Project S.T.A.T.I.C. Part 4: Worlds Apart

“And you think that a direct assault is our best bet?” Courtney crossed her arms and frowned, “That's suicide.”

Twenty minutes had passed since Pam had drank Rebecca's elixir, and in that time she'd listened to her three allies bicker about strategy. Ashley was still refusing to relinquish control of Jake's body, and she seemed hellbent on being contrary to anything either Rebecca or Courtney suggested. “We don't have time to sit and analyze every aspect of our opposition,” Ashley crossed her arms.

“Is that the advice of a former Conqueror, or someone who is acting out of jealousy?” Rebecca asked.

“Are you insinuating that I have something to fear from a woman centuries old and a fool playing dress up?” Ashley glared.

“Enough!” Pam snapped, her head beginning to pound, “I have been silent while you three bicker and fight long enough. I will not allow this to devolve further into idiocy. Let's focus on what we know and what we need to do, okay?”

Ashley glared at Pam for a moment before turning to her side. “Ash, if you're not going to let me out, at least try to cooperate,” Jake sighed beside her, “Please, we don't have time for this arguing and infighting right now.”

“Fine,” Ashley sighed, pointing up at the sky, “The tint of the skyline there is indicative of a forgotten spell. It's something that I didn't think possible, but it's been achieved in this world. This tells me that we are dealing with my kin, but they've managed to pull off the impossible. To enact such a powerful spell requires resources and power on a scale that is formidable to put it mildly.”

“We're still in Metropolis too,” Courtney pointed out, “I recognize the skyline from here.”

“So a parallel Metropolis with powerful vampires running amuck,” Rebecca surmised, crossing her arms, “There is a distinct lack of life below us as well. I'm not just referring to the absence of traffic either. I can feel people out there, but there's an air of hopelessness coming from a building several blocks south. I can taste it.”

“Taste?” Courtney asked.

“Yes, certain emotions and feelings have a rather distinct taste, dear,” Rebecca replied, “Shame, hopelessness, guilt, submission, all have a certain sweetness to them.”

“Okay, that's unsettling,” Courtney shuddered.

“I don't make the rules, girl, I just abide by them,” Rebecca shrugged, “Some emotions are sweeter than others. There are some that are bitter and revolting, but knowing the differences has saved me time and again. The safest bet would be that there are people being held in captivity for feeding and processing by vampiric vermin.”

“Rebecca,” Pam sighed, cutting Ashley off before she snapped, “Fair as that assessment may be, the insult was unnecessary. Focusing on the task at hand, let's look at the above. We are dealing with a group, a large one by the sounds of it, of powerful vampires. There is no safe time for us to move, and they've turned this city into their playground. The majority of the populace has been detained, and we haven't heard a single gunshot or scuffle since arriving here. That tells me that Beth is in trouble somewhere.”

“She could be in hiding,” Rebecca offered.

“You know as well I do that isn't how she operates,” Pam shook her head, “We would have heard something, felt something, by now if she was laying low. Someone in this city knows something, and Beth would have found them and tried to make them talk. I haven’t felt a hint of fear, frustration, anger, anything that would come from Beth or one of her interrogation victims. It has been too quiet, and that tells me that she’s in trouble.”

“Is it possible that we ended up in the wrong universe?” Courtney asked, adding when she received a pointed look from both Pam and Rebecca, “I don’t know how any of this stuff works! Up until a couple of days ago, I didn’t even know there were other worlds out there!”

“The artifact that Pamela has attuned to her emotional resonance,” Rebecca sighed, deciding to elaborate rather than snap, “Pamela’s emotions are directly linked to her powers, and they would have sought out the connection to her little pet to transport us where we needed to be. Make no mistake about it, Elizabeth is here in this universe. Of that, I have absolutely no doubt.”

“Say what you’re hesitating about, Pam,” Ashley cut in, her arms crossed, “Don’t beat around the bush any longer.”

Pam narrowed her eyes at Ashley for a moment. She had hoped to build to her theory, but clearly her friend was thinking along a similar line. “Very well,” she said, “I suspect that the spell blotting out the sun is directly related to another version of Ashley Bilefoot. There is only one vampire that I know of that knows the ritual, has the tenacity, and would be willing to go to these extreme lengths to ensure victory.”

“There it is,” Ashley scoffed, “The truth comes out. Do you really think so little of me, Pam?”

“Were it not for your connection to Jake, you would have taken these exact steps,” Pam replied, meeting Ashley’s glare with one of her own, “You abducted Beth when you returned, and you were already amassing an army of followers when we came face to face. Not only that, you were cunning enough to release Beth to me in a starved and feral state knowing that I would let her feed on me to take me out of the equation of your final meeting with Jake. Look me in the eyes and tell me that there is no part of you that hasn’t thought that this is a possibility.”

“She has some valid points,” Rebecca sighed, “As much as I loathe to admit it, you’re one of the more cunning adversaries that I have dealt with. It’s been an infuriatingly admirable quality of yours.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” Ashley asked.

“I’d say that’s the closest you’re going to get,” Jake shrugged, standing off to the side and listening carefully, “Pam might be right, Ash. This is what you were planning before everything happened with us. I know you’ve been thinking about it since we arrived here.”

“The thought has crossed my mind,” Ashley admitted, “It isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but even I have limits, Pam. I am not the monster that you all wish me to be.”

“The Beth from my world wasn’t always evil,” Courtney remarked, earning a fierce glare from Ashley, but she stood her ground, “Look, I don’t know what your problem is with me, but I’m not going to hold my tongue to make you feel better. I’ve known you for a couple hours, and all you’ve done is treat me like shit, threaten me, and shoot hateful daggers at me. I am not going to claim to understand all of this, but I’m beginning to understand that our worlds have a lot of different things  happening. Pam told me what I did to Jake in your world, but that wasn’t me.”

“That doesn’t mean that potential isn’t in you, girl,” Ashley sneered, “You did it once, so what stops you from doing it again?”

“The same question could be asked of you,” Courtney countered, surprising Pam and Rebecca, “You think that everything that someone does is going to translate over to another version? You don’t know me, and from what I understand, you didn’t know me in your world either. I lost the man that I love, and I am not going to disgrace his legacy and trust by going against the person that he fell in love with!”

Ashley was about to lunge at Courtney for her disrespectful tone, but her legs wouldn’t budge. Jake stepped in front of her and stared her down, “I won’t let you hurt her, Ash. She’s right on all accounts, and you know it. You didn’t know her before she turned, and Courtney wasn’t like the woman that you met. You’ve seen my memories, and you know that’s true.”

“You’d defend the same woman that nearly destroyed your city, the woman that murdered you?!” Ashley snapped, earning confused looks from Rebecca and Courtney.

“I defended you more than once, Pam, Kait, and Rebecca,” Jake shrugged, “I have to believe that people can change. No, I know that they can. I can see it in her eyes, and I can hear it in her voice. She is telling the truth. We can trust her, and I am not going to let you hurt her.”

“Listen to me,” Courtney spoke up again, “I am not your enemy here. From where I’m standing, we need all the allies and help that we can get. We are outnumbered, facing a threat that we don’t fully understand, and have someone that is in trouble that means a lot to someone we care about. I could care less if you want to be friends after this, but we need to work together to solve this for Pam. To do that, we need a plan. Can we do that?”

“She’s not asking for a lot, Ash,” Jake sighed, “She’s proposing an alliance, the same thing that Rebecca proposed from what you told me. Please, we need to do this for Beth and Pam.”

Ashley groweld and turned on her heel, “Fine! I will accept your terms for now, girl, but don’t think for a second that I trust you.”

“Like I said, I could care less if you trust me or want to be friends,” Courntey shrugged, “Let’s focus on the facts, like Pam said. Let’s say that she’s right, and that this whole mess has something to do with an alternate version of you. What would you be planning?”

Ashley maintained her scowl, but she sighed as she indulged Courtney, “Hypothetically, if it were me, I'd be holding a position of power while I built strength. The Black Sun permits my kind to move freely, but humans are a stubborn bunch. It's a quality that is equal parts infuriating and admirable about your species. I'd eliminate my greatest threats first before setting my sights on the grander scale. The witch, Footgirl, Beth, Jake, Pam, anyone that might pose a threat to my regime would be brought before me for judgment. Once I'd determined their usefulness, I'd eliminate them.”

“So what if you found a second Beth?” Courtney asked.

Ashley frowned for a moment before answering, “That depends on whether or not I'd dealt with the original. Playing off of your little delusions, let's assume that I have. Discovering an anomaly such as a duplicate would merit close study and examination.”

“What do you mean?” Pam asked, not liking the sound of Ashley's vague explanation.

Ashley's frown deepened and she shook her head, “There should be no way for someone like Beth to return from the dead. Either she would have had to have been resurrected, or there would have to be some other explanation. Either way, I'd be curious to find out the truth. Someone with the power to raise the dead would prove troublesome unless they agreed to serve, but the other possibilities are equally intriguing. One way or another, I would make her tell me what she knows.”

“And you accuse me of being evil,” Rebecca scoffed, earning a glare from Ashley, “I didn't say I wouldn't do the same, did I? My point is that you act as though you're above me. If this isn't a perfect example of the pot calling the kettle black then I don't know what is.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”Ashley crossed her arms.

“You were so much like me, yet you changed once Jake managed to get through your thick skull,” Rebecca answered without hesitation, “You refuse to believe that there is even a small part of me that has the capability of the same. As much as I detest you, even I can admit that you're not the same malicious monster I revived years ago.”

“You and I are nothing alike, witch!” Ashley barked, her patience finally reaching its limit.

Ashley stepped towards Rebecca, but Pam came between the two of them before they could come to blows. “Enough!” Pam snapped, having heard enough bickering for one evening, “I am going to make this perfectly clear and simple. We do not have time for arguing and infighting. The woman that I love is in danger, and I am through wasting time listening to you two go back and forth. I don't care who started what, who is right, or who is wrong. As of this moment, we are going to work together. Kill each other after we've rescued Beth and dealt with Voidfoot. Until then, either shut up and glare at each other, or find a way to get along.”

“She-” Ashley began, but Pam held up her hand and shot a cold look at her.

“I don't care!” Pam said, “We have wasted valuable time here, and the longer we wait, the more likely I lose the person I care about. If that happens because of either of you, I will hold you just as accountable as the person who takes her from me.”

“As you wish, Pamela,” Rebecca sighed, deciding to relent and take a step back, “I will put aside my feelings for now. Returning to our original theory, I'd say the safest bet for a place to start would be Blackridge Manor. The city skyline is in ruins, and the Manor has a fortifiable position and resources aplenty.”

“Another jab at the notion that I'm somehow behind this?” Ashley crossed her arms, adding when Pam shot her a look, “It's a simple question, nothing more.”

“I'm speaking from a strategical viewpoint, nothing more,” Rebecca nonchalantly replied, “The Manor is centrally located, but removed from the majority of the city. The grounds provide ample room to survey for intruders, and one only needs to do a little digging once they've gained entry to discover the trove that Jake has underground. Several of the gadgets and tools that he uses are made from metals that double for both weapons and conductors. The added surveillance systems he has are another bonus, not to mention the cells he keeps underground would do well to house any uncooperative rebels. I once used it as a base within the city. It's either it or Blackridge Tower.”

“She's right, Ash,” Jake sighed, looking out at the mess his city had become in this world, “It doesn't take a genius to figure out that even without knowing my alter-ego my home would be a good defensive position. Judging by the look of things out here, it doesn't seem like whoever is running this show has any interest in setting up shop around this district. There's other areas that might be orth checking out along the way, but my home is our most likely place. We can check out the old church that Megabutt used, one of Alexis’ old labs, or even Kait's compound, but I'm betting all roads lead to the same place. The church might work for ritualistic stuff considering the neighborhood around it was already pretty barren, but the other two places would be mainly a scavenger's den.”

“What about the Tower?” Ashley asked, ignoring the others to focus on Jake who was staring out at the reddish black sky.

“It's still standing,” Jake said, pointing at the distant shape, “Odds are that it's being used as a main conduit for whatever else is happening here. The Manor has a direct link to everything there, though. If someone had the time, resources, and right people, they could easily configure a remote setup between the Birdcage and my company's mainframe to handle whatever they wanted. Whoever is pulling the strings is going to be hiding at my damn house, and I'm betting that's where Beth went too. However long she's been here, she would have figured out the same thing. She's brash, but she's not stupid.”

“Say what you're thinking, Jake,” Ashley narrowed her eyes.

“Is this normal?” Courtney asked Pam, unsure what was happening as she watched Ashley have a conversation with seemingly nobody.

“Yes and no,” Pam shrugged, “Normally, Jake is the one in control, but he can see, hear, and speak with Ashley. They typically speak to each other internally, but Ashley seems to have forgone that formality. Let it play out, and try not to overthink things.”

“You're ignoring the possibility that Rebecca and Pam might be right,” Jake sighed, turning to face his other half, “It's in the back of your mind, Ash. It has been since we got here. Everything around us is pointing to what you'd originally planned. You don't want to admit it because you're afraid that they might be right, and because it's partially Rebecca's theory.”

“It's a preposterous and ludicrous theory!” Ashley snapped, “They want to vilify me because I'm trying to keep you safe!”

“She's shouting,” Courtney whispered as Ashley pointed at the three of them.

“We're not deaf, dear,” Rebecca said.

“Let them have this out,” Pam sighed, “The sooner they get whatever this is over with, the sooner we can get to work. Jake may be the key to reasoning with her here.”

“And if they bring in whatever is out there waiting for us?” Courtney asked.

“Then we deal with it while I try to refrain from tossing them over the ledge,” Pam deadpanned, clearly irritated.

“Fair enough, I guess,” Courtney sighed.

“Best to keep your eyes and ears focused on our surroundings, girl,” Rebecca offered, “As infuriating as this is to sit through, it's better to let them have their moment of whatever this is. Between the pair of us I believe we can handle a simple task such as this, wouldn't you agree?”

Courtney frowned but nodded, “Alright, fine, it's not like there's much else we can do. Pam, let us know when we're getting ready to move.”

Pam nodded and watched as her friends that shared a body and mind continued to argue. She wished that she could hear what they were fighting about, but her guess was that it was about her theory. While Ashley was usually much more reasonable, she was far more volatile given the circumstances. With Rebecca's revival, the presence of another Courtney, and Jake's death, she had been pushed to the brink. As utterly frustrating as it were, Pam could somewhat understand her position. Of all people, Pam understood what it was like to lose someone she loved. Ashley was acting on an urge to protect Jake, but Jake was fighting back against her wishes. She'd seen it when Courtney had spoke up and Ashley froze. She could only hope that he was regaining strength, but even then she doubted it would be enough. Ashley would have to relinquish control willingly. 

“You know that's not the case,” Jake shook his head, “Rebecca I might buy if it was just her, but you know Pam wouldn't say something like that unless she had a good reason. She's looking at the possibilities, and considering she just faced down a demented and twisted version of her girlfriend, I'd say she has probable cause. You can't keep this up, Ash.”

Ashley huffed and grit her teeth, “You stand against me too, Jake?”

“I'm with you, always, you know that,” Jake said, crossing the rooftop and staring into her eyes, “But you know I cannot, and will not, let my friends get hurt.”

“And what of the witch and the girl?” Ashley asked after a moment of tense silence.

“Rebecca being here complicates things, I won't lie,” Jake sighed, “You know how I feel about her, but you know I haven't forgotten what she's done. None of that matters right now, though. She's on our side, she helped to free us from Hell, and she's an added gun in this fight. We need her right now if we are going to have any chance at winning this. As for Courtney, she didn't ask to be part of this. She's here and she's trying to help us.”

“Their allegiances are shaky at best,” Ashley scoffed, crossing her arms, “A supposed attempt at redemption and another without a choice. It hardly inspires confidence.”

“You're stalling,” Jake said, “Ash, either you can let me back in control, or you can put aside your bias and try to trust them. Pam trusts them, I trust them, why isn’t that enough?”

“Because your trust has been your downfall more than once,” Ashley shook her head.

“And what about Pam?” Jake asked, “Can you trust her since you’re clearly not going to let me have control?”

“Jake, you’re safer if I remain in the front for now,” Ashley said, “We cannot afford any mistakes right now. There is too much at stake, and I will not lose you again.”

“Not trust me and forcing me to ride in the backseat is going to push me away,” Jake sighed, “If you’re going to stay so hellbent on this staying in control, then I need you to let go of this bitterness so we can succeed. If you won’t trust them on your own, then trust Pam.”

Ashley held her tongue for a moment before closing her eyes and finally sighing, “Fine…I will put my trust in Pam so we can rescue Beth.”

“We’re not through talking about this whole stealing control thing,” Jake said, accepting that this was as close to a victory as he was going to get for the time being.

Pam could feel a shift in the air as Ashley seemed to relax after tensing up several times. “I take it you two have finally managed to reach some sort of agreement,” Pam said as Ashley turned to her.

“Somewhat,” Ashley sighed, glancing over at where Jake had stood, “He's adamant that I put aside my prejudice so we can save Beth. As infuriating as he can be, he has a point. I don't have to trust those two, but I should trust you. I…apologize for being difficult, Pam.”

Pam was taken aback by Ashley's apology. It wasn't like her to concede when she was this upset, but perhaps Jake had managed to strike a nerve with her. “It’s fine,” Pam sighed, preferring to move forward rather than continue to argue, “As long as I know I can count on you and the others to stick together for what’s to come, I can move on. I will ask, while it’s just the two of us here. When do you plan on letting Jake have control back?”

Ashley faltered for a moment as she debated on whether or not to try to lie to Pam. “When I feel he is ready,” she said, choosing to be intentionally vague, “Until then, the safest place for him is behind me.”

“I see, and how do you intend to determine if and when he is ready?” Pam asked, crossing her arms.

“Yeah, Ash, how exactly do you plan on making that determination?” Jake asked, leaning against the wall, “Just for my edification.”

Ashley cast a hard look to her right where Jake stood before shaking her head and replying to Pam, “I am choosing to put my trust in you for this venture. Is it so much to ask that you do the same with me?”

Pam frowned, but chose not to engage in another debate. She’d listened to and dealt with enough confrontation between her allies today, and she was through wasting time. “Very well, I suppose that’s a fair enough point,” she sighed, motioning for Rebecca and Courtney to come back, “Let’s focus on the task at hand. Can we agree that our first step should be getting to Blackridge Manor?”

“That’s my vote,” Courtney said as she rejoined the others, “The Manor is where I’m betting we find our culprit and a lead on finding your Beth.”

“It’s there or the Tower,” Rebecca agreed, “However, my gut is telling me that Blackridge Manor is where we need to be. All roads lead to it, and we are running out of time and options. Would you like to do the honors, Pamela, or would you prefer to take the scenic route?”

“Teleporting isn’t wise,” Ashley sighed and shook her head, “Our best bet is going to be taking the longer way through the city to find our way to the Manor. Short bursts, if any at all, are the only way that we can afford to use magic right now. We run the risk of getting discovered by whoever is pulling the strings here if we indulge in too much too quickly. I believe there are several underground paths that we can use to gain access to the Manor.”

“If this world is anything like mine, she’s right,” Courtney nodded, “The subway systems were how Jake and Beth used to get around undetected when things got too hot. If we’re smart, we can use the same systems to make it back to the Birdcage in this world. If nothing else we can use them to get close.”

“We need to be cautious of what might be lurking underground,” Ashley pointed out, “Assuming that your theories hold any weight at all, there is the distinct possibility that there are some of my kin that are patrolling the underground. Whether it be to keep cattle in line, or to safeguard passage to and from the main base of operations, it is likely that we will encounter resistance. Still, I foresee us having better luck dealing with these problems rather than bringing down the full weight of whatever is waiting for us at the climax of this little endeavor.”

“You’re suddenly quite agreeable,” Rebecca remarked.

“Whether I like it or not, we are all on the same side for the time being,” Ashley crossed her arms, “This isn’t about you or I, but it is about finding and saving a friend. There is more at stake here than petty feelings, witch. There are threats beyond this world and the imposter’s. I don’t have to like you to work with you.”

“At long last, we can agree on something,” Rebecca chuckled, “It makes me wonder if Hell froze over after we escaped.”

“Yes, well, let’s not turn this into something more than it needs to be,” Ashley rolled her eyes, “All it is is an epiphany regarding our situation. Our only chance at success lies with us working together. Now, unless we have any other objections, I suggest we get moving. According to Jake’s memories, the nearest entryway to the subsystems is two miles south of here.”

“Finally,” Pam sighed, happy to have everyone on the same page for a change, “Rebecca, send your familiars out ahead to scout ahead. Have your raven move ahead while keeping your wolf to the shadows. Courtney, I want you and Ashley to keep close as we make our way through the side streets and alleyways. Rebecca and I will project our empathic ability to see if we can find anything that might surprise us. Any questions?”

“By your lead, Pamela,” Rebecca shrugged, “This is your plan and we are simply here to help as best we can.”

“Thank you, all of you,” Pam sighed, smiling as she turned towards the ledge, “Let’s get moving. We’ve wasted more than enough time squabbling and fighting amongst ourselves.”

It had taken longer than any of them would have liked, but they were finally ready to move as a unit. They still didn’t have a clue as to what they were walking into and what sort of dangers might be waiting for them. They were walking into the unknown, but at least the four women finally seemed to have managed to come to some sort of agreement to work together. Their prejudice and differences were still there, but for the moment it seemed they were finally willing to put them aside. Pam’s biggest concern was the possibility that they’d wasted too much time bickering. Beth and her whereabouts had been a constant worry in her mind. Wherever her girlfriend was in this world, she had a sinking feeling that she was in trouble. 

They couldn’t rely on their magic to get them across the city, but there was nothing wrong with them taking a leap of faith. Bending the laws of gravity for a short while didn’t seem likely to cause too much of a problem. With that in mind, Pam motioned for the rest of the group to follow her. She stopped at the ledge before stepping off without a word. She waved her hand to give Courtney and Ashley a push to send them over the edge. Rebecca didn’t need any instructions as she followed Pam’s lead. Courtney let out a startled cry at first before relaxing when she felt the wind around her begin to slow. She looked around as Pam and Rebecca carried them down to street level. Their feet touched down after a few moments, and they quickly fell into position.

Rebecca sent her familiars out just as Pam had advised. Her raven flying off high above and trying to survey the surroundings, and her wolf skulking out and sticking to the shadows almost disappearing into them. Rebecca remained close beside Pam and the two of them extended their empathic senses to scan for anything that might lead them towards a threat or a clue to the whereabouts of Beth. Courtney and Ashley fanned out with one taking point and the other taking the rear. The city streets were eerily silent beyond the occasional crow of a bird or the rumble of thunder in the distance. 

The walk was silent and tense as they made their way through the city. They’d been moving for nearly twenty minutes since putting their grievances behind them. The only thing that either Rebecca or Pam could sense had been misery and a faint feeling of blood-lust in the distance. There was a manhole nearby that would lead them towards one of the branches to the old subway systems. As they got close, there was a shift in the air that Pam felt. Her eyes snapped to the side as she felt a sense of amusement and lust nearby. Someone had seen them. Rebecca shared a look with her to confirm that she too had felt whoever it was.

“We need to move,” Pam said, looking down the street to the manhole nearby, “We have a tail and I’d rather deal with them underground. Rebecca, can your familiar keep whoever, or whatever, that is off of us while we get underground?”

“On it,” Rebecca said, directing her pet to sneak out and try to take out the threat, “Let’s hurry to get underground so we can stop pulling our punches.”

As Rebecca’s familiar broke free to launch its surprise attack, the four women hurried down the street. They’d been spotted, and the odds were increasingly working against them. There were likely more of their enemies underground, but at least they’d have a chance at fighting back while making headway towards their destination. Getting caught in a fight while running in the streets meant that they risked getting derailed or trapped. The second that Pam saw the manhole, she snatched it with her powers and flung it open. She, Courtney, Rebecca, and Ashley jumped down into the dark unknown while Rebecca’s wolf engaged their surprise foe. There was no telling what was awaiting them underground, but at least they were heading in the right direction; that was what Pam hoped anyway.