Chibiyu: Here you all go. I'm only writing this so I can get to an awesome little plot bunny set for a few chapters in the future.

Nick: …Have I ever said that I hate you?

Chibiyu: Multiple times, hun. It never gets old.

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The shocked silence stretched on, only broken when Necrophere's hand clenched in the Normal's curls, yanking him to face his cruel eyes.

"You just ended your life."

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"I haven't heard that before," Nick spat, knocking the Villain's hand away without a trace of fear. "And you wouldn't dare kill me. You need me. Without the Bane in weak hands, the threat of it will always hang over your head. And you need me to move it, or perhaps Villains stepping on it and disintegrating won't bother you."

Necrophere was silent, his slit of eyes darting up and down the teen. He took in the stiff posture, the set look to his jaw, and the determination in the youth's eyes. Necrophere shook his head, unable to not let a chuckle pass his lips. "You're a smart one, boy."

"Genius, actually," Nick whispered, crossing his arms. "You know you need that kind of power on your side. Let's face it; Villain's aren't exactly the most educated bunch." The ones lining the walls stirred, growling ignored insults. "And even if they weren't, it would be stupid of you to not want the one who has time and time again bested Villain after Villain. But what would I know? I'm just a Normal."

"Normals are interesting creatures," the masked one laughed. "Used as bait, and yet strong enough to manipulate the lesser minded. But I am afraid that you will be disappointed. I have not one mind, but two. Mine you may be able to beat, but the Four sees through your tricks."

Nick turned an innocent glance over to the pendant. "Tricks? I save those for my brothers."

"Perhaps another word, then? Does 'deceit' better suit your liking?"

Nick's lips curved into a smirk and it was his turn to chuckle. "Call it what you will."

"You know what I think?" Necrophere smiled, changing the subject back. "I think you are a scared little boy, buying your time. You don't want to pick up the pendant, we all can see this. But Nicholas, you won't have a choice."

Necrophere raised his hand, flames dancing on his fingertips. "No, I'm afraid you won't have any choice at all."

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The town was in chaos – glass lining the cracks of sidewalks, trashcans knocked over, front doors splinted and off their hinges; the signs of tomorrow were evident. Everywhere she turned her eyes, she saw groups huddled below her feet, some rocking, others were crying, and all were holding each other. She witnessed young Normals running between the basement and other stories, gathering their family's belongings one by one and cart them to where they hoped would be safe.

The blonde walked on, looking in every window, down every alley and even under the rivers, but nothing stuck out to her. It was as if the brother had vanished: Kevin couldn't sense him, his mom couldn't hear his thoughts, Macy couldn't locate him, and now she couldn't even see him.

"Anything?" Her comrade fearfully asked as she peered into an open manhole. Stella just sighed and shook her head, wishing for better news. "Go home, Stell," he whispered, trying to cover his aching worry. The girl nodded once, backing away as she recognized the covered guilt lining his brow.

"Are you sure, Joe?"

The middle Lucas nodded once. He watched her back away, leaving nothing but the echoes of footsteps to keep him company.

"And this is how a real fighter stalls," an oily voice whispered from the young male's right. He turned with a jump and faced the woman who leaned against a blank wall.

"Where do you come from?"

Lilith just smiled, shadows casting deeper wrinkles in her pasty face. "Stalling is a technique, Joe. Learn it."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," the Villain sighed, pulling her finger loose from her tangled locks, "That the Villains are stalling; watching and waiting. They have a plan. Why else would they give you two days of peace?"

Joe snorted, spreading his arms. "You call this peace?"

"The future will be more than a few broken windows."

Joe stepped forward, shoulder throbbing from the mere thought of being close to this cretin once again. "Why aren't you with the other Villains?"

Lilith just smirked. "I thrive in the time of war, but my place is not on the battleground, but supplying the knowledge the fuels it."

"Then you know about the Four?" There was no denying the eagerness in Joe's question. "That's how Nick knew so much isn't it? You told him!" Lilith just watched as the boy connected the dots, waiting for the million dollar question. "But what did you tell him?"

"What I told him doesn't pertain to you," she shrugged, heavily lidded eyes giving Joe a death glare.

"Then tell me what does pertain to us."

"Finally, the right question," Lilith sighed out, her eyes examining her nails. "But why should I give you an answer?"

Joe started, looking at this woman as if he had never seen her before. "Because I am losing my brother just as you lost your sister. Just as I left her to die. Are you going to step into my shoes and let my brother die?" Joe asked, a glare of his own coming on, but the affected was blurred by the held back tears. "A life for a life, is that really what you want? I'm sorry about your sister! I am sorry I left her, but don't you think that it haunts me too? Even after all this time? Do you want to be haunted by this moment, Lilith? Because let me tell you, it's not fun."

"Joseph - ."

"Seeing her face every single night and having to make the choice between an innocent life and my own. But I had to walk away. Nick wouldn't have gone two feet without me, thanks to you! I wasn't about to let him die! So I made a choice."

"Joseph," Lilith put her hand in the air, cutting off the rant. "Nick is not dead. Not yet."

"He's not?" Hope grew in the Hero's eyes.

"No. So listen as this is all the help I will give." Joe actually leaned forward, eliciting a taunting laugh from Lilith. "Eager, I see?"

"Please tell me."

She nodded, face clear. "When the day is up, you'd best run and hide instead of try and find your brother. Nick," she sighed, looking away from the boy, "Is doomed. He chose his own fate and you must do the same. However, you must know this – the Four influences its wearer and twists their views to match its own, but the wearer influences and twists the pendant as well."

Joe just blinked, not understanding.

"If you know the wearer, you can anticipate their moves based on their past beliefs, intentions, and desires. If Nick still has it, which is doubtful, then you would easily be able to take him down. It isn't power that makes the person; it just makes them harder to stand up against."

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The Lucas, Misa, and Malone family watched the clock, counting each tic and shivering on every tok. No one dared to breathe as they hand moved over the 12. No one but Kevin. He jerked, taking a quick intake and staring at a random spot on the wall.

"Kev?" Joe breathed, barely heard over the new screams coming from the street.

"I felt him," Kevin whispered, looking up with hopeful eyes. "For a moment, I felt him. And the the Bane. All three are together."

Sandy Lucas leaned forward, letting her tears fall. "He's ok?"

Kevin met his mom's eyes with a smile. "Yeah, he's ok. And I know where he is"

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Chibiyu: Took me awhile to actually get these past two bridging chapters written, but it's all smooth, prewritten sailing from here. Until Next Update!