Ashes of Our Flame
by RapwizzyDebaron
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Episode 89: "Flames That Collide"
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The chamber trembled with raw energy as Kara faced Subject Zero—her reflection twisted into something monstrous. Sparks danced between the conduits above them, casting eerie shadows across their faces.
Dr. Vane stood between them, hands clasped behind his back like a conductor ready to cue a symphony of destruction. "This is the pinnacle of the Lazarus Protocols. You and him—light and shadow. One born from defiance, the other from design."
Kara stepped forward, her voice firm. "You used us. You tried to write our story for us."
Zero's voice cut in, low and mechanical. "He didn't write mine. I chose this."
"No," Kara replied. "You were programmed to believe you did."
With a snarl, Zero lunged.
Their bodies collided with the force of thunder, fists and fire exploding between them. Kara ducked a wild swing, rolling and landing a blow to his ribs. But he didn't flinch. He moved like a ghost, a machine trained to counter her every move.
Tessa's voice crackled through the comm. "Kara, we're on our way—"
"No!" she snapped, dodging a strike that shattered a nearby console. "Stay out. This is between me and him."
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Outside the core chamber, Adrian, Ronan, and Seraphina fought through the last of the mutated guards. Blood and sparks coated the floor as they pressed toward Kara's location.
"We have to get to her," Adrian growled, blasting a creature off the stairwell.
Seraphina looked at the flickering surveillance feed. "She's holding her own. But not for long."
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Back in the core, Kara's breath came in short gasps. Zero had her pinned against the wall, one hand crushing her throat, the other drawing a blade from his back.
"You're weak," he growled. "You let memories make you soft."
Kara's fingers reached for her belt—then with a flick, she activated a pulse grenade between them.
Boom!
They were both flung backward. Smoke clouded the chamber. Kara coughed, rising to her knees as the dust cleared—and saw Zero, standing again.
"You're not going to stop, are you?" she whispered.
"I don't stop. I finish."
Then a voice rang out—Adrian.
"No. We finish this together."
He stormed into the chamber, rifle aimed at Zero. Behind him, Ronan and Seraphina followed, weapons ready.
Kara stood, shoulders squared. "This ends now."
Zero looked at them all, then back at Kara. "You're still outnumbered."
Dr. Vane smirked and tapped the console. "Not anymore."
With a hiss, six more pods opened across the room. Clones. Failures. Half-formed versions of Kara and Zero, snarling and twitching, released like beasts from a cage.
Kara's heart pounded. "We're too late…"
"No," Adrian said, stepping beside her. "We're right on time."
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To be continued…
🔥 One final fight. Against their shadows, their past, and their creator.
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