This was not happening. This wasn't possible. Alaska shook her head, stunned.
"You.. you were dead. I saw you die," Alaska stuttered. "I saw the shard of glass in the back of your head."
"Glass melts. The fire at Primatech melted it. You guys should have put something more sturdy in there," Sylar tutted. He looked between the two of them, and cocked his head. "So, you two are Rebel? You two kids?" he asked incredulously.
Alaska didn't say anything. She couldn't say that it was only her and Micah involved - Sylar would know she was lying. And she couldn't just mention that the others were hiding only a few hundred metres away. So she tried a different tactic."You do know there are probably two dozen agents nearby. And I can almost guarantee you're top of their hit list."
Sylar smirked. "Actually, Danko down there gave me permission to kill people like you. As long as I don't get seen or caught."
"And Nathan's okay with that?" Alaska asked. She refused to believe that Nathan was okay with what was going on. He couldn't be.
"Actually, Nathan's on the run. Just like you. Danko found out about his ability. So he's bailed. Run off with his family somewhere." Alaska felt a slight pang. Didn't she count as his family? "When I find him, I'll kill him. When I find Angela, I'll kill her. And when I find Peter, I'll kill him, too."
This struck something in Alaska. Yes, she did hate Peter for what he'd said to her, but the fact was, he was her family. And there was still the tiniest part of her that wanted his approval. Without her realizing, she felt that familiar jolt go through her, but it wasn't pleasant. It burst out of her, and she threw all of her energy at Sylar. She watched as he jerked, the electricity going through him. He seemed dazed for just a moment, before regaining his easy composure. He took one long look at Alaska, and then flicked two of his fingers. Alaska's body slammed into the wall, then the floor. She went to push herself up onto her palms, but instead she felt herself lifted into the air, and facing Sylar.
"Try that again and you'll be dead before I'm even electrocuted, got it?" Sylar threatened.
"I can't die," Alaska retorted. Sylar shook his head, and dropped her wrists, but didn't move away from her.
"What I don't understand is why you care so much about someone who doesn't care about you," he said quietly.
"You son of a bitch-" Alaska started, but Sylar made a small movement with his hand, and suddenly Alaska couldn't speak.
"You talk too much." Sylar turned to Micah. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you and then take her back to Danko."
"Because you're one of us," Micah said quietly. "Those people down there? Danko, especially. They're just using you."
"And how would you know that?"
"It's obvious."
Sylar paused.
"You could save us all," Micah added. The sound of footsteps and shouting downstairs made Micah and Alaska jump. Sylar barely acknowledged the sounds, and gave the two teenagers a long look.
"I'll make a deal with the two of you. I'll get you both out of here, but you have to return a favour."
Alaska raised an eyebrow, but nodded.
"Shake on it!" Sylar pressed. Alaska hesitated, but took his hand, being careful to put up the mental block around her head to prevent any of his abilities being passed onto her. The last time she touched someone who had several abilities, she'd passed out, and woken up with a killer headache. She almost always put up a block every time she was close to someone else.
"Don't ever say I'm completely evil," he muttered. Alaska watched as his face contorted and his body shifted. Before Alaska could say a word, he'd changed. He looked exactly like Micah. He noticed Alaska staring, and winked. "New ability," he smirked. He left the room without another word. Alaska knew they couldn't risk leaving through the downstairs entrance, and grabbed Micah's hand, leading him to the roof.
"Stand on my toes, and for the love of God, don't let go of my arms," she warned. Alaska waited for a couple of seconds, and saw Sylar/Micah running outside towards the pier. Agents were following. That's when she took her chance. She felt her feet leave the floor, and clung to Micah, flying just far enough to be a safe distance from the agents. She heard a gunshot, and suddenly realized that's what Nicholas had seen. And that he was probably tearing his hair out with worry there and then. She landed near the pile of rubble they'd hidden near earlier, and was somewhat relieved to see that the others had run. At least it meant that they'd gotten away.
"Where are we going to run to?" she whispered frantically.
"Anywhere. Let's just get out of here," Micah whispered back.
They both slipped away from the warehouse, treading carefully until they were a safe distance away. Alaska could have hit herself for not being more organized - they should have sorted out somewhere for them to meet in case they got separated. Alaska considered briefly going back to Hartsdale, and going home to Caitlin. She quickly brushed that thought away - her home was probably being watched. Where else could they go?
"You two got far."
Alaska jumped. She recognized the voice, and it wasn't the voice she wanted to hear.
"How did you find us, Sylar?" Alaska asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Don't get bitchy. I just saved both of your lives. And it wasn't difficult. You two aren't even a mile away from that warehouse. That, and I want that favour."
Alaska and Micah shared a quick look.
"I have to give a live press conference. And the day after that, I'm meeting the president," Sylar begun.
"You're meeting the president?" Alaska asked incredulously.
"Stop interrupting. As Nathan, yes, I am. I'm just a few hours away from becoming one of the most powerful men in the world."
Alaska narrowed her eyes. "And where do I fit in with this?" She watched, as Sylar's body changed, and shifted, until he looked like Nathan.
"You're going to play the loving family member part. And if Claire or Peter turn up, which they're bound to, you have to convince them that I'm Nathan."
"And if Nathan turns up?"
"I'll deal with him."
Alaska knew exactly what that meant. Sylar was going to kill him. She couldn't agree to this.
"Let's put it this way. You do this for me, and everyone you love walks away unharmed. You don't agree, and try to run, I have you put back in Building 26, and I'll kill everyone you love. Come on, Alaska. Think about it. Peter... Claire... Micah... that boy that was with you when you and I first met." Nicholas. Sylar smirked. He could see that this had struck something in her. "He saved your life. Shouldn't you return the favour?"
He was playing her. Alaska knew she was being played. This was a big game to him. Except he was winning, and she was losing. She bit hard on her lip.
"Hurry up, or I'll kill Micah now." Micah stood there, looking terrified. Alaska wondered briefly whether Micah regret recruiting her and Nicholas.
"I'll do it," she finally muttered.
"I can't hear you."
"I said, I'll do it!"
Sylar smiled. He knew that Alaska would agree to it.
"You'd better get out of here. I'm being picked up in around two minutes, and Danko thinks you're dead. Leave."
Alaska grabbed both of Micah's hands. "Find Nicholas. Please," she pleaded.
"I will," Micah promised. A few seconds later, he'd run away.
Alaska was upset. She didn't want to agree to this. She knew exactly what would happen - Sylar would meet the president. He'd become the president. And then everything would change. She didn't have long to reflect on this, as a minute later, a black car pulled up. Danko stepped out, and for a second looked alarmed to see Alaska standing there.
"Please don't tell me SHE'S part of Rebel?" he asked. Alaska kept her face expressionless.
"It doesn't matter. She's going to help us." Sylar put his arm around her shoulders in a mock-friendly way, and Alaska had to fight not to cringe away from him. Danko seemed neither pleased or unhappy that she was going to Washington with them. Nonetheless, he grabbed something from the car, and before Alaska could work out what it was, Sylar moved behind her, grabbing a hold of her arms so she was pinned against him, and unable to move. Alaska recognized the box as Danko moved closer - it was the same thing she'd been fitted with when she was inside Building 26 - it was the sedative. Alaska could have done more. She could have electrocuted the two of them. She could have burnt them. She could have even kicked out and made a run for it. But the fight had left her. She'd made a deal, and this was one of the consequences: being drugged. Danko placed the two tubes just inside the nostrils, and immediately, her body slumped. Her eyes grew heavier, and her mind blanker. Within just a few seconds, Alaska's body had given in to the sedative, and she blacked out.