A month passes with the occasional hero being badly injured after approaching this mysterious new villain. She doesn't appear to be going after them, instead she reacts when approached, humiliating the heroes, leaving them broken and burnt. Some will recover, but others will never be able to play dress-up again. She barely speaks during these encounters, showing little interest in those attacking her. This has happened across the city, every time at a different place. Most of the heroes happen upon her when they take the chance to attempt to stop her villainous ways, only to find themselves way out of their league. A threat such as her hasn't happened in a long time, much less in this city. Yet, if the heroes are unable to deal with her, what else is there to stop her?

His phone dings with notifications again; a meeting. A gathering this early evening to discuss a way forward in dealing with this seemingly growing storm. He briefly considers skipping out on this one. After all, not one of those heroes have managed to even come close to her. Begrudgingly, he decides to go. There could be new information on her. He reaches the meeting hall, a favorite location for off-duty heroes to hang around at and share information. There's always minimum of seven people, be it leaders or sidekicks, and they always seem to be wasting time. He pushes past the so-called guards stationed outside. Some poor sidekicks who are not important enough to be a part of the meeting inside yet. They quickly step to the side, recognizing him, allowing him access. Every hero, still alive, that he knows of in and around the city sit and stand around in the massive room. Nearly each of them with an injury of some kind. Conversation remains scattered about for a long while, the injured sharing their personal encounters with the villain, what they think her true abilities are and what they think they should do next time to defeat her. All of them with their own theories, some even calling for the big guns to be invited in. The more of these stories he hears, the more clear it becomes to him that she is simply toying with them. With each encounter the hero throws everything at her, only to be swiped aside like an annoying gnat. Injured, but no new deaths. He catches stories of how some of these heroes have been actively seeking her out, hunting her, catching her in the midst of one or another mundane activity. Some have tried facing her alone, others having made groups as large as nine. Regardless of the number, it all ended the same; all on their asses, not a single one having even the slightest amount of success.

A voice chimes up, "Order. Order. Quiet now."

A man stands from his seat, he goes by Rhino, extremely secretive of his real identity, but often takes the lead in any superhero related business in the city. His arm tied tight against his body in a sling, "Something has to be done. And bickering amongst ourselves won't accomplish anything."

"She's something else. Difficult to pin down."

Eyes turn to the man clad in military style black pants, the silence immediate and loud.

Rhino speaks, "From what I've heard, you left the encounter uninjured."

"Because I'm difficult to injure."

"As am I. And she broke my arm."

"Then you're not difficult to injure. She had some sort of ability that trumps any power or strength we possess."

"She has used many different abilities. Control over each element. Over gravity. She's used telekinesis and super speed, too. Not a single one of us was able to land even a single blow on her. Not physically or with our powers."

"Has anyone realized that the abilities we have are negated? Changed?"

"We have. Our attacks are diverted. Negated. Changed. Blocked. Simply ceases to exist. Yet, we cannot determine her ability. She has refused to speak when facing any of us. We don't even know her name, much less how to get rid of her."

"I was able to speak with her for a moment. She refused to tell me anything."

"That's more than any of us got. We'll have to trap her. Figure out her weakness."

"How?"

"Maybe we can outnumber and overpower her. Outpace her. Wear her down and exhaust her. Unknown abilities as powerful as that has to take some kind of toll. If any of you come across her again, don't approach. Notify everyone else. We have to stand together here."

"She doesn't tire."

"Just how long did you fight her for?"

"About half an hour."

"Not enough. We might need to tag out, but we'll probably have to push that to hours."

"I don't think it'll work."

"Then what do you suggest? We can't just let her go around killing whoever she likes."

"I'm not sure. But I can try talking to her."

"Talk? With someone like that? She had no interest in talking."

"As I said, I was able to. Even if only for a moment."

Rhino scoffs, "You have two days. Then we'll go searching."

"The location on her?"

"What don't you understand about the statement of 'we'll go searching'?"

"Fantastic. Heal that arm up, boyscout," he speaks as he prepares to leave.

Rhino addresses the rest in the room again, "Not that I don't have faith, but we should have a plan in place."

He laughs, leaving through the doors, heading into the city to search for the woman.

The sun starts setting when the thought of their meeting crosses his mind. He makes his way to the tallest building in the city again, this time making use of the elevator. He reaches the roof to find her sitting on the edge, legs over the side, a pizza box next to her.

"I'm not in the mood to fight today. Please leave."

"I'm not here to fight."

"In that case you can sit and have a slice," she speaks as she opens the box, taking out a slice for herself.

"Not hungry, thanks,"

She shrugs and eats, eyes staring out over the horizon.

"Care to tell me why? Why you're doing all this?"

"Cause I want to. Why else do people do things?"

"Purpose. An actual reason."

"Fun, I guess."

"I fail to see how that's truly a reason." He sighs and closes the distance a bit, "But I suppose it's good enough for you."

"The heroes here were really overhyped."

"Most of them are. Especially the big, famous one whose arm you broke."

"He was supposed to be a bigshot?"

"That's what they say."

She laughs, "You're definitely better than him."

"At hurting and killing, maybe."

"Makes me wonder if you fuck good, too."

He blinks quickly, taken aback and uncertain how to respond, "I don't want to discuss that."

She chuckles now, "It took me about six minutes to put that Mr. Important out of commission. Half of that was just him trying to catch up to me."

"Didn't take that much more for you to almost kill me."

She finishes the slice, "Look... if I really wanted to, I could erase this entire city."

"That much is clear."

She leans back on her hands, looking upside-down at him, "See that bus crossing the bridge?"

"Don't," his eyes dart to the bus.

A smile tugs at her lips, "Now I really want to."

"All I can do at this point is ask. Please don't."

The smile grows, "Then how about we discuss it?"

"It's worth that much to you?"

"Humor me."

His focus shifts back to her, "What do you want to know?"

She straightens, turning to look at him now, clearly surprised, "Really?"

"I don't like the idea of innocents being hurt, and I can't kill you. If it stops you, I'm willing to embarrass myself."

She crosses her legs, "When last?"

"It's been a year or two, I don't really remember."

"That bad?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You don't really remember it. Seems disappointing, then."

"I don't particularly have time."

"What's keeping you too busy for sex?"

"Killing. Hurting."

"Fair enough. I suppose that can take a fair amount of one's time."

"It takes almost all my time."

"Bad guys?"

"Evil people. Yes."

"And you define evil as hurting innocence, yes?"

"To some degree. But at the degree of my own acts, I am evil, too."

"I see," she gets to her feet, "What's your name?"

"I don't go by it anymore."

"What do you go by now?"

"Whatever the people I hurt decide to call me that week."

"Then what am I to call you?"

"Whatever you choose to."

"What's your name?" She insists.

He sighs, realizing only an answer will break this circle, "Ewan."

She seems to consider it a moment, "Those who fear me call me Echo."

He nods, "I'll call you that."

"At least until I feel otherwise. Why did you seek me out tonight if not for a fight?"

"To talk. Learn to understand you. Even if only to stop you or slow you down."

"Aah, to find my weakness, then?"

"In a way, I suppose. But I don't give a shit about reporting anything I learn to that fucking boyscout."

She turns to look down the street, "Seems they knew that. They're done with their little meeting."

He laughs, "Fucker said two days."

"Obviously, they don't trust you."

Three heroes approach from the sky.

"I'll see if they want to talk. Don't kill or hurt anyone and I'll answer more of your stupid questions."

Ewan steps to the center of the roof, waving at the approaching heroes.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Rhino is the first to land, clearly avoiding to look in Echo's direction, "You seem really friendly with the bitch."

"You asked me to get information. I was getting it. But fuck that now."

Rhino steps forward, the other two heroes landing behind him, "Get going, why don't you?"

"Why don't you fuck off and I don't beat your boys to death with your spine?"

Echo takes a step forward, causing Rhino's eyes to flash to her and settle on Ewan again, "I want to talk to her."

"If she'll talk to you."

Echo stands behind Ewan now, a soft hand placed against his upper back, whispering, "Does embarrassment count as hurting?"

Ewan frowns, "I suppose not?"

She smiles and steps past him, "What would you like to know, Mr. Important?"

He looks visibly confused, "Why are you in my city?"

"I expected a challenge, considering your reputation."

His face goes pale, "And I have given you that. I've outlasted everyone else."

"Yeah, actually not. There are three others in this city alone who lasted longer than your premature six minutes."

"That's bullshit."

"Prophet was able to last twelve minutes and Green Specter a full sixteen. If you can do math, that's double and more than double what you managed."

He almost visibly bites his tongue, shooting look to his murmuring subordinates.

She takes another step towards Rhino, smile still plastered across her face "And this man behind me. Our fight carried on for a continuous thirty seven minutes. Although, if you consider that I didn't put him out of commission, our fight is still ongoing."

Rhino leans back slightly, eyes darting between the two in front of him.

Echo tilts her head to the side, "Turns out... you're just weak."

He stutters, "M...my arm was bum before we even fought."

Echo makes a waving gesture towards him, his arm healing perfectly, "I'm waiting."

Rhino's eyes grow large and he steps back, flexing his hand, his two subordinates readying themselves for a fight. Ewan also takes a step back, not prepared to interfere in this.

Echo closes the distance again, "Do you think stalling will add time to your six minutes?"

He almost stumbles with another backwards step, "I'll... I'll find a way to kill you."

"You're a sad excuse for a man. Not worth your salt as a hero. Your ego outshines your ability. You think you're so wonderful simply because you inherited from two amazing people? They feel shame even in their graves seeing you now."

His mouth falls agape, "How did... how did you know?"

"Wouldn't you like to know all my secrets?" Her face softens, "If you continue wasting my time here, I'll make sure you join them in thirty seconds."

He urgently looks to the two behind him, "We need to leave."

"What about the pla-"

"We have to leave!"

He turns and flies off, the other two hesitate a moment, one spitting at Echo's feet before they too fly off.

She turns to face Ewan again, "Good enough for further company?"

Ewan about smiles at Rhino's embarrassment, "Good enough."

"How about we go somewhere more private? This interruption was rather annoying."

"Do I have a choice?"

She holds out a hand, "Not much of one."

He looks at her hand, skeptical.

"It's gonna be a lot quicker if you just take my hand."

"And you won't steal my power of try to kill me again?"

"Oh, come now. That was barely an attempt. For tonight, I promise. Long as you don't try to kill me and agree to keep me company for the night."

"I suppose that is fair. I can do that."

Ewan cautiously takes Echo's hand, but she suddenly pulls him into her, arm around his lower back.

"Hold tight."

He sighs, but follows instruction, placing his own arm around her. She chuckles at his expression. In the blink of an eye, they stand in the middle of a kitchen. Things seem simple, yet expensive. An island in the very center, counters with granite tops. A double door fridge with dispensers and a glass top stove.

"You drink?"

"Not much," he answers as he steps free of her hold.

"Want to? I've got a gorgeous whiskey here."

"In that case, it would be rude to decline."

She gets two tumblers from the cupboard, "Mind getting the ice from the freezer?"

"Sure," he gets a tray and places it next to the glasses, "Is this your place? Or have you taken it from someone else?"

"It's one of the places I've accumulated over time. One of those that are good to have in your back pocket. See, I can't stay in one place for very long. I'm working on changing that, but it's more of a forced habit at this stage."

She pours two glasses just covering the ice cubes, holding a glass out to him. He looks at the alcohol before taking a sip. The light golden liquid goes down smoothly, a soft taste lingering on his to tongue.

"It's good."

"Told you." She runs a finger over the edge of the glass, "Can I be honest with you?"

"Yes," he takes another sip.

"Speaking of earlier got me thinking. I want to fuck you."

He almost spits the whiskey out, but forces it down.

She laughs, "Too honest?"

"A bit, yeah."

"I'm serious, though. You have intrigued me."

"I mean... thank you?"

They stand in awkward silence a moment before she speaks again, "Join me. A single night, no strings attached. A breakaway from the killing and hurting."

"Are you asking or telling me?"

"I'm asking, of course. You're my guest."

"And if I say no?"

"I might just have to keep trying to convince you, then. Thing is, I don't give up quite easily. Especially once I see something I want."

He considers, taking another sip, "STDs? Pregnancy?"

"A second promise, I am clean. Also, I don't want kids anytime soon. I have condoms we can use."

"Plural?"

"Plural if you can keep up."

He takes a rather large sip this time, "I might still need some convincing."

She finishes her own, putting the glass with the ice cubes on the counter, "Now that I can do."

"Maybe also a shower."

"Well, finish up. And I'll show you the way."

He drains his own glass next and follows her down the hall into the master bedroom. She gestures to the bathroom, sitting on the bed.

"Thanks," he speaks as he closes the door behind himself, undressing and getting in.

He washes first, then just stands under the running water. Arm against the wall as the water rushes over his back. His thoughts wonder, whipped back to reality as Echo's arms slide around him. He jolts, startled. She slides one hand up his side, the other moving lower. He feels her naked body pressing against his back.

Ewan steadies himself, "You couldn't give me five?"

"Unfortunately, I could no longer contain my thoughts or my eagerness."

Her lower hand slides to his crotch. He looks over his shoulder at her, attempting to force himself to relax. Her hand moves away from his crotch and she reaches for the soap.

"Mind standing still a moment?"

He obliges and she foams the soap between her hands. She slowly washes over his back and shoulders, almost like a gentle massage. She allows the water to wash over him again, before once more pressing her body against his back. Her hand inches back down to his crotch, his eyes now flowing. She wraps a hand around his shaft, making him exahle a sharp breath, his muscles twitching. Gradually, she works his shaft with one hand, the other tracing over his back and side. A groan escapes his lips as she continues this for a while. Eventually, pulling away and stepping back.

"What next?"

"Face me."

He turns, her body glistening from the water droplets on her skin. She pulls his face to hers and kisses him. His hands settle on her hips and she presses herself against him again, reaching to close the water behind him. She pulls away, taking his hand and leading him back into the bedroom, they drip over the carpet. Next to the bed, she turns to face him again, her hands feeling over his chest. Then, she goes lower, to her knees. Again, she wraps a hand around his shaft, taking his tip into her mouth. His own mouth falls open, hand in her hair as he watches. She sucks and plays with her tongue over his tip, not forgetting to give both his shaft and balls attention, too. He groans, head falling back and eyes closed. She continues, bringing him close to the edge before stopping, pulling away. He makes a sound somewhere between desperation and frustration, nearly losing his balance as he looks at her again. She stands, motioning him to the bed. Again, he obliges, sitting. She moves to sit over his lap, kissing him as she pushes him to lay back. His hands end on her hips again, eagerly returning her kiss. She breaks the kiss, leaning over him as she reaches to the bedside table, opening the drawer and placing the condoms on top. He takes one of her nipples into his mouth as she reaches, biting softly and swirling his tongue. An unexpected moan escapes her lips as he feels over her entrance. Wet and definitely ready. He slips two fingers into her, not letting go of her breast. She keeps this position a while as he works magic of his own. Slowly, she allows herself to return to her position over him, his tip pressing against her entrance. He thrusts slightly, his tip sliding over her entrance. She looks down at him, biting her lip. He thrusts again, his tip this time popping in and out.

She gasps, "You're playing with fire here."

"Sometimes living on the edge has its benefits."

She slams down onto him, taking all of him into her. They gasp together. Ewan immediately starts thrusting, Echo pinning his hands above his head as she kisses him again. She takes back control a moment later, dictating the pace now. They roll over the bed, each getting their moment to lead, each getting their moment of ecstasy. And then the next. And the next. They consume of one another all they can, dripping of sweat and pleasure. After what was perhaps one too many, they pass out together.