trans_9 | I can feel the madness slowly creeping in...

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I can feel the madness slowly creeping in...

It is that time again, meatship.

Once again, the King of Nightmares has deigned to spread his touch to all of your dreams.

This time, however, he has decided to give them a much more personal touch, sending his very own children to visit each and every one of you, slowly sowing the seeds of madness within all of you.

Such a kind and loving king he is, isn't he?

[ooc: Alright folks, Nightmare King is ramping things up a bit. These nightmares are a good bit more dangerous now, and he's sending in his minions to make things a little more real. The nightmares will be of a much more serious nature this time, designed to start driving the crew slowly insane. Characters are more likely to run into nightmare minions in the guise of someone or something that will tug at the edges of their sanity. Also, this time, the characters can have joint dreams, as these nightmares are of a more mystical nature this time. Once again, tagging in isn't mandatory, but if you want to, go crazy (literally)!]

[Additional Note: Any injuries won't be carrying over to real life at this point in the plot but don't worry, we'll get there eventually!]

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The laboratory was dark, what little light there is in the room coming from the flickering holographic displays that cast huge, distorted shadows that flickered out of the corner of her eyes. Ahava didn't jump at the movement, though it did make her more wary and she could feel her pulse picking up as adrenaline spiked through her system.

But despite the dancing shadows, the greenish light of the displays on her skin, and the hints of something that may or may not be movement, her eyes never wavered from the door to the room.

Because there was something on the other side, pounding against the door over.

And over.

And over.

Trying to get in. And while Ahava couldn't have said what was on the other side of the door, she did know with a cold, calculating certainty, that sooner or later the door would give way and then...

Well. She'd have to see what happened after that.

The hinges break, but only because he found something to pry the door open with, and it took all his strength to do it.

Because he was still seven. Still so small. Compared to her. In his mind, he's always so small compared to her, always that infant held in her arms the first day he was born. He's faced down Darkseid and not felt as small and vulnerable.

After he'd separated from Motoko, she'd started chasing him and he'd had to hide. There's nowhere to go back to that won't get him caught. This had been a dead end.

He stumbles into the room, knuckles bloody from pounding on the door, this small child, of seven or so, and looks at her. For a moment, his eyes widen in fear, at the light on her skin making it look green, but then he relaxes.

"You have to run," he informs her with far too much solemnity than a child's voice should have. "She's coming."

Ahava shifted back, her hand reaching back for the only thing resembling a weapon she'd been able to find: a small laser cutter. She was ready to fight whatever came through that door if need be, but stopped when she saw the child.

Even with the green skin, it took her a few seconds to realise who it was. She hadn't thought to imagine what Brainiac 5 - Querl - would look like as a child, but this was clearly him.

And for a moment, he was afraid of her.

He spoke before she had the chance to react, and she frowned, glancing suspiciously at the doorway. "She who?"

She's in the doorway before he gets the chance to answer, towering over them both and blocking off their only exit. Her hands are like clutching claws that reach for Brainy, their slightest touch capable of inflicting pain, of ripping him apart slowly.

With her it's always slowly.

But the worst part is her smile, all twisted happiness as she reaches for him. Like his fear and pain are the only things she could ever want. The only things she needs.

"Don't run, Querl," she calls, a mother chiding an errant child. "Isn't this what you always wanted? Your mother here to care for you?" Her fingers brush the edge of his clothing, snagging the fabric. "Now hold still and let me show you how much I care."

Rather than running or fighting, Querl freezes in place, trembling uncontrollably, staring up at the green-skinned woman in mortal terror. He know he has to run, that he needs to fight and get free, but he can't get his legs to move.

Ahava's eyes widened at the figure in the doorway, and for a moment she wasn't sure exactly what she was seeing. But then the moment was over and she automatically lunged forward, seizing a hold of Querl's clothing and dragging him away from the reaching hands and behind her.

That left her facing the green-skinned woman alone, with only a laser cutter to work with. Not good odds at all, especially since the doorway was the only way out, but there was a chance...

Not taking her eyes away from the figure in the doorway, she addressed Querl quietly. "Do you trust me?"

"I suppose I haven't any choice, do I."

That was good enough for now, she decided.

Making sure he was close enough for her to grab a hold of him as necessary, Ahava tensed in readiness. Her eyes flicked from the green-skinned woman in the doorway, to the laser cutter sitting in a tray of tools close at hand. She'd only have a few scant second to work with, so she'd have to make the most of it.

Her intended target disappears behind Ahava's back, and the woman's face changes from that twisted expression of pure delight to a blank, emotionless mask that is somehow more chilling than any sign of rage would have been.

"Give him back, he's mine to do with what I wish," she says, flat, cold, and lifeless. "I brought him into this world, and I can take him away from it."

"Well he's not yours any more," Ahava answered, calm and in control before she suddenly swept up the entire tool kit and flung it at the woman - if that was even what she was - as hard as she could. Hard enough to make her flinch back. But by then Ahava was already moving, sweeping Querl up protectively in her arms and diving past the woman while she was distracted.

Even then, she almost wasn't fast enough as the green-skinned woman lashed out and Ahava felt long nails scratch across her back. But she didn't even think about slowing down. Querl was safe (though she was willing to bet not that happy about being carried), and that was the important thing right now.

Actually, he can't run fast enough with his legs this short. It's uncomfortable to be carried by this stranger, but it makes the most sense. And in another way, it--

It's somewhat comforting.

He feels like a child, especially in the presence of his mother. He feels vulnerable. To have someone protecting him as his real mother should... Querl can't help but shake a bit in her arms as she carries him. Small green hands curl into the stiff cloth of her her lab coat and his arms tighten their grip where they're wrapped around her neck. To avoid looking at the woman chasing them, his face is buried in Ahava's neck.

As Ava runs, the scenery changes. They're outside, on a planet. The sky is dim and somewhat gray--tall, ornate buildings reach up to the sky. In their presence, however, security panels drop down over all major windows and doors--standard anti-Brainiac security. Never know what might explode in the presence of one, after all. And with Brainiac 4 in the picture, too, it's even more of a threat.

The footsteps are close behind them.

It was hard to tell if Ahava noticed how Querl clung to her, or if she thought it was anything other than him holding on for dear life while she ran down the neat, ordered streets with their blocked off windows and doors. But all the same, her arms tightened around him possessively. One thing was abundantly clear in her mind, and that was that under no circumstances would she allow the nightmare of his mother take him.

She hadn't been keeping track of where she was running, but now there was a door in front of her, the access panel flickering invitingly. The footsteps were still gaining, relentlessly following them, so Ahava didn't waste a moment more, simply pressed her hand to the panel and slipped through the door once it opened.

Inside was a laboratory, that much was clear. But at least it wasn't as small and dark as the one they'd just fled. She set Querl down and knelt in front of him. "We don't have a lot of time to work with," she explained quickly. "Will you help me?"

He's already pulling the sheets off the lab tables and equipment there. The place had been exactly as it had been when he left it.

"No, I intend to go and take a pleasant nap--of course I'll help."

Ahava smiled and shook her head slightly. With how he'd been acting when the green-skinned nightmare woman - his mother - had appeared, she'd wondered if he'd need some reassurance somehow. But she should have realised that even as a child he was still obviously a Brainiac.

She rose and joined him at the lab tables. "Did you have anything in mind?" She could think of something herself if need be, but it was equally likely that he already had a plan.

"...No. I--"

There's a banging at the door and he flinches.

"I--"

He's completely terrified. He has no idea what to do. For all his mind is brilliant, at the moment, it's flooded with fear because of one of the only things he's truly afraid of and that quaking terror is blocking every other thought.

"I don't know what to do--I don't--"

He's starting to panic, to hyperventilate, and tears are in his eyes. Even as he stands before her, he seems to be getting younger and younger, as if to reflect his helplessness. This is what the thought of her reduces him to.

Ahava's eyes narrowed at the sudden banging at the door and the effect it had on Querl. While she might have wondered about it initially, it was obvious that he was growing younger by the moment; another part of the nightmare no doubt. It was up to her then.

Quickly she knelt down in front of him again, resting both hands on his shoulders. "I promise that you're going to be alright, Querl," Ahava said, sincerity ringing in her voice. "I won't let anyone else hurt you."

There was another ringing blow to the door, and Ava tugged Querl into a quick hug before standing up again.

There was a device on the table, the design suggesting 'gun' though she instinctively knew it wasn't exactly that. Ava wasn't sure if it had been there a moment ago or not, but either way it was there now, and that was all that mattered. She hefted it awkwardly and turned to face the door just as another blow caused it to fly open.

The green-skinned woman seemed larger than before, the door much closer, and the lab itself somehow smaller; Querl's nightmare taking a hold of him even more, she realised distantly. But that was all secondary to the figure of his mother as she lunged towards them...

And Ava squeezed the trigger.

There wasn't a retort from this weapon, though a bright pulse of light shot out and struck the nightmare woman full in the chest. It was bright enough to leave Ahava blinking for a moment or two afterwards, and then she could see what exactly had happened. Querl's mother was still there, still alive and whole, but smaller. More vulnerable and looking oddly afraid now, as if she'd realised that the dream was no longer fully in her control.

Ava felt a smile twist the corners of her mouth as she stepped forward, hefted the weapon again, and swung it in a vicious arc that connected with a satisfying crack against the nightmare's form.

"Get out," she said, voice low and dangerous. "And don't come back."

In the meantime, Brainy's been working on unsealing the vents.

With a laser cutter.

And setting up certain specific security measures.

"Ahava! Blast her back and then come here. I have an idea!"

Ahava glanced back at him, and for a moment she seemed almost annoyed by the distraction. Whatever the nightmare creature was, she felt she had it under her control, and a part of her just wanted to hit it and keep hitting it until there was nothing left to hit.

But she had to remember there were more important things than her own emotional indulgences.

Nonetheless, she got in one last swing with the weapon before blasting the thing again and falling back to Querl's side. "What's your idea?"

"Into the ventilation system. We can use it to reach the transport hangar."

The vents were small, but even she would fit.

"I've reconfigured the security parameters, in case she tries to follow."

"She'd better not," Ahava answered darkly, "otherwise you won't need the security parameters to stop her."

She shot a look back at the green-skinned figure, just to keep an eye on where she was. "You go first. I'll protect you."

"But--"

He's the Legionnaire here.

He's also currently a child, a fact with Ahava tries to convey with a quick look. "Just go, I'll be right behind you, I promise."

There is a sigh, as he climbs in. Arguing is fruitless and will waste time, and he knows what she meant by that look. He's practically defenseless at the moment, without even adult size to his advantage.

Ahava shoots a quick look back at the green-skinned woman, then scrambles into the vent behind Querl. "Hurry, and don't look back," she advises.

He doesn't look back. He thumps through the vents as fast as he can, following the layout he memorized.

But memory is memory and logic is logic and dreams are not logical.

"No. No! It's a dead end! It wasn't a dead end on the map!"

I can feel the madness slowly creeping in...

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