Chapter 07

Dick lead the group through the streets, a downed light pole had blocked the road forcing them to continue on foot, he held up a hand motioning the them to slow as they approached a large crater in the street,

“You 2 hold back” He said quietly, Rachel and Garfield obeyed without argument, Dick continued toward the large half circle with Barbara right behind him.

In the center of the crater lay a woman writhing in pain, black and purple bruises blemished her golden brown skin, a ratty black cloth was bound tightly around her chest, a worn tight black short skirt was the only other article of clothing covering her body,

“Are you ok?” Dick called down to her,

“Do not go near her” A raspy voice from above commanded, it had come from a tall figure hover over the crater, he had ash gray skin and a large scar over his right eye, atop his head sat a bronze crown, his nose stuck out to a point in front of sunken glowing red eyes,

“Who are you?” Dick yelled out the question,

“I am the high general of the armies of Tamaran” He answered “I am only here to retrieve this war criminal” He pointed a long black twisted staff toward the woman,

“What crimes has she committed?” Dick asked, the general raised an eyebrow in irritation,

“She is accused of treason, inciting rebellion, and attempts on the lives of the royal generals” He explained,

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“Unfortunately your hunt has lead to destruction of an earth city and injury to it’s people, you will submit yourself and this accused criminal to the authorities of this territory” Dick watched the General size the group up,

“No, I will not submit to your authorities, the throne demands a swift capture and punishment for this criminal, should your people stand in the way of that we will take it as a call for war with Tamaran” He began descending slowly toward the woman,

“You and her will be tried for any crimes you may have committed in the city of Metropolis before you may leave” The general raised his staff suddenly toward Dick, a bolt of light shot from the end, Garfield shoved Dick out of the way, the projectile scorched the ground behind where he had been standing, the general swung his staff the short distance toward Dick and Garfield.

“You will not hurt the people of this realm” Alice voice rang loud, she was levitating off the ground, her skin was ash gray and her eyes were glowing red, a second pair of eyes sat between her forehead and temples, the general had turned his attention to her, she was emitting a dark glow from her skin,

“I do not fear a child” The general laughed, turned his staff on her, the end glowed white hot, Alice didn’t move her expression almost amused, a bolt of light shot out toward her, it was met halfway by a black streak of lighting that stretched from Alice before returning to her sending black electricity from 1 set of eyes to the other as it coursed through her,

“Do not try me, you may hold power on Tamaran, but that power does not extend here”Alice said her voice even, the general dove forward through the air thrusting his staff forward toward her stomach.

Alice caught the outstretched staff and held it in place with strength that surprised the general, he fought to regain control and failed, the darkness shot through her hand and up the staff, it engulfed the general and he cried out in pain, a second later Alice was alone in the air above the street, the smell of burning flesh carried away by the breeze, Alice slowly descended back down to the ground, Barbara hurried over, worry etched into her face,

“Alice, are you ok?” She asked reaching a hand out hesitantly, Alice studied her like she had never seen her before, eventually she seemed to decide to trust her,

“My name is Raven, my head’s a bit fuzzy at the moment, I think I’m supposed to protect her” She looked at hands confused “No, not Alice, but I don’t remember, there’s someone else, she wants to use Alice to turn your world into 1 that Trigon can inhabit and rule, but I don’t think I can protect Alice from her” Barbara was about to ask her something but was interrupted by the sound of something passing fast high above them.

A black and white blur shot down from the sky and landed on the ground with the sound of cracking asphalt, a dust cloud flew into the air around it, it cleared slowly revealing a girl with short black hair, she was crouched with 1 knee on the ground and the other foot flat on the ground to stabilize her, Dick, Barbara, and Garfield all recognized the diamond symbol on her chest, she studied them for a second before saying,

“I’m looking for Kal-El.”