Chapter 13

Two weeks later.

"Hey, thought you could use one of these" Estel walks forward, handing over to Adam a hot mug of tomato soup. Given that it is now mid December, the temperature has dropped rapidly with heavy snow settled outside.

"Thanks," Adam half heartedly smiles, taking the mug carefully from her hands.

"It's only a matter of days until our attack. But I gotta admit I'm worried…" Estel frowns.

"Why? We've been over the plan again and again! We're at the fittest and readiest we've ever been! This definitely helps!" Adam insists, holding up a used syringe with a gold star on it.

"Be careful! I know you have to rely on it but you know how messed up that shit is…" Estel remarks with caution.

"These powers I got, if it means using them to help the city and do good then I'll do whatever it takes. I'll be ok and so will you. I've told Cherry and Sammy they're only going as far as the concert hall until Washi is dead. Not beyond that if the twins escape."

"I understand. This might as well be a suicide mission and they're still so young.."

"It doesn't have to be…" Adam whispers, taking her hand.

"Of course it is!" Estel snaps, pulling away. "Currently as it stands, we don't even have enough resources! Yeah we can stop the city from going under this time, but there aren't enough of us compared to the syndicate and corrupt officers! Especially now that…." she shakes her head, halting her sentence.

"Now that what?" Adam raises his eyebrows.

"Two of our best fighters are out of action…."

Adam replies, "Blaze wants to fight alongside us and she will if she has to."

"It's not her I'm worried about," Estel sighs, glancing defeatedly over towards the front security door.

"All I can do is keep trying to get through to him. Axel hasn't been himself since that night at the hospital seeing Visser for the first time in years. This is just his way of dealing with it. Almost 10 years in the wilderness does that to a person!" Adam shrugs.

"Well let's hope that he snaps out of this little phase soon. We need all the help we can get in saving this city!" Estel folds her arms with agitation in her voice.

"Daddy!" Cherry shouts, running towards them.

"What's wrong? It's 2am. Why are you still up?" Adam replies concerned.

"I can smell smoke again… I think the shed is on fire this time". The look on Cherry's face is one of pessimism rather than panic. Plus she is annoyed at the fact that she has been woken up again due to the same issue for the third time this week.

"Wait here!" Adam huffs before running outside into the open field.

As soon as he steps out of the apartment complex, he can smell fire in the distance about half a kilometre away. On top of this, more of the construction site outside the block and it's equipment appears to be missing.

"Hey Ax, don't you think it's a little late for all this?" Adam catches his breath. It clouds up in front of him in the darkness due to the -3 degree temperature.

"The coldest time is the best time to train this." Axel bluntly answers, projecting another firebolt towards the shed in the distance.

"Fuck! I've never seen your fire reach that distance before!" Adam looks on, pleasantly surprised and intrigued.

"33 feet is my record. I'm tryna get to 40 though…"

The two fighters walk across the snow and ice towards another area of the field further away from the apartment block which is barely lit in the distance.

"So how long did it take for you to set this all up?" Adam stares around in shock at the sight of metal frames, targets, wooden structures, punch bags hanging from trees full of iron as well as barrels of paraffin scattered around. All of which are organised in an array of one large training course.

"About 15 hours" Axel casually replies.

"How much sleep did you get over the last few days? And where are you sleeping?"

"Does it matter anymore?" His friend gives him his eye contact, acknowledging Adam for the first time since their conversation began.

"Leon and Blaze, all of us, we're worried about you man. All this training and solitude, it's not normal. I know seeing your father was a shock but…"

"Thanks, but I lived in the wilderness for almost 10 years and survived on my own. I think I can look after myself". Axel then lets off some steam, kicking away at one of the punch bags hanging from a tree, filled with iron bars.

"How much longer do you think you'll stay out here then?" Adam queries.

"Is there an emergency?" Axel frowns, pausing his late night training for a moment.

"No, it's just…"

"Well I've asked everyone, including you, to let me get on with this on my own. Worrying about me or anything else ain't gonna change the fact that the syndicate and Visser are still out there. Just know that I'll be ready when that fight comes our way. He's a dead man".

This time, Axel delivers a fast array of punches which burn with fire, engulfing the heavy bag alight in flames.

"Ok, I'll leave you to it then…." Adam shrugs.

"Like I said, don't bother me again unless it's an emergency" the fighter replies, regaining his focus again on the punch bag.

"Alight. I'll leave you alone, but on one condition"

"Yeah? What's that then?" Axel raises his eyebrows, feeling annoyed.

"You come back, even if it's only 15 minutes. Leon misses you! And Blaze, she won't talk to any of us, she needs to see you".

Axel stops, then walks forward towards his friend, pointing his finger. "Let me tell you something! Whatever you think, I'm doing this for them! If I don't get my shit together, Leon and my unborn kid won't have a father and they won't have a future of their own."

"And where are you now, huh?" Another voice in the distance starteles them, echoing through the air after hearing their conversation.

"We haven't heard from you in almost 7 days! You're so fixated on killing him that you forgot about what really matters!" Blaze steps forward, appearing in the light next to the flames.

"Go back home, it's freezing! you shouldn't even be out here" Axel orders.

"Home? You think this is my home?" She laughs sarcastically for a moment, shrugging at him until her facial expression turns into one of defeat.

"I'm here for you, but you've changed ever since we got back that night from the hospital. I thought that despite everything, there'd be a part of you that was still happy. But you're not and I'm struggling right now to bring you back…" she shakes her head.

"I told you, I'm dealing with this. Now go home!" He turns away from her, ready to focus once again on his powers.

"Blaze, he's right you need to get back inside now" Adam sighs.

"Yeah, I'm pregnant but will you both stop treating me like I'm fucking helpless? Remember how many times I was the one who saved both of your asses! Now if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to my husband, alone!" Blaze insists, folding her arms.

"I ain't got time to talk right now, just go home!" Axel shakes his head, ignoring her.

"Well then I'm standing right here in the freezing cold until you talk to me!" Blaze demands.

There is a short pause between them until Axel decides to break the silence.

"Ok, fine. But we're going inside" he huffs before starting the five minute walk back to the apartment block.

Blaze gives Adam 'the I told you so' look as the two of them follow Axel close behind.

Once they are back inside the block, it is a huge relief as the heaters are all switched on.

"I'll be upstairs if anybody needs me" Adam says, leaving the couple alone in the downstairs canteen kitchen where it's quiet.

"I saw that look in your eyes. It was the same look you gave Ron when you wanted to kill him for betraying you and the same look that you gave Mr X before we killed him. You're power is out of control because you hate him so much…."

"You don't know what you're talking about! I'm just trying to protect us, can't you see that?" Axel argues.

"No, it's more than that! You'd really go as far as killing your own father wouldn't you?"

"You saw what he did! What he's planning to do with Leon…"

"I won't let you do it! You've lived with that guilt for far too long and it almost destroyed you".

"Do you have any better suggestions then? I have no choice!" He shrugs, pacing up and down next to the worktops.

"Our team is already outnumbered. But I'm ready to fight again and I'll kill him for you." Blaze replies with determination in her voice.

"Are you out of your mind?! Do you even remember what you went through two weeks ago when you almost lost the baby? No fucking way!" He snaps.

"I fought and I killed a Yamato warrior by myself when I was pregnant with Leon. My powers now are even stronger than ever. I can do this and I've made my mind up".

"No You're not fighting this time, and that's my decision too!"

"If I don't fight, we're dead! All of us! I'm not ready to sit back and watch you, Leon and my friends get killed".

"But you'd kill your own baby right?"

"That's not fair! I thought you understood why I was hesitant to go through with this", she argues, feeling saddened by his reply.

"Fair?! You wanna know what's fair? The fact that you kept that shit from me for days and you we're ready to have an abortion without telling me!"

"I'm sorry… I was wrong for hiding that from you and I made a mistake. Leon's going through so much right now, I was scared….. Is that why you're shutting me out?" She asks, reaching for his hand but instead, he pulls away and turns his back towards her.

"I was wrong, and I regret even thinking about it. All I can do is apologise, I just didn't wanna hurt you. But now I realise I want this baby as much as you do and moving forward is all that matters…."

"Maybe you were right. You, Leon and this baby deserve better. All I can focus on right now is the fight and killing him. Before I met you, I never intended on having a family because I knew they'd have to live with this power. It's a curse, not a gift, you know that! I got this power from him….". Axel replies, looking down at his tightened fists with guilt whilst leaning against one of the worktops.

"But you're nothing like Visser! And whether you like it or not, your real family is still here. You must have forgotten, but it's Leon's 10th birthday tomorrow. He's been wanting to see you all week. Just snap out of this and come back to us." She pleads, reaching for his arm once again.

"Just give me some space…" he turns away from her whilst resting his hands over his head.

"Look, I know I made a huge mistake keeping a secret like that from you, and I regret it so much. But know that, in the end I wouldn't have gone through with that abortion. I'll never betray you like that…"

Suddenly and unexpectedly, in a split second and moment of rage, Axel's right fist lights up then it crashes into the kitchen cupboard, shattering it's frame into pieces. The glass instantly breaks in front of him whilst Blaze can't help but freeze in shock, staring up at him holding her breath. She stands there with her back against the cupboard where his fist has narrowly just missed the left side of her head.

After a traumatic pause, he cuts out the flame next to her then pulls his fist away from the shattered structure, realising what just happened. After seeing red, the past couple of seconds felt like one huge blur for Axel, where he lost control of himself and his power.

"Shit, are you ok?" He catches his breath break, gently pulling her forward away from the burning cupboard. His heart races with fear that he's done something to harm her or the baby.

"I'm ok. I'm fine, see?" Blaze nods to his relief, thankfully not burnt or cut anywhere on her body.

The two of them immediately wrap their arms around each other.

"I'm so sorry. This is why I had to stay away on my own since we got back. I'm so sorry, I could have hurt you or the baby…. I'm a mess…" he explains with tears in his eyes, breaking down whilst hugging her tightly with his head buried next to her neck.

"It's ok and we're ok. You're nothing like him, remember that…" Blaze replies, staring up at the ceiling with her ear resting on his shoulder as the two of them share a long needed hug. "Everything is gonna be ok, we'll get through this I'll make sure of that" she promises.

"I love you so much, I'm so sorry I never wanna hurt you…." he breathes heavily, not letting her go.

Suddenly out of the corner of her eye, Blaze notices Leon quietly standing behind the edge of the doorway. He stares blankly at them in shock with smoke appearing from the boy's tightly clenched fists.

"Hey! Are you guys ok? We heard a loud noise from upstairs and could smell fire…" Floyd and Adam quickly appear on the scene from the other side.

"Everything's ok. You know what I'm like when I don't get my own way. I took it out on that cupboard over there but I'll fix it tomorrow…" Blaze jokingly nods, giving Leon her eye contact before the boy quietly disappears in the distance to return back upstairs.

"You two ok?" Adam cautiously asks.

"Yeah, he's finally moving back in from outside…" Blaze forces a smile.

"Good, I'm glad. We need you here man!" Adam nods at Axel who remains silent.

"Goodnight…" Blaze says.

"Night.." Adam replies, noticing Axel's bleeding fist as the two of them quickly walk away hand in hand...

"Everything is set, 4 days early I might add!" DJ K Washi proudly smirks, standing in front of his decks with his arms folded.

"Radio, TV and all major streaming services for the city. It will only be a matter of minutes until this place is in our full control!" He explains.

"Your work here is almost done for the night then…" Mr Y cheekily grins, seated with his feet up on his desk.

"There was something that I wanted to ask…" Washi responds with some hesitancy.

"If you must…"

"The vigilantes we're expecting. How do you want me to handle it?"

"Don't you worry about that. My sister and I have almost 400 fighters, officers and crew in position to retaliate. They won't get in the way. On top of that, once the concert is finished, we will then have the entire city under our control so they won't stand a chance. My plane will be on standby. You're coming with us" he smiles.

"I'm looking forward to a vacation!" The DJ pulls off another grin with the lower part of his face displayed under his helmet.

Unexpectedly, Steffan Visser bursts into the office, interrupting their concersation like a raging bull.

"We need to have a chat, about your sister and our arrangement!" He aggressively says.

"Well first off, I don't appreciate you letting yourself into my office at 2am. Secondly Sir, what do I call you? Briggs? Visser?.. Something else?" Mr Y sarcastically shrugs.

"I'm serious!" He answers, glancing hatefully over towards DJ K Washi so that he leaves.

"Take a seat then Mr Old Syndicate!" Mr Y jokes "...I'll call you in the morning", he smirks at Washi as the DJ swiftly makes his exit.

"I just wanna make sure that sister of yours sticks to her word!"

"Like I said, the boy will remain unharmed. Your own plane will be ready following the concert. It's the perfect distraction! Once we have your son and his friends in our custody, the kid is all yours!"

"There's more to this deal…"
"Taking Leon is enough. My sister and I will kill Blaze, you're forgetting that she's still responsible for the death of our father and her family killed our mother! You'll have all the firepower you need with the boy."

"There's something else though… I wanna see Estel Agguire before you kill her…"

"Let me guess, was she another one of your 'spies'?" Mr Y laughs.

"Something like that…"

"Look, you understand the strategy of divide and conquer is key to winning this fight. It won't be easy but someone's gotta take the wrap when this city falls. Let those vigilantes turn against one another."

"And how do you plan on doing that?" He queries.

"Come with me, I'll show you…." Mr Y replies, pouring each of them a glass of his father's favourite whiskey.

He then leads the syndicate's founder towards a secret door at the back of the office.

"You know, when we inherited this building, I never realised until years later that this was my father's favourite office" Mr Y explains. The two of them then walk down a large stairwell, several levels below the building until they reach a small enclosed lab.

"You remember my father's scientist, Dr Dahm, don't you? He's been in hiding ever since the Lima Nations war 12 years ago…"

"I remember…" Steffan stares at the aged doctor with little enthusiasm, clenching his fist.

"Once you have the boy in your custody, our doctor here will help you with your studies of his power. Dr Dahm is an expert when it comes to understanding human chi…" Mr Y laughs. "Oh, and this time I have my own gift for you. This also once belonged to my father…"

The young man excitedly grins,unlocking then sliding open a large metal gate similar to a cell.

"Axel!?" Steffan runs forward, pleasantly surprised to see a body lying on a stretcher.

"No, it's not your son. But this little project of my fathers intended to cause a lot of destruction amongst the city's heroes back in the day. You asked how we're going to divide and conquer, well here is your answer…" Mr Y proudly smirks.

"How did you….?"

"Easy! We still had traces of your DNA as well as 12 years ago when Dr Dahm stole a sample of Axel's blood that we had left. We used some of it to frame him but we held onto the rest. He's gonna take the fall for this city, leaving us in control".

"What is it, a clone? A robot?" Steffan's eyes light up intrigued, examining the dormant body lying there in front of him.

"It's called 'Break'. I hope you like my father's late gift! You'll know what to do with this when the time comes…."

Steffan coldly nods, signalling his approval.

"Divide and conquer! Let's raise a toast to your father Mr X…" the man raises his whiskey glass in the air.

"To fathers," Mr Y salutes, clanging their glasses together.