Chapter 42

By the time the twins reached Y-Island, the time was already within the early hours of the morning. Their plane journey there was silent, bitter and colder than usual. Neither Mr nor Ms Y had expected the chaotic outcome that took place earlier that night. Neither side were victorious. If anything, the team of vigilantes were the ones who suffered a major loss. The twins however felt pissed off more than ever before. They were still seeking vengeance for their father's death and as far as they were concerned, all of the effort and planning they gave into luring the fighters to the hospital last night was simply a waste of time.

Mr Y was quick to retreat to his own quarters to rest, but instead, Ms Y decided to stay up to wait for the sunrise over Y-island. Often on a clear day, the dawn here was breathtaking and anybody on the island would have a clear view of it minutes before their neighbours who resided on the mainland Wood Oak City. This small island was a peaceful, quiet reserve and couldn't have been any further away from life across the waters. Mr X had spent billions of dollars over the years buying his own collection of small islands around the world, where he had gifted this particular sanctuary to his own children.

Ms Y slumped down on one of the chairs overlooking the water. She felt exhausted at that moment, however the tall skyscraper city lights in the distance were still keeping her awake. The fires and smoke could just about be made out in the distance over the city. It gave her some content at their efforts, but it wasn't enough. All she could feel was utter hate. Hate for the group that had taken down the Syndicate 10 years ago. Hate for her father's former bodyguard. And now, they're enemies had returned.

"Maa'm, I'm sorry to disturb you…."

Ms Y felt irritated as soon as her guard stepped forward.

"Is it a matter of urgency?" She cocked her head, unamused by his presence.

"I have news. We managed to recover Max Hatchet's body. And he's still alive."

For a moment a hint of relief came to her. "Are you certain it's him?"

"Yes maa'm. And furthermore, we believe that the plan worked. Indeed, he turned against his friends as you ordered him to after his surgery. The surveillance footage from the hospital proves everything."

"Is he here, on the island?"
"On the way, maa'm".

Ms Y remained silent except for the sinister grin that started to loom over her face.

"Well, isn't that a pleasant surprise? I'd like to see the surveillance footage immediately. Once he arrives, clean Max up and do everything you can so that he recovers from his burns then brief my brother on the good news. I look forward to paying our subject a visit later on."

Adam frantically rushed through the busy sidewalks of Chinatown with his friends close behind following. To his relief, Shiva's face was his usual calm state by the time they walked through the doorway.

"Is she ok?!"

Anybody there could have guessed the father's first question about his daughter. It had been almost an hour since Cherry had been bitten by the poisonous fangs of Diva's snake. When Shiva carried the teenage girl away, she was dangerously feverish and unconscious.

"She's fine," Shiva placed one hand on Adam's shoulder. His words were a welcome relief. "We've given her a strong antivenom dose and there are no lasting damages from the bite."

Adam immediately let out the huge exhale of tension that had built up inside his chest. He hunched forward slightly with his palms pressed against his thighs as he bent his knees. The truth was, Adam was exhausted. Last night was his first fight back on the streets in a long, long time. But Cherry's life was the most important thing right now. Never had he been as angry on the battlefield with any enemy as Adam was last night with Diva for harming her.

"Wanna see Cherry?" Shiva gestured to him to follow.

Adam gave him back a nod of certainty.

"Daddy!"

Cherry's face lit up with an excited smile as soon as she saw her father. She was laying in bed connected to a drip, but he could see her fever had subsided.

"Hey baby girl! How ya feelin'?" Adam smiled back.

"I'm ok," her smile started to fade as she shifted on the bed a little, in pain from the bite wound still fresh on her back.

A shorter man dressed in a blue doctor's uniform then stepped forward. "You must be Mr Hunter, I'm Doctor Chen", he reached out one hand.

"Yes! I don't know how to thank you. Thank you for saving my daughter's life!" Adam enthusiastically shook his hand.

"It's quite alright. When your daughter first arrived, she was in a critical condition. Her blood pressure was dangerously high and her body was shutting down in response to the venom in the bloodstream. With the right medication and care, I was able to treat her and she will be ok. But, I recommend Cherry stay here and rest for another day or so under supervision as the medication can cause some drowsiness and nausea,"

"Of course." Adam nodded. "Thank you again Doctor Chen! How much do I owe you for your services?"

As he reached for his wallet, the doctor stuck one hand out to stop him. "No Mr Hunter, that won't be necessary…"

"No, I insist. I know this medication is expensive and I am really grateful for your help…"

"No, I insist. Besides, I was doing Leon a favour. I owe that man my life and I am just happy we managed to save Cherry in time."

Adam gave him a humbling smile, "thank you." He then turned back towards Cherry, reassuring her that he would return soon even though she was now almost fast asleep.

"Leon?"

As Adam stepped out of the room, he could see Shiva by a dining table sitting on his own sipping a small cup of Chinese tea.

"Hey," Shiva nodded back as he stood from his seat.

"I wanna thank you. For saving Cherry's life tonight…" Adam spoke with assurance in his voice.

"It was nothing, I know anyone on the team would have done the same."

Adam sighed, "look, I know you and I haven't always seen eye to eye. And I'm sorry for how I treated you when you first joined us. But know that I'll always be grateful for what you did and without you, Cherry wouldn't be alive right now. So thank you." The two fighters reached forward, then hugged one another for the first time.

Over the last few weeks, Adam had learnt how to tolerate his old foe without any more conflict whilst they were training. But tonight, fighting with Shiva on their side felt different. Adam witnessed how honorable the man was as a fighter and as a person. Shiva had proven that he had completely turned his life around. There was now a mutual respect between the two men, and even a friendship that was blossoming with trust present that was previously absent.

"Glad to see the two of you finally getting along," Blaze grinned as she folded her arms next to them.

"This guy is alright you know," Adam smiled back at her. "Well done for convincing him to fight on our team," he gave her a brief elbow nudge as he walked past her.

"Only the best," Blaze winked, causing Shiva to proudly smile.

Behind her in the distance, Adam could see Axel and Floyd with a mixture of hope and sadness on their faces. Their hope came from the fact that Cherry would be ok and that finally, they were starting to feel like a team. But no one in the room could hide the sadness behind all of it. They were all avoiding thinking about the fact that Max was now dead and no longer with them. The person that it hit hardest though was Axel.

"You ok?" Adam placed one hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Yeah," Axel sheepishly nodded, avoiding his gaze. "How's Cherry doin'?"

Adam could tell that he wanted to avoid any talk about Max right now.

"Thankfully, she's ok…. Hey, I'm sorry I lost my nerve like that earlier. I just saw red with Diva after what she did to Cherry! Thanks for stopping me from killing her…"

"It's understandable. I would have been the same if that was my kid," Axel bluntly answered.

Adam immediately fixed his gaze towards Blaze across the room who had overheard them, but she avoided his eye contact.

"Look, it's been a long night. The old chief has found a safe place for us all to stay nearby. I'm gonna head over there now.." Axel replied with little energy in his tone.

"Sure, give us 10 minutes, we'll come with you!"

"No, I'm going now, early", Axel halted him. "I need some space on my own….."

"What about discussing plan B? The fight isn't over yet and the twins still have control of…."

Axel interrupted with regret on his face. "Do what you need to do. The fight's over for me now. After what happened tonight, I'm a liability and a danger to the team so from here on, I'm out."

"What?! But we need you! What happened to Max tonight wasn't your fault!" Adam raised his voice, trying to make his friend see sense.

"No." Axel shook his head. "I've made my decision, I'm going home after tomorrow…. I'm sorry," he briefly glanced over towards Blaze with guilt in his eyes before walking away from the rest of the group. Her jaw dropped as she stood there frozen in shock. She had no words to say. Blaze knew Axel was in a bad way after what had happened to Max, but she didn't expect such a rash decision from him.

"I'll see you all in the morning," Axel said before he left.

"What?! What the fu…." Floyd shrugged, astonished with Axel's decision to suddenly quit.

"Hold up, WAIT!" Adam frantically called him back, but it was too late.

The SIF officer immediately ran over towards Blaze who was staring blankly at the door where Axel had just left.

Adam shook her by the shoulders, trying his best to convince her to react and do something.

"We have to convince him to stay. This city will fall if we don't! …. BLAZE, ARE YOU LISTENING?!"

She slowly turned her gaze to meet him, frowning as she spoke. "Axel's made his decision. None of us can change that now, I know what he's like."

"But innocent people all over this city are depending on us. He came back for you, you can convince Axel to stay,"

"How?!"

"By telling him the truth. About what really happened to you 10 years ago…."

Blaze shook her head, "I can't do that, you know I can't do that. It won't change the past…"

"Please. There's innocent lives at stake here…"

"And what if he still decides to leave? Then what?" Blaze worriedly answered.

At that moment, Adam had no reply. Blaze had a point and neither of them could really predict what the outcome was going to be, how Axel would react to the truth, or if it was going to make matters worse.

"Please. I know you're still hurt, but this city is in ruins. Max is dead and Cherry almost died tonight because of the Syndicate. If we fail, millions of others will suffer. We need Axel fighting in our corner more than ever right now," Adam pleaded, reaching for Blaze's arm whilst she walked away.

She sighed, pausing in her tracks as she turned and stared into his eyes. "I can't make any promises, but I'll try, ok?"

"Ok," Adam nodded with hope in his eyes as he let her go.

"Mr Hatchet, you took quite a fall earlier to the head…." Ms Y stared down at Max who was bandaged up from head to toe whilst being hooked up to a machine.

The wrestler immediately panicked, staring back at her with confusion as he removed the oxygen mask over his mouth. "WHERE AM I?! WHAT AM I DOING HERE?!... YOU?!" He was quick to almost leap out of the bed. In doing so, Mr Y instantly clicked his fingers where the nurse hastily followed his orders in switching on the bedside radio.

Within seconds, Max calmed down and retreated.

"That's better now," Mr Y smiled.

"Do you remember who we are?" Ms Y asked, but Max stared black with whitened eyes blankly at them.

"No,"

"You do exactly what we say from now on, and in turn, we take care of you. Understood?"

"I understand. I obey anything you ask of me…."

Mr and Ms Y immediately exchanged glances. Their plan was back on track, all they would need is some more time for Max to heal his wounds. With the device now fine tuned in his ear, Max was once again fully under their control.

"Good," Mr Y nodded. "Would you like me to explain how you ended up here?"

"Yes, Sir," he answered, staring intently into Mr Y's eyes.

"Axel Stone put you in this hospital bed. He and his friends are responsible for all of this and for causing damage to our city."

"I understand. Who is he?" Max asked, now having no recollection of his past.

"He is the one who possesses the gift of fire. The burns you feel now, the broken bones you've injured are all because of him. We will help you heal, but I am sure you seek vengeance for his actions…."

Just as Mr Y finished his sentence, he pressed a button on a controller that displayed a silent black and white surveillance footage by the side of the elevator shaft from above that showed Axel using his dragon wing move that resulted in Max's deadly fall.

"How do I find him?" Max asked, now with hate in his eyes.

"We will bring him and his friends to you in time. Then you will kill any of them who are left. And you will have your vengeance whilst saving this city."

"Yes Sir," Max obeyed.