Author's Note: Hi, this is my first fanfic so it might not be that good but I hope you enjoy it! All characters and rights belong to Marrisa Meyers, I only own the plot! The plot is set right after Archenemies.

Graphic Warning: Blood

She had killed Ingrid. Those treacherous hands of hers had lifted the gun and killed Ingrid. The truth was, she didn't really feel that bad about it; Ingrid got what she had deserved. But was it really the right choice?

Nova sighed as she continued down the dark alleyway, litter and junk scattered across the street. She noticed a beautiful painting coated in a thin layer of dust. It was a painting of a girl with black hair and hazel-brown eyes, her lips forming a quirky smile. Sweet rot, this was reminding her of Adrian.

Kind, loyal Adrian, who would do just anything for her. Instead of trying her best to do the same, she was working for the anarchists behind his back. Then again, the so-called 'Renegades' had failed her family. They hadn't come when she needed them most.

BANG!

Her mother's unmoving body in her father's arms.

BANG!

Her father collapsing over her mother, blood splattering on her forehead.

BANG!

And Evie... Evie had stopped crying.

She sprinted towards the tunnels, tears forming in her eyes. As she rounded the corner, she collided with a big, bulky figure in an ironic suit. Sentinel?

She judo-flipped him over, landed on his back, and hooked an arm around his throat. The armor painfully dug into her skin, but she couldn't let him go, obviously. He was a big potential threat. Scratch that; he couldn't even strike a good pose.

Nova laughed. "We meet again, Sentinel."

He chuckled, voice muffled under his suit. "Yes, we meet again. But I think you might need this advice."

"What advice?" Nova inquired, tightening her grip around his throat.

"Number one. Don't underestimate your opponents. Number two," he continued as Nova cocked her head. "Always check your opponent for possible weapons they might use."

His elbow thrust back and gutted Nova, met with a sickening crunch. She collapsed, groaning, onto the rubble. She got up weakly and flung a throwing star at him, which grazed his shoulder. The Sentinel grasped Nova's arm and catapulted onto a roof. She smiled behind her mask. A roof? Oh, that seemed familiar.

She landed and rolled, absorbing the impact. She reached for her dagger, and their blades clashed. "Where's the weapon you want to use?" she asked.

Landing a punch to her shoulder, he replied, "Oh, you just wait. I have it ready for you," he replied smugly.

Still reeling from the blow, Nova swung at the space between the Sentinel's breastplate and shoulderplates, but he seemed to have learned a lot from their past experience at the parade. He grabbed her forearm and twisted it, causing her to drop the dagger with a cry of pain.

"Now would be a good time to use the weapon, don't you think?"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Adrian threw a punch at Nightmare's shoulder, sending her reeling towards the edge of the roof. "Oh, you just wait. I have it ready for you," he said with a grin. The toxic gas would stun her and weaken her just enough for her interrogation.

Nightmare tried to slash him with her dagger, but Adrian twisted the blade out of her hand, a skill he'd learned after his first fight with her. She seemed surprised, but overcame it quickly.

"Now would be a good time to use the weapon, don't you think?" He asked, reaching for the small bomb he had concealed in a compartment in his suit. He and his teammates had worked hours on it. Nova would've finished it in seconds, but her uncle was sick, so she couldn't attend their meeting. Oh, if Nova were her, things would be so much easier.

He threw down the bomb (Was that how to do it? He didn't really know) which caught Nightmare by surprise.

"What is this ju-" she began to say, then her eyelids began to droop. She staggered, trying to throw a sloppy punch, but Adrian blocked it easily. He watched as her legs gave way and she collapsed onto the roof.

"Oh, I get it," she muttered weakly. "You're trying to bore me to death with your stupid inventions."

"What-no-they're not… They're not stupid!" He protested, then cleared his throat, his chest expanding defensively. Nightmare scoffed, though it came out more of a wheeze. He grabbed her hood, dragging her away.

"What, you're going to drag me all the way to your precious council?" She said, her voice slurred into something almost incoherent. "Well, good luck with that."

"No," he replied sternly. "I'm taking you hostage."

"What? You... you can't do that," she mumbled.

"Why not?"

Adrian stopped to look around at Nightmare, raising an eyebrow. She muttered something about 'unfairness' and 'loyalty' and 'precious council'.

Sighing, he turned back to continue to the makeshift prison he'd prepared when Nightmare suddenly sprang forward, shooting a shock wave launcher that hit him square in the chest. He staggered backwards, stunned. How was this possible? She was supposed to be stunned for 5 hours!

He grabbed a pistol, the only weapon he had left, and tried to shoot her, but she was too fast for him.

"Ugh, why are you like this?"