Static twisted his head to look behind Vladimir. "Did you hear something?" Vlad shook his head.
"Nyet. What do you think about our suggestion?"
"I don't know…I mean it sounds great what you're school is doing…and what you guys are doing." Static added. "Using your powers to help people and all. It's a full time job for me and Gear—and Rubber Band Man—to cover Dakota City alone."
"You do excellent work." Vladimir said honestly. "There are probably more super-powered beings here in Dakota per capita than just about anywhere else."
"Thanks. I like to think that there are people out there who can bring out the best of even the Meta-Breed…and with the FOH and Purists starting to set up shop in Dakota it may be for the best to have Metahumans have some place safe to go…but I don't know. Call me paranoid but this seems almost too good to be true."
"That's because it is." A feminine voice interjected. Vladimir and Static turned around to see Althea and the Misfits arrive.
"Hey aren't you those army mutants that work for GI Joe? The Miscreants?" Static asked.
"That's Misfits." Althea said. "Though we could just as easily answer to both. We're here to warn you, you're being tricked. Those are the Hellions. They work for the Hellfire Club, a group of rich, powerful beings working for world domination."
"That's a lie!" Vladimir said hotly completely ignorant of the fact that Althea was telling the truth. Static looked from one to the other. They both certainly seemed sincere…
"The only thing they want the Metahumans for is foot-soldiers and recruits." Althea said. "They're also working for Cobra."
"The terrorist organization?" Gear blinked. Static turned to Vlad, who met his gaze and said nothing.
"COBRAAAA!" Came the cry from the rear as the Dreadnoks road in, firing almost at random, not caring who they hit.
"Idiots!" Vladimir cursed as Jacques telekinetically shielded themselves, as well as Static and Gear, from the bullets.
"With friends like them who needs enemies, huh?" Static asked Vlad as he powered up. "And with friends like those on your side…you can definitely count me as an enemy." Static said, electricity crackling between his palms.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way." Vladimir answered. "Vortex!"
"On it!" Vortex yelled as she opened a portal behind the Hellions. Dashing inside, they left the Misfits and Static and Gear to battle the Dreadnoks. The portal opened up inside the special prison for Metahumans.
To say their appearance was a surprise would be an understatement. The guards were disarmed within minutes, leaving the prisoners flabbergasted.
"Who are you?" The shadowy metahuman called Ebon asked.
"We're your ticket out of here." Vladimir said evenly. He raised his voice. "Unless any of you want to stay?"
"Are you nuts? Get us out of here!" Hotstreak urged. Vladimir nodded.
"Very well." He nodded to Vortex who concentrated and opened a portal inside each of the cells. "Once you enter the portal you meet someone very powerful and influential. I suggest you do as she says." Vlad said, leaving it clear that anyone who didn't would shortly regret it. Half a minute later, the prison was emptied of all Metahumans.
"Mission accomplished." Vladimir grinned. "Right now the Bang Babies are at the Massachusetts Academy where Miss Frost will be introducing them to their new purpose in life." He had no doubt that she could talk to them, convince them that they could do greater things than simply rob and steal, and pick fights with Static—whom Vladimir still hoped would one day be an ally. After all, Miss Frost had managed to talk Vlad and his fiends into playing superhero and fight the Misfits.
"Do we go back to base?" Amira asked.
"The Dreadnoks are still fighting Static and the Misfts." Takashi pointed out.
"Should we go help them? Or leave them behind?" Rodriguez asked.
"As tempted as I am to leave the mercenary scum to the get their butts kicked," Vladimir sighed, "It won't do to leave allies behind on the battlefield. Vortex, take us back to the part." He sighed again. "I guess it's the stupid nobility that comes with being a hero. Makes me almost wish I were a villain."