Episode I: The Road to El Dorado

Part 3: Rise of The Band

"I really appreciate you helping me get some fresh air." I told Armsmaster, who walked besides in full armor as I buttoned up the warm coat I had been borrowed.

Draw a line cutting the city in half that ends in the middle of the bay, perpendicular to the coast line. Along that line, go a kilometer and a half in and draw a point. That's where Leviathan was frozen. Use that point as the center of to circles, the first with a radius of about 2km, and the second around 3km. The inner region was being referred to as 'Center Not', while the surroundings (area between the circles) were the 'Coast'. Absolutely no one but those with the highest security clearances were allowed inside Center Not. Inside the Coast, though, a large military encampment took place, completely isolating the inner region.

A blockade right in the middle of the city had taken place in order to make sure no one could interfere with Leviathan. A No-Fly Zone had been established over Brockton Bay too, to reinforce their efforts. High Command, and by that, I mean the Dept. of Security had completely taken control of Brockton Bay over the time I had slept. Every single communication was intercepted by numerous groups in the name of security. We had the NSA and CIA on every fucking corner, since they had in the span of days installed a net of cameras and security check points through the streets.

However, that added security brought a lot of annoyances. Help for those in need was going slower than it should. Food, medicine—really, any form of supplies took a long while to get to those who were depending on it, and the media had made sure to complain. The government was having none of it, and the rest of the country, and world, didn't really give a fuck. I couldn't really fault them. With Nilbog's threat that Leviathan could escape in a matter of weeks, the government, the army, and the intelligence agencies were running around the clock in order to make sure Leviathan stayed put where he was, and the world would thank for one less Endbringer free in the planet.

Naturally, as I was quite in the spotlight and would soon embark to my own end, I was finding myself with trouble to even breath. I woke up yesterday, and since then, I was put to questioning, put in a container with a manfrog, tripped through my past lives, put through more rounds of questioning, and ran a series of tests to confirm my physical health and capabilities. After that long day, I had asked the higherups if it was possible for me to leave the quarters and stretch my legs. I was going on a suicide mission on a couple of days after all, and enjoying what could be my last hours alive wasn't really an unreasonable request. Even less so when I was risking everything to save billions of people.

I didn't have an easy time convincing them though, and ultimately, Armsmaster had been the one to decide matters. He took my side, and since he had done so, the higherups decided he would be the one to overview and escort my relaxing walk. I could sense a bit of animosity between the parties, and I wasn't sure why. I mean, the PRT heroes were clearly stressed after having their entire chain of command and routine broken apart by the government and the army, but it was even worse when it came to Armsmaster. He wasn't just mistreated on by army, the PRT too seemed to be having a bit of a issue with him.

"No problem." He answered simply, and I noticed his voice wasn't being modulated. It still sounded like a computer, but it wasn't toneless. You know? I think he had something more to say, but I didn't press for it right now.

We kept walking along the rubble. The street we were one was once wide. It had two traffic lanes for each way and comfortable sidewalk for pedestrians, but now, after Leviathan, the leftovers of the battle blocked much of the path. Any car would have to zigzag, and it would surely be enough time for a driver to get sick. That also meant that as I was walking, I couldn't really shut my brain off and follow along automatically. I actually had to pay attention on where I was stepping. It was definitely not an ideal scenario, made worse by the thin layer of snow which hid some of the debris.

"You know what would be good?" I kept looking forward, my steps careful, taking in the details of a place whose look was completely out of a warzone. "The Boardwalk on a Tuesday afternoon, right after lunch. It's empty then. Ever been there at that time?"

There was a few seconds of silence before Armsmaster said anything. "Yeah. A few times, but it has been a while. It is nice, and better even when the sun is out but the wind manages to cool you just enough."

I nodded. "Definitely." I would welcome the sun at any time since I hated snow, but it's not like I had a problem with the temperature if it kept Leviathan one more day restrained. We kept going for a while after that, and we kept ourselves to the Coast. They didn't even wang me inside Center Not, fearing I wouldn't control my powers and somehow sabotage the prison I had left Leviathan in. Soldiers would pass by in trucks and cars as they did their patrols. A couple of Blackhawks, or what looked like them, also passed over low. With most of the high buildings reduced to rubble, they weren't really worried about crashing into one.

"You didn't seem bothered by the fact they had you walk with me." I shared my observations, keeping an eye attentive to Armsmaster posture. "Even though everyone was talking about me like taking a dog for a walk."

"I was curious about you." Armsmaster told me, not missing a step as we walked side by side. "You have a lot of power Mr. Flores."

I smiled cheekily. "Envious?"

Armsmaster didn't bite the way I thought. Instead, he simply confessed, "Which hero would be? But most of all, I'm worried."

I nodded, stopping my steps in the middle of the empty road. "I am too. There are better people out there than me."

"Nevertheless, it's you who can do these things. No one else." Armsmaster pressed as he stopped his steps too.

I started walking, "Unfortunately."

"Is this about Nilbog?" He wondered. "Are you afraid?"

"Of course I'm afraid, but that's not what this is really about." I tried to explain, but my brain wasn't doing a good job at choosing the right words. I tried to form sentences in my head, but quickly threw them at the back of my head just as quickly as I came up with them. The tinker besides me, fortunately, kept himself silent, letting me think. Eventually, I managed to find an acceptable start. "Even though I've lost everything—my family, friends, life—even though the gain is so ridiculous, to kill an Endbringer, I just… don't want to risk my life. I don't want to die."

This time, Armsmaster was the one to stop first. "That's okay. That's the fear that keeps us alive. You gotta remember, kid, that you can always live to fight another day. If you die, then your legacy is sealed up. What you've done, it's done. What you haven't, never will."

I shook my head. I understood him, but I had the feeling he didn't understand me. I was no hero after all. "But if that fear stops you from acting, what is it good for?"

The hero shrugged. "Take the specific action of stopping that from happening. When I'm tinkering, numerous concepts go through my head, but only those which I work to make real ever become more than just a blueprint. If something is failing, isolate the problem and fix it."

I put a hand under my chin, "How do you fix cowardice?"

I hadn't been keeping track of where my and Armsmaster eyes had been looking, but after that question of mine, we didn't take stop gazing into each other. I couldn't see his eyes through his mask though, but I felt them for sure. He was judging me for those words. For a moment, I was worried Armsmaster had been somewhat offended by it since I may not have phrased it properly, but he did seem to be thinking over it seriously. After a few seconds, he sighed and turned his face to watch another Blackhawk to pass by.

"Only recently I've really started to think about the people I've been fighting to put behind bars." The tinker confessed, and his voice seemed to be carrying some embarrassment, "One thing I've noticed is that, between heroes and villains, the difference that separates those who will see justice through the bitterest end from those who fight against the noble action is a kind of inspiration. It is one that you can only gain from seeing and understanding the end of your actions. But if thinking about others isn't enough to make someone move, Mr. Flores, I would ask them if at least they can move for their own interest. That's the first step."

I appreciated that he kept the third person, even though I didn't feel like I deserved. People looked at me with unreserved hope for something I couldn't really own up to. Korra had done it, not me. I had ben an instrument, and she had been the actor. She had taken action, not James Flores. If people really knew the sham I was, they wouldn't bat an eye at me. Oh, this reminded me:

"What were you curious about me?" I asked the hero besides me.

He didn't miss a beat. "I was curious about the man I'm coming to hell with."

I rose my eyebrows, "Excuse me?"

"Actually, El Dorado." He corrected himself. "That's the codename we are using for safety to refer to Ellisburg. James, I want you to recommend my name as your escort."

"Why?"

"Because I'm still a hero," he told me, his voice full of vigor, "and the only cape whose escaped that monster alive. I should go. I have to."

"I… don't think I have any problems with that," his reasoning seemed sound, but incomplete. There was something I was missing, a key piece of information that was relevant, and yet I was ignorant of it. "Armsmaster," I started realizing something wasn't right. "Did you help me isolate myself so we could have this conversation in private?"

He nodded. "Yes." He answered immediately. Well, he was honest at least, and he continued after he understood I was waiting for some insight on why. "I made a mistake during the fight against Leviathan. I was complacent, and my prejudices blinded me a little. More than it is acceptable—"

"Do I have to worry about anything? I mean—are you worried about compensating for anything, or can I trust you completely to accomplish your duty, that you have your eyes in this mission—in this objective only?", and I added shortly at the end, "Which is coming back alive, by the way. Just saying to make sure we have the same priorities."

"I can guarantee you that will be the case." The tinker answered resolutely.

"What you mean with 'the triumvirate isn't available'?!" I asked louder than I intended. Actually, it was just a loud as I wanted. I was furious. "You don't actually think we are coming back at all!"

I was in General Hammock's office together with the man himself and the PRT National Director, Ms. Costa-Brown. Here, I where supposedly receiving a rooster of approved options to take with myself to Ellisburg, along with a list of the most optimal and safe combinations in order to improve security along the trip. I mean, that's what is was supposed to mean, but no matter how I looked, I couldn't help thinking I would be safest with the triumvirate.

Unless, they don't think this will be successful in the first place.

"Until this day, we are not fully aware of the extent of Nilbog's powers Mr. Flores." The general explained from behind his desk, "We cannot take a risk such as this. Triumvirate may have become synonymous with invincibility or supreme adaptability, but as always, powers do have their weaknesses. Brute force, though attractive, isn't enough to solve al problems, and certainly not what's required in a diplomatic mission."

I facepalmed in disbelief, "This is the most unamerican thing I've ever heard from the military."

"The General is right, Mr. Flores." The woman in the room spoke, her voice less harsh than the general's, "There's an inherent risk to this mission that does not necessarily need to be taken. This is not about taking Nilbog down, that's not a can of worms that we need to open right now. It's about getting in, and not even stealthily, following the rules Nilbog sets, and leaving. That's all. There's little reason for Nilbog to put any of you in danger. In fact, he can only gain from helping you, and he can gain a lot if he behaves."

I pinched my nose. "You are trusting a madman to be reasonable."

"Nilbog is unstable, but capable.' The general interjected after sipping a cup of coffee. I think it was coffee, since the smell was pretty strong inside his office. "Nilbog's smart, and he's kept for himself after all these years. He wouldn't have come out and reminded us of his existence if he didn't have enough to gain. And the best out of this, is that he's expressively guaranteed your safety—"

I raised a hand as a reflex, like I was back in class arguing with a professor, "He's not guaranteed the safety of my escort. Wouldn't I need people who can take a punch?"

Neither the general or the PRT director spoke immediately, and when they did, Costa-Brown beat Hammock to the beat, "It is not clear Nilbog's limitations. A worst-case scenario where he can hurt the triumvirate still exists. We can't allow that."

"And what does Alexandria have to say about this?" I spat. "She was right there with me fighting tooth and nail against Leviathan. Is she fine with this?"

For a second, I could swear Costa-brown had flinched, but when my eyes came back to her, I saw her pristine posture and realized that had to be impossible. "Her hands are tied in this matter." The PRT director told me.

I shook my head. "Fuck you." I said with no strength at all. "I'm putting myself out there in a way no one here would dare. Like being stuck in a cage with a lion, and I have no idea when was the last time the lion had lunch."

"And you have no idea how thankful we are." General Hammock tried to appease me, but I wasn't feeling it.

"Sure. You know, I pay attention to people. I might be young, be a kid in your eyes. After all, that's all you call me. Kid this, kid that-but that's okay. I get it. But I also get that since I met Nilbog's messenger, you've been looking at me like I'm one of his monsters." I was fuming.

From what I had heard, no one could make sense of hat had happened inside that closed container. Apparently, the data made no sense at all, and I had no proof of my short trip through an interdimensional outer world. It's like nothing had happened, so imagine their surprise when I told them I wanted to go to Ellisburg. At the end of the day, all they could muster is that somehow I had communicated with the creature, and although they had become hopeful with me accepting the mission, they had gotten just as suspicious.

And they hadn't said anything since I spilled my thoughts on the matter out loud. My patience was running thin.

"Can I take Armsmaster?" I asked dryly.

Costa-Brown was the one to answer, "Sure. Which duo are you thinking of? Chevalier? Dragon?" Perhaps—"

"I want Skitter. Definitely Skitter."

None of the adults were happy with my suggestion. The general sipped his coffee again, probably to help swallowing my suggestion. "If we hadn't just left a discussion where you were fighting to get a triumvirate on your escort, I would think you had a death wish."

I shook my finger as a negative, "She was the only one who stood with me against Leviathan. The only normal cape who actually had the fucking balls who remained in the fight—who didn't just let others handle the problem despite the clear difference in capacity." I was spearing my finger against my other palm with each sentence. "I understand, her powers are a bit shit, but she made it work. Through thick and thin, she fought her way out. Sure, she didn't have the firepower to actually have my back, but I know she would've tried. I trust her."

Costa-Brown sighed, "She's technically a villain."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, I've asked around."

"Then you understand that her relationship with Armsmaster is, at best, strained, right?"

I shrugged, "And does it make a difference? We are up against Nilbog, but if everything goes alright, there's no need to go up against no one. No need to fight."

"None of them will accept." She pressed impatiently. "You don't even know if they will actually agree in going to Ellisburg at all. Armsmaster, I don't know if you—"

"He's gone there already." I interjected. "Yeah, I know, he told me. We've reached an agreement and he has accepted."

Costa-Brown cocked her head. "Does he expect having someone from the triumvirate with you both, as you did in the beginning of this meeting?"

I didn't answer immediately. "I will have to check." Well, I knew Armsmaster did expect such, but I wasn't going to tell her. I would just work it out with him somehow.

"Rebecca," the general said, and both of us snapped our heads to Hammock, "let him try. I would prefer having someone I trusted with a pistol, then an unknown with a machine gun."

"That's not how powers work!" she hissed.

The general merely crossed his arms and gave her a knowing smile. "I know."

Tense silent seconds passed by.

"So, where can I find Skitter?" I asked them.

Costa-Brown looked at me with tired eyes. "The girl has actually turned herself in."

My eyebrows went up. "What?"

"I haven't really looked into it very hard, but that's pretty much it. She is in a pretty bad state. She doesn't leave her cell, doesn't eat—that sort of stuff."

"Do we know why?"

These were the first Costa-Brown words related to skeeter that didn't dripped with skepticism, "Yeah, her father died. She doesn't have any family left."

I took a look at Skitter's files, also know as Taylor Hebert. She had some adventures in the Undersiders—robbed a bank, crashed something like a fundraiser, the typical minor villain stuff. I remember the news about the bank. Having Panacea and Glory Girl both in a fight did sell newspapers after all. She hadn't really hurt anyone, and it sort of corroborated with the latest news: that she was trying to act as a spy between the PRT and the Undersiders.

And she had left the Hospital after intense arguing with Armsmaster. Her plan was outed in the process, she left, but come back after learning of her father's death. Must have been awkward now that I think about.

The PRT agent took me to her cell. The building was an older one, used before the PRT had its HQ over the water for some of its lower level villains in custody. It had been fortunately spared by Leviathan. Once I got to where I wanted, he opened the door, let me in, and closed it behind me.

Taylor was sitting in bed, back against the wall, and although her head was first pointing downwards, the moment the door closed behind me she looked up and our eyes met. I gotta say, talking with capes who didn't have a mask felt somewhat weird, even though I had no reason to feel that way. I hadn't spoken to many heroes after all.

"James." She muttered my name.

I raised a hand in a hello gesture. "Hope I'm not bothering you." She didn't say anything, so I kept going. "I did come here for a reason, but that can wait." I walked up to her bed with no hurry. "Can I sit?" She nodded and took my place almost on the other side of bed. "How you feeling?"

She cocked her head.

"I mean—I've read your file, so… I know. It's shitty." How was I supposed to talk about dead parents? I couldn't even speak about mine without tearing up. Oh, Taylor nodded, that's something. I pushed my luck, "You know, he would be very proud."

She kept eyeing me for a few seconds. "You are not very good at this, are you?"

Ouch. "Yeah. You got me."

"Why don't you tell me why you are really here?" she told me, and I felt the skepticism in her voice. This was dangerous. It was quite possible that she wasn't in the right state of mind to accept a suicide mission. That was just unacceptable.

But Armsmaster had given me the answer on how to approach this. Honestly, it wasn't very different from the real world, you know, where capes… aren't really part of your life. Honestly though, capes are still people, so of course this is familiar.

"I'm here because I believe in you." I did my best to sound honest, and I didn't have to make a lot of effort. I really did believe in her… to a degree.

She actually chuckled. "If I wanted a shitty inspirational video, I would've just watched Rocky again."

"I'm not even offended by that. That's a fun movie. But the point is, have much have you heard about Nilbog?"

She frowned. "The lunatic from upstate New York?"

I nodded. "There's only one. So, he's invited me over to his house for a tea party."

She squeezed her eyes, and I saw she was confused.

I actually explained this time. "He wants to teach me how to permanently destroy Leviathan."

"Why doesn't he do it himself?"

I shrugged. "We don't know. Apparently, his powers are still a bit of a mystery. We don't know his strength and weaknesses as well as other S Threats."

"OK," she nodded, "What does that have to do with…"

"He told me I can take two escorts, if that made me feel safer." A small lightbulb turned on over my head. "Know that I think about it, I could probably take only one, but still. If I can take two—"

Taylor rose her hands. "Wait—you want me to go with you?"

I bit my tongue and nodded. "I trust you. I understand that there are people who disagree with me, but I see you as a hero. You were there fighting against an Endbringer with me and Alexandria. God, how old are you?"

She hesitated, "Fifteen."

"Look at that," I exclaimed, "not even sixteen and you've faced Leviathan. Even survived to tell the tale—"

"Do you actually think, had my father known the truth, he would be proud of me?" She asked me suddenly, bringing forward a matter from the beginning of our conversation. This matter was clearly important, and I could relate.

I nodded firmly. "Without a shred of doubt."

"I," she had difficulty to start, "I—I wasn't a hero while he was alive, and—" I nodded, but maybe that wasn't the right thing to do, since she didn't continue her trail of thought.

"Ok, you should know, before considering, that Armsmaster is the other escort." She wrinkled her nose. Yeah, she didn't like that one bit. "I'm aware of the latest happenings, but you need to know that Armsmaster is one of the few capes who's survived Nilbog. If we ever find ourselves in danger, which again, should be improbable, he could be instrumental."

"It seems to me that I'm the one who doesn't fit the profile then." Taylor concluded. "Armsmaster is more important for the mission than I am, and I could bring instability that could be critical."

"Yeah…" I admitted, but held on. I knew what to say. "But you are missing an important factor. How much of a hero someone is: having you on my back gives me peace of mind. At the end of the day, isn't knowing I have someone brave behind me what makes me feel safe, or anyone for that matter? You fought against that Endbringer ready for worst. Hell, you had only Alexandria and myself to protect you from any collateral damage, and I'm sure both of us were quite unreliable. But you stuck by, and you made those bugs work."

I remember enough of the battle to say that. I could be exaggerating, just a little, but it was within a believable range for my brain. Unfortunately, I couldn't prod a stronger response from her. Instead, she threw me this simple question.

"Is Armsmaster okay with this?"

"Yeah." I gave her a thumbs up and a smile.

She didn't seem very convinced, but she didn't press on.

I stood up from her bed. "I know this is a bit rushed, but you have until tonight, preferably by 11pm to send me an answer. The guards will help you with that."

The guard on the other side saw me approaching the door of the cell. He was unlocking it as Taylor sent me one last question, her voice echoing against her empty walls

"If you were in my place…" her voice was uncertain, "…done the things I did. Say it your parents found out today, what would they think?"

I sighed. "Today? I don't know. Leviathan drowned them."

Alright, now I had to get a handle on Armsmaster and I prayed for him to go along with the slight changes.

01/29/19

A/N: Did I say three weeks? Ops, I meant the next day. Had the time and the ideas, so here you go. This time though, don't expect a chapter in a while. Those three weeks actually mean something this time. Also, sneak peak wasn't exactly the real thing. Not going give you the whole thing before the actual chapter, right?

Note on Nilbog: as you have gotten to know, Nilbog's powers here are different that in the original Worm. You may have deduced that that he can affect not only the material world, but the spiritual world too to create minions with spiritual connections. This will be explained later, and his power does have limitations on what it can do and can't. Nevertheless, compared to cannon version, he is more dangerous and versatile. Armsmaster and Piggot are still part of the leftovers, despite there being differences in Nilbog's abilities. This has also changed slightly how bad things went after he triggered and wiped off Ellisburg. Spoiler, it made things worse, enough that sending the triumvirate isn't clearly a good course of action. Of course, there are other factors that impede the triumvirate from going to Ellisburg, but they haven't been revealed yet, and neither are close enough to mention them in a a/n.

I'm sure people are trying to figure out how all the gangs in Brockton Bay are holding up after Leviathan and the intervention of the army and federal government. Thing is, with Leviathan still in the city and the entire world judging Brockton Bay to not fuck up a chance to get rid of an Endbringer, the big players are silent. There's crime from the gangs, but the powerful players are in the background. No one wants to be the one guilty of freeing Leviathan after all. Can you imagine? There are also rumors going around that any disruption of the security around the city will instantly get you a kill order for putting everyone at risk. So, villains are biding their time, but not just waiting still. They are certainly readying themselves.