The interior of the apartment was the epitome of ordinary. A few family photos, old yet nice (but not fancy) furniture, nothing that screamed "Childhood home of a Supervillain".

Miss Freeman came out of the kitchen, two cups of tea in hand. I thanked her and began to sip as she sat across from me.

"You were very quick, dear. I didn't expect you to find the little troublemaker so fast."

I looked at her through my sunglasses. Her mood was surprisingly chipper.

"What exactly do you mean, Miss Freeman?" I asked.

"What do I mean? You should know....or maybe I haven't called you yet...? I....Antonio, he.....he was here just yesterday."

I was not expecting that. "He was?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes. Yes, I think. I was just about to go grocery shopping. I always....I always liked to walk by the park, get a taste of nature. You know how it is, right dear?"

"Yeah."

"I really enjoy my little walks, and I used to take Antonio there a lot when he was younger. He always loved the slide the most. I..." She started but then raised her hand to her forehead. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's difficult to remember sometimes."

I wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible, but I was reluctant to do anything that might blow my cover. "It's okay. Take your time."

"Oh, thank you, dear. You're a real sweetheart, let me tell you."

"Don't mention it. You were on the way to buy groceries...?"

"Oh yes. Of course. Thank you for reminding me. I was going through the park when I passed the playground, as usual. And he is just standing there. I think he was with someone, but..it was very hard to make out who it was. It was very strange. I couldn't even tell if it was a man or a woman. Anyway, he saw me too and ran up to me and I was sooo happy. I hadn't....hadn't seen him in a while and I was so glad." She smiled softly.

"You were glad?"

"I knew I had to notify your office eventually, but I.....just for the moment it was nice to have him back. I took him by the hand and brought him back here. He told me he missed me, I was so happy."

Hmmm, that was a bit strange. Not overwhelmingly so, I could see it happening, but still...better to make sure.

"Why exactly did you take your son by the hand?"

She looked at me as if I'd gone crazy.

"He's a child. Of course, I took him by the hand. He was lucky nothing happened to him while he was out and about on his own. And honestly, we all know kids are prone to run off every now and then. Antonio is no different. So I had to keep him close by, yes."

This wasn't good. A sneaking suspicion slithered through my brain. Not only that she thought her clearly adult son was a child, but also her repetitive way of speaking at times....but I needed a bit more info. "Right. I'm sorry. What happened next?"

"We got home. I wanted to make him a cup of tea, he used to love them so much but....but he said something, I...." Once again she grabbed her head. "I don't.....don't remember what it was, but....oh, my head hurts....."

"Are you alright? Can I do something for you?"

The older woman shook her head no and the bright smile returned to her face in no time.

"No, it happens sometimes. But thank you for asking, dear. You're a real sweetheart, let me tell you."

I remained silent.

"Anyway...he...he said something...and then he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I was a bit flustered, I must admit, because he never really has been an affectionate child, you know? Always more preoccupied with drawing and making little movies with his toys and such, even though he was not very good at it."

She chuckled.

"So I was a bit surprised. Then he turned around and...and we walked over to the door...."

She lifted her finger to point to the entrance.

"I wanted to stop him, of course, but my cheek, it.....it felt so cold all of a sudden. I...I was screaming, I think, I don't...don't really remember. I just know it hurt like hell...oh, I'm sorry, I didn't need to swear."

My theory seemed to be more and more likely as the conversation went on. "What happened next?"

"Next, I...I think, no, I know....yes, I woke up in the hospital. They told me everything was alright, and....and your people were there too.....huh....strange. They asked me the same questions you did and then....then I needed to stay there for observation....I think...."

Her voice started to waver more and more with each word she spoke.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"How long were you in the hospital?"

"I'm sure that...now that I think about it...a week, maybe? Maybe longer? I don't know..."

"But didn't you say the incident with your son happened yesterday? How could he have come here yesterday, if you were in the hospital for a week?"

She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it again a few times. "That's a good....he was here yesterday, I'm sure...but...I was at the hospital though, and....needed groceries for....." Her eyes glazed over, and I saw a small line of drool beginning to run down her face. Then, suddenly, she was back to normal.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I spaced out again, didn't I? It happens sometimes, especially lately......So, excuse me for asking, but who were you again? I don't quite remember I'm afraid..."

I had seen enough. So my hunch had been right. There was no telling how long this poor woman had been in this state. If her story was true, then years at least. There was no way I was going to get any more useful information out of her.

"It's alright, Miss Freeman. We already discussed everything we needed to." I got up and shook her hand.

"We did? Oh, that's good. I was a bit embarrassed, you know."

"Don't. Everything went as smoothly as it could've." I walked over to the door and she went with me to see me off. "It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Freeman."

She laughed. "Oh, the pleasure was all mine. You're a real sweetheart, let me tell you."

As soon as the door closed I began to wander. I had to gather my thoughts for a moment. I didn't learn anything particularly useful. But I had no time to go and try somewhere else. So I had to make do with what I had.

A plan was beginning to develop in my head. But....it was a drastic one. My stomach churned just contemplating it. I didn't know if I could go through with it. I pulled out my phone and sighed. Too little time left to try and do something else, too much time left to go into "Can't-think-about-it-too-much-too-urgent" mode. Damn. Well, if I absolutely had to think about it I needed a less noisy and public environment than the streets of LA. With a sharp turn, I changed course to the place I called home.

---------------------

As soon as the bricks of the windowless building sealed behind me I felt an immediate quiet calm that worked to tame the turbulent thoughts racing through my mind. The ground floor hallway was empty as usual, but when I ascended the stairs I saw a familiar figure lean against the wall. When he saw me he greeted me with a quick but firm salute.

"Good afternoon, Master Controller. I see you're looking less like a homeless drug addict and almost like a regular well-adjusted person today. Additionally, you and your little witch friend have been busy for a while. Finally taking a page out of our book and doing more than one run a month?" Toy General relaxed his stance but the two soldiers on his shoulders kept waving for a while.

"Something like that." I muttered as I moved past him but then stopped. "You're from Utopia, right? Originally?"

He nodded. "That's right. There a reason you ask, or are you just curious?"

I turned and leaned against the opposite wall. "Can I ask you for some advice? One bad guy to another?"

He chuckled. "I was the Utopian equivalent of a US Army Captain, so if it's practical advice you want I'm sure I can help." One of his toys jumped down from his shoulders and began climbing up my leg as we spoke.

"An army man, huh? I guess it makes sense. But with your exaggerated presentation, I'd have pegged you more as a cape than a soldier." I bent down to pick the little guy up and sat him on top of my head where he nestled in immediately as if hugging one of those particularly soft and cuddly giant teddy bears.

Toy General smiled. "In Utopia, there is no legal distinction between the two. A soldier is just a Hero who works directly for the government. That's why our uniforms have masks and capes. It must seem weird to you, but I never questioned it before I left. Now that I have a bit of a broader perspective I can say that I much prefer the way other countries do it."

I hadn't known that. Utopia had never interested me much before, especially after Arma....Queen Snake's betrayal. But this might be it. A society run entirely by Heroes. The heads of state, Mayors, and apparently even the army, all Heroes. There was plenty to disagree with, and their methods could be brutal at times, but they weren't evil. They had the lowest crime rate in the world. They took America's spot as the Cultural Melting Pot due to the record-breaking amount of immigrants that flock to it every year. A place like that had to be doing something right. So even if I am unsure, if my actions could be justified by Utopian standards, then it should be fine, right? Yes. It should be fine.

"That's wild. But to get to the point.....let's say I know someone. Someone who plans to do something....big. Very big. Wide-reaching consequences."

I saw him raise an eyebrow. "Do you? Know someone like that?"

"....It's a hypothetical. Nothing more."

He chuckled. "Of course. Continue."

"....Right. As I was saying.... wide-reaching consequences. These consequences would affect me directly. Not only that, but also heavily, and most important of all, negatively. Mostly negatively. I don't know how exactly others would be affected, but I have reason to believe that while some people will be much better off than before, a lot of others would draw the short end of the stick."

Both he and the plastic figure on his shoulder nodded along. "Interesting. So you want hypothetical advice on how to stop that hypothetical person?"

.

I rolled my eyes and he smirked.

"No. No, I already have a plan. That's where the problem lies though. See, that person is very powerful. He could defeat me with a touch. And the place of the...yes, hypothetical.... confrontation would be full of people that will come to his aid if I go and randomly attack him. But if I approach him cautiously and quietly and without any obvious ill intent I feel like I'll have a chance to get close enough to enact my plan. That plan is....designed especially to counter his devastating Power, let's just say."

"So you have a plan, are confident you can get in the position to pull it off, and ....where is the problem again?"

I sighed. "I haven't mentioned it yet, you dolt. The problem is....that to pull it off, someone has to die."

Toy General shook his head. "I don't see the problem. From what you have told me killing him seems to be the most efficient way to deal with the situation."

I took a deep breath. "It's not just him. At least one other person will die. Potentially more. That may not mean much to you, but....I have never killed. I like to think I'm a....maybe not a good, but an alright person. I try not to hurt civvies too much. I avoid targeting people who look like they are already at a low point in their lives right now. I.....I don't know."

He had closed his eyes and started contemplating after I finished. His soldier mimicked him, crossing his arms across his chest too.

"Is there any other way?"

"I don't think so. Nothing that will both put a permanent end to his plan and keep me safe at the same time. I bet I could come up with something better if I had enough time, but...I have to present the solution to this scenario to Witchling tonight at 10. She came up with the thing. We have a bet going. "

"Of course, of course. A hypothetical thought experiment, nothing more. So you want to know if you should go through with it, hmm? Do you want to hear my personal advice? Or the Utopian take?"

I swallowed to get rid of the lump in my throat, but it didn't work. I was really only interested in one of the two, but I figured it was best to play nice here.

"Why don't you give me both?"

"If you want me to. Personally, I would say it depends. You are the one who has to set your own boundaries. I have killed before. I regret many of these kills. Slugger has too. She does not. Smooth Criminal...his slate is clean...but I don't think he would be all that bothered if it wasn't. The question is do you think you will regret it? Are you the kind of person this would stay with? And if you are, is that worth preventing whatever negative consequences come from not killing? If Smooth came to me with the same question I'd say "Yeah, go do it. Get'em, soldier." If your friend Witchling came to me I would try to talk her out of it as best I can. But in the end, only you can decide. You know yourself the best, after all."

I clenched my fist lightly. This was of no use to me at all.

"And the Utopian take?"

"Has he killed before? If he did, do you suppose he'll kill again?"

"Yes to both." I immediately thought back to the dozens of echoes that walked around the hideout assisting the artists with their menial tasks. Toy General looked up at the ceiling.

"A dangerous Power, a plan that will have wide-reaching negative consequences and a murderer with suspicion of future repeat offense.....Now that's a doozy."

He lowered his head again and his eyes sought mine.

"As a Utopian Hero you would not only be justified in taking care of him you would probably be given a medal. Killing is distasteful, but if it objectively serves the public good, and there can be no question that it does, then what's a few stragglers that get caught in the wheel? Your unfortunate casualties would be declared Heroes post-mortem, the families would be given some sort of monetary compensation, and you would be in the news, a celebrated savior. That's how things work over there."

He reached out and plucked the sleeping (?) toy soldier from my head.

"Got what you wanted?"

I nodded and offered my hand. He shook it with a smile. "Thanks. I think I know what to do now."

"I believe it's time to wake my two roomies up now. Got some nefarious deeds to plan to pay the bills. Let me know how it went for you. Hypothetically speaking, of course." With a wink, he opened the door and disappeared inside his room.

I stood outside in the hallway for a few minutes.

Yes. He was right. As long as it objectively served the public good....It was okay. No, it was right. I didn't plan to make a habit out of this, but just this once...just this once it was justified. There was no doubt about it.

With renewed vigor, I turned around to leave the house I just entered. After all, there was a ticking clock. And I had a plan to prepare.