E.G.G Episode 38: The Dark Day Part 1- Darkstream

AND THERE CAME A DAY, A DAY UNLIKE ANY OTHER. WHEN THREE FRIENDS ROSE FROM THEIR DOOM TO FIGHT ON, VOWING NEVER AGAIN TO GIVE IN TO THE FORCES OF EVIL. ON THAT DAY, E.G.G WAS REBORN. AND THERE CAME A DAY AFTER THAT DAY. A DAY WHEN THE THREE FRIENDS WOULD FINALLY FACE THEIR FINAL BATTLE. THAT DAY WILL FOREVER BE KNOWN, AS THE DARK DAY.

"Okay, progress. This is what I've been looking for! I'm closer now than ever- what the... Hm, thought I heard something... Oh well, I've gotta find the last diary entry, it's all finally coming full circle! I could stop the Dark Day, I could save countless lives! Let's just hope I can finally find the answer."

Alchemax Digital Translator Version 12.0

Welcome: O’Hara, Miguel.

Now translating document into digital copy.

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Celeste Aoki: Diary Entry 11
May 15, 2015

Dear Mom,
Wow, I got jumped last night! Don’t worry, I’m fine, except for the hole in my foot from the stupid nail I stepped on (Some jerk tried to shoot me with a nail gun! Unbelievable, right!). Either way, Lightstream swooped in for the rescue, and in my pain and agony, I accidentally revealed that I knew who she was. Oops! Well, that wasn’t the only secret revealed today! Everyone finally figured out Mr. Westbrook and Allyson were dating. Unfortunately it was because they broke up. I guess that’s what happens you brag about almost kissing another girl. Wait, Auntie Acacia’s calling me.

Okay, I just heard the worst thing ever! Lightstream killed someone! Ms. Wuthrich, Eileen, murdered a Syndicate commander in cold blood. How can she do that, she just saved my life last night, now she killed a man? I saw her talking to Mr. Westbrook and Auntie Acacia like nothing happened, but if she’s starting to kill people, maybe I should tell them who she is, just so they can intervene. I don’t know what to do mom, this is when I really wish you were still here. This is just unbelievable, first that spaz back at the hospital, now this? What’s wrong with her? I hope this is the last time, because knowing that there’s someone in our base with the potential and will to kill, it’s kind of scary.

Seriously concerned,

Celeste

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End of translation.

Goodbye.

Click here to read E.G.G Episode 37: Revelations

Click here for Episode 37 Q&A

The Dark Day

E.G.G SEASON 2 FINALE

PART 1

-Darkstream-

Eileen, Josh and Acacia all sat in the Feeding Pen, laughing and eating broccoli and cheddar soup out of a bread bowl.

“No, that’s not even the best part!” Josh said. “Then he jumped across the table and knocked Fury out of his seat!”

“No!” Acacia said.

“That really happened?” Eileen asked.

“I kid you not!” Josh said. “You should’ve seen how steamed he was!” They all laughed. “Ah, the good old S.H.I.E.L.D days.”

“Yeah, but that’s nothing compared to when we met the X-Men!” Eileen said.

“Wait, you guys met the X-Men?” Acacia asked, almost spitting out her soup.

“Yeah, we never told you?” Eileen said. “Okay, so it was my birthday, and of course, Josh didn’t remember…”

“Hey, I resent that!” Josh replied.

“Don’t know why, it’s true!” Eileen laughed.

“That sounds exactly like something Josh would do!” Acacia agreed.

“Oh whatever guys!” He said. Suddenly Jocasta walked into the room. “Hey, what’s up Jocasta?”

“We have a visitor.” She said, stepping to the side. Agent Rice walked into the room. Josh looked in confusion.

“Agent Rice?” He said. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to solve Eileen’s problem.” Rice replied.

“Problem?” Eileen said. “I don’t have a problem.”

“Yeah, Eileen’s fine.” Acacia said. “So I think you should pack up and get out of here.”

“Did anyone notice that Lightstream killed someone yesterday?” Rice said. Eileen’s heart skipped a beat.

“Yeah, she’s the one with the problem.” Josh said. “Why don’t you go talk to her.” Rice sighed.

“You idiots really haven’t figured it out yet.” He said. “Eileen is Lightstream.” Eileen began to speak when Josh broke down laughing.

“Eileen!” He said. “Haha, this girl here? Hahaha! Lightstream! Haha, you’re crazy! Number one, Lightstream manipulates energy, Eileen shoots lightning.”

“Josh…” Eileen said.

“Number two, Eileen can’t fly!”

“Josh…”

“And number three, Eileen would never, ever, never kill anyone! Just a few weeks ago my friend Kristen called me and…”

“Josh!” Eileen shouted.

“What?” He said. “I’m trying to get this clown’s facts straight!” Eileen slowly unzipped her E.G.G uniform and revealed her Lightstream costume. Josh paused. “Oh.” He said. Then his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fainted.

“Eileen?” Acacia said. Eileen looked at her sadly.

“I am so sorry I never told you.” She said. “I thought about it. I really did. I even tried a few times, but I could never just bring myself to do it.”

“Why?” Acacia said. “We’re your friends. Just a few days ago I laid out my entire life story for you guys.”

“I know, I know, and I respect you for that. I don’t know, it just… I never found the right moment…” Josh opened his eyes and sat up.

“Phew, guys, I had the craziest dream! Agent Rice showed up, and Eileen was Lightstream!” He looked and saw Rice, and Eileen’s costume showing through her uniform. “Oh, right.” He said sadly.

“Listen, Agent Rice is right.” Eileen said. “I do have a problem. I don’t know, it’s just, when I get angry I lose control. When I first used my powers against Julian, back when we fought the Avengers, in Tanner’s hospital room, and now what happened yesterday? I can’t live with myself knowing that I took a life. I need help.”

“This is… troubling.” Josh said. “But we will have words. As for you, Agent Rice. What kind of ‘help’ are you here to offer?”

“Well, my assignment was to kill her the next time she lost control.”

“Over my dead…”

“But I’m not going to do that. I have an alternative that may just help.”

“Yeah, well thanks but no thanks. We’ll fix Eileen by ourselves, without help from one of Hill’s lackeys.”

“My orders came from Nick Fury.” Rice replied. Acacia’s eyes widened.

“Fury’s alive?” She said.

“Yes, and unless you guys trust me, you might not be. Now, what’s it gonna be?” Josh looked at Eileen, who was looking at the floor, silently crying. He sighed.

“Fine.” He said. “What do you want us to do?”

“Get a copy of all of Eileen’s medical records and have that jet of yours prepped and set for New York.” Rice ordered. “I want to be in the air in twenty minutes.”

“Don’t know who put you in charge…” Josh mumbled to himself. Acacia put her hand on Eileen’s back.

“Hey, nobody blames you for what happened.” She said. “You clearly weren’t in control of yourself. Now, we’re going to go with Agent Rice and figure out what’s wrong with you, okay?” Eileen sniffled and wiped her eyes.

“Okay.” She said.

“Jocasta, get the jet ready.” Josh said.

“Right away.” She replied.

“Acacia, get Eileen’s medical records, I’m gonna go keep an eye on Agent butthead.” Josh walked off. Acacia patted Eileen’s back and walked off. Eileen sighed.

“Why is this happening to me?” She asked. She walked down the hall then stopped. She backed up and looked into a mirror. She reached out to touch it when suddenly her reflection’s eyes flashed red. Eileen jumped back, then rushed off to the hangar.

Acacia was leaving the Medical Bay with Eileen’s records when the elevator opened. Celeste, Jerome, and Seth all raced out laughing, Harry just behind them.

“We’re playing Clones first!” Jerome called.

“No, dragons!” Seth shouted.

“I wanna play hide and seek!” Celeste complained, as they all ran off.

“Hey, you kids play nice now!” Harry called after them. He spotted Acacia. “Hey honeybun!”

“Hi Harry,” she said, kissing him.

“Those kids are handful,” he said. “But they’re good kids. Hey, what’s all that?”

“Huh? Oh, just some of Eileen’s medical stuff. There’s something wrong with her powers, we’re just gonna go check it out.”

“Oh, okay.” He said. He looked at Acacia slowly shifting through the papers. “Are you okay?”

“Hm? Oh, yeah, just lots to think about. Anyways, I’m gonna be gone for a bit, so I’ll see you when I get back, kay Harr-Bear?”

“Alright.” Acacia turned to walk away when he grabbed her hand. “Hey, I love you.” Acacia smiled.

“Love you too.” She said. Celeste walked in.

“Where are you going?” She asked.

“New York, we’ll be back.”

“Whoa, you’re gonna leave me alone with her? Not sure I can handle it!” Harry teased. Acacia laughed.

“You’ll be fine.” she said. “She’s a good girl.” She kneeled down and kissed Celeste on the forehead. “Goodbye Celeste.” Celeste paused. Then she smiled.

“Bye Auntie Acacia…” She said. Acacia turned and left. Celeste stood and stared. Harry looked at her.

“You okay?” He said.

“Those were the exact words my mom said before she left.” Celeste said. “And I never saw her again…”

“Celeste?” Seth called. “We didn’t mean to run you off!”

“Yeah,” Jerome said. “We’ll play hide and seek!” She looked up at Harry. He nodded towards them.

“Go play, Acacia will be fine.” He reassured. Celeste nodded and left with Seth and Jerome.

Rice and Josh walked into the hangar.

“So where’s he been all this time?” Josh asked.

“A barber shop in New York.” Rice replied.

“From Director of S.H.I.E.L.D to a barber? Talk about downsizing.”

“Wha- no! Ugh, you’re an idiot.”

“So is that your catchphrase, or what?”

“You’re about to make it one!”

“Guys.” Acacia said, walking in. “Can we focus on the matter at hand?”

“It was him!” Josh and Rice said at the same time. Acacia face palmed.

“You’re both idiots!” She said. Eileen walked in. Everyone got quiet as she walked past them and onto the ramp to the E.G.G Jet.

“Thanks for not making it awkward guys.” She said as she boarded. They all looked at each other, then boarded the jet.

They had been flying for about 15 minutes, and Acacia was going insane. Rice and Jocasta were flying, and she, Josh, and Eileen were sitting in the back, completely silent. She couldn’t take it anymore; she had to break the silence.

“So…” She said. “I believe someone place an order on eBay for a Lightstream action figure.” Josh quickly sat up, alerted.

“Oh yeah.” Eileen said. “I believe that same someone was talking about finally being able to make out with her whenever he pleased.”

“Now wait just a minute!” Josh defended. “I had no idea you were Lightstream!”

“So what about me being completely hot?” Eileen said. “Did you mean it?”

“No!” Josh quickly stated. “Not at all!”

“Oh, what about super hottie?”

“Nope.”

“Girl of your dreams?”

“Uh-uh.”

“Sexiest woman of 2015?”

“We all know that’s Halle Berry.”

“Grizwaldelicious?”

“That’s not even a real word.”

“Oh no, it is. You gave me the definition and everything. It’s when a girl is so hot that she…”

“Well I didn’t mean it! Any of it!” Josh folded his arms and spun around in his chair, thoroughly embarrassed. Acacia broke down laughing. Eileen smiled.

“You know, it’s okay to say you think I’m attractive.” She said. Josh sighed.

“You filled out the costume really well.” He said. “Really well. I mean, really, really well…”

“That’s gross dude.” Rice said.

“Wha- shut up and fly the plane!” Josh angrily replied. Everyone laughed as they made their way to New York, Acacia proud of what she had accomplished.

The E.G.G Jet had reached New York and landed on the roof of the Baxter Building, headquarters to the Fantastic 4. Josh looked out his window.

“The Baxter Building?” He said.

“Yeah,” Rice replied. “If anyone can help us, it’s Reed Richards. Come on.” They all got off and entered through the roof doorway. They made their way down a flight of stairs to the penthouse of the Fantastic 4. Rice knocked on the door, and Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman answered. She gasped.

“Acacia!” She exclaimed, hugging her. “I haven’t seen you since the Skrull invasion! How have you been?”

“I’ve been good.” She said. “Is your husband home? We really need his help.”

“Oh yeah, Reed’s always in his lab doing something. Come in!” They all walked in and Josh stepped in a pizza box.

“Ew,” he said. Susan sighed.

“Johnny! Clean up this mess!” She called to Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, who was on the couch playing a video game. “We have company!”

“Yeah, sure thing sis, just gotta…” He said, standing up and rapidly tapping his controller. “Beat this boss…”

“Ugh, boys!” Susan complained.

“Tell me about it.” Eileen, Acacia, and even Jocasta replied. Josh looked at Rice.

“Well we’re not that bad!” He said. He looked over at Johnny. “No dude, go for the legs! You can’t hit his head until get him down!”

“Oh, sweet, thanks!” Johnny said, switching his play tactic. Rice face palmed. Acacia sighed and grabbed Josh.

“Come on.” She said, dragging him as they followed Susan.

They walked into the laboratory of Mr. Fantastic.

“Whoa…” The three friends all said in amazement at all of the equipment, machinery, and gizmos piled in one place.

“Wow,” Josh said. “This puts the Humpty Dumpty Hall to shame.”

“You got that right…” Acacia said.

“Reed, we have guests!” Susan called. “Joshua, Acacia, and Eileen, from E.G.G.” Reed’s head stretched from behind a machine he was working on.

“Oh, hello there.” He said.

“Attention.” A robotic voice called from the ceiling. “I have detected another AI presence in the lab. Analysis in progress.”

“Oh, it’s just Jocasta.” Josh said. “She’s cool.”

“Stand down H.E.R.B.I.E.” Reed called. “She’s not hostile.”

“Warning.” H.E.R.B.I.E replied. “Ultron technology detected. Suggest immediate annihilation.”

“I think I will wait outside…” Jocasta said, backing out of the room.

“Ah, sorry about that.” Mr. Fantastic said. “H.E.R.B.I.E’s super defensive. The building gets attacked a lot, Dr. Doom sent it into space once!”

“I’ve heard.” Josh said. “But on to other matters, we need your help.”

“Well what seems to be the problem?” He asked.

“Well, our friend Eileen here is having some problems with her powers…”

“What kind of powers does she have?”

“Well, she’s recently acquired a few new ones…”

“Her powers were induced by Extremis.” Rice interrupted. “But it seems they’ve evolved into something more powerful and potentially more dangerous.”

“I could have said that…” Josh said.

“Hm,” Reed said. “Extremis? That’s a dangerous substance. Can I see her medical records?”

“Right here.” Acacia said, giving them to him. He examined them carefully.

“Interesting… How did she get Extremis in her blood stream?”

“Uh, that was me…” Acacia honestly answered. “But she would’ve died without it! And I only gave her a little bit!”

“Was it diluted?”

“Well… no.”

“Injected into her arm I assume?”

“Yes.”

“She was encased by a cocoon that emerged from her mouth and hatched about three hours later?” Josh looked at him, grossed out.

“Okay, I didn’t know all that.” He said.

“Yes, that’s what happened.” Acacia said.

“Okay… Well, I’m going to have to run a few tests…” He stretched his arm across the room and grabbed a medical gown. “Here, put this on.” He said, handing it to Eileen. She took it and looked at Josh and Acacia, who gave her thumbs up. She sighed.

“Okay. Here goes nothing.” She walked into the restroom.

“I’m also going to have to ask you to leave.” Reed said. “Some of the tests are a bit… unsettling.”

“Right,” Josh said as he, Acacia and Rice left the room.

“Well, make yourselves at home!” Susan said. “Reed will call you when she’s done.”

“Thank you guys.” Josh said. “You’re really helping. And thank you, Agent Rice.”

“What for?” He asked.

“For asking questions first and shooting later.”

“Let’s hope I don’t have to shoot at all.” He said, walking away.

“Right…” Josh agreed. Then Ben Grimm, the Thing, walked into the room. He sat on the couch and pushed Johnny out of the way.

“Move it flame-brain, the game’s on!” He said, grabbing for the remote.

“No way!” Johnny said, snatching it. “I was totally here first!”

“Give me that remote, or it’s clobberin’ time!”

“Take it from me! Flame on!” He shouted, engulfing his body in flame.

“Now it’s a party!” Acacia said, flaming on as well and joining the fight.

“And there’s whole month of repairs out the window.” Susan said, walking away. Josh slowly made his way to the couch, picked up the controller, and finished playing Johnny’s game.

Hours had gone by. Josh was flipping through channels. The Thing was sleep. Susan was sweeping up the mess. Johnny was attempting to hit on Acacia, and failing. Finally Reed came out of the lab.

“Director Westbrook, Captain Blanco, may I see you for a minute?” He called.

“Sure thing.” Josh said as he and Acacia followed Reed into the lab. “Where’s Eileen?”

“Blaaaaaahhhhh!” They all heard from the bathroom.

“The procedures… took their toll on her.” Reed said.

“Oh…” Josh said.

“Nothing serious, just some slight nausea. Maybe stomach pains. A little…”

“Can we get to the results?” Acacia asked anxiously.

“Oh, yes, of course.” Reed stretched his arm across the lab and grabbed a chart. “Well, as you know, I ran a series of thorough tests, some of which were complete failures. Some though, revealed some pretty interesting data. I cross referenced Eileen’s powers with her DNA and factored in the Extremis effect on the physiology of…”

“Bottom line please.” Josh said.

“Yes, well, you might not believe this, but according to the results, I’m fairly certain that Eileen is a mutant.”

“Say what now?” Josh asked.

“Mutant!” Acacia exclaimed. “Tell me you’re joking!”

“I’m afraid not. I found slight traces of the X-Gene dispersed through her blood line. What I think happened is that the Extremis merged with the X-Gene, and somehow evolved Eileen’s powers into what they are becoming.”

“This is impossible.” Acacia said. “Even if Eileen was a mutant, she can’t be one now. Extremis rewrites your biology, and recreates you into something entirely new!”

“Under normal circumstances yes, and theoretically the X-Gene in her should have been destroyed in the process. But instead it was repressed, and seems to only surface when Eileen is in severe states of emotional flux.”

“Which explains her spaz outs.” Josh said. “Do you think it’s possible that the mutant inside of her formed its own identity? Its own persona?”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Reed said. “But Extremis has never been used on anyone with the X-Gene before, so we can’t rule anything out.”

“Okay, okay,” Acacia said. “So how do we fix it? Can we get the Extremis out of her?”

“Impossible.” Reed answered. “Like you said, it didn’t enter her DNA, it re-forged it. What we can do though is get the X-Gene out.”

“A mutant cure?” Josh said. “I thought the government had a whole thing about that.”

“Due to its controversy, it was deemed illegal, yes.” Reed said. “But you can guarantee some still exists at Worthington Labs. But, seeing as how we can’t get our hands on that, this’ll have to do for the time being.” He held up a syringe with a white liquid in it. “This should suppress her X-Gene for a significantly longer period of time, enough time for you three to get your hands on that cure and use it.”

“Thank you Richards.” Josh said. “You don’t know how much this means to us.” Eileen emerged from the bathroom.

“Did you… figure out how to fix me?” She asked.

“Yes!” Reed exclaimed. “If you’ll just come lay on the table.” Eileen laid down on the table, Josh and Acacia by her side. “We’re just going to suppress the X-Gene in you long enough to keep you in control, at least until you find a more permanent cure.”

“X-Gene?” Eileen asked. “I’m a mutant?”

“Yeah,” Josh said. “Freaky, right?”

“More like awesome!” Acacia said.

“Or both.” Eileen said. “Either way, if it keeps me from flipping out, I guess my mutant side has to go. Do it.”

“Okay.” Reed said, rolling back her sleeve. “Now this may sting a little.” He moved the needle towards Eileen’s arm. Suddenly her eyes flashed red.

“NO!” She shouted, knocking it out of his hand. Her voice split into two. “You will not shut me out again!” She stood up. Josh and Acacia grabbed her.

“Eileen, stop!” Josh said. “Richards, do it, now!” Reed stretched for the syringe, but Eileen held out her hand and electrocuted him with red lightning.

“Aaaahhh!” Reed screamed as he fell to the ground, crushing the vial. Eileen pulled free, then knocked Josh into Acacia. They flew across the room and hit the wall.

“Eileen!” Acacia cried. “Snap out of it!”

“Eileen is dead!” She shouted. “There is only… Darkstream!” Suddenly Eileen was shot, twice to the chest and once to the head. She fell onto the ground.

“EILEEN!” Josh screamed. He turned to see Rice standing there, holding a gun. “You killed her!” He rushed at Rice, but Rice reversed him and slammed him against the wall. Acacia rushed over to Eileen and searched for a pulse.

“She’s dead.” Acacia said, tears in her eyes. “Not again, this can’t be happening again…”

“You did not have to do that!” Josh screamed.

“She was gone.” Rice said. “I just saved hundreds, maybe thousands of lives.”

“We could have brought her back!”

“No! It was over when she spoke the words ‘Eileen is dead’. I’ve done my duty.” He put his gun back into its holster.

“How will you live with yourself…” Josh growled.

“Guys…” Acacia said, quickly standing and backing up. Eileen slowly began to rise. The three bullets fell to the floor. Her wounds instantly healed. She looked at Rice, her eyes flaming red.

“You tried to kill me.” She said. Rice quickly drew his gun but she blasted it out of his hand. She held out her hand and Rice began to levitate. “Now I will kill you.”

“Ah, err…” Rice struggled, as he began to turn to stone.

“Eileen don’t!” Josh shouted. She looked at him.

“I told you.” She replied. “My name is Darkstream.”

“Run!” Rice screamed, as he was completely turned to stone. Darkstream balled her hand into a fist. Rice’s body cracked, and then blew into pieces. Josh and Acacia watched in horror.

“Hahahahaha!” Darkstream laughed. Her hands lit up red and she blew a hole into the roof. Then she took off into the sky. Acacia looked at Josh.

“She… She killed him.” She said. Josh inhaled deeply.

“I think things just got serious.” He said. “Get the jet. We’ve got to find her. And we have got to stop her.”

To Be Continued…

Leave questions so that I can answer them in the Q&A on May 21, and tune in next Friday, May 22, for part two to this definitive E.G.G Season 2 Finale... E.G.G Episode 39: The Dark Day Part 2!