Tales of Time

A Reuinion

[Mathias T. Midnight & Audribelle Lightwing]

It was cold and dark. Nothing stirred, and nothing seemed to even want to stir in the first place. But he knew someone was there. He knew someone was watching. The feelings of faintly crackling electricity was more than enough to signal the presence of another. The presence of someone he never thought he’d ever actually search for himself. Unfortunately, these were dark times. Even darker than the time Darkness was in control—ironic, isn’t it? Which led the man in need of finding someone who could aid him in his new quest. Said quest was something he didn’t want to talk about until after he found the person he was looking for.
Continuing his quiet descent down the pitch black, cave-like corridor, the man let out a deep sigh. Ruffling his tan colored hair, tipped with blue and repositioned, the short cloak draped upon his lean body.
Cupping his mouth slightly with one of his hands, he began calling out to the depths.
“Hello. I know you’re there… Could you please come out?”
No answer.
He sighed once more.
“... I know we’ve had our differences…” The man wandered further in as he continued, “But… We need your help…”
Again. No answer.
“… I… Need your help…”
There was a small silence until…
As fast as lightning, a bright flash followed by a swift kick to the face sent the male tumbling deeper into the darkness.
Crashing into the side of another stone-y wall; for some reason, he was unfazed. Sort of. He quickly got up, rubbed the area where he got hit, which was probably going to form a nasty bruise, brushed some dust off, and scoured the new place that seemed to be a  large clearing inside of the cave. He instantly knew where he was. But before anything else could be said or done, another bright flash zipped towards him at unimaginable speeds. Dodging just in time, it missed him by a hair. And what was left behind was a small, thin figure. Feminine in shape, however, dangerous nonetheless.
At least he found who he was looking for.
“Audribelle—”
Unable to finish his sentence, he barely missed another kick before blocking it using his magically imbued arm as a shield. This felt exactly like when they were kids. Sparring each other to please their Master. Impaling, slicing, dicing, stabbing, butchering, blasting, charring, burning, hacking, shattering… Then being put back together again. Because in the past… Their job wasn’t over yet. All of that was just training. Their Master still had a use for them. But now. Death was more so an old friend. A friend they longed to be in the hands of, a friend they so desperately wanted to meet again, a friend they wished permanently stayed. That was impossible.
Immediately jumping away, the latter he seemed to call “Audribelle”, flipped upon the gravely ground and flew in for another blow before having her attack reciprocated with a small jab to the side. She grimaced but, in truth, felt nothing. He was holding back; not using his full power. Which made sense. He didn’t want a battle in the first place. He just wanted aid. But it was obvious she wasn’t going to give him any.
“Audribelle—Listen to me.”
She scoffed. Did it look like she was going to listen?
Using her plasmatic abilities, the younger boosted herself into the air as the sparks of electricity sputtered in her stead. The blazing bolts dove onto the ground, and instead of dissolving, it snaked upon the floor, charging towards its intended target. (Which is impossible, I know. But she wasn’t the Darkwielder of Plasma for nothing. Logic doesn’t logic in this supposed logical sense.)
Dashing and swerving away from it all, he tried his best to make his way to Audribelle. Holding out a hand like it was going to do anything, his sights were locked onto her and her alone. And with that, the man bounded himself off of the ground as the lightning snakes were still following him and shot up like a rocket. Hey, if she was going to fly, he could fly too. It was only fair.
Now, face to face, the two stared long and hard. The woman was still in battle form; plasma buzzing about her like a forcefield or swarm of bugs. Hands in fists and eyes able to pierce your soul with a single glare. The man, on the other hand, gave a soft expression. Neither happy nor sad… Just understanding. He wasn’t in battle mode. He was just floating there like a dismembered soul flowing in the intermittent winds of fate. Well, with how much the two of them had lost in their cursed lifetimes; they both understood what it was like to be loved, despised, hunted, and forgotten. But Audribelle didn’t break her stance, nor her glance.
He sucked in a deep breath.
“Audribelle Sirafina Lightwing…”
The other flinched at the mere sound of her family name being said. It had been years since she'd heard her full name. All the mortals ever called her was “Lightning Dragon”, “The Thunder”, but in most cases “The Terror”. True name thought to have been lost to time; no one ever wanted to understand her. Everyone was too afraid. Afraid that she'd hurt their families, afraid that she'd topple their towns or cities. Afraid that she’d kill every single living being on their planet. But she never did anything bad on her own accord. She was just listening to orders given by their Master. Because if she didn’t, it would kill every single living being she ever cared for. Overtime, that made her afraid as well. However, not of her Master, not of those who threatened to seek revenge upon her. No… Afraid of herself. What a monster she had grown to become. What if she hurt… Well, there was no use worrying about that now. It's already too late for that.
“LEAVE…”
Was all that came out of her mouth before diving in for another blow.
Swooping in like a dragon, Audribelle’s body pulsated with chaotic energy. The whole area rocked with her as everything quaked. This was only just the beginning.
Noticing the change in mood, the change in tone, and the change in the world’s natural sway, the older scowled. Not of anger or frustration, but of pity and unmistakable empathy. Spinning to one side, he coiled on himself like a snake waiting to strike. So when the little “Lightning Dragon” dove in, he whipped his hand out, grasped onto Audribelle’s arm, and threw her to the ground. Causing some of the floor below to crack as the terra shook in its wake. Small bits and bobs like pebbles, rocks, and stones of all manner of sizes subtly fell beside them. But at the time, no one noticed.
That was one of the strongest blasts she had ever seen the latter produce. After having not used any power on her in the duration of this battle, that caught her off guard as she quietly gasped for breath. Though… It was always like this. Everytime they fought, he always got the upper hand. He was the literal carnation of their Master. It's second half, if you will. And she hated him, she absolutely despised him. Why him? Why give it to him? She was good, she tried her best. What did he do to deserve that? What did she do to deserve this? No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t win.
“AUDRIBELLE LIGHTWING—LISTEN TO ME.”
She froze. As if being able to see their former Master in his vibrant blue eye. This was definitely a change of pace.
Turning away, Audribelle’s golden laced hair draped over her face. Shadow was all that could be seen.
Sighing, he weakened his grip upon her but still didn’t let go.
“I… Look, I… I’m sorry, alright?” Using his free hand to push his own hair from covering his view, he continued, “We got off on the wrong foot ever since we were kids… We despised each other for a true reason now lost to time. But if you think about it, we aren’t all that different from each other. I understand—”
Like a light switch flicking on, the pinned person’s fingers crackled with more of that electrical sensation while the faint lights of the sun that crept through the crevices flickered as if a dying candle. That’s when the bright rays slowly disappeared to be replaced with the loud rumbles of a looming thunder storm lingering just outside of the cave walls. The floor once again began to shake as if terrified of what was to happen next. He stared up at the ceiling, full well knowing that this ancient hole in the earth wouldn’t last if this continued at its peak. But when he looked back down to Audribelle. Well… She was already gone.
He muttered under his breath, “Oh, Audri…”
Truly, the older one felt sorry for her. Pitying was no longer in the picture.
Again, they’ve been through so much in such similar ways. It was hard not to understand how she felt.
Wind somehow swirled within the boundaries of this enclosed space.
More debris crumbled to the ground around them. Now more visible and noticeable than ever. This place wasn’t going to last for long if they kept this up. However, Audribelle didn’t seem to know that. With that being said, the electromagnetic pull of gravity began going haywire. Even while flying, he couldn’t get a good grip upon the air to which he tried stabilizing in. Now at least ten feet in the deviated space above, as if swimming in the sky, he knew there wasn’t much he could do to change her mind. So the only thing he could really do at the time… was say everything he needed to say.
“Orianna Johnson…” That was quite random. Well, he more so blurted it out, then exclaimed it on purpose. It was an instinct, “She lived an amazing life. A life like no other. There may have been some faults. There may have been some mishaps. But she persevered… She persevered for the betterment of everyone. All those who have perished perished with dignity. We all lost someone of great value to us… We… Both lost our romantic interests… And I…—However, without their valiant sacrifices, the multiverse wouldn’t be what it currently is at today. At peace. But, someone is coming; threatening that peace they lost their lives to protect. This is a lot to throw at you out of the blue… I need your help…”
The atmosphere around him seemed to die down a bit. But the tenseness personified in a horribly acrid smell still hadn’t left the air.
“… I understa— No… Allow me to understand you…”
Suddenly, everything fell silent.
No more blowing wind, no more rocks crashing into each other like asteroids, no more of that booming thunder rumbling outside. As if all sound had been vacuumed away, never to be heard again. But… It’s always the calm before the storm, is it not?
Appearing out of literal thin air, Audribelle slammed into him with the full force of a level five hurricane.
The two proceeded to ram into another wall of the crumbling cave.
Now, that was definitely a painful blow. But if it actually was, he did a very good job at hiding it.
Pinning him like he had previously done with her, Audribelle’s eyes also began glowing with a golden rage. She was angry, she was upset. But she was also confused. Why did he, out of everyone else, want to understand her? This was some kind of trick, wasn’t it? A guilt trip or a sly and cunning way of slipping her words up so that she would join regardless. No, she knew what he wanted. She knew why he was really here. And she was not going to let another person use her ever again. Especially not the reincarnated version of their former Master.
Now, she was using every single bit of her power, of which he could actually feel. But instead of cringing in pain, he just gave a sympathetic smile. What in the world was his problem?
Jet propulsions pressing upon him to keep the man stable for as long as possible. Just so that Audribelle could build up enough energy to blast him into oblivion.
The cave was now crumbling by the second. She still didn’t notice a thing. So a monologue ensued instead.
“Understand?” She let out an irritated scoff. As if speaking to herself, “Do you really think you can understand me? After all you’ve done to me, after everything that’s happened. You got the better end of the coin. The cleaner, shinier, newer end. Even though we both lost something, you were still… so much more happier… than me. So much more greater than me. How did you know everything was going to be okay? Why? What—How were you even able to…”
Her voice trailed off as some of the effects died down a bit.
The rocks didn’t stop.
“I am sorry…” The other began, “You felt that way. I… Yes, I didn’t understand. In truth, I thought you were the one who had everything you could ever want. I thought you were happy. You never lost your twin sister. You had parental figures who loved you… And you had someone else who did as well.”
Her gaze fell on him. Giving a sort of inquisitive look.
“Keeping a straight face, hiding my emotions… I did it to tell myself: everything was going to be okay. Blinding my mind from remembering that… We had no parents. We had no parental figure or anyone else to love. We had no house, no true home. We didn’t have a place where we could be accepted because we were… different… We only had each other. Me and my sister… My Nova…” He sighed, trying his best to keep a straight face, “It’s been 7 years since her passing. And it’s been 6 years since… her… departure from this world.”
He paused, and so did she. Releasing him and all of the supernatural stuff happening in the area. The two still hovered ten feet in the air, a foot away from each other, staring.
“Differences…
“Understanding…
“Deep down, everyone's the same. We just need to take the time to negotiate and talk things through. It isn’t just you, Audribelle… So don’t feel so alone. Don’t isolate yourself because of something that happened long ago. The past can not be altered or changed, but the future can. Take this gift we as sentient beings have, and use it for something you know is right, not something you think would feel right.”
With that, he smiled once more. It was gentle, soft, and sweet.
Audribelle stopped. Blinking a couple of times.
What was this weird feeling? It was cold but warm. Why was her face slowly beginning to release these weird droplets of water? What was this witchcraft, and why was this the first time she’s ever felt this way before? Quickly, the girl rubbed her face, trying to hide what messed up mystery emotions she was feeling. Trying to make sure not to look weak or “pathetic” as her Master always called her. But before she could, the older gingerly grabbed her wrists. Staring directly into her face, as did she.
“Don’t hide it… Embrace it…”
To which, she subtly nodded, followed with a small smile of her own.
A smile he hadn’t seen her produce since the first time she won a sparring match against him.
That was when they were 10 years old.
Unfortunately, the two seemed to forget about the current situation they were in because a mere minute later, a loud rumbling noise came from above, followed by Audribelle getting a hard shove from him. Pushing her away from the scene as a large boulder came crashing down. Literally ruining the moment.
Tumbling in the air, she managed to stop herself when landing against a wall on the other side of the room.  She shook her head to regain her surroundings.
But.
Wait, where was…
Immediately, she zipped to the lower levels of the area.
The only thing left standing was the semi-dematerialized version of that boulder. That cursed boulder.
However, that didn’t stop the great eternal forces of nature from continuing to pelt the two tainted beings with punishing blows of what MotherEarth could do. Maybe this was supposed to be karma for what they had done to the world in the past. For what the sentient beings blessed with the gifts of warping the universe had done to everything in the past.
Slamming into the rugged piece of terra, she instantaneously crumbled it to bits without a second thought. Unfortunately for her, there was one piece of information she still hadn't caught up on just yet. And when she finally did, she was more than pissed… As well as being very embarrassed.
“And just a few minutes ago, you wanted me dead where I stood…”
Without another word, Audribelle lashed out as a small lighting-bolt shaped pendant hanging upon a thin string swirled about her. As if it were a sentient being with a mind of its own. Said lightning-bolt began zapping sparks of electricity barely grazing the surface of the latter’s rough skin.
Unfortunately for him, he was unable to dodge the next bullet as it came whizzing towards him. Knocking towards the ground like a cannon ball crashing into a ship’s bow.
“You are so lucky death is too good for you…”
She exclaimed while strutting over to him.
The older man wobbled to a stand, leaning against the cave walls for balance.
“I will take that as a compliment.” Smiling gently once more, he continued, “Does that mean you will comply with my request—”
A boulder came hurling at his head.
Unable to physically move out of the way in time. He  smashed it into millions of tiny pieces, never to be put back together again. But before he could comprehend what happened, she was already gone.
“She… Will join at her own pace. I’ll give her some more time…”
And with that, he, too, left the vicinity as the cave continued to crash down.