Danny stared at his darkened ceiling in thought. Ebony Angel had been a hero once, before Frank Richards died. She had helped people without asking anything in return. It was amazing how easily a person could change. He renewed his vow to never turn evil and sighed.
Elsewhere in the house, a door closed with a resounding bang. Danny counted slowly to twenty, then floated into the air and flew through the wall. Angel was to be sent back to California the next day; this was his last chance to talk to her. If he didn't take it, he felt that he would probably regret it.
He went invisible as he entered the prison and scanned the cells. He finally found her in Administrative Segregation, sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor. To her credit, she didn't even flinch as he materialized before her. "I was wondering if you were going to show," she said quietly.
"Angel," Danny almost pleaded. "You don't have to be evil. I know that guy you were talking about killed someone who was close to you, but that doesn't mean you just give up on everyone."
She tilted her head. "Wow," she said, completely deadpan. "I never thought of it like that." She stood and folded her arms. "Don't you even try to preach to me, kid. I failed this job, so your dad's been cut loose from my snare. But you better watch your back from now on. No one, but no one, wrecks my Sweetheart. As soon as I bust out of here, I'm coming back for you."
Danny jerked backwards as though her anger was a physical force, then, without so much as a goodbye, went invisible again and flew through the ceiling. He honestly thought he could save her. He honestly thought she was just misguided, but she was exactly who she wanted to be. Maybe she was right, and he was just too young, but he did not understand at all.
Wisconsin. Home of cheese and the Green Bay Packers. Home, as well, to one Vlad Masters, who paced the floor before his fireplace in a fury that matched the flames. Ebony Angel was supposed to be the best. She should have had no trouble dealing with Jack Fenton, even with Danny's interference. And yet, Jack was still whole and hale.
All evidence suggested that, if anything, he had underestimated Angel's abilities, yet she was beaten by a fourteen-year-old boy. Was it possible he had underestimated Danny? Should he have given Angel more weapons?
No, that wouldn't have helped. She didn't use half of what he supplied to begin with. Actually, considering all she had to fight with was a plasma gun and a visor with ghost vision, she held her own really well. Maybe next time, she would be more inclined to utilize the plasma rifle and ectogrenade launcher he supplied.
Maybe she hadn't taken care of Jack, but she now had a vendetta against Danny. Of course, Vlad would continue to supply her. And who knew? Maybe one of these days, she would earn the other half of her payment, after all.
A/N: You guys forgot the epilogue, didn't you? I always write epilogues. Okay, I'm going to try to continue to update every day, but I've got an Okage: Shadow King epic that I need to finish, so don't be surprised if it turns into every other day for a while.