Alice Mariana James:
It was a very dark night, the air crisp, and perfect. Flags hung limp from the lack of any wind. Quiet, gentle, calming. The kind of night, where if you set off on something, you where just sure it would go right. It gave you that giddy sort of feeling that only came from achieving perfection. It only made me more alert. It just seemed to quiet. I started to wonder whether or not this Blade dude was setting me up. No, the 'object' was of too much value. I scanned the area; the people milling about on the streets didn't seem to notice me. Of course they didn't, I'd forgotten that right now, I was invisible. Good, the less witnesses, the better. I finally spotted the large, closed museum. I easily scaled the ladder that lead to the unlocked grate on the roof. I flicked back into visibility, cutting the grate with a few dark blasts. I kicked it aside, leaping through the exposed hole in the roof. Only a moment later, in mid-air, did I notice the criss-crossing red beams that laced the floor. Oops. Too late. I landed directly on one, blaring alarms sounding everywhere. I didn't have enough time to become invisible again. Besides, if I needed to fight, it wouldn't be useful. So, I flipped out my Envy, flicking though to the journal, and the folder marked plans.
"Two corridors down, on the right." I muttered blasting the camera with its eye trained on me. Stupid should have been looking for security measures.
But you didn't Alice, you didn't. A cruel, mocking voice whispered inside my mind.
Just shut-up. I yelled back at it. I didn't need Malice telling me how to do this. I took a deep breath, focusing, then continued down the corridor. It was mainly art, so I paused to admire every display, or so. I was so very absorbed, that I totally forgot about the Fusion 5. A group of clichéd teen hero's who lived in this messed up place. I used to be friends with their leader, Jay. This was really ironic when you think about it. See, I'd failed on one of my missions, and the employer wasn't happy about that, so he chained me to a wall so he could do whatever he liked to me. And Jay, when he was still solo, came along and freed me. I really wasn't used to being helped, or having a friend, so I followed him around for a while, and saved his life around three times. After that, I moved on to different cities, looking for anyone who wanted a little help. But not after promising to be more careful. Great, now I'd lied to him. I was also unused to feeling guilty, because I stole a lot, and it never bothered me. Anyways, I didn't notice they were here until a bright blue lighting bolt missed my ear.
"Crap." I muttered, swirling around to face them. I acted as if I didn't recognize Jay, who was staring open-mouthed at me. Most likely amazed at the reappearance of the surreal black-haired, Venom-eyed girl whom he probably thought slightly insane. The other four I could name from different forms of media. Ember was the one who'd shot at me, behind her was Faith, some kind of sorceress. The two other guys on the team where Edward, who was a shape-shifter. And Willis, who I wasn't quite sure of. So, here we all were, Jay and I enjoying a silent, awkward reunion. And the rest, who weren't going to like me very much after this. With a sigh, I sent a dark ball to their wide left, they jumped as expected, giving me an opportunity to sprint off. Jay regained enough composure to yell,
"Fusion 5, go!" I smirked I could tell from his tone that he was going to let me escape if it came to that. Too easy. I turned the next corner, too deep in thought to become invisible. I noticed the case containing the object almost immediately. I carefully cut the glass away, letting it fall and shatter. The gorgeous pure crystal rose sat on a bed of velvet, sparking in the artistically placed lights, seeming to say, 'take me away.' A light tap on the shoulder ripped me back into awareness.
"Alice, it is you right?" Jay whispered, I guessed his friends weren't behind us.
"Indeed. How you've been wonder boy?" I replied, not turning, as I was sure he wanted me too. Instead, I slipped my gloves on, readying the velvet bag that I was storing this in.
"Fine, I see you're still a thief." Even though we were friends, I sensed that wonder boy didn't approve of my lifestyle. I'm not sure if it was the disapproval in his tone. Or the fact that he'd told me this before. You can decide.
"I see you're still amazed that I'm alive." He chuckled at that.
"Slightly surprised that you haven't ended up chained to another wall." At this I turned.
"That one wasn't my fault." He hadn't really changed much. Same spiky hair, tinted mask over the eyes. Still dressing the same. I could have laughed, but didn't, seeing as that would have looked a bit strange. I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, fully exposing the venomous-green eyes I was sure he'd remember.
"I'm sure it wasn't. So, whose this lovely piece of work for?" His still shocked expression folded into a more relaxed and friendly look. I smiled back.
"Some masked idiot that calls himself Blade and is too lazy to break into this place." He suddenly seemed outraged; I could feel the confusion on my face.
"You shouldn't be working for him, he's bad news." He growled, I half-smiled at his protective tone.
"I can handle myself."
"I noticed." His sarcastic tone didn't entirely destroy the obvious anger on his face.
"What ticks you off about him. Sure he's more than a little cryptic, but he's mostly harmless." I shrugged; he was just another rich dude, who wanted bragging rights.
"Wrong. He's the worst villain around here. You shouldn't be doing business with him." He either was really worried about me, or totally obsessed with this guy. Maybe both.
"Are you worried about me wonder boy?" I expected him to deny it, tell me to stop being a fool and leave. But he didn't.
"Yes. I'm really worried about you. " I felt flattered, and a little creeped out, but mostly flattered. This was another one of those things that I was new too. Being cared about.
"Why? Even if he is one of the worst villains, I'm going to accomplish this mission." It came out as a question. We both knew that he would let me go, I'd be in danger if he didn't.
"That doesn't mean he won't hurt you." I'd turned back to the statuette, lifting it gently.
"Why would he? If I do what he asks-," He cut me off.
"Not all people want you to finish a job, pay you and let you leave. This world isn't full of willing old fools, or short-tempered rich men. There are worse people." I shivered gently. It wasn't because of what he was telling me, but because the intensity and worry in his tone. He put one hand over mine, trying to stop me.
"Just leave it here, leave the city." I looked over at him. He seemed, scared. I still couldn't puzzle out the reason he even cared. Was it because I was the reason he was still breathing? It seemed like more. That was the last thought I had before the world we dark. The last words where in Jay's angry voice.
"Faith? What'd you do that for?"