Fan Fiction ❯ Phoenix's Rise ❯ It All Comes Down to This Part 2 ( Chapter 35 )

Chapter 35

 

It All Comes Down to This Part II

 

“Irony, that's what you'd have to call it.” Raven sighed to herself as she put away the box of sleeping pills that was now missing two doses.

 

Robin had gone into a state of shock when he saw Phoenix's room. Nobody could understand how or why she'd run away. The medicine was supposed to keep her out for at least eight hours, and it hadn't even been one. Then it got worse . . . when they found Phoenix's communicator on her night-stand.

 

Keep flying. Keep flying. Got to get away from the blood. I have to get away. Insanity was clogging Phoenix's mind, keeping her from realizing that she was in the desert, that there was no blood, and that she'd been flying for so long that she could no longer hover even an inch off of the ground.

 

“Phoenix, what are you doing here? Phoenix?” Athena rushed out of the cave that she'd been in and tried to attract Phoenix's attention. Comprehending that something was very wrong, she gently took Phoenix's hand and teleported to her home at the base of Mount Olympus.

 

The barrier surrounding the mountain instantly took away the effects of the sleeping pills and restored Phoenix's sanity. “What happened? Athena, how did I get here?” She asked, confused.

 

“I was hoping that you could tell me. When I found you, you were in the middle of the desert.” Athena searched Phoenix's face. “Does it have anything to do with the battle?”

 

“I kept seeing blood, then I went to sleep . . . I guess I was trying to get away from my dream.” Phoenix shrugged helplessly.

 

Athena hugged the girl close. “I was worried that something like this would happen, especially after you lost your family. You can decide to do this or not, I won't force you, but I do have a potion that would erase this whole ordeal from your mind. Chances are, when you return to earth that you may return to your former mental state if you don't do something.”

 

Phoenix squared her shoulders, ignoring the gnawing of worry in her stomach. “Okay, I'll do it.”

 

After a minute of rummaging, Athena handed over a small vial about the size of a white-board marker. “Here it is. Don't smell it, and then you may lose your nerve. But before you drink this, I want to give you something.”

 

Immediately, Phoenix surrounded by a bright light and began to feel very warm. The heat wasn't uncomfortable, like being in a car on hot day, but . . . cozy, like being wrapped up in a quilt with a good book and a mug of hot coco on a cold winter day. As the feeling and light faded, Phoenix realized that her clothes had changed.

 

Replacing her shorts and tank top was a short-sleeved leotard completely covered with flames of various shades of orange and deep orange, leather and metal armor that stretched from the last knuckle of her middle finger to elbow. Turning around, she realized that she now had a cape made of the very same pattern and material. The cape had a low collar, which rose about half of the way up her neck and the chain of her necklace had become thicker and held on the cape. Tucked away on the inside of the cape, was a small holster, which held the Element Sword and its sheath. Gasping, Phoenix realized that she also had new shoes. They were soft, orange leather boots which came just above her knees.

 

“So you do like it? This is a gift from all of us; of course, it doesn't even begin to make up for all of the help you've been.” Athena smiled as Phoenix spun around in little circles, enjoying her cape. “Once you leave Olympus, you'll return to civilian clothing, but when your powers are activated, and then this outfit will take form. It is much better than any cloth a mortal could make, because it won't burn, tear, or soil. Perfect for a life of fighting is it not?”

 

“Yah, it is. Well, bottoms up.” Phoenix quickly uncorked the draught and swallowed it. “Bleh! It tasted like . . . ugh . . . nasty . . .” She lay down on the ground, falling asleep as the potion took effect.

 

“Good night, Phoenix. I hope that your second chance goes better for you.” Athena sighed and sent Phoenix back to the place where she had been before joining the Titans.