Chapter 9: Glimpses

As much as he hated to admit it, Ricco had been right. He had needed the shower and the nap. He actually felt human as he sat down at his desk.

He noticed that the disposable coffee cups that once littered his desk were gone. A closer looker revealed that his files were in something resembling order. He wondered who he had to thank for that as he grabbed a new case file.

“Hey, you’re back.”

He looked up to see Jasmine at his desk, wearing a big smile. She was holding three cups of coffee. “You want a cup?”

“Wasn’t it for someone else?”

“Well, yeah,” she replied with an evil smile, “but Eddie can fend for himself. It would be good for him actually.”

Jonathan eagerly accepted the cup and placed the second on Ricco’s desk. “Where’s Ricco?”

Jasmine leaned against her desk. “In the break room with Nadia. She brought enough food to feed an army. Not that I’m complaining.”

She took a sip of her coffee as her eyes roamed over his desk. “How’s it going?”

“Slow,” Jonathan admitted. “Other than the physical appearance and age of most of the victims, there’s nothing tying these murders together. Aside from the lack of physical evidence.”

“Eddie and I are still receiving cases. The cases are now including assaults that fit the same victim profile and general area of the city.”

“How did we miss this, Jasmine?”

She shrugged. “Wish I knew. And we have the usual crackpots calling in tips. If only we could get a solid lead, we could get this guy.”

Ricco appeared in the doorway. “Hey, you guys gonna eat or what?”

Jonathan glanced at the open file on his desk. Apparently his partner noticed the look as well. The beefy detective slammed the file closed. “You don’t want me to have to send Nadia in here after you.”

“Okay, I guess it can wait a few minutes.” With that he left the closed file on Sofia Martinez on his desk.

* * * * *

Sol studied the disc she held in her gloved hand. Pluto had warned her not to keep it long. Destruction seemed the best method.

“Sol Celestial Wind!”

She wasn’t surprised that her weakest attack had failed. If the disc held enough dark energy to hold the creatures together, it would take more power to destroy it. She sat the disc down and took a few steps back.

“Sol Corona Flare!”

The disc cracked, releasing a flare of black light. She stepped forward to examine it. When she touched it, it released another flare.

‘One more time,’ she thought, stepping back. “Sol Corona Flare!”

The disc glowed red. A few more cracks appeared, releasing smaller flares of light. Finally, it exploded.

She didn’t have time to enjoy her success. Sol could hear female screams. She quickly formed her staff.

Duty called.

* * * * *

She pulled her jacket tighter around her as she began to jog. She hated this part of town. It was worse even after dark.

A low whistle increased her pace. “What’s the hurry, mama? Don’t ya got time for play?”

She now ran. She was relieved when she didn’t hear anyone behind her. In a few short minutes, she would be home.

She was so focused on her destination that she didn’t see the creature lumber out of an alley.

* * * * *

The girl screamed when Sol suddenly landed between her and the monster. However, Sol didn’t risk a glance at the girl. She kept her attention on the creature.

Green liquid dripped from its maw. Unlike its predecessors, she couldn’t make out what it had once been. However, it was bulging with muscle and armed with claws and fangs.

With a roar, it lunged. Sol sliced into its arm. She pressed the shaft of the staff across its chest and shoved. The creature fell back but not far enough for Sol’s liking.

She kept attacking. The creature grudgingly moved back. Soon there was some distance between it and the girl.

Out of the corner, Sol saw the girl run away. This one was quick. She didn’t need to be told to run.

The Guardian took a step back. She raised the Sun Staff high above her head. “Sol Nemesis Nova!”

She bit back an oath as the creature dodged the attack. It jumped to a fire escape and then at her. Sol dropped to her knees and thrust the staff above her.

The blades caught the creature at the bases of its throat. She struggled to hang onto the staff as it ripped through the creature. It fell with a heavy thud behind her.

She rose to her feet. She turned in time to see its dying twitches. However, she couldn’t leave things to chance.

“Sol Nemesis Nova!”

The creature was reduced to a pile of ash. She searched through the ashes. Sure enough there was another disc. A couple of attacks destroyed it.

She didn’t notice the minute shard that embedded itself in her skin. Nor did she notice the figure watching her from a nearby roof. It was far from happy at her success.


Glimpses As much as he hated to admit it, Ricco had been right. He had needed the shower and the nap. He actually felt human as he sat down at his desk. He noticed that the disposable coffee cups that once littered his desk were gone. A closer looker revealed that his files were in something resembling order. He wondered who he had to thank for that as he grabbed a new case file. “Hey, you’re back.” He looked up to see Jasmine at his desk, wearing a big smile. She was holding three cups of coffee. “You want a cup?” “Wasn’t it for someone else?” “Well, yeah,” she replied with an evil smile, “but Eddie can fend for himself. It would be good for him actually.” Jonathan eagerly accepted the cup and placed the second on Ricco’s desk. “Where’s Ricco?” Jasmine leaned against her desk. “In the break room with Nadia. She brought enough food to feed an army. Not that I’m complaining.” She took a sip of her coffee as her eyes roamed over his desk. “How’s it going?” “Slow,” Jonathan admitted. “Other than the physical appearance and age of most of the victims, there’s nothing tying these murders together. Aside from the lack of physical evidence.” “Eddie and I are still receiving cases. The cases are now including assaults that fit the same victim profile and general area of the city.” “How did we miss this, Jasmine?” She shrugged. “Wish I knew. And we have the usual crackpots calling in tips. If only we could get a solid lead, we could get this guy.” Ricco appeared in the doorway. “Hey, you guys gonna eat or what?” Jonathan glanced at the open file on his desk. Apparently his partner noticed the look as well. The beefy detective slammed the file closed. “You don’t want me to have to send Nadia in here after you.” “Okay, I guess it can wait a few minutes.” With that he left the closed file on Sofia Martinez on his desk. * * * * * Sol studied the disc she held in her gloved hand. Pluto had warned her not to keep it long. Destruction seemed the best method. “Sol Celestial Wind!” She wasn’t surprised that her weakest attack had failed. If the disc held enough dark energy to hold the creatures together, it would take more power to destroy it. She sat the disc down and took a few steps back. “Sol Corona Flare!” The disc cracked, releasing a flare of black light. She stepped forward to examine it. When she touched it, it released another flare. ‘One more time,’ she thought, stepping back. “Sol Corona Flare!” The disc glowed red. A few more cracks appeared, releasing smaller flares of light. Finally, it exploded. She didn’t have time to enjoy her success. Sol could hear female screams. She quickly formed her staff. Duty called. * * * * * She pulled her jacket tighter around her as she began to jog. She hated this part of town. It was worse even after dark. A low whistle increased her pace. “What’s the hurry, mama? Don’t ya got time for play?” She now ran. She was relieved when she didn’t hear anyone behind her. In a few short minutes, she would be home. She was so focused on her destination that she didn’t see the creature lumber out of an alley. * * * * * The girl screamed when Sol suddenly landed between her and the monster. However, Sol didn’t risk a glance at the girl. She kept her attention on the creature. Green liquid dripped from its maw. Unlike its predecessors, she couldn’t make out what it had once been. However, it was bulging with muscle and armed with claws and fangs. With a roar, it lunged. Sol sliced into its arm. She pressed the shaft of the staff across its chest and shoved. The creature fell back but not far enough for Sol’s liking. She kept attacking. The creature grudgingly moved back. Soon there was some distance between it and the girl. Out of the corner, Sol saw the girl run away. This one was quick. She didn’t need to be told to run. The Guardian took a step back. She raised the Sun Staff high above her head. “Sol Nemesis Nova!” She bit back an oath as the creature dodged the attack. It jumped to a fire escape and then at her. Sol dropped to her knees and thrust the staff above her. The blades caught the creature at the bases of its throat. She struggled to hang onto the staff as it ripped through the creature. It fell with a heavy thud behind her. She rose to her feet. She turned in time to see its dying twitches. However, she couldn’t leave things to chance. “Sol Nemesis Nova!” The creature was reduced to a pile of ash. She searched through the ashes. Sure enough there was another disc. A couple of attacks destroyed it. She didn’t notice the minute shard that embedded itself in her skin. Nor did she notice the figure watching her from a nearby roof. It was far from happy at her success.


Chapter 10: Fragments Sol (AU): Dark is the Night Sarah's Sanctuary