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♦ Topic: Apex the Predator breaks Protectorate
In: Boards ► America ► Brockton Bay ► Capes ► Apex
►Bagrat (Original Poster) (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)
In case anyone missed it, the boardwalk was home to the biggest cape fight in Brockton Bay history yesterday.
Apex, the confirmed power thief (who the PRT finally confirmed had killed freshly signed Ward Shadow Stalker, press conference here - Link.mp3) versus New Wave and the Protectorate.
First some background information, this whole thing was apparently set off by Apex kidnapping Panacea! Yes, you read that right, I'd question how he could possibly have the balls to think he could get away with that, but…
Well, it became obvious why, soon enough.
Some of the onlookers in the café captured part of the confrontation, showcasing that Glory Girl, as seen here, img.1.jpg img.2.jpg was likely mastered, which led to Panacea leaving with another unknown cape, as seen here, img1.jpg img2.jpg presumably working for Apex.
The Predators, the newly risen gang attributed to Apex, apparently have an unknown master amongst them, together with the unknown flying cape who took Panacea away. Confirming Apex is not the only cape in the gang.
New Wave and the Protectorate arrived in force, Apex waiting for them.
The entire fight was filmed, showing that Apex had intended to show this off, and the video link can be found here
Like Lung before him, Apex has introduced himself to Brockton Bay through defeating all that the heroes could bring to bear. 1vs12.
To further confuse things, Panacea and Glory Girl were released perfectly fine. Begging the question, what does Apex want?
So far, the PRT has been absolutely silent on any possible consequences or reinforcements and there is no sign of the Triumvirate assisting.
Is this the end of Brockton Bay? It certainly doesn't look good.
(Showing page 1 of 69)
►Niraada (Verified Brocktonite)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
There goes the neighborhood…
Not even the boardwalk is safe anymore, the heroes are a joke!
Apex, our new benevolent (I hope) Overlord, I'll completely be okay with your rulership if you take out Lung and Kaiser.
At this point, a villain ruling the bay can't possibly be worse then what we already got.
►Tinfoilcap
Replied On October 20th 2009:
With heroes being taken down like this, what chance do regular people have?
I'm seriously considering moving out of Brockton Bay.
It's just not safe here anymore.
►MyAfroAteMyDog
Replied On October 20th 2009:
#Tinfoilcape Cuz it was sooo safe before, right? Lung ring a bell? E88? It hasn't been safe to walk anywhere but the boardwalk since forever!
If anything, if Apex hunts down the other villains and lives up to his name, At least we'll only have one gang oppressing us while the heroes impotently stand by…
►SlanneshSoldier69
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Heh, impotent.
Because Triumph lost his dick,
Get it?
►Tin_Mother (Moderator)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
#SlanneshSoldier69 take a mute for a day, it's beyond distasteful to make fun of such a horrific injury to a hero, have some decorum.
#Niraada I'll only warn you once, do not entice villains against each other. Any further discussion on this subject will lead to bans.
►JustSomeGuyWithAMustage(Temp Banned)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Tin_Mother repressing people as usual, dick jokes are covered by free speech!
Panacea will fix him up anyway, so why does anyone care?
Smh, if anything Triumph is lucky. He'll get to tell Panacea he was a 11 inch monster downstairs when she fixes him back up, plus he'll get to say Panacea was all over his dick!
Snark is justice!
Plus dat ass! Img.jpg
►Tin_Mother (Moderator)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
#JustSomeGuyWithAMustage Take a 48 hour ban, I just warned against this behavior.
Also, Panacea is a minor, think carefully before posting anything like this again or you will receive a permaban.
►Liima1 (Verified Finnish)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Why am I not surprised that a thread on the absolute spanking ONE villain gave to every hero in the bay immediately devolves into dick jokes and thirst for Panacea instead…
At least it wasn't Glory Girl this time.
But seriously, no one's got a comment on the fact that unlike Lung, who only held off the entire Protectorate and then ran away - Apex kicked the shit out of BOTH New Wave and the Protectorate and made it look easy!
Srsly, he could have killed them all. Am I the only one worried that he didn't think they were worth killing?
He's a power thief right? Make it make sense, smh.
►XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On October 20th 2009:
This is PROOF Apex works for the government, why else would he leave them alive?
The government made him, and is keeping him on the leash, and all you suckers are falling for it!
Triumph is new to the Protectorate, he wasn't in on the plot, so they cut him down to size to scare him into following along from now on.
It's so obvious!
►GhostHammer
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Cut to size lol
The Triumph memes are already conquering the internet, Link1.jpg Link2.jpg
►Dr. Flembo
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Void, any other time, I can chuckle along to your idiocy, not today. Shut up, I mean it!
This dude killed Miss Militia, so fuck right off and crawl back into your moms basement.
The heroes being humiliated isn't a government plot, it's Brockton Bay's death knell.
Like really? Can we trust them now? They couldn't handle Lung, or any of the other gangs and now Apex is worse.
If you haven't given up all hope already, you aren't paying attention.
►Reave (Verified PRT Agent)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
I'd like to clarify that each and every hero that took part in the operation yesterday will make a full recovery. The PRT is as always working to ensure Brockonites remain safe, and will continue to do so.
If anyone has information on Apex or the Predators, please contact the anonymous PRT tip line, Link.
If you see Apex do not approach, and immediately call it in.
►GehsteigPanzer
Replied On October 20th 2009:
#Reave What are you smoking and can I have some? Must be good shit.
What the hell is a tip line gonna do, huh?
Sending everything you got couldn't even scratch the guy, so what exactly are you gonna do?
PRT fucking useless as usual. Fuck Brockton, man.
►Valkyr (Wiki Warrior)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
This fight is horrifying to see, but at least helps me flesh out the wiki, Apex really showcased some scary abilities here.
Flight and brute powers confirmed, Shadow Stalkers shadow state seen in action for the first time. (Ridiculously overpowered, she would have made a great Ward.) Sadly, Miss Militia's power was used to great effect as well, and Damsels of Distress power proved how dangerous it is. Adding Grues' power to it all is just unfair.
Anyone have any idea on the two capes in the Predators besides Apex? Names? Powers?
►Apexfanboy
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Not gonna lie, seeing Apex take down those heroes was kinda badass.
Maybe it's time for a new order in this city.
#ApexRules
►Winged_One
Replied On October 20th 2009:
He sure looks like he's got all the muscles, mama likes.
I'll have whatever he's packing…
#ApexRules
►Brocktonite03 (Veteran Member)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
And the crazies all flock to the thread as usual…
Instead of all the thirst and insanity, how about we speculate on why exactly Apex wanted Panacea bad enough to fight the entirety of New Wave and the Protectorate.
Especially as he just let her go immediately.
A power thief just letting THE Panacea go is odd, isn't it? Her power isn't anything to scoff at, right?
►JollyHippo (Veteran Member) (Secret Overlord)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
You're right that is odd. Just as odd as the fact he didn't go lethal against the heroes. (Triumph doesn't count, it really looks like he had no idea he was there.)
Are the PRT somehow wrong about how he gets powers?
►Tsarina (Unverified Cape)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
As you people have questions, I, the indomitable and beautiful Tsarina shall educate you peasants, only slightly assisted by my contemporaries.
Yes, I am the amazing cape, part of the Predators under glorious Apex, who flew off with the perfidious Panacea. You may pause to venerate me now.
The other member, who dealt with the false beauty Glory Girl goes by Wraith, and yes, she is duly aware some other lesser being holds that name.
They can feel free to come to Brockton and challenge Apex about his subordinates name if the other, lesser, Wraith has an issue.
As for why all this happened. Why, it's all due to Panacea and her lies.
Apex was born through Panacea's refusal to heal a family member. All of this comes from that refusal, and yesterday's event brought the lying false hero to us, where with Glory Girls fate on the line…
Panacea healed Apex's loved one. Healing the brain injury, like she's always been able to.
Her lack of care, her lies, her hidden criminal nature…
Panacea brought this all on by herself.
►Brocktonite03 (Veteran Member)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
If this is true…
It's… Huge.
I'm taking it with a grain of salt, because criminal, but still…
#New Wave any comments?
►Strangefellow
Replied On October 20th 2009:
It better not be fucking true, my daughter passed away from a brain injury she got from shrapnel from a E88 versus NEW WAVE fight.
She died because Panacea couldn't do brains!
#PRT I demand answers on Panacea's powers!
►CakeIsALie
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Ditto #PRT I add to #Strangefellows cry for justice. My father passed away from brain cancer that Panacea couldn't treat.
If this is true, her cruelty beats out any gang in the city.
#New Wave respond damn you! #Panacea don't hide you bitch!
►Gallant (Verified Cape) (ENE Wards)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Calm down everyone, and think through this logically. Don't believe everything a villain tells you.
I know both sisters, I have worked with them, Panacea constantly pushes herself to the max to heal people, she is a hero.
That is unquestionable.
►Tin_Mother (Moderator)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
#CakeIsALie take a 24 hour mute to calm down, do not call out heroes. #Tsarina, do not inflame the thread further or you will be banned.
►Austin
Replied On October 20th 2009:
#Tsarina Hey, putting aside the Pan-Pan controversy, why did you call Glory Girl a false beauty?
Girl is smokin'
►Tsarina (Unverified Cape)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
#Tin_Mother I am not responsible for peasants unable to hold in their pitiful emotions when faced with the truth. Ban me if you will, it will only prove me right in the end.
#Austin Simple, it is because it is false. Panacea is a biokinetic according to the glorious Apex.
Like names such as Nilbog and Bonesaw, changing biology is a trivial matter.
Glory Girls parents are at best two 5-6s in a grading scale where 10 is perfection.
Yet Glory Girl is - to most peasants anyway - that perfection. She has never suffered from acne, never gained weight, or any of the tribulations facing a normal teenage girl since Panacea gained her powers.
Look at before and after pictures. Glory Girl was undoubtedly cute. And while you peasants weren't in the know, you attributed her changes to puberty.
One does not go from cute to perfect super model without outside assistance. Hence false beauty.
Her ego is undeserved, unlike us natural beauties.
►XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Wait!?
That means I was right about Panacea being the Nilbog girl version!
►Brocktonite03(Veteran Member)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
I don't even know what to believe anymore, I'm just waiting on New Wave's response.
►Silverprophet
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Void being right about something…
End times are here.
And apparently snarky Pan-Pan is going to be the one to kill us all.
►Ldream (Temp banned)
Replied On October 20th 2009:
If she is behind Glory Girls looks, she does good work, #Panacea I have money, make me look like Glory Girl plz, I'll do anything you want!
Yes. I mean sex. Pm me.
►MC
Replied On October 20th 2009:
Aaaaand the thirst is back, I could have sworn this was an Apex thread? You know? Kicked all the heroes' asses?
Can we go back to that?
Please?
End of Page. 2, 3, 4 ... 67, 68, 69
Lisa sat back in her chair, a pleased tilt to her lips. It had taken some coaxing, but Anastasia had been perfectly willing to absolutely ruin Panacea.
Oh, most people wouldn't believe it seriously, PHO had plenty of nutjobs, but they couldn't be mistaken for real public opinion.
But they would start the flame, and since Panacea couldn't honestly refute it…
Apex, beyond being too strong for the heroes to fight, would now be a secondary concern. Piggot's feelings were well known.
This wouldn't be left alone.
And deliciously enough, the information revealed wouldn't narrow down the search for Apex, thousands of people had been denied services from Panacea.
Which was going to bite her in the ass, Lisa didn't envy the bitch.
As for Apex, he hadn't even had ID back then apparently, so this avenue wouldn't risk him at all, unless Panacea remembered his face, and she hadn't remembered Jana well enough, Lisa hadn't read any comprehension on her face at all.
It felt good to have everything come together so smoothly.
----------------------------------------
At the same time, PRT headquarters.
The heroes sat around the long, polished table, most of them subdued and avoiding Director Piggot's steely gaze as she sat at the head of the table with her arms crossed, her expression a thundercloud of barely-contained fury.
She slapped a folder down on the table, its contents spilling slightly. "Does someone want to explain this to me?" She said, her voice like a whip. "I've read the preliminary report, but I'd rather hear it from the mouths of the people who let this city's newest menace walk all over them."
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The disgust was apparent in her voice, albeit seemingly directed towards Apex, and not them. At the moment.
No one spoke immediately. Armsmaster cleared his throat after a few moments and sat up straighter in his chair. "Director, Apex's powerset is extensive and highly synergistic. We attempted to engage with a coordinated strategy together with New Wave, but he demonstrated the ability to counter every tactic we used, even those developed for him specifically."
Piggot's glare could have melted steel. "That's what your report says. What I want to know is why my so-called elite team of capes got humiliated in front of the entire city, complete with a goddamn live-stream." She leaned forward, her lips in a thin line, "Specifics people, how did you fail? And don't tell me again that he was just too good!"
Assault leaned back gingerly in his chair, his usual smirk looking weak as it flickered across his face. "Look on the bright side, Director. Could've been worse." Everyone's mind turned to Triumph, even as Assault continued, "He could have put it on pay-per-view."
Piggot's glare turned to him. "One more crack like that, Assault, and you'll be reassigned to cleaning the bathrooms, I am not in the mood for your nonsense, this is an unmitigated disaster, we are a laughing stock!"
"Wouldn't be the worst job I've had," Assault muttered, but he sat up straighter, sensing the room's mood was not on his side, Battery for once not correcting him, her eyes downcast and worried.
Dauntless finally spoke, his voice measured but strained. "Director, we underestimated him. That much is clear. Apex's combination of brute strength, mobility, and versatility made it nearly impossible to pin him down. Every time we thought we had an opening, he countered it or shifted tactics."
Piggot's lips thinned. "So, you're telling me this… This amateur with a stolen bag of tricks is smarter than my entire Protectorate team? A team trained specifically to deal with criminals like this? I don't find that reassuring."
Velocity flinched, "Ma'am, it was our first encounter with him, we'd literally never seen some of these powers in action before."
Armsmaster cut in before Piggot could respond with fire and brimstone, "Apex's powers are not simply stolen and left to work as different weapons to pull out as a separate option; they are fully integrated into his combat style. He demonstrated a level of tactical acumen that suggests extensive skill. He wasn't just reacting - he was predicting what we would do."
Everyone exchanged looks, all thinking the same thing, had Apex gotten a thinker as well?
"That's great, Colin," Piggot snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But you still haven't explained why you couldn't take him down, or even hold your own for longer than five minutes. Are you saying he was that far above you all? Or are you inflating his skills to hide incompetence in how the fight was directed?"
Armsmaster's face flushed, but his tone remained even. "Director, the loss of Shielder early on disrupted our defensive capabilities. Without him, we lacked a consistent way to counter Apex's long-range weaponry. His ability to manifest firearms and energy weapons with Miss Militia's power put us at a significant disadvantage."
Battery quietly cut in as well, seeing Piggot's unimpressed stare, "Our plan was destroyed once we lost the defensive protection against that power."
"Shielder was down," Piggot said, her voice cutting. "I read the report. That doesn't explain why everyone was down by the end of it. Surely, Colin, your entire plan didn't hinge on a 14-year old?"
Assault chimed in again, this time without a trace of humor. "He picked us apart, plain and simple. He knew who to take out first - Shielder, Brandish, then Flashbang and Manpower to completely destroy New Wave's flyers as our allies. He made sure to keep Lady Photon and Laserdream too busy with med-evac to provide proper backup. By the time we had to evac that many people, the fight was already lost."
Dauntless's expression darkened. "We shouldn't have attacked without a better plan."
Armsmaster noticeably bristled at that, turning towards Dauntless.
Piggot narrowed her eyes. "Oh, so now it's a matter of tactical mistakes? Wonderful. Shall I start drafting a reprimand for the whole team?" She said sarcastically. "I want real answers on what we can do to stop this menace, on what you've learned."
Armsmaster straightened in his chair. "Director, with respect, Apex's moves were too calculated, he must have had thinker assistance, or a new power. He exploited every weakness in our formation, psychological as well as tactical."
Piggot's gaze was icy. "It sounds like more excuses to me." As Armsmasters jaw clenched, she continued, "I'll kick it over to Watchdog, see if they can confirm. Just in case."
Silence held the room for a few moments, as the director's fingers tapped at the table, "I'll see if I can get a kill order authorized for his attempted murder of Triumph."
A moment of silence followed. Dauntless's jaw tightened, his knuckles white where they gripped the table. "That wasn't intentional. Apex was clearing the confoam. Triumph was caught in the crossfire."
Assault nodded, "You get him a kill order, and he has no reason to hold back." He warned.
"And if we leave him alone and he grows stronger then he already was when he defeated you all?" Piggot asked, her voice rising, contempt dripping off it. "Do you have any idea what the public backlash will be when it fully sinks in that the Protectorate let one of their own get maimed in full view of God and everyone and that we aren't retaliating?"
Armsmaster's gaze dropped, and no one else offered a response. They all knew how the game was played. If they left this alone. They looked weak. And the situation in Brockton Bay was already precarious enough.
"Where the hell is New Wave?" Piggot demanded after a moment, glancing down at her computer with a hateful glare. "I told them I wanted their entire team here for this meeting. Something which just became an absolute necessity…"
Dauntless hesitated in the face of her anger, before answering. "They've… Turtled up, Director. They're refusing to come in. Lady Photon and her team are bunkered in at the hospital and aren't responding to summons. Panacea is seeing to Triumph, and the rest of them are effectively in lockdown around her."
Piggot's fists clenched. "Cowards," She hissed. "They're too afraid to face the consequences of their lies. Or worse, they think they're above accountability."
"They lost a lot, Director," Battery said carefully, raising her head, Assault's hand on her shoulder. "Shielder was badly injured, and Manpower and Flashbang took serious injuries as well. Brandish took the worst of it, and she's unlikely to be interested in an after action report right now. I don't think they're equipped to process what happened yet."
"They're hiding." Piggot said flatly. And at their uncomprehending looks, she flared her nostrils in anger, letting out a huff, tapping her computer screen, "Apex gang has outed Panacea as a Biokinetic on par with Nilbog…" The pure seething hate in her eyes made the heroes uncomfortable as they took that in.
"They're probably lying." Velocity tried, offering up a lifeline.
"I suspected all along. And it rings of truth when you examine why Apex would abduct Panacea for such a short time." Piggot said coldly. "She did indeed heal someone of a brain injury if their statement is true, something she's claimed is beyond her." Her glare intensified, "It makes all her statements on her power suspect. And New Wave as a whole as well, making them all no better than criminals."
"We can't arrest New Wave." Assault said, a disbelieving smile on his face, "That's self-defeating to the extreme, half our Wards would probably quit in protest!"
"Director, we should finish dealing with Apex before discussing any action against Panacea." Armsmaster spoke up stiffly.
Assault looked like he was going to interject again, staring at Armsmaster, but Battery held him back.
Dauntless spoke up instead, seemingly eager to move away from the Panacea issue. "We may need to escalate the situation. Apex is operating at a level that puts him beyond most of Brockton Bay's current threats. Bringing in outside reinforcements - higher-tier capes - might be necessary."
"Higher-tier capes," Piggot repeated, her tone laced with skepticism. "You think the Triumvirate is going to drop everything to deal with our problem?" When have they ever? Was left unsaid.
Brockton Bay notoriously received no assistance, no matter how hard they begged.
"It might not need to be the Triumvirate," Dauntless said, glancing at Armsmaster. "There are other options. Dragon, for one. She has the firepower and the versatility to match Apex's abilities."
Piggot crossed her arms, frowning in thought, some of her immediate anger simmering down. "And what about collateral damage? We bring in Dragon, and suddenly half the city thinks we're gearing up for war and acts as such. Not to mention the PR nightmare."
"Respectfully, Director, we're already in a PR nightmare," Dauntless replied politely.
Piggot glared at him but didn't refute the point. "What else?"
Armsmaster's jaw tightened. "We're still assessing options."
"Then assess faster," Piggot said, rubbing her brow. "Because if Apex decides to come back for round two, I don't want a repeat. Understood?"
A chorus of subdued affirmations followed.
"Good," Piggot said, her voice razor sharp. "Now get out there and do your jobs, show the flag, show that we're still here. And someone tell New Wave that if they don't show up tonight, they can forget about any future cooperation from the PRT and that my next communication with them will come through an arrest warrant!"
As the team filed out of the room, Piggot sank into her chair, her expression grim.
Apex wasn't even her major concern right now, not with the accusations placed online that her staff had reported to her immediately.
She had someone capable of matching Nilbog in her city. She had wondered at New Wave saying Triumph would be healed. A whole erased lower body had seemed far above what Panacea was capable of…
But she'd lied. They'd lied. It explained everything.
Between Apex and Panacea…
She knew which one was more dangerous.
----------------------------------------
Brockton Bay General.
They had taken over the lobby of one of the clinics on the third floor, ostensibly guarding Amy while she worked on Triumph, a butcher shop worth of meat with her to use as biomass - the situation having forced Amy to come clean on what she could do. Having already healed a villain's family member against her rules, the tired girl had not been willing to leave Triumph as half a man to hide just how far her power reached.
She'd made him stable yesterday only, and then worked on her family, sapping her energy until she was too tired to handle the amount of healing Triumph needed - hence why they were still here today.
Despite the paintings, the comfortable couches, the welcoming decor. The tense atmosphere made it anything but welcoming in the end. Everyone in the room carried the weight of the last day. Injuries, anger, guilt, and unspoken fears hung in the air like a suffocating fog.
Aunt Sarah, sat on the couch with Eric beside her. She hadn't let go of his arm since Amy had healed him, especially seeing his obvious discomfort. Eric, still pale and visibly shaken, occasionally tried to pull away, but his mother's grip was unrelenting. His force field had failed in the fight against Apex, and he'd been injured early. The memory of it - how easily he had been taken down, how his failure led to everyone else being injured - lingered in his expression.
Vicky paced the room in sharp, agitated movements, her emotions written plainly on her face. Rage twisted her features one moment, only to give way to a flash of fear or a flicker of shame the next. She had been caught off guard, Mastered, and used as bait. The shame of it burned like acid in her chest. She couldn't stop replaying the moment over and over in her mind - her body moving without her consent, Apex's cold, calculating presence as he sat across from Amy at the café.
She had failed Amy, and her family had paid the price almost in its entirety. The only reason they weren't dead - the fact the power thief chose not to kill them.
Her mother stood stiffly by the window, arms crossed. Her injuries were long gone thanks to Amy, it wasn't physical pain that hardened her expression. She watched her daughter's pacing with a detached coldness that was somehow more unnerving than outright anger.
Ever since Amy had revealed the extent of her abilities, she'd been dangerously quiet. Victoria glanced at her again as she paced, worried about her, and the explosion she could feel coming.
Crystal leaned against the far wall, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She wasn't injured, at least not physically, but her exhaustion was clear in the way her shoulders slumped and her usually vibrant eyes dulled. She hadn't spoken much since the fight. Looking around at times like she didn't want to be here.
Vicky didn't blame her, she didn't want to be here either. She wanted to go home, bury herself in her blankets, and forget the feeling of being the cause of all of this.
Both her dad and her uncle were seated, quiet, lost in thought, she wouldn't get much help from them.
Vicky stopped pacing and slammed her fist against the wall, the dull thud reverberating through the room. "This is my fault," She said through gritted teeth, her voice breaking. "If I hadn't gotten caught like a stupid idiot, none of this would have happened!"
Sarah immediately straightened, her voice gentle but firm. "It's not your fault, Vicky," She said, reaching out a hand. "You were taken by surprise. No one could have seen that coming."
Vicky whirled to face her, her hands balled into fists. "That's not an excuse! I should've been faster, smarter! I should've fought back against the master harder. I-I should've -"
"Should've what?" Sarah cut her off. "You think this was your fault because you weren't perfect? That's nonsense, it was a master. This isn't on you."
Carol stepped forward, her voice sharp. "It isn't on you." She agreed, but her cool voice didn't give Vicky much relief, and her fears were confirmed as she continued immediately, "This is Amy's fault. She should have acted immediately when Vicky was taken and saved her. Instead, she was useless, as always."
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
"Mom, stop," Vicky said, her voice shaking as she stepped toward her mother. "Don't you dare put this on Amy. She didn't do anything wrong, she had no choice but to follow them to save me."
"Carol…" Mark said uneasily, but stopped at one look from his wife.
"She didn't do anything right, either," Carol snapped at Vicky, her eyes narrowing in anger. "She lied to us all, God knows what she's done to you, Vicky, if she's messed with all our minds while lying about being able to."
Neil cut in, rising up from the couch, his hands raised in a calming gesture, "Carol, you don't believe that, don't say anything you can't take back."
Carol just gave him a look of disgust. "Maybe she's already gotten to you, Neil…" At Vicky's tearful angry gaze, she switched tracks, "Vicky, honey, If she'd just reached out and healed you without hesitation when you were under the influence, Apex wouldn't have had the leverage to -"
"That's enough!" Vicky's voice cracked as she yelled, stepping closer to her mother. "You don't get to blame Amy for this! She's been through enough without you piling on! We've all been through enough! Because of me! So don't you dare say that!"
"Oh, and what exactly has she been through?" Carol demanded, her voice icy. "She's the one who failed us, lied to us, healed someone a villain wanted healed. Again. If she had just -"
"This family…" Crystal chuckled darkly, almost lost in the chaos of everyone trying to speak at once.
"Stop it!" Vicky screamed at her mom, tears springing to her eyes. "Why do you always do this? Why is it always Amy's fault with you?"
"Because she's proven to be nothing but a villain, why else would she lie?" Carol spat, her voice trembling with barely restrained anger. "Because she has undoubtedly been using her powers on us, twisting us to her liking!"
"Carol! If that was true you wouldn't even be able-" Sarah tried, cut off by Carol's loud derisive scoff.
Vicky was shaking now, her fists clenched at her sides. "You don't know anything about Amy! Stop talking like that!"
"Enough!" Neil finally intervened, stepping between them, Mark hovering uncertainly at his side. "This isn't helping anyone. We're all upset about everything that's happened, but this isn't how we deal with it."
Crystal let out a sharp laugh from her corner. "You're kidding, right? This is exactly how this family deals with everything. Drama, yelling, and blaming each other until someone storms out. Only difference now is in Aunt Carol finally saying out loud what she's always been thinking."
"Crystal -" Sarah began, but Crystal cut her off.
"No. I'm done. I'm so done with this hero life." She pushed off the wall, her voice rising. "I risked my life out there, and for what? So we can all sit around and tear each other apart? I'm not doing it. I'm not!" She marched to the window, her hands trembling as she threw it open. "You want to fight? Fine. Fight without me."
"Crystal, wait!" Sarah called, standing up. "Don't -"
But Crystal didn't wait. She launched herself out the window in a burst of light, disappearing into the sky.
Sarah sank back onto the couch, her face pale. "Goddammit," She whispered, burying her face in her hands. Eric, sitting next to her, looked like he desperately wanted to follow his sister out the window, but didn't dare to move.
The room fell into a strained silence, broken only by the sound of Vicky's uneven breathing as she struggled to compose herself.
The door creaked open, and all eyes turned as Amy stepped inside. She looked like she was on her last breath - her face pale, her shoulders slumped. She paused in the doorway, taking in the scene - her mother's cold fury, Vicky's trembling form, Sarah's despair, and the tension hanging over everyone like a storm cloud.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then, without a word, Amy turned and walked back out, the door clicking shut behind her.
"Amy -" Vicky called, starting toward the door, but Sarah caught her arm, stopping her.
"Let her go," Sarah said softly, her voice weary. "She needs space."
Vicky pulled her arm free, her jaw clenched. She turned back to the room, her anger and shame twisting together into a knot she couldn't untangle. "Just sit and wait? Is that your solution?"
She took a deep breath, cleaning the tears off her face, "Fuck that!" She said harshly, glaring at both her mom and her aunt.
Before immediately flying after her sister.
----------------------------------------
The Predator's warehouse base,
The once-bare space of her room had been transformed with soft bedding, pillows, a stack of books on a side table, and other small comforts that Jordan had practically tripped over himself to provide for her.
Jana sat up in the bed, her slight frame propped against a mound of pillows, her dark hair falling in soft waves around her face. Her cheeks were still slightly paler, but her eyes had regained some of their lively spark. She clutched a plush blanket around her shoulders as she watched her older brother with a mix of amusement and mild concern.
Jordan was pacing the room, a bottle of water in one hand and a granola bar in the other, his gaze flicking between her and the small collection of snacks he'd piled on the nearby table. "Are you sure you don't want anything else?" He asked for the third time in as many minutes. "I can run out and get - uh, anything. Soda? Chips? Ice cream?"
"Brother…" Jana said softly, her lips twitching in a faint smile, "I'm fine."
He stopped mid-step, turning to face her with wide, worried eyes. "But what if you're not? I mean, you've just… I mean…" He trailed off, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I just want to make sure you have everything."
"You've already brought me everything." She gestured to the pile of snacks, the neatly folded blanket he'd draped over the chair, and the assortment of books and magazines he'd arranged on the nightstand. "What else is there?"
"I could find something!" He insisted, his voice tinged with the need to be helpful. "What if you're too cold? Or too warm? Do you want another blanket? A fan? A heater? Or - oh, I could get you one of those weighted blankets! They're supposed to be really relaxing."
Jana laughed softly, her smile growing. "I think I'm good on blankets."
Jordan stepped closer, his free hand curling into a fist at his side. He looked down at her, his expression torn between joy and something deeper, more fragile. "I just…" He placed the water bottle and granola bar on the night table, then sat down on the edge of the bed. "I can't believe you're really here. I mean, you're here, and you're okay. After everything…"
He leaned forward suddenly, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. Jana stiffened at first, startled by the intensity, but then relaxed, patting his back lightly, feeling like she was the one comforting him. "I'm okay," She said softly, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "You don't have to keep worrying."
He must have had it hard without her, she couldn't help but think. Her lughead of a brother…
Jordan didn't let go immediately. When he finally did, he sat back, his hands resting on her shoulders as if to reassure himself she was real. But his composure didn't last long. He was hugging her again a moment later, his head resting lightly against hers.
"Sorry," He mumbled, pulling back just enough to look at her. His eyes were damp, but his smile was genuine. "I'll stop hugging you. For now."
"You said that last time," Jana teased, though there was no recrimination in her words. She tilted her head, studying him with curious eyes. "What's gotten into you? You can see I'm fine now, don't worry, bro."
Jordan rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "I guess I just…" He took a deep breath, his voice dropping to a quieter tone. "I almost lost you, kiddo. I never want to feel like that again."
Jana's smile softened, her fingers curling into the blanket as she tried to process the weight of his words, of the heavy feeling of his emotions. "But you didn't lose me," She said gently. "You saved me. You always do."
She didn't remember anything from her coma, but if she had been aware at all, she wouldn't have worried, because she would have known he'd save her.
The sincerity in her voice was almost too much for Jordan. He reached out to ruffle her hair, earning a small laugh and a half-hearted swat at his hand. "Yeah, well, you're stuck back with me now. I'm not letting you out of my sight."
"Stuck with you? Oh no," Jana said dramatically, rolling her eyes. But her teasing faded as her gaze grew more thoughtful. She shifted slightly, tugging the blanket tighter around herself. "Jordan… Where are we?"
He froze, his playful demeanor slipping as her question hung in the air. She looked up at him, her expression shy but determined. "I mean… This place doesn't feel like home, and you said… It's just…" She trailed off, unsure how to put her thoughts into words.
Jordan let out a slow breath, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. His hands clasped tightly together, the tension visible in the way his hands tightened. "You're right," He said finally, his voice quiet but steady. "We're not home. We're… Somewhere else."
Jana blinked, her brows furrowing in confusion. "Somewhere else? Like another country?"
"Another world," He clarified, his gaze meeting hers. The weight of his words settled heavily between them. "I know it's insane, but… It's how I got you healed, how I gave you the power to protect yourself."
Her eyes widened, her hands tightening on the blanket. "Another world?" She echoed, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief. "Like… like in the books?"
He'd always read her the most awesome stories for bed, and now she was in one!
"Yeah," Jordan said softly. "Like in the books."
For a moment, she was silent, her thoughts racing. Then, a spark of excitement lit her face, and she sat up straighter. "Does that mean we can use those powers? Like superheroes?"
She'd always wanted to be a hero!
Jordan's chest tightened at the sheer wonder in her voice, the innocent hope shining in her eyes. He nodded slowly, unable to lie to her. "Yeah," He admitted. "We both have powers and they want to be used even, I'll… Go over how that works once you're settled in."
Jana's gasp was more like a squeak, her hands flying to her mouth. "Really? Can I have more powers, like flying? Or super strength? Or -" She cut herself off, her excitement bubbling over into a giggle. "Oh my gosh, I could be a superhero!"
Jordan smiled faintly, but the look in his eyes was far more complicated. He reached out, gently placing a hand over hers. "It's… Not exactly like that," He said carefully. "This world, these powers… They're not like the stories we grew up with. They're… Dangerous."
Her excitement dimmed slightly, her expression turning more cautious, her disappointment visible. "Dangerous?"
"Yeah," He said softly. "People here… They don't use their powers to help others. A lot of them use them only to hurt, to control. Even the so-called good guys. It's… Complicated."
Jana bit her lip, her gaze dropping to her lap. "Oh," She said quietly. "That doesn't sound very fun."
Jordan's heart ached at the disappointment in her voice. He leaned closer, squeezing her hand gently. "But you don't have to worry about that," He said firmly. "You're safe here. I'll make sure of it."
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "What about you?" She asked softly. "Are you safe?"
Jordan hesitated, the weight of his choices pressing down on him. "I'll be fine," He said after a moment, forcing a reassuring smile. "I've got you to look after, don't I?"
Jana's lips curved into a small smile, but the worry in her eyes didn't fade entirely. She reached out, resting her hand on his. "I believe you," She said softly. "But I don't want you to forget… You don't have to do everything alone. Okay? Don't be too strong for me, big brother."
Jordan nodded, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Okay, I won't forget." He said, his voice quiet.
Jana knew her big brother. She knew he wasn't telling her things.
To protect her.
The big lug never learned.
----------------------------------------
Hours later,
Jana wandered the apartment space of the base, her footsteps muffled against the cool, polished concrete. Her big brother had left not long ago, hurrying off to deal with something 'important'. He hadn't said what, exactly, but he'd ruffled her hair and promised to be back soon, his tone light and reassuring.
It hadn't been enough to ease the knot twisting in her stomach.
She could tell something was eating at him.
She knew her brother.
She hugged her arms around herself, her gaze flicking from the faintly glowing lights embedded in the walls to the closed doors she passed. The living space was big - far bigger than she had expected - and filled with people she didn't know. She wasn't sure if she liked it.
Her thoughts kept pulling her back to the conversation she'd had with Jordan. He was a criminal.
For her.
He hadn't said it outright, but she could feel it in the way he'd avoided the subject, the way he spoke about superheroes, the way his voice softened when he talked about how hard he'd worked to get her back. Everything he'd become… It was for her.
And he wouldn't even tell her what. Which means it must have been bad.
And she wasn't… Sure what to feel.
Her throat tightened as she fought back a sniffle. He'd done so much, taken on so much responsibility, all to keep her safe. She hadn't been there for him while she was stuck in a coma, and now that she was awake, she didn't know how to help him.
He always took care of her. It was what he did.
But now… Now she couldn't help feeling like they were on the wrong path all because she took a stupid nap and wasn't there to keep her big bro from doing dumb things.
Jana stopped in front of a door, her hand brushing the cold metal. Her invincibility - that's what he called her power. She couldn't be hurt, couldn't be broken. It should have felt amazing, like something out of a superhero comic.
But they weren't superheroes, she was pretty sure. They weren't saving people or stopping bad guys. They were the bad guys. If she read her brother's guilt and shame right.
The thought made her stomach churn uncomfortably.
Would they… Would they deal drugs? Rob people? Hurt people? Had he already done those things?
She didn't like it. It was wrong.
But if so, Jordan had done it all for her. She'd tell him it was fine because she didn't want him to feel bad if he asked. She didn't want him to think she wasn't grateful.
Only, she wasn't sure she was fine with it. Not at all.
She wiped at her eyes and took a shaky breath, continuing down the hallway. Her feet carried her aimlessly, the walls and doors blending together until she wasn't sure where she was anymore.
"Hey there, little boss."
The cheerful voice startled Jana, and she turned quickly to see a blonde woman leaning casually against the wall, a playful grin on her face. The woman's skin-tight purple outfit and domino mask gave her a mischievous air, like a superhero from one of Jana's childhood TV shows, only… Not.
"Uh, hi," Jana said hesitantly, shifting her weight from foot to foot.
The woman pushed off the wall and took a step closer, her grin widening. "You must be Jana," She said. "I'm Tattletale, or Lisa if you prefer that. Your big brother told us all about you."
Jana's brow furrowed. "He has?"
"Of course!" Tattletale said with a wink. "He's so proud of you. Can't stop talking about how great you are. It's a little embarrassing to see a grown man gush like that, actually."
Jana's cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her shoes. "Oh. That's… Nice of him." Also embarrassing, just like her dumb brother..
Tattletale chuckled, crossing her arms. "So, how are you settling in? Got bored, huh? This place can be a little… Overwhelming at first."
Jana hesitated, glancing around the area. "It's… Okay, I guess," She said softly. "I'm just… exploring."
"Exploring's good," Tattletale said with a nod. "Gotta get the lay of the land. But hey, you know what makes exploring more fun?"
"What?"
"Company."
Before Jana could respond, Tattletale gestured for her to follow. "Come on, I'll give you the grand tour. We've got all sorts of cool stuff around here."
Jana hesitated for a moment, then nodded, trailing after Tattletale as the woman led her down a corner into a new area.
"You know," Tattletale began, her tone casual, "Your brother's been working really hard to make this place better. It's not just about… You know, the fighting and stuff. We've been helping people, too."
Jana's gaze flicked to Tattletale, her curiosity piqued. "Helping people?"
Her brother hadn't really told her anything, she'd mostly guessed, so she was desperate for any real information.
"Yeah," Tattletale said, glancing over her shoulder with a vulpine smile. "There are people out there who can't count on the heroes to save them, you know? People the good guys ignore or write off. But your brother? He doesn't turn his back on them."
She stopped in front of a door and pushed it open, revealing a room filled with bunk beds and crates of supplies. Several young women - some barely older than Jana herself - were sitting on the beds, talking quietly or sorting through clothes. They looked up as Tattletale entered, offering her small nervous smiles.
"These are some of the girls we've helped," Tattletale explained, her voice softer now. "They were in bad situations - really bad. Your brother made sure they got out and brought them here. They're safe now because of him."
Jana's eyes widened as she took in the scene. The girls looked tired, but there was a sense of relief in their expressions. She squirmed slightly as she noticed some had obvious signs of injuries and abuse.
"He… He saved them?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Of course he had, her brother was the best! She was still worried, but… Maybe he was a good bad guy?
Tattletale nodded, giving her a look that reminded her of her teacher trying to figure out if she cheated on a test. "He's got a good heart, your brother. He doesn't always show it, but he does. And he's lucky to have you. You make him stronger, you know that?" She laid a hand on her shoulder, "He needs you."
Jana felt a warmth spread through her chest, her earlier doubts beginning to ease a little. She glanced back at the girls, her lips curving into a small smile.
"They seem nice," She said softly.
"They are," Tattletale said, her grin returning. "And they think your brother's a hero."
Jana's smile faltered slightly, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I don't know if I'm okay with all of this," She admitted. "The… Bad things and stuff. It feels… Wrong."
She didn't actually know what it was yet, but she could feel it in the new tension on her brother's face, the cold behind his warm smiles.
Tattletale knelt down slightly to meet Jana's eyes, her expression gentle. "It's okay to feel that way," She said, seemingly studying her face. "But don't forget - your brother's doing this because he loves you. He'd do anything to keep you safe, and he saves others just the same way, keeping them safe."
Jana nodded slowly, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I know. I just… I don't want him to get hurt."
"None of us do," Tattletale said softly. Then, with a sly grin, she added, "But hey, speaking of your brother, did you know he might have a ~crush?"
Jana blinked, her head snapping up. "What?"
This was important information!
Tattletale laughed, straightening up. "Oh, yeah. There's this girl - Mai. She's tough, smart, and totally into him but plays hard to get. You should see the way they both pretend not to like each other. It's adorable."
Jana's eyes lit up with mischievous curiosity. "Really?"
This was prime material. Her little sister senses were running haywire.
"Really," Tattletale said with a wink. "Bet you could tease him about it. Might be fun to see him squirm."
Jana giggled, the sound light and genuine. "I'll think about it." She said demurely, inwardly already planning how to use it for maximum effect.
"Good girl," Tattletale said, ruffling Jana's hair. "Now, how about we grab some snacks and you tell me all the embarrassing stories you know about your big brother?"
Jana nodded eagerly, her earlier worries fading into the background for now.
Her brother would explain himself eventually.
Tattletale, silly name, she thought, she'd call her Lisa then. She seemed okay all in all, Jana could trust her, she was with his brother.
She seemed very trustworthy.
----------------------------------------
Same time, Docks,
The thick, damp fog clung to the shadows as Apex, Tsarina, and Wraith approached the decrepit warehouse hidden deep within the Docks. The building's rusted exterior and boarded-up windows masked the vile truth within - a brothel operated by the Azn Bad Boys.
This deep inside their territory, it was almost a given they'd at least run into Oni Lee, but Apex had powers to deal with him now. Miss Militia's powers had plenty of ways to take him down non-lethally, and it would have to be non-lethal. Tattletale had checked his theories out with her thinker power and the best she could give was a maybe - on him receiving the downsides of Oni Lee's power if he killed him.
He couldn't risk that.
His elation of Jana being awake, and safe with invincibility given to her, had quickly turned into shame and guilt. So he'd chosen to get pro-active with their actions against the ABB.
He hid in the shadows with no issues, eyes on the hidden brothel, not at all worried about the gangers within. This would only get testy if Oni Lee or Lung arrived.
Behind him, Anastasia, or Tsarina as she'd named herself, hovered a few inches above the ground, her arms crossed, flames licking faintly along her palms already as she played with the fire. "They'll burn," She said softly to herself, her voice sharp.
Apex was slightly worried about her mental state if he was honest. But Sun Hee vouched for her… Why exactly did that matter? He wondered to himself. Sun Hee was still too optimistic for this kind of work, if not as naive as before.
Well, hopefully Tsarina would work through some of her trauma on the ABB.
To the side, Sun Hee, or Wraith as she so edgily called herself, melted into the shadows in her black uniform, The Stranger aspect of her powers would let her disappear entirely, but as he could remember her without a look at the notes stitched into his uniform, she wasn't using it yet.
Apex held up a hand, drawing their attention, it was time. "You know the mission. Free the girls, destroy the operation, and leave a message. Try not to kill all of them."
Tsarina nodded curtly, the flames in her hands growing hotter, their flicker casting shadows against her masked face. "They'll pay for what they've done." She promised darkly.
Wraith didn't respond. Apex trusted her enough to know she'd already likely gone ahead looking to slip inside. Moments later he wondered what he was thinking, before looking down at the notes on his arms, and realizing Wraith was using her powers.
Apex moved quickly to the warehouse's side door, a rusted metal slab secured with a heavy lock. He could easily sneak through, but they weren't going quiet tonight. With a casual flex of his brute strength, he crushed it like tin foil and pushed the remains open with a loud screech of tortured metal. The faint scent of sweat, cheap perfume, and desperation wafted out, setting his teeth on edge.
"Tsarina, don't be indiscriminate with your fire. Wraith will work from inside," Apex said, reminding her they had an ally.
Tsarina nodded tersely, balls of fire rotating over her right hand.
The two moved through the dilapidated back corridor obviously meant for staff only. The muffled sound of conversation grew louder as they approached a junction where two guards were coming their way, attracted by the sound no doubt. Apex paused, listening carefully to their idle chatter.
"Two guards ahead," He whispered. "All yours."
Better she worked her aggression out away from the girls enslaved here.
Before Tsarina could respond, things happened rapidly.
The first guard barely had time to register the icy chill on the back of his neck coming up from his shadow, before he froze, his expression slack. Wraith's master power took hold, and he spun on his companion with a gun raised.
"What the hell -"
The second guard didn't get to finish his sentence. His partner shot him point-blank, the sound muffled by the thick walls. Then, just as quickly, the controlled guard turned the weapon on himself, collapsing in a heap as Wraith released him the second he fired.
Tsarina's eyes narrowed behind her mask. "Effective," She murmured, disappointed to have missed out, kicking one of the dead guards in the head as they strode past.
Apex didn't comment, already moving forward at speed.
They came to the main room, a gaudy space lit with cheap colored lights and lined with overstuffed furniture. Men lounged with drinks in hand, surrounded by women whose forced smiles didn't reach their eyes. Armed ABB soldiers leaned against the walls or patrolled the room, their presence a warning to anyone who might think of interfering - and likely added due to their own efforts.
Tsarina's fists immediately ignited. Without waiting for a signal, she launched herself into the air, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade. "ABB scum! Your time is over!"
The room exploded into chaos. Patrons scrambled to their feet, some fumbling for weapons, others making for the exits. The guards reacted quickly, raising their weapons to fire, but Tsarina unleashed a fiery torrent that forced them to scatter. Flames roared across the room, scorching furniture and walls, but always stopping short of the captives.
Apex wanted to face palm, what part of that was targeted fire? He'd have to discipline her later.
Apex joined the fray, his movements a blur as he turned into a shadow and wreaked havoc. He summoned an assault rifle using Miss Militia's power and fired lethal rounds into a pair of thugs, that were hiding behind the bar aiming for Tsarina, who's shield of fire wouldn't protect her for long from gun fire.
Switching to his brute strength, he closed the distance to another, slamming him into the floor, crushing his spine and sending stone shards into his compatriots, another spray of assault fire removing the obstacles before they could complain.
A shout came from across the room, and Apex turned just in time to see a guard attempting to take one of the prostitute hostage, only to suddenly let her go, and stepping right out into the open, Tsarina taking advantage, the man coming too looking confused, right in time to take a stream of fire to his face.
His screams were short lived.
Wraith moved among the chaos from shadow to shadow, unseen and unstoppable. She slipped behind a group of ABB fighters, merging with the darkness at their feet. The first man couldn't even cry out as her power took hold, and he turned his gun on the others. Confusion broke out as the fighters started shouting, firing at each other in panic. Wraith released the first man, moving to another, turning the chaos into a maelstrom of infighting.
"Who's shooting!?" One of the thugs yelled before taking a bullet from his own comrade.
"Shut up! Traitors!"
Tsarina's voice rang out, cold and mocking as she flew by the ceiling. "Your loyalty crumbles so easily." She launched a wave of fire at a cluster that forced the remaining men into the open, where Apex dispatched them with ease, taking care to keep away from the corner the women had all been corralled towards as they corralled the enemies to different sections.
The few remaining men began to flee. And while they needed some survivors to spread word. They didn't need half a dozen survivors.
"Cover the exits!" Apex barked at Tsarina.
Tsarina swept across the room, flames blocking every doorway except the main entrance where Apex was standing.
One or two slipped through, before Tsarina could roast the rest, cackling loudly. The smell of burning flesh suffusing the air.
The captives huddled together, their wide eyes darting between the chaos and their would-be saviors. There would be others in the private rooms, he was sure. But he would take care of that soon.
"Wraith!" Apex called, knowing she was out there now because he could remember her again.
Wraith emerged beside the group of girls. She gestured towards the main entrance, speaking softly. She'd get them back to the trucks.
"Tsarina, go with them." He ordered, and she nodded, her body language that of someone utterly satisfied.
He hurriedly turned to shadow and went from room to room, cleaning up any ABB holdouts, while directing the few girls who'd already been busy, out to the trucks and safety.
Tsarina was with Wraith to help hold Oni Lee or Lung off until he could get there in a worst case scenario. He'd only need seconds, anyway.
Yet, the ABB capes never showed.
----------------------------------------
An hour later,
The interior of the temporary warehouse they were using as a middle ground was entirely utilitarian. Harsh overhead lighting illuminated the rows of cots and folding chairs hastily arranged to provide some semblance of order. The rescued girls sat in clusters, their faces a mixture of exhaustion, relief, and uncertainty. They whispered among themselves in soft tones, their words muffled by the faint creaks of the malfunctioning ventilation system.
Jordan stood near the entrance, arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the room. His jaw tightened as he noticed one girl flinching when a door slammed shut in the distance. She was too young to be here, too fragile. It made his stomach churn. She was younger than Jana…
He could never regret picking ABB as a target.
Mai approached from the far side of the warehouse, her steps soft but purposeful. She carried a clipboard, glancing at it briefly before looking up at Jordan. Her hair swayed slightly as she moved, her expression calm and self assured.
"They're settling in," She said, her voice low to avoid drawing attention from the girls. "Some have already agreed to leave here, join us. The rest… Well, we'll pass them on to the authorities, as promised."
Jordan nodded, his gaze distant. "Good," He said simply, his voice flat.
Mai tilted her head, studying him. "You don't seem all that happy." She noted, no judgment in her tone.
He sighed, running a hand over his head. "It's not that," He admitted. "It's… This shouldn't be this easy. No sign of Oni Lee. No Lung. We've hit two of their operations now, and you girls harassed them the entire time I was gone, and yet, they haven't retaliated. That's not their style. It's bothering me."
Lung should be spitting fire and losing his shit.
Yet he was silent. That didn't bode well.
When someone acted outside their usual parameters, it usually meant bad things.
Mai tapped the end of her pen against the clipboard, her lips pursing in thought. "Agreed. They should have responded by now. Either we're missing something, or they're planning something bigger."
Jordan's frown deepened. "Lung doesn't really plan in situations like this. He reacts. Immediately. This feels wrong."
"Maybe he's busy elsewhere," Mai suggested. "And someone else in their ranks is calling the shots right now. We can't assume their leadership is predictable."
Jordan didn't reply immediately, his gaze drifting toward the group of rescued girls. They were just beginning to believe in some semblance of safety.
Bakuda hadn't triggered yet, so what was Lung doing, he thought, watching the girls they'd saved, unable to feel really happy.
Mai stepped closer, her voice dropping further. "That's not the only thing bothering you, is it?"
Jordan's jaw clenched, but he didn't respond.
"Jordan," She pressed, her tone softer now, while still retaining some bite. "You've been avoiding truly talking to your sister since she woke up."
He turned to her sharply, his expression defensive. "I'm not avoiding her."
Mai raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You've been hovering, true. Fussing over her like a mother hen. But you haven't talked to her. Not really. She doesn't know the full story, does she?"
Jordan looked away, his arms tightening across his chest. "She just got out of a coma, Mai," He said quietly. "I don't want to drop everything on her all at once. She needs time."
Mai's eyes softened, but her tone remained firm. "She needs the truth, Jordan. Hiding it isn't helping her - or you." She poked him in the chest harshly.
"It's not that simple," He muttered.
"It is," Mai countered, stepping closer until she was directly in his line of sight. "You rip the bandaid off. Quick and clean. Then you deal with whatever comes after. Dragging it out? That's cruel on both of you, it only prolongs the suffering."
Jordan's lips pressed into a thin line. "You don't understand," He said, his voice taut with frustration. "She's my little sister. She's everything I've been fighting for. I've done things she can't - she shouldn't - know about. How am I supposed to tell her that her big brother's a monster?"
Mai's gaze didn't waver. "By remembering that she's stronger than you think if she's related to you. You didn't shield her from a collapsing building just to lock her up and feed her shit for the rest of her life."
Her words hit him like a blow, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he exhaled sharply and looked down, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I'll talk to her," He said, though the words sounded hollow even to his own ears.
Mai's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "That's the worst lie you've ever told me," She said dryly. "At least try."
Jordan shot her a sharp look. "It's not a lie."
"Sure," Mai said, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm going to check up on you, to ensure you did it."
He scowled, but she continued before he could retort.
"Look," She said, her tone softening again. "I get it. You're scared. You don't want her to look at you differently. But she deserves the truth, Jordan. If you don't tell her, she'll figure it out eventually. And when she does, it'll hurt more than if you'd just been honest from the start."
Jordan sighed heavily, running a hand over his face. "You make it sound so easy," He muttered.
"It's not easy," Mai said, her gaze steady. "But it's necessary. She's your sister. She loves you. That won't change, no matter what, she might not like you for a while, but she'll still love you."
He glanced at her, his expression conflicted. For a moment, they stood in silence, the distant murmur of the rescued girls filling the space around them. He had no idea where her pearls of wisdom were coming from, considering her family history.
But he had no one better to get advice from.
Finally, Jordan nodded, though his movements were slow and reluctant. "I'll figure it out," He said quietly. "Soon."
Mai's smirk returned, though it was tinged with something bitter. "You'd better," She said. "Because if you keep dragging this out, I'll tell her myself."
Jordan huffed a dry laugh, shaking his head. "You're such a bitch."
"And you're a pussy," Mai replied smoothly, smacking him in the chest, "Get over it."
Despite himself, Jordan felt a small smile tug at his lips. It didn't last long, but it was enough.
As Mai turned to walk away, clipboard in hand, she glanced over her shoulder. "Good luck," She said lightly. "Don't make a fool out of yourself."
Jordan watched her go, his mind churning with thoughts and doubts. He turned back to the group of girls, his gaze lingering on their tired but hopeful faces.
Soon, he told himself. Soon, I'll tell her.
But even as he made the promise, a familiar knot of anxiety tightened in his chest.
What would she say?
Would she hate him?
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