Powerless

54. Calming Psychotics (Dark)

"JOHNNY!" Ghost stood there staring at his hurt friend and I could see the visible change in the others. I took that time to change back into Damien. They all already knew anyway not that I hated being Celine. It's just... Jimmy new Damien more. I was less likely to get killed. Of course, the chances would diminish completely if I could be Dark but then that would blow my cover. "J-John..." I saw him twitch and his eyes flashed red. I couldn't help but smile. The others, however... They were on guard. Even William... surprisingly enough.

"Do hurry up please." Ghost turned to look at me and his face fell. I just sighed fixing my cuffs as everyone glanced at me in horror. "I have places to be... a snake to assist."

"D-Damien? What..." He twitched again as the red came back stronger. I just watched. The red didn't disappear this time and I frowned hearing the psychotic laugh emanating from his lips. "Do you... realize... what you just did?"

"Of course." I said stately. I glanced around at everyone before running a hand through my hair bored out of my mind. "This was the plan." He shot me this bloodcurdling stare fully expecting me to break. I didn't. I wasn't afraid in the slightest. I knew my chances of survival were slim at best but... I wasn't afraid. After all, compared to me Jimmy's nothing. "He isn't dead, Jimmy. Just... hurt and out cold." His eyes narrowed as he pulled a knife out of his bag and pointed it at me. "Jimmy, calm..." He lashed out at me with inhuman speed and I stumbled back falling on to my ass just to keep out of the way of his knife. Now normally I would have stopped him dead with my aura but if I let Dark show then I'll have a problem. I can't blow my cover until Cassidy has paid for what he did to Anti. "Jimmy Casket snap out of it!"

"Snap?" He twitched again as I ran behind him. He laughed psychotically as he bent back to stare at me with the most creepiest smile ever. Next, I knew his knife was frozen right in front of my chest as my walking stick was position above his. "You mean like bones?" He giggled as I sighed. "I prefer to see blood."

"I am more than aware of that fact Jimmy. You and your 'Knifey' make quite the mess." His eyes flashed at the mention of his weapons name. He pulled back if only slightly before forcing his fist into my chest sending me flying back. I manipulated the air around me to slow me down but I still ended up in a wall. I had to jump out of the way before Jimmy could impale me. Cassidy wasn't kidding. I've never had Jimmy focused on me before... not when I couldn't be Dark anyway. I spun around just in time to catch his knife with my walking stick causing him to stumble a bit as I kicked his foot out from under him. 

That was when I noticed Logan and Roman. I narrowed my eyes seeing the two slowly and carefully pulling the others away as I kept Jimmy focused on me. There job was to lead and protect the other team. 

"DAMIEN!" I frowned hearing Jimmy's voice erupt with raspy high pitched voice breaks. Insanity coated his being so much there was no denying his mental strain. I was already tense from my plan going to shit. People don't get it. I HAVE TO HAVE THINGS MY WAY! If my pans don't work, I tend to go ape shit. So excuse me Jimmy but you're GOING TO STOP! 

"Jimmy Casket, I've had about enough out of you." My voice was dark and dripping with rage. Once everyone was gone, I was able to do what I couldn't before. I narrowed my eyes and straightened myself out. I don't have to be in dark's form for me to act like him. Maybe that would get him to see reason. I can't blow my cover... and I don't really want to rely on the snake. But I will do what I must, if I have to. A good politician... a good villain... a good anyone, to be honest, can make a plan, adapt, and improvise with any given situation. "You're testing my patience."

"Oh, don't you worry about that..." Jimmy was just standing there limply smiling away with a fire in his eyes that could burn even the devil. "...you won't live long enough for it to matter." He lashed out at me again and I narrowed my eyes watching his knife move with manipulated time. You see the way my manipulation works is quite simple. I can affect anything really. But it's within reason. I can't 'control' anything. So I can't control your mind. But I can put thoughts into your head. Manipulate your inhibitions to make it more likely that you'll listen or just simply... manipulate your consciousness to not be aware of the thoughts while you act on them. It all about subtlety. Like manipulating the distance between that pebble and Jimmy shoe, so that it was placed just right for him to trip as I stepped out of the way. 

"Calm yourself. Honestly, why must you be so tiring?" I spun the walking stick in my hands letting it rest on my shoulder as I frowned down at the man in front of me. He made no effort to get up. I was starting to worry. Jimmy had 4 powers and unlike me, he was able to use Ghosts freely even if it was usually just for him. What are Jimmy's powers? Well, Secret whispers, physical augmentation, and inhuman healing. What was Ghost power... Ghost physiology. "Jimm..." His body shimmered slightly before disappearing and I tensed up. Shit.  It's fine. It's fine. I just have too...

"Damien!" I froze the moment his voice reached my ears. I looked up to fine Cassidy standing in front of me and I narrowed my eyes. Jimmy was standing there arm extended in a failed attempt to stab me as Cassidy held the blade tightly between two fingers. What surprised me, however, was Jimmy was back in human form and he couldn't seem to free his knife from Cassidy's grip. And considering Jimmy's unnatural strength and speed this made no sense. What the hell were Cassidy's powers? "You really don't need to pay attention. Didn't I tell you Jimmy was dangerous?"

"I can handle Jimmy." Cassidy looked back at me as the insane one frowned. I couldn't help but see the concern in the snake's eyes and I frowned. "However I am not blind. I was aware of my predicament and I am... not... opposed to thanking you for your assistance." My aura fluctuated around me slightly in response to my nerves. I couldn't even get the words out without letting Dark seep through. This was proving to be more difficult than I originally thought. Cassidy smiled slightly before turning back to Jimmy who absolutely refused to let go of his 'Knifey'. If you think his reaction to Toast getting hurt was bad... imagine what it would be like if Jimmy were to lose his most prized possession... his best friend... his literal comfort item. So there he remained clinging desperately to the hilt of his knife as Cassidy held the blade securely with his fingers. 

"Hey... Jimmy?" Cassidy's voice was soft and sweet as if talking to a young child. I could see the confusion building as the insane man stared the snake down. 

"You're too quiet." Cassidy carefully let the knife go as he held his necklace tightly. Jimmy just stood there clearly irritated. "I can't hear anything from you. I don't like it."

"I won't let you in on a secret then." My eyes went wide as Jimmy frowned, crossing his arms in an almost subtle defiance. The snake smiled as he gripped his necklace tightly. Jimmy's eyes slowly started to widen before his arms fell in stunned shock. His knife hit the dirt as he just stared at the man in front of him. Whatever Jimmy heard must have been something considering 'Knifey' is on the ground and he still isn't going to pick it up. Cassidy laughed at the shocked expression our teammate had as he bent over to grab the knife, carefully wiping the dirt off before handing it back over. "I take it you aren't surprised."

"I am... Jesus." Jimmy's voice was quiet and shakey as he stood there frozen. He took the knife back carefully stuffing it into his bag before narrowing his eyes. "Five... You have five? And you..." His eyes darkened as he laughed a bit. "Dark would love you."

"Wait, What now?"