Fan Fiction ❯ Phoenix's Rise ❯ Not Quite Safe ( Chapter 32 )

Chapter 32

 

Not Quite Safe

 

“Hades!” Athena hissed. “What are you doing here?”

 

“Didn't you think that I would have a way to find out if my spell was broken? Besides, Demeter wants the mortal girl . . . I'm guessing that she's the one.” Hades moved as if to grab Phoenix's wrist.

 

“Ha! Don't think that I'm just going to go with you.” Phoenix snarled as she pulled back.

 

“Oh, I don't think . . . I know. You see, I have a bit of . . . leverage.” Hades smiled slyly, showing half rotted teeth.

 

“Where's Robin?” Speedy asked as he walked into the common room.

 

“Dunno. He was supposed to be meeting a guy about an hour ago who supposedly has some information about how to find Phoenix.” Cyborg shrugged. “He should be back soon.”

 

“What do you mean by `leverage'?” Phoenix asked warily.

 

“I think you already know.” Hades chuckled.

 

“I swear . . . if you hurt him . . . you'll wish that you could die.” Phoenix threatened. Only Athena's extended arm held her back.

 

“Everything depends on you. Just come with me like a good little girl . . . and Robin will be just fine.” Hades took on a totally new persona now. He sounded more like a favorite uncle than the villain who would be holding your boyfriend hostage.

 

“Ungh . . . where . . . am I?” Robin asked as he raised his head from what appeared to be a huge, polished, pine stump table. Directly under his nose was what appeared to be flames, carved into the table. After trying to free his hands from his sides, Robin realized that he was wrapped up in a net of razor-sharp, metal threads, so he quit struggling and tried to relax.

 

“Smart move, Robin. If you move too far in one direction . . . well, let's just say that I wouldn't want to be the one who has to clean up.” Terra chuckled from where she was sitting on an earthen throne not too far away. Six other thrones assisted in creating an arrow-head formation, with the Dark Phoenix's at the point.

 

“May I tighten it?” Chrome-Dome asked eagerly. He flexed and released his fingers, causing the potentially deadly net to do the same.

 

“No. If he's dead . . . he's of no use to us.” Electra replied. “You know what we were told.”

 

“How long before Hades comes back anyway?” Raven wondered.

 

Dark Phoenix laughed. “Knowing my lighter self . . . as soon as she knows just who is in danger . . . it will all be a matter of time.”

 

Silently, Robin prayed that Phoenix wouldn't fall for the trap.

 

“Fine . . . I'll go, but first I want you to promise that Robin won't be hurt.” Phoenix agreed sadly.

 

“He'll be fine. Now follow me.” Hades ordered as he turned his back and began to walk away.

 

Phoenix smiled as she unsheathed her sword and rushed Hades. Before he knew what happened, Phoenix had used the blunt edge of the hilt to deliver a blow to the base of his neck . . . rendering him completely unconscious. “Idiot . . . you're never supposed to turn your back on your enemies.”

 

“Great job, Phoenix! What's the rest of your plan?” Everyone was asking.

 

“First, we throw him in the maze. Second, we seal up this hole. And then, third, Hectate, I need you to make up a new barrier spell?” Phoenix asked with a mischievous grin.

 

“Consider it done, Lady Phoenix.” The sorceress bowed deeply and set off to begin her task.

 

Half an hour later, Hades was sealed into his own realm, and the former prisoners were above ground, wandering around the Greek country-side disguised as American tourists.

 

“Now what? How are we going to go back to Olym- I mean . . . home?” Venus corrected herself.

 

“Could you guys teleport yourselves and me up?” Phoenix asked quietly to avoid being over heard by someone who shouldn't hear the conversation.

 

“Yes, but what good would it do? We can't fight Demeter, Persephone, and the Guardians. We'd get crushed!” Neptune emphasized his beliefs by punching a fist into his palm.

 

“Maybe not . . .” Phoenix smiled as a plan began to form in her head. “First, we need to talk to Zeus.”