Lastland AU: Lost Memory, Lost Time, Lost in Space

Deeper, Darker... (Celestial)

"N-no, Iris, please don't go..." Storm whimpered, dragging herself towards the other woman, clenching her teeth in pain.

"Shh, it's all right, it's all right..." Iris whispered as soothingly as she could, but on the inside, the fury and helplessness she felt were unspeakable.

And even now, you worry about me before yourself... Storm wasn't asking Iris to stay with her, but to not go further into danger for her. If only you really understood... I'M not the one who's in danger...

She was thinking grimly both of her wife, and anyone who dared stand in her way trying to heal said wife. Their spaceship had the medical resources to fix her physical ailments, but the mental and emotional were much slower and harder. Deeper than space, darker than time, Iris searched the stars for solutions, for revenge and restoration. From mining planetary resources, to interacting with other sentient lifeforms, she neither stopped nor regretted her endless quest. Iris winced as Storm flinched and jolted beside her, still half asleep, now pleading with Iris to run.

"Shhh, I told you, it's over now, and nothing is going to harm either of us." Storm heard Iris whisper through the dream, but the comfort fell on deaf ears, Storm too persuaded by the nightmare. Rather than lift her up, Iris' words only took her deeper, darker... She thrashed against invisible binds, and the only thing that finally settled her was the dream Iris reminding her that too much noise put them both at risk.

Upon that reminder, Storm settled, and the Iris of the waking world exhaled slowly and quietly. It would still take a few minutes, but with her body settled, Storm's mind would hopefully soon follow after.

You may see yourself as the protector, but remember, this is what I was MADE to do! I'm bonded to you... A small smile twitched across Iris' lips as she felt Storm's fingers twitch in her hands, wrapping back around her own.

"Thank goodness you're all right," Storm sighed as she finally pried her eyes open.

Now I know she's REALLY out of it, Iris thought, concern, amusement, and love intertwining inside of her. She's usually NEVER this blatant!

"I worry for you because you don't worry for yourself," Iris replied with a teasing smile. "If you devoted more diligence to yourself, I would not feel so inclined to look after you in your stead, my love."

For a moment, Storm looked hurt, but just as concern began filling Iris' purple eyes, Storm chuckled and shook her head weakly. "I propose that we agree to disagree on the matter." I could never care about anyone—let alone myself—more than you.

Iris sighed and shook her head too, but couldn't stop a tiny smirk. Smart aleck. She rested a hand in Storm's hair. Storm met her gaze, surprised. Iris only smiled reassuringly back down at her. "I love you," she whispered, and Storm's surprise turned into a smile.

ooo

We really do have the most perfect love, don't we? Iris cast Storm a blissful smile. After everything we've endured? We more than deserve it!

Or so she and Storm convinced themselves. The far-flung planet of Assimilon lay silent and desolate, inhabitants eradicated, only two lifeforms left, both rulers and neither native. Deeper and darker the dynamic duo had fallen.

At the edge of the galaxy, far from the prying eyes of others, the purple-eyed hybrid curled herself protectively around her wife and reigning consort, Storm. Maybe every other species, human or Corruptor or otherwise, saw a horror story with a bad ending, Iris saw a romance with a happily-ever-after. She and Storm were safe from all harm forever, properly protected and fully avenged. What more could either of them want?

Well, an end to the constant stream of unwanted visitors would be nice! Iris thought with a grim smile. One of the only sensors she and Storm left up and running detected an inbound spacecraft, a tiny round pod. Riding inside were Tempest and Gale, Storm's two best friends, practically siblings. They'd known one another for about a decade by the time Iris came into their lives. Unfortunate that they are now enemies...

Despite claiming to be Storm's best friends, her family, they did not join Iris in her crusade against the Corruptors, even after what they did to Storm. On the contrary, after what Iris did to the Corruptors, Tempest and Gale spoke on their behalf. Iris' disgust was matched only by betrayal.

Beside her, Storm stirred, having sensed the change in Iris' mood. "Who is it?" she murmured. Iris flashed images of Gale and Tempest in her mind.

I'd hoped not... she thought with a disappointed but knowing sigh. At the same time, Iris gave her an equally regretful, apologetic smile.

I'd hoped Storm would get to sleep in today! Ah well, duty called! The queen and her consort had to defend the castle, after all.

Gale and Tempest met Iris and Storm on the other side of the battlefield, eights eyes pleading for peace, but no one standing down.

"Storm, my vessel, together, we are unstoppable!" Iris whispered in Storm's mind, and she felt that wonderful, sweet, familiar rush of power that made her dizzy with the high. Storm felt herself growing bigger and stronger, body morphing and mutating. That was how deep and dark her bond with Iris truly was. She was almost part-Corruptor too, now. They were not going to strike first, but their ability to be so synergetic that their minds fused was especially useful when Tempest and Gale finally attacked.

"Can't we work this out?" Iris asked, half sarcastic and half sad as she danced nimbly out of Tempest's reach.

"You destroyed an entire planet!" Tempest cried, striking at Iris with an electrified spear.

"They were Corruptors! Some of our worst enemies! You know what they did to Storm!" Iris cried. Tempest bit her lip, but pressed on.

In another hall of the base, Storm and Gale were brawling, punching, kicking, biting, and wrestling, far more feral than Tempest and Iris.

"Come on, Storm, see reason!" Gale almost sounded like he was whining as he tried to hold Storm down. She responded only by trying to kick him.

During their battle, a surge of dread shot through Storm's stomach, and she immediately retreated from Gale. "IRIS!"

Iris and Tempest were locked in a silent stare-down, each woman sweaty and panting, eyes sharp and weapons raised, but they lowered them slowly, neither wanting to see a fatal outcome to the fight. But Tempest was a little more willing than Iris to make the sacrifice. The moment Iris' back was turned, Tempest raised her spear again, but before she threw it, a sword shot through her back, out her chest.

Iris whipped around, she and Tempest gasping at the same time as Tempest collapsed slowly to the floor. Storm stood behind her, eyes wide and wild. They heard Gale thunder down the hall after Storm, and he skidded to a halt when he saw his wife's body lying in a bloody pool, sword impaling her, Storm's hand outstretched as if she'd thrown something...

"NOOOOO!" Gale shoved past Storm again, cradling his wife's dead body in arms and sobbing his grief. Storm felt a twinge of pain, but already, her mind sought to defend itself. Tempest was the one that tried to attack first! Tried to attack while Iris' back was turned!

Coward, Storm thought crossly, crossing her arms and turning away. She could not bear to watch Gale any longer, though she could of course still hear him... And beside her, Iris looked just as regretful as she raised a hand towards Gale.

Her purple eyes glowed, and his sobbing became choking. He had only the strength to look over his shoulder, eyes wide, his throat aging and decaying in his hand, which was also withering and growing bony. Inside, Gale's windpipe collapsed, and in minutes, he was dead. Iris lowered her hand, and purple met blue, both women shaking. Storm, though, was just a little more resolute.

No, Iris, I don't regret it. They threatened you, and that was that. Deeper than space and darker with time, they fell and fell in love. Deeper, darker...