Negotiation

Slithering my way to watch Armstrong doing his best not to nod off. Seeing his fight off unconsciousness brought a satisfied smirk to my lips. Keeping myself hidden the urge to give him am insane fright took over me. Before I could do anything Nightmare stopped me from moving an inch to say Those asshole investors are talking.

Letting out a low growl before turning on my heels to reach the Monitor room. I had to smash my fist into the wall to release the anger that was about to explode in me. Closing my eyes to focus in on the investors I saw through each of their eyes. Noticing all of them were in a office belonging to a high ranking military personnel. I made each of them clamp their mouths shut. By the time the people in each room began to wonder why their investor went silent I opened up a portal to this room through their shadows.

In a flash all 10 of them were in front of me looking around in a panic. When some of them saw me in my new form hovering over them that's when the screaming started. Using my commanding voice I gritted through my teeth, "Quiet." All of them could barely even whimpered at that command. "I gave you all a warning and chance, now you all will pay the price", I told them with a bite in my voice.

Yelling "Guards!" loud enough for everyone in the main area to hear me. It took less than a minute for all of them to come into the room standing in attendance. Seeing Edgar on the tail end holding Anderson by the arm I met her eyes to command, "You are going to stay in the main area until I call for you." Edgar held onto her with an iron grip. Addressing him I ordered, "Let her go." When his grip loosened Anderson ran back to the main area without skipping a beat. Using a new power to make my voice resonate throughout the halls I said, "I'm going to only say this once; if any of you try to escape I will find you in no time to send you to Nurse Ratchet. She will torture you without any restrictions. Understood?" Only being able to hear the guards say in unison, "Yes ma'am!" After rolling my eyes I said, "Don't call me 'ma'am'." They corrected themselves by saying, "Yes Sir!" With a light shrug I ordered, "Lift the investors off the floor and hold them all in place."

All the guards did so without hesitation. "Investors", I said. With all 10 pairs of eyes focused only on me I commanded, "All of you are going to stay here in the same Hell you put all of us through. Each of you are at my mercy and are completely helpless at this point." Looking at the guards and investors I said, "Now all of you get out of my sight." Watching them march to go back to the main room brought a malicious grin to my lips.

Walking back to the monitor room I saw Armstrong awake in his cell watching me. Looking directly into his eyes I told him through thought Soon! Armstrong's entire body shook with that one word. He tried shaking his head as if to wake up from a bad dream. Continuing to stare at him I felt a smirk reach my lips as he finally let his macho façade fall. Leaving him there to think about worse case scenarios I heard the morning bell ring for breakfast.

Getting out of the main building I closed my eyes before the sunlight could blind us. Thankfully seeing colors again I made sure to keep my private bits covered before walking to the cafeteria. A sense of hunger began to overtake us as we reach the steps to the cafeteria.

Noticing a pair of clothes to be about my size left on the steep I covered myself before reaching for the door. Walking in I saw a line being formed to get a breakfast plate. Making my way to the back of the line everyone inched away as their eyes caught sight of me. It didn't matter if they were metahumans or not.

Nightmare said Rude.

Its going to take time for everyone to be comfortable with us.

Still rude and I'm hangry.

I can tell.

GRRR.

Oh shut up.

What is that smell?

Catching the scent from the kitchen I replied That's chicken and waffles. Feeling and hearing our stomach growl as we were next in line. We gladly grabbed a few plates before pouring a generous amount of syrup on each one.

Checking the floor to see only a few tables had any spare chairs and space were filled with people tensing at the thought of us sitting with them. Even Ed and Mat shuddered at the thought of me sitting down at their table. Pushing down the sting of everyone turning their backs on me even the two people who I considered friends. Reaching for the door again I had to use a shadow limp to open it. Walking to the steps I sat down on the first few to eat. No sense in staying in a place where I know I'm not wanted I thought. Nightmare replied Again rude. Rolling my eyes before taking the first bite I replied Oh shut it. Holy mother of fuck this is delicious Nightmare said in awe. Swallowing before I could choke on my laughter I replied You've been sifting through my memory of favorite quotes huh? More, more! Nightmare demanded.

The first plate barely lasted a minute, working on the second one I heard somebody open the door. Seeing that it was Mat was a surprise. He sat a foot away from me. Continuing to eat Mat said, "I'm sorry that I've been such a shite friend lately." Placing the second plate down I turned to look him in the eye before saying, "You're still afraid of us. It's written all over you." Reaching for the third plate Mat responded, "I know I shouldn't, but can you blame me?"

"Not really."

"Even though I am afraid I still trust you."

"I can feel the trust alright."

"You've done things that all of us thought was impossible and to top it off you have all of our powers as well."

"I didn't know this would happen when I merged with Nightmare."

"I doubt anyone knew."

Finishing off my last plate I had to change the subject, "You're Irish right?" He let out a scoff before asking, "What gave it away?"

"I knew you had an accent, just didn't know from where."

"Speaking of which, where are you from?"

"Haha, I'm originally from Texas."

"That's cool, I came to the states to visit family."

"Do you think they're still alive?"

"I hope so."

"Yeah I hope so too."

"Do you have any family?"

"Not anymore."

"Oh, right."

"Anderson is the only blood I have left. Then there's Nightmare, which is another thing entirely."

"Family don't end in blood."

"I know."

"There's something I gotta ask you."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Have you always had heterochromia?"

"What?"

"Your irises are different colors and even your hair recently changed. I've been dying to ask for awhile now."

"What?", I asked again before running to the door to see my reflection. The sun was hitting the glass door at the right angle for me to see the differences. When I woke up from merging with those two 'Night terrors' as Nightmare offered to name them. My hair has turned from dark brown with chestnut highlights to completely white from roots to ends; one of my irises is now emerald green and the other bright red instead of the sea green they were when I was human or the black and red from a few days ago.

Nightmare had to say Told ya, we look awesome. Turning around to see Mat pick up my plates I said, "Thanks." He replied, "I can see you didn't know." I replied by pressing my lips together while shrugging. Opening the door for Mat and I to enter the cafeteria. Everyone glued their eyes to us as we walked in. Mat kindly disposed of the plates for me.

With everyone staring at only me I said, "Earlier today the investors who have been supplying the facilities talked with their governments. I brought them all here and am expecting a meeting with said governments to happen sometime today. I'm going to tell them our demands and won't budge an inch on any of them. Those of you who are human make your decision on if you want to stay here or go back home. Those of you who do go back home I'll make sure that you get a years worth of severance pay. I'll sweeten the pot by telling the governments to wipe your profile of anything that could hinder a job application.

"Right now I'm going to need Anya, Mark, Ashe, Leona, Ben, Mat, and Hannah along with anyone else who can protect this island from invaders. The people who I named need to follow me outside. Everyone else stay put and don't get in the way." I opened the door for everyone to follow me outside.

With everyone's feet touching the sand they all waited for me to tell them the plan, "Anya, Mat you two follow me into the main building. Anya I need you to be ready to dox our hostages when I snap my fingers. Mat I'll need you to bring all of our hostages in the main area to the lab in case one of the governments asks for proof of life. Mark, Ashe, Leona, Hannah and Ben I need all of you to keep watch over the horizon and sky. There's no telling if any one of them will send missiles again or attack in any other way." They all nodded before leaving for the beach except for Anya and Mat who follow behind me. Reaching the doorway Mat and I left Anya alone in the monitor room. We walked down the hall until I saw Anderson's office to my left.

I was about to go down the secret staircase when Mat said, "You got this." Taking a quick look at him I felt a small smile reach my lips as I said, "Thanks." Beginning to morph into my shadow form I took my clothes off to drop them down on the steps. Grouching down to enter through the monitor room I saw 6 different screens turned on. Each had a different flag of their nation somewhere on their desk. I recognized all of them NATO, North America, South Africa, China, Italy, and Russia.

Seeing and hearing some gasps as they all began to notice me entering the room. Waiting for a few seconds with all of them just staring at me I had to begin by saying, "Hello, can everyone understand me?" All of them answered 'yes' at the same time. "Good, now let's begin."

"What have you done with Armstrong and Anderson?"

"They are being held here with the guards, scientist, and the investors."

"Why have you taken actions of war against on all of us?"

"Why did all of you rip us away from our homes to be sent here against our wills to be experimented on, shocked, and tortured?"

"All of us agreed to create that facility you are in to keep our citizens safe."

"That's a load of shit."

"You and the rest have a disease that needs to be cured."

"Non of us are contagious."

"Still non of us can let any of you leave that island."

"Funny that you mention that. The others and I have demands that will be met today."

"You really think we will give you everything you want?"

"If you want to see any of our hostages alive again you will."

"Or what?"

"Do any of you know what doxing is?"

"There's no way you'd have that kind of information in such a short amount of time?"

"You really want to chance that?"

"..."

Feeling a smirk reach my lips as Nightmare said Do it, do it, do it. I snapped my fingers giving Anya the go ahead. Seeing everyone begin to panic at the sight of their scientist and mercenaries private information being leaked to every screen that still works made me shiver in pleasure.

"Now shall we start talking about our demands?"

"Are those all the only files you have?"

Anya told me I've got all their bios right now.

"Do you really want to find out?"

"What are your demands?"

"For starters all of us here including the humans who worked like prisoners want our freedom back. The kitchen and custodial staff who will be leaving this island deserve a years worth of severance pay for everything they have been through; also have their records wiped of anything short of a severe federal crime. As for myself and the others this island is now ours, to stay here we will need live stock, seeds for grains fruits and vegetables, along with clothing materials. Those of us who still have family alive out there want to make contact and see them again physically. That one is absolutely non negotiable, as a bonus we want accounts for all streaming services and animals as pets from non kill shelters. Due to me feeling generous I'll give you all some time to think."

All the leaders muted their screens to make phone calls. Reaching out to Anya I said Thanks. Seeing Mat at the corner of my eye ready to come into the room at my signal I reached into his mind to say Not yet. Seeing him nod I moved my eyes back to the monitor to see everyone else ready to talk.

"We can agree to most of you demands aside from letting you and the others contact your family."

"What part of 'non negotiable' do you not understand?"

"All of you are an immeasurable threat to the fate of mankind."

"We are not rapid dogs. We are Metahumans, which scares all of you into trying to created the ultimate super soldier. NATO did you know that Russia, China, and South Africa had metahumans who they tested on in their own facility instead of sending them here? Or the fact that a scientist here separated a piece of the alien known as Nightmare to test on the metahumans in Russia? The scientists and guards had their metahumans fight each other to the death; the loser was devoured by a piece of said alien. When there was only one metahuman left being the winner they eventually fed them to said alien."

The man speaking for Russia said, "Lies all lies."

"I have proof."

Everyone started yelling at once. Watching the man speaking for Russia begin to sweat was satisfying for the first few seconds. Nightmare and I got tired of the arguing real quick to yell, "ENOUGH!" Silence lasted long enough for me to take in a deep breathe before saying, "All of you are going to agree to our demands or the whole world will know about our existence, the pain that was inflicted on us unjustly, and for a bonus I will not only dox every last one of you; I'll make sure all of your money is gone from every bank account you have weather in your name or not. All of you will find yourselves living on the streets with absolutely no hope. When that happens I will find and being you back here to face proper punishment from us. Is that understood?"

Some of them tried to speak while the others were too scared to say a word. Crossing my arms over my chest I said, "Unless you agree to all of our demands that will happen when I snap my fingers again." Lifting my hand up ready to snap NATO spoke, "Yes! Yes we will agree to your demands."

"That's what I thought."

"What do we get in return?"

"Aside from all of you keeping your lives the way they are, I'm willing to release our hostages back into your care."

"Very well."

"Good, now send your planes or boats for them along with our demands. If any of you try to send your armies, covert ops, or more mercenaries we will not hesitate to fight back."

"We will send a boat for the hostages and your supplies within a few days."

"With that I bid you all adu", I told them all before turning off the monitor. Letting out a long sharp exhale to hear Mat order the others to go back to the main area. Slowly making my way up to Anderson's office I pick up my clothes to get dressed before meeting the other two. Waiting for Mat in the threshold of Anderson's office Anya came to my side to say, "That went well."

"As good as it's going to get."

"Do you really think they'll honor our demands."

"If they don't it'll be actual war on their hands. Nobody wants that."

"What are we going to do now?"

"What are your thoughts on shock therapy?", I aske her. A slow grin spread through both of our faces. "I like the way you think", Anya said. Mat rounded the corner to ask, "What now?" Looking between the both of them I said, "I don't know about y'all, but I need a break and some food."

All of us walked to the beach, seeing every metahuman outside was a bit of a surprise. Mat and Anya stayed by my side while I said, "All our demands have been met. A boat will be here soon with our supplies along with picking up the guards, scientist, and investors. Anderson and Armstrong are going to stay here with us where they can face punishment." Everyone reacted differently some signed, some smiled, others even laughed and began to dance. Seeing hope reach everyone made me feel something warm and nostalgic. Once the cheering dyed down I said, "I want all of you to relax and start having fun. I'll be keeping an eye out for anything that may come our way especially at night."

Leaving everyone there to celebrate I walked with Anya and Mat back to the cafeteria. Seeing some of the janitorial staff outside talking during a smoke break. My eyes caught Zach lighting a cigarette, walking up to him I asked, "Care to spare one?" He handed me one carefully avoiding any kind of touch from my corrupted hands. With the cigarette in hand I lit it with the flick of my fingers. Ignoring the gasps from everyone around I took a much needed inhale to relax my nerves. Hearing Nightmare say This taste bad yet makes me feel good. Everyone went into the cafeteria to leave me alone for a moment.

Finishing the last puff I went inside not caring about the cigarette smell on me. Opening the door to smell Mexican food filling my nose I knew exactly what was being made. No line was formed for me to wait behind, I grabbed two plates to keep from making a second trip. Seeing Mat and Anya eating together Mat called to me, "Come sit with us mate."

Finishing both plates quickly I called for the kitchen and custodial staff to come into the cafeteria room. Giving them the good news about returning home all of them showed the same amount of excitement as the ones we left out on the beach.

Looking to Anya I asked, "When do you want to give our hostages some shock therapy?" With a smile she said, "Whenever you are." Moving my eyes to Mat I said, "You can join if you want." He gave it some thought before replying with a head shake.

Looking back over to Anya I said, "Let's go." She wiggled her fingers to show her excitement made visible with light sparks. We left as the others were coming in to eat. Making our way back to the main building I said, "We'll have everyone come to the cafeteria area, start off with one at a time. It'll be better if we just scramble their memories of what's happened here for however long they have been employed." Anya gave me a side eye look as if to say 'you sure about that?' "As much as I'd like to make all their brains mush for everything that they've done to us. It'll be better if we send them as unharmed as possible." With a shrug Anya replied, "If you say so."

By the time we entered the main area some of our former oppressors caught sight of us and began to run. I yelled, "Every human in the main area come into the cafeteria now!" Seeing all of them turn tail to run into the cafeteria I felt a smirk forming on my lips. As all of them made their way to the cafeteria I heard Anya let off a few sparks in between her fingers. When I popped my knuckles Anya asked, "Is that spreading?" Realizing the corruption was creeping it's way up my forearm I answered with a nonchalant shrug. With everyone shaking in their seats I moved some empty tables around in the middle of the room to pull up a chair up. My eyes landed on the one guard who terrorized me at every chance he had, "Edgar you're first."

He reluctantly stood up from the table to stop right in front of us. "Sit", I ordered pointing at the chair. As Edgar sat down I looked at Anya to say, "Follow my lead." Flexing my index and middle fingers right in front of his eyes I barely pierced them to enter his mind. Searching through the memories of his life I saw that he's always been an asshole since day one. Finding the memories of when he began his stay here I said out loud, "Anya hover your hands over his head and give this god forsaken bastard a shock." Hearing a crack of her knuckles she said, "With pleasure." Carefully monitoring the damage being done to his brain I made sure to focus the electricity to only the specific time of him working here. Leaving a tiny bit of myself inside his brain the way I did with the investors I slowly took my fingers away from his eyes. By the time his eyes were able to focus I made sure to be the first person he saw again, "You will never be able to tell anyone what happened here and if they try to make you talk you'll go into a coma. Do you understand?" Edgar barely had any energy or comprehension to nod his head. "Now get out of my sight and pray that you never see me again", I threatened him with a bite in my voice.

Looking around to pick the next asshole my eyes fell on the first investor that I saw with Armstrong. With a finger pointed directly at him I said, "You're next." Anya and I did the same process until all the memories of every human here had their memories scrambled beyond any medical or psychiatric help of recovering. Suddenly feeling drained I saw Anya looking the way I felt.

Too tired to talk I waved my hand for her to follow me outside. Taking a right at the exit we walked back to the cafeteria. Knowing that dinner should be served or is about to be brought a pep to our step. Entering the cafeteria to see everyone eating Any and I grabbed the last plates before finding a spot to sit down at. We ended up sitting with Mat, Ed, Eric, and Shelly.

After eating the first two plates and working on the third I got up from the table to reach the door. Turning around to everyone in the room I said, "I'm going to keep watch over the island if anything happens all of you will know. If I call your name that means you are needed to fight back. While I doubt that will happen, I like to be prepared for worse case scenarios. Now everyone get some rest. Those of you leaving start packing or if you have any valuables that were taken away ask for help. There will be a boat coming to pick you all up soon. As a token of appreciation I'm going to give each of you a gift in case anything bad happens in the future and you need our help we'll come running. I hope you that day never come, have a goodnight and sweet dreams."

Opening the door to feel the cool breeze I walked to the monitor room to leave my clothes at before turning into my shadow form. Looking down at my hands to see even in this form the corruptions is still rising up my forearms. Asking Nightmare Is this a bad thing? Nightmare replied I'm not sure, should you really be doing this now?

I have to.

Even if that means putting our lives in danger.

There's no telling what will happen if we aren't alert.

Can we try something new?

What do you have in mind?

Do you think I can take control? At least on the physical form?

Do you mean take over the body and morphing it to look you chose?

Yeah, if you're ok with that.

Sure, only one way to find out.

Sitting down on the beach I closed my eyes to wake up in the void. Nightmare was sitting right in front of me. We outstretched our hands to touch each other. With our fingers intertwined a new feeling began to form. Looking deeply into their eyes I began to feel my body change completely. Feeling Nightmare and I become one being we opened our eyes to see the male form Nightmare chose to present themselves as.

Looking down at our lower half we covered our private bits. Letting Nightmare guide our bodies to the shore line was different and in a way calming. Seeing our reflection in the water we were an exact replica to the image I saw of them in the void. We walked along the beach just talking about our lives and what Nightmare went through all this time. In this form the corruption was slowly leaving our hands. We almost looked entirely human in this form.

As the sun began to rise we went back to the main building to morph back into the our other form. Deciding to keep Nightmare's form a secret for now, we got dressed seeing the corruption on our hands again.