MIRA

I shot to my feet as I saw Heretic follow Claire in.

"How did you find me?" I asked.

"It was pretty easy to guess when Jenna also disappeared, and Tristan never came home." Heretic surveyed the room, her eyes locking onto Henry. "Once I figured it out, by the way, I told your parents what happened. You had them worried."

"I know." Henry bit his lip. "They wouldn't understand why I can't come home."

"They understand better than you think," Heretic muttered. "But that doesn't matter. I'm here to help, and I've got something for you."

She tossed the plastic bag at me—and of course I caught it, with the kind of reflexes my powers give me. I glanced inside. I spotted a black trenchcoat, like the one Heretic herself usually sported, and Verity did when she joined up with her. Then there was a purple mask, and some other clothes.

I looked up, confused.

"Thought you might want to ditch the Sentinel look, since you're going solo now." She smiled, then looked to Nimbus and clapped his shoulder. "Ah, Brandon, it's been a while, hasn't it?"

"I suppose it has." Nimbus looked thoughtful. "You didn't just come here for that, did you? I know you—you're too restless to let things happen. You never could let go of that part of being a hero."

"Afraid not." Heretic grinned and shook her head. Then she sobered. "I know where he is."

"Everyone knows where Tenebrous is, Lora." World Jumper spoke softly.

"No, I mean—" she hesitated. "I've been there, back when our goals used to align. It's one of Dr. Electra's labs, bought and paid for by Atomic Energy back in the eighties."

"Wait, Dr. Electra worked with Atomic Energy back in the day?" I was confused then as to why she was working with Tenebrous, who clearly did not like them. For obvious reasons.

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"It was different, they were trying to be subtle, and they've wronged her too, in her mind, by cutting her off." Heretic dismissed the concerns with a gesture. "Point is, it connects to her tunnels and other hideouts."

I caught Claire's eyes, the gears were whirring in her brain.

"Which means that they're connected to the building," Claire said.

"And if all or most of Dr. Electra's associates and minions are there," I added with a nod, prodding her on. "Then. . ."

Her amber eyes flashed as she finished my train of thought. "Then it would be relatively easy to get in and sneak into the building that way."

"And all of us could come and deal with the minions," Julien added.

"And us," Nimbus added.

"Dad, wait, you shouldn't have to this!" Claire cried.

"No, you shouldn't have to do this." Nimbus closed his eyes and removed his glasses. "You're too young. All of you. But there aren't enough old farts like us and we've been out of the game long enough that we have to let you help us. I don't relish this though."

"I'll fight with you as well," Heretic promised. "I worked with Tenebrous to create the chip, among other things, out of anger, for justice. But he's gone far beyond justice at this point. I never wanted to hurt the civilians—but he's crossed that line and I have a duty to stop him."

"Welcome back," Nimbus said softly. "We'll be happy to fight beside you."

"Thank you." Heretic looked around at our ragtag group. "Looks like every non-Sentinel and hero is here."

"Yeah, I might've had a few connections," Julien mumbled, looking rather proud of himself.

"We all have a chance." Henry's voice was quiet and solemn. "I think that if we all work together, like never before, we'll be able to beat this."

"It worked in the Titan War." World Jumper shrugged. "It can work again."

"Then we know what the plan is?" Claire asked. "We leave at sundown, get in through one of Dr. Electra's tunnels, and then we fight our way to the top."

"Quick and simple." Tristan squeezed her hand. "I like it."

I looked back down at the bundle in my hands. Another step towards the path where Verity tread, my final step in betraying the Sentinels in discarding their uniform.

I would be working with my mother to do exactly the things I was raised not to.

And yet, I'd never been more ready in my life.

After all, there was one tenet I'd been raised upon that I had yet to betray, that I was sure I never would.

I would protect the people of New Kingsbury with my life, if needed. Only now, I had faces and names to the crowd, connections that tied me more tightly to this place and the people in it.

Claire suddenly stood. "I need to make a new costume, then. Since Mom's got. . . .well. . .."

"I know." Nimbus sighed. "But I suppose it's for the best, that you become your own hero now."

Claire nodded before disappearing up the stairs.

The both of us, it seemed, had fought to come to our identities.

And the culmination and conclusion was in the masks we would wear when we departed at sunset.

That was who we'd fought to become.