Into the Depths – Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two
Flock of Archangels

June 21st, 2009. Sunday, 10:27 am.

She was here.

Mama’s here.

She was actually here, standing there – just as she had almost exactly three months ago, appearing from the dead yet again. Relief poured through Dick. Everything was going to be all right now. His mother was here, so there had to be a way to defeat Trigon. There was hope for Raven. There was hope for all of them. She wouldn’t come without reason, right? She had something important to tell them, didn’t she?

Dick stepped forward, intent on getting as close to his mother as he could.

That is, if it were not the strong hand on his shoulder. Slade’s hand squeezed dangerously, as if both trying to hold Dick back and ground himself as well. He held tight onto the little girl in his arms. Slade stared at Mary, his expression gauging whether or not she were a danger to them.

“Dad,” whispered Dick, putting a hand over the much larger one. “It’s okay.”

Slade only shook his head, his eye wide with severe alarm.

“Dad.”

“I am assuming we are having the same hallucination, then, if you can see her,” said Slade, not once taking his eye off Mary. She only stood there, smiling softly at the two of them. Her green eyes twinkled with amusement; she was, apparently, waiting for the shock to fade.

“She’s not a hallucination.”

“Oh, yes, she is,” hissed Slade; his chest heaved a moment later. “Trigon is messing with your head – as well as mine.” His hand withdrew for a moment and pressed against his forehead. “Oh, I don’t need this right now. I definitely do not need this right now.”

“But, Dad, she’s real, seriously,” said Dick, more insistently. Slade’s hand clamped back down on his shoulder. “If you would just—”

Suddenly, Slade jerked him back. Dick fell back a few steps, nearly losing his balance. The man was alert with alarm. Dick glanced back at his mother, seeing why Slade had pulled him back. Mary Grayson had stepped forward, her small strides sure and set, the kitten trailing after her with her tail high.

“Dad,” whispered Dick. Slade shook his head, more vigorously now. Dick turned to Mary, his eyes pleading for her help. She only smiled and came to stand in front of Slade. She observed Slade for a moment, who was looking more tense by the minute. Dick put a hand onto the man’s arm. “Dad, this is Mama. I know you think she’s not real, but you’ve gotta believe me, she’s the real thing. Honestly, Dad, she doesn’t bite.”

A prominent Adam’s apple bobbed once.

Maybe Dick should’ve reworded his previous statement.

“Do you have any idea how frustrating you are?” demanded Mary, glaring at Slade with a fierce expression. Slade’s eyebrows bolted upward, while Dick flinched, taking a worried step backwards. Raven turned around in Slade’s arms, her violet eyes wide with curiosity.

The woman would not be silenced now.

“You are impossible!” cried Mary, poking at Slade’s chest. If she had been solid, Dick had no doubt she would’ve poked as hard as she could. “Do you have any idea how long I worked on you? Long, long hours, I’ll have you know. You are the most stubborn man I have ever met. Truly, what was so hard about understanding a wonderful, brilliant thought? Hm? Do you know how many times I tried to get you to understand?”

Well, poor Slade looked thoroughly confused.

Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to defend himself against whatever accusation she was laying on him, as the woman continued at a steady pace.

“For a moment there, I was actually worried about Dick’s future,” said Mary, huffing and taking no note of the confused parties. She motioned wildly with her hands. “How difficult is it to get one simple concept? Adopt the boy! How hard was that to understand? Hm? Blessed day you have a brain – albeit a slow one – or else we’d never get to good ground.”

It was almost comical. The small woman barely came up to the man’s chest level, much like Dick’s height, and yet Slade cringed away from her like some chastised school boy.

Then, it appeared as if Slade had an epiphany.

“That was you?” demanded Slade, inhaling sharply. “I thought something weird was going on with my mind.”

Dick glanced between them, having absolutely no idea what they were talking about.

“It’s called inspiration, you impossible man!” cried Mary incredulously, throwing her hands up in the air. Kuroi mewled. The woman whirled back onto Slade, her shimmering, nearly see-through hand prodding him in the chest. Slade pulled back, as if in fear of her touching him. “Stubborn doesn’t even begin to describe you! I can’t tell you how long I wanted to shake your head, and hope and pray some sense rattled back into place!”

“Dick!” cried Slade, sounding alarmed and perfectly desperate. “Call off your mother!”

Dick snorted, shaking his head with a smirk on his face and putting his hand up into the air in surrender. “No way, Dad, you’re on your own. No way I’m getting on her bad side.”

Of course, immediately after which, Dick recoiled, feeling younger than ever, as his mother whirled on him, pointed a finger at him, and waggled it with fire in her eyes.

“Oh, my bad side, hm? You’ve long been there, you naughty child,” said Mary, turning her tirade onto Dick, who backed up nervously. “Don’t you think you’re off the hook, young man. I heard what you said and I did not teach you those words, and I want to know exactly where you learned them. Hm?”

It was written all over Slade’s face. It was a strange mixture of smug relief. Mama Bear had a new target. He gestured lightly to Mary, a triumphant smirk spreading through his features. Dick blushed and dropped his head.

“Mama… I was already punished for it,” whispered Dick, his cheeks burning with embarrassment and shame.

“You should be thankful it was lenient!”

“Mama!”

“If it were me, you’d be in so much more trouble,” scolded Mary, not missing a beat at Dick’s embarrassed cry. She continued on without pause – and with every word, Dick felt smaller and smaller. “How could you say such things and to your father no less! I taught you better respect than that. Don’t you forget, you hear? I did not raise an unruly, disrespectful hooligan of a child, I can tell you that.”

Mary huffed, drawing in a deep breath.

Oh, there was nothing like a dressing down from his mother.

“I don’t care how angry you are,” continued Mary, gaining momentum. “You are to show respect and restraint at all times. You can hold back your punches in a fight, you can do the same with your words. A man doesn’t fly off the handle like that. Only boys act with such rashness. I thought I had instilled within my son to grow into a man, not into a boy who shaves.”

Dick’s face burned with fiery shame. His jaw trembled. His eyes watered. He kept his head bowed, unable to look into the face of his mother – unable to bear the thought that he had disappointed her. Somehow, her words cut him to his core, far greater than any scolding that either of the two fathers in his life had ever been able to accomplish – only once had Slade ever managed it and that had been more due to Dick’s fault, since he had lied to the man.

Something gentle brushed against his chin.

Dick looked up; Mary’s expression had softened, the anger gone from her face. Dick bit his lip and lowered his eyes. Mary tapped his chin softly, her touch barely recognizable – yet it was light and there. His eyes glanced back up at her.

“I know you will do better, hm?” whispered Mary, her eyes soft with love. Her tone was ever so gentle, so far away from the tone of rebuke she held seconds ago. Dick nodded meekly. “That’s my little robin,” she said, her voice lilting with a trill in her words. Praise, honor, and pride had entered her tone. “I know it’s hard learning to become a man, but—” Mary smiled, glancing briefly at Slade. “—you have a good father to lead the way. He’s not perfect, neither am I, neither is your first father – and neither are you. But keep trying. Use your words carefully from now on, hm? You have a lot of power within them, more than you truly realize. You need absolute control and restraint to be able to influence others for good, something I know you will obtain.”

At the sight of her approving smile, Dick nodded again and smiled in response. He glanced at Slade, who looked both highly amused and somewhat stunned by the whole thing. Raven simply stared at the pair of them, her violet eyes lit with confusion and surprise.

Dick was never going to live this down, was he?

Perhaps Raven’s silence could be bribed…

“Well, it’s a good thing I sent little Kuroi to watch over you,” said Mary, shaking her head. “Look at all the trouble you’ve gotten into during the last few months. My word, little robin, you certainly know how to make a mother worry.”

She sent…

“Mama,” began Dick, smiling in spite of himself. “Is there anything in my life you don’t have an influence in?”

Mischief danced in Mary’s eyes. “Well, obviously not your behavior,” she quipped. “Because Heaven knows I didn’t teach you that.”

“Mama.”

“I know, I know, I already scolded you on this,” said Mary, putting her hands up. There was a pause. “But still—”

“Could we get back to the task at hand?” said Slade, interjecting smoothly. Oh, how Dick wanted to hug the man. Once Mary got going, it was almost impossible to stop her. “For instance, if you’re not an illusion… nor a hallucination, how—why are you even here?”

Dick smiled to himself, his eyes lowering to the ground. He knew Slade had a hard time imagining things outside of anything beyond what he wanted to know. As for Dick, knowing his mother was still alive – in a sense, of course – and still working on things, just in a different world, it was enough for him. Seeing his mother, after her death, seeing a guardian to the underworld, seeing Trigon – knowing both demons and angels existed in the universe, Dick had an easier time of it.

Slade, of course, looked as if he were trying to figure out how to eat a huge, heavy watermelon in one sitting – in a manner of speaking.

One bite at a time, Dad.

Mary sighed. “You are right. I’m afraid I’ve gotten off topic now. I haven’t appeared simply to scold the pair of you – Heaven knows you both needed a good lecture.”

Slade snorted.

Dick’s smile faded somewhat, sensing something more. Slade lowered Raven to the ground. A moment later, Raven giggled softly, her attention fully occupied, as the kitten ambled up to her and allowed Raven to stroke her fur. The young girl didn’t notice the change of mood.

“We’ve come for two reasons, the first being because there is something you need to know – without this information, you will fail in the battle against Trigon,” said Mary. She straightened slightly, folding her wrists in front of herself. She glanced at Slade. “It is time for you to understand now, the reasoning beyond your immortality.” Then, she paused and glanced at Dick. “The second reason is Trigon has blocked your return to the surface. So, we’ve intervened. You are needed in the current battle and the final battle to come. This is why we’ve come.”

Slade raised an eyebrow, just as Dick focused on one word.

“We?”

Suddenly, the air changed. The once overbearing heat cooled, settling to a pleasant temperature. The choking, suffocating scent now transformed into something ever changing – first, the scent of freshly cut grass; second, the salty air of the ocean; third, the musty air of old books; fourth, the sweet air of honeysuckle; and, fifth, the warming air of vanilla – all these flowed back and forth, the nose recognizing them one at a time.

Then, a tall figure appeared, stepping forth out of the shadows, the darkness fleeing from the pure light which emanated from every section of her body. Long white hair reached her back, long strands framing her pale face. While her clothing was similar to Mary’s pure white dress, its white patterns, white lace, and white beading were of a different, more complex design. Her figure, though seeming to glow with power, was solid in comparison to Mary. Blue eyes shone through a middle aged face – yet there were no wrinkles.

Three other women appeared, their light just as brilliant as the first, the shadows seeming to fear their very presence. The contrast of different races was apparent, as each bore different skin colors, hair colors, facial structures, heights, and even dress designs, though still pure white, to match their culture – and yet, the women stood next to each other, in obvious perfect harmony with one another.

Then, Slade jolted and whirled around. Dick turned around as well, to see a fifth woman. She was the shortest of the five women. With short black hair, pale skin, and smaller eyes, Dick figured she was of Asian descent. She pushed thin glasses up along the bridge of her nose and gave them both a soft smile. She held a clipboard – of all things – in her hands.

There was something powerful about these women. In the underworld, Styx had felt inhuman, as if he were something altogether different. These women, however, were completely human – except they had power mortals did not. What that was, Dick couldn’t understand. He knew they were different than his mother. These angels – for that was the only explanation Dick had for them – were of a different level.

And Dick felt incredibly small before them.

“I’m hallucinating again, aren’t I?” deadpanned Slade. The women each laughed softly, voices of different accents and languages blending together as one. The tallest, the only one with white hair, stepped forward. Her voice bore a Celtic accent.

“We have much to speak about, Slade Wilson. Our first order of business is with you.”

Somehow, the woman managed to make that sound more ominous than it really was – still, Dick couldn’t help but be amused at how fast the color left his father’s face.

ooOOOOOoo

June 21st, 2009. Sunday, 10:45 am.

Two lights crashed in the air. Two powers flashed with every collision. Red blended with green, mocking the beauty of which those two colors brought in the seasonal time of winter. Sparks danced as two elements smashed into each other, an untouchable battle in the air. Like shooting stars, both flew and collided with the other.

A green Spinosaurus lifted his tail, defending against a grey Velociraptor. As the grey dinosaur lunged, the green counterpart swung his tail. Then, in a flash, bodies shifted and changed into new opponents. To an onlooker, it would’ve appeared like a battle of two shapeshifters and their efforts to one-up the other. However, to the participants, it wasn’t just trying to keep ahead of the other, it was a constant warfare in strategy – whose choice would win the fight?

Blue and white blasted against red and grey. Two bodies pounded into the other, their fists rushing forward, their arms blocking each attack. It was an all out battle of brute strength, whether it be with fists or with debris or with cannon fire, their force never bending to the other

With each separate fight, the grey doppelganger dominated.

The battles were fierce. The battles were long. And all the while, two others remained unconscious during the majority of them.

In the heat of the three battles, the friends reunited briefly, the group hiding behind the safety of some fallen debris. Taunting voices, which were their very own, rang out in search of their opponents.

“I fear that my darker self is more powerful than even my sister,” whispered Starfire. She was leaning against a large rock, sitting on the ground in an act of exhaustion, which she rarely ever displayed in front of the others. She glanced down at the ground; her clasped hands clenched together. “I… do not think I can defeat her.”

“I don’t know how much more I can take of this,” whispered Beast Boy, panting heavily. He was slumped on the ground. “I had no idea I was this tough!”

“You’re not,” said Cyborg flatly, snorting softly. “I can kick your butt any…”

It was almost as if a light bulb turned on. Cyborg grinned, in the which Beast Boy returned it with full brightness. They both turned their matching grins to Starfire, who smiled back at them.

“Tag team, yo!” shouted Cyborg, giving Beast Boy a high five. Their laughter melded together. These sounds brought attention to their location – however, the three of them targeted different enemies now. Starfire went after Dark Cyborg, Beast Boy went after Dark Starfire, and Cyborg went after Dark Beast Boy.

It was a brilliant plan. Honestly, they should’ve thought about it in the first place – it would’ve saved so much time.

The enemy doppelgangers didn’t dodge the attacks. In succession, the three Titans sent their attacks: starbolts shot after Dark Cyborg, a green monkey jumped towards Dark Starfire, and white cannon fire blasted towards Dark Beast Boy.

With a screech, Beast Boy in monkey form fell right through Dark Starfire’s body, as is she were a ghost. The other attacks blasted through their targets, who remained unscathed by them. As the dust settled, their enemies gathered together, watching the other three Titans with smirks on their faces. Cyborg lowered his cannon, dismayed shock across his face.

“What?” breathed Cyborg.

Soft laughter – sounds which sounded so dark and so awful from the kind, gentle voice that was Starfire’s – rang out among the ravaged land.

“That’s cheating,” said Dark Starfire, her smile dark. “What, we’re not good enough for you?”

“Can’t blame ‘em for trying,” said Dark Beast Boy, snickering darkly. He folded his arms and sneered at his original form. “I always enjoyed a bit of cheating. Nothing like going at things the easy way.” He laughed. “Why work for it, after all?”

“Too bad that won’t work with us,” said Dark Cyborg. He leaned against a large rock and folded his arms, as if they all were having a comfortable, enjoyable conversation with each other. “We know all your tricks. We know all your feelings. We know all your deepest and darkest secrets. Everything you’ve ever done, we know it.”

The sneer on Dark Cyborg’s grew wide.

“And we know exactly how to use them against you.”

Starfire gasped. Suddenly, at a speed she hadn’t known was capable with a Tamaranean, Dark Starfire bolted towards her, stopping only a few inches away from her face. Dark Starfire lifted her red glowing hands, starbolt building up in her palms.

“So, there’s no cheating here,” purred Dark Starfire, her eyes glowing red with her power. “You’re going to have to face your own demons and without any help.”

There was a shrieking scream a second later. Starfire’s form blasted back, her body striking fallen debris, rock and stone shattering in all directions with each impact.

Dark laughter poured from the doppelgangers, just as each smashed into their opponents – thus, the raging battles continued; however, far too much in the enemy’s advantage.

It was this soundtrack – the one of dark laughter, taunting voices, destruction of the landscape, and pained cries – which woke Rose from her unconsciousness. Her muscles ached with weaknesses. She slowly sat up, wincing as the pain raced through her body. When her mind became clearer, her heart fell into panic and she glanced around, looking for the others.

Joey was beside her on the ground, groaning as he came to. The sounds of fighting could be heard around them. Rose grabbed Joey by the shoulder, shaking him.

“Joey, wake up.” There was a low groan. “Hurry! The others need us!”

Joey’s closed eyes scrunched up in pain, his mouth opening in agony. He rolled to his side, moaning some more, before he opened his eyes. Then, suddenly, he bolted up, his head darting from side to side.

“What happened?” asked Joey, grimacing. He placed a hand to his head. “I feel like a sledgehammer bashed my head in.”

Rose snorted at the imagery. She had to agree with him, though. She had never felt such pain before, not even during her first death. With a heavy sigh, she dragged herself to her feet, before she helped Joey up.

“Come on, we can’t let those silly idiots have all the fun,” said Rose, grinning at Joey, who shook his head with a soft laugh. She slammed her fist into her hand. “I don’t want to miss out on the fight!”

Suddenly, a terrible scream tore through the air. Something landed nearby, rock and stone exploding apart from the impact. Rose and Joey broke into a run, both ignoring the pain in their limbs. Rose dropped to the ground, falling beside the figure who had landed so hard. They both dug through debris, pulling off some of the rock which had covered him.

Green skin marred with fresh blood was visible through torn, purple jumpsuit. Beast Boy’s chest rose up and down rapidly, his pants coming out in hoarse, desperate draws for breath. His clenched eyes were filled with tears.

“Beast Boy,” said Rose, her voice wavering. The boy opened his eyes. Relief shone through those green eyes as he glanced between Rose and Joey.

“You’re all right,” whispered Beast Boy, smiling slightly.

Rose laughed lightly. “You’re worried about us? You’re the one who got his butt handed to him right now. What’s going on?”

Beast Boy’s expression faltered. His jaw tightened. Wincing, he tried to push himself up, when Rose put a hand onto his chest.

“Hang on, kiddo,” said Rose. “You’re in no condition to get up. We’ll take over from here while you rest.”

Beast Boy shook his head and wouldn’t lay back down. He pushed through Rose’s protests and sat up. He took a moment to catch his breath, before he spoke again.

“Trigon created a new enemy, our dark selves,” said Beast Boy; his expression trembled. “We’ve been fighting ourselves, but they’ve been kicking our butts. I can’t…” There was a shuddering sigh. “I can’t beat myself. He’s always one step ahead of me. I don’t know what to do.”

“Dark selves?” said Joey, frowning. He glanced at Rose, before looking back at the boy. “Have you tried fighting as a group or changing targets? You each have your strengths, yes, but honestly, Beast Boy, your physical attacks would be ineffective against metal.”

Beast Boy raised a confused eyebrow. Rose rolled her eyes. “He means Cyborg can kick your butt,” she supplied.

“We tried that,” whispered Beast Boy. “But our attacks are useless against each other. My attacks only work on my own dark self –  it’s the same for the others.”

“Yo, loser self, where’d you go?” shouted a voice, which sounded almost too close to Beast Boy’s voice. There was something dark about it, though. “Did you run away? Do you miss your Mommy?” There was a dark laugh. “Don’t worry. I’ll send you straight into her arms. Won’t that be nice?”

Beast Boy stiffened. With a final, deep sigh, he stood up. Then, he looked at Rose, his green eyes gazing deeply into her face.

At the look in his eyes and the pained expression in his features, Rose found herself overcome with strong, maternal instincts that she had no idea from where they came. Somehow, she wanted to hug this poor kid – though, she was sure she would’ve choked him by accident. But, man, he looked so young! He needed a good dose of puberty ASAP. And then some.

“I think…” began Beast Boy; his voice wavered. Rose noticed the blood on his lips. A mixture of dirt, sweat, and dried blood marked the edges of his temples. Then, as if he were speaking a forbidden secret, he whispered, “I think we’re gonna lose.”

Then, that youth which had captivated Rose’s maternal side fled from the boy’s expression. Determination entered and disappeared as a falcon took the place of the boy. Off it went into the air, no doubt to fight against his dark self once again – and, no doubt, to lose over and over, until there was no fight left.

And Rose never felt more helpless in her life.

Something inside her heart sobered.

This wasn’t something to joke about. This wasn’t some fight where the ‘good guys’ were guaranteed to win. This was a fight for their lives – and not just their lives, but every single life that existed on the earth and would exist in the continuing ages in time.

This was a fight to the death – one they couldn’t afford to lose.

Daddy, where are you?

Little brother, when are you coming back?

I don’t want it to end like this. I don’t want to watch people die! Not again. Not like this. We can’t fail.

“We have to do something!” cried Rose. She began to pace back and forth, the agitation bleeding through her tone. “We have to fight. We have to do something – they can’t just do it all alone!”

“What can we do?” whispered Joey. “If our attacks can’t harm them, we’re basically useless – we’d do more harm than good. If we intervene, we’ll just hurt each other in the crossfire. The enemy will use that to their advantage.”

“We can’t just stand here!” snapped Rose, waving in the direction of the three battles. Panic rose in her chest. Watching the battles, honestly, was like watching three one-sided beat downs – though, she’d never tell them that much, at least not now. When it was all over and they had won – because they just had to win – only then would she tease the pants off them. “We have to do something. How are we going to help them?”

“I don’t know!” cried Joey, his voice changing – completely unlike his usual calm demeanor. He ran a hand through his curly white, yet dirty hair and looked down at the ground. “I don’t understand it! I get that they each have to fight their own self – that much I understand – I mean, it makes sense in a way… but why…”

He glanced up at Rose, his expression stricken.

“Where are our dark selves? Why are we different from them?”

ooOOOOOoo

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