JustIce League: The Malignant Uprising

Disgrace

Walk. Go. Breathe. Ignore all the stares. 

I picked up my pace as I made my way back from the raid site. The voice in my head was trying to take over my thoughts and I hated it. 

Leave them in torment, it said. Leave them in what they deserve.

But I only ignored it. I had to. 

For a moment there was silence.

I know you can hear me little girl. It mocked me, and even though its words were just thoughts, I could tell that the delusional character in my mind was smiling in amusement. 

I can't wait to see what your father will say, crooned the voice.

The last sentence it said got to me. I know that the Commander's patience for me has shrunk. I don't know if he had any more left. That stupid outburst wouldn't help my image at all. 

And that's exactly what made me hate the voice even more. It was right. There's probably nothing I can do for myself this time.

*******

The Commander's Ship

Tempest entered the main ship hidden behind all of the chaos. It was the Commander's and after the first raid was over, she had to deliver the news of the battle to him. 

Tempest brought her shoulders back to make her look tall as her pace quickened. She had to look like a warrior for him. After climbing up the ramp to the ship, she entered the control room that overlooked the courtyard. The Commander had his legs crossed as he sat on his throne. She kneeled before him. 

"The deed has been done," she said as she bowed her head.

The Commander smirked at her. She was like his little lap dog and he knew that too well. 

"How so?" 

"The first team that had been deployed has been taken down by the first raid just as predicted. It has signaled the rest of the League to start arriving at any moment. I will sense it when they do." 

The conversation stalled for a moment and Tempest kept her gaze to the floor. She could feel the beady eyes of the Commander peering at her. It was like he could smell her hesitation. Tempest heard the Commander's fingers roll on the edges of his chair as the silence drew on.

"Who was it that you punished?" The Commander finally said with a playful tone. He had seen her loyalties weaken and now was the test.

Tempest lifted her head as she tried to hide the puzzled look in her eyes. "The ones who punished were Bl-" 

The Commander interrupted her as his eyes changed into his entrancing gaze of wanting war. 

"Child," he studied her confusion, playing with it like a toy, "I did not ask for who you brutally slaughtered," the word was sharp and sent more guilt through Tempest, "I asked who did you punish?"

"I-I," Tempest stood up in order to assert to him that she knew the answer.

His head cocked to the side as he said, "I suppose a better question would be, who will you punish?" The Commander stood up, his shadow covering Tempest's thin frame. His stance made her feel weak as his stature he grew taller and taller. 

"You know the answer to that Commander," Tempest croaked as her eyes squinted.

"Yes, I know. At least, I think I know, but the question is, do you know?" She felt disappointed as he stared at her and her demeanor shifted back into the cold, hard warrior she was supposed to be. 

That should please him. She looked to the ground as she closed her eyes and clenched her fists. No emotion.

I told you... The conniving voice came back. It seemed like it was analyzing her choices too. 

Remember what he wants you to be. She thought about Macho and then Green lantern.

Don't forget me, Macho had said. Why? Why would he say that? He knew as well as any member of the Complex that silly phrases meant nothing when you die. Tempest could argue though, that the tears she wanted to cry for him, proved that silly phrases meant something when she knew that the power she had made her do things she could never forget.

The voice came back. You're weak. This is a test. Where do your loyalties lie?

Still insecure, Tempest replied to her father's comment with a venomous grin like the one that he had shown to her. She smiled with all of the hate she had come to possess for her confusion. It gave her the same twinkle in her eyes that made the Complex's followers feel afraid and inspired. 

"I will punish," the words came out slow and angry, "the ones who will need to be."

Her swords elongated from the shortened state that were in. They twinkled just like her eyes. She turned her back to the Commander and began the slow, confident, and angry walk toward the door. Sparks flew in random directions as she applied more pressure to the swords growing from her wrists.

I am strong. I will make them burn. 

As she exited the ship, she slowly began to levitate as she focused on Superman's flying abilities. She closed her eyes and focused. Scratches traveled up her spine and around her body as she changed her thoughts to Etrigan once more. She felt heat as she focused more and more on rage. She opened her eyes and they turned gold. They became engulfed in fire along with the rest of her body. Her head began to pound again.

They're coming, the voice murmured.

But so am I.