Chase will taste some mental control, while VILE will discover his inner strength.

Tigress, Paper Star and other VILE agents barged in the hall of the hotel. Chase and Zack switched on their rods which emitted worrying sounds. Meanwhile outside, Carmen managed to free herself from Shadowsan's grasp.

" Carmen come on !" he said.

" No. There is no way I'll turn my back on the man I love." she firmly stated.

Her crew plus Julia blinked. So she said it out loud. Not like they didn't already know or suspected it. Carmen didn't wait for their answer. What could they reply to this anyway? That's why she turned heels, hastening her steps to rescue him. If they DARED to touch just one single hair … they will know what true fear is.

" Hey where is Zack ?" noted Ivy right after her leader left.

The two other adults rounded eyes. It seemed they couldn't leave yet. Carmen arrived on the battlefield first. Zack was there too, to her surprise. The men were keeping the VILE agents at bay. When everyone was about to resume the fight, some sort of roar froze the fighters. A red form snatched crackle rods from both Chase and Zack's hand. Insert sounds of pain, fighting and electric noises. The men blinked in confusion. They recognized Carmen, who appeared to be in fury mode. Anyway, Sandiego just beat the crap out of her opponents, who might not even realized what the heck happened. This done, she turned to Chase and Zack.

" Now let's go." she said.

Both stood, petrified, as she passed near them. After exchanging a glance, they shrugged and followed. Just when other cars appeared.

" Did someone say on social networks that a party was going on here or what ?" commented Chase.

But he got serious when he recognized the cars. Carmen and Zack immediately fled, while he didn't move. ACME. Time to reveal himself. Zari went out first, followed by Chief and two more agents. He smirked mentally : all that was left of this organization.

" Devineaux ?" said Fraser.

" Himself. What brings you all here ?"

" What do you think it is ?" replied Zari.

He just had a smirk. They stared at each other. Tamara was surprised to see him here, where Miss Sandiego had been rumoured to be. Was he tracking her as well ?

" Oh ? Even since we're supposed to be illegal ?" retorted Devineaux.

" That is certainly temporary. Catching Carmen Sandiego will restore our reputation." informed Chief.

" Is that so ? But how ?" questioned the man.

" Help us with this and you'll know."

Chase pondered this. Should he continue spying for Carmen ? That woman was up to something. Julia remained with Carmen, so she should be fine and he would be informed. However, this woman who used him as a bait was infuriating him. Also, the French realized that Chief didn't ask him directly what he was doing here. What if she was suspecting him of being a traitor ? What if it was a trap ? He couldn't take the risk. He had to be here for Carmen. So let's try to fish for some intel.

" I don't want to be arrested because of this. What guarantee do I have ?" he pointed.

Chief was wondering for a while who benefited from the crime the most. She never forgot that he took a bit too well being used like that. Unless he was planning revenge. A revenge which goal was to destroy her agency. If he was behind this, then she would be lying by saying she wasn't impressed. Fraser would have severely underestimated him. She had trouble figuring out how he managed it. She managed to get back in her HQ, only to discover that whoever did this, covered its tracks pretty well. Fraser also inspected her servers. Nothing there too. In other words, she had no proof.

" Don't you trust me ?" replied the woman.

Huumm … how could he say that politely ? In the meantime, Carmen reached her team. Bianca was here, with her brother, inside of a van. Shadowsan was holding the door open. Ivy crossed Onyx's look, and stiffened. While everyone was getting in, Bianca frowned.

" Where is Chase ?" she asked.

Carmen just noticed his absence too. Exchanging a look with the Italian, she ran back to where he was.

Sirens resonated. Several police cars broke in. They immediately ordered ACME to surrender. Chase lifted his hands, crossing them on his head. Carmen and Bianca watched him following the policemen along with ACME.

" What is going on ?" asked Sandiego.

" I'd say caught in the act of doing something illegal." replied Bianca.

" Does that mean Chase is in trouble ?" wondered Carmen.

The cars were leaving.

" Technically he should be fine. Now come, we must take you into safety." concluded Bianca.

Carmen wasn't thrilled to leave without him. But she had no other choice. Bianca drove everyone to a hideout.

" How are you feeling, Miss Sandiego ?" asked Julia.

The Latina had her forehead leaned on her hands. She was feeling like a part of her was missing. Worried about Chase. Wanting to be in his arms for comfort.

" Fine." she let out.

Yeah right. Everyone glanced at each other. Ivy put a hand on her shoulder. Carmen sighed and straightened. Not a good time to be defeated. Chase will be fine. He was backed up by Interpol. She'd see him later for sure.

" I am, don't worry. I know he'll be okay."

She got some smiles in response. On to more serious matters, they debated on how they were discovered, and above all, how to get rid of the culprit. It was Roundabout for sure, certainly warned about the investigation on him. Julia carefully kept the evidence, preventing it from being erased for now. Player was online, announcing something about a huge heist in London. Carmen had a smile : this was the perfect occasion.

One hour after being taken in custody, Chase walked out. François from Interpol informed that the police had been warned by Onyx, surveying it all. Chase kept informing the hacker about his every move, for cases like this. Now that Fraser got arrested, he shouldn't have to worry about her for a while. His superior confirmed that they would handle her from now on. It was time for him to join the others. Devineaux learnt that the VILE operatives escaped too. That worried him. Wouldn't they try to localize Carmen ? He called Onyx about this.

" Hmmm, I think you're right. I don't know if they were conscious when we arrived earlier. I'll transmit the message." said the young one.

Chase was about to hang up, when he felt a presence. Being in contact with evil so often made him able to sense it. And that was precisely what he felt right now. At the other end of the line, Onyx heard sounds of fighting. He was about to call for his colleague when he stopped. Better localize the call, so he shouldn't flag his presence. He pinpointed the place, just when it went silent. Onyx gulped.

" Chase ?"

Nothing. That was it. He hung up, then called.

" BIANCA !"

This alarmed not only his sister, but everyone else too. The first ones to arrive were Bianca and Carmen.

" What is it ?" questioned Bianca.

" There's trouble. I was in conversation with Chase, when I heard the sound of a fight. I'm afraid something happened to him."

Carmen closed her eyes. She KNEW she shouldn't have let him alone. Of course he was targeted by VILE. She shared her worries.

" So let's rescue him without delay. Miss Sandiego, what do you think they'll do with him ?" said Julia.

" Use him as a bait. Or reprogram him to turn him against us." answered Carmen.

" Mister Shadowsan, where is the closest place to do that ?" continued Argent.

" Hmmm … There's a lab belonging to Bellum in Wales. They'll certainly bring him here." revealed the man.

" I'll call backup, when we're off." concluded Bianca.

Carmen felt relieved to not be on her own for this. Bianca indicated where they were heading on the way.

" Hold on Chase, I'm coming." thought the Latina.

The French regained his senses. He was tied, as he noted when feeling a rope around his wrists. VILE operatives were staring at him. He recognized the same who kidnapped him some weeks ago, when he was part of Carmen's team. Devineaux fought them wildly. He glared at them, and had the pleasure to see them gulping, even Tigress stiffened. Her stomach where he punched her was still aching.

" I see you completed your mission." made a voice.

Bellum made her entrance. She stopped before Chase, with her mad scientist smile on the face.

" Brunt is right, you are good looking. But me first : I'll use you to test a new device. If conclusive then I'll hand you to her." she announced, showing a microchip.

Bellum asked El Topo to bring the man on a table. Chase straightened right at this moment, literally gushing forth, hitting the man in the forehead. La Chèvre held the inspector by the shoulders, only to collect a hit on the head too. Tigress intervened as well. Only Paper Star didn't move.

" Don't hit him on the face ! Brunt really insisted on this !" exclaimed Bellum.

Devineaux avoided a first punch. Turning, he sent her a kick on the back. Sighing, Bellum took out a taser. Chase shouted before collapsing. El Topo dragged the inspector unto a table, put him on the belly then tied him. Bellum approached. She ungagged him, since it was a hindrance for her operation.

" What is it supposed to do to me ?" interrogated the French.

" This is a device that will enhance your anger and your body. Transforming you in a real war machine. Your will is mostly going to depend on my mood." helpfully offered Bellum.

Chase opened his eyes wide. He'd become a monster. Someone who could hurt dozens of people. A puppet, deprived of his will. He could … he could arm friends. Like Julia, Zack, Ivy, Bianca. And worst of all. He could hurt Carmen. He gulped. No. He had to resist no matter what. Devineaux felt a sting in his forearm. Damn ! He was about to be swallowed by darkness.

" We'll see … about that."

His vision got blurry, then dark. One hour later, Coach Brunt arrived with a conquering step. Maelstrom and Cleo were present as well, to see if this device could be used on more people, to create a real army.

" So where is my sweet Frenchman ?" asked Brunt.

" Did you just put makeup on your face, or is it me ?" asked Bellum, perplexed if not shocked.

Red on the cheek, outrageous red on the lips and dark for the eyes. Seeing this as well, La Chèvre, El Topo, Tigress and Paper Star startled, before carefully looking elsewhere to avoid a burst in laugh.

" Careful Coach. He's still wild." warned Saira.

" What do you mean, doctor ?" asked Gunnar.

" I've got trouble controlling him. He could turn against us."

Slams coming from a closed iron door could be heard. Bellum realised at his awakening that mind control wasn't working so fine. But since no one ever resisted, she figured she'd vanquish his will as well.

" You mean he resists your mind control ?" questioned Cleo, pointing at the door.

" More or less, yes." said Bellum.

" Doesn't matter ! I'll tame him in no time." made Brunch with a greedy smile.

" Don't forget that my device increases violence and fighting skills. He could very well beat the crap out of you. So I suggest letting him face Sandiego first." replied Bellum.

" Agreed. It would be stupid to be defeated now by our own creation." said Maelstrom.

" But ! I've already faced bulls and wild horses, I can control him." protested Brunt.

" Don't be impatient will you. See this as a way to put you in an appetite." smiled Gunnar.

" Yuck." commented Cleo and Bellum.

A roar resonated, with a louder slam. The faculty exchanged looks. In the meantime, Carmen was heading for Bellum's place, worried as never. What were they doing to him was circling in her head. She imagined the worst, could hear him screaming, saw him being tortured, hurt, begging his torturers either to stop it or finish him. She even imagined him moaning for her to come save him.

I'm coming my love, I'll save you.

She could hear Bellum's sadistic laugh, her voice telling her it was too late. That Chase was now an operative programmed to fight her. A burning hate was battling with her stress.

" Don't worry Miss Sandiego, no matter what they're doing to him we'll take him back." assured Argent.

" Jules …"

" She's right. Don't underestimate his resilience and will. Chase had the strongest of both." added Bianca.

" But he never faced something like VILE. This Bellum is an expert in mind control and can even turn someone evil." expressed Sandiego.

" Don't. Take. Him. Lightly." insisted the Italian.

Bianca tried to be assured, but she was worried too. Carmen breathed. She had to be confident in this. She needed all of her will and skills to rescue Devineaux. She would torture Bellum personally to fix him if necessary. Shadowsan announced that they were there. Everyone got out. Carmen prevented herself from running inside of it. They were certainly expecting her. The group advanced with caution. Shadowsan opened the door. They walked in.

" It's quiet. Too quiet." said the Asian.

" And too easy." added Bianca.

Suddenly, as they were in the middle of a vast room lights switched on. A screen appeared, showing the faculty. Brunt was pouting on a corner of the screen.

" Welcome, Carmen and co. We were waiting for you." spoke Gunnar.

" You're about to be part of my new experience. The birth of a new kind of warrior." added Saira.

A back door opened, revealing a silhouette. Bellum pushed on a button. The silhouette approached.

" Chase." huffed Carmen.

He was wearing a skinny blue tank top with a red V all over his torso, and blue trousers. Pieces of red fabric around his wrists also adorned with that letter. His eyes were dull, empty. Carmen spotted two daggers at his belt, a crackle rod behind and several throwing knives. She glanced at her former family with dark eyes. They WILL pay for this.

" Now, you better provide us some good entertainment." concluded Saira.

She pressed another button, activating Chase. He tensed, his eyes gaining a cue of green. A growl exited his throat. The man rushed to the team, unsheathing his daggers. He attacked all of them at once. The sound of fabric being teared resonated.

" He's very fast !" exclaimed Shadowsan.

He tried to block a dagger, but got cut and barely avoided his arm being pierced. The Asian felt a burn on his thigh. Bianca came next, fighting with a dagger too. Onyx hurried the siblings and Julia to get out of here. Chase made Bianca's dagger fly, then kicked her in the stomach before turning to Carmen, who sent her feet to his wrist to disarm him. She failed, as he kept a good grasp on his weapon. He replied by a violent return kick that sent her on the ground. Chase dodged a hit from Shadowsan by leaning down, turning around to finish with an elbow to his nape. Devineaux jumped to kill him. Bianca went back to the offensive, stopping a dagger from reaching the unconscious Asian. She dodged a blade from cutting her cheek. Noticing Carmen coming back, he lifted Bianca by her belt and launched her with one hand.

" OOOF !"

Sandiego pushed the brunette when Chase tried to kill both of them. The dagger cracked the ground. He shot Bianca a backhand so fast she couldn't dodge it. Shadowsan jumped, feet ahead. Chase sheathed a dagger, grabbed his feet before turning twice and sent him against a wall.

" That's awful, what can we do ? We can't just simply stay here and wait !" exclaimed Ivy.

" But Chase is too strong for us. During our training he kept beating me." reminded Zack.

" Calm down. We just need to figure out how he is being controlled. Then maybe we can cut it short." said Onyx, looking through a window.

He saw Bellum with a remote control in her hand. Meaning Chase must have a device on him. To be able to control him like that, it could be a microchip. He shared his thinking.

" So you mean we have to scramble the signal to free him ?" summarized Julia.

" Worth a try. I need to figure what kind of frequency she's using." replied Onyx.

Inside, Chase was successfully fighting three opponents at the same time. They received numerous cuts, punches and bruises from him, and failed to disarm him. Devineaux was dodging them with agility. Not only that, but he made them fly like bowling pins.

" He doesn't even seem out of breath." noted Shadowsan..

" Stamina. The other great asset." said Bianca.

Carmen tightened her jaws.

" Chase ! Please come back to your senses ! Don't let them control you !" she exclaimed.

Bellum sniggered. She pressed another button.

" Enough playing. Kill them now." she ordered.

" Raaaaargh ! Nnnnngh waaaah !" roared the man.

An expression of pure rage appeared on Chase's face.

" Chase ! Hear me please !"

They couldn't even scratch him, he would have no trouble killing them. However … he didn't move. He was shaking like jelly, but didn't obey. Bellum tilted her head.

" GO I said !"

Instead of rushing to kill, Chase turned his head to them. Narrowing his eyes, he sent a dagger to the screen which shattered and shut down. This done, he ran with astonishing speed to the door from where he entered. Jumping on it, he smacked it.

" What is he doing ?" asked Cleo.

Yells of pains and fear echoed to them. Gunnar stood up in a jump.

" He's coming for us !" he exclaimed.

The door got destroyed right at the end of his sentence. Chase's green eyes stared at them. He snarled, baring teeth at them.

" Well well ! Taming time it seems." smiled Brunt.

She stood up.

" No wait !" called Bellum.

Devineaux began by launching several pieces of the wooden door, all sharp. Brunt wiped some and grinded the rest.

" Come to mama bear, sweet face." she said while approaching.

Chase sent a dagger she caught mid-air. However, it was just a distraction as he took out his crackle rod. He missed her by a hair. Brunt widened eyes as she saw hairs flying. Looking at Devineaux, she realized he was already in front of her, his arm in movement to stab her. Brunt caught his forearm. Chase made the blade jump and caught it with his other hand. Coach threw him away. He pirouetted in the air and landed on his foot. Bellum pushed several buttons, attempting to take back control. But the only result she obtained was to lure his attention. He rushed to the rest of the faculty. Brunt interposed. He took support on her. His rod crackled before a lightning bolt destroyed the desk. Turning his rod, he made it encounter Brunt's fist, while sending a dagger to the others. It nailed Saira to the wall behind, by her sleeve.

Brunt fell, knocked down. Bellum shivered. He was focused on her. She was experiencing the fear of the creator whose creature just turned against it. Chase rushed again. Gunnar had the time to shout to flee.

" Saira stop him !" screamed Cleo.

" I can't ! He's completely out of control !"

" But how can he resist your mind control ?" asked Gunnar while running.

" He must possess one hell of a strong will ! That's why I couldn't completely manipulate him." replied Bellum.

Lightning hit a wall as they turned. Down in the room, Carmen, Bianca and Shadowsan saw the faculty barging in. They stopped for an instant, while the guards were sent to stop Chase.

" No !" exclaimed Carmen.

In the corridor, Devineaux heard them coming. He bounced on the wall then suspended himself at the ceiling. The guards stopped to localize him. He let himself fall on the ground. His rod electrocuted everyone to death. The ones who exited theirs received his knives. This done, he resumed his track.

" He's back !" exclaimed Cleo.

Saira summoned a robot. Chase spotted it from the corner of his eye.

" So are you done ?" wondered Ivy to Onyx.

" Patience, bella. Almost done." he replied, finishing assembling a control box.

" Hey, something is happening here." announced Zack.

Looking through the window, they saw Chase battling a robot.

" What is he doing ?" wondered Onyx.

" It appeared … that he's going out of control. He's now attacking VILE." understood Julia.

" Then good for us isn't it ?" said Zack.

" Depends. How are we going to get him back to normal if he kills them all ? It could damage him." said Onyx.

In the meantime, Chase landed on the robot after dodging each of its attacks. A dagger opened a lid behind, then cut lots of cables inside. The machine just fell apart.

" Chase stop this ! Please I'm begging you, come back !" yelled Carmen.

He didn't listen. Other guards arrived. Chase waited for them. He sheltered behind the robot. A first throw of knives diminished their number. He grabbed a rod which he turned against his owner, leaned to stab another on his feet before piercing his belly. Two rods in hands, he made them back away. Devineaux took cover behind a machine before counterattacking and electrocuting all of them. The faculty fled. Only Team Carmen remained. The man turned his gaze to them. He pointed a rod to them. Shadowsan interposed before Carmen.

" CHASE !" screamed Sandiego again, in a desperate voice and attempt to reach him.

" Grrrwwaaaaah !" replied the man.

He shook again, letting a rod fall. Could it be that he was fighting ? Onyx entered. He was about to send an EMP to stop Chase. He roared again, raising a dagger he literally planted in his neck. Carmen screamed in horror. Was it Dr Bellum's last resort, auto-destruction mode ? He winced in pain and whined, before taking the blade off. Something bounced on the ground. The green disappeared from his eyes.

" I can't believe it. He took off the device that was controlling him on his own." said Onyx, astonished.

Chase fell face on the ground. Carmen rushed to him. His nape was bleeding.

" Didn't I tell you. Strongest will ever." made Bianca, collecting the microchip.

It had been implanted in his nape, directly connecting with nerves and brain. Julia heard Interpol coming, and directly went to them to report. The agents invaded the place, searching for evidence or prisoners. Chase was patched, then carried away to the hospital. Julia explained the whole thing to the Interpol leader. Carmen sneaked in the ambulance, where a male nurse wanted her to get out. The dark and defying glare made him shut up. Later, everyone joined her to check on the man. It was now night, and the team was kinda exhausted. After some examination, Devineaux was confirmed to be okay. A relief at least. Carmen was sitting on the mattress, his hand on hers. She gently caressed his head. A tear fell on her face. It was her fault. Her fault that he got hurt like that.

" Miss Sandiego ?" called Julia.

She offered her a mug full of chocolate. Since she didn't know what she liked, she opted for chocolate. Carmen rubbed her eyes and took the cup.

" Rest assured, he'll be fine, knowing him." nicely said the brunette..

Carmen closed her eyes, tears escaping from it.

" It's my fault. They captured him because of me once again."

" Once again ? You mean … when they kidnapped him before …" pointed Julia.

" Yes. VILE baited me with him, believing he was my partner back then."

" Oh, so you were here to save him." understood Argent.

Carmen nodded. But now, with her feelings in the balance it was worse. She passed her hand on his cheek.

" What should I do to protect him ? I won't stand it if he's hurt again."

Tears cascaded on her cheeks. Julia took her mug and put it away, while Carmen let her sobs out. This awoke her friends who went to comfort her.

" Carm. Hey." said Ivy.

" Is something wrong with Chase ?" asked Zack, concerned.

Julia replied that no, just Carmen's worries for him. The young woman didn't want to show that, didn't want to cry in front of everyone.

" Oh Carmen, come on. We're your friends, your family, we're here to support you and comfort you. You don't have to hide your feelings all the time." said Ivy.

" Thanks Ivy. I just don't want to cause worry about me." whined the Latina.

" We will always worry about you Carm. Because we care about you. And if you allow me to be honest : it reassures me to see you shedding some tears and emotions. It proves that you're human, that you care and are not just a robot." made Zack, rubbing her back.

" Hiding your emotions, keeping it all inside isn't good, Miss Sandiego. You have to evacuate them before they consume you. Or explode." added Julia.

" Well … the fun fact is that was Chase's job when he was around." said Carmen.

Julia rounded eyes. He really integrated back then. All of this must have done the trick to conquer the red thief. Sandiego calmed down a bit, and confessed what bothered her : how to avoid Chase to be in danger. Should she flee somewhere else ? When all that she wanted was to be by his side ? Just the idea of leaving him was aching. Carmen couldn't help but explain what the siblings witnessed : he was able to reassure her, to appease her and understand her fears. Cheering her too. Carmen sighed.

" We understand he's precious to you. But knowing him, he'd search for you in hell or in the moon if he had to." said Julia.

So no running away. Julia added that VILE certainly understood that they wouldn't be able to control him anytime soon, and given what it cost them, shouldn't attempt anything else. Maybe Julia was right, thought Carmen. Argent concluded by advising her to get some sleep. Sandiego agreed, sitting on a chair near the inspector, tending her legs. Later during the night, the young woman awakened. A hand was coming and going on her head. Carmen was sleeping on the edge of the bed. They left a lamp switched on.

" Chase ?" she called mid-voice, straightening.

" Hm ?"

" You're awake ! How are you feeling ?" she asked.

" My nape hurts like hell. What happened ?" wondered the man.

Carmen told him everything in detail. Chase rounded eyes. Yes, it was coming back to him. The sting in his arm. They put something under his skin. According to Sandiego, he ended it by turning against his kidnappers, before stabbing the microchip to free himself.

" Did I hurt you ?" he inquired.

" Just some bruises. But you were being controlled. It's not your fault. Rather mine for not preventing this from happening." she said.

" No it's not. I told you previously you can't always win." made Chase.

" Still. I think it's not a good idea that you stick around. This could happen again. Thus …"

It was hard to say. But it was for his own good.

" I don't want you to follow me anymore." stated Carmen.

" Alright."

That dumbfounded her, and saddened her. She expected some resistance, some opposition. Did it mean he wasn't caring about her in the end ?

" You … you agree ?" she questioned.

" No. I just won't take your opinion into account, be deaf and all. I simply said yes so we can close that topic once and for all." he said casually.

Carmen didn't know if she should laugh, be angry or touched he insisted to remain around her.

" I'm serious Chase."

" That makes two of us."

She let her head fall on the mattress with a loud sigh. The man smiled, before letting his hand stroll on her hair again.

" You're so annoying, you know." she moaned.

" You too. What's so difficult to understand ? I won't let you down, it's too late anyway, and in addition you're a real problem magnet." he retorted.

" What ?!" she exclaimed, lifting her head.

" Care to prove me I'm wrong ? Go ahead." he smirked.

" You're lucky you're already wounded, you know !"

Chase had a laugh. Carmen grumbled, her head on the mattress again.