Jay is astounded by just how many. Free services, free catering, luxury cars, luxury clothes. All of it is offered to him by any and all corporations in the Houston area. Everyone wants the prestige that comes with associating with Alphaman’s new sidekick.

Of course, nothing is ever really truly free. The price is Jay performing in a promo, a commercial, or most embarrassing, a short on some social media app. He has some semblance of pride, so he flat out refuses all offers (except for the deal exchanging a post for a new van. It’s a six seater with deluxe size cup holders and so worth it.)

However, when Alphaman catches wind of this, he has some words to share. So, for two months straight, Jay's been juggling brutal training sessions that leave him injured and exhausted, all while trying to be an influencer. All of the products he’s forced to shill lack any appeal to him, but some are worse than others. Promoting three different disgusting, useless green powders is almost what breaks him, but finally Alphaman gets what he wanted: a bunch of free shit to give away at his New York Eve party.

Usually, Jay’s plans for the New Year include cooking a nice meal for himself and secluding himself away from the world. He wasn’t much of a partier, and hated the reminder he’d wasted another year alone. So it was usually his habit to binge westerns and pretend he wasn’t wasting his life.

For 2051, though, he’d been excited to get together with Gannet and Razzmatazz. While they couldn’t afford the luxury of throwing a lavish party, there’d been talks of a bonfire and smores in the forest. For the first time, Jay had been eager to watch the ball drop and kiss someone at the stroke of midnight, to bring the new year in with love, light, and laughter.

Things never go to plan, though. Love, light, and laughter? Yeah right. Alphaman wasn’t going to let that happen. God forbid his sidekick have a life outside of hero work.

Though, Jay really resents calling this hero work. He hauls dozens of bags in his arms toward the lavish condominium, grimacing as he steps inside. He takes in the cold minimalistic decor as he approaches the front desk. A woman wearing a plain domino mask ignores Jay, typing away on her computer. This building must be staffed by Network employees, then.

“Hello? Uh, I'm looking for, um, Alphaman’s apartment?”

The receptionist stares, looking like she just smelled something sour. She leans on her hand. “You’re going to have to be a little more specific. The whole building is his. You’re Quickwit, right? Are you here for the party?”

“Oh uh yeah.”

“Go through the biometric scanner on the left. The elevator is right behind it. Floor 13, flat 444.”

“Thanks.”

Jay makes his way to the scanner. He steps through the blue forcefield—

He jumps as an alarm starts to blare. The receptionist holds her hand up for a moment, and Jay is suddenly bound by light blue shadows. “Wait, what—”

“Hold still for a moment sir. The sensor has detected a DNA sequence saved in our records as villain-associated.”

“Stygian donated tissue to me, I’m not a villain!”

She looks Jay up and down before beginning to type rapidly on her computer, tucking a strand of dark violet hair behind her ear. Her eyes dart around the screen for a moment before turning to Jay. He’s set down gently as she raises her hand again.

“Sorry about that. I forgot Alphaman mentioned you might set off the alarm. I’ll adjust it so it won’t go off again.”

“You have powers?”

The receptionist sighs. “Yep, Class-C. I’m his great grandniece. He said he had a job for me. I was thinking he’d get me an in with the Network, but apparently what he really wanted was a desk jockey.”

Jay studies the woman closely. Now that he’s paying attention, he notes the resemblance. That makes Jay uncomfortable. Gannet had family he didn’t even know about. He had a grandniece. Do they know the truth about Stygian? Do they know they have another family member hidden away by the Network?

Jay sighs, trying to corral his thoughts. “You’re not missing much.”

She turns in her seat back to her desk. Jay heads toward the elevator, stomach churning for a whole new reason now. He tries not to be sick as he walks into apartment 444, leaning against the door to get inside.

As he enters, he spots several other Network employees milling about setting up streamers, balloons, refreshments, the whole nine yards.

None of it really serves to make the massive loft any more inviting. Like the lobby, Alphaman’s apartment favors minimalist decor. Everything is white, chrome, or black. No real color or personality.

Heading for the living room, Jay starts to set down the supplies on the counter. He gets to work putting together the gift bags, wondering what Gannet is up to. After around an hour of set-up later, the guests start to filter in. Alphaman finally emerges from his room, greeting each person at the door. Jay watches them filter in from the couch, already over it as loud voices start to echo off the chrome walls.

Thankfully, he doesn’t have to endure it alone for long. Pixamena arrives looking stunning as ever, wearing a classy pink-chrome sequined dress and transparent pink platform heels. Jay feels a little inadequate in comparison, wearing just a gray tux with his mask.

Luckily, he doesn’t get a lecture about his fashion sense this time. Pixamena plucks a glass of champagne off a serving tray and plops down beside Jay, beginning to gab the moment she hits the seat.

“The day I’ve had! Both the puffs were freaking out over the fireworks but wouldn’t take their CBD treats. Pixie, they’re not organic! Can you believe it? I’ve seen you eat chicken off the ground, you mongrels, eat the damn biscuit.”

“So you didn’t bring them?”

“No. Don’t really want to have to ask Alphaman if he has a spare thunder vest or two lying around. It’s fine though, gives me some breathing room. They’ve been clingy lately. Oh, and don’t get me started on my brother…”

Jay reclines in his seat, listening to Pixamena babble. On a good day, he likes listening to her tirades, but right now Jay is on edge. At least Alphaman was occupied with his guests. He’d gotten into the absolutely hair-pulling habit of antagonizing Jay at any opportunity. If it wasn’t the rigorous training, it was inane questions about Jay’s past experiences with Gannet. Jay isn’t sure what his goal is beyond some fucked up form of hazing, but whatever it is, he‘s over it.

So as the clock nears midnight and Alphaman steps to the front of the room to give a speech, Jay slinks out of the room and onto the balcony. As the first fireworks begin to bathe the city skyline with color, he dials Gannet’s number.

Ring, Rin—“Jay!”

Jay holds the phone to his ear, grinning behind his mask. “Hey baby. What are you doing?”

“We’re making pizza sandwiches.”

Jay laughs out loud. “Right now? You know it’s almost the new year, right? Why pizza sandwiches?”

“Razz brought these campfire things that let you toast sandwiches over the fire. They work so well.”

“Still, couldn’t you wait?”

Razz interrupts, her voice far away. “Stop critiquing our sandwiches! This is America, if I want to bring in the new year with bread and marinara, that's my god-given right!”

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

“Okay okay. I’m glad someone is having fun.”

“Is Alphaman being insufferable again?”

“Yeah. Got some good intel, though. Alphaman might become…indisposed tonight. If that’s the case, we need to be ready to take advantage.”

“Got it. What’s the plan?”

“I’ll let you know if the opportunity arises. Just be ready to act.”

“I’m always ready!”

“I know. But I need to get back to the party soon…”

“Stay on the phone. At least we can do the count down together.”

“Alright. It’s almost time, are you ready?”

“Ready!”

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one—”

“Midnight! Happy new year!”

Jay looks up at the sky, heart light. “Happy new year. I love you.”

There’s a yelp and a crunching sound of someone stealing the phone. Razzmatazz’ voice comes through the receiver loud and clear. “I love you toooo shmoopy! Now go back to your fancy hero party!”

“Alright. Bye Razz, bye Gannet. Have fun.”

“You too! Be safe, Jay.”

Jay shuts his phone off, taking a deep breath as he reenters the flat. He scans the room. Delta and Scoops are in the corner chatting up a storm, Brighteyes and Ravenette are dancing to some bouncy pop song, and even Massasauga is here, getting drunk at the bar. Notably, though, Pixamena is absent. Did she go to the bathroom?

Jay approaches Ravenette and Brighteyes first. “Hey guys. Enjoying yourselves?”

“Witty! Yeah, hey, happy new year!”

Brighteyes smiles awkwardly. “Are you going to join us? Sorry, you can’t change the song. This is my favorite.”

“Nah. I just was wondering if you saw where Pixamena went?”

“Sorry, no clue.”

Ravenette plucks an h'orderve off a passing plate. “I saw her go somewhere with Alphaman.”

Jay’s heart freezes. “You saw her go alone with him?”

“Yeah? They were talking. I think he wanted to take his mask off. It’s probably fine if you go too, since you’re all Dawnbreakers.”

“Where?”

Ravenette points to a hallway. Jay starts toward it before he gets a chance to even say goodbye.

Nerves rattle around in his stomach. Nothing would happen, right? Jay is being paranoid. Right? Alphaman can’t be that shitty. He can’t be that stupid to, to try something with a hero, right?

Fuck!

Jay curses his naivety. Of course, Alphaman would try something. What’s there to stop him when there was no consequence to acting out? Jay never should’ve left. He should’ve been watching Alphaman the entire time.

Suddenly, Jay stops in his tracks. He hears muffled conversation behind a door. It’s Pixamena’s voice!

He knocks loudly. No response. He knocks again, trying to calm his heart. “Pixamena—”

The door opens. Alphaman, unmasked, leans against the frame. He’s wearing a dark red suit, paired with a loose-pulled red bowtie.

“Need something?”

“I need to talk to Pixamena.”

Alphaman’s mouth quirks into a shit eating grin. “Is there something wrong?”

“No I just, I need to speak with her.”

“She’s busy. Can you come back later?”

Jay grits his teeth. Alphaman’s sneer deepens. There’s a tense moment where Jay thinks they’re about to throw hands before Alphaman steps to the side.

“Why don’t you join us?”

Jay swallows nervously. Not what he wanted, but he takes what he can get. He walks through the doorway to find himself in a lavish yet unkempt study. To his immense relief, he spots Pixamena sitting tensely by a large bay window.

She seems okay, if a bit closed off. She’s tugging her dress down, like she’s trying vainly to cover herself more. Did Alphaman say something to her?

She seems to perk up as Jay approaches. “Oh! Witty! Hi!”

They both jump as Alphaman shuts the door behind them. He strides over to a plush chaise, grabbing a crystal tumbler and drinking the amber contents with one large gulp. “Witty has something to share with us.”

“Well. actually. I just need to speak with Pixamena—”

Red eyes glare, boring into Jay with contempt. “Sorry, who’s the team leader? I hardly think you need to be keeping secrets from me. Anything she needs to know, I need to know.”

Jay’s mind races. He needs to get her out of here, that much is clear. But how?

“I, uh, Delta needs her.”

“Delta?”

Jay has no idea what he’s doing. “She needs a tampon.”

Alphaman snorts into his drink, whisky spewing out. He laughs. “You came in here to bother us over that? Can’t she get one from someone else?”

“Um—”

Pixamena joins the conversation. “Girls get different flows. I borrowed one from her before, and we used the same absorbency. So that’s probably why.”

Alphaman’s nose pinches in disgust. “Uh…absorbency?”

“Yeah so I better go, um, help her…”

Alphaman leans back in his seat, waving her off. “Alright. We’ll finish this conversation another time.”

“Alright, Quickwit let’s—”

“No, hey now, if you’re leaving, he’s staying. Right? You want a drink, Witty?”

Pixamena and Jay exchange nervous glance. Jay gives her a loaded look. “You better go, Pixie. I wanted to get away from the noise anyway.”

“Alright, um. Come find me later.”

“Yeah.”

With one last nervous glance, Pixamena leaves the study, shutting the door behind her. Jay shifts uncomfortably in his seat. He’s alone with Alphaman yet again. It’s fine, it's not any different to how he’s trapped with him during training. At least the worst was averted now that Faye escaped…

“Witty. Hey. You good?”

Jay snaps his head up. “Yes?”

Alphaman shakes his glass. “Drink?”

“We’re still on duty. I can’t drink.”

“Sure you can, if I say you can. Let's call it an experiment, to see if you got Stygian’s tolerance.”

Fuck. Jay isn’t getting out of this. “You have beer?”

Alphaman waves his hand. From a mini fridge, a shadow brings Jay a bottle. He looks down at the label. Prickly Pear Pale Ale.

Jay twists the cap off. He walks to the window, sipping his drink slowly as he watches the fireworks illuminate the sky. As a pop of red bathes the study in an eerie crimson hue, he contemplates if jumping out the window would be survivable now.

Alphaman stands, getting another drink. From the corner of his eye, Jay watches him drop something from a vial into his cup.

“What’s that?”

“Just something for a little flavor. If yours doesn’t hit, you can always try some of my stuff.”

“And that is?”

Alphaman sips. “Today? Ricin. I think it might be losing its kick, though.”

Jay balks. Ricin? Like, kill an elephant with a dose the size of a grain of rice, ricin?

Alphaman laughs. “That's a cute expression.”

“I’ve just never heard of someone using that recreationally.”

Alphaman joins Jay at the window. He watches the sky contemplatively. “Well, when you develop an immunity to normal poisons, you resort to being creative.”

“I guess so…”

Jay hums, shifting away to give himself some personal space. The study lapses into silence. When will this nightmare be over?

“You’re lucky you found out the truth when you did, huh?”

“I don’t follow.”

“I fucked around with a lot of guys before I straightened out. It was just all messing around. You’re lucky you got cut loose before he did something worse than play boyfriends. Though I guess it wasn’t soon enough—I saw that interview you did with Scoops.”

“I’ve moved on. I'm fine,” Jay grits out, holding back the urge to whip around and aim straight for the face with his fist.

“Damn, so sensitive. I would’ve hoped our training had toughened you up. Then again, you were blubbering like a baby over twinging your ankle.”

“I’m not sensitive. You broke my ankle. That’s a normal thing to be upset over.”

“I noticed you still have a bruise.”

Jay doesn’t respond to that. What exactly is the socially correct thing to say? Is there one?

He jumps as Alphaman takes a step closer. Too late, Jay realizes he’s been cornered against the window.

“Alphaman I think—”

“You don’t have to be so formal. You can call me Griffin. It’s just us here, after all.”

“Okay.”

He flinches as Griffin toys with the bottom of Jay’s mask. Cold fingers graze his Adam’s apple.

“Since you’ve seen my face, don’t you think it’s fair you should take this off?”

Jay feels like he’s not really here. Was this all really happening? He needs to fight or, or something. This isn’t going in the direction he wants at all.

“If you wanted to know what I look like, couldn’t you ask Darius?”

“I could. Which is what I’ll do if you don’t just take the mask off now. Don’t be rude.”

“You could know anything you wanted about me, but I couldn’t do the same. So isn’t it fair I know what you look like?”

Griffin snickers. “Touche.”

Jay has hope that will be the end of that, but his veins fill with ice as his neck is revealed. He stifles a gasp as Griffin presses a thumb to a bruise he finds there.

“I guess you weren’t lying. You did move on. A hickey—you find some new boy toy?”

Reaching his limit, Jay smacks away Griffin’s hand. “Is that really any of your business!?”

Jay jolts as red shadows box him in. Crimson eyes shimmer in the dark. “You’re not dumb. You know better than to act like that.”

“Don’t touch me.”

Griffin licks his lips, swallowing the last of his drink. His words start to slur. “You remind me of him.”

“Of Stygian?”

Griffin leans closer. “Of Calamity.”

Jay shivers unpleasantly. It’s Gannet’s voice, corrupted, wrong, and put through the grinder.

“Are you saying you think I'm a threat?”

“Somewhat. I’m saying people underestimate you, like they did him. I underestimated him. He got in my head.”

“I don’t think my powers are powerful enough to mess with a veteran super.”

“Be less humble. He was like that too, always discounting himself. That's why he lost, in the end.”

“Are you…sad you killed him?”

Griffin stares. He takes a deep breath, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes. When they open, they’re solid red. His demeanor changes as his expression goes blank.

Jay shrinks back. This isn’t Griffin anymore, is it?

“I didn’t want to hurt him.”.

“...”

“He wanted us to integrate. He said we could all work together. It made us mad. We refused.”

“Is that why he destroyed Houston?”

Alpha stares. The air feels heavy. “If it was you, which one of us would you choose?”

Jay swallows thickly. “You mean, you or Griffin?”

“Yes. Which one would you choose? Tell me.”

“I don’t, I don’t know, I—”

“Just tell me!”

“Both of you are fucked! Get away from me!”

Alpha stares for a moment before breaking into laughter. The red fades from his eyes as he stumbles over to his chair, pouring himself another cup of whiskey. Light returns to the room as the shadows recede.

“You really do remind me of him. He was so socially oblivious, never knew when to shut his fuckin’ mouth.”

“...”

“You can leave now.”

Jay doesn’t need to be told twice. He leaves hastily, not daring to look back as the door slams behind him.