(Disclaimer: A warning to those who continue.  This is a sequel to a previous story.  Both of these were written in the mid-1990’s.  While the first one was slightly edited and vanity press published, this one has not been touched in over 20 years.  I figure I should do something with it and people may get a laugh or fright from how I used to be.  Every author comes from somewhere, so this is part of my origin.  To that end, I am deeply sorry for whatever nightmares I will inflict on the literary world and the American English language.  Enjoy?)

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The three remaining guardians are currently orbiting Earth in an out-dated space skimmer.  Their little journey was going smoothly until Fate lost all control and attacked his two friends.  Luckily, he was taken down by Infinity before he could tear his girlfriend apart.  Since then, they have kept a cautious eye on both him and the several news reports about their other problems.

“This adventure might not be as hard as we thought it would be.  Of course, finding them has usually been the easiest part of these trips.  We know that Tegam and Adriana are healing some critical injuries in a morgue that’s by the Twin Towers.  They should be waking up in an hour at least.  That’s more than enough time for us to get there.  Two of us can go fight them while the other goes to Hydrana’s skimmer.  Are you sure all of those restraints on you are necessary, Eddie?” Miracle asks once they enter Earth’s atmosphere.  Fate is currently strapped down and heavily restrained in a nearby chair.

“I almost killed you.  These locks and chains are a lot more than necessary.  Any idea where Hydrana and the other two are?  Or is it an impossible hit and miss job?” he responds through a metal muzzle.

“The latest reports of Hydrana are centralized around the area that she left the space skimmer.  She appears to be healing from her encounter with Draveon, which got on the six o’ clock news.  Every recent report has some mention of her missing a few pieces and growing new parts as she causes minor trouble like traffic jams and terrifying little children.  As for Draveon, he’s either gone into hiding or he hasn’t caused any more problems.  He could be walking through the city like a normal person.  If you forget the fact that he has red eyes and is the size of a large war-horse.  And Cybro is in the Long Island Sound and won’t be showing up for a couple of hours.  As usual, his head fell off when he rammed a coast guard chopper,” explains Infinity with a smile.

“You and Miracle will take on Adriana and Tegam.  For now, the other two are our last priority.  Once they resurface, we hit them hard and fast.  I’ll take on Hydrana since she went to so much trouble driving me crazy.  If only one of us was some kind of telepath this would be a simple problem to fix,” Fate says.  He shakes off all of his restraints and walks over to a circular, blue disc.  Metal clamps attach to his feet once he stands on the platform.

“Telepathy?  Of course!  I am such an idiot for not noticing that one piece of information.  That’s why Delila took that specific space skimmer, even though there are a couple of faster ones in the dock!” exclaims Miracle.

“Yeah.  Sure.  I’m speaking for both of us, Kelly.  What the hell are you ranting and raving about?” whispers the Earth guardian while Fate gives her an evil, impatient look.  He growls a little and clenches his fists in order to stay in control.

“The telepathic scanner I was working on.  She took it because she feared we would try to use it to return her to normal.  I know it’s a stretch.  But there could be some truth to my idea.  If you destroy the scanner near her, the enhanced brain inside might release enough telepathic energy to heal both Hydrana and Fate.  Well, it works in the comic books all the time.  And it is much better than killing one of our own.”

Fate is silent for awhile before saying, “Are there any problems or side-effects?  Tell me now if you want me to try it.”

“I can answer that one.  If this crazy idea does work, numerous things can happen to the two of you.  At the very least, you’ll get the master of all headaches.  The worst thing that can happen is that both of your brains will be turned off for eternity.  You two could even switch minds for awhile or lose all of your memories.  Honestly, the effects are really impossible to predict,” Infinity reports.

“Thanks for nothing.  See you in New York.”  The space skimmer’s rear hatch bursts open and Fate’s platform flies into the thick clouds.  Long after the rear hatch closes, Miracle just stares at the distant ground below them.

“Don’t worry.  He’ll be fine and his powers will end up fixing everything.  Before you know it, Fate and Hydrana will be back to normal,” mentions Infinity while he playfully pats her on the top of her head.

“Do you truly believe that?  You know this can only end in one of two ways, Steve.  We either get them both back to normal or we lose both of them forever.  And right this minute, I’m betting on the second one.  My boyfriend and your girlfriend are as good as dead.  They’re even worse than dead.  Hydrana is already psychotic and Fate is moving there at a very fast pace.  It could easily come down to us killing whoever survives the fight.  And I don’t think I could go on being a guardian with that act on my conscience,” Miracle states as she tries to fight back a waterfall of tears.

“Aren’t you the cheerful optimist today.  Just land this ship, so we can get to that morgue as fast as possible.”