Holograms and small lights filled the pitch-black room with the Ultratech logo. A table stood on a platform, projecting New York City in a three-dimensional view.  Overhead, lights flashed on a mainframe computer. Sitting in her metal throne-like seat, ARIA gazed at a screen.

In the monitor, Jago and Pemba set up objects for Carrie. She typed the command RECORD to the assigned drone in Tibet. Beethoven’s Für Elise played in her office, creating a peaceful environment.

While studying, she peeked at Cinder entering.

Her associate stretched his arms as he approached his boss. “Well, that was fun. What’s happening here?”

“Jago is assessing Carrie’s abilities. It would provide data for her capture,” ARIA said.

“So he’s training her?”

“Not yet. Jago has not displayed any interest in bringing her to Orchid.”

“For now.” Cinder narrowed his eyes, grunting. “Are you fine with this? Once she gains control of her powers, it will be impossible to capture her.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I’m just saying we should grab Jean Grey’s little sister ASAP.”

“Even in her untrained state, Carrietta is a force to tread cautiously.” ARIA brought forth another screen and tapped on a video clip. “A drone captured this on August 1, 2013.”

“August? Isn’t it July now?”

“Have you forgotten about time zones?”

After a while, Cinder facepalmed. “Oh, right. We’re in July, but they’re in August. Damn! I should’ve paid more attention to Geography in high school.”

“You were in the Army, according to your records. I thought you knew about timezones.”

“Hey, it’s been a long time since I remember that shit, okay? Don’t judge me. So, what’s with the recorded file?”

ARIA played the video. From an aerial view, Carrie and Jago hurried through a forest at night, riding on a white lion donning a greenish-blue mane. Behind them were hooded men on horseback. During the chase, Carrie lifted several riders off their horses. Without paying attention, the horses trampled on the fallen men.

“Ooh, they’re dead. Also, is that a lion?” Cinder said. “I’m no smartass with animals, but lions don’t live in Tibet.”

“This ‘lion’ is a shapeshifter. The creature’s role is unclear, but its ability is intriguing,” ARIA said. “I’m also studying the environment, developing ideas for capture.”

“Why?”

“The shapeshifter and Carrietta, for obvious reasons. For Jago, I have questions regarding his experiences. He was in contact with a dangerous creature… one I must learn about.”

“I suppose, but what if they refuse to comply?”

“The situation may require a few actions. Did you complete the task I gave you?”

“You gave me a task?” Cinder dug in his memories until one clicked. “Oh, that task! Yep! I gave Spider-Woman the pink slip. She wasn’t thrilled, so I had to make it clear.”

ARIA peered at her enforcer, who sighed and rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t kill her, although I left her with some… injuries. Still, she fought damn hard for a psycho.”

An alarm echoed through the room, stopping the classical music. ARIA uploaded a holographic world picture and searched for the source. A red arrow appeared on the screen, pointing at North America. As ARIA zoomed in, it revealed a building with smoky clouds at the doorway. “I am sending Fulgore combat units to Idaho in response to a security breach. You should head there as well.”

Cinder rubbed his hands. “Oh goodie, some action! I’m calling first dibs on whoever pulled this stunt.”

***

Near a dormant volcano, heat lingered in the research facility. On the left, capsules containing odd-looking creatures stood next to each other. Computers and research equipment remained further back. Streams of lava fell from above, pouring into its lake. In the lava pool, a tower-like device with rotating discs remained.

Cinder examined the area with several Fulgore Mark II units. He stared at his hands, now alien-like with claws. Memories played when he was still human. The Baron’s arrival, however, and a disastrous exchange led to a change in his life. The Baron then held him captive in his castle, turning him into the fiery effigy he is today.

He relished the Baron’s fall after the tournament. That damn mutt got what was coming to him.

He planned to stay hidden until ARIA found him. When the incoming CEO made a generous offer, Cinder accepted. He didn’t believe a cure was essential as he embraced his powers. “Well, whatever caused that break-in isn’t here. It must’ve been a false alarm.”

Caw! Caw!

A raspy noise entered the corridor, leading Cinder to another lava lake. He found a jet-black bird perched on a floating object, staring. What the hell….? What’s a crow doing here? He produced a plasma ball and tossed it. As it reached the crow, Cinder ignited it. Startled, it cawed and flew away.

After laughing, he continued his task when something landed near his foot. A pale stain with dark spots lingered as the heat melted the contents. The crow flew in circles, uttering harsh caws. “Classy.” He raised his middle finger at the bird.

Insulted, the crow let out an angry caw and fled.

“Yeah, that’s right. Take your feathered ass out of here!” Cinder shouted. “I ain’t scared of you! I’ll turn you and your community into Kentucky Fried Chicken. They’ll have a limited edition menu: Roasted Crows with Biscuits!”

Signaled by the crow’s departure, a thundering bang bombarded the entrance. Cinder and his Fulgore units gathered, preparing for battle. Dents molded from each hit until the door flew from its hinges. At first, silence lingered, apart from bubbling lava, until soft footsteps echoed.

A man stepped out of the shadows, covered in war paint. He wore a feathered war bonnet and a bear claw necklace. In addition, he donned desert-colored pants with shin guards and combat boots. He carried a tomahawk in each hand.

Cinder titled his head. “Who is this? Hey, buddy, Halloween’s not until three months!”

Fulgore scanned the intruder. It spoke in a monotone, robotic voice, “Target scanned: Thunder. Former Killer Instinct contestant. Fighting style: Grappler.”

“Wait, if he’s Thunder, where’s Lightning?” Cinder joked. “So, Sitting Bull, what do we owe this visit?”

Hinmatoom was silent until he spoke, “I’ve come for my brother, Eagle.”

“Wait, you came here for someone named after a bird? Do us a favor and fuck off, alright? You don’t want to miss your pow-wow session.”

“Look at you. From what I understand, you were a human. Now, you looked like you arose from the depths of Hell itself.”

“What are you, my therapist? Well, I won’t lie. When Fido turned me into this, I was livid. While in captivity, all I could think about was making him suffer. Then, ARIA came into the picture and fulfilled my wish on her terms. She helped me cope, and it’s time you do the same. Now, fuck off before things get heated.” Cinder produced flames from his palms.

Hinmatoom scoffed. “Do you think those threats will scare me? I will never rest until I find my brother.”

“Oh yeah? You and what army?”

On cue, another set of stomps headed toward the lab room. A pair of cyan eyes gleamed from the darkness. In the light, a rusted bronze golem emerged. Vines and brushes wrapped around its stony body.

“Hey, Aganos, thank goodness you’re okay!” Cinder said. “Thanks for bringing the big guy back, Chiefy. As payment, I’ll tell you where your brother is. What do you say?”

Though tempted, Hinmatoom shifted towards Aganos. The golem glared at the Ultratech enforcer while clenching its fist, its growl muffled. After tapping on the creature, he used hand gestures to determine a course of action. Aganos responded with its motions.

“Um, excuse me?” Cinder waved his hand, grabbing their attention. “Not understanding those gestures, but you’re telling Aggy of the offer, right?”

“Aganos wants nothing to do with you or Ultratech. My friend wants retribution for what you did,” Hinmatoom said.

“Such as?”

“Treating the poor creature as a slave.”

“Oh, come on! We had to do it because he wouldn’t listen. Speaking of which, you’re in quite a situation. You may have a golem, but I have an army of rock’em sock’em bots. Show ‘em!”

Their eyes glimmering, the Fulgore soldiers surrounded them. Before light beams erupted from the cyborgs, Aganos hit the ground with its hand. An earth wall rose from the floor, shielding the rays. Soon after, the golem summoned rock spikes, spearing through the androids; only some escaped.

Hinmatoom and Aganos exchanged glances, perceiving the plan. They split up, focusing on their respective targets.

The fiery creature shifted to his combat stance. “What gives you the idea you can beat me?”

Aganos grabbed a rock from its body and smashed it into pieces.

“Smash me? Yeah, right. Say, how do you like your rocks? Rare, medium, or toasty?” Cinder shot a fiery blast from his clawed hands.

Aganos rolled itself up and barreled toward its opponent. Though the fire struck, it didn’t phase the giant.

Despite exerting more power, Cinder retreated. He floated with his back thruster, hurling plasma bombs.

While Aganos tried to remove the sticky projectiles, he exploded them with a snap of his fingers.

As Aganos staggered from the blast, Cinder attacked, targeting weak spots. He turned into a spinning fireball, tackling the golem.

While getting up, Aganos spotted Cinder shooting another fire stream. On instinct, it erected a barrier, blocking the inferno.

“Oh, you sneaky bastard.” Cinder sneered. “No matter. Your precious wall won’t protect you forever.” Once the flames died out, the golem reshaped its barrier into a club and swung. However, like a fly, he kept dodging. “Man, you can’t hit for shit!”

Aganos crushed its club into chunks and stored them inside its body. After that, it slammed its fists to the ground, sending a shockwave that uprooted a wave of stones into the air.

As the stones rained down, Cinder dodged most, although the smaller ones pelted him. While escaping, he fell into the golem’s trap, and the creature punched his stomach. Despite his plasma-flamed body, Cinder was breathless while sent flying.

Struggling to stand, Cinder coughed and groaned. “Okay, you got some smartness. Alright, let’s see how you handle this!”

After a quick, fiery power-up, Cinder punched the ground, forming a fire fissure as it raced toward Aganos.

The golem responded by summoning stone spikes. The two elements collided and exploded, leaving a smoke cloud. With smoke as cover, the creature created four walls, trapping Cinder. Curling itself, it barreled ahead. While doing so, a ramp wall emerged, launching Aganos in the air.

Astonished by the towering walls, Cinder spotted the spinning rock hurtling towards him. Oh, hell no! He turned on his thruster and escaped before Aganos struck its target. He formed a giant plasma bomb and threw it at the golem.

“Hasta la vista, Rockman,” Cinder said in a mock Terminator voice. After snapping his fingers, an explosion rocked the science room.

He dusted his hands, proud of his work. That was too easy! Now, to handle Geronimo. However, a muffled growl reached him despite not having ears.

With a thunderous roar, Aganos emerged from the smoke.

“What the—!” Cinder didn’t finish his sentence as the golem landed a hefty punch. With a painful cry, Cinder flew backward, crashing into a wall and tumbling onto the floor.

With Cinder out cold, the golem focused on Hinmatoom. Seeing one android opening its chest plates, Aganos summoned a stone spike. The pointed pillar pierced through the cyborg as sparks flew.

Hinmatoom stopped once he caught sight of the skewered android behind him. He smiled at Aganos and resumed his battle.

The golem curled into a ball and barreled through a small group of Fulgore cyborgs.

The battle ended as destroyed cyborgs littered the ground. Tired, Aganos and Hinmatoom sat on the floor, resting. Molten bits of rock dripped from the creature’s form, with embers burning its vine-like parts.

“Are you okay?” Hinmatoom signed.

“That fire demon talked too much,” Aganos signed. “Can you sense your brother’s presence here?”

Hinmatoom sensed auras around them. “No, he’s not here.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll find your brother.”

“What about your quest to find Kan-Ra?”

“That sorcerer will have to show himself one day.” Aganos glanced at itself and grunted. “I need some repairs. My fight with the flame demon left me damaged.”

Hinmatoom glanced around. “I’m sure this place has some useful items for you. After that, we’ll move to the next lab.”