"And then they were three…" he commented lowly as his target vanished from the digital map before him. The other three were scattered across the map, in different locations in neighbouring cities. To his left was a cylinder compartment home to his suit, patterned accordingly and coloured black and navy. To his right was a board with five names, five profiles and a range of images linked to the corresponding names.

Blakelyn Mercer: ice merc. Jason Todd: Red Hood. Rex Downey: mute telepath. Taeyeon Sinclair: Alias's downfall. Rhys Sinclair: Taeyeon's swords.

"Oh, don't worry, ice queen," he smirked as he slowly crossed his arms. "I got your back."

"This is what they were hiding," Alias told her, the Orb of Light floating in her palm. Even though she'd absorbed all there was to take, it was still glowing its warm sunny hue as if its light couldn't be vanquished by the likes of the Meta. "The moment I saw it, I knew what to do. It was instinctive. To think Syndicate would hide my powers away in these."

"It is just more than an enhancing cache," Kyle informed her. "It is also a cache to charge Arcadia's power."

"You're telling me. First I gain regenerative capabilities and can stop time now, using ice. If that's not approaching the realms of overkill, I'm not sure what is...wait. Stopping time is Arcadia's power?"

"Well, of course. You are technically a god, and being limited to the powers you currently have aren't really handy. Being able to have some control over the time-space continuum is a big leap to what you're used to, but it's all about whether you're willing to embrace your life now. Your real life, not shadowed by lies and secrecy. So I suggest you just...let go of everything. Don't be afraid, we'll both be here if you need anything."

"Of course you will...but where's Yukine?"

"We're not prisoners in here, Blake. He went to visit someone in Malaysia but...have you told Jason yet?"

"No. I don't think he'll take it seriously, but I can't help but try and keep this away from him. I don't need him to be emotionally involved than he already his. It's bad for his health."

"I see your point, Blakelyn. Just in case the knowledge itself causes serious consequences. I understand, but I advise you not to hide this from him for too long. Jason is a man of emotion and he isn't afraid of expressing it, and he trusts you more than you realise. When you do tell him, be careful with your choice of words. You don't want to lose him again."

Alias lowered her head in acceptance before melting out of the reality, and she opened her eyes with the empty Orb of Light in her open hands and the sun that peeked through the windows glowing against her skin. They were in Old Gotham after she felt the resonation of their second target while on their quick flight here, the master suite in the sorta-but-not-quite restored Gotham Royal Hotel hand-picked by Rex and paid for by Alias; all those expenses on her meant she was pretty much stacking, more than Jason realised. But the unlike the men, she wasn't used to flying and slept the moment she got here, but with her strength back she couldn't help but wonder what her memories were trying to point out to her.

In that flash of light she heard something, the whisper of a name. Arcadia. The surge of power that followed. It was immense, addictive...needed.

She gritted her teeth as her tattoo burned again, her hands up to her collarbone to cool it down, and Jason had walked in just as she let out a sigh of relief. "Nice shirt," she commented when her eyes glanced up to look at his attire, somewhat smart yet casual at the same time. His hair was naturally slicked back with aviators hooked on his ears, his body leaning against the doorframe to her room. She could just about see his physique through his undershirt, so it wasn't just well-placed armour. Hm.

"Nice legs." She was wearing something different yet suited to the weather conditions; wool jumper, jean shorts and ankle socks since they left to go visit another district although there was no point playing civilian since Old Gotham lacked in terms of healthy population numbers. It felt nice dressing normally for a change though.

She smiled as she placed the orb in the icy cradle she made for it, "I just don't get it, Jason. I'm supposed to feel fulfilled with what I'm doing but all of this just leaves me feeling...empty."

"I guess that how it's all starts. Finding yourself isn't easy, it does take some time. But I know you'll be okay. You always are."

"Most of the time." Alias swung her legs off the bed and reached down to remove her sneakers, "The target keeps moving about here in Old Gotham so I'm sure they're occupied with whatever they're doing. Whilst they're oblivious, we observe but covertly. I think now that we killed the first lieutenant, they'll know we're coming. All of them."

"I'll meet you downstairs then."

"...why?"

Jason pointed at the device on the bedside, "Someone's calling you." As she turned her head to look at it, her face lit up in happiness and she activated the screen with Jason stealing one more blissful glance of her before leaving her room.

"Hey there, beautiful," he grinned; he was in his casual clothes outside somewhere in New Gotham, high enough that she could see the Grand National Bank behind him. As it was midday the sun was just at the peak of the sky, and gave him a nice glow to his skin. Not like she'd tell him anyway.

"Gray? What―how did you even get my coordinates?"

"I mean, we do have an Oracle." Dick chuckled, he always did have such a wonderful smile. "How've you been?"

"I've been pretty good, actually. Besides the fact that more people are out to kill us, but no I'm great."

"All in a day's work."

"You're telling me. Hey, did you ever find those guys back in Founder's mall after last time? I know they weren't Syndicate but they were emulating the Arkham Knight's appearance. After his disappearance and Scarecrow's defeat, you'd think they'd just scatter."

"Nope."

"Nope?"

"Nada. Nothing. Not a trace, as if they never existed. The footage too."

"Weird. Send me the file."

The tablet beeped. "...done. It's got everything in there, even the ice murders, so don't be afraid to pick up the case when you've got time."

"Will do. I have to leave you here though, I am kinda busy."

"Already? It hasn't even been a minute."

"I promise you that we'll talk forever if you want next time. But right now―"

"You're busy, I get it. Just...call me when you get the chance, okay?"

"I'll make sure. See you, Grayson."

"Have fun."

"I will. Take care." The line was cut and Alias sighed softly at the screen before getting off the bed and setting the tablet down, making a face when she registered Grayson's sudden change of tone in his voice. She didn't mean to be so matter-of-factly but he was known to be incredibly chatty and she was technically busy. Sorry Grayson. She changed her attire to her 'work' clothes as quick as she could and, when done, briefly reached down for the sheathes as she sauntered out of her room, not expecting to confront Jason so closely. Not expecting to confront him at all. "Eavesdropping, huh? Not like you."

"Just wondering if we're on the same page."

A: I wondered what he meant by that.

"We always are. Here." She slapped the sheathes onto his chest. "You'll need these more than me. We are trying to be covert."

"Seriously? I'm pretty sure we can land the same damage without hiding."

"I don't like the image of Syndicate finding us with our guards down, and being loud with guns blazing isn't always the best option. That means Red Hood follows my lead this time." She stepped back as her eyes peered at his vibrating pocket, "I'll meet you downstairs. Seems you have talking of your own to do." Jason smirked as she slid past him, unknowing of the frown that adorned her face when she took the stairs down but it had vanished into a faint smile as Rex was waiting for her, his hand outstretched as an invitation. He was rocking a manbun today, and it really did suit his strong features.

It didn't take long for them to reach Pioneer Bridge, a deserted construction with abandoned cars on the road, but it did take them a couple hours before commotion occurred. They all decided to take vantage points at various heights; while Rex kept watch on one of the centre support pillars Alias was peacefully sitting cross-legged on the upper platform whilst going through Grayson's files on the recent ice murder and Jason had just joined her on the floor. He crossed his arms in an annoyed manner, "How long are we gonna have to wait here? It's cold as hell."

"I didn't tell you to sit down," Alias softly retorted. "And, like I said, they keep moving."

Jason groaned this time as he fought a shiver down the back of his neck. "Why don't you have heat-based abilities? It could seriously stop my ass from freezing."

"Then stand up. It's not my fault this planet has four irregular seasons, and it's not even that cold."

"I'll stand in my own time."

"Then stop complaining. Or join Rex and be on the lookout."

"How does he even know who to look for?"

"Tina let out a frequency detectable by Rex, and a certain heat signature detectable by me. According to those facts, you're the useless one here."

He choked out a laugh, "I'll have you know I was trained to kick a multitude of asses, including yours."

Alias smirked, "Yet, we're both even. Can't really call it kicking my ass if I beat you."

"Okay then. When we're free, I want a rematch."

"You sure you can handle a rematch?"

"I can handle anything." He reached out his gloved hand and waited for her to respond to shake it, and she did. "Even your anger."

"You guys talk like a married couple," Rex rolled his eyes as he popped beside them and the twosome diverted their attention towards the blonde Meta. "You guys can be arguing or joking about and I really don't know which is which at this point."

"I'm here minding my own business, and here he comes complaining about the cold. If I did have heat-based abilities this would be a problem but I can't change my physiology now, can I?" She locked the tablet and turned her head so Jason wasn't in her line of sight, and he couldn't help but mock her by using his hands to mimic silent talking and made silly faces. He only did this for a short while, since she punched his arm out of revenge and laughed while getting off the floor and dusting his pants. "Did you get anything up there?"

"I did, but it was quick. They were at the entrance of the bridge. Shouldn't be long before they reach here."

"Good...let's hope they're―" A destroyed bus hurtled towards them and Alias didn't have time to think as Jason tackled her out of its way, the burning vehicle managing to tear through the barricade and tumble for a while before stopping short of the other side of the platform. The twosome that were recovering glared at the bus before exchanging concerned looks, but that was before they felt tremors spread throughout the platform. Alias forced herself from Jason's hold and stepped onto the barricade, a chilling sensation rushing through her body as she spotted a man, a single man, walking towards them from the very end of Pioneer Bridge. "Don't tell me he's doing that. No way it's just him."

"Whatever he is," Jason secured his crimson, glassy facade and equipped his firearms. "He's no joke. Rex, can you read him?"

"He's chaos," the blonde man simply informed them, reaching for his energy blade, and Alias glanced at Rex before moving her attention again; she didn't want that man to catch her off guard again with another bus. "Nothing but disorder. Even his thoughts are…"

"Chaos, huh. Okay, Syndicate, throwing something harder at us I see...definitely overkill..." She leapt from the centre platform of the bridge and landed on the container of a truck, the fiery mist burning at her face on the act of a simple thought, and the world slowed down to almost complete stillness. Rex seemed like he was about to teleport as she saw him begin to phase through time and space itself and Jason was reaching for his grappling hook. "Let's put this to some sort of use." The Meta Mercenary traversed across the bridge using the lonely vehicles and gradually landed in front of the man but hesitated when she confronted his frozen form.

His features were much more distinct up close. Unlike Tina and her grunts he looked surprisingly normal, whatever normal was in this place. Scruffy, brunette hair, greyish blue eyes and a mysterious...smile. But like Tina and her grunts he had something going on, and that was the lava-like cracks that ran all along his skin including his face that surged red and yellow constantly. He had nothing on but joggers, not even footwear of some sort. "No place to carry an Orb on him...but I feel it somewhere…" she muttered to herself as she stood directly in front of him, inching closer and closer until their noses were a mere inch apart. He smelled nice for a half-naked guy. "You don't seem that bad."

And then his eyes contracted, his smile stretching wider.

A: And that, was my second biggest mistake.