July 18th
2006 EST

All CJ saw when he stepped out of the portal was immediate and eternal darkness. He and Bristol were enveloped instantly by the shadows of the forest. Immediately, CJ felt off. He didn't know what it was, but he took Bristol's hand for reassurance.

The Elemental Empress, now donning her supersuit in stealth mode, didn't seem fazed by the action. If anything, she was just as nervous as he was. Together, they stared up at the building in the clearing before them.

It wasn't much of a hideout; a decrepit castle with ruins scattering the dying foliage surrounding it. A full moon hung in the sky above and eerie gusts of wind rattled the leaves on the trees.

"So this is it, huh?" Bristol asked. She gazed up at the building from where the two were standing, her dark irises suddenly matching the pitch black of the night.

The speedster took a deep breath. "Rune sure did go for the stereotypical villain look for his humble abode." He wisecracked with a laughing tone, but he figured there wasn't much he could do to make light of the situation.

"Okay, Speedy, what's the plan?" Bristol whispered.

CJ got to work by analyzing every inch of their surroundings. One of the abilities the speedster had discovered of himself was the fact that he could easily and instantly scan any setting for things discernible by his eyes within a second. CJ knelt down and began to sketch in the dirt with his index finger.

"It appears that we're in the back of the castle," CJ said, pointing to the back of the square and little stick figures he drew for themselves. "We can't simply knock on the front door, and say 'Housekeeping'. I recommend going through the tunnels underground that lead into the castle."

"How do you know there're tunnels?" Bristol asked, trying not to laugh.

CJ nodded towards the forest behind them, where a rundown cobblestone path led through the trees. "We follow that path for a while, we'll reach a hole in the ground. I'm no expert on the area, but from my knowledge, I'm pretty sure there's an old fashioned version of a catacomb at the end of the path. It'll lead us into the castle."

What catacombs and castles were doing in New England, CJ didn't know but it was their best bet in order to clarify the Contingency's suspicions and obtain another teleportation amulet.

Bristol cast a nervous glance down the path and nodded, taking a deep breath. "It's as good a plan as any," she said. "Let's go."

The duo, hand in hand, started down the path. All the while, noises from the forest would echo through the air, causing the heroes to either jump or move closer together. Here they were, having risked their lives and simple things like owls and foxes would scare the living daylights out of them.

"If I get abducted by Bigfoot or the Blair Witch, I swear I will kill you, Stone," Bristol managed, squeezing his hand tighter as something rustled in the distance.

"Don't say things like that, okay?" CJ said with a serious tone. Something was
definitely wrong and he hated not knowing what it was.

He felt the hairs on the back his neck stand on end. It felt as if they were being watched. He turned to look behind them, but there was nothing.

Bristol glanced over her shoulder, noticing CJ did the same. He knew the girl well enough to decipher that she was expecting to see some figure out of a horror movie at the end of the path. They glanced at one another, sharing the same uneasiness and kept along the trail.

The feeling only strengthened when they reached a cemetery. Old stone graves stood before them, some etched with names of the dead from eras long before. As they made their way farther down the road, CJ noticed something to the far left of the small clearing of the graveyard.

It was a cabin.

"You got to be kidding me." CJ sighed.

"W-what?" Bristol grip on CJ's hand was almost a little too tight.

"It's a freaking cabin in the woods," CJ motioned to the log cabin with his free hand. "Might as well have a huge spooky sign out front that reads: 'Scariest Place On Earth. Hope You Have A Terrifying Time!'"

Bristol bit her lip. "Oh, how wonderful," she grumbled. "Next we'll see pages on trees saying 'Don't look back' on them."

Before CJ and Bristol could become the victims of a mysterious Halloween myth, they found the entrance to the catacombs. Almost instantly, Bristol hopped down through it with CJ right behind her. The duo were swarmed in shadows and couldn't see a thing besides each other's silhouettes.

"I don't know about you," Bristol mused, her voice a bit more brighter than how it had been moments earlier, "But I would like to see anything that would try to kill us."

She put her hand out--or CJ assumed she did because he couldn't see anything-- and fire crackled to life on her palm, causing shadows to dance across the hallowed walls. The dirt road stretched into the distance, and CJ didn't understand how Bristol could have been afraid of a forest and not a literal catacomb. Bones jutted out from the dirt at random places along the walls, making morbid markers on their journey

"Whoa, Avatar, when did you become a fire bender?" CJ noticed even in the dim light of her flame that she was blushing. He didn't know what it meant, but he shrugged it off.

"Never mind that," Bristol took a deep breath. "Let's go."

Her free hand was still locked in his and CJ was grateful for her company. Their situation was indeed petrifying, but somehow, he wasn't as afraid with Bristol beside him.

Eventually, they reached a staircase leading up. CJ didn't know any better, but he assumed that this was the entrance into the castle.

"Well, ladies first," CJ cracked a grin and hoped that in the dim light, it didn't look ghoulish.

Bristol opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of impact in the distance behind them instantly made her jump. CJ whipped around in second and scanned the hallway from where they came. Nothing but darkness.

Then came another bang, this one louder and closer. CJ locked eyes with Bristol and a mutual understanding passed between them.

"Well, chivalry is dead anyway," CJ said. "Let's go." He lifted Bristol into his arms and bolted up the steps, leaving whatever menace in the darkness behind them.

~~~

It all happened so fast. As soon as CJ and Bristol sped up the stairs and into the rundown castle, a volley of flames came upon them. CJ parried the attack, but lost his footing in the process. He and Bristol stumbled to the ground as another burst of fire flew over their heads.

"Not her again," Bristol groaned. She took a knee and prepared for battle.

"Hey," CJ placed his hand on her cheek and looked into her eyes. "This time it's going to be different." His lips curled into a smirk and he winked.

Despite the wannabe Girl on Fire stalking after them, Bristol's lips turned up into a small smile. Her cheeks turned pink and CJ's smile grew at the sight.

"Don't make me blush now, Stone, we've got business to handle." She mumbled, trying to fight her smile. She stood up and threw her hands forward, a flare of fire rushing from her palms.

From behind the distant corner, Aetna stepped out. She was in the same jumpsuit they had last seen her in, the soft glows emanating from it like embers in a fire pit.

CJ gave Bristol the "I have a plan" look and they raced into action.

Right as CJ dashed into Aetna's view she screamed and through molten rock at his head.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" CJ said, grinning. "Take it easy Lavagirl, wouldn't want Sharkboy to find out about this, would you?"

Aetna's smoldering eyes seemed to take on a confused haze. However, she shook it off, her hands igniting once more and sending twin fireballs in CJ's direction.

The speedster darted out of the way, reclining against the stone wall as if he had all day. "Thats the best you can do?" He rolled his eyes.

It appeared as if flames were literally coming out of her eye sockets. She thrusted her palms in a dance like motion and a fire storm rained down upon him. CJ zipped in and out of harm's way and yawned.

"Aetna's dumb and she smells like farts. Got poopoo in her pants and poopoo in her heart!" CJ sang while running from side to side.

The villainess stopped completely. She gave the speedster such a confused look that CJ almost burst into laughter.

"What? Too stunned by the truth?" CJ grinned impishly.

"You insolent child!" Aetna wailed. "How dare you, take about...poopoo... in my presence!"

"My dear, Aetna, I didn't realize you were this inept at battle strategy." CJ said in mock disapproval with a roll of his eyes.

"What do you mean 'battle strategy'?" She asked with a puzzled tone.

CJ's tone changed instantly. He felt a surge of power within him, and his face became stern.

"It's called a distraction, sweetheart."

At that moment, Bristol soared into view atop a tidal wave. As she raced closer to CJ and Aetna, she yelled defiantly and swiped a hand outwards. The wave continued on, rushing into Aetna, as Bristol leapt off and landed in a crouch on the ground.

CJ bolted forward and was in front of their enemy instantly. Before Aetna had time to react, CJ had picked her up by the throat, squeezing intensely.

"CJ!" Bristol called instantly.

However, the speedster didn't listen. Something took over him, something akin to the monstrosity he felt when he laid eyes on Calum.

You're becoming a monster. Stop, CJ, Stop!

But CJ didn't stop. Aetna let out another breath, looking down at CJ with fear in her flaming eyes.

"Don't--follow--us--again!" CJ said in a gravely serious tone. "Or else."

Then CJ felt a familiar hand grip his own.

"CJ, this isn't you, I know it isn't. Find your anchor, hold onto something," Bristol pleaded and squeezed his hand tighter. "Hold onto me."

CJ shook his head in confusion. His grip turned slack as the villainess turned into flame and disappeared into thin air. However, he looked beside him at Bristol, whose dark eyes were tinged with something he couldn't place.

"I...I don't know what took over me." He said, looking down at his other hand as if the motive behind his action was scrawled across it.

Bristol pressed her lips into a thin line and pulled CJ into a hug. "Just please be more careful," she muttered. "Promise me."

CJ was somewhat stunned but he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He shut his eyes, holding onto this moment like nothing else mattered.

"I promise," he whispered.

After a moment, Bristol pulled away. She took a shaky breath and fiddled with the ends of her sleeves. In the stealth version of her super-suit, she nearly camouflaged with the distant shadows, the previously golden emblem on her top a deep violet in this form. Everything seemed darker, from their mission, to their uniforms, to the feeling in the air. It didn't sit right with CJ.

"Come on," Bristol said softly. "We've gotta find Rune."

~~~

Together, CJ and Bristol continued on. They crept along walls, blending in with the shadows surrounding them. There was an uncomfortable silence surrounding the castle like a curtain, and CJ almost wished he were back in the forest with all the spooky noises.

"Who else do you think is here?" Bristol asked, peeking down a hallway.

CJ shrugged. "If Aetna's here, it's hard to tell. Maybe everyone, maybe no one. If I see Psyche again though, I will probably scream."

Bristol smiled weakly. CJ could still detect some sort of uneasiness coming from her, but didn't poke her about it. He had tried finding out what that dream she had a while ago was about but she wouldn't tell him. Instead, she would just give him a sad look like she knew some part of his future and it wasn't pretty.

Calum also seemed to come to mind with the mention of his father. At the thought of the young telepath, CJ grit his teeth, instantly shutting the memory away. He didn't want to think of the kid, as if the slightest thought would summon him.

The duo continued on in silence until they reached what terrified CJ most. There was a fork in the road.

"No, No way in hell." CJ shook his head, gripping Bristol's hand as if to keep the girl from venturing on.

Bristol sighed, trying to extricate her hand from his grip. "CJ, we need to go on. We aren't going to find Rune and accomplish Specter's mission if we don't go forward."

"I'm fine with going forward," CJ retorted. "But we aren't making this a Scooby Doo episode."

Bristol gave him a weak smile. "They always find each other in the end, don't they?"

CJ shut his eyes, shaking his head softly. "Not after getting themselves into mortal peril first." His eyes fluttered open and he looked at Bristol in concern.

The dark haired girl looked up at him with sympathetic chocolate eyes. "CJ, we've gotta split up. I promise you that I'll be fine." She looked down the dichotomous paths before them and bit her lip, as if she wasn't too keen on leaving CJ either.

She looked back up at him and searched his eyes. CJ's heart hammered in his chest and he was silently chanting to himself 'don't leave don't leave don't leave.' But he knew she would. That's what made her a hero, her boldness and sense of adventure.

Before CJ could protest, Bristol had a grip on his collar and brought his face to hers with a quick kiss. As soon as it happened, it was over, and Bristol smiled softly, taking a step back.

"I'll be okay." She promised, reaching up to touch the golden lightning bolt charm that hung around her neck.

And with CJ in a stupor, Bristol turned on her heel and headed off down one of the paths. Her footsteps echoed and disappeared as the shadows swallowed her.

CJ stood alone, in the dark hallway. His mind was racing faster than he could think, but it didn't matter. He stared down the corridor where the girl he loved vanished and sighed aloud.

"Please come back to me." He whispered, his voice catching in his throat.

CJ blinked away tears and taking a ragged breath, he emerged down his own unknown hallway.

~~~

CJ hated being alone. Of course, as far back as his memory stretched, he had been with the Union, but after spending so much time with Bristol and the others lately, he had grown to despise the feeling.

As the speedster continued down the corridor, he found himself deep in thought. What would happen if Bristol was in trouble? Would he be fast enough to reach her? What would happen if he had to fight someone else? The fear of turning into that...that monster again chilled him to the bone.

He wasn't a monster. He was a hero. So why was he acting all vicious lately?

Naturally, it traced back to Calum. Not only was the telepath a complete and utter jerk, he had shown CJ what seemed to be the only memory he had of his past. They knew each other, but beyond that, CJ didn't know where it stretched.

The more CJ thought about the void that was his past, the more he felt afraid. He shoved the memories away and focused on the darkness before him, as if that would shed some light on the shrouds within him.

CJ didn't expect the darkness to thin out anytime soon but he stopped in his track. The walls were lined with empty torch holders--really making CJ question how old this castle was or if it was just something Rune created--that somehow sparked to life. Green flames flickered within the holders, shedding a sickly glow around the hallway. Maybe it was his imagination, but CJ swore he could hear whispers from further down the hallwa.

CJ proceeded down what seemed to be a never ending all way, then he stopped dead in his tracks. He stood absolutely still making no noise as a distant rumble echoed around him.

Before he could reach, lightning flashed across a crack in the ceiling and CJ's eyes widened. Something flared within him and his head began to hurt, and suddenly he was lost in a memory.

Deep in his mind, he saw himself a little younger, laughing along to something an older man had said. Rain fell against a window until suddenly something blinding raced through CJ's vision. He felt the sensation of spinning and when he came to stop an arc of pain shooting up his body. He smelled smoke and ozone and before the memory got too much for him, a scream shook him out of his reverie.

"Bristol?" CJ asked under his breath, his heart stopping. "BRISTOL!"

Before CJ could take off, a piercing pain exploded within his head. He gripped the wall for support, wincing. He needed to get to Bristol. He needed to--His vision become blurry, the pain was almost unbearable. He inched his way along the wall trying to go back to where he came from, but he fell to the ground.

Looks like you aren't as fast as you thought, Rapid, a taunting voice reverberated within his skull.

"Bris...tol.." He let out, groaning.

"She's gone, Rapid," A silhouette hovered above him. "And you're never going to get her back."

CJ stretched his hand out before him, as if trying to grasp the distance. However, the pain shot through him once more and all the speedster saw was black.

~~~

Sunlight woke him up. Slowly, CJ's hazel eyes fluttered open and he winced at the harsh sunlight pouring through the gap in the ceiling of the room he was in.

He pushed himself up, looking around. He no longer was in the hallway with the flaming green torches and the single crack on the ceiling. Now he was in what seemed to be the remains a of a foyer, with next to no walls and absolutely no ceiling. Moss and grass grew at his feet and ruins of rubble dotted the courtyard.

Memories flooded back to him and CJ felt the same sharp pang through his heart as he remembered what had happened that night. Bristol was in trouble. But what if it was too late?

He forced the thought from his head. He would find her, of course he would.

"Bristol?" CJ called out. He took a step forward, looking around. The forest stretched out about fifty yards away in either direction and a hallway continued on behind him.

CJ reached the center of the grassy courtyard, his heart pounding with each step. This wasn't happening. No. Bristol was safe somewhere else in the castle, having defeated anyone who dared lay a finger on her. She was okay.

The speedster kept repeating that in his head until the sight of something glittering in the sunlight a few feet away from him stopped his heart. CJ walked slowly toward the object, hoping it was Phobos messing with his mind.
However, it wasn't. The sight turned CJ's blood to ice and froze his heart, causing each hopeful idea he had to shatter.

A golden necklace was strewn across the moss, and it's single charm in the shape of a lightning bolt glittered in the sunlight.

The first thing CJ felt was the disbelief. His eyes widened in horror and every thought that came to mind was that of denial. This wasn't happening. It wasn't. No.

His heartbeat instantly quickened, and due to that, CJ's breathing turned labored. It felt like he was drowning, like no amount of air could keep him from calming down and breathing. He was drowning in a sea of terror and he couldn't tread the water.

His knees buckled and he found himself crouching next to the necklace, reaching for it with a shaky hand. He blinked away tears, his chest heaving with each ragged breath. The smooth metal wasn't enough to calm him down, only send him into a greater state of distress.

She was gone. The girl he was in love with was gone. He wasn't fast enough to reach her, he had let her disappear.

This is my fault. It's all my fault. CJ thought to himself.

CJ began to shake so quickly he became a blur, tears in his eyes causing his vision to become spotty. The lack of oxygen to his head made dots dance before his eyes and the only way to keep them away was by shutting his eyes, but that just made horrible thoughts of what could have happened to Bristol appear.

CJ grabbed the back of his head and huddled in a fetal-like position. He let out a strangled scream. His mind was racing to fast for him to comprehend, sparks began to fly. In the moment CJ noticed the ground shaking. He was emitting too much power. Power he didn't know he had nor did he know how to control.

"Calm down, CJ!" He yelled to himself, although with his hyperventilation it sounded more like a labored whisper. "You need to calm down!"

Find your anchor, CJ.

A ghostly feeling crept over his hand, and he turned around so eagerly in hopes that Bristol was beside him in order to have those hopes shattered. No one. His anchor was gone, Bristol was gone.

The memory of her smile before she disappeared felt like a taunt in his mind, the feeling of her lips on his, everything felt like torture. He shouldn't have let her go. She was gone.

And it was all his fault.