đ¨đ¨đ¨Read my new story Peter Parker: To Think is To Choose.â â â
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"Power makes light of distance but not of consequence."
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The air inside the volcano shimmered as King's voice broke the silence.
"The Eye of the Sleeper?" He said mildly, glancing at the trembling relic. "Pretty but useless. The Heart can't pump without blood. I burned the last Lazarus pits a while ago."
Damian blinked, sweat and ash streaking his face. "You're telling me⌠all thisâ" He gestured at the molten carnage, the cracked Helm, the bruises "âwas for nothing?"
King nodded once. "Pretty much."
For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Then, as if choreographed, all three attacked.
Maya launched first, her sonic gauntlets blazing. Nika followed with a flurry of blades and Damian's sword carved a silver arc through the heat. Their strikes hit home and did absolutely nothing.
King didn't even flinch. Sparks fizzled harmlessly against his shirt. He looked vaguely bored, like a teacher indulging his students' tantrum.
"Feel better?" He asked after a minute.
Maya panted, glaring. "You're impossible."
"I've been called worse."
Damian lowered his sword. "You could have told us before we nearly died."
"I could have." King said. "But then you wouldn't have learned why you fought."
Nika crossed her arms. "Philosophy lesson's over, space-wizard. What now?"
King smiled faintly. "Apology, perhaps. How about a ride anywhere you want?"
Maya scoffed. "Anywhere?"
"Anywhere." King confirmed.
Damian sighed. "Fine. Gotham. Dairy Queen. I'm starving."
"Make that four sundaes." Nika added. "Butterscotch."
King's grin widened which was frightening. "Excellent choice."
Before any of them could protest, King grabbed the three of them and Soren, still dazed under his arms like wayward toddlers.
"WaitâKingâwhat are youâ" Damian started but the world blurred.
One jump. The volcano vanished.
Second jump. The clouds screamed past.
Third jump. Concrete. Neon. The smell of fried oil and city rain.
They landed in front of a Dairy Queen on Gotham's east side, the sign flickering like it hadn't survived the landing.
The four kids staggered free, pale and swaying.
"I think my soul's still in the stratosphere." Maya groaned, clutching her stomach.
"Mine's arguing with gravity." Nika wheezed.
Damian tried to stand straight, failed, and muttered, "Next time⌠we take the jet."
Then all four of them bolted for the nearest trash can and threw up in synchronized misery.
King watched, amused. "Adorable."
"Never," Damian gasped between heaves, "do that again."
"No promises," King said with a smile that managed to be both divine and exasperating. "Enjoy your ice cream."
He turned, disappearing into a burst of displaced dust.
Nika looked up from the trash can, wiping her mouth. "I hate how cool he makes that look."
Maya groaned. "I hate that he's right."
Damian finally stood upright, dignity half-intact. "Let's just eat before he decides to take us to Mars next time."
The four of them stumbled toward the Dairy Queen door, battered, exhausted and laughingâheroes of fire and guilt who, for one evening at least, only wanted ice cream.
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Danzoslayer517
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