Hey guys! We're back in Tidwell's basement, for the beginning of the climax. Yet, before that comes, I'd like to reply to the reviews:

LabRatsWhore: No, Horace is not the Healer, but we've already seen him in this story (yeah, still difficult, I know). And Kaz wouldn't be Kaz if he wasn't impatient and wouldn't continuously ask if they were there yet. Thanks for your review!

Guest: No, I didn't know that. And thanks for reviewing.

Anonymous: I might mention she likes him and he likes her, but that's the closest we come to that couple. There still are things which make sure they can't start a relationship right now... Anyway, thanks for the suggestion and thanks for reviewing!

Enjoy!

-Writer207

"What are you doing here?" Jordan shouted when she saw Kaz and Oliver standing close to three heroes she hadn't seen here before, as if they were with these three. She had no idea what Kaz and Oliver were doing here, hence the question. And it looked like Oliver and Kaz too were surprised to see Gus and Jordan here.

"Jordan? Gus?" Oliver exclaimed, "How'd you get in there?" Kaz was the only other person who focused on the conversation. The two women of the SSHH were looking at their opponents, identifying them and making a strategy to take them down. The Dark Warrior just stared at Titanio and the Annihilator. Gus, who had been resting, now just sat up and smiled at the two Normo doctors.

"Hey guys! What's up?" They decided not to say anything back. Kaz looked around, kind of bored with the situation, despite being in such a sticky situation. Then, he noticed Titanio had been standing still in his suit, hands behind his back, looking at the intruders.

Pieces fell together, and just for one moment Kaz felt bold enough to say something about the Annihilator. He spoke to Oliver, but looked at Titanio. He hoped the Annihilator didn't think he was talking to the villain, because he'd wet his pants. "Poor Titanio. They probably ambushed him and used his basement against his will." Probably. There hadn't really been time to catch up with the comic books and the Contamination arc that now ruled the League of Heroes comic books because they were looking for the dagger, which they already had handed over to the rightful owner.

Then, Titanio took of his helmet and smiled at the five. He had mastered the evil smile once he got used to it. "Actually, I offered them a place to stay because they desperately needed it." Kaz' mouth fell open. Honestly, he hadn't seen that one coming. Titanio, leader of the League of Heroes, had chosen for the Dark Side.

"I never should've trusted you," the Dark Warrior sneered. "I should've known you were faking it."

"Why are you doing this? You're an awesome hero, even if you're a Normo!" yelled Kaz. He had absolutely no idea why Titanio would just help the Annihilator. Not knowing, that drove him crazy! If he knew, he'd be a little calmer or more stressed, depending on Henry's answer.

"Thanks for the compliment," Titanio said, "but that's also the problem. I'm a Normo! I will never be as powerful or popular as Tecton or Captain Atomic. I understand why Brain Matter had tried to give himself powers, but I'm not as smart as him. And if the Annihilator can contaminate powers, he can also give Normos powers, give me powers. I help him until I have my powers and even after that we will be allies. I'll make a name for myself." He sounded very convincing; he really wanted those powers the Annihilator could possibly give him.

He had gotten used to being evil. After the mission in Mighty Max, he had gotten the taste of the thrill it gave and decided he liked the position he was in. He liked it so much and wouldn't want it any other way. He wanted to go very far and when he was rewarded for his services, he would be thanked by many and he would finally make a name for himself. People would no longer look at Tecton or Captain Atomic, but they would give Titanio a chance as well.

NeoCortex looked at Titanio when he was talking. He might have sounded as if he really wanted it, but the mind didn't lie; and he did find some very disturbing thoughts in Henry's complicated mind. Michael just was happy he didn't wear his helmet – when he wore it, NeoCortex couldn't read his mind.

"Sir, he…" he began, but was soon interrupted.

"Silence!" the Annihilator said, telling his henchman and ally to shut up – NeoCortex bit his lip. He then shouted so all of his evil heroes could hear him. "Destroy the Normos and the Dark Warrior. Do not kill the Super-Secret Heroes in Hiding." This disturbed the six people who really did not want to be here. The five intruders were shocked, and Alan gulped. His hand trembled even more after hearing that. Alan didn't dare to speak up, fearing Skylar would kill him.

"What?" said the Dark Warrior, "They kept their promise. They came here and didn't contact anyone. I found them, they didn't find me. They kept their end of the deal, and now you keep your end of the deal."

"There never was a deal," revealed the Annihilator, "I knew they would try to contact you or the SSHH and they would lead you straight to us. With the last heroes out of the way and Diaz dead, we will finally have no resistance and we will take over the world." They still didn't attack. Was the Annihilator waiting for the right moment to strike? Or did he just enjoy seeing these five so desperate to rescue that one pathetic man they couldn't save after all.

"Alan!" the Dark Warrior said – at least the kid had a heart, he would be able to tell how he was blackmailed into this. "Did they get you too?" To everyone's big surprise (not including the Dark Warrior) the teenager shook his head. "Then explain to us why you chose the wrong side?"

"I had to do this!" was Alan's immediate response. "I want to do this! I always had to do what he told me to do, he didn't want me to do the things I wanted to do! It was always like that. Alan, do this! Alan, don't do that! I've had it!"

The Dark Warrior saw how the boy struggled to believe his own words. His uncle might have been the one to tell him how to behave the entire time, but he also was the one who cared for Alan, who took care of Alan, who loved Alan – even if Horace sometimes was too busy with his work. This wasn't the right reason to kill someone.

Nothing was said. But when the Annihilator wanted to say something, he was roughly interrupted when the door to the basement was opened. Two people entered and the only one not looking was Alan, because he was focusing on the unconscious body of his uncle, wondering if he really wanted it. The two people who burst in the basement were Optimo and Caine, who loudly yelled the Master Manipulator had entered.

"Attack!" yelled the Annihilator. Everyone knew what he or she had to do. Those who had gone outside were already knocked out, but there were a lot of heroes down there too. The only one who didn't do anything yet, was Titanio. The Annihilator didn't like his only uncontrolled ally to do nothing, and thus turned to him. He was smiling when seeing the heroes doing there work.

"What are you waiting for? Attack." Titanio nodded and put his helmet back on, looking at the dominant villain. Time to do what he'd be recognized for by comic books all over the world. There wouldn't be a single fan who wouldn't know what he did today.

"As you wish," Henry said and shot the Annihilator in the chest. "but you might wanna know I changed my mind. I'd rather stay a hero."

Everything happened at once. Heroes were attacking those of their own kind who still were good. Titanio focused on keeping Skylar Storm busy, trying to zap her with his stun ray. Kaz and Oliver tried to stay out of the cross-fire, but some heroes seemed to specifically attack them because the Annihilator wanted them dead.

But luckily, they were protected by the heroes who still were good guys.

During the madness, Skylar was distracted by Caine – who really shouldn't be involved in the fighting at all – and Titanio found the time to shake the Dark Warrior's hand. "Good acting. I almost believed you really switched sides," said the Dark Warrior. Titanio nodded.

"Thanks. But I had to watch out for NeoCortex. I can't always wear my helmet and had to keep my thoughts a secret. I presume you told the guards they have to come, right?" the Dark Warrior nodded.

"They should be here any minute. At least, the ones you didn't injure and who healed already." He looked a little accusing, and Titanio sighed.

"Dude, I had to play along! If it had been you, you would've just…" he interrupted himself when he pushed the Dark Warrior out of the way. Titanio and the Dark Warrior quickly got up, Titanio placing himself in front of the Dark Warrior so NeoCortex wouldn't be able to hit him. the Dark Warrior got attacked from behind, but NeoCortex and Titanio focused on the fight they had to fight.

"I knew you were up to something, but they wouldn't listen. Let's finish you." Said NeoCortex. Titanio gulped. Not because he was afraid of NeoCortex, but because the man really meant what he was saying; he really wanted to kill the traitor.

"Know that I don't want to hurt you, but I'll only do it because I have to." And they engaged in battle.

Alan was one of the few that wasn't doing anything.

He now was glad he doubted his position. He had come so far, but how much further would it go? He remembered how Skylar found him after running away. That's when Alan realized she was evil. She wanted to make him an evil minion too, but he could talk her out of it by telling her he'd do anything as long as he could control what he was doing himself. Skylar had brought him to the Annihilator, who had him train his powers with some heroes and Skylar. He knew nothing of their plans, but only that he had to do whatever they told him to do, because he would do anything.

At first, he thought he only needed to bring Uncle Horace to the villain. That was easy and not too suspicious, but he could have never guessed that the Annihilator would give him a gun and would tell him to prepare to shoot him.

He told himself he had to do this. He tried to find reasons to justify his actions. Horace always told him what to do. That was a good reason, but also the only one. He wanted to keep control of his actions and not follow the Annihilator without question like all the heroes here. He barely showed an emotion since he had stepped into the basement, except that he was scared. He trembled, he was not feeling well.

He encouraged the heroes by thinking what most people would yell out loud. Good job, Titanio! You had me fooled. Oliver and Kaz tried to not to get hurt by Skylar while the other two Normos were trying to come out of their safe cage. Guards from the hospital and the prison arrived and took on the villains. The evil heroes were outnumbered, but they still put up a fight.

He barely noticed how the Annihilator came up behind him. He shrieked when the Annihilator grabbed his arm and pulled the gun out of his hand, hurting the teenager who held it.

Then, they heard a gunshot. Everybody turned around to see Alan and the Annihilator standing. The villain was holding the gun Alan had in his hands, aiming for the doctor. Alan stood still, frozen in shock and sorrow, looking at his uncle. The Annihilator threw the gun on the ground. Tears welled up in Diaz' eyes.

The four members of the SSHH all fought the Annihilator, together, while the guards took care of the evil heroes.

All Alan could look at was the deep red that flowed out of Horace's body though the wound in his stomach.