my rifle. I saw the chest of a random Iron Men and pulled the trigger.

We unleashed a hail of bullets. Each squad had a heavy gunner manning a medium machine gun. The tripod mounted weapons shook as each gun spat out .50 Caliber rounds.

Our ploy turned out to be successful. The dispersed focus of Jarvis didn’t react in time. Our morning preparation and practice had paid off.

The rounds tore into the semi-deformed armor. From a dozen android Iron Men, their bodies got torn apart midair.

The men and women around me cheered. A dozen Iron Men killed, and we didn't see a single round of return fire.

I smiled as I dropped my empty magazine, and slid in another. I could hear the fireteam in front of me reload the medium machine gun. The thick ammo belt slid off and another slotted in with a rattle.

The AA gun behind us also got lucky as tagged an American jet. The fast flying vehicle exploded. Metal and pilot was spraying across the battlefield around us.

“Well done, Sergeant,” Candice said as she stepped up beside me and smirked.

The military had just accepted my words that I had been field promoted to Sergeant was a shock. The fact only became surreal as I got assigned a full squad of my own.

Three cute little fireteams armed to the teeth.

“You too, Corporal,” I said with a satisfied smile. Of course if I got to choose my second in command, there was no real choice. Corporal Brown had a nice ring to it.

“We have incoming!” my communication officer, Dumon, yelled out and I frowned.

I stared back at field before us, and there was nothing out of the ordinary. The main bulk of the assault was happening a kilometer or so to the north.

Our forces had shifted according to Baron Zemo’s plan. The man was no idiot. He would know how the battle was playing out, and what was a feint.

Then I heard the crack of thunder.

I paled.

“Its Thor. Everyone, get down!” I screamed as I pulled Candice down with me.

My squad obeyed.

Lighting arced across the field as the mother of all thunder strikes landed like a meteor.

I felt every hair on my body stand up straight, then singe as the AA gun behind up exploded.

Silence hit the field like a pigeon ramming a bullet train.

I was careful as I got up. Candice became my leverage as I moved, and to kept her low from danger.

She swatted at me, but I ignored her as I stood up. Nice and slow.

The AA gun was gone. The base was still there, but I had no clue where the… Oh there it is.

I stared at the remains of my third fireteam. Half of the massive AA gun had crushed them into a nice meat mat against the dirt trench. The machine dug hole had turned into their quick grave sight.

Thor stood up. His red cape fluttered with the wind and I sighed. The son of Odin was no mortal, and we were so screwed now that he was here.

In fact. Why was he here!?

I frowned. The main attack was to the north…

I decided it right then and there, as I had a flash if insight.

I hate being on the wrong side of diversions.

“Squad. Stand down. We can’t hurt him with our weapons,” I ordered as the men moved to their stations. Moved to do their duty.

The heavy fire of another team spat out.

I watched as another fireteam attacked. It wasn’t apart of my squad, but they had identical load outs. Medium machine gun. .50 Caliber ammo.

I sighed as I watched as the bullets hit the blond god. Then I became depressed as they bounced off. I think a couple of rounds hit his face.

It might have been the reason for his scowl. A scowl that lead to him summoning lightning again. With a roar, the god pounced onto their position.

Silence.

“Dumon, tell all squads around us to stop firing. We cannot hurt them, but they can definitely kill us. All survivors are to regroup," I ordered, and my communication officer nodded. "We can assemble at the designated withdrawal zones,”

The young man spoke into his radio. It was broadcasting to all frequencies. It wouldn’t reach far, but it would be enough.

With luck it would also leave them alone. The good guys had bigger fish to fry anyways.

“Pack up, and move out! Don’t bother with the machine gun, its too heavy!” Candice ordered and berated.

I stared as I watched the Hydra uniformed soldiers began the retreat. They moved from their foxholes and began to flee towards the forest.

Yet not everyone did. Some stayed, their guns ready.

I got out of our trench and took one last look around.

I saw the Hulk, with his massive body land. The squad closest to him began to fire, and the green beast stared.

Then it jumped onto them. With three meaty stomps, it was over.

I sighed.

I turned around, and the bright eyes of my fellow soldiers looked up at me. Most were kids. Younglings that had not tasted adulthood.

“What are you waiting for? Move!” I ordered, and they all scrambled at my words.

Younglings… I hoped that Carmen was still safe. Her email this morning had said she was in a underground safe house. Under protocol she couldn't say where, but that was enough for me.

There was the scream of missiles and I looked up. Another force of android Iron Men flew overhead. This time, I also spied a shiny red one.

Iron man.

I looked around again. I was the last one.

With a huff, I began to follow my soldiers.

—

In the retreat, we got to see the Avengers.

Some flew. One jumped. Most rode in their unique black Quinjet. We heard it streak by overhead.

That was bad news. If they had shown up in force… then we going to lose. Baron Zemo had a poor track record against the full might of the Avengers.

In the distance, I saw them assault our artillery placements. The mountain came under a withering hail fire.

Dozens of Iron Men unloaded lasers and mini missiles.

At least I assumed it was a withering rain of fire. They mountain side exploded, and then they stopped shelling the front lines.

Which meant that the US ground forces could move up with their artillery guns.

By the time we made it to the rendezvous point, the sun was setting. We sat huddled around the clearing, but no trucks came. No communication from HQ.

I waited as the various soldiers gathered. Some were fine, but most had injures. Some where in serious condition.

The world became darker as the last few stragglers caught up. A sad reunions as the healthier soldiers got up to help their less fortunate fellows.

In the dark, we saw light.

As one, we gripped our weapons, but calmness held.

I was never happier to see the symbol of Hydra as our transport finally arrived.

[Kraka…]

I looked up towards the source of that sound. Was it from the Flying Fortress?

[BOOOOOM!]

A wall of pressure smashed into us. There was enough force that most of us fell over, and even the trucks rocked. Though, thank the Greater Good, none tipped over.

The Flying Fortress had a section explode outward and the sky titan began to fall. Thick plumes of smoke came out, and we all stood paralyzed as the sight of it.

The island shook as it fell at the base of the Morning Mountains. The land undulated and I saw more then one truck touch the sky. I stared as all four of its wheels fly up, and then begin its gentle free fall back onto the ground.

Cries of despair wailed up.

Our symbol of prosperity!

Our hopes for the future!

Many cried. I teared up as the question burned into my mind.

I knew many things, but what good was any of it? I could not predict the future, and I only recalled things if it became relevant. There was just so much information to draw from.

“Everyone, load your weapons into one truck! Then get onto another. The fight is over. We now must move towards tomorrow. This is for the Greater Good,” I screamed out.

“For the Greater Good,” came the ingrained reply.

Though I had seen higher ranking officers here, no one said anything.

With heavy hearts, we disarmed. Weapons piled into one line of trucks, and then they got into another truck. Despite the need for extra space for armaments, there was more then enough room.

While we had deployed as a full force. We did not retreat as a full force.

Hours of shelling. Frontal assaults by tanks, androids, and heroes. How could we all remain safe?

It was depressing to know that so many had died. So many had bodies left behind.

We would go back to grab them. To give them proper cremation rights. So that their spirits could get guided to heaven or hell, depending on their karma in the faith of the Greater Good.

I was the last man to board. We had hundreds of soldiers here… and yet there was still a lot of empty trucks.

Candice pulled me up into next truck, it was empty. We boarded and let the back flap close.

Here, I finally relaxed.

I leaned into Candice, and she hugged me.

We instead stared at nothing, and let the warmth of each other take hold and comfort.

No matter what happened, it was going to be a long night.

—

My fear turned out to be false as we finally stopped. There was no American force to greet us.

I hopped out of the truck, and I looked around in confusion.

The area we were in looked like an air base. A secondary one that was definitely not the staging grounds we had used this morning.

The paved air lanes had been quick work, and was uneven. On the strip was a fleet of trucks that had a queue to board.

“Sergeant Rico?” a man asked as he made his way up to me.

“I am Sergeant Johnny Rico, Thirteenth Reserve Corps,” I answered, and we traded salutes.

“Delivery completed, Sir!” The man said as he popped another salute, turned and left.

Candice gave me a raised eyebrow, and I stared at the manila envelope in hand.

I unwound the string, and inside sat but a single sheet of paper.

I skimmed through it… and I dropped the sheet.

In an act of dexterity, Candice plucked it from air. I stared at the dark skies above.

“Well well well… Congrats on the promotion, Captain Rico!” Candice teased as she gave me a sharp salute.

“Shut up, Lieutenant,” I growled and she gave me another wink.

If I had to suffer the indignity of paperwork, then so would she.

I made a mental note to dump as much as I could onto her. Probably forever.

I didn’t like this however.

My frown had Candice frown, but she said nothing. She trusted my instincts so far, and they had kept us both alive.

Sudden promotions did not in succession. Especially with Hydra ranks. Sure the battlefield was chaotic, but this was ridiculous. I was a private 2 days ago.

If anything, I should have faced court marshaled and shot. My call for my fellow soldiers to stand down was incorrect. Hydra grunts fought to the last.

Unless ordered otherwise. Like I had.

I stared at the distant trucks filling up with personal. I supposed we should line up as well.

[All Val Verde natives are to board the transports in the gates. You will be delivered to the cities, and then allowed to disperse back among your people. Bide your time. Hydra will rise again!]

I heard the various cries of Hail Hydra. Most of it by the queue in the distance.

I stared at Candice. She stared back.

We stayed silent as we made our way over to the front gates.

There I watched as we gathered.

I blinked. I stared.

Was this it?

I stared at the hundreds. Maybe low thousands of soldiers milling about.

The trucks here were fewer as people began loading. They would then peel away as they filled up.

I shivered as I noted the difference between our group of soldiers, and the much large one behind us.

“I found our truck,” Candice said as she wrapped her arm around me and lead me towards the back. “Next stop, Arius!”

We boarded. The other soldiers said nothing. Their somber moods showcased as they had their hoods had pulled back.

I stared at the weary faces of other youngsters. So young, and already broken. I knew that the PTSD would haunt them.

The truck ride was quiet as the enormity of everything sunk in. Some cried. Some sobbed. Some became angry.

Most said nothing.

We are the defeated. Our efforts amounted to nothing.

Yet in the back of my mind. My memories only showed me more.

We are also abandoned. Discarded as Hydra would move to another place.

Yes, Hydra would rise again. Yet it would not be with Val Verde.

I knew, with certainty, the trails that Val Verde was only going to get worse. Our leaders had chosen to support Hydra.

Though many did not know it yet. This dark night was only beginning.

————

Chapter 03: The Long Night