The entrance hall transformed into something that belonged in a billionaire supervillain's fever dream. Art deco columns stretched up into darkness, their golden surfaces reflecting the soft purple glow of floating orbs that drifted aimlessly through the air.

The Likeness of the place was going wild. The place was heavily saturated with power.

I gathered our group in an alcove, away from the steady stream of costumed criminals and well-dressed monsters flowing past us. "Alright," I said, keeping my voice low. "We need to split up. Cover more ground."

"Looking for anything about the train victims?" Jade asked, her silver eyes scanning the crowd.

I nodded. "And any mention of the Bakers. These types love to network—someone's bound to drop names."

A woman glided past our alcove, her dress seemingly made of living shadows that writhed and twisted.

"Three teams," I decided, watching as more powered individuals filled the space. "Jade and I will take the main floor. Alex and Lore, check out the upper levels—looks like they've got some kind of VIP section up there." I gestured to the glass boxes suspended above us, where figures moved behind tinted windows.

"What about us?" Gina asked, gesturing to herself, Vinico, and Placid.

"Take the lower level," I said, noticing a stairway that descended deeper underground. "I can see power signatures down there—lots of them. Might be where they're keeping the merchandise."

Jade squeezed my hand. "And Henry and Louvel?"

"Stay mobile. Float between groups. If anything goes wrong, they're our backup."

The Likeness above swirled with competing colors—dark red for danger, violet for secrets, and thin streaks of gold for opportunity. We had a chance here, but one wrong move...

"Remember," I added, "we're not here to fight. If someone engages you, play along. We're all fellow criminals here, right?"

Jade's lips curled into a smile that perfectly matched our surroundings—beautiful and dangerous. "Just a bunch of villains doing villain things."

"Exactly. And speaking of—" I gestured to a man nearby who was casually turning his memories into gleaming crystals and trading them with a collector. "—keep an eye out for power displays. If anyone asks for a demonstration..."

"Fake it," Lore finished. "Got it."

"Meet back here in an hour," I said. "And whatever you do, try not to—"

"Start an international incident?" Jade suggested innocently.

I couldn’t help taking a closer look at her Likeness and my eyes widened, seeing how much she was bleeding into reality.

"That would be nice, yes."

We split up, merging into the crowd of villains like we belonged there. As Jade and I headed toward what looked like a bustling black market area, I caught glimpses of our team disappearing into the throng: Alex and Lore ascending a floating staircase, Gina's group slipping down into the lower levels, Henry and Louvel vanishing into shadows.

A man walked past us, casually catching and bottling the last screams of the dying. I watched as another woman across the room aged thirty years in seconds, her life force being siphoned by another villain's touch. I revised my thoughts. Without getting ourselves killed, exposed, or recruited.

I brought my attention back to Jade.

"Excited?" I asked, watching Jade's face as she took in the underground spectacle. Her silver eyes were practically sparkling, darting from one incredible sight to another like she couldn't decide what to focus on first.

She nodded so fast I thought her head might fall off, then grabbed my arm with both hands, pressing close. "North! Look at that woman—her dress is made of actual fire!" A delighted gasp. "Oh! And that man over there, his shadow just ate someone else's shadow!"

Her enthusiasm was contagious. Before I could respond, she bounced up on her toes and planted a quick kiss on my cheek, nearly missing in her excitement. I couldn't help but laugh. Here we were, in literal villain central, and Jade was treating it like the most amazing amusement park she'd ever seen. A waiter drifted by—literally drifted, his feet hovering a good inch off the marble floor. I snagged two glasses of something that looked like captured starlight.

"Here," I handed one to Jade. "I promise it's nothing like that paint-thinner cocktail you tried yesterday."

She wrinkled her nose at the memory but accepted the glass. "That was so gross. I still can't believe I drank that stuff."

"Just try this one. Trust me?"

She gave me a skeptical look but took a careful sip. Her eyes widened. The liquid shimmered as she swallowed, making her skin glow faintly for a moment. "Oh! It tastes like... like..."

"Sunshine and secrets?" I suggested, grinning.

"Kind of!" She took another sip, more enthusiastic this time. "Still not as good as your cocktails though."

We wandered through the crowd, Jade practically glued to my side, absorbing everything with wide-eyed fascination. A group of villains nearby were having an animated discussion about territory disputes, their powers casually on display. One woman's words literally froze in the air as she spoke, shattering when someone disagreed. Another man punctuated his points by aging and de-aging the plant life around him.

"Did you see that?" Jade whispered, tugging my sleeve as we passed a woman who was collecting tears in crystal vials. "She's crying diamonds! Actually crying diamonds!"

The jazz band caught our attention next—and what a band it was. The pianist's fingers never touched the keys; they floated an inch above, pulling music directly from the air. The bassist's shadow was playing a second bass line, creating impossible harmonies. And the singer? Her voice split into three-part harmony with itself, each note visible as rings of color that expanded through the room.

A couple of dancers swayed on the dance floor, their movements enhanced by their powers. One pair left trails of starlight with each step. Another seemed to dance in the air. They had wings on their backs.

Jade's eyes were fixed on the dancers, practically vibrating with barely contained desire. She bit her lip, looking up at me hopefully. "North...?"

"Do you even know how to dance?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Her face lit up with that brilliant smile that never failed to make my heart skip. She shook her head, silver hair catching the light. "Nope! But I really want to try! Please?" She bounced on her toes again, practically radiating excitement. "I'll follow your lead, I promise! I'm a quick learner—you know I am!"

How could anyone say no to that? I set our glasses on a passing tray and offered my hand with an exaggerated bow. "Well then, my villainous lady, may I have this dance?"

Jade's delighted laugh drew several heads our way as she practically jumped to take my hand. I led her to the edge of the dance floor, where she immediately started studying the other couples' movements with intense concentration.

"Just feel the music," I murmured, pulling her close. "And try not to fall down."

She stuck her tongue out at me but focused on the steps. True to her word, she was a natural. Within minutes, she had the basic movements down. Within two songs, she was adding her own flourishes, her inherent grace making up for her lack of formal training. I noticed more than a few appreciative male gazes following her movements. Jade in that sheer, off-white outfit, moving like she was born to dance, her silver eyes bright with joy—she was magnetic. A few of the more powerful-looking villains were watching with particular interest, whispering among themselves. The band shifted to something slower, more sensual, notes of deep purple and midnight blue swirling through the air around us. Jade melted against me with a happy sigh, completely at ease despite being surrounded by some of the most dangerous people on the planet.

"This is amazing," she whispered, her breath warm against my neck. "Why don't we infiltrate villain lairs more often?"

I had to bite back a laugh. "Because usually we're too busy fighting them?"

"Details, details." She pulled back just enough to give me an impish grin. "Besides, this is way more fun."

When the song ended, we found a small table near the edge of the dance floor. Jade was practically glowing with happiness, watching everything with undisguised wonder. I squeezed her hand, trying to focus on our actual mission instead of how adorable she was when discovering new things. The warmth of her smile was almost enough to make me forget we were technically here to stop these villains, not join their party.

Then, out of nowhere, a woman materialized beside our table like a ghost, "Pardon the interruption," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "My employer couldn't help but notice your wonderful dancing. Mr. Compound would be honored if you'd join him for drinks in the private lounge." She produced two ornate invitation cards that seemed to be made of crystallized darkness. "He's quite selective about his guests, but he has an eye for... unique talents."

The Likeness above her head swirled with dark violet—secrets tangled with opportunity. My meta nature kicked in, breaking down the geometry of the space around her. Everything about her movements formed perfect triangles, too precise to be natural. Trained. Dangerous.

I felt Jade's posture shift subtly beside me, her earlier playfulness giving way to careful attention. But, despite the situation, she maintained a perfect poise.

"We're flattered by the invitation," I said, matching the woman’s polite tone.

The woman's smile was practiced but genuine. "Indeed he is. I'm Cassandra, by the way. Mr. Compound's social coordinator." She gestured gracefully toward the upper level. "The view from the private lounge is quite spectacular. And the company..." She paused delicately. "Well, let's just say it's a rare opportunity to meet others of similar... inclinations."

She gave me a slight nod, her lips curving into a sophisticated smile.

"How could we refuse such a gracious invitation?" I stood, offering Jade my hand.

As she took it, I kept her close—protective but not obviously so.

"Wonderful," Cassandra said, gesturing for us to follow. "If you'll come with me?"

We followed her through the crowd, ascending a spiral staircase.

The VIP room opened before us, and the social dynamics were immediately clear. Men in bespoke suits engaged in quiet conversation, some accompanied by elegant women who served drinks or provided companionship. Equally powerful women commanded their own spaces, dressed in sophisticated but alluring outfits, surrounded by attentive men.

At the center of it all sat Compound at a massive obsidian table, his presence impressive but not overwhelming. The patterns showed me how reality curved gently around him—power, but carefully controlled. Cassandra took her place behind his chair, part of what was clearly an inner circle rather than mere security.

"Ah, our dancers arrive," Compound said warmly, standing to greet us. His voice matched his appearance—powerful but cultured. "I'm Marcus Compound. Thank you for accepting my invitation."

He gestured to two empty seats, the placement clearly chosen to make us feel included rather than trapped. "Please, join us. I so rarely get to meet interesting new faces.”

I guided Jade to her seat with practiced courtesy before taking my own. The Likeness above the table was a storm of colors—dark violet for secrets, yes, but also streaks of gold for opportunity. Whatever game was being played here, it was far more sophisticated than simple intimidation.

"You're very generous to include us," I said, noting how Compound had positioned himself as a host rather than an interrogator. "Though I must admit, I'm curious what caught your attention."

Compound smiled, pouring two glasses of something that shimmered like liquid starlight. "Let's call it an appreciation for performance art. Besides," he gestured casually at the room, "one can never have too many interesting friends in our line of work, wouldn't you agree?"

"Right," I said, meeting his smile with one of my own. "An interesting friend is a treasure no wealth can buy.”

Simultaneously, I was also studying the room. Like that guy in the corner's shadow kept trying to grope the woman next to him when he thought no one was looking. Classy.

The other guests were sizing us up, not even trying to be subtle about it. A woman with actual scales for skin kept flicking her forked tongue in our direction. Another whose body seemed to be made entirely of living glass clinked softly every time she moved.

A server approached— A woman in a dress made of what looked like liquid rubies, carrying a tray of drinks that sparked and fizzing. Her movements were too fluid to be human. Compound gestured for her to serve us first. I took one glass. As she moved to give Jade a drink, I subtly shook my eyes. I was already aware of Jade alcohol tolerance, and this meta-infused alcohol would surely hit her too hard. And the last thing I needed was to handle Jade throwing a tantrum in a room full of villains.

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"I don't believe I caught your names," Compound asked, somehow making his massive frame look almost elegant despite practically dwarfing his custom chair. "I must admit, watching you two on the dance floor... There's something quite captivating about the way you move together."

"Jupiter," I said smoothly, the fake name sliding out easy as breathing. "And this my partner is Seren." Jade gave a slight nod, playing it cool effortlessly. Though, I could tell she was a little nervous the way she twitched from time to time.

Soon, the others around the table resumed their talks, quickly losing their interest in us, seeing we were nothing but some low level, random villains.

Yet, I couldn't help but notice the way a few of their eyes kept drifting toward us. The men were about as subtle as a brick through a window—their gazes lingering on Jade's face, the curves of her body. It was really troublesome. Even Likeness painted their intentions in sickly yellow streams.

In an opposite corner, a man in a white suit suddenly stood up, his chair scraping back dramatically. His skin rippled like television static, and when he spoke, his voice came out in multiple tones at once.

"Compound, you promised us a preview," Static-man said, earning murmurs of agreement from several others. "We didn't come here just for small talk."

Compound raised his massive hands in surrender. "Patience, Maxwell. Good things come to those who wait." He glanced around the table, a showman building anticipation. "Though I suppose a small demonstration wouldn't hurt."

A hidden door slid open, and an assistant wheeled in a sleek silver case

A woman on another sofa leaned forward eagerly. "Is this the augmentation serum we've heard about?"

"Indeed." Compound lifted a small vial of shimmering liquid from the case. "Though I should warn you—the effects are temporary. But in those few minutes..." His smile widened. "Well, let's just say it pushes your abilities beyond their normal limits."

Static-man shifted impatiently. "We've heard the sales pitch. Show us."

Compound nodded to his assistant, who stepped forward voluntarily. She was a meta with minor telekinetic abilities—I'd seen her floating drinks earlier. She took the vial without hesitation and drank.

The effect was immediate. The air around her began to ripple, and suddenly many objects in the room lighter than a chair lifted off the ground. Glasses, papers, decorative items—all floating in perfect formation. She moved them with a precision I'd only seen in high-level telekinetics.

"As you can see," Compound continued, "the formula temporarily amplifies existing abilities. Imagine: five minutes of being the most powerful version of yourself."

"Duration?" the diamond woman asked sharply.

"Currently? Three to five minutes. We're working on extending it, of course."

"And side effects?" Someone else asked.

"A mild headache, nothing more." Compound shrugged. "Though we recommend waiting twenty-four hours between doses."

The room erupted in excited discussion—prices, quantities, exclusive territory rights. These weren't just random criminals; they were potential distributors, each probably controlling their own network of meta villains.

I kept my face carefully neutral, playing the role of an interested observer. A temporary power boost wasn't what we'd come here looking for, but it was valuable intelligence nonetheless. Any new player in the meta-enhancement market was worth knowing about. However, I doubted his claim about only mild headache and the side effects should be more serious.

…

As everyone was busy having their serious discussion about the purchase, I set my empty drink down with practiced casualness, "I hate to cut this gathering short, but we should be going."

Compound raised an eyebrow . "Already? The night's barely begun."

"Unfortunately, we have another engagement." I paused deliberately before adding, "The Bakers aren't known for their patience."

The effect was immediate. Several heads turned our way, conversations dying mid-sentence. Even Compound's carefully maintained expression flickered with interest.

"The Bakers?" The static-skinned man laughed, but there was an edge to it. "Those lunatics? Last I heard, they were cooking up something that turned half their test subjects inside out."

I smiled politely, neither confirming nor denying. A sharp looking woman with bright red lipstick and dress, tapped her fingers against her glass, creating sharp chimes. "Dealing with them is... risky.”

"Better to stay out of their territories entirely," someone else muttered. "They've gone completely mad with their experiments."

Another man voiced out, "Though I did hear they're somewhere in the lower levels tonight. Apparently, they're showing off some new formula they've been developing for months." He took a long drag from an equally smoky cigar. "Word is, they've already got buyers lined up from at least six different countries."

"Seven," corrected a woman with metallic scales. "My sources say even the Australians are interested, and they usually stay out of meta-trafficking."

“I helped Jade up, noting how the other villains watched our movement with barely concealed curiosity. "We appreciate the hospitality."

As we turned to leave, the smoke-man called out, "If you survive dealing with those psychopaths, come back and tell us what they're really up to. Could be worth your while."

"I'll keep that in mind."

…

…

…

Soon, we found our group in one of the quieter corners of the main hall, everyone filtering in from their different zones.

"Oh my God, you guys won't believe what we found in the lower levels," Gina burst out, then quickly lowered her voice when Vinico elbowed her. "There's this whole fighting arena down there. And get this—they're making metas fight against some kind of... I don't even know what to call them. demons?"

Alex was rubbing her temples. "Upstairs was a complete waste of time. Unless you count watching some guy literally eat memories for entertainment."

Henry interrupted, "Louvel and I followed this group into what we thought was a regular meeting room. Turns out it was some kind of... power auction? But not like normal meta trafficking. They were trading in something called 'potential.'"

Louvel shuddered. "Yeah, saw this guy volunteer for a demonstration. They hooked him up to this machine and..."

"And?" I prompted.

"And it showed everyone his 'potential futures' or something. All the powers he could potentially develop. Then they started bidding on them. Like they were shopping for abilities that could be developed into very powerful versions in future."

"Speaking of the lower levels," Vinico added, "those aren't just regular security guards down there. We saw one of them... absorb someone who tried to sneak in without proper clearance. Just... pulled them into their body. Like they were made of living quicksand or something."

"Well, we've got something better. The Bakers are definitely here, on the lower levels. They're about to showcase some new formula they've been working on. And from what we heard upstairs, they've got buyers from seven different countries waiting." I said.

"Seven?" Alex whistled. "That's..."

"A problem," Lore finished. "A big one."

"It gets worse," Henry added. "I had planted a lot of cues on people around and, I overheard a few workers talking about 'test subjects' being prepped for the demonstration. Living test subjects."

…

…

…

The lower level was a maze of interconnected chambers, each doorway spilling different colored lights into the dark hallways.

Music and laughter echoed from some rooms, while others emanated strange sounds or occasional screams. There were a lot of things going on from people indulging in their deepest desires to betting on the future.

"There," Jade whispered, nudging me slightly. A group of particularly well-dressed individuals was being led by a woman in a black bodysuit

I gestured for others to follow silently and calmly.

One by one, our team fell into step behind them, maintaining just enough distance to look unconnected.

The hallway opened into what must have been an old underground theater, now converted into some kind of presentation space. Rows of plush chairs descended toward a circular stage area.

"This way, honored guests," another guide appeared, this one wearing the same veined bodysuit. "The demonstration will begin shortly."

Our team split naturally, taking seats in different sections to maintain better coverage. Jade and I found spots near the middle, while I noticed Gina and Vinico settling into the back row. Alex and Lore took positions closer to the stage, and Henry and Louvel disappeared somewhere in the shadows between sections.

"Important crowd," Jade whispered, her voice barely audible.

Soon, our silence was broken as two men strode onto the stage, their white coats a stark contrast to the darkness—the Bakers.

Everything about them screamed 'mad scientist.’. Three more figures followed, taking seats in the front row like proud investors at a product launch.

An attendant appeared, half-dragging two people onto the stage. The man and woman were clearly drugged, their movements uncoordinated, eyes unfocused. They were placed in chairs like props in a twisted show. Their hands, legs and body immediately wrapped in thick metal chains as if they will fly off if left loose. Yet, these were just simple precautions for what to come.

My fist clenched involuntarily. Around the room, I could sense our team's tension—Alex's sharp intake of breath, Lore's barely contained movement, Gina and Placid foot tapping with nervous energy. Even Henry and Louvel, hidden in the shadows, seemed to shift restlessly.

I hoped they would head my earlier warning and stay still if they valued their lives enough.

After all, the room was packed with top-tier villains, spies or guests from various countries. One wrong move and we'd all might be dead before we could blink.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” First baker began, gesturing to the drugged individuals beside him. “What you are about to witness is the pinnacle of genetic engineering. A formula designed to merge human genes with the traits of animals, creating beings capable of unmatched strength, agility, and instinct-driven combat.”

His partner held up a vial of shifting, dark liquid. "The result is a perfect fusion of human intelligence and bestial power. Completely controllable, of course.."

…

"Imagine the applications, ladies and gentlemen. With just a few hundred enhanced subjects, you could overwhelm any territory in days. Regular armies would be useless against creatures that can regenerate, adapt, and evolve mid-battle." He pulled up a holographic display showing casualty projections. "Our simulations show that releasing just fifty enhanced subjects into a major city would result in total chaos within hours. Perfect for destabilizing governments, toppling regimes, or simply creating enough havoc to mask other operations."

"And that's just the military applications," the first Baker added. "Think bigger. Imagine enhanced guards for your territories, unstoppable enforcers for your operations. Or better yet—" he smiled, and something about it made my skin crawl, "—imagine releasing a few enhanced subjects into your competitors' territories. By the time anyone realizes what's happening, it would be too late. The beauty is in the chaos they create, the sheer unstoppable force of evolved predators loose in urban environments."

We all knew exactly what kind of killing machines these men were talking about. We’d fought them. The memory was too vivid—the sharp claws, the unnatural speed, the inhuman strength that had nearly torn us apart. What more, one alone had taken our entire team to bring down—this was how it had been created.

The two men in white prepared the syringes, holding them up for the audience to see as they filled them with the dark, viscous liquid of the serum. And then they approached their test subjects, needles ready.

I felt Jade's hand relax in mine, and noticed the slight quirk of her lips. That subtle, sweet smile that usually meant—trouble.

The injections went in. The room waited with collective held breath.

Then,

Nothing happened.

The test subjects remained slumped in their chairs, showing no signs of transformation. The Bakers frowned, checked their vitals, muttered to each other in confusion.

"Perhaps a higher dose," the other baker suggested from the down-row, as the two preparing another syringe.

Still nothing.

Jade turned to me, her silver eyes twinkling with innocent mischief. She gave my hand a gentle squeeze, as if to say 'Don't worry, I took care of it.' Of course, she'd interfered with the formula's effectiveness—probably altered its chemical composition. The people might still experience some bad effects but it’ll not be worse as turning into a monstrosity.

The Bakers were growing increasingly flustered, their scientific explanation devolving into confused mumbling. In the front row, their three associates shifted uncomfortably.

Around us, the audience of villains began to murmur. Some looked annoyed, others amused. A few were already standing to leave. What should have been a nightmare turned into something almost comical—two mad scientists failing basic chemistry while their test subjects just sat there, looking mildly confused but otherwise completely normal.

And there was Jade, watching it all with that sweet, satisfied smile, like she hadn't just casually sabotaged a super-villain demonstration in a room full of the world's most dangerous criminals.

Sometimes I wondered if she was actually the scariest person in these situations.

On stage, the Baker brothers were falling apart. The taller one kept running his hands through his hair, leaving it standing in wild directions as he paced back and forth, muttering formulas and chemical compounds. His brother wasn't any better, frantically flipping through a notebook, his voice rising to nearly hysterical pitch.

"Impossible... the compound was perfect... every test subject responded... every single one..."

“How could this formula be wrong; It’s derived by using meta?”

"Ladies and gentlemen," the taller one finally managed, his eye twitching visibly. "We seem to be experiencing some... technical difficulties." He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "We'll reschedule the demonstration for next week. Same time, same place."

The three Bakers in the front row were already up, gathering equipment and documents while snapping at each other in harsh whispers.

"The catalyst should have triggered immediate response—"

"Did you check the base compounds? The temperature could have—"

"We tested it twelve times! TWELVE TIMES!"

Their voices cracked with barely contained panic. These weren't the confident scientists from earlier—these were men watching their life's work crumble in front of an audience of the world's most dangerous criminals.

I caught Henry's subtle nod from across the dark room. His eyes met mine, gleaming with satisfaction. The mental markers were in place—invisible, undetectable threads connecting his mind to theirs. Unless they could leave the city in the next hours, they couldn't hide from us.

As the audience began filing out in disappointments, our team moved with careful casualness. Too much hurry would draw attention. Too slow and we'd lose them.

In the corridor, I pulled Jade aside for just a moment. "That was incredibly risky," I whispered, but squeezed her hand to show I wasn't angry.

Henry's urgent voice crackled in our comms: "They're heading for the water exit. Moving fast. Very fast."

We emerged into the massive underground dock just as the Bakers reached a series of small boats waiting in the channel.

They divided themselves into teams of two, taking different boats—smart, if you're expecting normal pursuit. They also loaded the two people in the first boat like a sack of potatoes.

Meanwhile, the engines whined as keys turned, and then... nothing. Just the hollow click of dead machinery echoing off the stone walls.

"Jade," I warned, noticing how the Bakers' heads snapped up in unison, panic shifting to something sharper. More dangerous. "No more powers. They're starting to realize this isn't coincidence."

She nodded just as the engines finally roared to life, the boats shooting off into the darkness of the underground water channel, leaving violent ripples in their wake.

"Move," I ordered, and our team sprinted for the train platform.

The tension in the small compartment was suffocating.

Louvel took the controls without a word, and in his other hand gold coins liquefying and solidifying rapidly.

Beside him, Placid pulled thick coat buttons from her pockets—they looked innocent enough, but her fingers danced over each one, charging them with enough energy to punch through concrete.

Nobody spoke. Nobody needed to.

At the same while, Henry maintained his mental link. "They're splitting up," he murmured, voice tight with concentration. "Two cars."

Finally after ten minutes, the small train compartment burst out of the tunnel into the cold, bitter night air. We moved as one unit, no hesitation, no discussion needed. Before the train fully stopped, we were already out, spreading into the shadows of the park like smoke.

Jade caught my eye as we moved, and I saw in her silver gaze what I felt: that particular mix of excitement and focus that came with the hunt. Yet, I was feeling the same exhilaration. I wanted to hunt.