Chapter 7: Act 2
<Location Unknown>
Within a dimly lit room, the child with the golden mask and horns appeared kneeling before an odd symbol. Her head was lowered as the symbol gave off a scarlet hue. Then, slowly, it emitted blazing fires and scarlet lightning. It erupted all towards the ceiling of the room before a pair of scarlet red eyes appeared from it.
"Ninia....you had said that you found what I lost?" Came a deep and cold voice.
"Indeed master, it was by accident, but he lives." Ninia replied in a more professional tone.
"How does he fare?"
"He has grown strong, so much so that he nearly dispatched Demonika."
"Is that so? Then we must have him return to where he truly belongs."
"That may prove difficult master, he has been influenced by this dimensions denizens."
"Then you will influence him back to me. Do what you must to bring him back, for my son has been gone for too long."
"And...if she stands in my way?"
"Then deal with her however you see fit."
"Understood master."
The symbol began to lose its glow, and the flames and scarlet lightning returned back to it quickly. Ninia slowly rose to her feet and began to smile.
"Now then... how best to return a child home?" She asked herself, then placed a finger to her cheek. That was when an idea came to mind. She then took a small marble like object from her pocket. A mischievous smile came over her face as she looked into it.
"Well...he is a growing man after all. Let us see if your heart will be what brings you back to us, cousin."
<Happy Harbor, Mount Justice>
Brayden was reviewing the footage of any CCTV camera that had seen his fight with Demonika and on social media. Luckily, no one had recorded his fight with Captain Marvel. Yet it still didn't make him feel any better. So far, no one was hating him. Actually, they found him rather cool and wanted to know if he was a part of the Justice League. From what Brayden understands, the League hasn't made a statement about him. He was watching alongside Batman within the main area of Mount Justice. It had only been a few days since his fight with Demonika. Each time he tried to memorize what he did, it became a blur of flashes. He'd see himself punching Demonika, then nothing.
"You-" Batman started to say.
"I know, I lost control." Brayden finished for him.
"You-"
"I need to learn control."
"I-"
"You want to move me to a more secure location to make sure that I don't do it again."
"If you already know, then why aren't you trying to convince me not to?"
"I just watched myself wreck havoc in a small town, I'm lucky that I didn't hurt or, worse, killed anyone."
Batman simply hummed, then turned to Brayden as the young man continued to look up at the news feed. He watched as a child told one of the newscasters of how he saw the fight. It made a small smile appear on Braydens' face, seeing that the kid wasn't scared by Braydens' "Berserk Mode". For the moment, it seems that they were already thinking of names for him. Superboy, Superman 2, Superforce, Superbolt, etc. The names kept getting more and more creative each time Brayden looked at the news feeds.
"Did....you tell everyone else?" Brayden questioned.
"No, this is not their problem.", Batman answered, "You're a danger to them. There is no way of knowing when you lose control. So I want to take the time to see what your limits are. Then, and only then, will we work on your control over your powers."
"I-"
"If you plan on taking him away, then how about you run that by us." Came the voice of Donna.
Brayden and Batman turned to find Donna, Kid Flash, Superboy, Robin, M'gann, and Aqualad approaching them.
"This doesn't concern you." Batman stated.
"It does, we're the ones who found him." Superboy said with arms folded over his chest.
"And we'll be the ones to help him." Kid Flash agreed.
Brayden looked over them with wide eyes, then frowned.
"Guys-" Brayden started to say but found Donna cutting him off.
"No, no, we are not about to hear it.", She denied, "We're gonna help you, Brayden. You may not feel like you're cut out to be like us, but the rest of Happy Harbor feels differently. So before you go and feel like you aren't worthy to be like us, let us decide that. After all, we've all been in your shoes... excluding M'gann and Superboy."
Brayden opened his mouth to speak but held his tongue. He closed his eyes to inhale and exhale, thinking over her words. Not long after, he turned to look at the news feed. He was watching ad the people of Happy Harbor were speaking of a hero, clad in azure blue lightning coming to save the day. Lowering his head, he started to walk towards the Zetatubes.
"Brayden-" Donna called.
"I'm not leave...just need some fresh air." Brayden assured.
"Fresh air where?" Superboy asked.
"Home.." Brayden replied.
<Philadelphia, Pennsylvania>
Brayden walked out of an alleyway, looking around. He took a deep breath, finding the familiar smell in the air of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His blue irises landed on everything that was there. All that he remembered and all that was new. That was when he heard a pair of footsteps coming up behind him. Glancing back, he found Wondergirl walking up.
"I said that-" Brayden began to say.
"That you needed fresh air, I know." Donna finished.
"Then why are you here?"
"To make sure that you don't do anything stupid."
"I haven't done anything stupid, though."
"I'm here to make sure that it stays like that."
Staring at her a moment, Brayden simply shrugged. He couldn't really make her leave. After all, she was her own person. So he simply walked down the sidewalk, with Donna coming to his side to walk beside him. They walked in silence for a moment, moving with quite a few thoughts circulating through their minds. Donna ended up breaking their silence as she pointed out something nearby.
"Hey, want to head to the mall?" She questioned and found Brayden looking in that direction.
"I haven't been there in a while, sure." Brayden answered and agreed.
Together, the two of them headed for the mall. Of course they got people looking at them and watching them from time to time. Though it was to be expected, he was tall and had quite the physique as well as had a handsome face. Donna was beautiful and dressed like a celebrity in disguise. She had on a denim jacket, black t-shirt, skinny jeans, a pair of black running shoes, and a pair of sunglasses.
As they reached the mall, Brayden and Donna entered to find quite a few things inside. Some of which Brayden remembered and found interesting. It wouldn't be long before they found themselves walking around, exploring. As they did, Brayden came across a store that he had thought would be closed. Entering, he saw what they had inside. It was a guitar repair store, the shop that he used to work in. Looking around, Brayden found spare parts for guitars all over the place. Strings, necks, everything. Donna looked around as well, then looked to see the reminiscent look on Braydens' face.
"I'll be right with you!" A feminine voice called from somewhere. The voice made Brayden frown in confusion before beginning to recognize it. A girl with fiery orange red hair and clear sky blue eyes came around an isle with a small smile on her lips. Her beauty challenged Donnas' own beauty. She wore a white loose fitting blouse, a golden necklace with a ruby stone at the center of it, skinny jeans, and a pair of walking shoes. On her blouse was a nametag, showing her first name initial and her last name.
"Lisa?" Brayden called in surprise and watched as she stared at him for a moment and started to recognize him.
"B-brayden?" Lisa called back in even more surprise.
"Is she someone you know?" Donna questioned with a raised brow.
"Um.. yeah, she was a friend of mine." Brayden answered.
Lisas' small smile became radiant, as if her day had just gotten better.
"Brayden, it's been so long.", Lisa greeted in a softer tone, "When you just upped and disappeared two years ago, I thought that I was never gonna see you again. How have you been?"
Whilst Brayden and Lisa conversed, Donna eyed the red-headed girl. She and Lisa seemed to be in the same age range. Her chest was bigger than the Amazons', and she had this certain feminine flare. That was when she realized how Brayden and Lisa knew each other.
'So this was his crush, huh?' Donna thought before folding her arms over her chest.
"Oh, is this your girlfriend?" Lisa suddenly asked, getting Donnas' attention. Brayden looked to the disguised superheroine and let out a nervous chuckle.
"She's a friend." Brayden said, then found Donna give him a weird look as soon as he said.
"You two aren't dating? Could have fooled me."
"How so?"
"You look great together."
'Okay, I like her.' Donna thought.
Brayden gave Lisa a smile before letting out a sigh. Before he could speak, he found her taking her phone out of her pocket to check the time. When she did that, she looked up to Brayden before speaking.
"I'm about to be off of work in the next couple of minutes, wanna get lunch? My treat."
Brayden was going to deny, but Donna spoke for him.
"We'd love to."
"Great! I'll just go ahead and put my name tag up and get ready to clock out."
After saying that, Lisa disappeared to the back of the shop. This gave Brayden time to turn to Donna with a questioning look.
"What?", Donna asked with a shrug, "She's a friend of yours who you haven't seen in two years. It's better if you spend time with people that you know."
"But I could hurt her." Brayden countered.
"That's only if you want to Brayden. Powers don't work against you. That only happens if you want them to or if you let that power get to your head. So far, you're so stressed out that it's no surprise to me that you lose control more often. You need to relax, unwind a little. And if talking to your crush helps, then by all means."
Brayden went to open his mouth but stopped himself. He let out a sigh before nodding his head. Lisa soon returned with a purse in hand as she walked up to Brayden and Donna.
"Alright, what do you guys have a taste for?" Lisa asked.
"Well, I feel like having some sushi." Donna said with a smile.
"What about you, Brayden?" Lisa asked him.
"Sushi sounds good to me." Brayden agreed.
With a smile, Lisa took Brayden and Donna by their arms and nearly stormed out of the shop. She was just about dragging them to where all of the restaurants were in the mall. The aroma of all the different types of food permeated the air, causing Braydens' mouth to salivate at the thought of eating something.
It wouldn't be long before the three of them had gotten in line, ordered for their food, and sat down at a nearby table to wait. Lisa took out her phone and began to type away at it, texting someone. Donna simply looked between Brayden and Lisa with a small smile. Brayden, however, felt a little awkward. Two beautiful young women were seated before him, one whom he had feelings for, and the other that he was steadily growing feelings for. He didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing because Donna was acting more friendly than he was used to. When their order was called, Brayden used that to escape for the time being by going to get their food.
"So Lisa.", Donna called as she placed her elbow onto the table and laid her head in the palm of her hand, "How did you and Brayden meet exactly? He doesn't really talk about you."
"That takes me back.", Lisa started to say before putting her phone down, "We met back when I was in high-school. I found him on the side of the road trying to play a guitar. At first I thought that he didn't have any talent for it, then I heard him start playing some notes from Johnny Cash."
"So he was good at playing even then? I guess you taught him well by how you're talking."
"He still plays? That's great, I'm happy that he does. Although I didn't teach him how to play, honestly, I don't know who did. I just know that one day he asked for some lessons and I just had him play with me whenever my tutor gave me free time."
'So who taught him how to play the guitar?' Donna thought with curiosity as Brayden returned with a tray of their sushi.
"What are you ladies talking about?" Brayden asked.
"About that time when you were getting some lessons from me." Lisa replied.
"Oh, yeah those some good times." Brayden stated.
"So, what was it like being around him?" Donna asked Lisa, and watched the young woman smirk.
"He was the most stressful and awkward guy I knew. Honestly, if it wasn't for him being the way he was, I probably wouldn't have noticed him." Lisa said.
"Stressful, huh??" Donna looked to Brayden with a knowing look.
"Still, it's really good to see you again, Brayden. It's been pretty quiet without you around, I'm glad that you came to visit."
"Me too." Brayden replied in a more relaxed tone.
The three of them began to eat their food. They ate in silence, looking around from time to time as if trying to past the time. It wouldn't be long before Donna would break their momentary silence as they ate.
"By the way, have you heard about that new superhero, Lisa?" Donna questioned with curiosity.
"Actually, yeah, what about it?" Lisa asked.
"Just curious if you've heard about them or not."
"Oh, I have. He kind of looks dreamy and handsome. Kinda of like Brayden here."
Brayden blinked twice, then cleared his throat as if trying to get Donnas' attention. The Amazon glanced at him with a knowing look.
"What do you think of him?" Donna asked.
"I think that he's interesting, strong, and pretty intense." Lisa replied, then took a good sip of iced tea that she got to drink. She then used her napkin to wipe her lips before rising out of her seat.
"I'll be right back, I'm headed to use the bathroom." Lisa stated, then walked off.
Lisa walked several paces before turning a corner and headed into the ladies' restroom. As soon as she finished using the bathroom, she washed her hands. She looked at the mirror in front of her and gave herself a sad smile. Her own irises locked onto herself before she spoke.
"He really has gotten even better looking... he's so out of my league."
As soon as she said that, a voice spoke out behind her, which startled her.
"He does not need to be."
Lisa turned quickly to find a strange girl with blonde hair and a golden mask staring up at her. No one else was in the bathroom except her and this girl. She hadn't even heard the girl entering the restroom.
"Do you want him?" The girl questioned.
"W-what?" Lisa asked.
"Do you want Brayden Liu for yourself?"
"H-he's already got someone else...hey, how do you-"
"I can give you the strength to take him for yourself."
"What? But i-"
"Do you want the power to take the man whom you love?"
Lisa frowned, then gave the girl a weirded out look. She started to calm herself then started to walk away. She was headed to leave the restroom before this girl spouted some more nonsense.
"Look, I don't have time for some weird ass skeptic deal or whatever you have going on.", Lisa denied, "Go back to your parents before you get into some trouble."
"Oh my dear, you are quite the unwilling pawn..." The girl uttered in a low, but dangerous tone.
Just as Lisa was about to exit the ladies' restroom, she felt a hand grab her by the wrist. Before she realized it, she was pulled back inside as if she weighed nothing. Lisa tumbled to the floor with a groan, then looked up to find the strange girl approaching her. She has a mischievous but sinister smile plaster on her face as she held some kind of marble on her hand.
"W-what do you want?!" Lisa exclaimed as she rose to her feet.
"I want you to take Brayden for your own and bring him back to me." The girl said.
"Stay back, I'm warning you!"
"Please keep struggling. It will make it all the more satisfying once you begin complying with my request."
Lisa pulled out pepper spray from her purse, then pointed it at the girl. When the girl didn't stop walking, Lisa sprayed the girl in the face. Unfortunately, it did nothing to stop the strange child. She simply tilted her head to the side, then licked some of the pepper spray that dripped from her face.
"That is quite the spicey taste." The girl uttered with interest.
"W-what are you?" Lisa asked in utter fear.
"I am Ninia, and you, my pawn... will bring me Brayden by using his heart."
"G-get away from me!"
Lisa swatted at Ninia, but the little girl caught her wrist. She then lunched forward with the marble in her other hand, then plunged it into Lisas' gut. Lisa screamed in pain, lurching over as she felt Ninias' hand in her inards. When the girl removed her hand from Lisas' gut, the young woman crumbled to the floor. She twitched, feeling as if her body was going through some kind of transformation. Her bones snapped and bent as she contorted on the floor. Lisa tried to scream but her voice came out in a croak now. She arched her back as her eyes were wide open in shock and pain.
Ninia stood by, watching Lisas' transformation with a smile. When Lisas' body finished contorting, she watched as Lisa slowly sat up with her head lowered, and her face covered by her fiery red hair. Lisas' clothes had changed, becoming more Greek like. Her body had grown much more athletically built, as well as more sex appealing. She eventually rose up onto her feet, standing at five foot eleven inches from her original five foot eight
"Lisa Rikers, I have chosen you to court and have Brayden Liu to return home.", Ninia said in a tone of authority now, "Your reward for succeeding is becoming Braydens' concubine upon completing your task. Once Brayden has been enticed by you, bring him to me. You now have the power to have him, as well as to ensure that no other can take him. Failure will result in your death...is that clear?"
"Yes, mistress Ninia.", Lisa said in a more seducing tone now as her body began to revert back to what she had looked like moments ago, "I will not fail you...Brayden will be mine."
Ninia began to give Lisa a devilish smile as she watched young woman leave the restroom. Her gaze did not leave the fiery redhead until she was out of sight. That was when she spoke once again.
"Now, cousin, let us see if you will come willingly...or kicking and screaming."
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