With the full group gathered around the kitchen table just like old times, Huntress gestured to Swipe and Zap, asking them to explain what had happened while they were incarcerated. Zap could practically feel the sweat rolling off of him as he tried to figure out what Huntress would do when she found out about his little desertion. Of course, Swipe would naturally tell her.

“Nothin’ much. Me, Zap, and the bird came up with a little somethin’ and we busted ya out.” Swipe offered with a shrug of her shoulders.

Slowly realizing that he was not about to be eviscerated, Zap calmed down, definitely feeling grateful to Swipe for not ratting on him. Maybe they really did stick together.

“Bella?” Huntress inquired with a slight tilt of her head. “And where is she, exactly?”

As if on cue, the harpy walked down the stairs, looking a little ruffled, but otherwise not worse for wear. A bright beaming smile spread across her face as she descended the final few steps into the kitchen.

“Hey! It worked! I’m glad you guys got out okay!” She exclaimed.

“Thank you, Bella. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.” Huntress answered, watching as the harpy walked over to stand next to Swipe.

“So. What’s this news you have to share, boss?” Zap asked, folding his arms to appear more casual.

Taking a moment to sigh, Huntress glanced between each of the members of the Rogue Five, her gaze lingering on Kraken slightly. Maybe appreciatively? It was hard to tell sometimes.

“After we had the three of you escape, the police didn’t take long to arrive. They were able to subdue Blaze and Kraken, although he gave me the opening I needed. I fled deeper into the manor, hoping to lead them to his base, perhaps show them what he had done. But…” her voice trailed off.

It was unlike her to trail off. She was usually so calm, so stoic in the face of anything that came her way. A chill ran down Swipe’s spine as she noticed Huntress shiver.

“I found something else. His lab. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Huntress continued.

“Hundreds of cages, each containing at least three harpy children. Research on his computer about a sort of serum. What for, I don’t know. But it can’t be good. Only Black Dragon followed me in. I had to flee back to the officers and surrender. I barely escaped that hellhole with my life.”

Naturally, the mood had dampened quite severely. Bringing up experiments on children tended to have that effect. Kraken in particular seemed disturbed by the concept of it, reaching out a hand to place on Huntress’s shoulder.

“Children? I’m sorry you had to see that, dear.” He soothed, beginning to softly rub her shoulder.

“And why should you be sorry?” Huntress asked, rhetorically. “You’re all going to see them too. We’re going back to get them out.”

“Uh, boss? You sure about that? Now that Dragon knows we’re onto him, he’s gonna be all over that mansion. We’d be fried to a crisp before we even made it to his lair.” Blaze cautioned.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

There were murmurs of agreement from Kraken and Zap, neither wanting to be burnt alive or potentially worse. A hint of frustration hit Swipe and her tail lashed because of it before she stepped forward.

“There has to be somethin’ we can do. We can’t just leave the kids to die or get tested on like lab rats. Maybe there’s a time he’ll have to leave the house. Somethin’, anything.” she protested.

“Actually, there might be.” Bella offered, still trying to be helpful.

“Master- I mean, not master Black Dragon mentioned something about accepting the key to the city in about…”

Bella turned and strained her neck to look at a calendar on a far wall.

“... three days?”

“Well, seems like it’s settled then.” Huntress declared, standing from her seat.

“Alright, Rogues. The plan is simple. While everyone’s least favorite hero is busy playing up the act and accepting his big award, we raid the manor. Free the kids, take as much evidence as you can carry, and we’ll expose this creep for who he really is.”

Cheers of agreement went up from around the table, all in favor of this plan. As the group broke, however, Blaze stopped Swipe and pulled her aside. This was unusual for him to say the least, but there was trust between them, so Swipe didn’t mind.

“Eh? What’s up?” Swipe asked casually, leaning against the wall.

Blaze, not particularly versed in how to handle sensitive topics, glanced around for a moment to make sure they were alone before turning his attention back to Swipe.

“Just noticed that you kinda reacted to somethin’. Not really sure what it was, but it seemed like it scared the shit out of ya. You know, when you stormed up to your room after the heist and closed us out. What was up with that?”

The question hit Swipe like a facepalm. Of course he was curious. Why wouldn’t he be? Nobody else knew besides her, Huntress, and probably Kraken. And frankly, Swipe wasn’t sure about whether he knew.

“Ah. That. Well, it’s not really a thing I like talkin’ about, ya know. Kinda personal.”

Blaze nodded in understanding, joining Swipe in casually leaning against the wall. He crossed his arms over his chest, wanting to pursue further information, but not wanting to cross a line.

“That’s alright. Just worried, I guess. I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you scared. Much less that scared. I ain’t gonna force it out of ya, but if you do want to talk about it, I’m always around. You know where to find me.”

Blaze patted Swipe’s shoulder and started to leave, only for Swipe to stop him, her hand holding onto his jacket.

“No. It’s not right to keep you in the dark. Not right to keep anyone in the dark. The sheriff is what scared me.”

“The sheriff?” Blaze asked, turning back in surprise to face Swipe. “I don’t get it. He just seems like a guy with a scar to me. Kind of a creepy scar, but that’s it. What makes him so scary?”

There was a long pause of silence as Swipe tried to decide whether or not to finally tell the truth.

“... He’s my father.” she whispered softly, her ears flat against her head.

“Your father?” Blaze questioned, not believing it. “But he didn’t have any other kids after the one that went missing.” he pointed out, completely oblivious.

Swipe just stared at Blaze for a moment in genuine shock over what he had just said.

“Blaze. That missing kid was me, you idiot.”

Yeah. Blaze felt like an idiot. However, he was glad to see Swipe throwing insults at him again. Didn’t feel right without them.

“Oh. That makes a lot more sense. Heh. Don’t know why I thought you were some secret mystery child of his or somethin’. But why are you so scared of your dad? Thought you’d be glad to see him. Leave our sorry asses behind and go live it up with the rich people.”

“Blaze, my father hates me.” Swipe responded.

“He tried to- well, it isn’t important on the specifics, but he was a violent man when I was a kid and he still is now.”

Blaze’s expression darkened at the mention of Swipe’s father harming her and he gritted his teeth.

“Well, looks like your father has someone else that hates him. I ever see him, I’ll light him up like the fourth of July.”

“Blaze, that won’t help. You don’t win by torchin’ everyone that makes you mad, you dunce.” Swipe retorted, shaking Blaze’s jacket slightly.

“It’s better to prove him wrong. Show him what we can do. Don’t forget we have to stop whatever Black Dragon’s up to. Make the city realize he’s been the real problem all along. Clear your name on the death of Bella’s parents. Don’t add another body to the list.”

With a heavy sigh, Blaze nodded and turned, looking back toward the living room.

“Alright. I get it. No torchin’. But hey, game’s on. Wanna chill out for a bit before all hell breaks loose?”

Grinning, Swipe followed Blaze to the living room.

“Heh. Sounds good to me. But you know the rule. Every time we score a touchdown I’m gonna slug ya.”

“We’ll see if I feel it this time.” Blaze retorted, chuckling to himself.

“Oh you’re on, dumbass.”