Prologue: I Hate You
"...she's back"
Those were the words whispered among every metahuman, new and old, throughout Dakota. Even those who no longer had their powers began watching their backs. But as weeks passed with no sing of the telltale white fire, the word dismissed as yet another rumor of her return.
This type of thing had become normality for the heroes as they bagged yet another criminal.
"Do they think we're supposed to get scared when they tell us she's back?" Gear asked as he and Static walked away from the crime scene where a bang baby had been trying to rob a bank.
"I don't know but make sure Morgan doesn't catch wind of it. She always gets her hopes up." Static warned before pulling out his disc. He saluted Gear in farewell for the night and then flew off. As he watched his friend leave, Gear remembered the look of emptiness in Static's eyes. Morgan wasn't the only one getting her hopes up.
Kickstarting his rocket blades, Gear took to the sky. Stealthily, he flew into the open window that was the bedroom of his and Morgan's apartment. The first thing he noticed as he took his helmet off was that she wasn't home. A note on the fridge told him that she was out doing League business and there was a plate of spaghetti waiting for him in the oven. He smiled at her thoughtfulness as he walked over to the oven and took out the plate of food. As he sat down with the food on the couch, he turned on the news to listen to the praise he and Virgil would receive.
"Today in Dakota, Gear and Static were valiant heroes yet again as they stopped a bank robbery and saved 17 hostages. It was a remarkable feat, though the absence of Matrix did not go unnoticed. There have been rumors going around the city that Nitrix has returned. Will the dynamic female duo of Dakota be reunited? More in a minute."
Richie groaned and turned the channel. There was nothing on so he turned the TV off altogether and picked up the stereo remote. Soft beats filled the room as he lay back on the couch and relieved the stress from his system. As he began to float in and out of consciousness, soft hands began to caress his face. Morgan's blonde hair fell into his eyes as she leaned down and kissed him.
"Don't sleep here." She whispered and he nodded before sitting up. He allowed her to lead him to the bedroom where they collapsed onto the bed together. The tired look in her eyes and the aches and pains rippling through his own body told Richie that they would only be sleeping tonight. It was enough for him though.
"How has it been?" he asked as they lay in darkness, wrapped in each other's arms.
"Four years next week, I miss her." Morgan lamented and Richie stroked her hair lovingly.
"She said she'd be back. She always keeps her promises, right?" Though he was doubtful of his own words, he hoped Morgan would find solace in them. At the sound of her breathing evening out, he knew his reassurance had worked. For now. Silently, he sat up and stared out the open window at the half moon.
Wherever you are Lux, I hope you feel Morgan's pain as much as I do. And I hope you regret ever leaving. I hate you for leaving...I hate you so much.
I'm back and here's the beginning of the long awaited sequel. I hope you like it so far.