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Post by David on Sept 9, 2007 14:38:09 GMT -5
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Post by David on Sept 9, 2007 14:39:20 GMT -5
DC2 Challenge
Week 18: “Knocking on Death’s Door”
Written by Brian Burchette
Cover by Craig Cermak
Edited by David Charlton |
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Post by David on Sept 9, 2007 14:39:49 GMT -5
As the Mole dug its way deeper, the soldiers of H.I.V.E. continued their assault. The Professor continued working his calculations as another explosion caused him to lose his balance and nearly fall. That was way too close, he thought to himself. He had been in contact with Ace at first, but thanks to the ever growing destruction of their base, contact had eventually been lost.
“Prof?” Came Red’s voice from their personal intercom. “We’ve got another breech down here. I’ve got H.I.V.E agents starting to swarm the place, pun not intended. I took several of them out, but there’s too many of them. I’m going to bring down the southern passageway and block them from getting any further. Then I’ll be on my way.”
“Be careful, Red.” Was the short reply.
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Post by David on Sept 9, 2007 14:40:05 GMT -5
Langstrom couldn’t control it anymore, the pain was too much. His transformation was hideous and so shocking that it even took Merlyn aback. That was all the time that the Man-Bat needed as he tore himself free of the arrows and howled in fury.
Merlyn realized his error, but it was too late. A wing came smashing down on top of him and propelled him across the room, causing him to land in a heap in the corner; his bow had gone flying.
“What is your secret?!” Merlyn screamed as he leapt towards his bow, but Man-Bat was quicker and on top of him in a millisecond.
The man who had escaped the League of Assassins struck out with his leg and sent the creature flying back. He had to know this animal’s secret; he had to learn it for his master.
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Post by David on Sept 9, 2007 14:40:36 GMT -5
Klarion sat on his throne and closed his eyes. Yes, they were here. The final players in this little drama would make their entrance, and then it would be time for all of them to move on. The Colonies, that’s where he felt the power, that’s where he was being drawn.
He turned to his mother and Power Girl. “We have guests. Go bring them to me, and please try to keep them in one piece. Especially the larger one, the one in red and white. He is needed for the endgame.”
The two women nodded as they left.
Klarion’s mind wandered for a bit as he stroked his cat. His mother and he going through the small town to get to this castle, only to feel the small prick of something hitting the back of his neck, and then the voice in his head. That glorious voice that showed him how great he, Prince Klarion, could truly become. He saw the Eclipsed One, the Dark Lord and he saw the endless possibilities, and then, just when he thought he would be overcome by the powerful will of this dark entity, he focused all his power and was somehow able to push it away. He was himself again, but now he had the knowledge that showed him enough… enough to overcome the Dark One when the time was right. For he was about to collect the one thing that it wanted so very badly… and his name was Monarch
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Post by David on Sept 9, 2007 14:41:45 GMT -5
Hawk and Dove paused in front of the castle, ready for anything. Don gave a quick side glance at his brother. There was something wrong with him, he could tell. Hank had grown quieter the closer they got to the castle.
“Are you ready?” Hawk asked his brother as he took to the sky.
“With you all the way,” Dove replied as they entered the unlocked door of the main entrance.
Their hosts were already there to greet them, and Power Girl hurtled into Hawk, her fist out in front, striking him and shoving them both back into the wall. Hawk cried out in pain, but struck back with his fist as hard as he could, causing Kara to hurtle away from him.
“The Prince is waiting for you both,” Morgaine Le Fay said in a deep and resonating voice as she raised her arms above her head and a bright green bolt of energy enveloped her hands and shot towards Dove.
His speed was enhanced at least ten-fold and he was able to easily dodge the magic. He moved towards her, hoping to stop her before she was able to cast another spell. He was within a few feet of her when she cast another spell that froze him in his tracks.
“No one touches the mother of Prince Klarion,” she proclaimed, her eyes blazing in anger.
Up above, standing on the stone landing, the witch-boy smiled knowingly, “Yes, mother, follow your impulse, do it,” he commanded her.
“My son has said that you are not needed. You represent the side that must not win. With your soul gone the balance will shift in our favor,” Her fingers moved in an intricate spell and all Dove could do was endure the searing pain that penetrated his body.
From high above, Power Girl and Hawk continued their battle, but the scream that came from his brother’s body, stopped him short, causing Power Girl to slam into the side of him. He barely felt it as he looked down to see his brother’s body fall to the ground in a heap.
The rage inside of him exploded like an atom bomb. He grabbed the back of Power Girl’s head and slammed into the brick wall, and then he soared down towards Le Fay, howling in an uncontrollable rage.
The sorceress looked up in time to see Hawk right on top of her.
“Do it!” Klarion whispered harshly to himself. “Do it! Sleep well, mother.”
The body of his brother lay motionless in front of him as he grabbed Morgaine and in one quick and swift motion twisted her neck until he heard the snap. He felt an explosion of power erupt from her as her life left her body.
As he dropped her body and he fell to floor next to his brother, his head was swimming, and the voice that had been quietly whispering in the back of his mind rang out, echoing through his entire head.
ALL HAIL MONARCH!!! ALL HAIL THE RIGHT HAND OF ECLIPSO!!!
Hank Hall was no more, and Prince Klarion grinned in triumph. Now come and get him, O Shadowed One.
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Post by David on Sept 9, 2007 14:42:09 GMT -5
Man-Bat had Merlyn by the throat and pinned to the ground. The assassin struggled, looking for a way out, but he could not move. He watched in horror as the jaws came closer and closer to his throat.
“Master!!!” He screamed for help, but Merlyn’s master did not respond as the fangs dug deep into his throat.
Blood and saliva mixed, and Merlyn felt a darkness swim over him, and then there was a lightness in his head, as if it were clearing for the first time in days.
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Post by David on Sept 9, 2007 14:42:28 GMT -5
To Be Continued!!![/b]
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Post by mockingbird on Jul 28, 2011 13:10:58 GMT -5
To let us know what you think of this issue, please visit the letters page here!
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