06:21 pm

Downstairs

Thunderman Household

The Thunderman parents and Erika sat at the kitchen table, Erika cradling a mug of coco, Hank and Barb with coffee (Erika could smell the alcohol, but whatever). After bringing Billy and Nora upstairs and patching up the twins before putting them to bed, Barb had insisted that they take the time to air out the tensions between her husband and ward. It wasn't going well.

Hank and Barb were clearly still worried about the attacks on Hiddenville and knowledge that somebody had stolen Colosso. Hank hadn't been told about Barb being attacked, she and Erika thought to avoid an overload. So, pushing emotions aside, the trio's conversation had morphed into a planning session. The attacks signified that there were enemies who knew about the retired super families, proven by a call to Mrs. Evilman who confirmed her husband had gone missing as well. Hank had reported both incidents to the Hero League, but Kickbutt had no leads to follow. Personally, Erika wanted to A) interrogate her prisoner and B) return to Steel City, since Mighty Man's involvement linked the attacks to her case. Hank wanted to go against the Villain League, convinced of their involvement. Mutual enthusiasm was the only thing the duo had in common, to Barb's growing annoyance.

"Anyway, I can probably use a few old contacts in the Villain League to see if they knew about the attacks," Erika was saying, totally comfortable in admitting her connection to known criminals, "Lady Web owes me big time." Hank nodded, "Meanwhile, I can work with the Hero League and try to find Mighty Man. Whatever reason he had for taking Link, we need to get him back for Phoebe's sake." Erika wasn't too concerned about the female twin, but could appreciate that he cared for his children. "Barb, can you collect my guest? He's probably in shock by now, so you won't have any trouble." Sighing as she realized bonding would have to wait for later, Barb nodded, rising to her feet. Erika chugged the last of her chocolate before doing the same. She had a villainess to break…heroes could do that, right?

06:47 pm

Kitchenette

Lady Web's Lair

Lady Web, Mistress of Arachnids, froze at the sight in front of her. Portal was here. In her kitchen. Eating her leftovers. The villainess felt a headache developing, she wished this was the first time her former ally had shown up to raid her supplies. Noticing her presence, the teen hero raised a hand in greeting, unable to speak through a mouthful of Auntie Web's famous lasagna. The last piece, of course.

"Why are you here, Portal?" The teen swallowed, wiping off her mouth before standing up, lips taking on an odd smirk that never failed to freak the super villain out. God, she hated the brat. "Information," the younger brunette purred, "specifically about Mighty Man's little breakdown." Dark brown eyes widened in fear, she couldn't say no to Portal but talking about classified League business to a hero would get her killed. Looking into the pitch black lenses covering the girl's eyes, Lady Web felt death might be kinder than whatever Rose's daughter would come up with if angered. With a shaky breath, Web took the seat Portal had left vacant. The former villain had saved her life several years before, and it was time to pay up.

"Listen, Portal," she started, eyes on the half eaten lasagna, "you really don't want to get involved with this. The League wouldn't be involved if we had a choice." Portal's head tilted slightly to the side but she made no move to stop the older woman's babbling. "We were approached, a while back, with a plan. Not one of ours, an outsider. A sure fire way to take down the Hero League, to turn them into weapons. Mighty Man is…a tester. The original worked on normals but he didn't know if it would work on supers properly."

"He?" Web could see Portal's fingers curl into fists, a dark aura forming around them, crackling with streaks of white. "Who exactly is He?" Lady Web felt her own heart beating faster, the pulse like drums in her ears. At first glance, portal creation was a weak talent in the face of powers like super strength or tornado generation, but she'd seen what that devil child could do. She would never underestimate her, especially when the girl seemed to be channeling her mother's infamous temper. "You know who I mean," the villain's voice was little more than a whisper, "it's Mi-

Suddenly, a high pitched alarm rang through the air, cutting her off. An emergency alert from the Villain League. With an apprehensive glance towards the hero, Lady Web rose, making her way into the main room where her computer was located. Though she couldn't hear it, she knew the hell spawn was following. Sitting down in front of the monitor, Lady Web felt the teen's breath ghost over her ear. "Tell them about this and you're dead." The presence vanished, but Web knew the teen was still in the room somewhere. Listening. Watching. An unsteady hand reached forward, accepting the message. Her breath stopped as she read the League notification. Vision faded in and out. Turning off the computer, Lady Web turned around, heart nearly stopping at the sight of Portal barely an inch away. "What's wrong?"

"Dark Mayhem's dead, Evilman killed him. He's taken over the Council."