The Chosen

The following is a complete work of fiction.

Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is completely coincidental. Please do not copy or distribute the story without the author's permission.

Disclaimer:

The following story may contain erotic situations. If it is illegal for you to read this please leave now. Also expect blood, gore, incredibly funny scenes and super-powered teenagers with a destiny to save the world. If you're not a fan of any of these plus strong cursing and violence than this is not your type of story.

Chapter 15

When I say this week had been busy. There was no exaggerating it. My normal life came barreling into my life with a vengeance. The holiday season hit me like a ton of bricks. I had gotten ready for Christmas by doing some hardcore shopping.

Adam had been introduced to my family much to my nervousness. And to my relief it couldn't have gone any better. Mom instantly took an instant shine to him and began treating him like another son. Morgan, bless her demonic soul, just stared at my boyfriend as if he was a steak and she was a velociraptor. The little cunt. Kevin had been suspicious of Adam, but after they bonded over donuts of all things, they had gotten along like two fat twins splitting a gallon of rocky road.

Adam. My boyfriend. I still sigh dreamily when I think of Adam. He was like my dream boy. Wait. He really was my dream boy. Wow. That was kind of unreal. He was romantic, dorky, suave, cool, and funny. And he nods sagely whenever I make a Buffy mention, which just scores him massive boyfriend points. As for his blindness, well he had been right. People don't look too hard into the unexplainable. He had claimed to have just woken up with his sight returned. His uncle and aunt, plus the doctors ate it up, chalking it up to a Christmas miracle. Speaking of his family.

Danny.

I still smiled when I thought of that grabby hand son of a bitch. I hadn't taken the Chosen approach when dealing with him after talking it out with Adam. So I did what I do best. I called up Kevin. In the dark of night, wearing all black, we snuck over to his house and fucked his car up. His prized classic Mustang. We keyed the doors, threw paint on it, slashed his tires, and broke his windows. I totally had a Carrie Underwood moment. To celebrate we grabbed a shake from Sonics on the dive home. I felt real proud of myself. The last act of revenge vandalism ended up with Kevin breaking his leg and us getting caught. Getting off scott free for once felt good.

The patrolling we did at night since Nathaniel's departure to England filled up my timeslots pretty good as well. I looked out of the window and smiled. It was snowing. Not a first for Centennial, but it was rare that it actually stuck and got more than an inch high. This was California after all. But it was indeed turning into a white Christmas this year. I looked at the little kids playing outside and tensed when I felt arms slide around my waist.

"Did I scare you?" Adam whispered into my hair.

I rubbed his hands that settled on my stomach. "Is your cousin a dumb bastard who will win "Most likely to become someone's jailhouse bitch" Award?"

Adam nodded quickly. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you so bad!"

I laughed and ribbed him with my elbow, spinning around in his arms. "You loser. You know I was just joking."

"I know," he admitted, smiling like a canary. "I just like seeing you get all hyper when you think a joke went past my head. You get these cute little wrinkles between your eyebrows-"

I gasped, snapping my head to catch my reflection in the window. "You serious?"

He snorted. "God, you're so easy!"

I pouted at him. "Hey, it's not nice to tease the host. I mean I went to all the trouble of inviting you over for Christmas today and you go and be mean to me."

Adam made his eyes real big and cute like. Damn. Puppy face. "I'm sorry. Forgive me? Please?"

I rolled my eyes sighing with mock exasperation. "I suppose. I mean it's the least I can do for one of my bitches."

Adam clapped his hands happily. "Please, Love. I'm your only bitch."

"Damn skippy."

We engaged in a little make out session and I closed my eyes in pleasure. This was nice. This was turning into a pretty good Christmas. I had picked him early afternoon after he had spent the morning with his uncle and aunt, then he had breakfast here with my family. It was the second time Mom and Morgan were meeting him. They had tripped over themselves making him feel at home. Morgan had ulterior motives of course. I think she had this grand scheme to steal Adam from me, but destiny trumps her hormone induced plan any day.

Suddenly, the front door slammed closed and we broke apart in surprise. Kevin appeared in the living room entrance bundled up in a dark leather jacket, a white scarf, and jeans. He grinned widely at me and held up the wrapped gift in his arm.

"Uh hey, Kevin," I greeted him, cautiously. He was up to something. I could see it written all over his anxious little face.

If possible he grinned even wider. "Hey what?"

Oh no. Here we go. I sighed and replied, "Introduce yourself!"

"No way," he answered, breezily.

I rolled my eyes and repeated, "Introduce yourself!"

Kevin nodded. "Okay! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, my name is Kevin and I say hi!" Here he dropped the gift and did this ass shaking maneuver that left me shaking my head and Adam staring with his mouth open, stunned. Poor boy. "6, 7, 8, 9, 10, back it up" He gyrated like a stripper and I blinked. "and meet my friend. Hey Chad!"

"Kiss my ass," I said, monotone.

Adam pushed me to the side and struck a pose. "My name is Adam..."

He trailed off as I stared at him. "I totally don't even know you right now."

Adam and Kevin looked at each other and joined in a loud round of laughter at my dismayed expression. Kevin and Adam were naturally random and funny separate and when you got all us in the same room, it just turned into Comedy Central.

Mom entered the living room and smiled at Kevin. "I thought that was you. Only you would slam the door like the police. Did you wipe your feet on the rug, young man?"

He nodded, obediently. "Yes, mam. I even went outside by the tree so I wont go on the carpet."

Mom snorted. "Cute, Kevin." She wrapped him up in a hug and kissed his cheek. "Merry Christmas. You staying long?"

Kevin's shook his head. "No. The folks want to go see the carolers in the park or something."

"That sounds fun," Mom said brightly, liking the idea. "I think I might drag the kids too."

I made a face. "Mooom. That sounds really lame. Like Spice Girls lame or even 7th Heaven lame."

She rolled her eyes. "If you really don't want to go I won't force you. I know you don't like to be in the cold weather."

"Snow sucks," I replied, promptly.

Adam patted my shoulder. "You're missing out. Snow is pretty much amazing."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "You keep talking like that and someone wont get his Christmas present."

"And you wont get yours," replied Adam, smirking.

I pouted. Damn. He's right. I knew we should have exchanged gifts earlier. I totally had to back track and eat shit. I smiled hugely and held out my arms.

"Heh. Heh. Juuuuuuust kiiiiiddding."

Adam looked me up and down, not buying it. "Yeah. Right."

He drawled it out so his Texas accent came out thick and very pronounced. I loved it when he did that. It was sexy and it took a lot of willpower to resist jumping him for a kiss. But Mom was here and I was definitely not about take my boyfriend's tonsils hostage in front of her. He saw the desire on my face and his eyes lit up. He did that thing with his eyebrows where he wagged them up and down, wearing his usual naughty smirk. Smug bastard.

"You boys are just the cutest thing," Mom sighed, clasping her hands and staring at us with stars in her eyes. "You boys go on upstairs and I'll call you when dinner's ready."

Kevin laughed as soon as Mom went into the kitchen. He made his eyes real big and sighed dreamily at us like we were the best thing since slice bread.

"You are just the cutest thing," he said with a southern belle accent. "Seeing ya'll two strong, strapping boys just makes this little girl swoon. Oh my. I think I may be getting a heat stroke."

I shot him the finger. "You are so not funny, fuckhead. Is that my gift?"

Kevin tossed it to me. "Here. Now where's mine?"

I went under the tree and handed him the one I got him. I read his card, snorted, and handed it to Adam. It read "Merry Christmas, bitch. Much love from the bro". Adam thought it was the funniest thing all day. I opened my present and squealed at the new playstation game I wanted. Kevin cheered as he unwrapped his. It was the entire second season of Smallville on dvd. We exchanged hugs and I batted at his face when he licked the side of my cheek. Ga-ross.

"This is really nice," he said, happily. "Thanks, bro."

I shrugged. "The game is just as cool. We did good this year, huh?"

"Way better than the lumps of coal we gave each other last year," he agreed.

Adam made a strangled noise of disbelief. "You gave each other lumps of coals for Christmas last year?"

I cringed. "Well we kept watching Mean Girls on DVD last year, and we started to take on some mean personas by accident. We got kind of bitchy for a while there."

"Chad even made a Mall Elf cry," added Kevin, unhelpfully.

I winced and shrugged sheepishly. "He started it."

Adam laughed and shook his head, as he often did when me and Kevin exchanged in our usual banter. Kevin had to bid a quick goodbye since his parents were waiting on him. I said farewell and he slapped Adam a five. I grabbed Adam's hand and pulled him up the stairs. We passed Morgan's room and her door was vibrating from the thumping music pounding from her stereo. It was Avril Lavigne. I shuddered. Adam mirrored me and I gave him another point. Thank God he knew bad music when he heard it. I closed my bedroom door behind us and he took a seat at my desk chair, giggling as he spun a bit in the chair. Wow. Someone was obviously easily amused. Wait. I was one to talk. I gave him a look and he gave me one right back that clearly said "what?".

"You done?" I asked him, deadpan.

Adam shook his head. "If you come and give your boy a lap dance then maybe."

Oh. Kinky. I laughed. "You know I only take singles right?"

"Damn," he sighed, snapping his fingers with fake disappointment. "I only have big bills."

I held out my hand. "If I'm gonna be a ho I may as well be a top dolla ho!" I said in a badly, accented crunk girl voice.

He blinked at me. "You serious?"

I could see the clearly, pretend lust filled look he was giving me and I pushed him off the chair. He fell on the floor letting out a scream as if he just fell down Mount Everest.

"No, you clown!" I laughed, pouncing on his fallen body.

He pouted up at me. "So no champagne room reenactment?"

I slapped his head. "No, sir. Let's exchange gifts now."

I gave him a quick kiss on the nose and hopped up. I went to my bed where our gifts sat side by side. I presented him with mine and grabbed the one that was for me.

"You ready?" I asked, itching to tear into the present.

Adam stared at my twitching hands and raised an eyebrow. "Obviously you are."

"Bite me," I replied, tearing into the wrapper.

"Wherever you want me to, Love," he shot back, digging into the wrapping paper.

I practically clawed at the wrapping to get it all off. I tore of the last strip and gasped. Inside were a half dozen of my favorite graphic novels. I found a few Superman prints, Sandman, 300, A History of Violence, and Sin City. I caressed the pages reverently. I was touched. There wasn't a single issue I disliked. How did he know that I liked these title? He must have done some serious Scooby Doo-ing to figure this out. I was touched. Adam was holding his bundled gift. He was grinning and looking at me expectantly.

"I assume there is an explanation waiting?" he asked.

I nodded quickly. "Yep. You see that is a Chad Summers Starter Pack. Inside is everything you need if you're going to be with me. I have a couple of CD's: Cobra Starship and Boys like Girls. My favorite bands. There is my all time favorite Superman comic. Kill Bill Vol. One, which is my favorite action movie. The Prophecy which is my favorite wow movie. Then you have the t-shirt, too."

Adam unrolled it and held it out in front of him. It was a blue fitted tee. On front was the words "Cats are evil. My boyfriend told me so". He immediately shucked his shirt and I was glimpsed with the view of his chiseled upper body. I had an urge to lick those nipples but I resisted. I had some self control. Adam pulled the shirt over his body and held out his arms.

"How do I look, Love?" he asked, smiling.

I went to his side and wrapped my arms around him. "Perfect. I love your gifts. How did you know I like all those issues?"

Adam grinned down at me. "I bribed Kevin with a donut. He sung like one of Timberlake's backup singers." He dropped a small kiss on my nose. "I love your gift. It was sweet. You're giving me insight into you, so I can know you even better."

I let out a sigh. Thank you Seth Cohen. I was glad that I rewatched the Christmas episode of The OC recently. I absolutely sucked at giving gifts. If I hadn't got the idea from Seth I would have been giving him a keychain or something. I glanced out the window and frowned. Wow. It was starting to come down pretty bad.

"Holy Brittney's coveted hair!" I gasped, really looking out the window.

Adam followed my gaze and cursed as well. The snow was coming down seriously thick. This was freaking southern California. Why was there a dam blizzard outside? Where not even an hour ago it wasn't even shoe deep it now came up to the porch. It was so dense that I doubt I could even get my Blazer out of the driveway. This is the reason I didn't like winter! Crap like this.

"Come on, let's go downstairs," I said, frowning at the window.

We met Mom and Morgan in the kitchen. They were both watching the tiny TV that sat on the counter by the stove. Adam and I stood next to them as we watched a breaking news footage scroll across the bottom of the screen. The screen flickered replaced by a newsroom.

"This is Jamie Moore with breaking news. Reports all over world of strange disturbances in usual weather patterns have streamed into the newsroom. Freak winter storms seem to have suddenly started all across the globe." Here the screen changed to show the pyramids covered in snow, Hawaii covered in a blanket of white, Buckingham Palace deep in snow, and the White House caught in the middle of snowstorm from the North Pole. More images replaced these, changing rapidly so we could get a feel of the wide scope of the storm. "There are even reports of a strange group of costumed attackers appearing in some areas. Please be advised to stay clear as they seem to be extremely dangerous. Here is a shot that we have so far of one of the assailants."

On the screen appeared a picture of a humanoid creature, body completely white. It had no gender. Or clothes. But no er...parts. Its face was handsome in a way that wasn't natural. I stared at its blank, gray eyes, and I knew that this was no costumed person. This was a creature from the Ever After. They say eyes are the windows into a person's soul. I looked into the creatures eyes and I saw nothing. Just an endless gaze that reflected a deep pool of nothingness. It had no soul. I swallowed and looked up at Adam. He stared at me grimly and nodded. He could see it too.

"Please stay indoors as temperatures are expected to drop well into the negatives and it's looking like we can't tell when this global event will end," Jamie Moore continued. "Police are advising all people-"

I tuned out and grabbed Adam's hand. "Hey, Mom. Me and Adam are going up to my room for a bit. All this crazy weather is just too weird for me." I finished with a nervous laugh. I was such a bad liar.

"Okay, honey," she said absently, gaze focused solely on the tube. She was totally getting into her Lois Lane, reporter mode.

Morgan gave me a condescending glare. "Mom, tell him to keep the door cracked."

I shot her the finger and Adam and I jogged back up the stairs to my room. I slammed the door and leaned heavily against it. Adam was already pulling out his phone and flipping open the screen. He pressed a button and suddenly Killian and Ryan both appeared split screen, each wearing serious expressions. Oh that was kind of nifty. I looked around the room trying to remember where I even put my phone. I hope I didn't lose that thing. That would be embarrassing.

"You guys catch the news?" asked Adam.

They both nodded. I squeezed in next to Adam and waved. "Hey guys. This is really cool. I can like see you and talk to you!"

"We already know what the phones can do, Chad," said Ryan, slowly.

Killian shook his head. "He would know if he hadn't been playing solitaire on it instead of paying attention."

I couldn't even come up with an adequate defense. It was true after all. I had totally been attention boy and then my focus had started to wonder and boom, next thing I know I was involved in a hardcore game of solitaire with myself.

"I recognize the picture on the news," said Ryan. "It looked like an Ice Wraith. They can freeze anything in solid ice. So don't let them catch you in one of their ice blasts that they can emit by mouth or hand."

Killian frowned. "How many do you think there are?"

"I've done some scanning using the phone to access the Command Center's mainframe," replied Ryan. "There are thousands of them and they all originate from Centennial, since the barrier is weakest here. Using our city as a foothold I've calculated that at the rate their going the entire planet will be frozen in ice in two days."

I swallowed and said the first thing that came to mind. "Nathaniel's going to be pissed."

Adam shook his head. "Not if we clean this mess up."

I nodded, my face turning sour. "I can't believe this. A freaking invasion during Christmas. Santa Clause would be rolling in his grave." I looked at the screen. "We'll meet you guys on top of the Global Com building downtown."

Adam closed the screen and sighed. "This is turning into just the best Christmas ever!"

I gave him a tiny smile. "Sarcasm will get you far with me, Mr. Caine."

We transformed into our Chosen forms. I slid off my cloak's hood and ran a hand through my hair. Adam looked dashing in his black body suit and long dark cape. I stepped up to him and rejoiced in the tender smile aimed at me. I ran a hand through his hair and he leaned his head down touching his forehead against mine.

"You be careful today," I said, softly.

Adam cupped my cheek. "Same to you, Love. I'll kick your ass if you die."

"Gee thanks, bright eyes," I smiled, accepting a quick kiss.

We opened my window and I was immediately thankful that our suits offered us a degree of protection against the wind chill. I could hardly feel the sting of the cold if I concentrated really hard and thought about math. Adam pulled me into his arms and jumped from the window ledge. We hung in the air and then we shot off into the clouded, snowing sky. I squinted my eyes and wished that I could see better. The snow storm blocked sight so we could only see to a limited degree. This was insane. I closed my eyes and prayed that a sudden draft didn't knock us from the sky. I was just saying my last Hail Mary when we touched down on top of a building. Adam released me and I stepped to his side.

I looked over downtown and just gawked. The buildings were covered in a sheet of ice and everywhere you looked dense, white snow clung to all surfaces. I looked closer toward the sidewalk and gasped. There were people there but they were frozen in solid blocks of ice. Most looked to be in mid run, frozen looks of horror and panic etched on their faces. I grabbed Adam's hand.

"This is bad. Really bad," I muttered, worriedly.

He nodded, biting his lower lip. It was a habit I had seen him do once before. I'm guessing that he only did it when he was nervous or worried. If this was another situation I would find that totally cute but hello Earth was about to go through another ice age. This so wasn't the time. I spotted an orange ball descend rapidly from the sky. It neared us and then burst into sparkling orbs that formed into the shape of the Executioner and Solaris.

"You guys got here fast," stated Solaris.

I smirked at him. "What can I say, my man has skills."

Omega looked at me and winked. "So where do we start searching for these Ice Wraiths. I figured they would be everywhere."

"They are," said the Executioner, pointing.

Covering the ground appearing from the snowfall was a horde of ice wraiths. I shuddered as they slid across the icy streets as if they were at a skating rink. The odds were not in our favor today. Then again. Are they ever? I was suddenly blown away with a feeling of déjà vu. This all felt familiar. I snapped my back straight and I felt determination and confidence sing through my veins.

"Executioner, scan for possible alternative threats. Omega and Solaris, on me," I rattled off orders faster than I could think of why this felt natural. "Omega, use mind bolts to shatter through their bodies. Solaris, keep your beams wide and erratic. Executioner join us when the scan is complete. If anything gets in your way, drop them."

They all nodded sharply and I was relieved that they didn't question, although there was a shared look of surprise. We jumped over the roof and fell through the air in a flash of black. We hit ground and immediately sought cover from the roving creatures. I rolled behind a car and gave a shout of warning when a company of ice wraiths glided near Solaris and Omega's spots. They converged on them and suddenly were shattered by an invisible blast. Their bodies crumbled and sprayed in all directions. I looked and saw Omega's arm go down and I shot him a relieved smile.

"Duck!" Solaris yelled and I hit the ground.

"Spectral Cannon!"

His yellow beam flew high and sliced into a trio of ice wraiths that barreled down behind me from an alley. I jumped to my feet and swore. We were busted. Our cover was completely blown. I dodged a blast of icy wind that looked like a tornado on its side. It struck a car behind me and the car was left incased in a block of ice.

I whispered under my breath, gathering power in my palm, and then bounced forward, "Soul Reaper Reprise!"

The garnet ball of light slammed into the snow and tore up a line of ice and concrete on the way to the ice wraiths. They exploded leaving not a trace of matter behind. I quickly levitated backward as a quartet of ice wraiths descended on my position.

"Angels above me, Clouds circling thee. Lend me your wings So I can jump higher Than the tallest tree."

I clapped my hands and willed the power to take form, "Leap of faith!"

Little wings appeared on feet and I jumped right over the trio. A glow flared from Omega and his sword was out, cutting into their numbers with ease. I jumped over a car and launched a fireball at a number of ice wraiths that were on route to our position. The sky grew bright and dozens upon dozens of beams of light rained from the sky. Solaris' Dawn Bringer wiped the streets clean, completely shredding through their bodies with laser like beams. I cried out as I was suddenly tackled mid jump. Son of a bitch. I fell through the air and landed hard on the frozen street. The ice wraith punched me in the stomach and then launched a strong hook to my face. My power lashed out in a blinding, white cord of light. The ice wraith and a few near me didn't see their deaths coming. I stood to my feet and looked around quickly. More and more ice wraiths swarmed around the corners.

I watched as an ice blast hit a building and ice slowly crawled along its surface. Faster, faster, and faster the ice traveled till the entire building was covered with seven centimeters of thick ice. I swallowed and bounced quickly through the air to a safer distance. I landed over 100 meters back near Solaris and Omega.

"Chosen regroup on me!" I ordered. They appeared at my sides and I glanced at them.

"I have a feeling these bastards are replicating themselves from the snowfall," speculated Omega.

Solaris nodded. "I think you're right. These numbers are just impossible."

I gauged their assessments and nodded too. They were right. It was just too many of these things for them not to be replicating more. We destroyed so many and as far as I can tell a dent hadn't even been formed in the ice army. We could take them out, but to do that we would have to resort to overkill tactics, and we would inadvertently take out the city. And the frozen people trapped in ice. I cringed. That wasn't an option.

"Omega, mind bolt, front line," I ordered, looking at their swelling numbers.

The more I fought the more I felt I needed to be the one issuing orders. This was my duty. I was chosen for this. We needed a leader to win and that was me. It also felt natural. I didn't know whether to be scared or relieved that I was finally doing well.

Omega rushed forward. He took a position in front and we braced ourselves as the front lines of the nearing ice army simultaneously launched their ice blasts. Rays of swirling white beams raced forward. Omega held his hands out before him and the air ahead shimmered. He used his telekinesis to form a defensive shield that stopped the beams head on.

He dropped to a knee and grunted as the impacts pounded along the invisible wall. My heart raced in my chest but Omega held out like I knew he would. The shield fell and without missing a beat he swiped his arm through the air, and a concussive wave of pure, telekinetic force swept forward. Where the wave touched, objects were blown apart or thrown backward with enough force to shatter concrete walls.

"Omega, fall back," I said, and he ran to our position. "Solaris, clear the street."

Solaris took Omega's place and delivered a Dawn Bringer into the approaching formation. The beams split the air, multiplying, and searing through the ice wraiths with ease. The raining light took out the approaching masses. It wasn't over. In the distance I could see more ice wraiths stream from the alleys, appear from buildings snow covered corners, reforming into a rapidly swelling host. I swallowed. We couldn't keep this up all day.

We could only hold this ground for so long till they overran us, and then there would be no way we could stop the swell of their number, and their advance past the city. Abruptly the Executioner dropped from the sky. He landed in front of us with barely a noise.

"Did you find anything?" Omega asked.

The Executioner nodded, looking intently at the phone in his hand. "I did some readings and while the ice wraiths are responsible for freezing the city they aren't the cause of the weather. I detected massive readings of energy from a single source originating at the city's border."

"That's where we need to go," I decided. "We need to take out whatever is emitting the high readings. It's probably a demon. Once we kill it we can return the weather to normal."

"I agree," smiled Omega, proudly nodding his head.

I looked at the Executioner and Solaris and they both were giving me appraising looks. I just smiled. Finally this reincarnation thing was hitting home. It was about time I was getting some kind of skills that the others already practically exuded.

Solaris raised his arms. "Sun Rise!"

A glowing sphere enveloped us and we shot into the sky and rocketed through air faster than an eye blink. The bubble had some type of built in inertia dampeners since I'm sure the g force of going so fast should have surely liquefied us. Centennial blurred below us in a streaming vision of rolling white and icy landscape. I prayed that we could stop this from spreading. Now most of the planet had to certainly be covered in snow and ice, but this, this frozen, silent city wasn't even a shadow of its former self. The ice wraiths had made short work of encasing everything they came across in ice. Ice that seemed to be spreading as I watched. I grimaced. It crawled along unfrozen surfaces leaving solid ice in its wake, no matter if wasn't living or not. Everything succumbed to the spreading ice. Faster. We had to go faster.

"There!" I said, looking ahead.

Ahead of us was an unexpected sight. The ground that was normally rolling fields of green was encased in snow and thick ice. Jagged ice chunks split the earth and covered the land making it resemble an area of Antarctica not southern California. But what was truly unexpected wasn't this. Rising out of the ground taller than the ice chunks was a giant, ice crystal that towered into the air. On its flattened top stood a person.

"That's the source of the high power emissions," declared the Executioner punching the buttons on his phone, and confirming his readings.

Solaris set us down and it had to be obvious it saw us. A glowing ball that flies around. Yeah. Not too stealthy. It approached the crystal tower's edge and gazed down at us stoically. He resembled the ice wraiths in skin tone but he wore a flowing white robe that matched the pure, white hair that streamed down his back. His blank stare was enough to confirm that he was just as soulless as the ice wraiths.

"So the primitives who now inhabit our planet have come to witness their kind's downfall?" he asked, voice hard and unemotional.

His tone was bland. He talked down to us as if we were the bugs at his feet. I wanted to roll my eyes. They all thought the same till they got their asses whooped.

I crossed my arms and just shrugged. "Actually we've come to kick your ass right out of this dimension."

He cocked his head and stared at us. "You hope to stand against me?"

"We're Chosen," I said in answer, squaring my shoulders and widening my leg stance. If this fucker wanted a fight, then we would give him one.

He waved his hand at us. "You robbed us of our world by chance. That chance will not occur again. I will break you in half and paint the ground with your blood. You will plead and scream and it will be sweet sound to my ears."

Solaris rolled his eyes. "Oh, we got ourselves a talker this time, boys. So what do we call you so we can know whose ass we're kicking?"

The creature raised an eyebrow. "Jakphrust."

I blinked. "No way. Did he just say his name was Jack Frost?"

Omega shook his head. "Love, I think he pronounced it a little different then that," he said, chuckling.

"Humans have grown bold in our absence," remarked Jakphrust. "I shall enjoy beating your kind up again. You broke so easily." He turned away from us and raised his arms skyward. "I contain no additional interest in you. Watch as I coat this world in a grip of cold death that shall wipe you primitives from your stolen place in the food chain."

Jakphrust raised his arms and glowing orbs of energy gathered in his palms. With little effort the energy launched from hands, shooting into the sky. The twin beams hit the clouds and the sky darkened and if possible the snow started to come down harder as the arctic storm gained more power to feed off. I stumbled as the wind howled and a strong gust knocked into me. Omega steadied me and I shot him a thankful look.

"Listen up, Jackoff!" I yelled at him, and he ignored me. "Kiss your ass goodbye. FIREBALL!"

I conjured the biggest fireball I had ever created. It was massive. The elemental fire hovered above my hands bigger than any beach ball. I let it fly with a loud grunt of effort. The ball soared and hit its mark only to collide against a gigantic block of ice that sprung up before Jakphrust. The fireball collided and the rock vaporized in a cloud of steam, leaving Jakphrust unharmed.

He peered down at us, all the wall continuing to feed the storm. "Fire against ice. An intelligent move for a primitive. I am above the laws that constrict nature."

"I have a bad feeling about this," whispered the Executioner.

Jakphrust lowered his arms toward us and let loose those twin broad beams of swirling light. Omega protectively pushed me behind him. He raised his arms and above him the air shimmered as he put up a telekinetic shield. The beams hit the shield and Omega cried out. The beam splashed across his shield and continued pounding into it. Oh God. He couldn't hold out like this for long. I snatched Omega back and we all jumped back quickly clearing distance. The shield collapsed and the beams struck the spot we stood in. All I heard was a loud explosion and the ground shook hard flinging is all backward off our feet. I landed on my back completely winded. Fuck me.

I muttered under my breath, whispering the incantation for the black spell I had only used once before. Omega and Solaris caught on and quickly began to pool their power for their own attacks. I fought off the hollow feeling that clawed at my soul that I opened to for the dark spell. I cupped my palms and between them a globe of red, pulsing, hot energy gathered. The power solidified and I raised my arms.

"Chosen, fire at will on this bastard!" I called out over the howling wind. "Revenge of Lucifer!" A red ray raced forward, splitting in mid air, becoming numerous beams of ruby light.

Omega's sword appeared and the glowing blade flared to life. "Starlight Lance!" The blade of his sword that was composed of light exploded in length, expanding, and splitting the air at blinding speed.

"Spectral Cannon!" shouted Solaris, adding his yellow beam to join our attacks.

The beams all hit true. A multicolored went off and the shockwave threw us back. I groaned as I stood to my feet. I held my head and looked through the snow. The crystal tower still stood and so did Jakphrust.

"This is bad," I whispered, feeling a sinking ache in my stomach.

Solaris nodded, jerkily. "No kidding."

I shook my head. "We can do this. I know we can. We did it before the last time they did this."

The Executioner frowned, perplexed. "Warlock, what do you mean? Last time as in millions of years ago?"

I opened my mouth to answer and I stopped short. What the hell did I mean? I don't even know. It just came out. Like my sudden leadership qualities I embodied earlier. I closed my eyes trying to ignore the wind- chill and the rapidly dropping temperature. This all seemed familiar for a reason and I gasped as a memory played out before my minds eyes. This had happened before. The first ice age. They were responsible for it. We ended it once and we could do it again. I opened my eyes. I knew what to do.

"I know how to stop him," I whispered, looking into their faces. "I don't have time to explain. Just gather around me facing away from me. Close your eyes and call on your power. Open yourselves up. I'll do the rest."

Omega grabbed my hand. "Love, are you sure?"

I nodded, showing him the seriousness in my gaze. "Definitely."

That was all the confirmation he nodded. He got into position and the others followed his lead. I think they all knew inside that this was the way it had to be. Something had to be telling them that this was going to work. After all I had that same something whispering to me now. I stood in the middle and closed my eyes.

I touched that glowing center of power that hovered behind my minds eye. Light exploded around me as the power of magic filled me to the brim and bathed me in its nourishing currents. All this raw power. All of it was mine. I was awed for a second lost in the currents that slid against my skin. I focused and remembered the memory. I had a job to do. I reached outward with my senses and could feel my teammates opening up to their power. I touched each one of them and one by one, they all dropped their barriers and we touched minds. We became one.

I opened my eyes and I was floating above my comrades. We were all glowing a beautiful gold that was glorious to behold. Solid rays of light, no power, connected each person to the other. I could see Jakphrust stop in his task and focus his attention on us. He was finally truly taking notice of the "bugs". Too late.

He launched the biggest beam of light at us, larger than anything he had thrown at us earlier. I took the power I was now channeling from my comrades and focused it through my body. There was so much of it. So much. I was becoming lost in its waves. My friends were connected to me just as I was connected to them and they anchored me to this plane, keeping me grounded to my duty. I pushed aside that seductive melody of power and redoubled my efforts. I narrowed my eyes at the approaching beam. Shining gold light erupted forth from my hands. It met the beam mid air and there was a deafening explosion of sound. The beam of gold that streamed from my hands pushed at the white beam of destruction.

They weren't even.

Slowly my beam was being pushed back. I winced at the strain. I couldn't let him win. If we failed here and now then this was the end. The world would be ice and humanity would become a blink in this planets history. I swallowed. I couldn't let that happen. We wouldn't let that happen. There was so much worth saving. I thought of Morgan and Mom at home and Nathaniel thousands of miles away. I thought of my friends from school. I thought of my friends below me. I thought of Adam. I glared at Jakphrust.

Determination filled me. This ends now.

"Spirit of the body. Miracle of the mind. Light of life. Magic of the universe. Powers of Infinity unite!" I said. Countless, sharp slivers of light appeared from everywhere around us, all rushing into the palm of my hand. I gasped as the scope of the power registered in my mind. I hope I didn't mess this up. "JUSTICE APOCOLYSPE!"

My beam doubled and refocused and completely swallowed up Jakphrust's beam. Instead of evening out, the light strengthened. I focused everything I had into this outpour of power. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Jakphrust didn't stand a chance. The light enveloped him and his scream was brief as his body was incinerated. The light grew and grew. I kept up the power and the world went gold. I closed my eyes and felt the light expand outward, it continued on traveling the globe, touching even the farthest corners of the world.

It was like a flood and I'm sure if people were in orbit at this time they would have seen a white flash from Centennial, and then continue along the entire globe. The gold light reversed the extreme weather and the ice wraiths were destroyed by the purifying radiance. As it hit the ice wraiths ice, the light shattered through it, melting it into nothingness. Buildings were now ice free and people found themselves looking around in confusion wondering if they imagined their frozen slumber.

The power spluttered and I could feel that I didn't have anything left. Our bodies stopped glowing and I fell down to the ground, collapsing to my knees. My breath came in large pants as I struggled to breathe. Now that was a rush. I felt a hand on my shoulder and smiled at blurry form of Omega. I was exhausted. I could barely think.

"You did it," he said, awed.

I looked at all of them and smiled tiredly. "No, we did it."

And then I blacked out.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • And I think this was probably the fastest chapter I've ever typed up. I'm not used to having another update so quick. I hoped you all liked it. :) NEXT CHAPTER: Chad gets sick and gets a bit delusional. No need to fear since Doctor Kevin is here!

I have created a message board in light of missing emails. My laptop and yahoo are now mortal enemies. If you want to post a comment or drop a line you can copy and paste this link into your browser. http://www.quicktopic.com/39/H/fXmyJ3NcYt7Z or if you want to email me you can do so at Batmanhater@aol.com