Back at the base, the Wards gathered in the common area, unwinding and relaxing. Even Armsmaster had grudgingly admitted that they'd performed well. They had reason to celebrate, even though the gang war had only just begun. Only two people in the room disagreed.

Taylor leaned back on the couch, her arms draped over the backrest. "So, Shadow Stalker," she said casually, "what was that back there? Calling out targets that didn't exist? You seemed a little… jumpy."

Sophia stiffened, shooting her a glare. "I wasn't jumpy. I saw something."

Clockblocker raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Because I didn't see anything either. Maybe you're just seeing ghosts?"

Sophia's glare deepened, but she didn't respond.

"Maybe you should take some time off," Taylor suggested, her tone light but her words barbed. "You know, clear your head. Wouldn't want you putting the team at risk."

Sophia shot to her feet, her fists clenched. "I don't need your advice," she spat. "You!"

Taylor raised an eyebrow with mock surprise.

"Me?" Taylor repeated, her tone light and innocent.

Sophia stalked toward her, fists clenched. "Don't play dumb. You've been screwing with me—using your powers to mess with my head. The illusions, the shadows, all of it. I know it's you! How are the rest of you so blind? This is literally her power!"

The tension in the room thickened, and the other Wards exchanged awkward glances.

"Sophia…" Vista started, hesitating. "What are you talking about?"

Taylor leaned back in her chair, twirling a dagger idly. "That's a serious accusation," she said, her tone calm but edged with amusement. "And completely baseless, I might add. I don't know what you think I've done, but I've been nothing but a team player."

Sophia's hands shook as she gestured wildly. "She's lying! She's been using her illusions to mess with me during patrols, making me see things that aren't there, setting me up to look like an idiot!"

Clockblocker leaned forward, frowning. "Uh, Shadow Stalker, are you sure? Because… that sounds kinda paranoid."

Sophia whipped her head toward him, her frustration boiling over. "I'm not paranoid! She's doing it on purpose!"

Taylor sighed, standing up and spreading her hands. "Look, I get it. My powers could be used that way. But do you honestly think I'd risk the team's trust for… what? A prank?" She shook her head, her expression one of mock hurt. "I thought we were supposed to work together, not tear each other down with wild accusations."

"That's rich, coming from you!" Sophia snapped, taking a step closer.

Vista stood up, stepping between them. "Okay, enough. Shadow Stalker, you're way out of line. Loki's been pulling her weight on missions. If you're having issues, maybe you should talk to Armsmaster instead of dragging all of us into it."

Sophia's glare flicked to Vista, then back to Taylor. "You're all blind. She's manipulating you. She's—"

"Manipulating us?" Clockblocker interrupted, his tone skeptical. "Sophia, you're the one flipping out and accusing people without proof. Honestly, it's kinda hard to take you seriously right now. You always make your shit our problem—like it's never your fault!"

Sophia's face twisted with more frustration than rage, even as Dennis mocked her openly. "She's doing it right now! Look at her!"

All eyes turned to Taylor, who shrugged, her expression serene. "I'm literally just standing here. But sure, if it makes you feel better, blame me for… whatever it is you think I've done."

"Enough," Armsmaster's voice cut through the tension as he entered the room, his expression stern. "What's going on here?"

Sophia turned to him, desperate. "Loki's been sabotaging me! She's using her illusions to make me look like I'm losing it!"

Armsmaster's eyes narrowed as he glanced between them. "Loki, is this true?"

Taylor shook her head, her expression calm. She had to suppress the urge to laugh. Did Sophia really think this would work? She just looked like a toddler throwing a tantrum. "No, sir. I think Shadow Stalker is under a lot of stress and might be misinterpreting things."

"Misinterpreting?" Sophia practically growled. "She's lying!"

Armsmaster frowned. "Do you have any evidence to back up your claims?"

Sophia opened her mouth, then closed it, her hands clenching into fists.

"She can do everything I've said. It's her power."

"Next time, either say 'no' or keep your mouth shut," Armsmaster said, his tone heavy. "Until you can provide proof, I suggest you focus on your duties and stop making baseless accusations against your teammates. This behavior is unacceptable."

Sophia just stared at him. "You're taking her side?"

You're only on your own side, Taylor thought. You don't even bother pretending otherwise here, unlike at school. Why act surprised? You brought this on yourself. I just gave you a nudge.

"I'm taking the side of the team," Armsmaster said firmly. "Now stand down, Shadow Stalker."

Sophia turned to the rest of the Wards, as if searching for support, but of course she found none. Vista looked uncomfortable, Kid Win avoided her gaze, and Clockblocker just shook his head.

Taylor, meanwhile, stood off to the side, her expression unreadable. But when Sophia's eyes met hers, she couldn't stop a spark of emotion from leaking through—triumph. Subtle, but unmistakable.

Humiliated and seething, Sophia stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

The silence lingered for a moment before Clockblocker broke it. "Well, that was… awkward."

Taylor sat back down, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Stress can do strange things to people."

Vista nodded reluctantly. "Yeah… but she really needs to get it together."

Taylor didn't respond, content to let the conversation move on. Inside, though, she allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. Sophia had taken the bait, and now the team trusted her even less.

It was a good start—but nothing more than that. A beginning.

—

Sophia stormed down the darkened hallway of the Wards' base, her boots echoing off the walls. Her hands were clenched into fists, her entire body vibrating with frustration. Every time she thought she'd had enough of Loki, every time she convinced herself she'd let it go, that smirk of hers—calm, condescending—dragged her rage right back to the surface.

She hadn't been able to stand Taylor when she was a helpless little bitch, a victim, everything she hated in a person.
This was a thousand times worse. She couldn't help but think Taylor was better than her at her own game.
And…

She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

"You seem tense, Shadow Stalker."

Sophia froze. The voice was quiet but unmistakable, cutting through the silence like a knife. It didn't sound like Taylor's voice. Taylor's voice had always lacked confidence, barely rising above a whisper. To Sophia, this was unmistakably Loki's voice. Something more, something better. The weapon she herself had created.

She spun around, crossbow raised, but the hallway behind her was empty.

"Paranoid again?" the voice taunted.

Her teeth ground together as she scanned the shadows. "Show yourself!"

A figure stepped out from the dim light ahead. Taylor—no, Loki—sauntered forward, her arms crossed and her lips curled into a smirk.

"Surprised nobody believes you?" the illusion said, her voice low and mocking. "You asked for this, Sophia. All that hostility, all that 'lone wolf' crap… and now you're flailing, grasping for support from people you've always thought were beneath you."

Sophia's heart pounded as she aimed her crossbow, her finger hovering over the trigger. "Shut up."

If only she had lethal ammunition right now. Not that she should—she knew if she did, she'd pull the trigger and blow everything to hell, probably without even harming Loki. But she couldn't help wanting it, imagining a real bolt buried in Taylor's neck, blood gushing out.

Loki leaned casually against the wall, completely unconcerned. "What's wrong? The big bad Shadow Stalker, so used to standing alone, suddenly needs someone to have her back?"

"I said shut up!" Sophia fired a bolt, but it passed straight through the illusion, clattering to the floor behind it.

Loki laughed, the sound echoing eerily through the hall. For a moment, the laughter came from nowhere. Then she reappeared, wearing that stupid costume. "You're making this so easy. The more you lose your temper, the more they turn against you. And the best part? I barely even have to do anything."

Sophia's breathing was heavy, her vision narrowing as she stepped forward. "You think this is a game? You think I won't make you pay for this?"

Loki tilted her head, looking almost curious. Sophia wasn't even sure if this was real or just another illusion.

"Oh, I don't doubt you'll try. But what then? Even if you did manage to hurt me, do you think the team would back you? They already think you're unstable. You're just proving them right. Of course, you don't actually care about the team—but this would also end your probation."

Sophia growled, swinging her fist at the illusion, but it dissolved into wisps of green light before she could touch it. She should've suspected it was just another illusion from the start. Loki hadn't changed that much, after all. She was still a coward.

Behind her, the voice echoed again, this time from the opposite direction. "Face it, Sophia. You've already lost. All that anger, all that pride—it's not strength. It's weakness. And everyone's starting to see it."

Sophia spun around, her chest heaving, but the hallway was empty once again.

—

In the common area, Taylor sat with the rest of the Wards, a calm smile on her face as Clockblocker recounted an exaggerated story from their last mission. She laughed at all the right moments, completely unbothered. Even though she'd heard the same story four times already. Well, the guy was cute and knew how to tell a story. There were worse ways to pass the time.

"Loki, you okay?" Vista asked, noticing her distracted gaze.

Taylor turned to her with a serene expression. "Oh, I'm great. Just… thinking about how well the team's been working together, even though I'm new here."

Vista smiled. "Yeah, we've been pretty solid. Even with, you know…" She glanced toward the hallway where Sophia had disappeared.

Taylor gave a small nod, her smile never wavering. "It'll sort itself out. It always does."