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“That was close.” Christine exhales. “What about Bells?”
“He thinks, he thinks Bells is Lysander,” Emma says weakly. “It would be suspicious if he just disappeared too.”
Vindication roars, shaking his fist at the sky. “You— you’re early,” he says, noticing Bells for the first time.
Bells nods, playing along. “I thought it would be prudent to be here,” he says.
“Fine, let’s do it now,” Vindication says, gruffly. He kicks at the still-struggling Echo, who is stuck in the pavement. “How do I look? Hair?”
“Perfect,” Bells says, snapping his fingers. The cameradrones point toward them.
“You can edit out the part with that kid,” Vindication says. “Meddling pest.”
Emma watches, gripping the wheel tightly. Who is this guy?
“Of course,” Bells says, bowing his head a little.
“You’re laying it on a little thick,” Emma whispers over the radio. “Lysander doesn’t bow!”
Bells wobbles and does a curtsey.
“Are you okay there, Wilton?” Vindication asks, narrowing his eyes.
“Never better. Shall we?”
Vindication coughs and turns toward the camera. “Greetings, people of the North American Collective. I am Vindication, the newest member of the Heroes’ League of Heroes, and I have a special message for you tonight. Anyone who would oppose the League and their mission is against the Collective itself. And rest assured, this evil will be stopped.” He gives the camera one final look of smug satisfaction before flying into the sky with his cape fluttering dramatically.
The people on the street whoop and applaud.
“Is it just me or were Vindication’s powers…”
“Exactly like Captain Orion’s,” Emma says.
“Where did he come from?”
“Who is he?”
“Those are definitely Captain Orion’s powers.”
Emma paces, tuning out the worried conversation of her friends. “What was Orion saying when the Authorities were taking her away?” she wonders aloud.
“Something about not knowing what they’ll do,” Jess offers. “She sounded scared.”
“What would Orion be afraid of? She’s the most powerful meta-human in the country,” Christine says, worrying a piece of fabric in her hands.
“Well, technically that’s not true,” Emma says. “If we’re going by power rating, that is.”
“Huh,” Bells says, flopping upside down on the couch with his hair dragging on the floor. “So who is the most powerful in the country?”
“You are,” Emma says with a broad grin.
Giggling, Jess elbows Bells playfully. “That’s right! Bells had the highest rating when we tested in the Rockies.”
Abby crosses her arms. “Well, we don’t know anything about this Vindication and how powerful he might be.”
“That’s true,” Emma says, remembering their problem.
Christine flicks the projections above her console. “Well, it looks like the League updated their page. Vindication definitely outranks Orion in power.”
Emma shakes her head. Where have all these new meta-humans come from? They certainly haven’t been in training, according to Bells, and all their powers seem awfully like—
Emma gasps. “The powers,” she says. “These new meta-humans in the League, they’re new meta-humans.”
Christine frowns. “What do you mean?”
“You know how Michael was testing power capabilities back at the Rockies?” Emma asks.
“Yeah, he’s a nurse. And a scientist,” Jess says.
“He was working on Orion’s research and trying to find a way to invoke powers in people,” Emma says.
“He what?” Abby’s mouth falls open. “I thought we— he was supposed to be helping me! We worked so much together decoding that research, and he never told me what it was for— I just assumed that he was working on reversing the effects of the serum for me!”
“I think he was doing that, but he definitely prioritized this other project,” Emma says. “He showed me, back at the base. He was already at human trials. I don’t know how far he got; it didn’t look like it was going that well.” She remembers the sickly way that woman looked, even as she proudly made a ball of light.
“Human trials?” Abby gasps. “Michael said he was months away— ugh! I’m going to call him right now. Jess, what’s the Port Clarion frequency?” She stalks off, all scarlet curls and fury.
Jess gives the rest of them an apologetic look before following Abby down the hall.
“If Michael only had part of the research and he was working on duplicating it, that means the League’s had this tech for a while already,” Bells says. “Why haven’t they used it before?”
“Maybe they didn’t have it before,” Emma muses. “Maybe when they made Orion their scapegoat, they found out exactly what she was doing and took her research.”
“I thought she was working on power enhancers,” Jess says.
Bells shakes his head. “She thought she was. Claudia made her think she was getting stronger when she wasn’t. Placebo effect.”
Emma waves her hands. “Well, I don’t know what exactly power transference entails. In any case, she’s in the hands of the League now.” She bangs a book on the table; it’s not quite the same as the gavel, but it still makes a nice, commanding sound. “Let’s get back to the plan. Brendan, when do you think we would see Starscream or Vindication—”
Jess walks back into the living room, wringing her hands.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Bells asks. “Is everyone okay?”
“Oh yeah,” Jess says. “But they said the Port Clarion is compromised.”
Christine’s mouth falls open. “I thought that was where they were going to rebuild the headquarters after the destruction of the Rockies base!”
“Where are they going now?” Tanya asks.
Jess takes a deep breath. “Deirdre and all the meta-humans, they’re all coming here.”
“Don’t worry, kids. We’ll handle it from here on out,” Deirdre says, her hands on her hips as she oversees people unloading luggage and equipment into Christine’s home.
It’s chaos: unpacking and commands and all the meta-humans from the Villain’s Guild bustling about.
“Plasmaman just found a spider and asked me if I had a cup and a piece of paper,” Christine whispers to Emma.
“Sounds like Cass,” Emma says. “Did he ask you to trap the spider?”
“Yeah, he wouldn’t go near it.” Christina shakes her head. “One of the most terrifying villains in the Collective is here in my house and afraid of spiders. I mean, I know he’s not a real villain, but…”
“I get it, though. Spiders do that leg thing,” Emma says, wiggling her fingers and laughing.
Deirdre has found a chair to stand on. “Most excellent. We’ll use this as the communications annex.”
Cass is barely visible over a huge box, wobbling down the hallway and tracking mud everywhere. “Be careful! Those are antique rugs,” Christine says.
Every inch of Christine’s expansive home has been taken over by the thirty-seven odd meta-humans who have gathered inside: the remnants of the Villain’s Guild and what Emma once thought would be the driving force of the Resistance. She’s not sure what it is now. She heaves, setting the last box in one of the spare bedrooms.
“Perfect, thanks,” Michael says, dusting his hands off and smiling at her. “It’s good to see you again, Emma.”
“Yeah,” Emma says. “Glad you’re all here safe.” That’s true, at least. Maybe more true for the Trans and Abby’s mom. She’s not sure how she feels about all the people who kept her out of plans in the Rockies. But this time she’s not going to stand for it.
“The Resistance is looking good these days,” he says, setting up his computer console.
“Oh, you’re part of the Resistance now?” Emma cocks an eyebrow.
“Of course, we are,” Michael says, chuckling. “We’re fighting back against the League!”
“Hey, you know your research that you were doing with invoking powers?” Emma asks.
Michael’s face falls, and he looks at the floor with an ashen, guilty look. “Ah. Yes. That. I mean, I had most of Orion’s notes, and I didn’t know what the consequences. I was swept away by the possibilities! You can’t— I’m sorry if I made you think I could—”
Emma holds up her hands. “Wait, what?”
Michael sits on one of his boxes and buries his face in his hands.
Cold horror sweeps over Emma. “What happened? Is everyone okay? Uh— Nina?” Emma doesn’t know how many other people Michael had in his trials.
“She’s fine. I realized why it wasn’t going to work with the methods I was using; that’s why everyone was getting sick.” Michael sighs.
“So you stopped the treatment and everyone’s better?” Emma asks.
“Yeah. They don’t have powers anymore either, that’s for sure,” Michael says.
“Huh.” Emma sits down next to Michael, thinking about all the new meta-humans on the scene. If the League is behind their powers, they must have used this same research. “Do you think there’s a way to make it work?”
Michael gives her a grim smile and doesn’t answer the question. “I was going about it all wrong, but I’m glad I did.”
Emma raises her eyebrow. “You’re glad you messed up and did the experiment wrong?”
Michael laughs, a mirthless, hollow sound. “If I had just decoded everything from the start and tried to replicate everything— I—” he shakes his head. “It’s awful. I can’t believe what it takes. I don’t even want to tell you. It’s so gross.”
“Well, now you can’t not tell me,” Emma says.
Deirdre’s grating voice echoes from the living room. “Resistance meeting!”
Michael sighs and gives Emma a small smile. “Back to work, eh?”
“The first plan of action is direct confrontation, right in the middle of Starscream’s next planned battle with Icebolt.” Deirdre sets down her megaphone to give Brendan a smile. “Thank you, Brendan, for this handy algorithm.” She turns to the crowd with an eager smile. “Now, it’s key that we are recorded. Once we have Starscream and Fireheart apprehended, we’ll redirect the cameras, where Chameleon as Wilton Lysander will explain to the public the truth.”
The room echoes with applause.
“Genius!”
“Fantastic!”
“That was my idea!” Emma gasps, elbowing Bells next to her. “Did you hear that? She’s using my idea!”
“Yeah! Isn’t it great? I finally got her to listen,” Bells says, grinning at her. “Now we can move forward with the plan. That’s what you wanted, right? For all of us to take action?”
Emma falters. “Well, yes. She didn’t give me any credit though.”
Bells frowns. “Yeah, Deirdre is like that.”
Emma clenches her fists. “I’m not even going to ask if I can go. I’m just gonna do it.”
Emma parks the car, idling in an alleyway in clear view of the town square. “Hey, Mastermind here. Over?”
Static crackles; most of her friends are out of range. Abby, Sasha, Tanya, and Ricky are off with Tree Frog and Arête in Shinewright, another Hopestar town, where they’re hoping to interfere with a battle between Sublimate and Swift Emblem. Emma looks for any sight of Jess, her mom, or Bells.
She has to admit, Deirdre’s simultaneous three-city battle interference is actually pretty cool, even if it is based on Emma’s plan.
“The Heinous Chameleon, reading you loud and clear, over.” Bells turns and gives her a little wave as he dismounts from his motorcycle. He glances around the empty street, and then his dreadlocks melt into coiffed hair, his face elongates, and his leather-look jacket transforms into a glimmering, sparkling suit. “Anyone see you leave Christine’s?”
“Nope,” Emma says proudly.
She watches Bells leave the side street and enter the square; it’s crowded already with people and a news crew. This must be a big battle; there are multiple drones buzzing around and also camera people hefting large cams for broadcasting live in high definition. Farha Rao is looking furtively over her shoulder, pretending to adjust the pin in her headscarf. She spots Bells and gives him a nod of acknowledgment.
Down the street, Starscream and Icebolt are trading blows; Emma can hear the echo of Starscream’s shrill energy bursts, and she can see slivers of ice slicing through the air. The camera people follow their moves diligently; drones catch multiple angles as another follows Farha as she narrates. Emma looks through the binoculars and squints as she studies Icebolt’s face. He definitely is pulling his punches as the villain, stopping every few minutes to hurl a practiced quip at Starscream.
A shadow falls from above, and Emma grins. She always loved seeing Jess’ mom in action.
Li Hua lands fist-first, punching the street, and the asphalt buckles and shatters as she stands up and marches forward.
“Farha Rao on the scene here in New Bright City, where Starscream has apprehended Icebolt in the middle of an alleged robbery. Smasher, retired hero from Andover, Nevada has just approached and is walking toward us,” Farha announces, gripping her microphone tightly.
Li Hua strides down the street in her supersuit with regal strength in every step as she approaches the center of the square.
Emma’s not annoyed at how well it’s going; she’s not. It’s not as though they had an established hero like Smasher with them; they couldn’t have pulled off this plan.
Bells coughs, stepping toward Farha.
“What an honor! New Bright City, I’m being joined tonight by one of the most famous reporters in all the Collective! Wilton Lysander, thank you for joining me tonight.”
“Thank you,” Bells says with a grin. “I’m only too happy to mentor a young reporter. Oh my! What is happening back there? It appears Smasher is fighting our hero Starscream. Why?”
“Icebolt is innocent!” Smasher shouts, standing between the two meta-humans.
“He very clearly just stole from that bank; look at that pile of money!” Starscream says, gesturing from the money to the camera.
“What are you doing?” Icebolt hisses.
“You don’t have to do this,” Smasher says. “The entire system is a lie!” She picks a streetlamp off the sidewalk with little effort, easily bends the metal device, wraps it around Starscream’s arms, and continues to bend it around his mouth so he can’t shout any sound blasts.
Icebolt wavers, as if he’s unsure what to do. Emma watches avidly, hoping that he’ll join the Resistance. It just takes a little nudge, that’s all.
Li Hua steadies him by the shoulder and nods at him.
Bells strolls over to them, ever so casually. “Smasher, can you tell me what is a lie? Why did you trap Starscream? He clearly was apprehending Icebolt for robbing that bank.”
Li Hua levels Icebolt with a look. “You’re new, aren’t you? Fresh out of Meta-Human Training? Did they promise you everything? And this was the only way to do it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Icebolt says. “I’m a villain. I just robbed that bank.”
“But why?”
“I’m evil?” Icebolt glances at her and then the camera and gives Farha and the crowd in the square a pleading look. “This is a test, isn’t it? I am so sorry! I forgot my backstory! Please let me try again; I’ll do better this time!”
Starscream, behind his metal cage, blinks.
A shadow falls upon them, and Mistress Mischief is floating down, her cape fluttering elegantly around her. “I can definitely explain.”
“Mistress Mischief!” Farha gasps, gesturing at her crew, but they’re already filming.
Mistress Mischief stands next to Smasher and gives her a cordial nod. “It’s a familiar script, at least to the villains. You are blissfully unaware, locked into your role as this town’s hero, but when the previous villain stopped doing anything for you to stop or fight, they had to bring in someone new.” She jerks her head at Icebolt.
Emma notices the slight bit of recognition on Bells’ face, but as Lysander he can’t break the act. Bells knows who Icebolt is.
“So tell me, Mistress Mischief, aren’t you and Smasher sworn enemies? Nemeses?” Bells tilts his head.
“That’s what the League would have you believe. We’re actually great friends now, but for the longest time, I, as a hero, thought that my job was to protect my city from villains like Mistress Mischief and Master Mischief.” Smasher looks squarely in the camera. “But the Mischiefs both were assigned to Andover to wreak havoc in order to provide the public with engaging superhero drama.”
“What do you mean, assigned?” Farha asks.
“It is a way of keeping meta-humans in check,” Mistress Mischief says. “To keep us occupied with our roles.”
Icebolt looks from Smasher to Mistress Mischief and then back to Farha and the camera. “So this isn’t a test. Wait, Harris isn’t here?”
“Your handler isn’t here,” Mistress Mischief says gently.
“But he—” Icebolt looks about, frantic.
Farha swoops in, standing next to Icebolt and grinning at the camera. “Do you mean Charles Harris?”
“Y— yes?”
“I’m Farha Rao, reporting live from New Bright City, where Icebolt and Mistress Mischief are talking about their experience as assigned villains. Icebolt, how long have you been working with Charles Harris?”
“Uh— three months?” Icebolt speaks into the microphone, blinking awkwardly.
“And can you tell me more about what that entails?”
“Well, uh— sometimes he calls me, but they leave me assignments through a dead drop—”
Jess’ voice crackles over the line. “Bells, you gotta wrap it up; Authorities are coming.”
Emma starts the engine.
Smasher and Mistress Mischief exchange a glance. “Well, thank you for hearing us out today,” Mistress Mischief says, nodding at Farha as she levitates herself away.
“We’ll be going now!” Smasher says, picking up Icebolt and Starscream before running off down the street.
“I’m Wilton Lysander, always the first on the scene with breaking news!” Bells winks at the camera. “A shocking reveal! Meta-humans forced to stage fights as heroes and villains for public consumption! Back to you, Farha!” He bobs his head and bows to her before rushing off.
Farha gives him a look that makes Emma chuckle; Bells is being over-the-top again.
Farha turns back to the camera to finish her broadcast. “You might know Charles Harris from the few statements he’s given as a representative of the Department of Meta-Human Affairs and also as a faculty member at the Meta-Human Training Center, but here we have it: Icebolt was assigned to fight Starscream today.”
“Heading to my motorcycle now,” Bells mutters over the radio as he runs. “Clear?”
“Head east before ducking into the Underbright entrance off Fourth street,” Jess says. “My dad is supposed to pick me up.”
“I haven’t seen him,” Emma says. “He didn’t come with us today! Isn’t he in Herndan with Deirdre?” Emma spots Jess on the corner waving frantically. She revs the engine, zooms over, and stops in front of her.
“Come on!” Emma flings open the car door just as the gray-clad uniformed figures of the Authorities rush around the corner.
“Stop that broadcast right now!” an official shouts.
Farha Rao draws a circle in the air, gesturing quickly to her crew. “What seemed to be at first a straightforward robbery from the meta-human Icebolt is actually a scripted attempt! What a scandal! You heard it here first from Farha Rao!”
A van pulls right in front of Emma’s car, and all of Farha’s crew piles in with Farha last. She catches Emma’s eye and grins, waving her microphone.
Emma waves back.
“Stop right there! You are under arrest for violating the terms of your broadcast license.” They stop short, staring at Jess and Emma. “Wait a minute—”
Jess climbs in and slams the door shut. “Go!”
“My turn,” Emma says, gripping the wheel with exhilaration.
She leads them on a merry chase through town and then races into the Unmaintained lands.
“They’ll run out of charge in a few miles,” Emma says confidently.
“Turn right up ahead!” Jess announces.
Emma swerves to the right, speeding down a cracked street flanked by derelict buildings. She keeps driving, pressing forward, always staying ahead. The Authority vehicles are top-of-the-line, but no cars are made to travel this fast and this far when there’s no need to leave the city.
“There aren’t any charging stations ahead, and they know that,” Jess muses. “Just keep going.”
Sure enough, the other vehicles fall back, and it’s just Emma and Jess whooping triumphantly in the Unmaintained lands.