Conference Room

Rei

The man in the suit stared at Valerie.

"So, make you choice." Repeated Valerie.

The man stood up and moved towards the door.

"Mr. Kalaste." Called Valerie.

He turned around to face her.

"Here you go." She taunted as she pulled up her sleeve, exposing the mottled and scarred flesh.

He turned and walked away.

Valerie collapsed back into her chair before she pulled her sleeve back down. "I'm glad that's over." She sighed.

"Was he really your father?" Asked Ryan.

"He was, at one time." Answered Valerie. "And now I mourn a man who is not dead."

Vendetta appeared in front of the open door before he closed it. "I apologize for the delay, and the unfortunate barge in."

"I'm sure you are well aware of what I told Mr. Kalaste?" Asked Valerie.

"Of course I am." Answered Vendetta. "It was the same information you gave me earlier this year regarding your past."

"What can I help you with, Vendetta?" Asked Valerie.

"It's about ensuring your safety. In order for that to happen a few events need to occur. First, you need to denounce the villain groups you worked for, publically, and on live TV for all of North America to hear. Secondly, you will need to provide all the information you have regarding the Chess Pieces and any related group. Finally, we need the class representatives to vouch for her honesty and her new life, goals, and identity."

"I'm in." I answered quickly. "If it can help the world see that Valerie is an amazing and wonderful person, I'll do it."

"I thank you for your enthusiasm Mr. Koizumi, and I know you wish to support your friend. But do not take this choice lightly, there will be consequences, some that will not make themselves known for years into the future."

"That won't change my mind." I answered adamantly.

The pro hero simply nodded in acknowledgement before his phone began to ring. "I apologize for the interruption, but this is the utmost importance." He answered the phone and began listening intently.

"Thank you for the information." He said swiftly before hanging up. "Things could be getting a lot worse. Someone just called the NAHA's call center in St. Louis, they gave everything they knew about you, they couldn't trace the call. They are doing everything they can to keep it under wraps, including forcing the guy who took the call to sign a confidentiality agreement. But I don't think that will be enough. His coworkers have already posted on social media, and we can't take down the posts as it would violate the employees first amendment rights. So, I would be expecting a lot more people angry at you. Of course there are also the Defender High students, but they don't know who you really are. Just that you're a villain."

"This is just a cheery day isn't it?" Asked Valerie sarcastically.

I was taken aback by her remark. Valerie was never sarcastic, ever. It was so out of character that I wanted to chastise her for it. 'She must be straining to keep her emotions in check with all that's been happening.' I thought. 'She feels betrayed by her school, and by her old allies. I remember her saying that they promised to not reveal her secrets in exchange for her silence on them. I think she won't hesitate to speak out against them now.'

"Your sarcasm is not appreciated, Ms. Rook." Scolded Vendetta.

"Frankly, I've had quite a sour day. My usual politeness is beginning to slip a little." She retorted.

"Ryan, Rei. If you would please leave us alone. Try to find the other class reps if you can, get them to agree to back our position."

"Yes sir." I said as I rolled out of the room, Ryan not too far behind.

"Well, that should be a pleasant conversation." Scoffed Ryan as he closed the door.

I shook my head. "Do you think this could tear the school apart?" I asked. "Or bring them together?"

"I honestly don't know." Sighed Ryan. "I would hope that everyone bands together. That is what I thought would happen before this went down. Now, I'm not sure."

"Neither am I." I admitted.

"I guess it'll all depend on how Asher sees it." Added Ryan. "As the second year excelsior and class rep, he'll have a large sway over the student body, even the upperclassmen."

An idea flashed into my head. "What if we don't have to get just the second year class reps to support us. What if we go to the upper classes excelsiors and reps."

"That would be massive." Said Ryan. "They're some of the most well known kids on campus. Where they lead, usually, the hero classes follow."

I began pumping my wheels faster, speeding ahead of Ryan. "I'll let you know how it goes." I said as I pressed the call button for the elevator, ready to begin my task.

I decided to basically skip lunch today, I could just buy something at one of the food carts around the park. Right now I had a job to do.

I saw the current third year class one representative and the strongest student on campus. From what I had seen, the black kid stood well over six feet tall. He was in his uniform, along with everyone else, as it was a Monday. He was smiling and moving his hands instead of his mouth, he was signing, though I couldn't see to whom, though. Over his ears were two fin shaped devices, the white contrasting his skin. His hair was neatly trimmed and groomed perfectly.

I gingerly approached him and waited for him to finish the conversation and I saw that he was talking to Kana through sign, and Chandler sat there dumbfounded as he watched their hands.

Kana must have seen me as she held up one finger before turning it into a fist. She turned to me and waved, her screen reading: "Hey Rei. Nice to see you again. What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to Da'vion." I said, Da'vion glanced at me then to Kana's hands as she signed what I said.

His face lit up as he me offered a handshake, before cracking a smile and giving me a wave that I understood as 'I'm just messing with you.'

I let out a little chuckle.

Da'vion signed to me, though I didn't understand ASL, thankfully Kana helped translate.

"Hey, I'm Da'vion, how are you?"

"I'm doing ok." I said with a shrug. "Rei Koizumi."

Kana signed to Da'vion, and then he responded: "Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. What's got you down?"

"You remember the message that played over the TVs and speaker system across campus earlier today."

"Yes. I remember seeing the images, Kana told me what had been said later. I also read over the link. Those things she did." He shook his head. "Were unacceptable. Thievery, breaking and entering, even killing. Those traits don't make a hero. Whoever this person is deserves to be tried."

I gulped. I knew this was going to be difficult, but it was something I had to do. I looked at Chandler. "You know who was on that screen, right?"

He nodded, eyes cast down. Kana looked to him in concern before her electronic face nodded, too.

"Do you know the person who was in the video, who was written about on the website?" Asked Da'vion.

I nodded. "I do. She's a good friend of mine."
"Then I feel sorry for you." Signed Da'vion. "Was it her you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Yes." I answered. "I need your help. Valerie is a changed person, she has turned away from her past. In her own words, she died when she set her sights on becoming a hero. She has been nothing but polite and kind ever since I met her last year. She feels threatened by the student body, she's scared. She has renounced her old life. She plans on revealing her identity on national TV, and renounce her old life to the whole of North America. And if we can support her, show that she is a changed person, she'll be safer, we'll be safer."

"You can't even bring yourself to say what she once was." Signed Da'vion. "You don't even know you did it. You never called her a villain. I'm sorry, but why should I vouch for a person I do not know. A person who was a villain, someone who most likely worked with those that killed two of our classmates."

"She isn't working for them." I countered adamantly. "That would violate the agreement she made. She agreed to give any information she could whenever it would be needed in exchange for a full pardon. If she refused, she would be arrested and tried."

He sat and pondered. "Then my help is not needed." He signed. "She has the protection of the government."

"That won't be enough." I shouted. "The people will call for an answer. Her life will be forever changed in the next few days. Please, help me." I begged.

"I just don't think I can." He signed with a shrug. "Why should I associate my name with that of a former villain? That will reflect badly on me."
"I don't think it will. You could be the reason that we bring down those that attacked us. You could support one of the strongest heroes to ever come from this school."
"You really think that she will be a hero?"

"I have no doubt."

"Why are you even supporting her? She lied to you for all of last year. Nothing she has said is the truth."

I could feel my resolve breaking. "That's where you are wrong. Do you think maybe she kept her past hidden for a reason? The person I know as Valerie Rook is a kind and honest person. Yeah, she's made mistakes, who hasn't."

"How can you say those things about her while sitting in a wheelchair, while dealing with the attack on the sports festival. She could have been the reason for those attacks." He signed.

I held back a grimace. I knew why they attacked, they wanted to scare us, divide us, and they wanted me. I had figured that much out from the letter and Soren's offer. I was the reason for the attacks, but I didn't say that. "I can sit here in this chair, with these injuries because I know what they want, what the villains want. There are only six people on this campus that really understand what they want, and even then only two people can truly grasp the larger picture. I'm one of those six. I've been taunted, tortured for months by what happened to me. I'm still healing mentally and physically, now I'm mourning the loss of two classmates. I know better than almost anyone that these villains want nothing more than to divide us. Just like right now, the two of us arguing, fighting. We can't stand like that. We need to be united against those that want to see us fall. Right now we are achieving their goal for them. So, what will you choose, showing the continent, the world, that we can stand strong against an active threat, or that we'll crumble under the strain?"

"I heard about your speech to Da'vion." Called Asher as he walked up behind me.

I spun my chair around to face him. He was leaning on his crutches, hands gripped around the handles. His storm grey eyes were alive with frenzied blots of bright blue and yellow lightning.

"Yeah." I sighed. "He didn't give me a response, just that he'd think about it." I paused for a second. "How did you hear about it?"

"I was standing not too far away." He answered. "I'm surprised you didn't notice me."

"So, what are you going to do?" I asked, our eyes locked, neither of us wavering.

"I don't know yet, but my mind is certain that there are steps that need to be taken." The Excelsior answered. "But I do have questions for you."

"Ok."

"Why do you trust her? What has she done to earn your trust?" He asked.

"It was a few days after the sports festival. Valerie had snapped at us, she was acting different, outside of the norm, it was easy to tell that she was upset. We actually found her later that day in the false city, she was destroying buildings because she was so caught up in her anger and rage. She wanted help, she came clean, and after that, I put more trust in her. Because she was willing to trust the only friends, the only family she has. She regrets her past in ways that I can't understand. She has changed. I believe that."

"Are you going to ask me to vouch for her change?"

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to."

"I'm sorry, Rei." Sighed Asher, his eyes held sadness for a moment. "I just don't think I can. Not with what she's done. She has crimes to answer for. And I will not be one of the people that helped her avoid her fate."

"Why? Don't you believe in redemption?" I asked, leaning forward.

"I do believe in redemption, but I also believe in consequences." He answered. "And because I made a promise, four years ago on a normal winter day in Chicago."
My eyes widened in realization. I was looking at the product of the work of a villain, the product of one of the largest villain attacks in human history: the Chicago Freeze. I began to think about Sharp, and I wondered what he would see at Asher's core, what his base emotions were. I had a feeling two that were always with him were determination and vengeance.

"I will bring every villain I can to justice. Even if they say they have turned from their ways. No matter how many times a snake sheds its skin, it's still a snake."
I grit my teeth. "Please Asher." I begged. "She doesn't deserve to be locked up. She has changed. You've met Valerie, you've fought alongside her. She is your classmate."

"You're right, she doesn't deserve to be locked up. I've made up my mind. She deserves to be executed." With that he turned around and began to walk away.

"You think I'm gonna let you walk away after that?" I demanded, setting my wheelchair brakes. I stood up and began hobbling as fast as I could over to Asher.

He turned back around at the sound of footsteps. I grabbed his shoulders with my teeth bared, ready to slam him into the ground, knowing full well that I could make his quirk malfunction at will. My arm and leg were killing me, but I didn't care. "If you think that my friend, my family, deserves death then you are going to have to get through a lot of people first. And just because you're an Excelsior doesn't mean you're immortal.

"I see you as a friend Asher, an ally. And as your friend, and no matter how much I want to beat the snot out of you right now, all I can tell you is that the world isn't black and white, you can't just divide people into categories so blatantly. Even the greatest heroes have acted like villains, even the greatest killed people. Do they deserve death as well? Do you think that people cannot change, for better or worse? Do you think that heroes don't make hard choices? Because one day, it's going to be us out there in the field, fighting for more than our lives, fighting for the lives of others. We've already done that twice, and we haven't even started our second year. The choices are only going to get harder from here, they're going to have more impact than we could ever know. And Valerie has been fighting for redemption for years, silently as a changed and different person. Valerie has nothing right now except for hope, and her friends, and by God, I will see to it that she stays here. You said you believe in consequences, well, I think that having the world slam down on your shoulders after getting back up on your feet fits that bill. Now, can you help me get back to my wheelchair because my leg feels like it's gonna fall off."

I felt Asher's arms catch me at my waist as I collapsed into him. He grunted as he carried me the few feet over to the wheelchair. I was set down as best as possible, but it was rather rough. When Asher pulled away we locked eyes again. His eyes were unreadable, he was too full of uncertainty. Without a word he began to walk away.

Now all I could lean on was hope.

In the Mountains

"Oh boy, this is some good stuff." Whistled Riley as she read another information report. She had been having so much fun reading off what havoc she had caused from the comfort of her own home. She had seen the madness that was the media, everyone is going crazy about the Angel of Death being found, and her identity being uncovered. They were eating it up like gluttons at a King's Feast. Then there was the stuff coming from Defender High, oh boy was it entertaining. There was a clear divide over whether to support Valerie in her redemption and a clear side wanting to send her to trial and convict her. Then there were the other large hero schools, their students were sending out social media posts like free hotcakes. Baltimore Private Hero Academy and many smaller schools were wanting Valerie to stand trial. California School of Heroes wanted Defender High shut down completely. The National Hero School of Canada was silent. The Maritime School of Search and Rescue in the Bahamas and the Central American Hero Academy were both advocating for the possibility of redemption.

Then there was NAHA, it was a mess. The three branches couldn't decide how to act. The US branch was divided into the same three camps, the largest one being in support of Valerie, surprisingly enough. Canada was silent as of now, while Mexico and Central America were calling not only for her imprisonment, but even for her execution.

Riley was lapping it all up, who needed TV when you could watch all of North America squirm under the heel of their efforts.

She moved her fingers over her keyboard, typing up another situation report for Oliver, enjoying every word she typed.

In the Study

The green scaled villain looked the candidate for Rook over thoroughly. He wasn't too tall, but it was clear that he had long limbs, his hands almost went to his knees. He had curly sandy blond hair and dust colored eyes. His stance projected confidence, he knew that he was powerful, at least he thought he was powerful.

"So, who are you and what do you do?"
"My name is Gallant." He answered as he held up his arms, a line of plasma arced between his arms before dissipating and another one was created. The second arc stopped and he seemed to hold it in his hands.

In a second, he was in the air and planting his feet behind her chair, the electricity arcing right in front of her neck. She was impressed, a little angry that he attacked her, but she liked his boldness, something needed for a leader's guard.

Gallant let the arc dissipate before walking back in front of her desk.

"You've got spunk, and boldness." She began with a scheming smile. "I think you'll do just fine."

The Next Day

Rei

I sat in nervous anticipation, anxiety and dread filling my being as the second press conference of the week was about to begin.

I looked down the row of seats, sitting next to me was Ashton, he had decided to vouch for Valerie, as did Nascha. I had yet to see Asher arrive, but Tyler had shown up, and that was better than nothing. There were three third year reps, from five, two, and one. I had convinced Da'vion, he was here, sitting in a chair, with Kana by his side, ready to translate for him.

There were only two fourth years in attendance, the class rep of class three, and one exelsior.

Overall, not a bad turn out, we were only missing seven class reps. Though I was a little unnerved by the fact that there were no teachers besides Vendetta present.

Valerie was sitting right next to Vendetta. There were no guards standing next to her, but there was one school resource officer standing by one of the doors. That could end up being a bad sign to the public, no matter what Vendetta might say.

Vendetta nods, it was almost imperceptible, before Valerie stood up.

She was dressed in her uniform, everything in perfect order, and she swapped the skirt out for a pair of well tailored black slacks.

Cameras flashed as the face of a villain appeared, a historic day for the hero community, no matter the outcome.

Valerie looked out over the audience and began her speech. "People of North America. My name has been Cordelia. My name has been Angel. But those two people are dead. My name is Valerie Rook, and I am a hero in training, I am a student at Defender High. I can say with experience that the people that I used to work with, villains, will stop at nothing to see this school, to see the other hero schools around the country burned to the ground. I say this not as a warning, but as a promise. I say this as a unifying call. We must stand up to those who oppose us. We must apprehend them and bring them to justice.

"Today I renounce my past. I renounce that I was affiliated with any villain organization. I am dedicated fully to becoming a hero. In the agreement I made with the United States government, I have been pardoned in exchange for information and continued cooperation. I have realized that to many that this is not satisfactory. So I will be altering the agreement: After the individuals named Soren Rune, Brook Taylor, Aania Sinha, Petra Khione, Eli Black, and Vincent Black are brought to justice, and should the public deem it necessary, I will stand trial for my crimes. On this day, the Angel of Dust has died, and the hero called Rook, the Shatter hero, now stands before you."

She stepped down from the podium as Vendetta stepped up.

Some movement caught my eye, I looked over to the door, careful to keep my head still, Asher had quietly slipped in, and was quietly making his way to behind the stage.

"I stand here in support of the statement made by Valerie. She and I have been in close communication with the US Government and NAHA as needed. Her cooperation has proven testament to her change, to her pursuit of justice. I want this opportunity to show that people are redeemable, that good people, that heroes can come from anywhere."

I took a deep breath as I began to roll towards a lowered microphone next to the podium.

"I am Rei Koizumi, class representative of class two three, and one of Valerie' best friends. Valerie is one of the nicest, most polite people I have ever met. To imagine her as a villain is just so out of character for her. I never stopped to even think that she could be a villain until she admitted it. And afterwards, I trusted her even more, because she was willing to trust us.

"I was personally attacked during both events. Valerie fought for her life against villains, people that she knew, in order to protect her friends, her family. This weekend, she was subjected to the same thing as we all of us in the top four second year classes. If those aren't clear evidence that they want nothing to do with her, I don't know what is. I have no doubt in my mind that Valerie is entirely devoted to becoming a hero. She's acting on the same basic principle that all of us here at Defender are: we want to make a difference in the lives of others."

I nodded before rolling back towards my seat as Ashton takes the podium.

"I'm Ashton Eurus, class rep of two four. And let me just say that when I started reading off the list of things that Valerie has reportedly done. I wouldn't be shocked if half of it was made up to make her seem worse. 'Cause when I read it I was thinking to myself: 'There is no one way someone so kind, polite so full of good, could do these things and not regret them. We are here right now, because she regrets it, and she knows that she has to make it right. So I will support her in her journey, and I promise that I will help her bring those to justice that deserve it."

Nascha stood up next.

"During the attack on the sports festival, I wasn't with Valerie's group, but I heard the story from my good friend Alizeh, who fought beside Valerie. She told me about the girl that fought with a fire in her soul, about the girl that fought with so much determination, that fought with grace. That fought to save the lives of her friends. I see someone who will fight for as long as she lives, she will fight for the ideals she holds dear, if she could, I'm sure she would fight for everyone listening today, and through her continuing her hero training here at Defender, and becoming a pro hero, she will fight for all of us."

Several of the other reps followed after, saying that they would vouch for Valerie and that it was necessary for the school, for the nation to stand united against those that would see the school, and all hero schools, fall.

Da'vion stood up next, standing next to the podium as Kana's TV screen was blank, ready to relay his message.

I looked down at my phone, watching a live broadcast, thankfully, I wasn't in the frame so I wouldn't have to look at myself.

"I am Da'vion Fletcher, class representative and Excelsior of class three one. I am standing up here today not because I have been strong. That's only part of it. I am where I am today because I have dozens of people supporting me. As a deaf person, it's hard to get my message across to everyone, and to even speak here today I need the help of my friend and translator, Kana Fukuya." He motioned to the short girl standing next to him. "Support is crucial for everyone. No one can get anywhere without the help of someone else. Supporting each other is what makes us stronger. I am standing here today because someone approached me recently. At the beginning of this issue, I was convinced that this person was bad, that they deserved no mercy. But I was confronted by an opposing view, and it puzzled me. I thought that everyone agreed with what I thought, and the building was solid. But when I looked closer I realized that our foundation was cracked. This attack had left us divided. I realized that we were collapsing in on ourselves, and I was doing nothing to help stop it, and I found that I was the one swinging a hammer at the walls. I learned, not on my own, that these villains wanted this. They wanted us divided, and we clearly are, as many of our class reps are absent on this day. But I can clearly see that all four class reps from the second year course are here. Many people look to me, as one of the strongest people on this campus, I am well aware of the influence I can have. I have been asked many times who inspires me, who do I look to as my influencer. Right now I have my answer to that question."
He turned towards the class reps, and the camera panned out to us. I could now see myself, looking down, just as the other reps. I saw Kana turn towards us as well, so I looked up towards the pair.

"I look towards Nascha Strongbow, Ashton Eurus, Tyler Eichenholtz and Asher Soaringeagle. I look towards Valerie Rook and Rei Koizumi. They are the strong ones, not me. They are the ones who have dealt with, and are dealing with, things that most people couldn't handle. I see six strong heroes in them, and seventy six more behind them." He turned back to the front. "I vouch for Valerie Rook, and that she is a hero, someone worthy to be pardoned fully, and whose past deserves to be forgotten."

Tyler walked up to the microphone. "I don't know how I can follow up that amazing speech by Da'vion." He began, a faint German accent seasoning his words. "So all I will say is that I will vouch for Valerie, and I'll leave the rest to my class rep, Asher." He looked down towards the edge of the stage as Asher climbed up the steps.

Asher took his spot behind the podium. "I don't know if I can follow up Da'vion either. In order to understand why I'm here, there needs to be some clarification. Not many people know this, but now the world will know. I am from Chicago. I've lived there all my life. I survived the Chicago Freeze. That was the spark that made me want to become a hero. After that day, I saw the world, as a friend of mine put it, in black and white. I grouped people into two categories, heroes and their supporters, and villains and their supporters, and in my mind, those two groups were so divided that no one could switch sides. I held that view for a long time. But now I see something different. That just because a person was in one group, doesn't mean they can't be brought into the light. During the attack on the sports festival, from what was told to me, and as previously stated, Valerie fought hard, harder than almost anyone else. She fought with more passion, more grace, more determination." He looked to Valerie, who I could tell was trying her best to hold herself together. Tears brimmed in her eyes, her lip was slightly curling, and her hands were shaking. "When I look at Valerie. I see the eyes of someone who is more determined than even me. I see the eyes of someone stronger than me, in ways in cannot comprehend. I see the eyes of someone who is deeply loved by those she calls 'family'. I see the eyes of a valiant person who has been strong for so long on her own. So I'm here today to declare that from now on, I will vouch for Valerie, I believe that she should be fully pardoned from any wrongdoing."

With that, Valerie, lost it, tears began to fall from her eyes, she bowed her head, as if in prayer, and held her hands out in front of her. I rushed over to her and pulled her into a hug best I could.

"Thank you." She sobbed into my shoulder as I held her, I could feel her gloved hands on my back.

"I would do anything for you." I whispered into her ear.

That day, the hero community was changed forever. I felt it in my bones, in my soul, that this day would be one of the most influential days of our lives.

I leaned into Valerie, and joined her. Tears fell from my eyes as everything that had led up to this moment flashed in my mind as clear as day. The horrible vision that still plagued me. Asher's eyes in a terrified panic when we were attacked at the sports festival. Cheyenne unconscious in her chair, metal blocks restraining her. Ashton suspended in that weird cocktail, barely alive. The day when Valerie's hands bled, when she destroyed a city. The anguish in her pouring out. Then there was the second attack. I could feel Soren's grip against my arm. I remembered the smell of smoke. I watched as that horrible, horrible vision played out before my eyes. I can still hear the echoes of Asher's pained voice in the hospital as he said that Alana and Kiarra had died.

It was time for us to be weak. We had been strong, and we would continue to be strong, but right now, right here in this moment, being strong meant nothing.

Now was the time for tears.

"Thank you for speaking with us today, Mr. Koizumi." Droned Agent Rassmuson, the NAHA worker was dressed in a neatly pressed business suit, a royal blue tie was around his neck. On the table was his badge, a gold shield with a blue ribbon accents above and below. He was, naturally, a US branch member.

"Of course." I said, knowing that this was all formality. I looked over to his partner, a Hispanic woman from the Mexican branch who hadn't bothered to give her name, her black hair was tied back in a bun, a dark green tie around her neck. I found that the color didn't really suit her. "But is the polygraph really necessary?" I looked over to the third and final member of the integration team: a tall yet stocky man from the Canadian branch. His dark russet hair extended down from his head to form a carefully trimmed beard, a dark red tie accented a light grey suit.

"Unfortunately, it is." Answered Rassmuson flatley. "In a case as sensitive as this, knowing the truth is an absolute necessity."

I was stuck in a room in the admin building. The room was bare, the only thing besides the four of us were the table, a few chairs, and a camera.

I let out a slight sigh. The polygraph rig was a little annoying, and with it on I felt trapped in my chair more than ever before.

"Please state your name." He ordered.

"Rei Koizumi."

Rassmuson looked over to the Canadian, he nodded that I was telling the truth.

"What is your birthday?"
"October sixteenth."

"Now tell us a lie."
"I'm so glad I'm hooked up to a polygraph."
"That was a lie." Announced the gruff voice of the Canadian.

"First question, did you ever suspect that any of the traitors were traitors before the incident last weekend."
"No." I answered, no reaction from the Canadian.

"Were you ever friends with any of the traitors?"

"No."
"Did you dislike any of the traitors?"

"Yes."
"Why."

"Soren and Brook were bullies. They took advantage of their classmates."

"Did you ever suspect that Valerie was lying?"

"No."
"After Valerie revealed her past, did you lose trust in her, in anyway?"

I paused, I could see the arms of the polygraph slowly begin to move. "No."
"That's a lie." Said the Canadian.

"Yes." I admitted. "I lost some trust in her. But it was gained back."

"He's telling the truth."
"Do you want to kill any of the traitors."

"No." I lied. I knew it was a lie, I knew there was no point in lying, but I did anyway.

"That is a lie." Echoed the Canadian. It was a massive lie. The polygraph had gone crazy.

"Why do you want to kill them?"

"Because they killed two of us." I hissed. "I didn't want to originally, but as time went on, as the events with Valerie played out. I saw too many of my friends hurt by these people. But I also know that killing them won't solve anything."

Rassmuson looked towards the Canadian, he nodded that I was telling the truth.

"The best way is to make them pay through the legal process. Do I want to kill them, yes, part of me does. But that isn't the way."
"Do you suspect that Jasmine Fregoso could be a traitor?"

"No. Why would I think that?"

"Well considering that they are from the same state, and one of them was a traitor. It is very possible that they could be linked."

"That is absurd. Jasmine didn't like either Soren or Brook."

"Did any of the villains make you an offer?"
"Soren asked me if I wanted to join them."

"What else did he tell you?"

"After I refused, he said that he would enjoy being the instrument used to remove the cancer that was the hero community, starting with us." I let out a tense breath, knowing exactly what something so violent, so gruesome, would look like.

The Agent Rassmuson gazed into my eyes, it was like he was picking apart my brain with his mind. I wondered what he saw in them, would he find strength, or would he find fear. "Thank you for your time. You may go."

Asher

"Please state your name for the record." Instructed an agent with a royal blue tie.

"Asher Soaringeagle."

"Are you part of a Native American Tribe?"

"What does it matter?"

"Just answer the question."
"Cherokee Nation."
"How did you register?"

I let out a sigh. "I was born into the tribe, my Dad was full blood."

"Did you ever form a friendship with any of the traitors?"

"I had Eli as an acquaintance, I counted him as an ally, but not a friend."

"How do you truly feel about Valerie Rook?"

There it was. The question I knew they were going to ask. "I think that she has changed, and that she wants to stop the people she once called allies. But I also feel that she was holding back before this point. She still sees some of the people in the organization as friends. So I'm still very much unsure about her at the moment."
"Do you consider Rei Koizumi a friend?"

"Of course. In every way." I answered. "He was the reason I said what I said today."

"Do you worry that maybe there are other traitors lurking in the lower classes?"
"That is a genuine concern, yes. But if you were to ask me how to find them, I wouldn't have a clue."

"Do you want to kill any of the traitors."
"I would be lying if I said I didn't have the slight want to."
He stared me down like a falcon sizing up prey, and I felt like I was an open book, anything he wanted to know was readily available. "Thank you for your time."

Haru

"How nice to see you again, agent Rassmuson." I quipped as the interview began.
"The polygraph is most definitely working." Teased Agent Gillian, the Canadian working the machine.

Rassmuson gave Gillian a sidelong glance. "Considering we already have a lot from you, this is going to be short."
"Perfect."
"Do you think that Valerie still sees some of her villain allies as friends?"
"From what I heard during the first attack. She most definitely does."
"Do you think she will ever turn back?"
"Not in the slightest. She has beaten herself up so hard because of what she did. She would never go back."

"Do you want to kill any of the traitors."
"No." I lied with a smirk on my face, knowing that the polygraph would be going insane.

He stared into my eyes, just like the last time I saw him. It was just as unnerving how he seemed to read me like a book. "Just get out." He sighed.

"With pleasure."

Valerie

"Please state your name for the record." Asked Agent Del Rey, a soft spoken Hispanic woman. The American or Canadian agent sitting at the polygraph didn't give their names.

"Valerie Rook."
"Your legal name."

"That is my legal name." I insisted.

The agent let out a sigh. "According to what government?"

"Italy." I answered. "As I am an Italian citizen, and because my father was a US citizen, I have dual citizenship."

Del Rey glanced towards the Canadian, who confirmed that I was telling the truth. Of course I was. I had no need to lie anymore.

"Please state all names you have had or currently have."

"What order?"

"From birth to now."

"Cordelia Valerie Aurelia, Angel Rook, and Valerie Rook."
"Please repeat the first one."

"Cordelia Valerie Aurelia."

"She's telling the truth." Announced the Canadian.

The agent looked at me skeptically before moving on. "Did you suspect that any of the traitors might be connected with your past organizations."

"Yes." I answered. "I had my suspicions after the attack on the sports festival. I did some digging and found that no one reported them with their group, and they weren't in the gym with the rest of the students."

"Did you put Jasmine Fregoso among those in question?"

"No. I found that she was with a group from a lower class."

"Did you know of an attack on Defender that was planned before you left the Chess Pieces?"

"No. I left at the age of fourteen, it was almost three years ago. There were no plans to attack a hero school then."

"Did you know of the plan to attack Chicago, also known as the Chicago Freeze?"

"No."

"Do you know the name of any other villain groups working with the Chess Pieces?"

"No. During my time, it was just us."

"Do you know of any major attacks or plans?"

"The largest plan that I ever heard about was that we were looking to unite other villain groups, but none were ever mentioned."
"Do you know the identity of the one who leads the Chess Pieces."

"Only by the name he took: Oliver Pawn."

"Where is the Chess Pieces headquarters located."

"I don't know." I said, my mind thinking of something nice, like a warm day or a nice cappuccino on a sunny afternoon. Just because those poor kids followed a villain didn't mean they were villains. They were simply trying to live their best lives.

There was no reaction from the Canadian, which means I beat the machine.
"Who controlled him?"

"A woman with jade green scales, dragons horns and wings. Her eyes weren't human, they were solid dark jade, and her pupil was so black that it seemed to swallow light."

I saw her face go pale in fear. "For God's sake tell me she's lying."

The Canadian shook his head. "It's the truth."
"Why? What's the matter?" I asked confused.

"Cause if your leader is who I think she is, then we have a much larger problem then just Defender." Answered the American agent as he reached for a phone. As he looked back towards me, it felt as if we were communicating without words, he could understand me, read me like a sheet of music, just as I could see through him. It made me wonder what kind of past he might have, maybe he wasn't so different from me.

"Like what?" We both knew what the other was thinking, but I asked anyways.

"Every single major hero school is in danger. From Canada all the way to the Bahamas."
"Then that means that Defender High is a testing bed." I realized.

The agent nodded in confirmation, his eyes full of panic and fear, his mind was laid out before me, he was more scared than he had ever been in his life. He was scared of a person I once called 'Mother', and now I don't know what terrified me more: The fact that I was nothing more than her lab rat, or that I had once even considered her human.