by R. J. Ross
"It's to your left," Mastermental says, weakly. He's wearing a collar and looking rather haggard. It isn't a REAL collar, is it? She couldn't picture them putting a real collar on him! That would be too cruel!
"Is it this?" she asks, flipping a switch. She's almost positive the other cells have higher security. She doesn't mention that fact. "Why did no one let you out?" she demands, heading into the room, now that the lasers are down. "Don't they realize you're here?"
"My son has become very good at what he does," he says as she steps into the room. Instantly she moves to his side, supporting him as he tries to stand. "I'm not as young as I once was," he admits, reaching up and almost touching the collar. "Hypersonic Rainbow, I need you to find the controller for this."
"Right, um, is it connected to the computer or did he just, um--"
"It has to be close, otherwise it wouldn't be this strong," he says.
"Okay, got it," she says. "I hate to leave you, though--so I'll make this quick," she says, leaning him against the wall and racing off. She blurs through the entire floor, coming back almost an entire minute later with the fake controller in her hands. "I've got it, I just don't know how to turn it off," she admits as he takes it from her. He taps in a code and the collar comes undone, falling to the ground. With the collar off, he straightens, dusting off his uniform and bowing slightly to her.
"Thank you, my dear," he says. "You are a true asset to our Hall."
"Think I'll get an action figure after this?" she asks, excitedly. It startles an honest laugh out of him.
"Definitely," he says, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Now we need to leave before my son realizes what you've done."
"Mastermental," she says hesitantly, "is Maximum really your son?"
"He is," Mastermental says. "I truly did hope he would take my place as Hall leader one day, but not like this." He turns as the shadow nearest them starts to move, a hand reaching through it. "Hypersonic Rainbow, we must leave now," he says.
"Got it!" she says, grabbing his hand. He picks her up and they fly away, rattling all the papers they pass. The camera turns, focusing on Rocco stepping out of the shadow, just a few seconds too late.
"Maximum's going to kill me," he mutters as he sees the empty cell.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"Your daughter helped you kidnap my sister, didn't she?" I demand, standing at Massteria's laser door. "What else has she done for you?" I checked the reports before coming here. They removed a few latex prosthetics when treating him. I should have noticed those things in the ambulance, but I hadn't. I should have read the report, as well. I'm almost as angry at myself as I am him, right now.
"You're being delusional," Massteria says. "You don't think I could pull something like that off on my own?"
"Maybe you could have, but you didn't," I say. "How deep in this is she?" I have an idea, but I want a confession.
"My daughter adores me," he says, laughing. "She won't leave me here. She thinks I'm more powerful than Mastermental!"
"Yeah, you're both insane," I say. "So she's going to come and save you, huh?"
"Of course she will. She'll be here any moment."
"Actually, she's already left," I say. "She came to the convention, she played for a while, and then she left you down here to rot. You know what I think?" I say, feeling his shock and enjoying it, "I think she just wanted to make sure you'd stay down here. She doesn't need you anymore, does she?"
"She loves me," he says. "She still calls me 'daddy.'"
"Maybe she was just indulging her old man. Maybe she was trying to use you for something, who knows? Maybe if I ask her, she'll give me even more proof."
"Proof for what?" he asks.
"Proof to present to the council, so I can get your powers stripped for good," I say with a smug little grin. "She's already thrown you under the bus, Massteria. But who could blame her? You were in the Cape Cells for most of her life, right? She might have written you letters, but she hardly knew you. You were just a fantasy she built in her mind. I bet she was extremely disappointed when she met you face to face, huh?"
"You should know," he says. "How's that mother of yours, Max? Is she still looking at you like you're a monster?"
I feel rage run through me and I quickly try to shove it down. "My mother has nothing to do with this," I say, trying not to grit my teeth.
"She has her perfect little family now. Her adorable son and daughter--her NORMAL kids," he goes on, maliciously cheerful now that he's found a weak spot. "And then there's you. The one she tried to sweep under the carpet. How does it feel to know that she didn't even NEED the Cape Cells as an excuse not to see you? Did she ever even tell them about you before this?"
I want to hurt him. I already hated him before this, and now he's just making it worse. I force myself to calm down, breathing out slowly. "You're right," I say finally. "But at least my mother didn't pretend to love me before throwing me under the bus."
"She just threw you under the bus, huh?" he says, "Fitting."
I stare at him through the wall before walking away. I have more important things to do than have a petty fight with a jerk.
***
"If she's comes back tomorrow, I'll find her!" Skye says as she and Zoe help clean up the mess from the first day of the convention. Well, Zoe's helping. Skye is just following her around. "I mean, I could probably find her now, though. Why aren't we finding her now?" she asks. "We could drag her into the ground and leave her there!"
"I'm not going to bury her alive, Skye," Zoe says. "I don't use violence. And she didn't actually do anything wrong yet. We can't just hunt her down because she came to an open party, even if we want to."
Skye looks at her. "Oh don't be silly! You could use violence with no problem! You're a Superior!" she says, laughing. "You'd be really good at it, too--oh! What about when you took down the spaceship? I've seen it LOTS of times!"
"Those were extenuating circumstances!" Zoe protests. "Just keep an eye out for her," she says, sweeping the floor. "I don't trust her."
"Me neither!" Skye declares. "I think she's up to something."
***
*Somewhere in Kansas*
The black suit is sleeping--knocked out completely as soon as they got to his house. Phoebe has been looking around the small, but comfortable place curiously. So far she hasn't found anything from his work. It leaves her no choice but to try the trick her father showed her. It had been worth it, kissing up to him, she thinks as she enters the bedroom. She learned so many things about her ability while working with Massteria.
She sits on the edge of the bed, looking down at the handsome man for a moment with a little smile. Her hand reaches up, brushing his hair from his forehead before pressing to the flesh. She almost laughs as his memories of the new machine he's been training on rush through her mind. It's like she's right there.
*Bob's Memories*
"Alright," Nico says, standing in front of the small group of black suits. "You three are trained in satellite tracking already, correct?"
"Sir, yes sir!" they say, saluting.
"Good," Nico says, waving a hand. The wall behind him lights up with a view of Central Hall from above. "As you're all aware, we have access to our own satellites. Recently I've upgraded them with a new capability. You three are the ones I've chosen to train in using it. Does anyone have any questions?"
There's silence for a moment before one of the black suits raises her hand, "Are you planning on killing people with it?"
"No, of course not," Nico says. "Well... not unless they're pretty high up in the sky, that is. That could probably kill them. Make sure you avoid that situation."
"Sir, what exactly have you added to the satellite?"
"A power blocker," Nico says. "With this we can target a rogue cape and stop his powers without confronting him directly."
"And... forgive me for asking, sir, but does Mastermental know you've done this?"
"Well, he hasn't asked, yet," Nico says. "B
ut I plan on telling him, eventually. Don't worry about that part. What we need to do is find out if it actually works."
"You haven't tried it?"
"Not officially," he says, grinning just a little too wide. "Now if you would follow me, we'll begin your training. All three of you are expert marksmen--and women, correct? Have you ever wondered which one of you is the best?"
She pulls her hand away, a bit surprised. She looks at the man again for a moment before patting his cheek and heading for the kitchen. If she's going to keep this up, she's going to need her energy and a plan.
***
"She hasn't shown herself yet?" I ask. It's morning. We've been up for an hour, moving the floats to the Hall's parking garage.
"No, she hasn't moved from that place in Kansas yet," Rocco says grimly.
"It's strange," I say. I look at the floats that are just waiting for me to say we're ready. "I was really hoping to know what she was up to by now," I admit.
"MAX!" Layne shouts, running into the garage. "We're coming to the parade!" Chet follows her with a banner in his hand. It has MAXIMUM written on it in large letters. My mother and John walk behind them, wearing hats and sunglasses.
"You--" I say, hesitating. I really don't want them going, I think, especially when Phoebe is still out there, but I can't really force them to stay in the apartment when every cape in Central Hall will be there. "I'm not sure that's safe," I admit. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather watch it on television? Jen has plans to cover it from a booth, and everything--"
"What if we ride in your float?" Chet asks. "We can dress like minions! That way you'll be able to keep an eye on us at the same time as working--"
"Won't work," I say. "There's a good chance of the float being used in the fight."
"Then... we won't get to go to either day?" Layne asks, looking hurt.
"You caught the man that captured Layne," John says. "That means she's safe now, right?"
"His daughter is still out there," I say quietly. "The only way I would let you go is if you were someone else," I say.
"You're such a jerk, Max!" Layne yells.
"Zoe, can we get some watches?" I ask, tapping on my earbud. "Illusion ones. I need four. If you can add in external power blockers, I'd appreciate it."
"Illusion watches?" Mom asks.
"I said I'd let you go if you were someone else, right?" I say. "Well, we'll just have to make you someone else." I take off, catching Layne before she can storm out. "Hey, now, I'm not unreasonable," I say, taking to the air as she squirms. "You didn't hear me just now, did you?"
"I heard you! You said you wouldn't let us go!" she says.
"Not looking like you are now, I won't," I say. "Calm down, you're going to the parade."
"What?"
"Just as someone else," I finish as Zoe flies into the garage with a box of watches in her hands. "I can't lock you up for the rest of your life," I say as I land. "Sorry, Zoe, I should have thought about this earlier."
"Nah, I stole Dad's blueprint a while back--I've been making them in my spare time. I just had to run home real quick to get them and toss in the E.P.B.s," she says, handing one to Layne. "Now let's get you set up," she says, waving a hand through the air and typing away.
"If I throw a fit, will you fly with me, too?" Chet asks.
I turn and look at him, laughing as I see how serious he looks. I wave a hand and he starts floating all on his own. "How's that?" I ask him as he lets out a cheer, flipping in the air.
"AWESOME!"
"Okay, everyone!" I say, taking to the air, myself. "Are we all ready for the first annual Villain Parade?"
They cheer, only to stop as Vinny goes, "What, you're going to do this YEARLY?"
"Why not? We've already got the floats!" I say happily. Most of the crowd groans in response. "Okay, okay, every other year."
"Next year the heroes get to do it!" Trent says.
"They already do--and it's always boring," I complain. "Zoe, are they ready?"
"They would be if you'd put your little brother down for a moment," she says, floating next to Chet and trying to put his watch on him at the same time. "He keeps doing flips when I'm trying to grab him."
I don't laugh, even if I want to. Instead I put him down and she puts his watch on before typing again. Soon I'm looking at a family that even I wouldn't recognize in a crowd.
"Are we ready?" Nico asks from where he's lounging on a van from HTV. "Jen, Freddy, you good down there?" he asks, tapping on the side of the van.
"We're all set!" she says. "This extra-large monitor really does make it look like we're in a booth above the parade," she says. "That's awesome."
"Then we're good to go. Max, do the honors," Nico says.
"Zoe?" I say, holding out a hand. "Want to ride my float?"
"I can't," she says. "I'm going to be working security."
"Be careful," I say, leaning down and kissing her. "Make sure she doesn't get close to my family," I add quietly. "I love you."
"Hey, Max, do you know why I can't dye my hair?" she asks, out of the blue.
"Huh?"
"I can't dye my hair. It always goes back to white really quickly," she explains. "Know why?"
"Why?"
"I'm the granddaughter of Tatiana," she says, smiling brilliantly. "Sunny and I have her neutralizing abilities! Isn't that awesome?"
"Yeah, but don't you have an external power blocker?" I say after she just stands there, expecting praise.
"Well, yeah, but that's not the point!" she says.
"Okay, okay," I say, laughing, "I'm happy for your newfound... already known ability."
"Hey, you made me praise you for your psychic abilities finally working!" she scolds me. "At least indulge me in this!"
"What brings this up, huh?" I ask curiously.
"Oh, I just wanted to brag a bit," she says. "No B-class psychic is going to beat me."
"I never thought they would," I say.
"Then why were you saying to be careful?"
"Because I don't want her accidentally killed," I explain cheerfully. "We've all heard the spaceship story, and--"
"Oh be quiet, those were extenuating circumstances!" she complains, pouting.
"Can we stop the flirting and get to business?" Jack demands. "I've got a date with Aubrey after this is over."
"Oh, so I can't flirt because you want to, huh?" I complain.
"Good of you to realize it!"
"Okay, fine, let's head out!" I say. We only have this street closed for a few hours, anyway. It was a bit of a hassle going through all the red tape, so I'd hate to waste too much of it. The floats start down the road, with my bus float in the front. We don't have the gigantic balloons, sadly, but--I blink as a familiar dragon appears overhead. That makes up for the lack, I would say.
"Is that going to take too much energy?" I ask over the com-link.
"Jack and I have this plan," Ace says, "we figure we'll go all out today, and then you will owe us MASSIVELY when you're our boss. That way we can do whatever we want and you get all the paperwork, for the rest of your life."
That's pretty much what I was going to do in the first place, but he sounds so smug that I hate to point that out to him. "I want to do that!" Skye says eagerly. "Can I do that, too?"
"Skye," I say, "You're not Central. Besides, Century already DOES your paperwork."
"But going all out with everyone sounds like a lot of fun!"
"Try not to knock anyone out, okay?" I say. "We need everyone conscious for when we all take the fall, got it?"
"Awww, but--"
"Did you get those massive bags of candy I bought for you?" I ask, trying to distract her.
"Yep! Ariel is riding on the saddle bags!" I take to the air for a second, looking back at the skeleton dinosaur. The three women are lounging on top of a gigantic leather saddle. The triceratops has ribbon wrapped around most of its bones, and a definite sparkle that says someone got a hold of some glitter. All three women are munc
hing on candy.
"That's for you guys to throw--gently--at the audience," I have to point out. "Try not to eat it all."
"We can't make any promises," Doris says.
"You gave my little sister candy to throw to the kids?" Nico asks over another line. He sounds like he's about to laugh. He's in the sky over the street, standing "guard" over the massive crowd that's waiting for us to show up. Most of the Central Hall is with him.
"Hey, we don't have a band," Jack says abruptly. "How can you have a parade without a band?"
"I got this!" Rocco says, making us all turn to look at his pitch-black float. I've been wondering what he was planning for a while, honestly, but it was only just finished this morning. It's just a lot of black shapes, and, apparently, a turn-table. He hops onto the back and pulls on some headphones and the shapes light up with flashing LED's. Looks like they're speakers. I thought they'd be shadow portals, or something. "I had Nico set me up," he explains, "because if I trusted you guys to pick the music we'd be blaring something lame, like ancient rock music."
"There is NOTHING wrong with some AC/DC," Jack protests.
"Other than the fact that this is a party," Rocco says. "There's no point in trying to make them take us seriously. It doesn't work for anyone in this group except for Panther," he says. "So the only one I should apologize to for this is Pan. Sorry for this, sir," he says as he puts the dance music on. It blares over the crowd, and they start cheering as the parade comes into view.
"I think I take offense to the dragon retiring lyrics," Ace drawls over the com-link as the first song blares over the speakers.
I try not to laugh as the dragon over our heads lets out a spew of fire into the air.
"My wife loves this song," Panther says. "Believe me, I have been subjected to worse."
***
The sound of cursing alerts Phoebe to the fact that her unknowing host has awoken. She takes another sip of her coffee and watches with amusement as he races out of his room, still tying his tie. He stops, though, as he catches sight of her.
