Chapter XXVIII: Decisive Declension

AN:

Hey there, Fan-fic-folks!

Two chapter update today. Make sure you read both. This is the first of the two.

Thanks for reading and, as always, please review.

We need to prepare. The next step would be the big one, what I'd been working towards since I stepped foot on that boat and came all the way back here. The Final Lab. When I was back in Portland, I'd be gathering the team and getting everything ready.

Chloe and Rachel had come to the bus stop to see me off - I'd told them I was flying out of Portland, as my 'uncle' had paid for the ticket from there. It'd be a long bus ride, but better to keep the trail constant, just in case.

It was nice. Rachel hugged me, Chloe told me she'd miss me. They both made me promise to call. It felt... yeah.

I stared out of the window, watching the countryside go by. It was a pleasant change, I'd grown too used to the city and town and I enjoyed just seeing nothing but woods for miles around. It was weird to see it through glass though. I normally ran through it, after all.

I took a deep breath and began to categorise, reminding myself of what I needed. The Plan had had to be adapted since I made it back on the island. I definitely couldn't have predicted everything that had happened since I got back. Rachel. My Team. Prescott.

Dog, his face. He'd- I almost felt sorry for him. But no. Even if he was truly working against his dad, he was just using me for his own ends. He had to be. That's what Prescotts did.

I chuckled to myself. Wouldn't have ever thought I'd have all these... connections, back on the island. Not again. Not since Saardari, and Rell.

It was not part of the plan.

*Flashback Begins*

It had been a long few months. Surviving here was calming in a way few things in her life had been since the ship went down and she washed up on Lian Yu. Between the few crop plants Artemis had managed to raise and a little hunting and fishing, she managed to feed herself. Between survival moments, she went up to this little plateau that looked out over the island chain.

As always, the Mountain loomed.

Max spent a lot of the time thinking. Saardari Valli had been just another Prescott-wannabe, trying to use their cause for his own power. If she wanted to try again - and she did - she'd have to do things herself.

That thought stayed with her. Playing over and over in her mind. Eventually, it grew to the point she had to get it out. One evening, she pulled together some paper and maps and began her plan.

She'd have to return to the mainland first. There was too much infrastructure back in the States supporting The Island.

First step though - how in the hell did she get back home?

She'd need a boat, and a boat would need a signal fire. She'd definitely seen an axe somewhere around the grove. Hopefully Artemis wouldn't mind her chopping down a few trees. Needs must when the devil drives.

*Flashback Ends*

I shook my head with a scowl. All these distractions, all these diversions. All these connections. Would they hurt what I was fighting for? Would they become it? I had no idea. I waited for the feeling of unsurety, of anger, of worry. Nothing. Maybe I was overthinking. A moment later, an old woman from across the way leaned over and drew me out of my thoughts with a harsh slap. "You should smile more, dearie."

I turned towards her, eyes narrowed. I didn't say anything, just stared.

"You'd be happier with a man," She insisted, "and you won't get a man without a pretty smile on that cute face of yours."

Rachel and Chloe's faces popped into my head. I shook my head, another scowl, hoped to clear it. The old woman seemed to take it as an expression at her and shrugged "I'm just trying to help you, dear. You young people don't know anything about how the world works, it's important to listen to your elders. We have the wisdom and sense you children lack."

"The Wisdom and Sense to destroy the planet, create systems that ruin lives, and leave us with a spectacular mess to clean up?" I glared at her again. "Oh yes, I should definitely listen to people like you," People like Prescott. "-that's the route to happiness and prosperity!"

At her shocked look, I leaned in, pushing the attack. The Hunter approved. "Oh, and I'm very, very gay. No man wanted here."

The woman muttered something homophobic and I bared my teeth at her, letting just a little of The Hunter loose. She paled and sat back immediately.

The rest of the trip was very, very quiet.

The Prescotts had a primary architect they favoured for the region. A mostly in-house contractor with very heavy Prescott influence and a truly spectacular number of non-disclosure agreements.

I knew this because I was currently staring at a wall of filing cabinets filled with the things. Brooke suddenly spoke in my ear. "There's no blueprints in there?"

"Nope. They must be elsewhere."

"Right. Give me a minute. Take a look around while I search their files. If we're going to get into this lab you want, I'm going to need this stuff."

"I know, Oracle. I will remind you, this was my plan."

Brooke very audibly bit back a retort. Which was fair. The Stranger was supposed to be better than that. But this was... ehh. I supposed everything couldn't always go smoothly. I got back to work, hunting through the stacks to find any labelled cabinets or cupboards.

I found the blueprints first - and honestly, it was more of an embarrassment to me. I couldn't believe I never thought to focus on locked cabinets first. This was secure information, blueprints and wiring diagrams for a top secret lab. Of course it wasn't going to be in any old cabinet.

I took them out, took pictures, and carefully returned them, trying to disturb as little as possible. "Oracle. I have them. I'll be out in five, then scrub any footage you can get ahold of."

"Understood Stranger."

Brooke pulled the pictures off the little camera she'd given me and brought them up on her screen, studying it all with an intent focus. A few clicks had shown an alarming amount of security, even by paranoid Prescott standards. Though, I suppose this place was special enough to merit it.

"You know it's going to be rough, getting into a place like that." Brooke pointed out.

"Yeah." I said, looking curiously at her. "It should be easy enough."

She snorted. "Yeah, well none of us are fighters except you and I think we'd all be happier with a little extra muscle on our side."

I could not believe she was bringing him up.

"No."

"Stranger. I don't know what you've got against the guy, but Cal was useful and we need his help."

For a moment, I thought about telling her. He was a Prescott. He was dangerous. He'd betray us and use us for his own ends without shame or compunction. He was a monster, because that's what the Prescotts turned the world into.

"Look. Frankly, you need to put whatever shit it is away until we take down the Prescotts. Weren't you the one saying all that 'the Mission is most important' shit?"

"And what if he's a detriment to the mission?"

Brooke's sceptical eyebrow somehow got even more disbelieving. "How? How could he be a detriment? He's been helping us this entire time."

Did I tell her? I didn't think I should. I reveal his identity, he'd reveal mine. That's exactly the kind of thing a Prescott would do.

"I'll think about it, okay?"

Brooke backed off. "Fine. Best I'm gonna get, I guess."

When Stan and Chloe both also came to me with the same points and argument, I knew there was no point in fighting it. I couldn't tell them, which meant they wouldn't ever understand, so I'd just have to keep an eye on the prick. Hell, maybe this would be good. Keep him in front of me so he couldn't stab me in the back.

I was glad this was the last mission of the week. I'd be back in Arcadia soon and I could stop thinking about Prescott for a little while.

Rachel threw herself at me the moment she spotted me walking up from the bus stop just outside Blackwell, long arms wrapped around me like a particularly snuggly koala. "It's been a long, long two weeks without you, Maxie."

"Oh? Did you miss me?" I couldn't keep the slightly teasing tone out of my voice.

"It was cold, desolate, and unforgiving without you. I only had Chloe for company."

"Bitch."

I couldn't help a grin. I'd missed this, even if I had technically spent time with Chloe, it was different when we were all together.

Rachel wrapped the both of us in the crook of each arm and dragged us off to the Dorms. We walked along the front of the school, chatting lightly about what the two of them had been up to during the two weeks I'd been away. Chloe had apparently been 'working a lot', and I told them both some few things about my 'uncle' and how I'd found it there. Rachel had been left alone a lot of the time. Her voice went a little distant when she told me about that.

I wasn't sure how I felt about that. It was definitely... complicated. The lies were necessary for my mission. The Prescotts had to be destroyed, I had no doubt in my mind about that. Whatever the cost, the mission was what it was and it had to be done. But Rachel hadn't done anything to deserve what I'd given her. It was, huh. I'd have to think on it. I hadn't met an obstacle I couldn't overcome yet. This would be no different.

I was drawn out of my musings as Prescott and Victoria ambled across our path themselves.

Nathan scowled at Rachel and Chloe, carefully avoiding even looking at me, and made to continue. Victoria slowed. "You're back. And here I was hoping you'd gotten afraid of civilization and gone back to that Island."

I eyed Prescott. "Not yet."

"Oh? Are you actually settling in? Did these two civilize your savage ways?"

"I was marooned on an island, not raised by apes."

"Yeah! She's Tom Hanks, not Tarzan." Chloe chimed in.

"Oh, my apologies, my mistake. You're not feral, just mad with isolation. Have you learned how to talk to people again yet, or do you still prefer connecting with basketballs?"

I frowned. What? I turned back to Chloe. "I don't remember this reference. What's she talking about?"

"Tom Hanks was a castaway who talked to a basketball."

"Literally?"

"No," And now Rachel weighs in, "it was a movie. Called Castaway."

"Oh. Bit of an obvious joke, isn't it?" I asked Rachel.

Victoria threw up her hands, squawked an indignant "Augh!" and stalked off. After a moment watching us, Nathan followed her. I glared at him as he left.

"So," Rachel started. "Still not a fan of Nathan, huh?"

"Prescotts are pricks."

"Damn, Maxie!" Chloe grinned. "That was hardcore. Maybe we should start a nickname. Presc-prick? Prickscott?" Her grin widened. "Oh yeah, that's the good stuff."

Rachel tilted her head in acknowledgement. "Short, catchy, alliterative. It does have a nice ring to it. Perhaps we could get some t-shirts made?"

I snorted at them both. "Lets just get back to the dorms. Maybe we can go up to the junkyard and talk about your new plans for chaos."

Both of them laughed gleefully, and Rachel leaned in. "Our plans, Max. You've got a hell-raiser in you, I just know it."

Another surprising flash of guilt.

"And the area of a rectangle is the length of one furlong and with a width of one chain." The young, peppy, preppy man finished his equation with a flourish, his moustache quivering with excitement. "Cool, eh?"

Victoria raised her hand. "Sorry, Mr P. Could you repeat that again? I think I lost you sometime around the joke about that poet."

The man sighed, opened his mouth to speak again. Then the bell rung.

A couple of students were halfway out the door in five seconds. Because of course they were. Rachel, Chloe, and I took a full minute to leave, and maybe we should've been quick with the first horde, because we ran into Nathan and Victoria.

Judging by the paint on his prize letterman jacket, he'd come from another art class. Victoria and he were chatting idly outside the door, blocking the path without care nor compunction.

I crossed my arms and stared at him, pulling on just a little bit of my ability to spook the shit out of him. Victoria spotted me first, oddly. She whirled, and blanched a little as she looked at me. "What the fuck do you want, bitch?"

"You're in the way."

"There's space." She snarked. "Walk around."

I was impressed. Icky Vicky had a spine of steel. It took a lot to push back when I was going full Avenging Stranger.

I leaned in. She flinched back, just a little, but then leaned forward to me too. Before I could make another threat, she blurted, "I don't move for trash like you. Do they even know how to queue in the jungle? Not like your parents were around to teach you manners or respect for your fucking betters, right?"

I flashed just a bit of teeth, just a little more pointed than they should be, and Victoria flinched again. There was a growing feeling in my gut, anger and shame and hatred percolating into an unpleasant brew. And it all just fueled the Hunter.

Nathan put his hand on my shoulder. It took more than it should for me to not tear it off. The Hunter was howling in my head, making it hard to think. I think I snarled at him. His hand flew off me and he backed away. "Come on, Vic. No sense playing with starving dogs. Gotta let them leave for the wild, where they belong."

Victoria made another shitty comment, but agreed and off they went. I took a few deep, deep breaths. Luckily, only Rachel and Chloe had really caught my... mood. Both of them were staring. "What the hell was that, Max? Did the argument yesterday amp you up too much or are Wednesdays just a bad day for you?"

The Prescott bastard dared to- "He rubbed me the wrong way. Assholes, blocking the corridor like that."

Chloe and Rachel shared a look. "Right. That Presc-prick. Come on, let's go."

We headed off down the corridor to our next class.

Something about the bike was oddly peaceful, despite the roar of the engine and the wind breezing past my ears. It felt serene, the stars above me and the night around me. Almost reminded me of some of the better days from the Island.

And Rachel being there was nice too, navigating us through the traffic with an ease and grace I admired. I half wished I could see her face. The look of concentration would be one I'd want to remember.

The ride, like most, ended far too soon.

Rachel swung us into park and pulled off her helmet. She grinned back at me, pearly white. "We're here. Come on, it's a bit of a walk."

We got off the bike and headed into the woods, Rachel handing me a long tube-container to carry. "So, where are we going?"

"Well," Rachel started, "I remember how much you liked going stargazing last time, so I thought you'd like to come see a cool sky thing. A few of the planets are supposed to be aligning in a couple of hours, so I thought we'd make a night of it." She held up her own little bag. "I brought food and a blanket."

"And I'm carrying the telescope."

She smirked. "Of course. Big strong girl like you wouldn't let little old me lug a big heavy tube around by myself now, would you?"

"No, I guess not."

Her smirk turned to a soft smile. "Exactly. You're a gem, Maxie." I half worried she'd try ruffle my hair so I quick-stepped into a walk before she could, letting her trot up to join me.

We kept walking, but I let myself move a little closer than I probably should. Things were coming to a head soon - something in me was not thinking things through like I should. It was all... mixed up.

Once I'd hit that last lab, I'd know. Then things would be clear.

Rachel suddenly chuckled. I turned to her with a curious expression. She laughed again, and answered the obvious question. "For such a secretive person, you're sometimes really easy to read."

"What?"

She shook her head, amusement in her eyes. "You're still feeling guilty about something. And a little angry too - let me guess, whatever's had you so mad about Nathan over the last few days?"

"What?" She gave me an encouraging look. Before I knew what I was saying, I sort of agreed. "I mean, yeah. That's impressive."

She beamed. "Thank you. And yes, I think both me and Chloe noticed when you nearly tore his arm out of his socket yesterday. Which would've been real hot, by the way, though I think a little too messy for last period on a Wednesday."

"De-limbing is more of a weekend affair?" I quipped weakly.

She laughed, threw her arm over my shoulders and squeezed me to her side. "Precisely, Maxie. Now you're getting it."

I sighed. Okay. What to do? I could- "I can't tell you everything about it, but Sean Prescott is a very bad person."

"I think everyone in Arcadia Bay knows that, Max. Is that it, you're angry at Nathan for his bad daddy?"

I groaned. "Please don't say it like that. But sort of." Before I could stop myself, it all came pouring out. All I could do was make it a slightly edited version. My Secret had to be kept. "I tried to talk to him. We ran into each other a few times when I was out during the night. Got to talking. I told him some things because it seemed like he understood. But he was lying to me. Like, the whole time. So, yeah, I hate him because of his father, but he's just like his old man."

Rachel thought for a moment, then responded slowly. "You know he has a sister? She left when Nathan was really young, a little bit after their mom died."

"Okay?" I was not sure where she was going with this.

"She's in the Peace Corps now. Not sure where." She waved a vague, dismissive hand. "But my point is that it's just been Nathan and his asshole of a dad for a while now. A long while. When someone like that raises you, someone who sees you as a... legacy rather than an actual person, it shapes you. It makes you into things you don't want to be, because what they want you to be somehow becomes all that matters."

"I never thought he was just innately a monster, Rachel. Every monster is a monster for a reason, even Sean Prescott."

She actually scowled at me. "You're missing my point, Max. The innocent of modern culture thing is cute, but this is important. You've said you're trying to be better than you were, to work out who you are now you're back on the island. Well, being raised by Sean was his island. And I've seen his good sides - few as they are. Maybe all he knows is what Sean wants and that he wants to be something else. Maybe he's trying to be better too. Can you give him that chance?"

"What if he tells someone the things I've told him? It's... a risk."

She shrugged. "Can't live life without risk, Max. Sometimes you've got to try stuff, and failure is the chance you take. It's usually worth it." She looked up. "Oh, we're here!"

There was an open spot on the hillside ahead, nearly arranged and clearly tidied up before we'd got here. She guided me over and instructed me where to put the telescope, and we settled in for a comfortable, companionable evening.

Surprisingly, I even managed to not freak out about her advice. It wasn't bad. I'd... have to think more of it. For now, I could enjoy the sky sprawled out above me and a friend sprawled out beside me.

The next morning, I jogged over to meet Chloe outside the Two Whales. 8am, right when the diner opened - surprisingly early for Chloe. Even more surprising, she was ready and waiting, sat on the hood of her truck. Less surprising was her loudly playing drums on it and grooving along to some punk song playing on her stereo.

My best friend, Public Nuisance Number One.

She grinned, the moment she spotted me. "Max!" She said, at full volume. She leapt off the truck and bounded over to me, throwing her arms around me and pulling me up in a spinning hug. "How you doing this morning?"

"Okay. Also, dizzy. You?"

She laughed. Plopped me back down. "I am in a very good mood."

"I'd noticed. What's the special occasion?"

"I can't just be happy to have my best friend back after so long away?" I just gave her a look. She laughed again. It was good to see her so happy. "My job gave me a massive raise for doing really damn good at it, so I'm gonna have way more cash. I want to treat my two favourite ladies to a real classy dinner to celebrate how fucking awesome I am."

"That's great, Chloe! I'm proud of you." I reached in and hugged her back, gave her a quick squeeze before stepping back into my comfort zone again.

"Thanks Max. It feels weird to be kind of excited about something. Not had a lot to be excited about except weed, you, and Rachel for a while."

I smiled. "Well, I'm glad you can add another thing to that list. Do you want to take a bit of a walk first? Rachel seems like she's going to be late, and I think you need to burn off some energy before you drive your mom mad."

"Fair. Lets hit the beach. I think there's a couple spots where we used to hang that aren't filled with Blackwell party trash."

What a depressing thought, Chloe. I let her guide me along to the beach. We walk along, chatting about her job, her big ideas for this fancy meal, and how pleased she was.

As we walk, my brain does the doubting thing again. Am I going the right direction? Does my Secret really need to be kept from Chloe, of all people? I trust her, I always have, but this is so much more than anything else we'd done before. It's not just me, it's everyone the Prescotts have ever hurt, and all the people I'd help in the future by doing this.

Soon enough, Chloe got calm enough that she and Joyce wouldn't immediately butt heads - still excited and happy, but without all the nervous frenetic energy.

Obviously, I chickened out.

As we walk back, there's another figure leaning on Chloe's truck hood. Only where Chloe was a chaotic drummer, Rachel leant on it like a Victorian maiden on a fainting couch. Chloe snorted at the sight. "Hey Rach."

"Hello, my beloved, long-lost friends. I, the Lady Amber, thought you'd been lost to the ides of Thursday." She leant the back of her hand against her forehead, like a distraught character in an old movie.

"What?" Chloe asked, baffled.

I shook my head and smiled. "Shakespeare, Chloe."

"Oh. Yeah." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I knew that."

Rachel hopped off the truck and sauntered over to us, swinging her hips and prowling like a tiger. "So, how about that breakfast, Chloe? I hear you're paying."

"Actually I was gonna pay for dinner, and how did you hear about that anyway?"

She shrugged. "Lady Amber works in mysterious ways, etcetera etcetera. Now, feed me, Price!" She clapped.

Chloe rolled her eyes, but did as asked, and the three of us made our way into the Two Whales for breakfast. I was mostly quiet. Over the last couple of days, I'd been given a lot to think about. Chloe, Rachel, Brooke. There were a lot of people telling me the same thing.

I'd need to talk to Nathan again. Damnit.

"Gonna try take a swing at me again?"

I looked up as Nathan dropped into view. He'd forgone the helmet this time, but was still fully armoured. I'd arranged the meeting for a quiet spot, down by the docks. As a nod to our first mission.

I took a long, deep breath. Calm, Max. Calm. "No. Not this time."

"Oh?" He took a couple of steps forward. "So, you really do wanna talk then, Island Jane."

"Yes. I've been talking to the others. They've convinced me we need your help."

He snorted. Crossed his arms and leaned back against a wall, stared hard at me. "Sure. You want to make a deal with the Prescott Devil."

"The Prescott Devil's son, technically."

He gave me a 'come on, dude' look. I'd seen many from Chloe, when I was being more anxious and reticent.

I sighed. Dug deep. "Look. I don't trust you. I won't ever trust you. I can't. But I can trust your hatred of your father. I still don't know if I'll have to deal with you next, but I can wait until next comes along to find out and focus on your father for now."

"Practical." He said simply. He kept watching me. Probably trying to see if I was serious.

"If you're willing to help me kill him, Ratigan Moreau, and to destroy everything the two of them have built, then I can work with you."

He shrugged. "Fine. What are you doing next?"

"We're going to Salem."

He stared at me. "The fuck is in Salem?"