"When did you get the ability to stop time?" Ryder's power to halt the flow of time for 15 seconds, having increased over this span of 7 years, dubbed, 'The World', had been on their minds. Not just the Emperor's, who sat awaiting a response in front of his elder rival, but to everyone else as well. The sudden appearance of such a powerful capability in someone filled with so much rage. In the past, it sure did confuse everyone, now, it was normal to the Protectors, somewhat. But there was one thing that, every so often, Ben thought about. That being the origin of 'The World' similar to the youngest Rivera's 'The Universe.'
Seeing as how he had no more secrets to withhold from his old friends, the Moon thought back to the Kingdom, and how the Castle pierced the crimson skies that, at times, rained with the blood of the innocents. How the Superior towered over the once-frail Moon, whose limbs shivered with chills forming over his skin, chilling over as his grey and green pupils examined the Emperor's alternate doppelganger. The booming voice that resonated a menacing aura with remnants of a raspy psychotic breakdown on the mist of his vocal cords, the Superior was always on the verge of shattering his mental state. At least, that's the way he saw it. He stated to the young teenager in 2536,
"What you need is a trustworthy friend, to aid in your journey towards eternal transcendence. Although this will be painful, and completely unbearable, that's a price I'm willing to pay for the Journey to Heaven. Hold still," The Superior was right, the amount of human blood I lost in the transfusion had caused me to pass out, though it wasn't only that normality that had been the cause of my losing consciousness. Before then, the pain of his claws swirling around in my veins, the sharpness searching for the veins to push his gore into- that was more pain than I ever felt before. I was half-demon, half-superhuman at the end of the transfusion, and I was gifted the singular power to halt the flow of time. That was 'The World.
In the present day, everyone was now informed about the origin of Ryder's power, El, her arm wrapped around his hoodied mechanical one, pondering another scenario in her head. It could've been entirely possible that he'd learned of the Necronomicon from that connection to the Kingdom, questioning her lover about this new-found thought,
"Did those assholes ever tell you about the Book you wanted to find in November?" The weirdest thing about her question, Ryder didn't even answer it it was Ben. The Emperor instead shook his head, with a RIPPP! emerging from the multiple writings as he slammed the page he'd torn onto the coffee table in front of them. Explanation clear as day to the Team, the story went as followed-
After July 22nd - 23rd 2013, Ryder Karlo was determined to eternally transcend across time and space. And rule over the Planet, though in his mind, he fully believed it to be because he was ignored while being abused, this was false. Written on the Necronomicon's section on 'The Tower of Chains', it was stated below a picture of the structure, 'Those who hold the blood of the demon might experience supernatural phenomena and nightmares due to being drawn to this ancient relic.' In short, everything leading up to this moment was his subconscious nature driving the wheel and pushing him forward to locate the Tower, his own body was manipulating him like a puppet coated in strings.
"So that's why...-"
"It seems that from the very start, you were being controlled by the Kingdom and Nyarlathotep, just to find that stupid fucking tower,"
"But the question is, though, what for?" First, the Chariot, who finished pieced it together, then Matt, who sighed before stating his piece, and then Madisyn. Her arms crossed standing beside her Smoldering Chariot best friend, then lifting her right index finger to scratch her chin. None of them had a clue about the intentions of the Chaos' rising of the Tower, except for one person, spinning around, the Emperor was met by an astral projection of his mentor. He who helped him continuously hold 100% of his power, Uraku,
"It's not explicitly stated that I can't physically aid you like this as well. That being stated, the Tower of Chains was created by the Great Old Ones and the Demons of Hell, as a gateway between worlds. An agreement between Heaven, who controlled the Old Ones, and Hell. The Tower was a transdimensional gateway opener, filled to the brim with Hell's main source of energy, Takyr energy. Utilized for more than transdimensional portals, it also powered various weaponry that the Superior created at his time being the Prince of the Kingdom. To shorten it out for all of you mortals, and the Requiem here, my brother plans on replacing the core of the Earth's magma with Takyr energy. That way, it'd implode from the inside out, and destroy the planet," A diabolical plot, but definitely, one that the Protectors had faced before when demons fled from the Superior's universe. That was, though they were unbeknownst to it when they first saved the planet. Confident in their grown abilities, knowing they could destroy the Crawling Chaos and this Tower of Chains, Madi stepped closer. Activating her glowing aura, and comparing the shade, noticing that it always resonated around his soul. Who was he..?
"You're related to that piece of shit?" Inquired the Emperor, from the way he expressed himself, it was clear he did not know this fact either, considering he was the only one to see Urkau in the months since their meeting. Shrugging at the question, the Being simply evaporated into smoke, leaving the superhumans to think amongst themselves for the time being. Armed with the information needed about the Tower, now, all they needed was a plan.
"Excuse me!" Interjected Artemis, her heart that beat once before on the beach, now in this new and improved body. Just as she did in November three months ago, a projection the same tint as her pupils emerged from those orbs of sight. Transparent, if you pushed your hand through the hologram protruded from her artificial organs, you wouldn't feel anything. The screen that emerged from the crevice in her retinas was salmon pink, the news from New York visible to everyone as it widened to surround the Protectors. Through their short discussion, the Tower had already risen, reaching higher and higher to pierce its way through the atmosphere. With no more time to speak about the matter, a flick of the Emperor's wrist, and a wave of his palm slit a wound in space. Radiating with quantum teleportation energy, Ben cracked leaned his head back, hearing the crack it held to emerge from its hidden hole,
"If you're gonna be dumbasses and sit there like deers in headlights, I might as well go all by myself," Stated the Emperor with a cheeky smirk, as he expected, his friends stood in a crowd, all pouring through the slice in time. With the former Outcast being the last, the High Priestess halfway through the energy comprised pulsing gateway, she turned to look at her ex and lover,
"It's fine, Ellie, go," Understanding the instruction, Ella vanished, with only the Moon and Emperor remaining. The rivaling duo stared at one another, the older of the two's eyes had been distracted, it seemed, the topic of which that had been brought up being a sensitive one,
"You sure you gonna be okay? With Nyarlathotep and all, I know he put you through some shit. But, don't do anything dumb, okay?" Part of him believed this condescending form of advice to be useless, he wasn't an idiot. He'd grown, he could feel it, again, he wouldn't be so blind as to let himself do something without his emotions in check. Realizing quickly that the avoidance of eye contact was a dodge of the issue, reluctantly, the rivals' eyes met. Karlo gifting Ben with a firm nod,
"Don't think so little of me, Rivera... are we gonna go or what?" No time was wasted after that exchange, instead, the duo joined the others, they who had entered the portal.
And there it was, the shade matched the same color as Justice's outfit, the clouds that'd once parted to show the rising sun hours prior, palette being the same as Ryder's left eye. Grey, the rain threatening to pour over this once great city, the steps of bare feet hitting the slowly wettened concrete entered their ears. In the back, concealed by his plethora of new comrades, the Moon could faintly make out the man's features,
"Move!" He ordered his friends, the two superhumans who held the ability to halt the flow of time, along with the two Speedsters moved everyone. Luckily, they had all been able to weave the sudden attack the once-captured superhuman had given, his nails, at a lightspeed-like pace, growing rapidly.
"You..!" Henry shouted, surprised by his now sudden appearance, though their adversary superhuman still hid his facial features with a red masquerade mask, he noticed the gift this young man had been cursed with. Blowing a solitary piece of curl preventing his capacity to kill, the Smoldering Chariot extended out his fingers, ligaments cracking as a whip attempted to snap around their opponent's neck. Surprisingly, their adversary leaped out of the way at a quick pace, reacting faster than some of them could even register. Ryder gritted his teeth angrily, he had to make up for this in some way, there was no way they'd be able to beat him. Especially with no knowledge as to his actual skills, Karlo pushed everyone out of the way,
"Go up the Tower, everyone. I'll deal with this asshole for now," Attempting to aid her new-found confident boyfriend, Jason prevented her from stepping forward, arm pushed out from covered in his shaded trench coat. The connection the Triplets held, even down to Shadow standing behind Ben, it was all shared. Collectively, they agreed that this was Karlo's chance to prove himself after everything else that transpired over these few months. Flashes of lightning and teleportation energy blasted over Ryder and his freed enemy's face momentarily, the former of which gawking tiredly at the now-adult metahuman.
~I only have a few seconds to stop time, he's at least a few meters away... if I'm not careful, I'll die. Seems I have to keep that ability to myself, for now, ~ All-time stop users knew, deep in their minds, without a need to even state this thought aloud, was that there was a limit for how many times you can halt the flow of time. Its motions are careful, precise, and to do this motion takes utter concentration and dedication. It's due to this fact that normal superhumans with human-like hearts are only able to stop time for three times continuously, the number increases, the stronger your heart becomes. And you can break time as many times as you please. Knowing of his opponent's fatal ability, the previously experimented-on teenager pushed out his extremities, and in response to this sudden flurry of projectiles- Ryder sliced them to bits with a quick chop of his laser eye. Reeling back from the heat that emerged from the side of his face, Karlo grunted, met with three consecutive kicks from the soles of his competitor's feet. Tumbling back momentarily, he rolled upward, and glared, glancing at the nametag stuck to the right side of this guy's chest. Bruce. Apathetic expression obvious, Ryder pushed himself out of the way, about to be crushed under the heel of Bruce's foot then hovering up momentarily.
Utilizing shockwaves as a propulsion system, the Moon levitated in the air with the winter air blowing his light brown hair to the right. Groaning in annoyance, Karlo charged right at Bruce and slammed him into the concrete, dealing a massive blow to the mute's throat. Via his metal fingers, which caused the latter of the duo males to cough out blood, vision blurred as he strived to break out of this pain-filled daze and hold his throat to soothe the agony. Suddenly, Ryder was tripped by the sat up Bruce, and then kicked in the stomach in mid-air. Like a cheetah pouncing on their prey, while Karlo was on the ground, this time, Bruce leaped onto his former ally. Clawing at his face with sharpened fingernails, a spark lit itself ablaze in the soul of this superhuman,
~What am I doing?! I beat Rivera easily three months ago, this is... USELESS!~ That thought was all it took for Karlo's vanishment into The World of stopped time, metal palm flat, slicing off the right sleeve of the still-confused Bruce. Blood leaking out of the wound, the Mute held in the screams of agony he was experiencing, and instead, went for the punch. The Moon didn't even need The World to dodge the feeble attack thrown his way, instead, while the fist traveled to his features, Karlo simply stepped to the side. With neglectful strength, instead of using his metal hand for this, Ryder had sliced off the right hand of Bruce with his fleshy hand. Tapping his arm momentarily, then uppercutting Bruce in the jaw, launching him into the air for a short period, then kicking him right in the nose as gravity's arms took hold of Bruce's figure.
Soaring to the left of the Tower, back cracking as he landed onto the concrete, the superhuman Mute groaned. For but a moment, glaring through the blurry sight at his attacker, he wouldn't back down so easily... he couldn't! Without any of his fingernails to shoot from the tips of his extremities, he had to resort to the latter, rolling backward so his bare toes would be pointed at Ryder's head.
"The World..." Tired of this battle, shown by the way he stated his time-stop ability, the toenails flew through where Karlo once stood. Rising from behind the laid down Mute, the Moon's heterochromatic pupils glistened with an emerald and grey hue.
"When I fried you in November, I believed you to be some sort of powerful experiment. However, upon analyzing the technique you used when disabling Miller, Rivera, and Ellie's powers- I realize that you simply ambushed them. Your powers... are useless," Though they were growing back, his toenails were slower than his fingers, likely due to the neglect he had given them by only using his hands. Realizing he'd already died, the Mute closed his eyes, and Ryder whispered a soft prayer to his fallen superhuman brethren. Lifting him by his collar using his extended artificial finger, bending his windpipe and slowly destroying his throat, then pushing him away, Bruce still on his feet in a pained-filled daze.
"MUDA! MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDAGH!!!!" His iconic barrage of punches, fists of metal, and superhuman strength combined creating cracks in his human skin. Flying back into the entrance of the Tower, the final blow originating from Ryder's metal fist sending him to the right. Karlo shoved his hands into his pocket, staring pitifully at the once-sane superhuman's right eye, that being the only one who remained engraved in his face,
"Looks like following the Chaos' orders were useless. And in the end, your life had just as much meaning as your death... utterly useless," BOOM!
Her feet were moving at a speed humans couldn't even believe they could go, somewhat past Mach 2, but that was her controlled feat of power. Blue lightning creating the blur, combined with the afterimage she made at the increased speeds she was moving at, turning her head at that moment was a fatal mistake. Her nose, though not shattering, let out a snap as it twisted to the side for a brief slice in time, coming into contact with the encased figure of one of Hell's monstrosities. Debris of stone falling to the floor of the Tower, El snapped her nose back into its correct position, gazing upon the horrific sight beyond her. The mechanical whirring of a wall slowly closing off this hall, her friends following close behind prevented from intervening with this battle.
"El!"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Get to the top!" Yelled the Priestess to the Magician, sending a firm understanding nod to himself, the Chariot, Jonathan, and Candy nodding in affirmation. Their direct way of locating the stairway to the Roof of the Tower blocked off, the Vampiric Jonathan stepped forward. Punching through the fragile walls of the structure and forming a small pathway for the rest to follow them through. The demon's form reminded her of a book she'd read in freshman year, she was considered unique for choosing to report on such a piece of writing, a horror book written by H.P. Lovecraft before his deserved demise in the 1940s. The blonde could infer that this atrocity's design was from that book.
Horrifying extended nails that were as sharp as claws, no form of the head seen like his father, instead, it was reminiscent of maybe the top of an ice cream cone. Or a tendril, that swirled in shape every time it moved from side to side, multiple blacked-out eyes along what you could call its chest. Finally, four legs, or whatever you'd call them, in the form of spiders', were on his front and back. Aiding him to stand still, shivering at the attempt, giving the illusion of pain, however... he was in full control.
"J-Jesus..." She couldn't believe her eyes! It was more disgusting than Cthulhu or Nyarlathotep, the sounds he made, sounding like a human's distorted dying voice in their final moments, or a bear distorted with their roars. She couldn't make out the sound he- it made when attempting to communicate, instead, she stepped back in fear of this monstrosity. What other horrors awaited her beyond the narrow corridor? Would she be able to beat them..?
No, she couldn't think of that now, she shook her head, in disgust with the sudden appearance of fear in herself. This isn't what her father would want, what Ben would want to see, and of course, not Ryder. She couldn't let them down, not by a long shot. Body surrounded by dark blue lightning, soul surrounded by her powerful vigorous aura, and pupils engulfed with her azure hue, The Priestess blinked out of the way of this monstrosity's first attack. Just from the blow, she could tell that it had no sense of intelligence, and if it did have a brain hidden away in its grove of hideous features, its prime directive was 'kill'. Back against the closed wall, the one she had come from, Ella waited for the next blow. As anticipated, its claws formed into a fist and smashed into the wall she was previously standing in front of. Destroying from the inside, she was now free to find her friends, but that wasn't her goal. She couldn't lead this... thing to them, so she had to get rid of it, the only way she knew how.
It was still confused about her approximation and using that factor to her advantage, a powerful lightning-filled punch was dealt with the back of this thing. Sounds of thunder emerging from the attack, Ugga Naach growled in agony, spinning around to check the origin of the attack. Now behind it again, the soles under her feet starting to burn up from the speed she utilized in the fleeing after the first attack, El realized... it was an idiot. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!!! The continuous hits were like never before, at a speed never seen before by any Speedster, though her feet touched the ground for about a millisecond, she created a spark nonetheless. A spark that lit the flame beneath her boot, and started to ensure the ash that surrounded her footwear. Raising its crimson arms, covering its tentacle-like peak with his claws, Ugga Naach protected itself from the continuous strikes against its primitive form.
Until it realized something, through the very minimum of its intelligence, it could catch a glimpse of her. Moving at breakneck speeds, where lightning consumed her back for a split second, its claws snapped around her neck quickly. Snatching its only opportunity to catch the blonde, its plethora of eyes gazing into her azure pupils. Throwing her across the hallway, her back bounced her off of the floor momentarily, for her to return to her normal flying pace. About to reach a dead-end, its fist sent the Priestess through the structure, where debris, with her, fell from the side of the Tower. The only one to sense her falling presence was her fellow Speedster ally, Jason, momentarily glancing at those who followed him at super speeds.
"Be right back-!" To Shadow's surprise, she was bumped on the arm by her older brother, grunting angrily at his disappearance. The Emperor pulled her by her hair. Ben, Shadow, and Madi continued onward, knowing Jason would find them once he returned.
Leaping out of the hole it created, intending to finish her off until her existence faded from this world, Ugga Naach witnessed the appearance of a red blur in the corner of its many shaded pupils. Snarling at the sight, he was met by a flurry of blows, the Justice instinctively hovering with red lightning surrounding his fists,
"WRYYYYYAHHHHHHHHH!" BA-BOOOOOM! Ugga Naach was launched to the left of the sky, growling as it dug its claws into the side of the massive structure. Snarling the black-haired superhuman, who had used his daggers to perch onto it as well, turning his head momentarily while one arm stood to his side limply. The wind pushing his hair to the right, he searched for Ella, and there he found here. Floating in the ocean, barely able to see her bruises, Jason used the knife he was stuck to, to flip around. Back turned to the ocean, facing the Lovecraftian horror momentarily, multiple bullets emerged from the dual-wielded Desert Eagles he created.
"WRAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!" It roared at the top of its lungs, BANG BANG BANG BANG!! Two bullets escaped the barrels of each firearm, four in total, and destroying four of his eyes. With his expert aim, Jason's boot skid across the water at an enhanced speed, and lifted Ella's damaged figure into his arms. Through her blurry vision, she could make out whatever was his face, and slowly, she let out a semblance of a smirk on his lips. The way she healed, it was too slow, he couldn't be here for long. His fangs popped out of his mouth, about to sink them into her neck so she could feel the vampiric blood that soothed within him, but the second he opened his eyes. She was gone. Ripped wet clothes, strength fading with her ribs reforming at a slow pace, she had been behind him for a mere 10 seconds now.
Blood leaking from her nostrils, with her strength alone, she held back Ugga Naach's fist. To its surprise, it snarled in annoyance at this persistence, Jason attempted to step forward. A kick to where the monster's stomach would be sent him across the ocean, far enough away that she had time to think. Hand ready to grab onto her shoulder, El spun and smirked at her best friend. Ruby pupils widening, he recognized that look on her face, knowing what she intended to do. That 'Dark Determination' he'd seen in Ryder and Ben, it now resid inside of her,
"There's no need to worry, I'll be fine if anything- you should be worried about yourself, your siblings. I can handle this asshole, Jason... I'll make sure it regrets the second it laid eyes on me. Does that make you proud... asshole?" Teased the blonde, the water electrocuting, starting to spark as she stepped forward. Inching closer, the grey clouds above them engulfed that area, pushing through the small waves. Jason couldn't help but smile at her response, simply appearing in front of her for a split second, to peck her cheek. And slap her butt, whispering as he disappeared into a red streak of lightning that ran up the Tower,
"Kill this asshole for me, Ellie," Her pace continued, moving effortlessly as her feet kicked up the dirt beneath the waves. Flashes of the past entered her mind, hearing her father's voice echo to her. He wanted to protect her, he wanted her to be happy, he raised her so she could protect herself when he died. That was his wish, not to inherit his fortune... and Ryder. She wasn't strong enough to save him, though he returned, she still felt the guilt swelling inside of her,
"If I can't prove it to myself... right here, right now. What's the fucking point? Where is my life headed, if I'm not strong enough to beat some wannabe henchman... if I can't be who he wanted me to be..." Leaping into the air, the monstrosity halting in its tracks, it could see her shadowed face. Where only her figure and soul resonated in the greyed-out clouds above, it could feel her... vigorous determination. Her hate, her tenacity. It accepted that at that moment, it was dead,
"I MIGHT AS WELL BE DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" At that moment, the sky parted to allow for an azure bolt of lightning to reign upon it. Body burning up, she laid the final blow, where he disintegrated at the slight touch of her fist sparking against its monstrous hide. A hole created in the middle of the water, kneeling in the dirt, she panted heavily. Lightning still cracking along her fingers, sweat dripping down her face, she turned to see the Tower. Continuously rising, her feet created a sonic BOOM as she ran up the Lovecraftian structure, returning to her friends inside.
Meanwhile, as the superhuman Protectors sought out his location, the roof was inhabited by the Crawling Chaos. Observing their movements, such as El skidding in front of Matt and his group with a line of lightning sparking off of her ripped clothing. Lifting himself from his self-made Throne, he gazed at the sun, the tip of the Tower reaching ever so closer to the Earth's star. Snapping his figure to the side, he could see his older brother, long hair with his violet aura radiating around him, smirk at him. Their Father's plan was working, going like clockwork, at this pace, with the Future they'd ascertained, they could accomplish the Author's goals. Their arms met together, Nyarlathotep nodding at his elder sibling, the plan was a go, as Uraku spun to slice a fragment in time. Snarling softly, whispering before his foot could enter the mystical gateway,
"Filium meum... be safe, liberos meos..." The tower showed no sign of stopping, piercing through the fragile atmosphere of the planet, while Ben halted in his tracks. To see the new monster that awaited him and his team-
See Madisyn conquer this beast in Chapter 20 - Never Give In!