After buying food for everyone who wanted it, Flug flew the ship towards the hideout.
Everyone ate their food and settled down, for the most part. Demencia was bouncing off the walls and checking Instagram. Dark Phantom and Ghoul were talking among themselves. 505 and Melanie were reading the graphic novel about Wonder Woman's life.
Flug looked back at the last two and rolled his eyes. Melanie was an extraordinary girl with exceptional potential. So much so that Black Hat adopted her and chose her to be his apprentice. Flug had only caught glimpses of her bookshelf, but if her present selection indicated anything, Melanie was much more intelligent than she let on. So, why did she have to waste her time with comics?
Flug sighed. That was a problem he would address later.
As much as it might hurt, Flug knew he had to. Melanie was smart beyond her years and had a noble heart which made her refreshingly different from the bratty children the villains in the organization usually raised, but she still wanted all the wrong things, the kind of things that someone with her new high status couldn't want anymore. Melanie still dreamed of freedom, faith, and heroism. These comics fueled those desires. So, to keep grooming her for success in the villain world, Flug knew he'd have to start weaning Melanie from these comics and anything else that fueled those desires.
Eventually, the group started flying over a metropolis where they could see several heroes flying across the sky.
"Woah," Melanie said, pressing her face against the glass. "This is so cool!"
Impulsively, Melanie phased through the ship so she could fly with the heroes.
"What the…?!" cried Flug before he activated the PA system and yelled at Melanie. "Come back!"
"But the rushing air gives me so much adrenaline!" Melanie yelled excitedly, flying in the air momentarily before making her wings disappear so she could freely fall.
"Damn it..." Flug muttered.
"You want one of us to get her?" Dark Phantom suggested.
"No," Flug answered. "Melanie knows how to evade and phase through things. Even so, she can't go far. She has a tracking device."
"But shouldn't one of us go after her?" asked Ghoul.
"You can't fly, but I can." Wings and propelling gauntlets then extended from Flug. "505, pilot the ship and land it down for the rest. I'm going after Melanie."
505 nodded and ran to the controls.
Meanwhile, Melanie was free-falling, prepared to release her wings when approaching the ground. She had thrown off the cloak Black Hat gave her. She had nothing else weighing her down since her bags were safely on the ship. Her phone was in her pocket while headphones were attached to her ears, blaring Linkin Park. She finally felt free and happy.
Melanie passed by a floating figure who she realized was Flug with his arms crossed.
"Oh!" Melanie said, pausing her music, pulling out her headphones, unfurling her wings, and flying upwards on the rising shaft of air. "Hi, Flug! What's up?! Here to fly with me?!"
Flug tossed Melanie the cloak she had thrown off and replied, "Focus, please."
Melanie flapped her wings, holding her in place, and said, "Awww, come on. I've had a crappy day of an unbelievably crappy week which just today consisted of saying goodbye to my friend, getting dragged on a tour of a miserable school, watching my uniform get burned, getting drugged and forced to endure nightmares from you and your boss, getting dragged on this mission, and not to mention, having to deal with my family drama. All that after a week of already, getting shocked, drugged, stitched up, psychologically tortured, brainwashed, being forced to kill so you wouldn't kill my best friend, watching my other best friend get dragged back to the organization she fled because of me, and finding out I've been adopted by the entity making my life a living hell. And now, you're telling me that the first chance I have getting off the crappy island all week, I can't even celebrate the fact that it's Friday or cut loose in any way, shape, or form?!"
Flug knew that Melanie had a point, so he tried to be firm but sympathetic.
"Melanie, I know this week has been a bit rough on you, but..." Flug began.
"A bit rough?!" Melanie interrupted.
"Alright, it's been a lot, especially for your age," Flug conceded. "But we still have to do it and it's the last thing for the night."
"The last thing, huh?" Melanie replied.
"Yes," Flug promised. The sooner this is done, the sooner we can go back and you can do whatever you want to do."
Melanie visibly hesitated and asked, "Will I get to relax and have fun this weekend? And I mean really have fun. Like the kind of fun where I get to go out and see the town without my granduncle? And maybe get to talk to Lucy?"
"Will you try harder to resist acting impulsively and putting yourself in danger just to get an adrenaline rush and focus?" Flug asked.
"I'll try," Melanie said.
"You'll try?" Flug asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Okay, I'll do it," Melanie said, putting her cloak back on.
"Good," said Flug. "The sooner we can get this done, the sooner we can leave. I don't exactly want to be here either."
"Yeah! Let's get this done and start our fun weekend!" Melanie cheered.
Flug nodded before flying down into the forest where the ship landed. Melanie followed along behind him.
The lair was in a forest above the valley where the city was. It was so well hidden within the trees that Flug had to point it out to her. The lair was disguised as a kind of cave-rock formation close to the ledge. From above, the lair hardly looked noticeable yet a clearing in the trees were someone could look into a valley was visible only a few yards away on the ground.
Melanie and Flug reached the ship that was just yards away. The others were waiting outside for them.
The pair landed. Flug and the others brainstormed ideas while Melanie took a quick trip inside the ship to get water and ensure that Demencia hadn't touched any of her stuff.
"I say you let me break in and kill all those heroes," Demencia suggested. "We'll be in and out in no time."
Melanie exited the ship and said, "Can't we get the heroes out of the lair without using any violence?"
"Well, one thing a hero always falls for is someone in peril," suggested Flug.
"Okay, so, what do we do?" Dark Phantom asked. "Should we take a hostage?"
"I was thinking more that we'd have Demencia cause panic and chaos in the city," Flug explained.
"And then the heroes all go out to save the day and we go back in and beef up security," Ghoul said, finishing Flug's train of thought.
"Exactly," Flug nodded. "With any luck, Phantom, the rest of your minions could still be inside and help us."
"Unfortunately, I'm his only minion," sighed Ghoul.
"Oh, well, we'll figure something else out," Flug said.
"I like this plan," Melanie interjected. "It's super nonviolent, and I don't have to participate."
"You still will," Flug informed. "Just because some come out doesn't mean all will, and you never know what kind of hero will be inside."
"I guess so," Melanie said with a sigh. "So, what do I do?"
"You have one of the most important jobs of all…" Flug began.
"I already hate where this is going," Melanie interrupted.
"You'll be bait," Flug finished.
Dementia giggled. "I usually like using Flug as bait, but this could work!"
"You want me to deceive them?" Melanie asked incredulously.
"You won't have to harm them," Flug assured. "Just get them away from the base."
"Boo," complained Demencia.
"So, what exactly am I supposed to do?" asked Melanie.
"You're a kid," Flug reminded her. "Act defenseless so you can get inside."
"And then do what exactly?" Melanie asked. "They'll have questions."
"You can lie, right?" rebutted Flug.
"Well, I did have to lie about being a Nunja," Melanie admitted.
"Okay, that's a start," Flug reassured. "You can do it."
"Yeah," Melanie said with a sigh. "Okay. If it's to get them to leave, I'll do it. Let's get to it."
"We'll need you in there so that when we sneak in and attack you can attack whoever is left from the inside," Flug explained.
"With the least amount of death please," Melanie pleaded.
"Booooo!" Demencia jeered.
"If it gets her to help us, we have to, Demencia," whispered Flug. "We'll teach her about mercy later."
"Fine, but it better be soon," Demencia conceded.
"You know I can hear you, right?!" Melanie interjected. "I told you I didn't want to hurt anybody!"
Flug sighed. He had forgotten about her good hearing.
"Melanie, listen, I didn't say you had to kill anybody, but fighting will have to happen," Flug explained.
"I know that, but I'm not killing anyone no matter what, even after this," Melanie returned.
Demencia interjected, "Then get punished by Black Hat, you lucky little…"
"Lucky?!" Melanie cried incredulously.
"Enough, both of you!" Flug cried. "Melanie, get out there and lure out the heroes."
"Fine!" Melanie fired back before stomping away towards the door.
But as soon as she approached the door, Melanie gripped her arm uncomfortably and looked at the ground.
Flug sighed, "We're ready when you are."
Melanie looked back at the door and replied, "I'm ready."
Flug looked at Demencia and ordered, "Demencia, get going!"
"Fine," cackled Demencia. She then slithered off further until she reached the city. Almost immediately there were cries of panic and an explosion.
Everyone went ahead and hid out of sight.
Melanie walked up ahead by herself. As she did, she found herself at a crossroads. She could use this as an opportunity to warn the heroes, but if Black Hat found out, it would mean more punishment. Then again, just because villains owned this base didn't give the heroes inside the right to break in and squat around on someone else's property. She wasn't sure what to do.
Melanie sighed and turned invisible. She made her way to the side of the building and waited for the heroes to rush out.
Quickly, Melanie heard the superheroes whoosh into the night. She made sure they were good and gone before she came around the corner and had an idea.
After muttering an apology to the plants, Melanie lit some of them on fire. Then she pounded on the door furiously yelling, "FIRE! FIRE! YOU ALL NEED TO EVACUATE NOW! HELLO, PEOPLE! THERE IS A FIRE!"
Flying out of the cave was a muscular hero with a blue uniform. Once he saw the damage being done, he called out for the other heroes and heroines.
Chief among them was Phantom's nemesis Vanity looking like a standard superpowered hero in a cape and sunglasses.
Melanie had never seen Vanity in person. She hadn't seen most heroes in person except for the few that would visit the Nunjas at camp, but she could recognize most of them from the images she'd seen in the news or in ads.
"Thank goodness!" Melanie yelled. "There's wildfire! We all need to evacuate the area right away!"
Vanity floated down, "Are you alright, kid?"
"Yeah, but we all need to leave!" pressed Melanie.
"Well, you need to leave first," ordered Vanity. "Go in the cave and wait it out. I don't need you getting in the way, kid."
"Are you insane?" Melanie asked, summoning her wings and flying to his level. "There's fire everywhere. We all have to get far away from here now."
"A little bit of fire shouldn't be a problem for someone like me, little dude," Vanity dismissed.
Melanie turned away and looked at the fire. With him unable to see her face, she took a deep breath and made the fire grow bigger and more dangerous. It happened so suddenly that it surprised her. How much damage was she capable of doing?
"Woah," Vanity noted, not realizing she was the cause.
"Are you still sure about that?" asked Melanie, trying to keep her composure. "This fire looks scary. We really should go to the city and get the fire department to come out here and put it out so that it doesn't get any bigger."
"Well, someone has to deal with it now, but I know the others will get help," Vanity waved away dismissively. "Besides, I don't know if you should be going to the city. I heard there's a man-eating lizard there. I should get you somewhere safe."
"Oh, that's not good," Melanie said, thinking of a good lie. "That sounds dangerous. So, dangerous that after you put out these fires you and everyone else should go after it right now!"
Flug came up from behind a bush briefly to give her a thumbs up.
"I am camping with my friend nearby," Melanie lied. "I'll totally be fine, so you all can leave without worrying about me at all whatsoever!"
"I'm not sure about leaving a civilian…" hesitated Vanity.
Melanie shook her head. "I'm not a civilian. I am a mutant with powers and so is my friend. I promise you we'll be fine. I'll look for other people who need help from the fire on the way. You need to focus on what's most important. You're a hero, after all."
Vanity looked stunned. "A mutant? You mean like one of your parents was a supernatural creature, psychic, or...?"
"Why are you asking so many questions?" demanded Melanie. "You need to go save people!"
"Well, alright, kid. Just stay out of the way," Vanity said before flying deeper into the forest.
Melanie breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks, God," she prayed to herself. "Now, I just gotta make sure all the stragglers are gone so that the villains can get their lair back and this crappy mission will be over."
Melanie then walked to the door to phase through it. She was about to go through the door when she heard a grunt behind her.
Upon hearing it, Melanie hopped back and turned around quickly with her fake scythe in hand only to see it was Flug and 505.
"Oh," Melanie said breathing a sigh of relief as she folded up her fake scythe. "Sorry about that. I guess I'm feeling a bit jumpy."
"It's fine," Flug waved off. "Can you get through the door?"
"Yeah, I should be able to. I am so happy. I got those heroes out without violence, and now I just have to do a quick run-through to check if there are more heroes, and then we'll be good to go," Melanie said happily. "That is, after I convince them to leave, of course."
"You can't do that," Flug interjected.
"What?" Melanie asked. "Why?"
"Think about it," Flug explained. "Whether they leave from here or the other end of the cave, that makes them either run into us or Phantom and Ghoul. It would blow our cover. It'll be easier if we just kill them. You should check to see how many of them are left."
"You could just hide till they leave," Melanie suggested. "Then no cover is blown, and you all can come out of hiding when they're done. That way, there's still no violence!"
Flug hesitated, "I don't know, Melanie. It sounds too reckless, especially with you going in alone."
"What are you worried about?" Melanie asked. "They're heroes. They won't hurt me."
Flug stared blankly for a moment. His heart ached for how naïve Melanie was.
He sighed deeply, "Melanie, you don't know that…"
"Okay, there are a few corrupt heroes like Miss Heed," Melanie interrupted. "But these guys won't be like her."
"And how do you know that?" asked Flug. "Is it because you're only judging them by what you see on the surface like everyone else?"
"What do you mean?" asked Melanie.
Flug knew he couldn't get into this now, so he changed his approach.
"Melanie, it's a long story, but you could be wrong," Flug explained. "But even if you're right, your approach could make it very difficult to regroup…"
"So, what's the alternative?" interrupted Melanie. "We go in there and murder everybody?!"
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't find that more effective," admitted Flug.
"Unbelievable!" Melanie said, turning away from Flug angrily.
"Fine then," Flug huffed. "Go ahead and try. But if it doesn't work, we do it my way."
"Fine!" Melanie retorted as she phased through the door.
505 looked at Flug worriedly to ask him what he had just done.
"She will be fine, buddy," Flug reassured his bear. "Hopefully, Melanie won't see anyone."
505 whined worriedly.
Meanwhile, Melanie quickly phased into the corridor and the next room. She marveled at the alien tech as she phased into the next room, the room after that, the room after that, and so on.
To her satisfaction, the place was empty so far. It looked like no one was around.
That was until Melanie reached a larger room. There she could hear people talking and soft music playing.
In a panic, Melanie turned invisible until she realized no one was in the large room with her.
The room appeared to be the main operations room with a giant computer and gadgets strewn about.
Melanie approached the computer and held up her hand to command the computer to bring up the video feed for all the rooms.
She flipped through the video camera footage until she found the room where many heroes appeared to be partying. It was right next door which explained the loudness.
To Melanie's surprise, Goldheart was there amid them. She felt her heart skip a beat. She looked away from him and at the other heroes to see if she recognized anyone else, but she didn't recognize any other heroes with him.
Goldheart was sitting on a couch chatting with other heroes in what looked like a large den with a big TV. There were tables with snacks and drinks. Heroes were standing around talking while music played in the background.
Melanie knew they were in trouble. She had to get the heroes to leave through whatever means possible if she wanted to save them from dying. This was going to difficult. Melanie hated public speaking.
After taking a deep breath, Melanie looked up where the room was and then immediately ran through the wall to find it. She phased through the wall into the room where everyone else was.
The heroes stopped what they were doing and froze in surprise.
"What is a kid doing here?!" cried one hero.
"Did she run in from the town?" asked another.
"Oh, uh, hi, guys," Melanie said nervously. "I, uh, came to tell you that you need to leave this cave right now! There are bad guys everywhere and the city needs you!"
"Yeah, we got word of that," Goldheart replied. "We've sent a handful of heroes to handle the issue. It seems tough, but there's only one villain so far."
"Oh...but I could see so much destruction from where I was watching outside at my campsite," Melanie lied as she gestured towards the door. "There's gotta be far more than one! It looked like an invasion! You should all totally go check it out!"
The heroes looked at each other and seemed to mutter in agreement, but a certain curiosity slightly soured it.
"You didn't really answer our question," said Goldheart. "How are you in here?"
"Oh, uh, I can phase through walls," Melanie explained, demonstrating by phasing her hand through the wall behind her and phasing it back. "But that's really not important right now."
"I'd disagree," replied Goldheart.
The legendary hero got off the couch and started walking over to her.
Melanie shuddered where she stood. She had seen Goldheart on the news and on YouTube, but never in real life. He was huge, imposing, and even more handsome in person.
"Hey," another hero spoke up. "Weren't you on the news recently? I feel like I've seen you from somewhere."
"Uh, no, I've never been on TV," Melanie lied.
"Everyone, cut it out," Goldheart commanded as he approached Melanie. "Could you do that again for me please?"
"Oh, okay," Melanie said, phasing her hand into the wall and back again.
"Wow, you're pretty gifted," said Goldheart with a warm smile. "Have you ever considered trying to be a hero yourself?"
Melanie found herself struggling to form words. "Yeah, I…I want to be. I was a Nunja but my, uh, family forced me to stop."
"A Nun-ja huh?" replied Goldheart. "Well, it sounds like your family doesn't know a hero's heart when they see it."
"No, they do," Melanie corrected. "That's why they made me stop."
"Really?" asked Goldheart in concern. "I'm so sorry to hear that. It's so unfair that they made you stop."
"Oh, uh, thanks," Melanie said. "That means a lot. I wish I could go back, but that will never happen."
"And why is that?" pressed Goldheart.
"Well, my granduncle has taken custody of me away from my parents and he's a terrible person," Melanie explained vaguely. "I have to join the family business now or else he'll hurt people I care about. He's very powerful so I don't really have a choice."
"Well, perhaps there's a way to help you," offered Goldheart.
Melanie perked up. This was too good to be true.
"You...you could?" asked Melanie. "My granduncle is literally a demon. Are you sure?"
"We've fought demons and monsters," assured Goldheart. "I am sure this lair was home to an alien conqueror."
"Yeah, I heard that too," Melanie said. "Uh, could we and everyone else go talk about this outside? I have to grab a few things from my campsite, and I'm scared that someone will steal my stuff. Not to mention, this place really creeps me out..."
Goldheart nodded.
Melanie was elated. She couldn't believe this was working and that she now had a chance.
To Melanie's surprise, all the heroes followed her as she led them out of the cave.
Melanie couldn't believe it. These heroes were going to help her. If they had fought demons and won, maybe they could help her escape Black Hat. Then she could return to her friends and be the heroine she always dreamed of being. It felt like a miracle.
Soon enough, everyone made it outside.
Flug was surprised too.
"I guess she did it…Oh, God. Goldheart?!" Flug exclaimed.
This wasn't good.
"So, about this offer?" Melanie asked Goldheart. "Can we talk while walking to my campsite?"
"Sure, what's your name?" Goldheart asked.
"Oh, it's Melanie," Melanie replied.
"Well, Melanie, can you explain your family?" asked Goldheart.
"Well, uh, you don't want to know," Melanie replied, searching for words. "There's a ton of drama. It's super messy."
"Well, I need to know if I am to help, right?" Goldheart pressed.
The hero seemed so kind. Surely, he wouldn't judge her.
"Are you sure? Do you promise not to judge me?" asked Melanie.
"I try not to judge villains, and you clearly aren't one to begin with," Goldheart encouraged.
Melanie smiled while Flug and 505 looked on with worry.
"Okay, my last name is de la Muerte," Melanie said.
"No…" Flug whispered to himself.
Goldheart's face shifted in surprise, "The Reapers?"
"Yeah," Melanie said. "Now wait right there. I'm going to grab my bags."
Melanie summoned her wings and flew into the forest where the ship was while the heroes discussed this information among themselves.
Goldheart frowned and shook his head, "I'll have to talk to the rest of PEACE."
"What do we do with the girl?" asked a hero.
"I am not sure as of yet, but she could be useful," answered Goldheart.
"How?" another hero asked. "I thought we were going to help her. However much she is hiding she is still a kid in trouble, Goldheart. We should help her."
Melanie was walking back with her bag from the ship. She was invisible so none of the villains she came with would see her.
When she realized they were talking about her, Melanie flew into a tree and waited invisibly on a branch to hear what they were saying.
"I don't believe I implied we weren't going to help her," Goldheart said confrontationally. "But eliminating Black Hat Organization takes a bit more priority."
"It's too much pressure for a teenage girl to handle, Goldheart," another hero argued. "You can't just take a kid and interrogate her until she spills everything. For God's sake, hasn't she been through enough?"
"Why so accusatory?" asked Goldheart. "Interrogation isn't part of the plan. We aren't monsters."
"Well, how else are we gonna do it?" another hero asked. "She's Black Hat's ward, a former Nunja, and a daughter of the de la Muerte and Faucheur Clans! She's a treasure trove of information and we must get it out of her somehow!"
"Melanie is only a child," assured Goldheart. "She'll be convinced if we treat her well. Then she'll tell us everything."
Melanie felt tears stinging her eyes. These tears stung harder than the tears she had shed all day.
These heroes only wanted to take her in for who she was connected to. Melanie couldn't believe it.
Lucy had told many stories like this, stories of heroes who were nice to her to get information about her family ties. Her sensei had kept those people at bay, and they felt her wrath for trying to take advantage of a vulnerable teenage girl.
Somehow Melanie had thought the heroes had changed and were better now. Yet they weren't. Who could she trust? If Goldheart wasn't good, which hero was? How could she know? Melanie felt so confused.
CREAK! Suddenly, the branch under her broke. In her panic, Melanie lost her invisibility as she summoned her wings.
The heroes suddenly saw Melanie. Flug's eyes grew in panic and pity from his hiding spot, knowing that Melanie had heard everything, and the other heroes had realized she had heard everything.
Angrily, Melanie took her spot on the ground and said tearfully, "So, is that it then? You only want me for what I can tell you?!"
Goldheart turned around, completely unperturbed. "Back so soon, Melanie?"
"I only had to grab this one bag, but that is not the issue right now," Melanie protested. "You only want me so you can use me! You're just like Black Hat!"
"So, you've met him before?" Goldheart asked calmly.
"Yeah, you already know that, but that's not…" Melanie tried to protest before Goldheart cut her off.
"And I imagine you know all the horrible things his organization has done to the world?" Goldheart interrupted.
"No shit, Sherlock," Melanie snapped. "I know about all the crap they do! I have grown up in the organization my entire life! I don't want anything to do with it! I wish I could escape it forever! But that doesn't mean I'm gonna manipulate people and be cruel to them like he is! That's not what real heroes do!"
"Have you heard of the idea of the greater good?" asked Goldheart.
"What?" Melanie asked.
"I will apologize you had to hear what I said," Goldheart sympathized while floating over. "But you have to understand, I'm trying to end Villainy."
"By becoming a villain?!" Melanie asked.
Goldheart sighed, "You are being a bit disappointing."
"You are sounding like my granduncle," said Melanie with more angry tears falling. "I already have to be his little ward he's converting to villainy! I don't want to be anyone else's pawn! I just want to be loved as I am! Why is that so freaking much to ask all of a sudden?!"
Melanie turned away and held her arms and her bags uncomfortably.
Goldheart shook his head, "I'm sorry you've had to go through so much. PEACE will help you."
The hero then started to glow brightly.
Melanie looked up at Goldheart, blocked her eyes with her hand, and asked, "What are you doing?"
Flug knew something bad was about to happen. He had to act before Melanie was harmed.
"Oh, shit," Flug muttered out loud, tapping the communicator on his watch. "Dark Phantom! Ghoul! Melanie's in trouble! Meet me at the front of the cave!"
"Coming!" Ghoul replied.
"Come on, Fluffy," Flug said, running off to carry out a hastily thought-out plan.
"Hey! Why aren't you answering me?" Melanie demanded. "What's going on?!"
With a flash, Goldheart blinded Melanie.
"Oh, God!" Melanie said, putting her hands over her burning eyes. "My eyes! I can't see anything! They hurt so much! Why the hell did you do that?!"
"Don't worry," Goldheart reassured. "Your eyes will heal eventually. The blindness is only temporary. I just needed to get you to come back with me."
"Fat freaking chance!" Melanie growled, summoning her wings and taking off again.
Melanie started flying upwards, but she got caught in some tree branches since she couldn't see where she was flying.
Goldheart flew after Melanie, got her unstuck, and picked her and her bags up in his arms.
"Hey! Who is that?!" cried Melanie.
"Stay calm," Goldheart said gently. "You have nothing to worry about."
"Please don't do this!" Melanie pleaded, struggling in his arms. "Let me go!"
"No, we're going home where it's safe," Goldheart said sternly.
"Like Hell you are!" Flug yelled suddenly.
Flug flew out of the forest rocketing in his jetpack towards Goldheart.
The hero caught his gauntlet with one hand and replied, "Ah, hello, Kenning."
"Flug?!" Melanie asked.
"Don't worry, Melanie," Flug said. "I'm right here. I'm going to get you home so we can get that night on the town you wanted, okay?!"
Goldheart flung Flug aside. "I suppose I should've expected to see you here."
"Cut the crap and let her go!" Flug snarled. "Hero or villain, she's a kid. Leave her out of this!"
"Well, I can't do that, Kenning," replied Goldheart. "After what happened with Cecilia, the plan to end villainy has been slowed down greatly. You really shouldn't have gotten in the way."
"I could say the same to you," Flug retorted.
Dark Phantom and Ghoul wasted no time. They quickly arrived on the scene.
"Nice to see we have more company," Goldheart said sarcastically. "Why didn't you tell me you came with friends, Melanie?"
"Please just let me go!" cried Melanie. "I don't want anyone to get hurt!"
"That won't happen, but you don't need to worry," assured Goldheart. "Nothing will happen to you, just your friends."
"No…" pleaded Melanie.
"And you call yourself a hero?" Flug said, springing for him again.
Raising a hand, Goldheart sent off a beam of light. "The greatest hero."
Flug dodged the light and kept charging.
Meanwhile, Melanie started fighting back on her own. She put her hands on Goldheart's chest and focused her energy, letting her hands grow hot.
"What the?" Goldheart let go of Melanie and her bags to relieve the pain, allowing both to fall onto the ground.
Goldheart left himself defenseless with Flug who landed a solid punch on his chin and sent him flying back.
Melanie got up from the ground and started feeling around while calling for help.
"Flug?!" Melanie cried. "Flug?!"
505 spotted Melanie and ran over to her. He picked up her bags and walked over to her. He reached out his paw and let Melanie grab onto it.
"505? Is that you?" asked Melanie.
505 took out his phone and pressed the speaking app, "Yes."
Melanie hugged him. The bear put the bags in her arms and picked her up.
Meanwhile, Dark Phantom was cowering next to the cave door while Ghoul was shooting his laser gun at the other heroes and holding them off, scattering them.
505 was escaping with Melanie when a hero unfortunately spotted them.
"She's getting away!" the hero yelled dashing forward.
505 shuddered in fear, but Melanie said, "Don't worry, 505. I feel his soul!"
Before 505 could ask for an explanation, Melanie pulled the soul out of the unfortunate hero's body.
"Hey! What did you do?!" demanded the hero.
"Sorry, but I can't go with you!" Melanie yelled. "Keep moving, 505! I'll try to catch any hero we come across."
505 nodded and kept going.
Whenever any hero ran after them, Melanie would remove their soul from their body. In that way, Melanie and 505 fought back.
"Flug, where are you?!" Melanie cried while detaching another soul. "Are you okay?!"
Above them, Goldheart and Flug were continuing their fight.
Goldheart flew above Flug and shot several beams of light down towards him.
Flug flew deeper into the forest to dodge the beams.
In a panic, 505 ran with Melanie into the woods after him.
Flug was unaware they were even near him until he heard Melanie ask, "505, where are we?"
Goldheart burst through the air, striking at Flug with a solid punch. He then caught him and tore his wings off.
"Flug...mmph?" Melanie asked before 505 covered her mouth, shushed her, and hid behind some trees.
Flug got up from the ground as Goldheart landed and walked in his direction.
"It's a shame you made me do this, Kenning," Goldheart said mockingly. "This could go away if you told me one thing…the formula you finished for Heed's recipe."
"What?!" Flug asked incredulously. "Are you telling me that that's the reason you tried taking Melanie hostage?!"
"I had to liberate her from you and your organization and, maybe even learn more about it. But since you came here, that opened up a new opportunity." Goldheart jumped on Flug, ripping off one of his gauntlets.
Flug held his other gauntlet up and backed away.
"Who are you kidding? You were just going to use her," Flug accused.
"Isn't that what you were doing?" rebutted Goldheart. "I have that bet without a doubt. Even now, you are using her as a soldier."
Flug fell speechless as a pang in his heart sprung up. He normally didn't feel guilty about doing things like this so why was he feeling this now?
"Well, I'm right? Am I not?" asked Goldheart. "Neither you nor your boss care about her at all. At least, I'm giving her something good in return for her help, an end to villainy and all the harm it brings. Which reminds me. The formula, Kenning."
Flug started at the ground silently feeling all the guilt in his heart overwhelm him as if Goldheart wasn't even there.
The hero was getting impatient.
"The formula, Kenning." Goldheart started to glow.
Melanie heard the telltale noise and knew she had to do something. She whispered an apology to 505, phased through his arms, and blindly began making her way to the source of the noise.
Flug continued staring at the ground silently.
"KENNING!" yelled Goldheart, but Flug held his tongue.
Goldheart sighed and held his hand out, readying a beam of light.
"WAIT!" Melanie cried before running into a tree and getting back to her feet.
Flug looked up, his eyes flashing in terror. Goldheart watched her curiously and chose his words carefully.
The hero put his hand down and said, "I'm glad you came back, Melanie."
"I just don't want Flug to get hurt," Melanie said, feeling her back to ensure her backpack purse was still there. "If I go with you now, will you leave Flug alone?"
"I suppose I could do that. After all, I don't really wish to fight." Goldheart lowered his hand, dissipating the light.
Melanie smiled sadly and said, "Okay, then let's go."
Flug finally broke his silence and protested, "Melanie, no! Stay where you are!"
"But Flug," Melanie said, looking toward Flug's voice. "He's gonna hurt you if I don't..."
Flug then interrupted, "That doesn't matter! I have to protect you! Run!"
"Now, now, Kenning. She can make her own choices," Goldheart interjected.
"You weren't going to give her a choice earlier," Flug rebuffed.
Melanie suddenly found herself at a crossroads. On one hand, she could be able to break free. On the other hand, Melanie couldn't just leave Flug and 505 behind. They were her friends. She couldn't leave her sensei behind either. These heroes also clearly wanted to use her.
Melanie lifted her hand. She could feel his soul, but she wasn't sure if she could remove it before Goldheart attacked Flug.
So, Melanie sighed and said, "I can't really run, Flug. I'm blind right now. Besides, I'm not a villain. I'm a hero, a better one than he is, so I have to go."
"Melanie, you might not be a villain, but I am." Flug focused on his strength, raising a blaster.
The scientist shot at Goldheart, disorienting him.
Then Flug got himself off the ground, grabbed Melanie's wrist, and ran with her into the forest.
505 spotted the pair and followed behind them until he caught up enough to pick Melanie up and keep running.
"Okay, so what's the plan?" asked Melanie.
"We have to get to the ship! The mission is lost!" Flug pressed some buttons on his communicator watch and called Demencia. "Demencia, come in! We need to get to the ship!"
"What's going on?" Demencia replied.
"We've encountered too many heroes!" Flug exclaimed. "We're all too injured! We have to retreat now!"
Demencia scoffed, "Oh, come on. A few heroes and you NERDS are running?!"
"Goldheart is here too!" cried Flug annoyedly.
"Oh, even better! I've been waiting to have a go at him!" Demencia cackled excitedly.
"No way!" Flug rebuffed. "Goldheart blinded Melanie, and he's destroyed my weapons. We don't have a chance!"
"Speak for yourself, nerd! I'm going to win!" bragged Demencia. "Signing off!"
"Demencia!" Flug called. "Demencia?!"
Demencia stopped responding to her communicator.
"Dammit," Flug muttered to himself.
"Wait, what do we do about the other two villains?" asked Melanie. "Will they be okay?"
"I don't know, but we can't worry about them right now," Flug said. "Getting you out of here is more important. You're Black Hat's apprentice and you're a kid. This situation is too dangerous for you to stick around. I'm sorry, Melanie. I should've seen this coming."
"It's my fault too," Melanie sighed. "But Black Hat's going to kill you. What will we do?"
"I'll worry about it later," Flug said.
"I'll do what I can to protect you," Melanie promised.
"There's not much you can do against Black Hat," Flug informed her sadly. "But thanks anyway."
"I'm starting to see shapes again," assured Melanie. "By the time we get home, I'll be back to fighting form."
"It won't be enough. No one can beat Black Hat."
"I'll try anyway."
"Melanie, do you know what he'd do if you tried to intervene?"
"What?"
Flug stopped running. 505 stopped too.
Flug turned around and answered Melanie, "Find a new way to make me suffer. I deserve it for failure. But that doesn't matter now. Right now, I have to get you to the ship and get you to safety."
"But you matter," Melanie argued.
"You do, too," Flug retorted. "I'll be more concerned about myself once you're safe. Okay?"
Melanie nodded, squinted, and asked, "Hey? Is that big black blob the ship?"
Flug turned around, saw the ships several yards ahead, turned back to Melanie, and nodded.
"Are you nodding?" Melanie asked. "I think you are, but I can't tell."
"I am nodding," Flug said. "Let's get going!"
The group ran to the ship, but as soon as they arrived, a large beam of light shot down onto the ship.
Once it faded, Goldheart was on the ship. It had crumbled beneath him by his power. He smirked with his fists on his hips.
Having seen the flash of light, Melanie muttered, "That can't be good."
Goldheart landed on the ground and started walking towards them. "No more fleeing like a coward, Kenning. Even if I don't find the formula, I can at least cripple villainy through you three."
Flug looked back at 505 and Melanie. He turned back to Goldheart and sighed.
"Do what you want with me, but let these two go," pleaded Flug.
"Flug, there are other multicolor blobs surrounding us!" warned Melanie.
Sure enough, the heroes were surrounding the trio.
"I think I will be taking all three of you," Goldheart replied.
"Please, don't!" pleaded Flug.
Just then, several heroes cried out in pain in a pattern heading to Goldheart. Demencia jumped from the fray to attack him, but he caught her and immediately punched her to her friends.
"Hmph!" snorted Demencia.
"Demencia, is that you? My vision hasn't returned yet! Have you seen the other guys?" Melanie asked.
The heroes threw Dark Phantom and Ghoul along with them.
Melanie heard their grunts and sighed. "Hey, Goldheart? Is the offer to take me and spare everyone else still on the table? I'm willing to do whatever you want considering the circumstances."
"Of course," Goldheart replied. "I'd rather not make Kenning appear so pathetic in front of everyone. The violence isn't necessary."
"Melanie, please…" Flug said with angry tears forming around his eyes.
"It's alright, Flug," Melanie said, grabbing her bags from 505. "You're not a hero, but I am."
Goldheart picked Melanie and her bags up in his arms and started to carry her away.
Suddenly, the technology on the heroes started flickering on and off. Their flashlights did the same thing. A harsh wind blew by, and otherworldly shrieks surrounded the heroes.
"What the hell?!" a hero yelled as a creature glowing bright white in a black cloak and clothes appeared in their midst.
The heroes all backed away in terror. They all whispered his name in terror as his black wings spread around, his scythe gleamed in the low light, and he took off and landed again among the villains.
Melanie didn't need to hear them to know who it was.
"Papi?" she whispered.
Goldheart gripped Melanie tightly and tried to fly away in a panic, but Lord Reaper appeared in front of him by the time he levitated only several feet from the ground.
"I believe you have someone who belongs to me," Lord Reaper said in low cold yet demonic intonations.
Goldheart levitated in place, defiantly holding Melanie in place.
"Are you going to let her go?" asked Lord Reaper. "Or do I have to take your soul and pry her away from your corpse?"
Goldheart was sweating, but he held strong. "I hope you don't get too close. I wouldn't want her to accidentally fall. With her sight, she might not catch herself. We can just talk."
"What did you do to my granddaughter, Goldheart?!" Lord Reaper asked with his voice growing louder with every word.
"He blinded me because I wouldn't go with him, Papi," Melanie explained. "But my sight is coming back, so..."
"YOU DID WHAT?!" Lord Reaper growled growing closer to Goldheart's face. "WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT TO JUSTIFY THAT?!"
"What I want is simple: the end of evil," explained Goldheart.
Lord Reaper stared incredulously and laughed, "HA! You think you can change all of human nature, young man?"
"Yes, I do!" exclaimed Goldheart.
"That would require removing a human's ability to choose," Lord Reaper said with a scoff. "You can't go against God's design like that and expect people to be good. They'd just be robots. Now, shut up your nonsense and give me my granddaughter."
"And why should I listen to you, monster?!" cried Goldheart. "You aid his organization from the looks of it."
"My brother and I have a mutually beneficial relationship," said Lord Reaper, shrugging and moving to grab Melanie.
Unexpectedly, Goldheart shoved Melanie and her bags into the Reaper's arms.
"I'm glad we came to an agreement," Lord Reaper said condescendingly. Now, if you don't mind, would you kindly get your heroes to depart from the property? I would be too glad to do it myself, but I'm utterly exhausted after spending the day chasing my other granddaughter on her broom."
Goldheart glared at Lord Reaper and threw a glowing punch at him in a moment of anger.
The hand went right through Lord Reaper or rather he made himself incorporeal so that it would.
Lord Reaper laughed and asked, "Did you think that would work? That's hilarious!"
Goldheart huffed and rubbed his hair back. "We'll be leaving then."
Without much fuss, Goldheart departed with all the other heroes following behind him. He gave one nasty glare before disappearing into the night.
"Dark Phantom, Ghoul, you two should be able to fix up your lair without much fuss," Lord Reaper said.
"Yes, thanks sir," Dark Phantom said as he and Ghoul scrambled to their feet and went into their lab.
"All's well that ends well, except for you, of course, Flug," Lord Reaper said.
"Indeed!" A dark voice rang out before everyone with the organization was engulfed in darkness.