Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Seven

Author's note: Just a reminder that you'll need to read Seven Years: An Interlude (chapter 28 in Flames and Flowers) for the conversation between Gemma and Ex to make sense.

...

G paced, going over the plan once more in his head. He glanced at his computer screen where the plan was detailed, and as he looked up, he saw Bill coming towards his office. Locking his computer so the screensaver would start and hide his screen, G glared at Bill as he entered his office. "What do you want?"

"Well, hello to you, too. Wake up on the wrong side'a the bed, G?" Bill asked, raising his eyebrows.

"No. What do you want?"

"Well, I noticed your car here when I left last night, and I saw it again when I got in this morning. Just wantin' to check on you. Y'know, balance is necessary for work-life balance."

"You're worried about my mental health?" G scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I sincerely doubt that, so why don't you just tell me the real reason you're here, Bill?"

Bill held his hands up. "Honestly, just checking on you. How about I buy you a coffee? Black with two hazelnut pumps, right?"

G frowned. "How'd you know that? I only drink black here."

Bill shrugged. "It's my business to know things about people, G, even an old goat like you. Yes or no to the coffee?"

G couldn't see a good reason to refuse, especially if Bill was paying. "Sure."

"All right. I'll be right back."

Bill left his office without touching a thing and yet G still had the feeling he should sweep his office for bugs. Or bouncy balls.

He was still checking the floor - hardwood without a rug in sight to ensure things like this didn't happen - when Bill returned, carrying two cups of coffee.

"Here we are. You want to take the coffee or can I set it on your desk without you tasering me?"

"I'll think about it."

Bill laughed, jovial and joyful, and G couldn't help but smile in return. "In that case, y'all can take your coffee from right here."

G took the offered coffee, his hand brushing against Bill's, and he felt a warm feeling on his fingers that had nothing to do with the drink in his hand.

"Mind if I drink mine in here? I'm trying to avoid a meeting with E; he's been trying to get hold of me for days and if I walk the hallway, I know he's gonna get me before I've had caffeine."

"Get out of my office, Bill."

Bill laughed once more and gave a mocking salute with his coffee cup. "All right, you old goat. I'll be blaming you if E catches up to me."

G watched as Bill left his office and waited until he was out of sight before unlocking his screen and returning to the plan, sipping at his coffee.

Charlie waited impatiently for Bill to return, trying to keep an eye on their computer and make it seem as if they weren't actually looking out the crack in the door into the hallway. The door opened and Bill walked in, Charlie standing in the same instant. "Are you all right? Did you do it?"

Bill raised a hand. "Calm down, take a seat."

Charlie sat down reluctantly and waited impatiently.

"I did it; it's the smallest one I've made yet, and it barely fit the GPS tracker," Bill said, taking off his hat and setting it on the stand. "I'm just hoping he hasn't noticed anything, but if he comes after me with those horns o' his, y'all know why."

Charlie looked concerned, standing off their chair once more. "I'm going to listen in on his office."

"No, Charlie, you're not. He's a suspicious goat and it's bad enough he doesn't trust me anymore, I just... "

Charlie sat again, feeling like a yo-yo, and sighed. "He still loves you, Bill, he just doesn't know it."

"No, Charlie. It's different now. There's no love without trust, not with him, and certainly not with me."

"You'll get him back, Bill. Hourglass promised you would, remember?"

He sighed heavily. He remembered every part of that conversation with Hourglass like it was yesterday, rather than far too many years ago. She'd tried to get a job at the Super Bureau yet again and he'd been the green agent - newly lettered just a week prior - assigned to her this time around. They'd gone through the usual tests, not just to test her power, but also to get information about the future while the Super Bureau could without needing to pay her for the service. Then he'd put her through the polygraph that she'd already failed twice. She'd told him a future all right, but it had nothing to do with the world outside and everything to do with him: his family, his home, his job, and even his love life. He hadn't believed her, nor wanted to believe her, but she was right. She was always right.

Soon after, Bill had started to climb the Super Bureau ladder so he could reach down and help others, whether by pulling them up alongside him or setting them up on a higher rung than they were destined for, he ensured he was a friend to all and suspicious to few. He was one of the youngest lettered agents, and soon went from L to H to E and landed on B, just one step below Mr. A himself. Not all of it was thanks to Hourglass, but he could credit some of his larger wins to her.

He'd lost Agent G's love and friendship along the way, right around the time those memory and emotion altering machines were introduced to the Super Bureau, and while he could never prove anything, Bill knew those machines were the reason. It was difficult to make others agree with your suspicions and worries when they were no longer suspicious or worried about anything.

Hourglass had ensured he'd saved Charlie, and soon after, had had another meeting with him. She'd promised he'd bring the Super Bureau down around their ears, to make them pay for the things they'd done and put others through - not just himself, but regular citizens, and supers across the world, too. It was the only way he could sleep at night after some of the things he'd seen, done, and planned. Then she'd promised he'd get G back, too.

It was almost an afterthought rather than a promise, and Bill couldn't help but wonder how long he'd get G back for. Would the emotions and feelings return to him for the rest of his life, only a few days, or - worse still - barely a few minutes before he died in Bill's arms? He'd never been able to ask Hourglass because he was terrified of the answer.

"Did you get me a coffee while you were there?" Charlie asked hopefully.

Distracted from his thoughts, and no longer feeling thirsty, Bill set the coffee cup on their desk. "Of course."

"Thank you! You're the best, Bill."

"I know. I'll be in my office if anyone comes by looking for me. Unless it's E," he added, heading to his office.

Sitting behind his desk, Bill tugged his phone out of his jacket pocket and sent a text to Hourglass.

Bouncy ball is live. Good luck.

...

By the time the morning crowd had left, Gemma had sold enough jewellery to pay for a car outright. She didn't get a hefty commission, but a small percentage of everything she sold would be added to her bank account. Jewel had offered the extra incentive without Gemma asking, and she certainly wasn't going to turn it down, especially not at the prices that Gemstone's sold their jewellery for.

As she had expected, the feature wall was a talking point for most customers. The ribs and eyes were also fascinating for some. Either way, there were selfies galore and Gemma tried to stay out of the way for those. She knew what it was like to have unexpected people in the background of an otherwise perfect selfie, after all.

By 2pm the lunch rush finally died down and she had enough time to close the store so she could eat and have a drink. Putting up the sign - back in an hour! - Gemma ensured the glass doors were locked behind her before turning back to the building lobby, intent on buying something decadent and delicious from the bakery.

"Hey," Ex said with a broad grin.

Gemma felt her cheeks burning. Had it only been that morning when she'd woken up pressed between him and Baby? How had he snuck up on her so quietly, let alone so quickly? He hadn't been there when she'd turned to lock the door a second ago, she swore it?!

"Hello, Ex. What can I do for you?"

"Would you like to have lunch? With me?" Ex added, making sure to phrase it as a question.

After his many, many, many dates with women across the globe, he knew one thing for certain: most women hated being told what to do, especially if they were already planning on doing it.

"No, I'm just grabbing something from Ammie's and returning to the store."

Ex nodded. "All right. Ammie had someone try to rob her this morning, so she might be a little stressed."

Gemma had been gearing up to reject Ex's offer again, then his words sank in. "Wait, what?!" She hurried over to the bakery to check on her new friend, hoping Ammie was all right. She saw Sport sitting in the corner of the bakery, glaring at anyone who walked in. She ignored him and went to the counter. "Are you all right, Ammie?"

Ammie smiled, her lip trembling, then burst into tears. The tension and fright of a gun being pointed at her kept replaying in her mind, building up every time she thought she was calm, and Gemma's concerned question came at a time when she felt far too vulnerable. Ammie hurried to the kitchen, barely noticing as Gemma took over serving the customers who had just walked in. She stepped into the cold storage, trying to get herself under control.

"Ammie? Can I hug you?" Sport asked, almost desperate for something to do to make it better.

He hoped she wouldn't mind that he'd followed her, but he couldn't sit there and do nothing while she was in here bawling her eyes out. Ammie nodded, her head still buried in her hands and her body trembling. Sport wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

"I'm sorry this happened, Ammie."

Ammie moved her hands away from her face and hugged Sport in return. "So am I. I've only been open for two weeks, and that bastard tries to rob me?!" Her tears were fading, the fear turning to frustration and anger instead. Ammie was sure it would loop back eventually.

"You handled it well. That shit stain will be dealt with, don't you worry about that."

"Hmm? Do I have to deal with the police?" Ammie asked, the prospect leaving a vile taste in her mouth.

They hadn't helped when her husband had been murdered, so she doubted they'd do anything with a potential robbery. She'd avoided the police as much as she could since then, and wasn't looking forward to breaking that streak now, especially not over something as minor as this.

Sport grinned. "Oh, no. Honey hired us as private security. We get to deal with them on our own terms. No police involved. Unless there's a fatality."

"What are you going to do?" Ammie asked, curiously.

"Not sure yet. Depends on the rest of the security team. I'll be voting for breaking bones, at the very least," he added, hating the tears in Ammie's eyes and wishing he could go break the prick's arm right then and there.

"You mean he's still in the building?"

"Security holding room. Has its own toilet and drinking fountain so we can leave them there for a while longer," Sport added, his voice far more vicious than Ammie expected. "Last I heard, he was yelling about a lawyer and a phone call. He'll realise we're not the police eventually."

Ammie wasn't entirely sure how she felt about that.

"Gemma and Ex are serving your customers. They're doing a good job, don't worry. Do you want to stay here a while longer?"

Ammie shook her head. "I'm all right now. I need to go back out there."

"Okay. Do you still want to go on our date tonight? We can reschedule if you're not up for it, or we can stay in and watch a movie instead?" Sport offered.

Ammie felt her heart melt at the offer. Sport had promised her a night of fine wining and dining; he'd even bought a suit, and now he was willing to wait for her. She shook her head. "I want to go out. You'll see me in sweat pants and a ratty old shirt on our fourth date, but I still have to impress you on the second one," she said with a smile.

"Ammie, you could wear a paper bag and I'd still be impressed as fuck."

She laughed and shook her head. "Come on, I'd better get back. You don't have to stay here all day, I'll be fine on my own."

"I know. I want to, if you don't mind?"

Ammie grinned. "Maybe stop glaring at everyone? I'm losing customers."

"Oh. Right. Sorry about that."

Ammie rose on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Thank you for caring."

"Always, Ammie," Sport promised, reluctantly letting her go and stepping back so she could return to her shop.

Gemma was boxing up three cupcakes when Ammie and Sport returned, Ex beside her charming a woman into buying a fourth.

"They're for your family, right? What about one for yourself? When was the last time you treated yourself to something?" Ex asked.

The woman blinked, either stunned by the question or Ex himself. Gemma couldn't blame her.

"Anyway, they're so cute, you have to try one. What about a cake pop? They're gone in one bite and no one will know," Ex said with a wink.

"They do look delicious," the woman admitted, looking at the selection of cake pops, then the price. "Oh, all right, I'll try one. Chocolate, please."

"Excellent choice," Ex said with a charming smile.

The woman walked out of the bakery a moment later, cupcakes and cake pop in hand, looking a little stunned.

"Did you have to flirt with everyone?" Gemma asked, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, that wasn't flirting," Ex said with a grin. "When I flirt with you, you'll know it, sunshine."

Gemma felt her cheeks burn at the insinuation and promise all rolled into one, and looked away. Seeing Ammie and Sport in the doorway, she walked over. "Are you all right?" she asked, hugging Ammie gently.

"Oh, I'm fine now. Sorry you had to see that. It's been a hell of a day, and I've still got to tell Core what happened."

Gemma winced at the idea. She had only met Corvin once but he seemed very protective of his mother, and she didn't envy Ammie that conversation. "You've got nothing to be sorry about. Good luck with your son. If you need someone to talk to, you know where I work and live," she said with a smile and another hug.

"Thanks, Gemma. I appreciate it."

"If you're here, who's looking after security?" Sport asked Ex.

"I called Killer. He should be in there."

"Should be? You didn't wait for him?" Sport asked, looking from Ex to the empty foyer.

Ex smiled, waved goodbye to Ammie and Gemma, and hurried back into the building before Sport could berate him.

...

After everything that had happened, Gemma hadn't had time for more than half a sandwich, and she was exhausted and hungry by the time she finished work. Jewel had come into the store to look over the sales for the day, but had taken one look at Gemma and sent her home.

"But the sales reports - "

"Can wait until tomorrow," Jewel said firmly. "You're given an hour's lunch break so you don't end up like this, Gemma. I can't have my only employee faint of hunger; why didn't you have lunch?"

"There was an attempted robbery at Ammie's bakery; she needed a break and I was there," Gemma said, somewhat defensively.

"Really? Has anyone told Corvin yet?" Jewel asked, wincing. "Never mind, I'll find out for myself. You go home, eat, and rest. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" she said, kinder now.

Gemma nodded. "Have a good night, Jewel."

"You too," Jewel said, waiting until Gemma headed for the elevators before she unlocked her phone to message Layla.

Jewel: Can you power up long enough to get some fruit and vegetables for Gemma, Layla? She got caught up helping Ammie after her bakery was almost robbed and hasn't eaten all day.
Jewel: If you can't, I can grab something from Frank's store.

Corvin: what?!

Jewel cursed. She hadn't known Corvin was on the group chat already.

Adam: pulling the security feeds now

Adam: don't you dare shift on this bus, dude

Craig: uh, anyone know how to calm down a murderous crow?

Ry winced as Corvin started to shift, feathers sprouting around his face, and undid his seatbelt so he could launch himself at the shifter. "Calm down, dude. You shift and the bus won't get us home for another hour."

Corvin struggled against Ryuu's hold, talons in place of fingernails, and swiped at him.

"Ow, fuck!"

Ethan reached over while Corvin and Ry were fighting, and melted Corvin down, Ry stopping a punch short so it wouldn't connect with the seat. "Return to your seat, or I'm melting you down."

"Geez, not even a thanks?" Ry muttered.

Ethan glared. "Your fighting almost distracted the driver. If you distract the driver, then he has to fill out an incident report, and all witnesses need to stay behind to include their version of events before signing the form. We'll be stuck for another two hours, if we're lucky, and I have a schedule to adhere to. Now, return to your seat. You should have better control than that."

Ry returned to his seat, hating how he felt like shit because he knew Ethan was right. He should have better control than that, and a simple scratch shouldn't make him angry enough to use his power. He was still on edge after what had happened and he couldn't forget it, so he was jumpy and angry on top of everything else. Shit.

Zach murmured something to Ethan, who glanced from his boyfriend back to Ry and sighed. "Ry, catch," Ethan called, throwing a box down to him.

Ry caught it, looking at the label 'first aid' and at Ethan in confusion.

"Clean your arm up with the antiseptic and use a plaster or gauze and tape," Ethan said.

Nodding, Ry waited until the bus was on solid ground again to open the box and clean himself up.

...

Yichen felt like someone was watching him while he was driving. He had even pulled over to check the back seat. It was empty, thankfully, but that feeling stayed. Even now, nearly twenty minutes later, he still felt like he was being watched, though there was no one there when he looked in his rear vision or side mirrors.

Turning into the building's parking entry, Yichen felt better almost instantly. Whoever was following him wouldn't come into the underground parking and make it so obvious. If they did, then he'd know he wasn't being paranoid. He parked his car and waited a few minutes, watching the parking entry carefully.

No one drove in, and by then, Yichen felt ridiculous. He wished his power worked on himself, because he could sure use a way to calm down right now. He could use the garage elevator to go right upstairs, but he needed to stretch his legs and try to shake off that uncomfortable feeling of being watched. Deciding to walk around to the front entrance instead, Yichen stepped out of his car, locked it, and headed up the walkway to the street level.

As he walked over to the Sanctuary entrance, Yichen had the feeling of being watched again. He tried to ignore it, but he did walk faster than usual to get inside. Gemstone's store was called Gemstone's which made sense but was also confusing. He didn't see the super around anywhere, but a woman at the front counter was dealing with a few customers, some others wandering around and looking at the rib cage with morbid curiosity. He'd seen it on TV during MFW, and still wondered how Gemstone had made something so delicate and lifelike.

At the entrance for Gemstone's, Yichen saw a billboard advertising the charity auction. The eyes weren't going up for auction, which Yichen thought was a shame, considering the amount of detail that had been in each one. The auction date was scheduled for the end of the week, Yichen adding the time and date into his phone. He couldn't afford them, of course, but he'd be interested in seeing the auction.

His focus on Gemstone's had distracted him from the foyer so Yichen was startled when he turned to see a cascading waterfall made from plants right there. Pressing his free hand to his chest, Yichen realised another important detail: he'd forgotten the present. He didn't want to go back outside to where it felt like he was being watched, so Yichen used the internal elevator to get back down to his car and then used it to head up to the apartment.

Jared opened the door and smiled on seeing Yichen there. "You're here early, Yichen."

"I was trying so hard to be fashionably late, too," Yichen said drily. "I drove here straight from work. Do you need help setting up?"

"No, we're already done. Sarah's in the lounge room."

"Congratulations on owning your own apartment. You're almost adults! Does this mean one of you will finally start cooking?" Yichen teased.

"Not likely. You know there's a bakery downstairs, right?" Sarah called with a laugh.

He grinned and moved to kiss her cheek. "Hello, sweetheart. You look happy."

"I am. Good friends, good food, and good wine. What else could a gal want?"

"Good sex?" he suggested, grinning when Sarah laughed brightly.

"That's later. Now, what's this?"

"It's a present. I'm not telling you what it is, you have to open it and be surprised," Yichen said, sitting next to Sarah as Jared went to answer the door and greet more friends.

"You didn't have to buy anything, Yichen."

"It's a housewarming, sweetheart, so yes, I absolutely did."

"Ooh, Darla! Did you buy a present for us, too?" Sarah asked, frowning at the wrapped present in her hands.

"Of course. Oh, hello there. I don't believe we've met. I'm Darla," a lavender gleaming goddess said, offering a hand to Yichen.

"Yichen. Lovely to meet you, Darla. Have I seen you somewhere before?" he asked, looking over Darla's gorgeous form.

"I think I'd remember your face, Yichen," Darla replied, taking the time to check him out, too.

Sarah covered her mouth so she wouldn't spoil the moment, giggling against her palm as Yichen and Darla continued to flirt, even as Jared led Anita and Richard inside.

"Oh, is that cake?" Richard asked eagerly.

"Of course; Honey dropped it off earlier. She had something to do, but she promised to come by later."

Outside, Jetstream glared at the building, as though daring it to reveal where that awful museum person lived so she could deal with the evil villain right then and there.

...

Jewel felt shitty for sending a message like that to Corvin via text. She'd missed a good chunk of the more recent conversations and GIF war due to her stress and worry over Gemstone's opening, and hadn't known that anyone new had joined the group chat.

She paced in her closed shop a few times, trying to work out a way to make it up to not only Corvin, but the rest of the group, too. She'd seen how overprotective Corvin was of his mother at the Sanctuary's party with the orphaned kids, and doubted her friends were dealing with anything pleasant at that moment.

Honey was busy and couldn't pick them up, so Jewel figured she could treat them and drive them from the pick-up to the Sanctuary. With that decided, she grabbed her pink car key and headed out, locking the store behind her. A beep went off on her phone, one she'd set for a particular app notification, and Jewel almost dismissed it entirely. Glancing at the screen's smaller notification, she stopped abruptly and blinked at the message from the Commander and Jetstream sighting app. She knew exactly where Jetstream was: right in front of the Sanctuary building!

Glancing out of the building's front doors, Jewel wasn't entirely surprised to see Jetstream exactly where the unflattering images had shown: hovering up in the sky and glaring at the reflective windows like they'd personally offended her. Placing her hand on a pillar, Jewel powered up and thought carefully, a word forming in jewelled letters in the building's mortar.

JET
STR
EAM

An arrow pointing down completed her message, and Gemstone stepped out of the Sanctuary to wait for Jetstream to land and face her.

...

Jetstream tensed as the message in bright pink formed in front of her. She looked down to see Gemstone herself standing in front of the building the evil villain had entered, and flew down to face her.

"What is this about, Gemstone? How did you know I was here?" she demanded, hands on her hips and a suspicious glare on her face.

Gemstone rolled her eyes and held up her phone. "There's, like, six photos of you on the Commander and Jetstream sighting app," she said with an over-the-top wince as she tucked her phone into her pocket, Jetstream's face turning red at the implication of what those photos might look like. "Why are you looking into peoples' apartments?" Gemstone asked, her voice easily picked up by the citizens eagerly filming the interaction a few metres away.

"I'm investigating a villain, if you must know," she said with a sniff, still hovering a foot above the ground.

"And how do you know the villain is here?" Gemstone asked, curious and wondering if she'd explain while citizens were right there.

"I followed them from their workplace and saw them go into the underground parking lot right there," Jetstream said, pointing at the driveway entry.

"You realise that the parking lot is available to everyone and isn't specific to residents, right? They probably went in there to stop you following them," Gemstone said with a shrug.

She wondered who on earth Jetstream had followed. Warren and Layla were already inside, and the rest of their friends were either at university or on the bus.

"How do I know you're not hiding the villain?"

Gemstone grinned. "I'm a Hero, just like you, Jetstream! Why would I hide a villain? Besides, I have no idea who you're following," she added, hoping to prompt her into revealing the so-called villain's name or general description.

Jetstream floated down towards the ground briefly, then smiled broadly and glanced over at the citizens. "Now, that's something that needn't be discussed in front of citizens. I have everything I need to apprehend the villain."

"Was that before or after you looked into citizen's apartments?"

Jetstream's broad smile slipped. "I was... that is... I was following a villain."

Gemstone gave her a stare, as cold as stone. "I think you should leave."

Jetstream dropped further, then straightened her shoulders and smiled brightly once more. "I would appreciate a kinder tone; I am the world's greatest superhero, after all. You could learn a thing or two from me."

Gemstone's eyes widened. "Are you offering to be my mentor, Jetstream? I'll be your protégé?"

Looking stunned at Gemstone's question, Jetstream landed on the ground. "What? No! I... uh, I mean... It's... "

"It's not something I would want even if you offered. Leave, Jetstream; you're not welcome here," Gemstone said firmly.

Jetstream's cheeks reddened and she flew into the air without another word.

Gemstone grinned, then schooled her expression before turning to look at the small crowd. "I don't think I'll be getting that protégé position, do you?"

...

Layla looked between Ethan, Ryuu, and Corvin, incredulous at the state the three teens were in. "What on Earth happened to the three of you?"

"Corvin lost control, Ry tried to subdue him and lost control himself, I melted Corvin, and when I reformed him, he punched me."

"You're lucky that you can see right now," Zach hissed at Corvin, turning his attention back to Ethan and adjusting the cool cloth pressed against his eye.

"I didn't know Corvin was part of the group chat; I didn't mean for you to find out like that," Jewel said apologetically.

"Why are we even here? I want to go check on my mother," Corvin snapped.

Craig rolled his eyes. "I stopped time the second we walked in the front door, dude. You fought Ry and punched Eth, so you've gotta answer to Layla and Warren. Besides, there's no way you're seeing your own Ma while you're pissed off like this."

"Someone tried to rob her at gunpoint, you think I'm going to be calm about that shit?!"

"You can't see your mother while you're like this. She's likely to ask you how and why you already know what happened. It wasn't reported anywhere and the security team still hasn't released the culprit," Ethan said.

"He's here? Where's that fucker? I'll rip his spleen out and feed it to him," Corvin snarled.

"Along with fava beans and a bottle of Chianti?" Craig sneered.

"Everyone, quiet!" Layla snapped, vines bursting out and wrapping around their mouths. "I do not have the patience to deal with these shitty power games right now!"

No one could respond, though they would have stayed silent anyway.

"Corvin, you need control and we'll give it to you, but first you need to apologise to Ethan and Ryuu, and mean it. Ethan, you de-escalated a situation, but melting a potential ally without warning is disconcerting, especially when they're already emotional. Ryuu, why did you lose control? You haven't done that since we branded you," Layla said, the vine unwrapping from his mouth.

Ryuu breathed in shakily, looking down at the ground, his vision blurring with tears. It had been a whole day and he still felt as emotional as he had when it had happened; his Papa had only delayed the breakdown with excessive sugar and a stick fight. Even as he struggled to find the words, the strength to talk, he could feel the concern and worry from his friends. His shoulder burned with heat and sharp thorns as Layla and Warren felt his emotional turmoil and mentally planned on destroying whoever had done this to him. Their rage gave him enough strength to get out the words, "Will cornered me in the bathroom yesterday and tried to kiss me. The super restraining barrier broke, since it wasn't the super strength one, and... and I'm still jumpy. I d-didn't mean to lose control. S-sorry," he sobbed, wiping at the tears before they could fall.

"I'll inform Hyacinth so the restraining order can be upgraded immediately. They should have taken that bastard's super-strength into consideration," Ethan snapped, pushing his glasses up his nose and typing on his phone.

Craig snarled something behind the vine, Adam started typing on his phone too, and Zach left Ethan's side to hug Ryuu firmly. Ry sobbed against Zach's shoulder, feeling weak and useless. He hated Will and he hated losing control over himself, especially when he knew better. He'd been dealing with assholes like Will all his life, why would he lose control now of all times?! Maybe it was because Will was more relentless and he couldn't escape him so easily, or maybe it was just the last straw. Either way, Ry was emotionally exhausted and couldn't do anything more than sob in Zach's embrace at that moment.

Corvin gripped the thorny vine, ignoring the sharp pain in his palm, and ripped it free of his face. Before anyone could say or do anything, he shifted to a crow and flew out of the room.

Warren stood, walking over to Ry and tugging him against his chest as he continued to sob. A familiar boiling sensation simmered beneath Warren's skin, akin to the same level of pure and utter rage he'd felt after seeing Greta's handprint on Layla's face. He promised that the second Layla allowed it, he would flay Will apart, bloody layer by fucking bloody layer.

Zach hugged Ry again, Craig and Terrence joining him, even as Robin and Justina planned their revenge. Ethan slipped his phone into his pocket, then joined the group hug. Adam was still on his phone, frowning at the screen.

"We're going to kill him, okay? It's going to be painful and bloody and every bit deserving of what that prick has done to you or tried to do to you," Warren promised firmly.

"I have several plans for weakening him enough that torture actually works. When it does, you get the first hit, Ry," Layla promised.

"You can borrow my sledgehammer, if you'd like," Jewel offered.

"Uh, guys? Sorry to interrupt this sickeningly sweet moment, but Corvin just left the building," Adam said, looking up from his phone.

"I thought he was going to his mother," Layla admitted, taking the offered phone.

"Where is he going?" Warren asked, curious but not letting go of Ry while he was still trembling in his arms.

"Heading towards Westville, from what I can tell from security cameras. It's difficult to see with time stopped like this, but there's a moving flash of black where everything else is paused. Terrence, can I get a projector for the phone, please?"

"Sure," he replied, taking a computer chip and lens out of his pocket, building a miniature projector in a second and handing it over.

Adam thanked him and connected the projector to his phone, shining the map onto the wall, camera feeds in a panel on the left. A black blur sped through town, a corresponding dot on the map showing that Corvin really was heading towards Westville.

"What's he going to do there?" Craig muttered, looking at the cameras in confusion.

Corvin landed, taking a moment to reform, his hands still curved in talons with his anger and rage. Shaking his hands out, he flexed his fingers, and turned to look around the street. Spying what he was looking for, Corvin jogged across the street, cars and people frozen in time, just like Craig had said. Grabbing what he needed, he shifted and flew up into the air once more, flapping hard to stay aloft. It only took a moment to find what he was looking for and Corvin flew over with cardboard cutouts of Airborne and Earthstone in his talons.

Ry turned his head when he felt calmer, looking at the cameras and map, and snorted a laugh when he saw what Corvin had done.

"If you just got snot on my shirt, I'll roast you," Warren said, his tone light and without any heat.

"No, you won't," Ry said, sniffling and taking the tissues Zach offered him. "How soon until we can restart time?"

"We've gotta wait for Corvin to get back," Craig said.

"We also have to return to the lobby or it will look suspicious that we're up here so suddenly," Ethan said.

"That too."

"He's coming back. What are you going to do to him?" Adam asked curiously, looking from the camera to Layla and Warren.

"After he's apologised, we'll brand him. If he wants it, of course."

"You think he'll say no after that?" Zach asked Layla, nodding to the camera.

"There's a difference between a prank and robbing a bank. He could prefer this sort of revenge over the kind that involves torture and pain. There's nothing wrong with it, but I doubt the heroes we're up against would limit their fighting tactics to the same level as pranks," she said, shrugging. "Not to mention, we wouldn't force a brand on anyone who doesn't want it. Unless we have to control their power, like we did with Fantasia."

"You've thought about this way too much," Craig said, raising an eyebrow.

"We've been stuck in here for almost two weeks, what else did you expect?"

"Lots of sex."

"This isn't porn," Warren said, rolling his eyes.

"Not yet," he said, wiggling his eyebrows and grinning.

"Shut up, Cee," Adam said, tugging one of his curls sharply.

Craig poked his tongue out at Adam in response, just as Corvin flew back into the room, landing and reforming in a second.

"You okay, Ry?" Corvin asked.

"Yeah, I'll be okay. Thanks."

"For what?"

Ry indicated to the wall with a tilt of his head. "You didn't think we'd let you leave without following, did you?"

Corvin looked at the map and camera angle showing Earthstone and Airborne making out with their rival's cardboard cutout, and grinned. "Can I get a screenshot of that? I need a new phone background."

Adam snorted. "Sure thing. After you apologise."

Corvin ran a hand through his hair and nodded. "Sorry for punching you, Ethan, and sorry for fighting you, Ry. I took my emotions out on the wrong people."

There was a long moment of silence as they all tried to gauge his sincerity.

"Apology accepted. I won't melt you again without warning. Unless it's an emergency," Ethan added.

"Yeah, I won't fight you again, unless I have to. Your talons are super sharp," Ry said, looking at the Mickey Mouse bandaids on his arm.

"Great. Can we restart time so I can go see my mother now? She's probably been freaking out all day," Corvin said, hopping from one foot to the other.

"Can we talk to you first?" Layla asked.

Corvin frowned at her serious tone. "It can't wait?"

"It's better to use this opportunity while we can," Layla said with a smile.

"We want you to join us," Warren started.

...

End of the hundred and seventy-seventh chapter.

Thanks for reading; I hope you liked it!