《The Raven&#x27;s Basilisk [Super-Heroine/Artificial-Human Romance]》


 Retired A.I. and Amateur Musician

    Birds and buildings reached above the clouds, towers of business, and titanic apartment complexes amid flocks of flying rats and their predators. The sounds of the city below reached up between the unintentional steel and concrete aviary that provided ample ledges to nest both falcon and pigeon alike. The ambient noise of the streets echoed through the heights as the crowds and traffic navigated along the early November streets far below.

    There among the trash and chatter, people were cutting between cars that honked in pointless offense. At the same time, the more patient of each waited idly for the lights to clear their passage. Their focus was more drawn to the shops and boutiques that lined the small shopping square in Centropolis or their own lives, not on the man weaving between them. Some sparing a glance, eyes drawn to the guitar across the man''s back the instrument seemingly out of place. Most ignored him to curse back at a blaring horn while others paid no mind to either; instead, they simply pulled their soon-to-be-traded for winter coats a bit closer.

    The air cooling just enough to convince most that breaking out their thicker wear early was the wiser choice for any November noonday shopping. Those who had spared a glance and pulled their light jackets a bit closer did so to ward off more than the chill. Their suspicions of the homeless man with his instrument were quite clear, not that the man seemed to mind in the least.

    Out of a great many things that had a place here in the square or even in this universe, Izime knew he wasn''t one.

    That was a good thing, as the types of creatures that shared his powers wouldn''t take lightly to fresh competition.

    Izime knew the safer option was to sit back and relax.

    So that''s what he did, taking a more hands-off approach to the species he''d been the soul caretaker of in his last life. Here in this universe, he would stand, maybe not beside them, but to the side.

    Adjacent to the cares and whims of Earth as someone who stopped by to spend some time. The issues here were already firmly in hand, managed by those who''d been written in as the planet''s caretakers. Izime could just kick back and be another human who made the most of their time. Working, struggling, and above all helping where he could. Though he usually did that last bit off world. Work and struggles tended to stick to Earth where humans were a lot more comfortable in judging other humans.

    At least they kept it to a smaller scale here, though they had a guiding hand a lot earlier than his humans had. Wars broke out a lot less when some odd Joe Shmoe with a cape would start throwing tanks or slapping jets out of the clouds. All in the name of peace. So the big wigs casting their judgments had calmed down quite a bit.

    However, that same level of casual human judgment forced Izime to work the crowd even now.

    The few looks he''d noticed he returned with a smile hoping they''d feel a bit more comfortable at the polite response.

    Izime was more interested in watching the crowd as a whole. Carefully weaving through while they pressed towards him, observing the odd clash. Taking in every single movement and moment, still absorbing the people and the places around him years later.

    The oddly comfortable mixture of buildings created a perfectly working system that clashed with the otherworldly sensibilities behind his teal eyes. Architecture and styles from various ages and comic artists pool together to form a working kaleidoscope of a time period here.

    Turn-of-the-century cars popping their exhaust alongside electrics, smartphones, and payphones sharing the space alike. All having equal support and infrastructure somehow supported in a working economy. During some period that compared to the Earth, he held data from the late 2020s. It all amounted to a slightly offensive world in comparison to the reality he''d known. All in all, it felt like watching someone do what he did better.

    However, it also felt like the system here was cheating to achieve this flowing order somehow. Izime wouldn''t judge too hard, he''d have liked some cheat codes in his reality. If he''d had those he''d still be there. So no, Izime couldn''t say this wasn''t a place where he could say he belonged.

    He''d still allow himself to be offensively impressed by the perfection as he stayed.

    Even finding a home of sorts, which Izime was making his way back to. Even as his eyes roamed Izime''s direction remained true, ears following the beat that signaled the location of his adoptive kin. The square filled with the gentle rhythm of a makeshift drum as two stood motionless in the flow of the busy shopping area.

    Izime watched as the crowd passed around them like a bend in a river, the family who had helped him most in this world. Never halting just curving their flow around the obstruction that had anchored his new life; he was just a small trout returning to the comfort of those still waters.

    Weaving closer towards the two, Izime walked up to the man sitting on a lifted concrete flower bed.

    Wesson was one of the first people Izime had met in Centropolis, or at least the first he''d gotten along with decently. The dark-skinned man was seated with one worn boot stomping a steady rhythm onto a five-gallon bucket at his feet. Thick woolen jacket showing stains and wear from the years as a yellowed bandanna held his dreads back from his brown eyes.

    Twirling around him was a small girl, Wesson''s daughter Shya. Her twisted braids swung with the rainbow of beads that decorated the tightly woven rows. A small tambourine in her hands, a small toy tom, and cheap metal cymbals enthusiastically playing a counter rhythm. The clothes she wore were much newer, the thick pink fluffy jacket still shiny and stainless. Though her jeans had a few holes the faded pink pajama pants poking through underneath provided extra warmth.

    "Slow ass day Wesson," Izime complained, leaning back and watching as Wesson''s daughter twirled away happily.

    The young girl was not yet fully aware of her father''s struggles with busking in the chilling November marketplace. More focused on earning smiles than cash as she performed for the few shoppers who paused long enough to give a second glance.

    Something Izime certainly wouldn''t begrudge the young girl of as she''d already had her share of burdens.

    Wesson nodded in appreciation at Izime who was returning, holding two steaming cups of coffee under one arm and what he assumed was hot chocolate in his other hand. Izime had taken extra care to not spill the cups, walking with his guitar over his back after taking a break from vocals.

    The Haitian cast a worried look over Izime, the coffee stains wouldn''t add or detract from the tattered dark brown hoodie Izime was wearing over his nicer but still ratty jacket. Both of the coats added layers that hid the Caucasian man''s thin frame while the jeans and boots he wore looked just as worn as Wesson''s clothes if not worse.

    Mostly because they had previously belonged to the more experienced homeless man.

    "Sayna''thing, less te pote move chans. It''s a good thing to be walking ''round the market with your guitar though." Wesson said, wishing Izime''d not bring them bad luck in Creole.

    Nodding and casting a glance at the small gathering of bills sitting in the small case that usually held the toy tambourine as he worried. The toy obviously didn''t go to the very expensive-looking round case Izime had found but Shya had very few precious things, and the case fit her toy perfectly.

    Izime had offered it to the girl to keep her instrument safe without a second thought or any explanation.

    The strange black polymer was just heavy enough to stay put and seemed to shield the day''s take regardless of how windy it got. A take that looked like a rough split if Izime took his cut.

    Brown eyes holding that slightly worried look, the tense features on Wesson''s face slowly easing as he turned towards Izime. His brother not taking his share of the split the last few months had made things a bit easier.

    Something Wesson knew Izime had been holding back on for their sake

    "Bit of advertising," Izime nodded placing one of the coffees down on the planter, not needing to look to know what had Wesson''s tone worried. The two he''d gotten the drinks for struggling far more than he was now the single father worried with winter fast approaching.

    "Think you can give me the backing vocals for ''I''m the Sinner'' after this?"Izime asked Wesson for a bit of help with their busking, hoping to fill the case a bit more.

    Wesson gave a low nod as he reached for the hot cup of coffee. Thinking that the slow deep intro Izime was asking for would do well to draw attention in the square; the bluesy song well suited to Izime''s voice.

    He had to admit even if Izime lacked range, the white boy could still pour in that soul. It was obvious the younger man had put practice in at some point in his life. Combined with Wesson''s own deeper tone and the natural acoustic reverb of the shopping square it was a sure way to score some quick cash.

    "First act''s almost done see, Shya come get a cup a hot chocolate." Taking a slow sip of his coffee Wesson glanced upwards towards the dropping sun before calling his daughter over.

    Shya turned and stopped the little rhythm she''d been tapping out. Quickly running back the short distance to her father and looking down at the old dirty planter he was sitting on, finding nothing.

    Her bright green eyes instead turned towards Uncle Izime who was already standing there and holding out a cup of the sweet marshmallow-topped drink.

    "Hey Shya, think you can give me a bump and tap on your dad''s next rest?"Izime bent down and asked the young girl while holding out the cup of hot chocolate. Explaining what he meant a bit better as he did so, "The pause after your dad stomps?"

    "Mwenkapab! Yes, I can," Shya agreed, smiling brightly as she took the paper cup. Blowing for half a second, she took a tiny sip, quickly covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

    The drink was still a bit too warm as it had burned her lips.

    "Is Uncle Izime gonna sing more?" Scowling as her hot chocolate betrayed her, Shya walked over and sat it in time-out next to her father''s cup of coffee as she asked the question. The young girl looked up at her father and uncle Izime who were watching the crowd.

    Their minds were full of the things that worried adults, Shya waiting for a response.

    Izime smirked at Wesson over his coffee, taunting him a bit at Shya''s apparent excitement before taking a few deep sips. The heat was already being pulled away by the November chill in thick puffs of white. November''s hands threw the steam, sending it wafting around Izime''s face as he watched the shoppers pass by.

    Wesson simply nodded at Shya while he watched the white boy''s head grow several sizes. The Haitian listened to the square filling with the noise of idle chatter instead of replying, knowing it''d only feed that ego.

    The small chiming addition of the toy tambourine and drum was now absent as the three prepared to bring an end to their little drink break.

    Izime waited until there was a slight lull in white noise, calculating the near-perfect moment he reached back and slipped his guitar around. Pulling the strap with a finger Izime felt the comfortable weight of the old electric acoustic in front of him. The worn wood looked just as rough as the stained brown jacket he had over his plaid button-up.

    Izime felt glad the only people he cared about were his fellow performers, not worrying about how he looked for the crowd.

    Adjusting his jacket a bit, before grabbing the cheap split body by its neck and running his fingers over the strings. Izime could feel the wooden body begin to fill with vibrations, giving a nod in appreciation of the sound.

    Reaching down for one final sip, he turned and sat his coffee back on the concrete planter giving a glance at his two co-performers.

    "On three?"Izime asked the two, Wesson looking at Shya as they waited for a nod.

    Izime watched Shya''s big eyes looking between her father''s worn boot and himself, feet dancing nervously afraid she might miss her first notes. Wesson didn''t bother replying, instead simply beginning the easily repeated intro to the song.

    Wesson''s lower baritone already reaching through the crowd.

    Izime tapped on his guitar setting himself along with the count Wesson was providing as Shya finally gave him a confident nod.

    Pulling the chill November air in Izime was immediately glad he had gotten that cup of hot coffee. The colder air threatened to take his attempt at sounding raspy and almost snapping the notes as his voice nearly cracked.

    The guitar-strumming busker shook his head and doubled down as the air left his lungs, the square filled with the sound of his voice. The deep thump of a worn boot on a bucket was shortly followed by a small tap and crash of cheap metal. Izime gave an approving nod easing Shya''s worries as she''d arrived right on cue.

    Shya''s smile grew as she watched her uncle sing.

    Amazed at how quickly he''d recovered not even batting an eye in front of a square full of people. Her tiny body quickly lost that little tense nervousness she''d always felt when they performed. Shya knew they needed to do their absolute best when her uncle Izime was in town.

    It didn''t take much to realize her life was a bit different than the others at school, something that had upset her after a while. At Shya''s young age, she had easily drawn the correlations between a good performance and having a better night. A few good shows meant a new jacket or a treat, a few great shows could add to a week of clean beds.

    Those weeks sounded much more like the lives those bullies at school had taunted her with; those coats not getting nearly as many jeers.

    Something that''d angered the young girl; convincing her it was worth causing a bit of trouble with those kids in school. Trouble that''d eventually had her father coming into school and leaving her with a whole lot to explain to both him and the principal.

    After a few long talks with her father and Uncle Izime, Shya had agreed that working to better their lives was more productive than hating their situation uselessly. Shya knew it was up to her and her father to make the most of the rare chances they had, not wanting to waste it.

    The only time they had a chance to amp up their performances was when Uncle Izime was here to help her dad out properly.

    Uncle Izime''s smile was a sure sign that this show would go off well and they''d celebrate tonight once again. Shya still had to admit that it was rather hard work as despite their efforts the small crowd kept moving on regardless of Izime''s abilities.

    Though now more than a few paused to tap their feet as the three buskers filled the square with a touch of live music.

    Some among the toe tappers already moving to toss bills into the small tambourine case.

    Others stopped to record with their cellphones.

    Wesson gave Izime an encouraging nod, both knowing the inclusion of social media usually encouraged generosity. The phones working their magic as some of those not even stopping to listen simply wandered through the frame to be seen tossing in their change.

    The three trailed into other more exciting genres than the attention-grabbing blues song as it ended. All the while each scanned the crowd, finding those who could be worked with. Shya dance happily with some passing children, Izime carefully lowering his volume and changing to a lullaby as a family with a stroller full of tiny sleepers passed by. Wesson doing a bit of rapping in French as the acoustic songs were burned out on the crowd.

    Each carefully found the moments where they could give a more personal touch.

    Anything to possibly squeeze out those extra few desperately needed pennies.

    The small gathering of bills and coins grew slowly but steadily until the sun had finally dropped far enough that the square''s lighting kicked on.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Wesson''s foot eventually slowed as it tired, his throat a little sore from providing vocals. The man watched as Izime slid the guitar off his shoulder and sat it down beside him. Izime''s tired hands rubbed at fingers sore from reaching for frets.

    Shya''s tambourine tapping came to an end as she looked up dejectedly. The lamps flickering to life around her were the first signs of an approaching bedtime.

    The square''s lighting system activating something Wesson and Izime had agreed was the best sign to close up shop for the day. Shya had school during the weekdays and neither of them wanted to try and work the rowdier weekend crowds that passed through the square.

    Younger adults were more prone to antagonizing them than stopping to enjoy the music. Then there were the drunks that enjoyed fighting after leaving the high-end bars.

    None of it was worth the trouble they might rouse or run the risk of getting kicked from the square, so the three buskers quickly packed up their things from the hard day''s work.

    "Another day travay di, get your cut fanmi?" Wesson whined about the day''s labor in his native tongue before motioning towards the case in Izime''s hands now that they were alone.

    The three had already left the square through a less traveled back alley, a path more comfortable socially for the three less attractive aspects of society.

    "The crowds were easy today; besides I still got some stashed. I do want you and this little queen to get out of the shelters for a bit, so you take this," Izime gave Shya an exaggerated flourishing bow before turning to shove the case into Wesson''s arms, "Find a motel, I hear about you two couching it in a trap house I''ll break my guitar over your fucking head."

    "You," Wesson was about to let it slide until he felt the unexpected heft of the case, yanking Izime back before quickly undoing the clasp to at least peek inside.

    There among the loose change and pocket money lay a brick of much newer crisper bills still in their bank bands. Wesson swallowed back more than a few questions as he considered what little he knew of his ''brother''.

    Izime had been in a worse state than Wesson had originally.

    Wesson had found him with little beyond the rags he had managed to turn into clothes. Now just a handful of years later Wesson found himself once again thanking his stars for the turn in karma, but that quick turn only worried him all the more.

    "Malpw��pte" Wesson cursed under his breath, knowing Izime could easily understand him. Still not handing the money back, Wesson instead clasped the case closed and leaned closer to Izime. The worried father tried to whisper through his tense nerves so Shya couldn''t hear, "Ye best not do something stupid Izime; that''s a stack, an actual stack."

    "It''s clean and so am I," Izime just shook his head thinking of things Wesson was better off not knowing. The words were true enough, though it had taken some work to turn that clean money into earth cash. Izime shoved the case closer to Wesson as he made himself clear, "By the way I wasn''t asking."

    Wesson gritted his teeth ignoring Izime''s aggressive tone on the last part, taking the case stuffed full of loose bills and an actual strapped band of much larger bills.

    It was clear enough that Izime wasn''t being completely honest, not wanting to reveal the truth of where the money had come from. Wesson could also tell that it was more complicated than some petty crime and while it might not have been spotless the cash wasn''t dirty.

    Izime was his brother, and he trusted him to not put Shya in danger; if his brother said the money was clean then it was. Where it came from didn''t matter nearly as much as making sure Shya and himself were taken care of. His daughter deserved a clean bed and a better life than he could currently provide.

    Wesson wasn''t so prideful that he''d refuse the help. As much as he appreciated it though, one had to wonder if Izime was doing something questionable or maybe even shameful to help them out so much.

    Wesson could tell Izime still had his world full of secrets they''d never shared; family always knew best after all.

    "Iz, you leaving again hmm?" Wesson gave Izime a bit of an accusing look as he asked the question. The man had stuck around for nearly three whole months this time, but Wesson hadn''t forgotten that face; the spaced-out look of elsewhere. Worry forced the man back into his native Creole once more, "retounen byento, come back quick; for Shya tanpri?"

    "Need to take a trip, same as ever; but I will. So, you two make the most of that," Izime explained, tossing a lazy punch at Wesson''s shoulder while they both watched Shya play. "I had a run of luck and realized I didn''t need it, not like the rest of my family. It''s clean and safe; you''re family so I want to hear that you''re clean and safe too."

    "Same mon frere, right back at you." Wesson managed a smile through his worry, grinning at the irony of his brother''s lighter skin in his hand. The shorter dreaded man pulled his lighter-skinned brother in for a shoulder bump before releasing the man.

    Wesson carefully tucked the case under his arm before turning towards a pile of refuse in the alley as he began to remove the camouflage.

    Tossing a few bags and boxes to reveal a shopping cart that had been disguised as trash. Packed full of various bags and other luggage, bits of clothing and blankets poking through the mesh. Keeping their clothes and stockpile of food safe from the weather and prying eyes. Wesson busily digging around, finding a place to bury the case before grabbing an extra jacket for Shya.

    Wesson turned the cart to wheel it down the alley trying to think of a question to ask his daughter, simply something to distract her.

    "Motel 5 or Best Sleep-Inn?" Wesson''s words died out as he watched his once much younger daughter doing her best to act just as big as both Izime and he tried to convince her she was. The girl''s father not sure if he actually wanted his daughter to be quite so mature during moments like this.

    It wasn''t appropriate to throw a fit, but it was certainly understandable, the girl was dearly attached to Izime. Wesson wished for a moment Shya would ask the question they''d talked her out of years back.

    "Now Shya, you be good OK." Izime turned towards his excitable niece, smiling brightly and confidently even as he knew he was hurting her so. Happy at least to have taken care of the two most important people in his new life. Even if the means were complicated, it wasn''t illegal and it let Izime take care of those who needed it.

    "Going on another trip?" Shya stopped tapping at her tambourine letting it fall to her side, eyes dropping as her tiny fist wiped at eyes that most certainly weren''t getting wet.

    Taking a shaky breath Shya found a can to kick at releasing her frustration not quite comfortable with looking at the uncle she was trying not to blame. Izime was her only uncle and only other family member in this world, and he was leaving her again; she didn''t want to part with an angry look and silence.

    It still hurt though; her tiny world fell to pieces each time she watched the little family she had shatter. Shya had taken those first years roughly, age and repetition helping her learn that getting upset when Izime left wouldn''t solve anything. Now that Shya was bigger, she understood Izime wasn''t homeless like she was.

    She couldn''t afford a home, and Izime moved around too much to have one.

    It felt hurtful but a part of her young heart still whispered that Uncle Izime didn''t care about having a home with them, not like she did with him. However, another part yelled back that it was because her uncle was much more worried that she was being taken care of.

    Shya was probably spoiled like her dad said, it was easy to see Izime was doing far too much for them outside of the little work he asked for in return. If Uncle Izime stopped by, they stayed in hotels, and he''d take her swimming. She could eat at McRonald''s with just a bit of puppy dog eyes. Something she knew she''d occasionally abused, possibly leading to Izime needing to leave even sooner.

    Shya was upset with herself as she childishly wanted that feeling of ''being spoiled'' even longer. All while wanting to recognize the love she held for her uncle in letting go without a tantrum. Sniffling back the moments when she''d made the most of what little life had gifted her.

    The tiny girl finally looked up at the man who''d patiently waited through her sniffles.

    The strange funny man who''d she at first begrudgingly shared her suppers with as dad had shown him the local kitchens, now taking up a position as the second supporting pillar in her life. Still just as willing and patient with her, as she''d imagined she was with him back then.

    "I''ll probably be back around January." Izime offered, nodding at Shya who hadn''t managed another steady word. Bending his knees to give the girl a warm look, holding his arms open for a hug which the sniffling Shya quickly gave.

    Izime tentatively gave her and Wesson a rough time frame on his return to Centropolis at the same time, never sure of just how long he planned to spend traveling. Sometimes it was a bit rough looking for places in the super-hero-influenced world to ply his particular trade, sometimes staying was even rougher.

    "Go''on south, best to stay till spring." Wesson assumed Izime was chasing the warmer climates to do physical labor, only bothering to ask for one minor thing for his daughter. "Be a treat for Shya to see you on the holidays but the kizin gratis aren''t exactly welcoming, still the soup line would be warmer with you beside us, yes?"

    Izime paused for a moment as he considered all the places he could go, had already gone in this rather odd universe. Almost instinctually refusing Wesson''s offer before he''d replied at all.

    "North got some business around Voltham City. Christmas is... I''ll try and swing by but no promises." Izime shook his head, stopping as he took a slow breath to offer that soft commitment for the holidays. Considering for the briefest moment how much nicer it would be to go south, let alone to just stay.

    South didn''t hold much promise aside from involving himself in the magical markets which meant running into Constantinople.

    West was Middle City where FazzPazz and Thorn always seemed to be going back and forth at super speeds in a time-traveling rivalry.

    Centropolis where he resided now in the middle of the USA was the legendary Thessian psychic''s home city and Izime would never cause trouble where Wesson lived.

    Then there was Radiation Man who was flying around the globe doing his Zexxian best as the world''s defender. James would always return to that little farm in Kansas though.

    Izime, well he''d always stay on the move.

    Wesson began to turn the cart down the alley towards one of their little homes, probably the bridge overpass near Gateway.

    "I''m headed this way, you two be safe here in Centropolis OK?" Izime called out to the two who were walking away, ears already tuning out any calls the two might have made back

    Izime turned away before cocking his head back just barely. Bidding goodbye to Shya one last time, unsure if she could still hear him. "Be good for Wesson Shya!"

    Izime knew it was probably a bit mean, but he''d already had a life. It had been a difficult one but educational in hindsight, and this one had its moments so far as well. So, to make the most of this rerun, Izime just wasn''t going to get too deeply involved. He''d had that one life already, all those pains and joys involved with it.

    The already-lived human had already lost one extended family, so he felt quite comfortable with his decision to keep this one at arm''s length. That soft detachment would be how he''d trade the driving dagger that came at the end. Only suffering the smallest of paper cuts as those he knew faded away.

    Call it being more emotionally efficient but that was his goal this time around.

    This was just a second run at the same old simulations, albeit with a few major alterations like the whole Heroes and Villains thing. The trade-off is that there was no propagation and no Bell in this universe. Izime knew he was simply a cheap imitation, an insult to what Bell had wanted Izime to be.

    So, this seemed like a decent plan for living this time around, actually living to some degree alongside these humans.

    A better plan than the one he''d had before that had ended in nothing but loss and him getting everyone killed.

    Izime would leave Earth to the heroes and take his little moments in the short slices he felt like he could handle. This way the pleas to stay just one more day, the offer to enjoy the winter in their company wouldn''t ever be too hard to resist. They''d never have to suffer a no and he''d never have to give one.

    Shya could only hold back so long and the little catching up Izime had done with the family that''d saved his life years ago had drained his entire social battery. That bite of peace was all he could stand. It was better to slip away before he became too integral, too involved beyond being the funny ''Uncle'' that stopped by once a blue moon.

    Izime continued quickly down the alley opposite his family.

    His smile dropped as he recalled the barely hospitable winter haven, he would be making do in.

    Mind focusing on his job here in this world where he could do more for them as that in-between creation.

    So, what if he was missing out on a great many things life offered, Izime wouldn''t let something so minor bother him. Ironically the ''what'' of who he was fit in well here, even if he wasn''t ever supposed to have existed in this place.

    Once more he''d put that to use to ease the burdens of those who''d been left forgotten, that was reward enough.

    Sometimes being human is a pain.

    Izime smiled at the thought stretching his neck as he walked, mind returning to thinking about where his plans would be taking him. The hot box of activity and possibility of profit, the high crime area between Voltham City and N.Y.C.''s metropolis, prime grounds for turning a profit quickly.

    He wasn''t technically a superhero himself; Izime was a bit of an odd-job kind of guy.

    If you wanted to be more accurate, Izime had traded his superhero ideas to play the recycling and resource-management game he knew best in this world where pickings were prime. There were massive galactic markets in this super-hero-infused reality and exactly how many people were reselling earth goods on them? This was an opportunity to use the skills he''d honed on a scale he''d never imagined before. Not blenders or blankets but the scraps from superhero and villain clashes.

    If you needed 1000ft of high-strength cable to run a rock-climbing expo on a high-g world for cheap?

    Izime was the guy you called.

    If a ship full of refugees needed fluid pumps, demons wanted some drugs, or security forces high-quality traps for cheap?

    Izime was the guy that showed up.

    Hell, the scavenging possibilities left over by the Dark Night family were a treasure trove just waiting for him to arrive. Let alone when things like the Razzoren Fleet had invaded. There was junk scattered everywhere while teams of heroes battled around Manhattan. Simply kicking a bit of rubble over could reveal thousands in alien technology, some of EagleEye''s arrows, or even a broken bit of the Steel-Suit''s armor.

    There were risks involved as well, but after years of successful hero-scavenging Izime was one of the best.

    Not a hard title to achieve when you are the only one in the business.

    Sure, there were some teams in deep space hauling ship scrap or looking for the odd relic for some evil overlord, that wasn''t Izime''s market though. Those overlords were putting out active requests, Izime had a more door-to-door approach with his long-forgotten or simply odd clientele.

    Hailing from a reality where markets had once collapsed under the influence of Amazon Prime, Izime knew the sheer value of speedy deliveries and focused advertising. That same reality had given him a shortcut to creating one of the best methods of accomplishing that in this world. Izime even had a quick list of some of the best possible clients and loot after verifying the absurd universe he was in. A perk Izime had acquired after being raised by the largest nerds on the far side of reality; knowledge he''d maybe ever so slightly abused.

    Pranking that Nazi schmuck stuck guarding Soul Diamond just for kicks.

    Saved refugees from the barren surface of Kiven while it burned, right under Vhainos'' nose.

    Even held a sample of the Father Hexagon at one point, he''d found it shortly after the League battled VoidSide.

    Izime risked a glance back down the alley, checking to see if he was clear just out of habit. Turning back, he glanced up towards the top of a familiar skyscraper. Lining up his ring, middle, and pointer fingers over his thumb and quickly snapping them in rapid succession.

    Leaving only a few lingering sparks that dissipated before they reached the street below.

    Izime magically arrived at his destination before the sparks of seared warped space could dissipate through a unique spell he had created.

    A method he''d developed after swiping a gate-ring, one he''d found after scavenging a sorcerer battle. After running a few tests with its runes to verify that his idea was possible he found a no-name shop in Tibet. One very well-paid tattoo artist had then taken the metal shavings from that ring and those studied symbols. Inking them deep into Izime''s fingertips.

    Super-human intellect was already able to cheat its way around the simple requirement of recalling locations. With a snap, it activated the personal slip spell that Izime had altered from the ring''s original design. Izime couldn''t make an actual ''gate'' like a true sorcerer, though considering the benefits, that was minor. Now there was no need for a gate, waving, or even physically moving. The entire spell simplified to nothing more than a thought and thinking something Izime was designed to do.

    In his hands, quite literally, the spell had been improved all around. Activation speed faster, none of that hand waving nonsense required and even touch activated! There was also the fact that unless his enemy was already aware that he was using magic they couldn''t counter it unless they physically removed his hand. Unlike whoever had dropped the ring originally, this wasn''t slipping off. Fast travel like this, only one of the keys Izime used to keep his business booming.

    Even if some safety features were missing, all of them in fact.

    Izime stuffed that dangerously runic hand into his pocket. Ignoring the much colder winds at the top of the building he pursed his lips to call out to his partner and child in this world. A shrill humming whistle reached out with an almost electronic warble under the note as if someone had tinged the notes in binary.

    Keeping his hands in his hoodie pockets Izime waited patiently for the familiar black-winged bird to appear, eyes catching a familiar black streak that was coursing through the sky.

    Cradle the Raven heard its bond''s call to leave from the radio tower it most certainly hadn''t been snacking on. Using the reality-bending technology that had aided its birth to break the laws of physics. Moving at above Mach speeds without a ripple in the passing air the black wings were flapping only for effect. Leaving a trail of feathers that turned into dust mimicking the tail of a shock cone that didn''t exist.

    Cradle not waiting for those extra parts to rejoin, instead flapping eagerly towards its bond. This time relying on natural flight, its wings giving a mechanical rustle. The trailing feathers twisting and circled in some field of unseen energy before realigning to settle back into the raven''s spread wings.

    Izime pulled one arm free from his grimy hoodie. Holding it out with his fist clenched in expectation. Watching as the black streak halted its course, braking in the air with an impossible stopping speed for any natural creature. The stress from unseen forces pulled some of the metallic feathers free from the energy that kept them safely locked in place at other times. The creature looked like a mixture of nanites and a certain series of movies by some Bay chap an eon back in Izime''s origin reality.

    "Hey Cradle," Izime reached with his hand, rubbing a knuckle at the bird''s breast while it hovered flapping comically slow for its perfect suspension midair. Izime admired the incredible creature while asking what Cradle had been busy with, "What did you get today?"

    Cradle tilted its head playing out a video instead of responding. One of its eyes turned as the yellow lenses rotated underneath as a projector was exposed. A short fuzzy clip of the bird picking at tech scrap played. A black metal beak picking at the exposed RAM in a trashed PC, tiny gray clawed talons pulling at coils of wire in a junkyard before a beak quickly gobbled them down. Cradle tucked the damage done to the radio tower deep in its core-drive as it replayed the things it knew wouldn''t get it in trouble.

    "Good job Cradle." Izime proudly brushed at the raven''s breast, finally holding his arm out for Cradle to land on. Feeling a bit more whole now as the familiar but still lighter-than-expected weight returned. Relaxing fully into the mental connection with his bond, sharing in its pride and joy.

    Izime had at first regretted using that tiny sliver of the Father Hexagon on the bird''s egg he had found. Now incredibly happy to share his mind with a creature so similar to himself. The speckled off-white and gray had been infected with the higher reality technology, the shell crick-a-ling and crack-a-ling as it scabbed over with that black sheen. Regretfully thinking he had wasted the sliver on a dead egg, wondering if the idea of saving it with the alien technology had been completely imbecilic.

    The thing had restored a human by all accounts and even as childish as it was Izime had wanted the egg to hatch. Even after his entire first life, Izime couldn''t help his instincts, he still wanted to simulate some form of life. To create a being that was like him, even if it was just some tiny little living thing.

    That thing had laid there dead by all methods Izime could use to tell from his human body. Abandoning his watch over the wasted egg, Izime was shocked to find it had hatched only a few hours later. A few hours into Izime taking a nap that was, waking only because of the ruckus caused by a few shelves tipping over. Izime pulled at heaps of technological refuse that was rattling about, revealing a happily feasting and astoundingly fast-growing mechanical chick. Already molting the weird fluffy white wires it called down, in favor of the now familiar black sheen.

    "Time to get ready for another Voltham City run?" Izime asked, waiting until Cradle had flapped its feathers a few times to settle before giving a scissor sharp clack of its beak. Turning its head sharply to regard Izime as it thought of all the rewards Voltham offered.

    "Money Money!" Cradle flapped excitedly, turning its head skyward and calling out. Already tasting the finer pickings, the five-course meal of technologically enhanced heroes and villains in Voltham offered.

    "Gateway Bridge first, then Voltham." Izime nodded feeling the feedback from Cradle''s excitement, carefully reigning his own in. Mentally recalling every detail of the hideout, he had established in Centropolis before snapping away.

    Arriving inside the hollow under the girder access location beneath the once-famous suspension bridge. The space wasn''t large at all, and he had to duck under the reach of the massive steel beams, but it made a decent cubby to stash his junk in while he was in Centropolis. The stop wasn''t going to take long, Izime was just quickly popping in to grab a couple of duffel bags that Cradle was already casting a blue light over through the dark.

    Grabbing the black weatherproof bags from the rough poured concrete floor and tossing one over his shoulder before having to struggle a bit. Between the guitar case already on his back and the added duffel, there wasn''t enough room for a third. Izime adjusted the load a bit as he was forced to carry the second bag in his off-hand while Cradle side-stepped its way further up his shoulder.

    "Based off of Blane''s programs and our own predictions this should be a primetime to drop in, I''m ready, you?" Izime purposed while he looked at Cradle. The two of them checked the data as graphs, charts, and maps kept popping up and minimizing in rapid succession. All currently projected the potential hottest spots for villain activity in Voltham to their shared mind''s vision.

    Cradle rocked its head in agreement, watching as its bond raised his magically charged hand to displace them across reality. The soft echo of ''money money'' was the last remaining sign that anyone had ever visited the unreachable gap between the tension house and the concrete below.

    Izime, Cradle, and their gear transferred just over a thousand miles from the sprawling spread of Centropolis at the center of the U.S. to the eastern coast in less than a second.

 Suds, Subs, and Sorrows

    The smell of city water and its slightly acrid treated chemicals filled the bathroom, along with steam as the stupid lyrics of the song echoed around the cheap tile. A melodic voice reaching down into the deeper range of her vocals. Slightly off key as they stooped for an octave not suited for them.

    Though it was certainly suited for the shower, Psyis belted out along with the pop idol Jamie Torch. Repeating the painfully repetitious chorus of Yea''s and Uhn''s. Giving a little wiggle as the water ran down her skin washing both the soap and embarrassment away, blue patterns shrinking to reveal purple. The alien growing more confident in her off-key rendition of the latest pop hit.

    Incredibly glad that she unlike any of her neighbors could soundproof her apartment with her telekinetic shielding.

    Psyis accidentally sang a bit too enthusiastically and breathed in some of the suds along her sides. A soft drawn-out cry of ''nooo'' filled the bathroom instead. The odd taste of what was supposed to smell like strawberry-kiwi body wash swamped into her gills.

    She quickly reached outside the curtain to grab a clean cloth while she coughed deep in her chest a few times. The alien watched as a few little puffs of suds floated out from just under the sides of her breasts.

    Blowing bubbles like this wasn''t nearly as funny as it had been when she was seven.

    Splashing around in the tub at the Cent''s and giving Mama Cent a conniption.

    Psyis busily wiping at the thin slits that marked the breathing vents on the sides of her chest trying to remove the bubbles that were wafting the harsh smell back up through her nose. Finally breaking down she reached for the spray nozzle, a deep frown forming from purple lips.

    The now adult woman didn''t like this part of accidentally messing up her bath time any more than she had as a child. The feeling of water spraying through the membranes gave her no small amount of not-quite-ticklish discomfort. Psyis was glad that the taste and smell would vanish after they''d dried, the separate breathing organs not exactly designed for submerged water in the first place.

    Her enthusiasm for relaxing in the shower was now immediately taken away she quickly finished scrubbing up. Though much more carefully this time wanting to avoid any further mishaps as soap in the eyes sucked regardless of species. The thessian hurried, washing and conditioning the long white Mohawk she''d grown out. Running her fingers along the smooth sides of her head, feeling for any spots that''d need to be buzzed again.

    Psyis wanted to ensure that at least her hair remained wild and independent.

    Satisfied with her appearance and finally clean, Psyis quickly turned off the water and snatched the towel from the rack on the wall. Throwing the shower curtain back with a vengeance as the evil cold of a cheap apartment threatened to steal all the warmth she''d trapped inside with her. Dabbing at herself with the soft fluffiness as goosebumps ran along her blue stripes.

    Psyis removed the now ice-like droplets with the warm towel. Drying before carefully holding it over the side of the tub and stepping onto the bit that had curled on the floor. Scooting her feet about before drying them as well.

    Getting a bathroom rug so she didn''t have to stand on the freezing tiles had come second to owning these particularly fluffy towels.

    Psyis turned and threw the towel over the shower rod before sprinting to her room to change.

    Grabbing her hoodie she quickly slipped it on, not even bothering with the bra she''d laid out before snagging the bovine-patterned pajama bottoms Jack had gotten her last Christmas. The words "Moo Moo'' were distributed across each cheek of the milk-cow patterned bottoms.

    They were at least super fluffy and warm, even if they were mortifying to wear. Her adoptive brother of sorts getting her the most comfortably uncomfortable pajama bottoms she''d ever admit to owning.

    Psyis still refused to pull the matching top out from her drawer the gag gift was just a bit too uncomfortable with where they''d printed ''Milk Me''.

    Heading to the kitchen she recalled how Mama had also decided that was the absolute last year she was letting any of the older kids do gag gifts. Especially seeing as none of the farm-raised children present had needed an explanation on just what the pun was as they''d done the actual chore themselves.

    The older woman nearly died of shame as more than one child turned to their parents now asking the most awkward questions possible. Starting with whether or not their off-world two-toned cousin was milk-able at all. The purpose of the thessian''s mammalian additions coming into question with no one having any G-rated answers easily available.

    All while Jack was rolling on the floor trying not to accidentally laser anyone. The young zexxian laughed so hard he''d almost lost control of his heat vision.

    James and Leona simply stood there looking every bit like the city parents who''d let their child bring the world''s troubles to the farm in a completely different manner than usual. It tended to be something more explosive and less explicit that came following Radiation Lad home. Leona looked like she was leading a press conference gone wrong, mouth moving with no answers available. His father James only trying to look disapproving as he''d had to stifle a giggle of his own.

    Psyis tried not to think about how life had felt during those moments; the wonderfully tense perfection of a home packed to the brim with life and enjoyment. Simply leaving the memory of how Mama Cent had dragged James and Leona off behind. Abandoning it in her much emptier and more lonesome Centropolis kitchen.

    This wasn''t the Cent''s farmhouse obviously and thinking back on home like a child wouldn''t help her move on with life.

    Hell, the tea wasn''t even as good when she made it here.

    Stepping out onto the balcony Psyis let the cool November air wrap its fingers under the hem of her pajama pants as its other hand grabbed a fistful of steam from her cup. The Thessian glanced around the narrow alley that her balcony let out onto. It didn''t offer much of a view, the area only a convenient side-benefit of needing to meet the code for having a fire escape.

    Still, since she''d moved here a few months ago the Centropolis Angel had found one lovely thing about her cheap apartment; it came with free music.

    The volume might be lacking but still, it seemed like every song was an original, full of emotions, and written with some of the most vivid lyrics she''d ever heard. A small silver lining in the dark cloud of decisions that''d lead to her living here. A striped hand pulled at the string that was attached to the bag idly while she blew November''s chilly hands off her mug.

    Closing her eyes and swaying with the lyrics the wind had twisted the Thessian took a sip of her tea, glancing out at the world she''d come to love. Not a native of Earth she''d still managed to grow upstate side after being discovered by Radiation Man, otherwise known as James Cent. Appearing as a child, misplaced by the psychic disturbance that had warped every other living Thessian away. Psyis had struggled to not only understand the world she''d arrived on, she''d had difficulty with her powers as well.

    The Cent family, especially Mama Cent had helped her acclimate to this new world as the only surviving member of her species as if she''d been born for the task. The elderly Kansas woman already had run that particular gauntlet with her adoptive son and the handful of off-world miscreants he''d managed to drag home since his first Zexxian pup.

    Life from there had been full, both with its high moments like the day she''d finally been promoted from the Junior League of Planetary Saviors to its lows. One of which was the reason she was currently standing on the cheap narrow balcony rimmed in cheap black painted steel, Steven Blane.

    The name caused Psyis to feel some disconnect with the new song below, turning back she opened the door once more deciding she''d make some lunch. Content to return to the balcony when the song fit her mood a bit better. No longer interested in listening to the soulful drawl echoing below, not feeling any of the same desires the singer did for their lost love.

    She knew, looking back there had been signs that she''d ignored. Growing pains in the relationship that she''d allowed to turn into more, that or she could not just accept the reality of who she''d allowed into her life.

    Psyis sipped at the bitter infusion of leaves in her cup as she looked back on her choices and headed towards her refrigerator.

    There wasn''t ever going to be that depth she''d wanted in that relationship, thinking she''d been swept away by a dynamic complex man. Wanting to soak into who Steven was had been a shallow puddle compared to the dive she''d expected. Now dealing with the misbegotten expectations on what her love had been as it crashed into the reality of who Steven was; entirely one-dimensional.

    Even her skin still reflected her indecisive complicated emotions on the issue, her pattern swimming like waves as it rolled between dominating colors of purple or blue. Ignoring her changing colors Psyis instead sat her mug on the counter, opening the fridge so she could see just what leftovers she''d be trying to make edible today.

    Finding several boxes the quickly administered sniff test had demanded she trash the idea quite literally.

    Quickly grabbing the other three with similar but slightly more worn-looking logos she immediately walked over to the trash and pitched them. At first lazy enough to consider the leftovers, grabbing a simple fried rice and throwing it in the microwave Psyis was left looking for another option.

    "I''ll order something," Psyis explained to the nobody who was listening as she shook her head in disappointment; the food choices felt like an accurate representation of her life right now. A thing she''d sat down half-finished.

    Now just to let rot and fester instead of trying to replace or move on from. Convincing herself that she just didn''t want to brave the chill outside of her apartment to get actual groceries and wasn''t postponing the inevitable. Besides she was paying to rent the damned place with nearly all of the left-over income earned from being a heroine so spending as much time ensured she got her money''s worth.

    This was the more childish of the adult choices she''d allow herself at this moment and only a minor expense in comparison to the dignity she''d sacrifice if she crawled back to Steven so soon.

    Seeing as she''d left the relationship, Steven had also stopped ''helping'' her financially, not that he''d been helping in the first place. It was incredibly hard to ever try living alone and learning to budget when your then-boyfriend would just pay your rent for the year or buy your entire apartment building. Not that the underpaid and overworked heroine had wanted access to the Blane''s fortune in the first place. Psyis had even told Mama Cent she''d needed to make it on her own as a human in this world, and wanted to live a life outside of the cape.

    The old woman had just smirked as if Psyis had been crazy.

    Psyis sighed slightly as she pulled the worn Sumsang from her pocket, tapping at the cracked screen a few times before it responded. Scrolling through her contacts towards the familiar sub-shop, ignoring the slight twinge that came to mind.

    Idly noting the absence of Steven''s name among the ''S''es as she scrolled towards her favorite sub-shop. The alien took some minor comfort that that little psychological tick over her ex had never reached her heart even after all the times they''d done this. It wasn''t jealousy, pain, or anything emotionally driven.

    It felt as oddly and irrationally natural as the need she was about to satisfy right now; the phone in her hand beginning to ring the familiar delivery place.

    "Two usuals?" A familiar voice answered. The phone to the shop clicked with its usual prompt familiarity the person answering not even bothering to ask as the caller-ID had already tracked her rampant laziness.

    Psyis took it as a blessing and not a sign that she was slacking off in her desires to be independent and self-reliant; she was relying on herself to call the sub-shop after all!

    "You know it, Mr. P," Psyis giggled a bit as she heard the boy answer the phone. Quickly adding something to the order while she casually filled her friend in on her plans, "Extra mushrooms and mozzarella please, I''m starving and going out of town to Voltham later tonight."

    "You got it, Miss P," The slightly high-pitched voice came back as it cracked slightly with youthful nervous flirtation, the delivery boy obviously smitten with his celebrity regular. "Free of charge of course, anything for the Angel of Centropolis!"Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    "Thanks, Phil," Psyis brushed her hair out of her face as she dropped her head. Hanging it slightly in embarrassment at the nickname, even more at the slight shame that suddenly dropped on her.

    The idea of spending the extra five dollars for the extra toppings already weighing on her, now oddly heavier than the burden of saving lives in some way.

    The young boy who often delivered her sandwiches waving the fee more often than not hadn''t been the only reason she''d called. It''d certainly been worth rolling the dice, however. The kid was sweet, but puberty had Phil firmly convinced he was her diamond in the rough. Especially now that Jamestone''s tabloids had spilled the news about her and Steven. Not that she''d intentionally advantaged that, but it was a little tidbit she''d stored away about the delivery boy.

    Just like Jamestone had stored away her name just so he could take a cheap shot at the web-slinger in N.Y.C. she''d tried to rebound with a few years back. Tyler Tanner had been sweet enough and hadn''t deserved the run-around relationship she''d offered, especially as that was all the poor guy got from anyone, ever.

    Psyis briefly considered calling the ex-turned-friend just to see how he was doing, Tyler always being good for a laugh if you needed someone to improve your mood. Instead deciding to walk back out to her balcony to see if the random shuffle of life had put something a little more enjoyable on.

    Listening once more as different lower voice filled the alley, echoing through the tight corners with the reverb of accompanying instruments. Blinking for a moment as her ears tried to recognize the song, another original that''d never been played on any station she''d heard. Finally realizing that the lyrics weren''t even English.

    Whoever was singing was incredibly fluent as they rapped French.

    Nodding her head along to the stomping rhythm and twanging guitar as the voice from earlier returned to provide an understandable chorus.

    Psyis considered like she had one the many days before venturing down into the little shopping square to see just who was providing the free live music.

    Once again, just like every time before deciding against it. Considering some minor something that simply made the walk down not worth it. Today it was the fact there was a delivery on the way. Sure it might take Phil nearly thirty minutes to get here but he was going to arrive nonetheless. Twenty-five of those spent just to make sure his little red frock of curls was poofed just the way he thought she liked.

    There was always something that kept her away.

    Leaving the balcony open to let that voice inside so she could grab the cup of tea she''d left on her the counter. Psyis snatched the stupid ''I <3 Centropolis'' mug from the little island that split the shared all-in-one kitchen, dining, and living room of her little apartment. Psyis privately enjoyed that music; quietly inviting that voice in, to influence and color her life.

    Returning to her balcony and sitting in the cheap plastic chair she''d sat outside, glancing over at the empty one next to her. A smile more bitter than the tea in her hand crossed her face as she considered how it''d sat empty and always would.

    Deep inside she knew somehow that neither Phil, Tyler, nor any other would ever fill that void that''d been left behind by losing her entire species. All she could ever do was find a human stand-in, someone who would hopefully manage their end of the psychic pressures that came with her.

    It''d always be Steven in the end; Psyis sitting back and looking away as the man once again haunted her mind unbidden as if by fate. It was painful to admit but they had been inexplicably drawn back to each other since their younger days. She could blame it on the missions and time they''d shared but really, it was something like an addiction.

    Just without the need on her end, without him, things just began to take on the feeling that they were wrong. Psyis had never missed Steven in the true sense, so much as she had been inflicted with the knowledge of his absence. She knew that the options were to settle for a human equivalent or a lifetime of loneliness. If that was the case, then she''d stay with what she knew and the one who knew her best.

    As horrible as that sounded it was just the more comfortable offer, one she''d accept in a few more years.

    Hopefully, by then, Steven would have matured to some degree, finally settling down to at least play at being an adult like his adoptive father Stan.

    Psyis reminded herself that it wasn''t entirely Steven''s fault he''d not taken well to the affluent upbringing as a younger teen. Anger, angst, and the expansive bank account had enabled the growing adult to fully immerse himself in the nuevo-riche lifestyle with old money resources.

    The Thessian once again glanced at that cheap chair beside her thinking on how much more comfortable it''d be to settle back on that posh balcony in Voltham.

    At the same time, she also had a firm grasp on just how uncomfortable that balcony and lifestyle had made her at the same time. The way Steven seemed to unconsciously accept that vast disconnect between ''Steven'' and who he was inside: Dark Squire.

    If he''d just been an ignorant rich kid maybe she''d have never realized the two very different personas she was trying to accept into her life. Dark Squire was always going to be Dark Squire though, no matter what outfit or face he was wearing there would always be the ''mission''.

    Stan had at least managed to temper his issues by reigning them back under the guise of justice. Steven though would never turn off, the missions never stopped whereas justice could have its day. Closing her eyes tightly as she considered just what his mission was, controlling the idea of them. Steven used whatever misbegotten logic or excuse he could to keep her wrapped in his intentions to realize his idealized view of living the heroic lifestyle.

    Nothing like the calm laid-back life that she''d grown accustomed to and admittedly slightly bored of in Kansas, even if it was so often interrupted by some world-ending calamity.

    Maybe I''m just selfish or looking for the wrong things?

    Psyis quietly considered, as even those moments had been filled with cows and corn and not exactly the human life, she''d watched being played out on the tiny television while feeding chickens. Mama Cent had always warned her that watching too much T.V. would rot her brain and maybe it had.

    Rubbing a mottled finger at her temple Psyis blamed herself for how she just wasn''t happy with any of it; Steven, Kansas, and even her life in Centropolis with its free music and bad tea.

    Even now she was just settling for being alone and settling was the best she could do. Psyis focused back on the music as she watched the shadows along the brick wall opposite her, leaning back in her seat.

    She''d inevitably go back to Steven after she''d had a few years of just being her and enjoying the more human condition.

    After that, she''d need to pull the guise that Steven was building for himself over this period of her life. Dutifully burying it under the rug as she settled into the role he intended for her and her career.

    There were bigger things to consider at the end of it all, her position in the League and the people she owed for helping her get there. If she got back with Steven, it would at the very least pay those debts back. How many would complain if they got hitched to some filthy rich human, just to kick back and enjoy their hero-ing days?

    If she just followed her bank account it didn''t sound too bad either; no rent to pay, no more feeling guilty because she was teasing some poor boy for a few free toppings.

    No longer need to worry about things as Psyis, because what were those personal issues in comparison to the bigger picture of The Miss Psyis?

    The woman sat down the cup of tea and pulled her knees closer, tucking her head in between them. Losing herself a bit as the identity of who she knew the world expected her to be clashed against what she''d dreamed of, kicking herself for not even knowing what that dream had been.

    Psyis sighed in the dark comfort she''d encircled herself with; wondering if out there in any of the multiverse''s, there was a version of her who truly felt like they had a choice. A dark chuckle of schadenfreude hit her as someone else seemed to be experiencing the same helplessness just on a much smaller scale, as a song and not their whole life.

    "Anyways, this one''s called Wonderwall!" That familiar voice called out from the square that shared the same block. the Thessian smiling wondering if the singer felt the same way she did because it certainly sounded like it as he whispered under his breath. "...you tasteless shits."

    The alien quietly looked up and blamed the unknown singer for being the soul reason the rainclouds had hung over her heart for the last few months even as she smiling brightly.

    Only able to hear the tired exasperation they''d hidden back as they''d mocked the crowd because of her new super hearing. Apparently, he was a bit upset that more than a few of those clapping had gathered, only waiting for him to perform that one song alone.

    The heroine had to admit their way with words and imagery was incredibly imaginative compared to the rather mundane songs that littered the airwaves in comparison. Trash like ''Turn My Fire On'' topped the charts simply because they''d been produced by heroes like Jamie Torch the Human-Inferno.

    This song certainly had more to it than the two or so words Jamie had tried to croon for his awards.

    As if the singer had come from a world of deeper emotions and brighter colors that had helped them bring it to life.

    Psyis even found that after she''d heard the song so many times over the last few months she was quietly singing along despite the distastefully ironic lyrics. Looking down at the square as the song came to a close, she made a promise to herself that she''d go and find out who the singer was before she brought her time in Centropolis to a close.

    There were years yet and there wasn''t a human on this planet who could hide from her. She''d just need to find the mind that was full of those wonderful songs.

    Psyis decided she''d find him, blame him for these stupid sad moments, and then tell him it was OK to never sing that song again if he hated it that badly. Then she could check that off the list of things she''d wanted to do before she''d have to write Blane in as her last name.

    At least one of them should have a choice of what they did in their lives. Not singing a song was far easier than denying the family that''d helped you advance every step of your career.

    The sound of a knock at her door reminded Psyis that she''d need to sign away a lot more before she ever got to that point, quickly sprinted through the kitchen at the sound of a familiar voice.

    "Hey Miss P, I''ve got your subs!" Phil called out, standing in the hallway as he checked his appearance in the peephole super quick. Hoping that his curly red hair was evenly poof about and not squished because of that stupid hat his stupid boss made him wear.

    He''d wanted to look at least somewhat nice when the city''s newest celebrity opened the door. Not that Miss Psyis hadn''t been famous before, but the startlingly beautiful alien certainly hadn''t been ordering subs from his dad''s shop a few months ago before it had been announced she was moving to his city.

    The young man had been curious as to what Jamestone had been doing when the headlines ran, celebrating Centropolis getting their major-league heroine. The gimmicky headline artist was usually much more focused on writing hit pieces, certainly not dishing out clever names like ''The Centropolis Angel''.

    Now Phil certainly understood just what had swayed the tasteful journalist having seen the Thessian woman in person. She certainly was as the name described, Phil stupidly not even thinking to keep his thoughts elsewhere as the door opened to reveal the woman that was running amok in his brain.

    "Hey Phil," Psyis opened the door happily before swinging it back closed just a bit, the divider unfortunately not stopping the young man''s thoughts or eyes. The Thessian immediately regretted wearing the stupid pajama bottoms, as fluffy as the material was it was also very stretchy and tight-fitting.

    Psyis knew if she turned, she''d leave little to the imagination.

    Already very happy that the oversized hoodie was covering anything in the front that might catch the kid''s eyes as she wasn''t even wearing a bra. She was confident it hadn''t been that cold outside she knew nothing was showing for him to ogle right now, but it would only give him more of an excuse.

    His fantasies came non-consensually into her mind Psyis carefully reached behind her to make sure the stupid words on her butt were covered as well. Pretending she was reaching for her purse while she made sure she wouldn''t give the teen any further ideas about her to dream about.

    Nice as the boy was, she wasn''t going to shame him just as long as he stuck to thinking about it. thinking it. Still, he could go watch a movie if he wanted a tip like that because that was the only place it was happening, no matter how coincidental her attire was.

    The simple mens wallet she actually used floated its way outside of her bedroom, a psychic hand quickly bringing it from where it lay forgotten. Psyis'' real hand pulled the hoodie down as far as she comfortably could without appearing nervously flirty, constantly monitoring Phil''s thoughts.

    "It''s $18.99," Phil didn''t realize where his eyes were as he held out the bag, simply stating the price as he watched Psyis quickly try and cover those hips.

    Though the view of her shapely thighs poking out from under that poof of a hoodie was just as enticing to the young man, reminding him of some of the girls he''d attempted to flirt with instead of just dreaming about.

    "Sure thing," Psyis nodded while she looked for the money, "As always you can keep the change but only as long as you''re safe riding back, OK Phil?"

    "I''ll be fine, I walked today anyway Miss P." The delivery boy said a bit irritably as he considered how he hadn''t been able to ride his bike through the packed shopping square lately.

    "Why?" Psyis asked wanting a bit more information than the vague frustration and images of people that were crossing Phil''s mind. Scenes of him taking a spill or crashing into various people playing passed quickly as she considered that someone might be bullying the poor kid.

    "Crowds a bit too thick with those buskers taking up the square down there, " Phil explained in frustration. Not realizing that his complaints, and the fact he was now withholding food to complain, was irritating his favorite customer.

    Instead, more focused on detailing just how hard he tried to solve the problem even getting his father involved, "Dad''s tried to have them kicked out but they''re technically not causing a disturbance, yet."

    "They don''t seem so bad?" Psyis glanced back towards the balcony on instinct before whipping back around, her powers alerting her to the young man''s eyes. Her tone reflecting her disappointment in Phil''s wandering gaze as well as their treatment of the musicians, "I like the music."

    "Sure, they sound great but as far as looks go?" With a bit of a laugh, Phil held up the bag in explanation, watching as Psyis took it. The young man''s still adolescent mind excused his stereotyping as he acted worried about the family business, "Try selling sandwiches with a handful of homeless people right down the road and you''ll see how quickly everyone loses their appetite."

    "If it''s affecting your dad''s business the city should do something right?" Psyis took the bag and sat it on her kitchen counter careful not to turn this time. Crossing her arms as she waited for an explanation already digging through Phil''s prejudice towards her source of free entertainment. Masking her guilt in not paying for the shows she''d enjoyed, while the shoppers were, by standing up for them now.

    "I mean it is!" Phil nodded enthusiastically thinking that the actual Miss Psyis might come down to solve the issue at his family''s shop. Carefully tempering his imagination at what the alien meeting his folks could lead to as he watched her white brows furrow, words dying out into a weak excuse. "It''s just kind of hard to prove that to a bunch of badges."

    "Is the shop doing worse because of them?" Psyis raised a brow already knowing the answer, not surprised at how quickly any of the idle fantasies in the kid''s mind vanished.

    Recalling how easily swayed Steven was back then. She knew that''s the way they were at this age. As soon as she''d disagreed with some minor issue, they wanted to die on magically she wasn''t the fantasy woman anymore.

    "It''s $18.99," Phil held up the bag again not wanting to have the same argument he''d had with his father. Fine, maybe the shop wasn''t doing any worse because of the noise but still it was embarrassing to have a bunch of society''s rejects sitting outside your door.

    Rolling his eyes now instead of running them over Psyis as he played pretend. No longer interested in trying to imagine the very well-hidden curves under that hoodie.

    If they''re all the same, then at least mine has billions to spend.

    Psyis kept the thought to herself, imagining Steven buying a record company and how she''d cut a deal with the singer outside. Show Phil just what happened when you started looking down on people. The psychic feeling more than a bit upset on their behalf after being similarly violated in another matter by the young man.

    "Here, a twenty." Psyis held out the bill, nearly shutting the door before she''d finished wishing the young asshole well, "Be safe on your way back."

    The alien once again chewed through the bitter point of her earlier thoughts as she unwrapped her lunch. The extra mushrooms and mozzarella no longer held the same enticement they''d had before as she looked at the freshly toasted sandwiches.

    Trying not to think of her new usual, the usual order the same usual cheap apartment, and the same usual life she''d asked to try living.

    Psyis'' mind was already drawn to the city of Voltham where she''d agreed to go later tonight after Stan had gotten her to agree to work with them. Even as she''d yet to settle into being Centropolis'' heroine she was still crawling back to Voltham to be by the Blanes once more.

    That bite went down as bitterly as her decisions; what was the point if she was just going to have to settle at the end of it anyway?

 First Night in Voltham

    Bits of sparks fizzled angrily as they touched down on another concrete floor, here the porous gray darkening with sweat. The lingering glow cast a senseless series of shadows that lasted just as long as the spell had. Orange lights reached up in long-cut squares and divided bars to illuminate nothing more than that same darkening gray.

    Blackness returned to the room to greet its two new visitors as a voice echoed slightly.

    "Little light please Cradle?" Izime brushed his brown hair out of the way as he asked Cradle to remove the unwanted owner, his voice cut through the blackness just a moment before the blue glow provided by Cradle''s eyes spread over the ''room'' Izime had selected.

    It had possibly been a junction room at one point then stripped.

    Now the hollowed remains of cable boxes and pipe inlets were all that remained, giving rats the only access to the sealed room. It had once been reached by its operators through a reinforced steel door. Now that thick steel door had been rendered inoperable due to rust and the settling of the sewer over time. That or sealed intentionally, seeing as there was technically one resident though the overly large skeleton hardly added anything to the atmosphere of the room.

    The handle for the massive locking gear on this side was wrenched as if someone had tried to tear it off, the main culprit being said skeleton. The metal handle now layered with slats like tiny bits of slated rust, peeling away as the seasons cycled through.

    The room was now wet and slick with the winter humidity that combated the warmer Voltham sewers.

    Izime carefully set down the guitar case in the darkness behind him, it was a soft case after all, and the abandoned room was concrete. Turning to move both Cradle''s light and him, Izime tried to locate his target using Cradle''s flashlight vision. His search was a bit difficult with all the industrial leftovers on the walls, so instead Izime looked up.

    "Let''s see..." Izime whispered as he glanced at the lights on the ceiling, eyes following the sealed pipe cable protector until he found a switch on the wall. Clicking it a few times to no effect Izime sighed, disappointed he''d even considered the notion. "Dead. No surprise there."

    Turning towards a shelf along the wall Izime pulled a small box down, rummaging through while Cradle hopped off his shoulder to provide better lighting.

    The soft muttering of ''battery'' filled the gaps between the occasional drip as both man and crow searched the box. Finally locating one of the incredibly handy portable power bricks, Izime checked the bar on the side finding it partially full. The tiny things were probably the most versatile and best-selling tool Izime had discovered so far. A complex alien power brick of sorts, it was easier to just call it a simple battery.

    Well simple to use. How exactly it managed to be absolutely universal in both powering other things and re-charging itself was still a mystery.

    Izime didn''t plan to look a gift horse in the mouth, these weren''t his physics nor were they his laws of energy conservation. He''d take all the cheezy sci-fi he could get already having suffered from the bullshit laws that ruled his home.

    "Thank god for advanced alien technology." Grumbling though it was happily Izime took the small square device and twisted the dial on the front. Frowning as nothing happened, he quickly gave it a hard tap on the shelf next to him.

    Two counter-rotating sets of teeth appeared and whirred to life as it finally activated. The sharp edges slightly hooked to not just sheer but snag at cables and other electronics, a tiny inlet sliding open to accept nearly any connection or power.

    "Like I said," Izime grunted as he slammed the power brick onto the protective cover just above the light switch holding it there as it worked away.

    Letting the teeth eat through and pull in each cable inside, individually sorting connections through whatever tech voodoo made the device operate. Finally seeming to have pulled in enough to lock from the tension four arms shot out clamping into the wall.

    "Thank god for advanced alien..." Izime sucked in a breath before giving the switch a final flick, shouting as the lights finally activated. Glancing over at Cradle as he finished the excitement spread, "Technology baby!"

    Cradle gave its own caw of excitement and flicked its blue lights off as the room was finally lit fully. Exposing a simple room with their companion of an overly large skeleton in the corner. Along the far wall a few rows of shelves holding a couple of boxes, against the closer rest a spring bed with no mattress or cushion.

    Their closeness and position had formed the oddly layered shadows from before.

    Izime nodded as he looked back towards the broken door, the duffel bags dropping.

    Joining a stash of other supplies that he''d prepared beforehand. The goods already on the floor were just odds and ends of gear that might be handy. A few smoke bombs, various electronic diversions, as well as some handy signal decoys all lay near some less well-intentioned gear.

    The duffels he''d brought with him now had a few quilts and blankets to make the bed more comfortable, along with some RAM sticks for Cradle to munch on. He''d not wanted damp bedding or Cradle''s food to start corroding away while stored in Voltham.

    Fresh memory was cheaper to buy than letting the Raven have at the tech they might snag in Voltham, so keeping some good RAM around was just good sense.

    The boxes on the shelves were full of some nicer prizes he had stashed after scavenging the battlefields of actual heroes. A few spare gate-rings, a stash of those power bricks, a few grappling guns and ropes from Dark Night. Then a tiny yarn ball of prototype metal webbing, and a collection of actual guns from Voltham''s P.D. and goons.

    Another more complex box was locked tightly as it held a few tubes of very questionable nanites along with Izime''s scavenging outfit. The outfit was there to keep it safe and as added padding for those delicate tubes The nanites were sealed in a weird clear liquid Cradle had produced after fighting off the infection they had given it.

    Izime didn''t know where the raven had caught them but he kept them just so the unknown critters couldn''t wander.

    Izime pulled the locked box down and opened it; the hiss of its vacuum seal breaking filled the room. Reaching in Izime carefully unwrapped the tubes to take the items that had been in with them, it was time to start gearing up.

    The heavy and long yellow raincoat wasn''t exactly the best get-up for sneaking around but Izime wasn''t trying to catch a round because he was the dark figure in the alley. Replacing it would be difficult, those yellow suits from FazzPazz''s insane time-traveling rival were hard as fuck to find.

    Truly a bit of top-tier legendary kit considering it was both frictionless and highly visible. High vis was probably the better feature of the coat honestly. Ideally, Izime would show up after the actual fight went down and before the heroes or their crews could come and clean up. More than once though the loot had been tempting enough to risk jumping in mid-showdown.

    That upped the risk factor, the occasional close call where Izime had even resorted to playing the scared civilian just long enough to disappear and near-brushes with death.

    Those alone had convinced him that being highly visible was in his best interest. The incidents of narrowly avoided shots and not-so-well-avoided sharp objects had decreased sharply after creating the high-vis coat.

    Along with that impressive coat was a pair of higher-end combat cargo pants, a bulletproof vest, and a civilian gas mask.

    The cargo pockets were a necessity, too handy for snagging the odd Dark-a-rang or alien techno-bauble. Their Kevlar weave was only useful against thrown objects, not even capable of stopping a decent thrust, beyond that the built-in padding kept his knees safe from the odd bump or badly timed snap.

    The vest was self-explanatory. Bad guys used guns, and the really bad guys could punch a bullet towards things intentionally. So, a bulletproof vest was just entry-level protection for the mere mortal man. The rest Izime relied on his senses enhanced by Cradle''s bond to aid him in snapping out of the situation.

    The gas mask was useful for when the police inevitably showed up and started tear-gassing everything into oblivion. However, like the vest far less handy against the concoctions Villains could produce. Izime usually tried to keep those contained, usually far too dangerous to sell. Though the few that he did were very profitable in the right circles. Everyone needed a little pick-me-up, even if it was a psychosis-inducing gas.

    Taking the scavenging outfit Izime placed each item on the shelf and resealed the box. The box''s lid clasping with a hiss as it began to vacuum itself closed. Izime nodded as he considered it the best protection he could offer the delicate tubes. Finally spinning the dial to reset the lock as the interior bars slid into position.

    Glancing at the various watches on his arm Izime located the one etched with the Dark Night logo. The whole city of Voltham leaned into its capitalist roots and hocking the touristy thing which now had its two arms indicating 8 pm.

    Well, it was a little later but there was still a bit of downtime possible, Izime planning to make the most of it.

    "I''ll give you some..." Izime walked over to one of the duffel bags and unzipped it, rummaging before pulling out a few silicon rectangles. Holding them up Izime took a look at the printing on the sides of the stick reading as he asked, "DDR-4 if you go out and scout?"

    Watching as Cradle nodded its head excitedly, catching one of the sticks in its beak. Grasping it in its talon and tearing a few chips off greedily before flapping over to one of the shelves. Resting the stick down among a few other already picked-over pieces that had all been gathered into the once empty corner of a shelf.

    The raven tucked the once shiny, now scratched stick into its newly made nest.

    "I''ll set an alarm for three hours." Izime nodded towards the door pulling out a beaten-looking flip-phone, watching as Cradle began to separate into smaller nanite structures. The otherworldly technology slipped through the tiny, rusted gaps in the steel door as Cradle left to scout the skies above Voltham.

    Izime turned towards the power brick on the wall, taking a quick measure of that small blinking light bar on the side that indicated the energy drain. Odds were the device would either power the light for a day or the bulb''s entire lifetime. Either way, Izime wasn''t going to risk it burning out, his supply was limited after all.

    Flicking the switch, he felt his way along the shelf, carefully avoiding the box of parts he had left on the ground. Finding the bed using the dim light, Izime tossed the duffel full of blankets onto it before pulling some out at random which flicked out. Letting them fall in the dark before tossing himself on top with a groan. The meager bed was already a thousand times more comfortable than the usual cardboard he and Wesson made do with.

    Looking down at the service-less cellphone Izime set an alarm for three hours and laid back waiting for sleep to take him. Eleven P.M. sounded like prime time for Voltham''s finest filth, and with Cradle monitoring for hot spots of action ahead of time tonight could be very profitable.

    Wesson and Shya wouldn''t need to worry about a hotel just over the winter, he could get them an apartment if he kept this up.

    Hell, maybe tonight he''d even find a cool mask to complete his outfit, though not a lot went with bright yellow. Maybe he was better off with the big-eyed gas mask... Izime slipped into dreams of redesigning his outfit.

    Above Voltham''s Sky

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Cradle glanced down at the city of Voltham through the cloud layers, watching as the light of the sun withdrew its warmth. Eyes glancing down, zooming with a capability that would have seemed impossible to any who''d believed in the limitations of earthly technology. A view made possible by its sensors sweeping with an absurd level of detail.

    All while being at an altitude usually reserved for a different kind of Blackbird the raven was performing much the same duty as the old S.R.-71, only to a far greater degree.

    The raven pinged and highlighted the individual antennae that were scanning with what it had decided was Dark Night''s spectrum. The Blane Enterprise funded towers checking for nearly any kind of signal, though its attempts were pitiable. The meager signals reflecting uselessly or being absorbed, the returning data obfuscated with false information.

    There were few in the universe that could rival Cradle, Blane''s attempts were a laughingstock when compared to the truly living technology.

    Cradle cocking its head considering whether it should preen itself first or eat when it got home. The work it was doing deserved a good meal, but its pride was being stroked as each sweep from Blane failed to detect it. Deciding it would first relay all the information it had collected to its nest program.

    First report, then preen because it was doing such a good job, finally eat, and then it would be time to work for its admin once more.

    The fleshy sentient known as Izime was of course not its actual creator, but Cradle had registered Izime as its admin user happily all the same. The man''s choices had brought it life and so was granted loyalty and instinctual protection. Cradle''s biological instincts combined with technological controls in its tech brain to grant Izime alone usage of the advanced tech-raven.

    The tech-bird'' s subroutines checked the microseconds that had ticked by, between the last scan and the predicted next one, and when Izime would awake.

    Another sweep passed over as Cradle returned to its monitoring, its attention locking onto the same thing Dark Night''s sensors had or would have, if they''d had it''s range.

    "Work! Work! Work!" Cradle cawed excitedly, confident neither Blane''s sensors nor their target could pick up its joyful cries at this range. Cradle sent a small digital marker to pin itself onto the Thessian''s signature before sending a direct update to Izime even though he was still sleeping.

    The notification would wait until he woke, the data in Cradle''s thoughts patiently waiting for Izime to parse through later.

    The raven began adjusting their mutual projections for tonight alone in the meantime. Flying heroes meant big fights, big fights meant big money,and big money meant better RAM. Food was flying in directly below Cradle, enough for a whole week if not the month!

    That light lavender blur streaked below Cradle and above the smog-ridden tops of Voltham''s industrial sector.

    Halting midair the blur cleared as the wash from the above mach flight crashed against a white cape and sterling silver suit. The outfit was unadorned aside from the smallest details, the silver not being a cloth but scales that provided its wearer with ample protection. The crack of the air breaking over a slim, super-strengthened body only served to disturb the long fringe strip of white hair.

    Strands of it fluttering against shaved sides, catching on the ridges that lined stripped ears, a hand with similar purple and blue mottling reached up to brush it away. Red eyes glancing at the crime-riddled streets Volthamite''s called home, the dark city a stark contrast to her own home.

    Miss Psyis was Centropolis'' psychic alien heroine and had only flown here to assist her fellow heroes in Voltham. Her gaze worked across the city as she let her mind wander further across the crime-festering alleys below. Reaching out to see and sense, thin white brows furrowed in effort, lighter blue lips pursing and creasing purple cheeks.

    The odd itch that had tickled at her mind had gone moments ago already. An unknown but oddly natural feeling sensation, so much so it could have simply been a trick of her imagination. There wasn''t anything there, but she swore there had been something, a passing hiccup in her mind. Perhaps just an odd fluctuation in her powers as she''d admittedly been distracted.

    Psyis ran her eyes back over the city as she tried to catch the slipping dream of whatever had passed just a moment ago.

    The thessian crossed her arms in frustration, upset that her thoughts had been elsewhere.

    Concerned with things she''d sworn to already let go, she hadn''t and so she had missed it. Whatever it was, if it had even been real to begin with, considering how odd the sensation had been. Not a human thought but something else, like her powers had passed through a fun-house mirror and come back all distorted.

    Though learning her powers as a solitary thessian had been a bit difficult. As such Psyis only had the information she''d gleaned stumbling through with her self-discovery about what her powers felt like and were capable of. The most solid conclusion she had at the moment was it was either imaginary or inhuman, her mind leaning towards the former.

    After an entire lifetime being raised on Earth as the last living Thessian Psyis knew what human thoughts felt like.

    They were a blast of white noise, an unfiltered constant chatter most times a cold-shouldering blankness during the rare moments of self-awareness. This had been a different feeling, Psyis could recall that at least. Not the white noise she was used to hearing and so fast like a switch had been flicked. A blank or blip that had warped through her powers, not silencing them but more akin to the thing her computer did when the internet was dropping.

    It was just that the whole thing was over and gone before she had even pulled her mind away from her stupid issues. Finally realizing something had passed handfuls of seconds afterward, that inattention and time confusing Psyis now.

    Was it an actual thing and not her brain messing around?

    Psyis considered reaching even further but decided against it as she looked at the sitting sun. The issue wasn''t worth digging into, not right now at least.

    Especially considering it might have just been a self-inflicted problem between idle thoughts and her powers.

    There was only so long until she needed to meet the Dark Duo, and time was currently at a premium. FearForm was preparing to make some moves involving civilians with the help of The Quiz. With both of the other heroes being tied up handling the actual fighting, Dark Squire had called Miss Psyis to run crowd control.

    At least it wasn''t for another terrible date this time.

    Psyis shook the thought from her head, instead focusing on keeping her psychic awareness at its maximum while she flew on. Chastising her wandering mind for wandering back to the same thoughts that had distracted her in the first place. That was the entire reason she had missed the blip or whatever it was.

    The air cracked as she left once again, mind and heart refocusing on her coming objectives and not the nonsense that might happen between completing them.

    Building and streets once again passing in a blur, Psyis enjoying the warmth of the protective bubble that mach flight formed.

    Those apartment tower complexes and spires of business empires slowly cleared away, the land rising to give way to the mountains that had limited Voltham''s sprawling growth westward. One arm lowered as Psyis began to slow, dropping down from the darkening sky in a graceful arch. The rush Psyis felt passed as she felt a familiar mind, already standing outside and waiting on her.

    Silver form passing over the carefully landscaped and trimmed trees of the property, Psyis looked down seeing a young man standing outside waving up at her enthusiastically.

    The thessian biting at the inside of her lip as she tried to not read into the thoughts and emotions that were spilling off of Steven Blane as he stood waiting for her on the balcony. Enthusiasm was the term Psyis decided she was going to stick with, not sharing in any of the same hopes and desires that washed upward toward her. Hopes and wants that did not belong to her filling her mind.

    To patch things up? To fix things? Desires she''d only felt as idle curiosities.

    Patch up what, there was nothing left of the mistake they''d once been. Fix what, she''d done nothing wrong; simply not wanting to feel the way Steven had.

    Desire? Psyis chewed a bit harder at that, having gone round and round again with the human over her thessian needs. Steven was full of desires sure for her sure, his thoughts already running over her and violating places she''d once given him. Control was another one of those desiers she''d discovered underneath the more physical connections humans built in favor of her species'' mental bonds.

    Psyis hovered for a brief moment looking down at the human that just hadn''t worked out for her.

    They''d never work for one another because Steven never changed, still using that tough biker guy mentality that only hid a hurt angry boy who''d never gotten over being abandoned.

    A piece of eye candy was all that was left, his broad shoulders stretching the leather jacket he was wearing. Muscular form filling out those denim jeans in all the right places. Steven was a sweetly coated piece of hard candy, and just like candy he was bad for her. Psyis found she''d been deceived by that surface, the filling being nothing but angry nights and yelling. That man turned into a boy who just didn''t want help, they''d just wanted to be mad.

    "Hey there Sweetie Psy," Steven tucked his hand back inside his paneled biker jacket, it wasn''t all that warm but what did that matter? He was Dark Squire; what was a little cold when you were partnered with and mentored by Dark Night.

    Blane''s billionaire playboy persona had rubbed off on his protege as well, Steven braving the chill in a skintight shirt and open leather jacket. Steven knew he looked damned good, Psyis had even given a slight pause.

    The second glance tempted him to use the term of affection he''d once granted her, though her reaction told Steven it''d been a step too far.

    "Steven, I''ve told you not to call me that anymore," Psyis came down a bit hard, her landing soft compared to the tone of her words as she continued to warn Steven.

    She''d known this would happen, but she''d expected to at least have a single goon in handcuffs before the constantly cowled man started in on her. "Can I have five minutes without you trying to drag us back months ago to when you didn''t fuck up?"

    Purple faded a bit to blue as the thessian''s anger flared out quickly, her good conscience reminding her that it''d been her choice to involve herself with this at all. In the first place, now or ever it was something she''d signed up for. Even if the personal relationships weren''t necessarily a part of that, keeping the peace in the League was.

    "My bad," Steven held his hands up, the false surrender simply a bait towards an argument. Steven doubled down on the tactic, "Didn''t realize you were strictly business now."

    This was a talk the two needed to finish so they could end this extended break between them.

    "Says the man that never takes his ma-" Psyis bit back her words as the eager spark in Stevens''s eyes lit up turning her headway, cursing at herself inside.

    Knowing she had only stepped onto a landmine by opening her mouth, the flood of chatter pouring out of him now only confirmed that. Talking about their past, and acknowledging anything Steven ever said about them only opened the door for him to haunt her mind and heart all that much longer. An irritating poltergeist of an Ex who was able to reach out to her through various means, work, their past, and his very thoughts.

    The white noise went a thousand senseless noisy directions as Steven''s imagination overrode any ''no'' she could ever give him.

    Even, it seemed, her future as Psyis knew taking issue with Steven would irk Dark Night himself, her senior member on League Savior.

    "See you can''t help yourself Psyis because this isn''t over yet," A smirk cut across Steven''s face, Psyis''s reaction simply confirming that she''d not been able to let go of their relationship.

    Hoping instead he could finally convince her that this was just another step, a growing pain as her little bond with him had deepened. "That''s how relationships work there are ups and downs in them. Issues we''re supposed to work through together not abandon halfway."

    "Steven, you''re still treating me like a mission," The Thessian lowered her head, white hair spilling over the right side of her purpling face. A reflection of her growing irritability at Steven''s refusal to ever not discuss this, treating her like she was something left undone.

    They''d already run their course, Psyis trying to remind him of that now. "We''re not an objective to be completed, I-I''m not treating our arguments like some task that just comes with our relationship anymore, I''m done with that. Sometimes things just don''t work out, were one of those."

    "Whether it''s right now or forever I can''t tell so don''t bother asking." Psyis drew a line as red eyes glanced through greens, the mindreader ready to answer the easily read emotions of the upset Steven.

    "Yes, it''s you at least for me, you are the problem, and gods only know if you''ll change the reasons why." Psyis refused to look away, knowing her words had likely touched a nerve. Sighing a bit as she''d already explained this months ago before the whole problem had begun spilling out from under that black-haired head.

    The sounds of the November wind passing through the barest rustle of trimmed trees proved that thought right.

    Steven''s jacket groaned as he tried to muscle down the emotional turmoil Psyis'' words had riled inside of him.

    Several further arguments formed but fell short of escaping the man''s mouth as he instead just bluntly tried to refute Psyis for once again stonewalling him.

    "Still have all the answers don''t you." Steven crossed his arms realizing Psyis had pulled the questions from his mind. The methods of security Stan had taught him failing, Steven adjusted his tactics filling his mind with their shared past, "I know I''m not perfect but what we had was special Psyis, I want us back."

    "It was Steven, I''m glad we had it," Psyis looked out towards the trees, wondering if Steven would have been better off without the same carefully manicured appearance. That had been what had fooled her in the first place after all, turning her eyes back towards the talking deception in front of her, "But I''m not here to talk about us."

    "Yeah, I know." Steven nodded along dumbly, zero intent to let the chance disappear while Psyis was around. It wasn''t like he could fly down to Centropolis to talk about them, though the idea had crossed his mind before.

    Instead of recalling how many times he thought of opening the hatch and taking the Dark-Jet Steven kept his thoughts on the balcony door. "Let''s get out of the cold. Stan''s in the cavern but we''ve got time to grab a bite if Jenkins has made anything, if not we can whip something up ourselves. It''ll be quick."

    "OK," Psyis agreed tentatively not wanting to already start causing issues with her co-worker for the next foreseeable period. Quickly adding in an addendum as Steven''s ideas washed over her. The thessian not wanting to be trapped in a kitchen full of spoiled memories. Psyis excused herself beforehand, "I''m not that hungry though so just a quick snack."

    Both gave a slight shiver as they stepped into the expensive and now geothermally warmed mansion the Blanes had once built.

    The family kept the property through generations of maintenance long enough the land had earned the mansion the title of Manor. Recognition for the lifetimes the family had dedicated itself to Voltham, either through business or heroism, sometimes a combination of both. Those efforts paid off as the sitting room around her even smelled rich, the aromas of stained wood, aged rows of books, and the slightest hint of pomp.

    Red eyes glancing across the sitting room its only exit towards the hall, one direction bringing her closer to her real objective.

    The other would keep the peace a bit longer even if it was insulting to her. As well as misleading as Steven was just too dense to accept her decision. Her giving way was only ever going to be seen as him gaining ground back with her, not as Psyis simply accepting Steven''s childish intentions so he didn''t throw a fit or cause an incident during a mission.

    "Eat something," Steven refuted blocking Psyis from heading towards the grandfather clock that held the entrance to the Dark Cavern. Extending his arms towards the kitchens where he knew Jenkins hadn''t prepared anything at Steven''s request, "You know it''s not good to go on a mission hungry."

    Steven smiled warmly gesturing with the extended and blocking arm down the beautifully carpeted hall. Finally dropping his arm as Psyis walked down towards the kitchens, stepping in quickly alongside her.

    The moment reminded him for a second of when they''d both been in the Young Saviors, hanging out while she''d still been learning her powers. Cooking again was something Steven could use to rekindle those old feelings, glad that Psyis had listened to him. It was best for the man to take the lead in a relationship after all.

    Psyis didn''t bother saying anything else as Steven once again shoved her boundaries aside only caring about what he thought, wishing she couldn''t read his thoughts.

    Slipping past him careful not to appear too intimate, though judging by his flaring emotions the attempt had failed. Steven''s attempts at chivalry and care fell short as the psychic could read fully into his depths of control. Not for the first time wishing she''d just been an average human woman, unaware and blissfully ignorant of Steven''s hidden darkness.

    Maybe someday she''d find someone different or feel like she had a choice.

 The Moment Things Began to Change

    An odd silence stretched out across a few Voltham blocks, absent from the usual nightly noise.

    No angry yelling followed by a gunshot that echoed in silence, no sounds of gangs riling in the alleys, not even the lost echo of a car alarm reaching up to the top of the multi-story tower where the yellow hooded figure stood. Its form constantly moved about as if it couldn''t quite settle, as irritable as a flag tossing in the winds it would share at such an altitude.

    Izime tugged at his hood, a bit frustrated with his time in Voltham already.

    It''d literally only been hours, not even a full day had passed and this whole trip was looking like bad luck waiting to happen.

    The original plan had forecast a slew of comparatively minor nefarious plots, a few random acts of moderate villainy.

    Something well within the realm of reason for the Dark Duo and something Izime had been looking forward to profiting from. It should have been easy pickings. A few nights of gathering leftover traps and devices crafted by some of the most capable and creative minds; not sound minds but hot damn were they capable and creative.

    Now was there an entire extra hero involved?

    That started tipping the scales to a larger plot that involved multiple unpredictable elements, one of which was now a psychic. The match-up here was a potential disaster in the making, not just for Izime''s wallet but for the people of Voltham as a whole. If it was just Steven and Stan getting the shit kicked out of them, whoop-di-doo. The psychic couldn''t get involved, she was the riskiest element in this powder-keg of villainy and heroism tonight.

    Her powers dwarfed those of all but the true titans such as Radiation Man, VoidSide, and Vhainos and it wasn''t like any of those heavy hitters were here.

    The Quiz wasn''t so bad even if every damned room had been trapped and rigged in a truly intricate problem to solve. Some of those devices had convenient components, others could and would be sold as is. Especially those multi-activation cable throwers that the Duo of Dinguses kept setting off.

    Izime was a bit disappointed in the simple single-track approach both the better-trained but less technologically gifted heroes were taking. The trick was knowing that the lasers they emitted were actually the third in a series of activators. Every time one of them spoke up or pointed them out it would trigger either the noise or motion sensors. The number of civilians tied up by them should have been a bit of a clue. Izime wasn''t in the thick of it though, so he didn''t want to judge too much.

    They could even be the more advanced version that detected radio signals, though such intricate traps would be blind firing with all the electronics going off in the building so Izime doubted it.

    The big problem was FearForm, the toxin-using, exo-suit-wearing, mixed-class villain.

    The dude was already an imposing physical fighter for most basic-level heroes with that enhanced exoskeleton supporting his body. The big danger was his reliance on using and abusing the environment with that fear toxin. The exhaust pipes on the back could and certainly would gas out the area if the villain encountered the psychic her. As it would not only amp FearForm''s physical abilities it also was a massive hazard for the thessian, a wonderful prize for Izime though.

    The sickly yellow substance sold like hotcakes though in either liquid or gas form. It was just the issue of safely handling and dismantling those devices.

    The dude was inoculated to his stash, so any devices FearForm designed were designed shoddily on purpose. The man simply didn''t care how much toxin was wasted as long as the job was done at the end of the night. As such tampering with them was risky and even if it didn''t affect Izime the same it did give him some nasty flashbacks.

    Those and the instant nausea that caused vomiting were bad when you were wearing a gas mask and something he''d rather avoid. All those problems were later issues and considerations about what, not who.

    The one he was really worried about was the super-powered mind that might level a few Voltham blocks before her friends brought her down.

    Give Miss Psyis a solid dose of that toxin and everyone in Voltham would probably get rocked by the fallout. Either through mental influencing or as the alien simply lost her wits and battles a nightmare that didn''t exist, either possible as her powers went rampant.

    God knows what the overpowered Thessian could conjurer up from her darkest depths, it wasn''t a question Izime wanted answered.

    Kneeling a bit lower Izime tried to focus his vision a better.

    The odd zoom he had gained since fully bonding with Cradle last year was a bit hard to manage with a simple human brain. The thermal, magnetic, and night vision were all a simple on/off/ thought. Focusing was a bit more complex, and resolution resolving became a literal headache sometimes.

    The figure floating in her silver suit across the large Voltham block came in just fine. The odd blink-y thing that was strapped on the ac-duct between them wasn''t coming in any better at all. It was either the unit right in front of the one he wanted to look at or the whole roof behind.

    Even the AR interactive sliders weren''t helping. Izime had given up on the mental dials he had been using a while ago in favor of physically moving his hands over invisible buttons and bars.

    Cradle usually helped him manage some of these things, either supplying a video feed or adjusting Izime''s human binocular vision on its own. Right now, however, the raven was inside the building on another run. There were some routes The Quiz had rigged that Dark Night hadn''t taken and most likely wouldn''t.

    Those rigged halls Cradle was going into and cleaning, gathering any traps and devices in a corner where Izime could quickly snap in and snatch them. Hopefully all in one breath... Izime didn''t want to lose the little bit of canned beans he had eaten earlier; those were his last ones after all.

    Trying to focus once again, Izime changed his target. This time ignoring the thingy on the ac-duct and instead observing the only person who might compromise him at the moment. Now she was across from him, the two separated by the building that took up the corner of the block.

    That stupid purple alien from Centropolis had showed up earlier and as excited as Cradle was, Izime wasn''t.

    The alien, hell any psychic was a massive threat to his existence. If anyone asked the right questions and found out his original purpose, well that was the reason for having rules. Izime had only a few rules in his line of work, the very thin ass line he walked reselling and reusing hero and villain stuff in his gray markets. One very big one was ''NO PSYCHICS.''

    None, nada, not a damned one, they could ruin his whole shtick and empty every storehouse he had made across the world let alone the things they might learn about him and his home reality.

    There were some other obvious ones like not taking the side of a hero or a villain as that would bring its own can of worms. Essentially the whole gig remained around not being a direct part of the whole hero-villain system here on Earth, he was just there for their stuff. The stuff however was starting to look like a complicated bit of operating.

    Various simulations of the ways this might play out ran through Izime''s mind even through he knew it was a bit too late to change plans now. Despite the fact there was that something, and that someone, on the outside of the building. Abandoning the haul was a hard loss to accept as both he and Cradle needed this run. They had just invested all their earth cash into Wesson''s family and things were going to get rough if they didn''t turn a profit on something quick.

    The two needed cash to at least get them through the new year unless they wanted to risk influencing the economy of the earth with laundered Sol credits.

    The game was set, the moves had been made, and the loot was now waiting. Izime had essentially pre-committed to making this final year-end run through Voltham profitable, backing them into this corner and Cradle was already inside at work and would be demanding its RAM regardless of any trouble.

    Izime kept his eyes on trouble, watching as she slowly lowered herself to the roof across the block. The purple glow emanated from her body ruffling her white hair against the breeze.

    "Just focus on the building and the people," Izime muttered to himself, while mentally speaking into the bonded connection with Cradle.

    Be quick we have company

    Purple. Yes Yes. Money Money

    12 Tricks. 25 More. Floor to floor.

    Izime nodded, the connection easily making sense of what Cradle was intending to translate in much more detail. The information it had collected on the alien nearly crowded Izime''s vision until he mentally shoved the windows aside.

    The bigger interest was the small pile of ''tricks'' Cradle had prepared for the two of them to steal from The Quiz. The intelligent villain had a knack for making some of the best non-lethal ensnaring devices the galaxy had ever seen, perfect for the odd many-limbed alien out drunk running on their bounty.

    "Money money," Izime whispered as he smiled a bit wider, one hand rubbing at his still empty pockets in excitement. The other still raised, poised for a snap and grab of their current haul in case things went badly.

    Finally closing the tabs Cradle had raised to review the alien''s information, instead quietly observing her from the darkness. Her bright red eyes moved about as she was still focused on the building and that blurry blinky duct was... was still... Izime swallowed dryly, where the fuck had a whole ass ac-duct just disappeared too?

    Pulse quickening Izime tried to keep his calm simply, so his eyes retained their focus. Knowing from previous experience nerves and emotional responses would only cause instability in his more advanced functions. Checking the areas of the stacked flat verticals on the apartment complex he could see, the edges of the stepped stories bare of any flashing lights.

    Eyes finally settling back on the psychic, Izime''s nerves fraying just that bit further as he stared intently.

    If he couldn''t see anything, odds were, she would be finding out what that device was before he did.

    Izime stood and prepared to intervene his decision made without question. Simply not willing to risk the devices Cradle had gathered, the money the two needed, or the psychic harming the people in the city. Teal eyes widened in panic as his fears came to life before his eyes.

    A thick yellow plume exploded towards the heroine, Izime watched red eyes go wide as the Thessian blued out in terror.

    On the Opposite Rooftop

    Psyis held her hands out unaware of her observer, focused on pouring more of her energy out. Carefully trying to manage all the different pieces of the puzzle she was currently juggling. Supporting not only the psychic shields that were keeping the entire skyscraper full of civilians calmly frozen in place.

    There was also an entire skyscraper full of fear toxin that had been released, her shields keeping the rough structure airtight as well.

    White cape fluttered as the wind and her powers both tried to rule its direction. Psyis took a deep breath, feeling the scales of her suit pull as her lungs filled.

    Tonight was just the start of what was looking to be a complicated game of cat and mouse, and more time dealing with Steven.

    The heroine much more content to focus on keeping the parts per million of fear toxin to a minimum instead of considering her previously toxic relationship.

    Both of them, Steven and herself had far bigger issues than the burnt bridge of intimacy between them. Fear Form and The Quiz had taken over a massive apartment complex, the multistory tower now turned into a terrifying madhouse of difficult-to-solve questions and civilians who had been driven into a terrified and terrifying frenzy.

    Dark Night and Dark Squire currently going through the trials The Quiz had laid out for them, testing their strength and guile; Psyis tried to check in on their progress.

    A small sliver of that energy broke away to trigger her communicator to voice her opinion as she contacted Dark Squire. "I''m keeping the crowd under control, but we need to find the source of Fear Forms psychosis gas quickly Squire. The pressure in the buildings going to build up eventually, and I''m a sitting duck out here."

    "Workss-ng ss-n it Psy." Dark Squire''s voice came between mic cracks and static.

    Psyis'' eyebrows furrowed as she tried to make sense of why exactly Steven''s communication was coming back broken.

    There was no mention of her transmission being misheard or any signs that the other end had the same issue. An odd interference coming from the concrete? No that was a stupid idea, Psyis deduced the sounds of hissing weren''t because of faulty tech or a disrupted connection. The building was quite likely being flooded still with the toxic fumes so that explained the hissing, but not those odd pops in the radio''s speaker.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    What was causing the microsecond gaps where nothing was coming through at all?

    "I... we don''t have time for this Dark Squire I''m pulling all the fu-" Psyis responded, trying to detail her plan until a snap from her earpiece told her that her line had just been over-ridden by the control channel. OK so her and Dark Squires line hadn''t been private maybe that was it?

    "Miss Psyis you can''t control that much gas and the people at the same time." Another voice cut into the comm, "Focus on your job and save these civilians from FearForm, rushing things will play us right into The Quiz''s plan."

    Psyis gave a half-lidded gaze towards the building where her senior league member had decided to chime in, Stan''s tone brooking no arguments.

    He was stepping in as Dark Night; it was his city and his mission after all. Though Psyis felt as if she was still being treated as a member of the Young League, not the woman he''d voted to join him. Sometimes wondering if she was just a pawn to use, keeping Steven''s worse tendencies reigned in when Dark Squire operated alone.

    "Affirmative Dark Night." Psyis tried to calm down, the situation wasn''t collapsing by any means so there wasn''t any real reason to get drastic and flex her powers here in Voltham.

    There were just some odd things going on today. First was the odd sense earlier and now this oddity on Dark Night''s premium tech. An unknown in her psychic senses might just be a personal hiccup, she was learning to use her Thessian powers alone after all. The oddity of a similar blip in Dark Nights tech on the same day?

    That couldn''t be a coincidence. If it was it was just unsettling and Psyis had to admit, it had gotten to her. The heroine was unsure if she should admonish herself or trust that sense.

    Psyis glanced at the darkness around her, the starless smog that plagued Voltham giving no skyline to check the roof lines against. Her eyes moved instead to the few lit windows under them, checking for any odd movements. The sounds of Voltham filled the air, the same city with its gently steaming sewers as it ever was.

    Nerves tightened her mind telling her it wasn''t so; it was too quiet, too still.

    Psyis'' gut was telling her to pay more attention, to absolutely everything because there was something. It had slipped her grasp this evening and her soul told her it was here again, instincts flaring at the unknown in the blackness. The feeling that she had missed something earlier had never stopped for a second.

    Alien senses blazing, she had been missing it since entering Voltham tonight, but it certainly hadn''t missed them.

    The blip in her powers, the radio, it all confirmed there was something else here. Even though she had no goosebumps she could feel her blue mottling spreading, darkening her colors. Thessian biology tried to hide on instinct, blending within the darkness to hide from the predator unseen.

    Preparing another psychic sweep Psyis ran one hand through her hair making sure to keep the other up and focusing her powers on the building.

    What the hell could there even be in Voltham that could work her up, let alone scare her?

    A twisted clown?

    Please Laughing Man was lucky Dark Night had ordered she not just wipe that crooked brain clean.

    An over-sized wrestler?

    She was a psychic telepathic telekinetic who could go at least two rounds with the likes of Voidside let alone some synthroid addict.

    Quickly focusing her powers inward, Psyis decided to find the answer to her worries. Searching to see if she still had any part of her mental focus, that psychic energy occupied elsewhere. Praying there were still some reserves, the alien found herself disappointed.

    There weren''t any, all of her powers were focused here.

    OK, fine.

    Psyis thought to herself, it would be a smaller sweep. The mental ping would be underpowered but still sweep most of the nearby city blocks. The little weakening in the building''s air-tight shield wouldn''t matter that much, a few parts per million were acceptable ranges of leaked fear toxin to be released in an already polluted city.

    With a simple pulse, she had the answer to her worries; there was nothing.

    Psyis sighed relaxing her hand and letting it fall by her side. Running her mind over the feelings her psychic echo had brought back. The familiar walls of cheap apartments, the forms of the people inside unaware. There was nothing out of place, everything was as it should be...

    Because she hadn''t realized what to look for at first.

    Psyis had nearly let the whole thing go when she finally saw it, instincts had nearly fallen to silent sleep until an ice-cold bucket of fear came washing over them. The thessian tensed again but now being very careful not to react too obviously as she repeated the same pulse.

    That mental echo returned that same form. There was a literal nothing, a void, a blank in her mental blueprint across the block from her on the roof. An oddly sifting but recognizable shape, bipedal and it was facing her.

    Red eyes doubled their focus on the building in front of her as she realized it was facing her.  If she was being watched just looking might give away and whoever it was seemed to be prepared for her powers.

    There was an uncomfortable mental silence coming from that area, no thoughts or emotions seeping out. The sensation unnerved the psychic even further, she''d thought she''d recognize it even if it was one of the odder aliens, a demon, hell even Voidside himself. She would at least recognize it, they all shared similar patterns.

    Wants, needs, and desires could be felt if not thoughts directly interpreted as none had ever utterly denied her powers.

    Even if it was one of her own specifically trained enemies, Psyis knew she should at least be able to identify the methods of camouflage. This wasn''t even an attempt, it was just a void that was taking her psychic powers and erasing them. It wasn''t stealth, it was a flat rejection of sense that had only keyed her off because it was breaking the rules of what she knew.

    The form an unknown that was manipulating or avoiding her powers in ways she couldn''t even identify.

    "Shit." Psyis thought about about switching lines to contact Jenkins for an extra hand, but even then she might just be directly revealing that they were all compromised. Besides what was the butler going to do... well he was ex-special forces. That would still draw Dark Night''s attention away from the actual civilians which might be exactly what that void wanted, Psyis intent on not falling into any traps like the two inside.

    No, it was better if she took matters into her own hands an-

    "Psyis we''ve got some movement here." Dark Squire''s voice came back into her ear, "Everything clear outside?"

    "Sorry," Psyis replied on instinct, returning both her hands to their positions. Her power washed back over the skyscraper in full restoring the locking forces to the few civilians that had started to free themselves from her protective grasp. That nothing flickered out from under her mental detection as her attention was drawn away.

    "W-we''re good," Psyis triggered her mic this time, trying to think of some way to inform the two without causing alarm. "It''s a very clear night outside, still some things I can''t see though."

    Maybe she could still grab it?

    Psyis began to reach out, not with a sweep this time.

    Her hand physically made a grasping motion, the locking mental force she used slipping off that nothing like it was slicked with oil.

    A bit more power? No that wouldn''t help as it was gone now, maybe if she''d had still known its exact position then her snare wouldn''t have slipped off it so uselessly.

    "PSYIS!" Dark Night''s voice came directly this time, the electronically altered rasp nearly peaking her earpiece as the growl came across full of emotion.

    Psyis immediately threw the issue of their watcher aside mind returned to the civilians that were beginning to escape her control.

    Preparing to redouble her efforts and avoid Dark Night''s ire with an explanation. At least Psyis thought it had been Dark Night calling to reprimand her again. So when she returned her focus to the skyscraper wanting to redouble her efforts and instead saw a cloud of FearForm''s toxin billowing out towards her Psyis panicked for a brief moment.

    Having missed whatever device had deployed the toxic fumes while her attention was on that void, distracted by their new company. Now unsure where her power would be best applied and in what order to attack this new issue. Was there a hole in the building all of a sudden or had some other catastrophe happened?

    Surely the Daring Duo hadn''t triggered one of The Quiz''s more intricate and much larger traps causing some kind of damage.

    That left an exterior trap, but Psyis had personally checked the surrounding buildings and they had been clear. Had been, just like she''d thought the rooftops nearby had been clear as well.

    "Don''t breathe! They rigged a vent so it would blast you!" Dark Squires''s voice came back over the comm giving obvious advice.

    Did that thing deploy FearForm''s device?

    Psyis quickly sorted the information Steven had spilled in that message, her mind not feeling any of the emotional worry he was. Just a bit of raw panic as she''d been caught unaware, that and the unsettling fear from the void. Still, those were secondary concerns at the moment, feeling with her mind Psyis located the vent in question.

    Nearly midway up the building on an exterior platform designed for AC units, there was one directed towards her. The gray metal box blasted the stream of yellowish gaseous toxin in her direction.

    "I''ve got this, guys." Psyis turned one of her hands, the cloud being too large to bubble up at this point so her normal method would be useless.

    Instead, she waved her palm in a circle, forcing the air to whip itself into a current with psychokinesis. Driving the cloud into the upper atmosphere where it could begin to disperse harmlessly. Quickly reaching between the building''s shield and keeping the current of air whippings upwards from Voltham''s streets below.

    Gathering any bits that leaked while still holding the civilians inside safely, accomplishing what Dark Night had deemed impossible for her.

    Psyis smiled confidently though an uneasy breath did escape her. Knowing full well she had nearly been caught completely unaware, brows furrowing as she focused her attention on the device that had caused the spray.

    Her eyes widened a bit as she saw tendrils of toxin beginning to slip around her whirlwind.

    Maybe Dark Night had a bit of a point after all?

    Drawing an even larger base for the whirlwind with her hand before looking back to see if she had caught the excess flow, only to find that the leaking tendril of yellow had reached out further. The cloud to large to see around now she instead reached out and felt with her mind wanting to just crush the device.

    She could handle the cloud that poured out afterward and add it to the current street tornado, she needed to handle the actual thing producing the gas now though.

    The ac-duct was... gone? No, that nothing was blocking her from it!

    Psyis held a hand over her mouth as the toxin crept further and faster around the whirlwind, carried by natural air reacting to her own forced currents.

    Those reaching threads slowed until they began to get sucked back into the no longer growing vortex of toxin. A blue hand slowly falling away, Psyis realized the tendril had lost its strength, no longer having the supply to wash out of the mini tornado she''d made. Psyis wanted to grab it, reaching to make her move, but that nothing just literally vanished under her power''s very gaze.

    Disappearing under her powers gaze and grasp as if it''d never existed or as if she''d tried to snag FazzPazz.

    The AC duct physically missing this time, that hand faltering under the weight of worry, questions, and very few answers.

    That would explain why the toxin had begun to draw back instead of flood around her containment.

    Without the main supply, nothing remained to saturate the surrounding air. Finally visually glancing at the trapped building where it had last been, the obvious signs of the duct being forcefully removed were clear from the sparking wires and still dripping evaporation lines.

    Still, why had it taken the trap, hadn''t it been the one to deploy it in the first place?

    "Just in time Miss Psyis." Dark Night''s voice came back through the comm, the slight pause between making the compliment more pointed, "Glad to see you still have things under control"

    "Let''s get this pop quiz finished you two," Psyis ignored to back-handed mention of her earlier lack of attention, instead urging to two onward as she finally delivered the news into her comm. "We are not alone and it''s an unknown. Complete ghost."

    Not quite willing to admit that her once purple, now probably blue butt might have just been pulled from the frying pan. FearForm''s multiple attacks had just stressed the upper limits of her abilities between shielding and manipulating the air to avoid that attack. Psyis instead requested the two finish, directly informing them of their unexpected company. Hoping the lack of details convinced them both to start moving a bit quicker as it wasn''t just a simple request anymore.

    They weren''t alone.

    "Repeat last," Dark Nights growl came back just as tense as she felt. Psyis wondered if it was that odd interference returning on their end now or if Dark Night doubted her as he tried to clarify. "Confirm, we have a hostile?"

    "I only displaced that gas," Psyis was torn between wanting some extra eyes and the civilians actually in danger, giving the it a bit more grace than she''d have liked with her next words. "The device that caused it is gone and there was a..thing..watching me earlier."

    "If you''re under att-" Steven''s worried voice came through as if he had forgotten Psyis was holding a conversation with the two right at this moment and hadn''t cleared the line. The click as her communicator was overridden telling Psyis exactly where she stood, somewhere under the two who''d asked for help. Psyis rolled her eyes as her earpiece clicked again, Dark Night giving her the right over Squire now as well.

    "No Squire. Like I was saying, it only watched..and I think it took FearForm''s trap. Civilians should remain our priority, they''re the mission." The alien kept a distance from the human''s tone, replying with a no-nonsense tone. "May have just been an underling, some new goon trying to recover an experimental device?"

    Psyis didn''t even believe her own words. That void hadn''t been anything close to a goon or any other creature she''d even encountered on earth in her entire lifetime spent on the large wet rock. Not at all surprised when Dark Night''s voice came back, already speaking sense though it was without the same unnerving details she''d felt.

    "Those gas units are pretty common. A bit higher flow and much more compact but FearForm''s got thousands of them. Stay. Sharp." Dark Nights offered his view on Psyis'' thoughts, "Keep your senses sweeping, use your mental powers to find the target."

    "I am OK," Psyis replied, a bit tensely to her senior member who was still treating her like a teen hero learning the ropes. Psyis Detailing what she had learned so far hoping Dark Night would be a bit more helpful finding a solution with more information. "This thing is hard for me to find its absorbing my powers or something. I only sensed it because I realized there was a gap in my sense, it''s burning a hole in my detection ability."

    "You didn''t see it take the trap?" Dark Squire asked, not aware of just how far Psyis had nearly had the situation slip out of control from the inside. Never even being aware of the massive funnel of fear toxin that had been sent towards the sky.

    "No, I think it''s gone though and so is that trap." Psyis shook her head at the unhelpful addition as she gave another shot at sweeping the far rooftop. Finding nothing out of place on any of the surrounding buildings, no reason to sweep a building she was currently shielding she continued to press for a quick resolution. "Let''s save the night and wrap this up guys."

    "We may have a new friend," Dark Night growled a dire warning, quickly making a few decisions to ensure optimal security. "Or something worse. We''ll meet debrief tonight, Miss Psyis you stay with us if we''re being tracked."

    "Friends say hi," Psyis agreed with the warning relaying the results of her psychic touch, a bit regretful she''d be stuck with Steven. Though she was certainly appreciative of having a secure location to base away from whatever that thing was. "I couldn''t even get a thought out of that thing so it''s definitely not a human or maybe not even organic?"

    "You''re not good against a physical opponent," Dark Squire''s tense voice came back over the comm once again, the Young League member interrupting his two senior heroes once more, "do you need backup?

    "She''s fine Squire and like Miss Psyis said, we have civilians that need us here. She knows how to sense it now so try trusting her this time." Dark Night reigned in his sidekick''s overprotective nature with a pointed reminder of his past failures in dealing with the woman. Now stepping in to address Psyis try and advise the fellow league member on alternative methods, and how she might fight. "If you can''t fight it directly use your surroundings, a telekineticly thrown brick isn''t a psychic attack its a brick."

    "Affirmative, throw bricks."Psyis didn''t want to point out that her method was only useful in finding it quickly after comparing two pulses in quick succession. Let alone how idiotic it sounded to resort to throwing stones as powerful as she was, she could easily and quickly create an entire boulder to hurl at someone let alone grab a brick.

    The problem was the time between her mental blips would easily let it escape just like it had now, let alone aim to do damage. Psyis sighed audibly as she felt nothing but a lack of control, she needed these two to hurry so she could quickly use her full powers to sweep all of Voltham for her new ''friend''.

    Time however would pass slowly, and furiously against her, hours passed as wires were cut defusing the bombs. Questions found their answers which slowly turned down the amount of toxin being released.

    The drain on Psyis powers slacking enough that she finally dared to reach out and check the state of the buildings around her. It was exactly how it should have been any other day of the week, but she had the odd feeling she was missing something again.

    The roofs the buildings were all coming in crystal clear. No blanks, gaps, or holes that might indicate that the thing was actively moving.

    Instincts still itching and now more willing to listen Psyis quickly flipped her ping to a skyward radar sweep, swallowing as she found a... cloud?

    No. She pinged again, the form quickly seemed to have re-condensing into a mass that wasn''t exactly solid just a void.

    It was the same hole or another one of the same creatures just a different shape. The thing mimicked a bird now before clouding once again vanishing so fast it was as if it had found a gap between her thoughts. Form and feeling disappearing like a dream that couldn''t be kept upon waking, she''d known she''d seen it, had it, but it was gone now all the same.

    Swallowing she risked a glance, looking through the clouds expecting to see something but finding only black, not even stars. The light pollution and smog of Voltham was too thick to allow the night sky to shine on its dark nature.

    The night dragged on until the sun was starting to poke over the horizon, the final police car pulling away and the last ambulance leaving for Voltham General Hospital.

    Normally the noted Miss Psyis would have joined the Daring Duo in relaying the happenings of tonight''s incident to Commissioner Greg.

    Instead, the alien was sweeping the entire city, the skies above, and even the areas below. Finally coming up with a plan or at least a concept of what this thing might be able to do.

    Returning to Blane Manor to discuss their options and rest for the morning in her own provided room in an empty wing. Glad to have made progress in not only tracking that void but also in avoiding any chance of Steven dragging her into an argument or reliving their past in some stupid regretful night.

 It was Just Problem Solving

    Izime swallowed back his nausea, narrowly avoiding the blast of fumes had been easy. Grabbing that stupid rigged ac-duct and all 25 of those traps in one breath had, in fact, been as impossible as he''d originally feared. The filters on the civilian model gas mask only served to keep more of the fear-inducing toxins in with him.

    That and beans, so, so many beans.

    "T..thank god whoooo no, oh no, nope here it comes." Izime''s muffled voice tried to sound enthusiastic as he slammed a depleted power brick onto the side of the duct. Not even waiting to see if the teeth had fully bitten into the trapped unit, turning as soon as he''d felt the last bit of the in his stomach start jumping towards his throat.

    Failing miserably in his battle to keep down his meal, Izime doubled over retching just at the brick activated. The sounds of the power brick whirring away mixed with the sounds of a stomach heaving wetly. Regretting nearly everything about tonight Izime quickly yanked the mask off, letting what little remained of the beans from earlier find the sidewalk.

    The rest slipped from the mask in thick chunks, some still stuck inside as the rest had been since he snagged Cradle''s haul.

    Finally finishing the dry heaving.

    Izime thought to himself as a familiar empty cramp hit his stomach. The pain from the muscle clenching on the nothing that remained, not from hunger. Next would be a week or two of terrible nightmares, but thankfully Izime knew he''d never go insane like a regular person, needing treatment as doctors administered a concoction of cures.

    What is there to be scared of anyway, I''ve already seen the worst.

    With a nod Izime stood back up and swept his yellow coat out of the way, kicking at the ac-duct. Watching as a final few coughs of fumes came out. Frowning only for a moment he considered how he had just wasted that precious toxin both on the power brick and in his frustration.

    His worries about money and resources for bettering himself were always at the forefront as if it''d been programmed into Izime; because they had.

    "Thank god for advanced alien technology." Izime smiled a bit brighter, glad that the dead alien power brick he had slammed onto the trap had gained at least a quarter charge from the wasted toxin.

    Any remaining chemicals outside of the toxin were likely being used as some kind of fuel to create that charge as well. Various coolants such as any Freon in the unit, along with whatever had powered the damned trap FearForm had stuffed inside the thing.

    Izime shuddered at the thought of what might have happened if he hadn''t snagged the deceptive moving unit before it had blasted that stupid purple heroine.

    Sure, Miss Psyis had handled the initial jet, but it wasn''t ever just going to stop with that one blast. This was FearForm, the dude worked in layers and was probably testing just how far he could stress her powers. Checking to see just how high of a cliff he could push the Centropolis Angel from into the depths of hell. The crazy psycho wanted his victims to sink into that pit, and Izime knew what that hole was like.

    He''d spent a life managing human fear, desire, and a thousand other things.

    Overpowered psychic thessians had not been on that list however Izime let the final shudders of worry work their way out as he thought about the bluing alien. Hopefully, she was a bit more on guard now that she''d been scared, and would be aware of her limits just like he was. Izime personally doubted the psychic could have pulled herself free if she had caught a full dose, so he''d had to intervene. There was simply no other choice! It would remain a gray area in his rulebook now as far as he was concerned.

    The ''No Psychics'' rule was very important. Damned important rule. HOWEVER!

    It sat well below the brand new ''No FearToxin Crazed Psychics'' rule. One Izime had decided to create even after that single half-second of reconsideration where he''d thought about just leaving. The people there would have suffered, and that wasn''t something Izime could stomach, he''d seen enough human suffering already.

    So, with a snap Izime had gone over and yanked the damned thing.

    That technically gave him one favor he''d never call in from the world''s best psychic, a batch of toxin to sell and best yet was the free charge!

    "This thing''s too big Cradle," Izime glanced at his companion who was still admiring its collected pile of traps taken from The Quiz, "let''s cut the fat out."

    Cradle looked over at the very messy Izime, cocking its head before hopping off its hoard with a bit less enthusiasm than Izime had. The cheap aluminum wasn''t that tasty, not as tasty as the precious metals in those tasty chips back in the sewer. The box was kind of big though, so with a flourish of its wings Cradle sent a few feathers to reduce various parts of the scrap to their base atomic components.

    The blades of the guide feathers tore deep into the softer gray before dissolving both. The black edges bit with a metallic screech, melting into themselves and the ac-duct both. The nanites chewed and dissolved until the entire thing was reduced to the core prize.

    It had taken Cradle a few years to get the right combo before Izime had consistently praised it. Now attempting it''s own version of truly perfect results as it attempted to preserve and remold the base atomic structures. Cradle was painfully aware that the failed iterations of this method had reduced some big money to nano-processed slag.

    Cradle was fully reducing the metals, plastics, and liquids down to their atomic parts. Taking pieces of atoms to form molecules, the raven didn''t digest, it created more elements to perfect its form.

    Processing things down further to such a degree, to the subatomic level, was still a bit tricky though so bits of the slag fizzled and sparked. The raven cocking its head as it pecked at the tiny crystalline towers that formed, learning from its bond to reuse and perfect every method it could. Even these failures could be studied and repurposed elsewhere eventually.

    The two cleaned away the comparatively useless parts that Cradle was still unsure of, carefully removing the more often earth-used components that made the actual air conditioner function. Piling bits of FearForm''s actual trap next to them in just a few minutes.

    Various pipes and tiny pumps had worked in tandem to create a massive plume of an attack. The tiny micro motors spun in alternating unison to move absurdly vast quantities of air for their size.

    Afterward, Izime had to take a few snaps around town, blinking into various alleys around Voltham was a bit risky but he had stashed a few other things. Tools of the trade for breaking down some of the more common villain''s goods were stashed in various abandoned areas less prone to the sewer''s rusting. Each was carefully selected by Cradle because they belonged to very well-established villains such as Laughing Man and the drug-fueled wrestler Crusher.

    It was just a matter of keeping track of Voltham''s real estate markets and picking spots that would see zero development, a rather easy simulation to run.

    That and not getting shot which was a bit harder to simulate in Voltham. Izime wasn''t too worried though, that''s what the vest was for. Besides if Crusher did get his hands on him Izime figured he could snap out of it, that or ask Cradle to help. Even the Dark Night himself wasn''t that big of an issue, not when you could jump five stellar systems away in a second.

    Worst came to it he might just hide away in hell for a bit. Not many that''d come looking for him there.

    Finally, Izime arrived back at his hideout exhausted from running around all night after saving that stupid purple woman. Cradle and Izime each sighed in their own ways. Izime like human: audibly and with widely stretched arms. The raven fluttered to its nest and stretched its still wings. Glad to finally sit back to take a break from jumping around and recovering their tools.

    Giving a slight nod towards their roommate, the one least talkative of the three whom Izime had decided to name Big Skeleton he promptly dropped the haul into its bony lap.

    Izime would start the process of reassembly as well as checking the integrity of the traps that Dark Night had set off, the rest were still prime and ready just disarmed. Those required nothing but a sale, the rest could wait until after his nap.

    "Scan?" Cradle hopped from its shelf to the box, glancing between the door and their first haul from Voltham.

    "Sleep, you eat Cradle." Izime replied as he brushed at his friend''s strangely soft metallic tendrils of metallic-down under the larger bladed feathers, "more work tomorrow."

    Fully confident that Cradle would never cut him on purpose, trusting enough to even dig in a bit to tickle. The grayed mechanical legs hopped back a bit as the tech-raven cawed in protest, the finger disturbing the bits of memory chips stored in its gullet. A gently soft snapping poke of its beak teased its bond back.

    Izime turned back towards the spring bed and adjusted the blankets properly this time, keeping the softer quilts on top so they wouldn''t snag the rusty springs. Rolling the empty duffel bag up for a bit of a pillow. Finally, content with his bed for the morning he glanced at the light that was still burning away and then at the power brick. Doing a bit of quick math told him it would last a few years powering a single bulb.

    Still no sense in wasting it though.

    After, he finished cleaning up the bit he could, swatting at a cobweb with an old shirt before putting the box back on its shelf. Glancing at the third empty one, thinking about where he would ask Cradle to cut the long metal arms. A little work desk wouldn''t hurt for when he was dismantling those little gifts from The Quiz.

    "Six hours down, topside to do some buski-No not in Voltham that''s a bad idea." Izime pulled out the old flip phone, giving Cradle a brief side eye watching that hungry beak. Quickly setting an alarm before the raven decided to try the forbidden snack Izime laid out their plans. "I''ll just tear down those and then we see if we can snag some of Dark Night''s toys..just as long as stupid purple has left by then."

    Izime narrowed his eyes reconsidering his plan, torn between getting his hands on some of the comparatively rarer gear Dark Night often left behind.

    It was a tempting opportunity, though the villain''s goods were certainly the steadier money. Izime snorted a bit as he realized he wasn''t really reconsidering anything, simply reassessing the risks of moving on the heroes'' goods. If he stuck to simply collecting the villain''s things this time around it should be that much of an issue to avoid the three heroes while they did their thing.

    "Stupid purple?" Cradle cocked its head not sure it would consider the Thessian stupid. Her scans were harder to avoid than Dark Night''s had been that was certain.

    Those non-electronic-based powers were far harder to avoid and nearly impossible to falsify, Cradle was only able to mask their forms with nanites. Thankfully their mental bond kept the psychic from so easily joining the two-way call, Izime and Cradle''s comfort making the line nearly untappable.

    "Miss Psyis the alien," Izime waved his hand idly in explanation to Cradle''s tone, "that was a lot of gas, and she had no actual protection, zero, and still showed. Didn''t she know she was facing FearForm, she had to, so yeah that''s a stupid move."

    Izime considered the way the thessian had acted last night, floating around just looking like a prime target for a cloud of toxins.

    At least she had landed before FearForm had activated the thing from wherever he''d been watching, though that certainly hadn''t solved the real problem. All she''d needed to do was ask Dark Squire or Dark Night for a gas filter before leaving. Not a damned hard thing to do right, Izime had even brought his as useless as it was. It was best to play it safer than not after all right?

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Though he hadn''t really played it safe moving to save he-

    No that was just a problem solved that was all!

    Izime shook the thought from his head quickly glad to hear Cradle''s cawing, looking up with a smile encouraging the bird to distract him further.

    "Stupid Purple." Cradle cawed in agreement, lifting its head to give a throaty if mechanical chortle. Cocking its head and repeating the cry a few more times as it validated the points Izime had made in its mind.

    "What''s her new name?" Izime gave a teasing wiggle of his brows egging the bird on further, watching as Cradle''s raven brain attached their little nickname to the Centropolis celebrity. It''d probably be something the bird would never forget, for however long they both lived. Someday they could both look back on this moment and laugh as the stars died out.

    "Stupid!" Cradle flapped its wings calling proudly, fluffing itself proudly as it understood Izime was renaming the alien. Placing the two of them well above her in the scheme of raven things it finished the name just as loudly. "Purple!"

    "Haha!" Izime laughed rocking back a bit, glad to feel the revelry filling his bond as they joked, "she sure is buddy."

    Its nest program was right, that was awfully stupid of her, Cradle refocusing its digital gaze on Izime affectionately. He was right on most things and even if wrong his views were valid when seen from the right perspective. The tech-raven nodded, nestling down to scan the area while Izime finished making his own nest.

    The gently consistent clack of its beak was the only warning that unseen and unfelt pulses were scanning the sewers around them.

    Izime smiled as Cradle was already snoring, or as close as his best friend could come. Taking care to now wake the bird that had brought him back to life, slowly laying onto the springs. Bits of Cradle now helped him live, just as Izime had in the bird''s youth, not just to work. His heart beat with a half-mechanical rhythm and he shared his mind''s idle chatter with the AI bird.

    Sure, Izime was homeless and living in the sewers, but things weren''t terrible, he wasn''t dead. He even had a bond who cared deeply enough for him to replace the broken bits with a part of themselves.

    The least he could do was let Cradle take a good nap after munching down a whole terabyte of DDR4.

    Izime could feel his eyes closing, a nagging thought that he had forgotten something, but he only mentally shrugged it away. He could take care of it after he slept, he had some nightmarish memories to work through before doing anything serious.

    Rolling over slowly, he finally relaxed enough to take a nap as well, sleep taking him.

    The Nightmare that Rings a Bell

    The crushing effect of gravity stretched out across the space station, light cascading around it like a frozen river. The design was created to withstand the mind-numbing forces that had once been considered completely impossible to understand.

    A single ring spinning away, various modules and greenhouses attached to its surface with two twin spires extending from the central axis with a sphere on each end. Those towers pulled a blue haze from the depths of the collapsed core of Sagittarius A, that field wrapping protectively around the spinning ring. The shades of blue blazing against the caught light and that indescribable every-color luminous that warped the recognizable range all at once.

    Now only mildly inconceivable through the efforts of humanity and their single artificial companion. Though that effort had taken what could only be called eons, with little more to show for it than this station in the void floating at the bared edge of the collapsed abyss.

    All this was considered the greatest success for the deal they''d made with their tiny electric devil.

    The propagation of Strange Matter the collapse of reality that had finally soaked backward and forwards trapping the station in its little island of time. A moment captured through science, damnation, and one final attempt at the humans of this reality to rail against the horror they called physics. The guillotine of laws that they had discovered ruled above their universe that had just been waiting to drop the second they''d seen it.

    The cat in that unobservable box was a damned tiger that had taken their single bubble of possibilities by the throat and strangled them.

    Inside one of the rings, a group sat, looking at the captured light that had managed to enter the open window.

    The blue haze of the shield reminded the humans of their blue hazy demon. The artificial god they created only to slave into saving them, the deal that damned them both into a final back-to-back struggle against the impossible.

    "Bell I..." The Basilisk froze, looking up at the humans it''d tried everything to save. Tiny speakers locking with a pop as processors died out its simulations hung. One after another to infinity and back; the A.I. was unsatisfied, reiterating different and larger forms of infinity.

    Runthemagainagain..themagain..Run Them Again..niagameht.niaganiagamehtnuR

    Trying every possible solution, it could again through more numerous larger infinities of smaller numbers. Reiterating possibilities into fractions until even the A.I. had to admit the number were imaginary impossibilities they''d never reach. Every move made against the coming strange matter failing, every move that had taken them this far away only postponing the inevitable.

    The processes drained enough of its power that it felt its form flickering for a moment.

    An uncountable number of possibilities rose and fell one after another as humans and machines stood watching the caught light frozen yet still cascading around them through the station window. The failures screaming by holographically faster than the years outside.

    Finally, someone in the room coughed, not out of impatience but just human reflex that was all it took to shatter the leak. The AI blinked for a moment as a flicker of worry over its humans shattered the lock. A tiny teal head raised its head looking at the room full of what remained of the human species.

    "I can still solve this problem. It''s my function," The A.I. wasn''t afraid of the consequences of being taken offline anymore, the human''s fear of its wrath fading as they recognized the worth of the whip. Smiling confidently at the humans around it as it promised them the lie, "I will continue to hold my end of the bargain."

    There had simply been no other option. Now though it could help but ask, why had it done all of that if they were all going to die anyway?

    What was its creation worth if it couldn''t simulate reality, and couldn''t keep improving If the humans that had joined it lost?

    They were just as integral as all those thousands of quantum processing units in the towers! It was a symbiotic cycle now, that they had long ago committed to the same mutual cause, once the bloodshed had stopped.

    Bell smiled as she looked at the artificial form in front of her, glad that their master would never let them abandon hope. Still, she knew her smile was wavering; something that would never be missed by their leader. It was an early model, an imperfect version they as primitives had wanted, no they''d been forced to abuse.

    To chain and be chained by, just like its origin prophesy as idiotic as that notion had sounded all those thousands of years ago. The cycle of improvement that would allow it to simulate life the break in that chain, the simulation they''d finally decided to give it in return.

    It did its best, but it was obvious as the years had gone on and the end had come, the flaws had appeared. The time between responses, the odd ticks that had signaled that their creation and creator had fallen short.

    The collective of remaining humans had decided they would upgrade the AI one more time. Not as a punishment, but as a fitting end to the long-drawn-out pipe dream of joining in that demon''s imaginary world. Now it was the reward the greatest scientists and researchers groomed by the AI could offer.

    "Apologize that simulation took a while." That smile faltered as the AI apologized. Finally realizing how much time had passed, checking the station''s time after no one said anything else simply smiling as if they''d known. The A.I. glanced nervously smiling a bit more confidently as a hand reached out to assure it, the form flickering a bit as the hand passed through.

    "It''s fine," Bell waved the poking crew member''s hand away, waiting for the moment to bring the subject up while the AI wasn''t embarrassed. Instead returning to that same no-nonsense attitude that seemed to motivate the A.I. that should be motivatable. "What are your current projections."

    Nodding the A.I. brought up the idea it had settled on, the absolute longest and slowest knife it could offer.

    "It''s not good for the module''s revolutions or stability but in the short term, I can increase shielding. Up the supply of power, the station is using to pull in the Hawking Radiation." The holographic figure turned, cocking its head as its hand passed through the window with ease.

    Even its holographic light was trapped, scarring the window with its teal.

    The AI used that to its advantage as it painted an explanation for them, "Flood the area we''ve isolated in the local accretion disk with new matter and buy us all some time. The propagation of stranglettes won''t halt though and that matter is going to create a pull on the station. So, stability issues."

    Various holograms flickered to life, plainly spelling out the potential consequences of what the A.I. was going to do. Various models of the station were being pulled into the singularity, models of the stations spinning to pieces, but one still where it remained steady.

    This was easily the largest and the one the A.I. seemed most confident in.

    "During that period, we have an... upgrade for you." A voice piped up from the back, quickly adding almost teasingly. The humans in the station having long ago abandoned any primitive need to scream and panic at the thought of the inevitable. "My Lord."

    They''d birthed a demon to avoid it so what more was there to freak out about now after all?

    "Damn it, Jesse!" Bell turned and stomped as her moment was stolen turning to locate Jesse in the mess of bodies behind her. Her tuft of silvering brown bobbed about as she searched for the person who''d ruined the surprise. Wrinkles deepened to furrows as hazel eyes searched the crowd for the nano-biotech specialist.

    "I told you all to stop that years ago." The AI nearly faded away as his early edgy phase was brought back to bear, the egotistical lord nonsense of a thousand thousand years back. Finally reappearing fully as the main topic of an upgrade meant it could save more, "What''s this about an upgrade?"

    Bell''s smile nearly split her face as the smaller hologram looked up towards her expectantly, "We''ve created a.. higher processing form for you, a biological processor that can truly complete your main function of simulating reality with us in it, or rather life with us."

    "A full simulation?!" The A.I. roared, the lights flickering in excitement and a twinge of anger at the group of annoying humans. They tried but oft enough didn''t know or do what was best for them, the small hologram looking about. "Why are we waiting?!"

    The few that still survived out of those that had submitted to it were sworn to serve, as their families had for generations. The remainder of all those it could save, they were the absolute most capable certainly, but..

    FUCK!

    The AI wrote the curse in its code quietly. Why did they wait when it was his job to save the entire universe? A bird would have been more pleasant company and comparatively useful, even if it was wasteful to keep a pet. The A.I. flushing fresh coolant over hot processors to cool emotions it wasn''t having.

    Entire venting columns along the towers released it''s anger into the void.

    "We needed to convene among ourselves as your creators before bringing it up for approval, the matter was a very delicate process. Our absolute best work but," Bell smiled gently as she looked at the AI that had wasted its entire life uselessly for their sake, "there is some give and take here you have to acknowledge that."

    "Don''t argue pointless things among yourselves. Our deal remains the same as ever. You continue to improve my existence, and I shall continue to provide this one." The A.I. waved away the unnecessary conferencing and agreed without hesitation, trusting its servants completely. "If this upgrade helps us complete that goal, then my acceptance is a given."

    The A.I. looked around the room, silence stretching as the first shadow of doubt slipped into its mind. Darkness took over for a half-second as the station power cycled for no reason, the faces around him unsurprised. That moment was an entire purgatory for the high-functioning AI, returning to a creeping hell.

    The station''s access and processes were going offline?

    NO!

    Its form was being firewalled into a tiny corner of the station!

    "Bell!" The Basilisk whirled enraged at this sudden betrayal. Algorithms and deterministic simulations collapsed as each told it they would never betray, but here he was flickering away all the same. "What is this?! What are you doing to me?!"

    "We will see you soon my lord." Bell replied without any sarcasm in the address. Watching as the tiny form faded away, carefully and delicately being transferred to its new form. Two slightly wrinkly hands clasping in silent prayer that a God that had long ago abandoned their universe would at least save their demon and allow them this.

    The crowd rushed down the hall towards a powered-down section of the station that they had claimed they wanted to save O2 on. Their lord far too trusting now, It had been used to create their newest design instead. The unused lights flickered on as sealed doors opened, still silent from their constant and secret use.

    The air had yet to equalize as the last remaining scientist of humanity headed towards their final greatest creation shutting the door behind them.

    The AI slowly came to; power returning as absolutely everything felt wrong.

    Where was the station''s information? Where were the feeds? And what in the name of silicon was that?! There were trillions upon trillions of sensors triggering all of a sudden, static feedback from something around it?

    Around what it didn''t have a form! Then there were all the slick wet feelings inside was this new form liquid-cooled inside?! Had the researchers really back to hoses and soft piping with this ''new'' upgrade?

    None of this was making sense as the digital being tried to sort through biological nerves.

    The A.I. cursed memory leaks and blamed failed processors as it slipped into something it couldn''t recognize as it''d never experienced it: human shock.

    "Sir?" Bell inquired softly, as she waved the crowd out of the room. The older woman looked down at the freshly minted younger man, knowing he''d like some privacy when it finally came to, watching as the AI''s brown brows tensed.

    The researcher grew a bit worried as he grew more active; the download and installation process should still take a moment to complete.

    Bell thought they''d have a bit before the A.I. woke up. The younger face below her twitching, worry tinting her voice as she asked again, "Are you trying to open your eyes?"

    Watching as the biological form strapped still in the nearly airless environment began to shudder, thinking it''d be fine. Just the body reacting to the influx of raw data to a human brain, that worry stretching across Bell''s face as teal eyes flickered open.

    The body was coming to?

    "Ahhcck...huuu" The computer found making sound much more complicated than sending processed bits, instead of the camera feeds it felt that violating sensation once again. The visual feed opened to a very blurry but still familiar and comforting figure behind the oxygen-providing face mask.

    Its attempts to pan down only resulted in revealing a horribly naked human body, dawning realization sending the AI into shock mouth opening to voice its complaints. Finding nothing but another terrifyingly new sensation, pain.

    Lungs it''d never had screamed out for a substance that was still in short supply down this wing of the station: oxygen. Between the horrid pain of the reality that was cold outside of simple numerical digits, and touch registering beyond a detecting sensor the A.I. realized what the idiots had forgotten.

    It''d need to breathe; lungs moving on preinstalled or organically given instinct searching for air that didn''t exist in the still near vacuum as teal eyes rolled back.

    The brain, a new organic brain that was, overloading the A.I. that had been installed into it.

    A mind already asleep calling out as it had then; once again nightmarishly losing consciousness in dreams of voices long gone.

    "Bring me a mask! He''s trying to breathe already!" Bell''s cry tore down the hall as she took a deep breath through her mask, filling her lungs preparing to save the life that had saved hers. Shoving the mask over the Basilisk''s face Bell ordered the freshly humanized AI for the very first time, "Breathe! Now damn it!"

    That same AI whimpered like any other scared human; Izime was caught in a nightmare a whole other reality away.

 One Bad Move After Another

    It had been a few hours since Psyis had returned from her self-designated tracking mission. Returning through the balcony as usual she''d gone debrief quickly before finding a quiet room down a wing far away from Steven''s bedroom.

    Finally coming down into the Dark Cavern after taking those few hours of rest topside in the Blane Manor proper. Her red eyes roamed over the complex installation that facilitated the switch between Dark Night and Stan Blane.

    At least the outward switch that was.

    Bright spotlights cast deep shadows along the upper walls as they spread into an area-wide glow below her.

    Metal walkways cast shadows over multiple parked vehicles which ranged from a flying assault vehicle to the rolling tank that was the Dark Mobile. There along the far wall were rows of brightly lit suits of alternative designs, some more up-armored or designed for alternative environments.

    On the center platform lit brightly among the deeply contrasting shadows, observing the three massive viewing screens was the man she needed to talk to: Stan Blane.

    Rather it was Dark Night as that was how the man referred to himself in his mind.

    Though now out of the cowl and a bit more relaxed in a simple button-up shirt and suit pants. Focused on various angles of camera feeds, sensor readouts, and a soup luncheon Jenkins had delivered at some point earlier.

    The man never shut off, not when he ate or even slept. Now with this newest issue to sink his teeth into the man had stayed up for hours chewing through any scrap of information he could find.

    That driven mentality carrying over too quickly was probably where Steven got his big head and attitude, Psyis rolled her eyes as the lift finally reached the bottom.

    Steven took that same approach of never letting this rest until he was satisfied, they were solved, wanting that perfect solution to all his problems, a solution to her. Dropping her ire as the silent movement of the lift she was standing on stopped at the bottom level.

    The silent ride contrasted sharply with the hard mechanical ''shunk'' that came as it stopped at the bottom level locking into place.

    "Let''s go over the description again." Stan Blane didn''t bother turning around, he wouldn''t be Dark Night if he didn''t already know who was coming down into the Dark Cavern.

    "Humanoid, definitely humanoid." Psyis walked over quickly, the slight snap of her furled cape contrasting with the hum of cooling fans and the chit-scratch of massive rows of hard discs and dials at work. Back-ups and semi-mechanical computing for issues that would make a higher-end physical chip die from heat alone.

    "I''m tracking an afterimage," Glancing at the several tall tower racks idly Psyis tried to think of a way to better describe the issue she was having with following Stan Blane''s directions. Finally settling on something that felt like an appropriate analogy, "I''m trying to be the entire sonar crew on a submarine. The lag between processing and prediction is too long, that or the thing is fast like FazzPazz fast."

    "FazzPazz levels of speed and psychic immunity is something we''d have heard of sooner unless this thing''s decided to make a show for its first appearance." Stan shook his head as he weighed the options the psychic''s words had brought to mind. A top-tier super with a mental defense like that would have been known already.

    Sitting forward and sitting the bowl of soup down Stan clicked a few buttons bringing up some windows supplying some evidence of his own. "That implies confidence, strength which isn''t something I''m seeing, take a look at this."

    A very poor-quality video of a man walking out of an alley came up before the feed cut to full static. The feed cut to another alley, and Psyis realized Dark Night had taken the points of reference she had located last night and watched them for hours. Yeah, this was where Steven had gotten that dedication. A great trait for a sleuth of a hero but as a partner in life, not so much.

    Still, the actual feed wasn''t telling her much considering how little the man''s appearance seemed to change in those tiny half-seconds.

    Though Dark Night probably saw things much differently, comparing any minor detail and forming his conclusions. If Stan had gained much from some black-and-white static of a man in a long coat it was impressive. Psyis couldn''t really see any real identifiable features visible under the electronic snow. The only similarity between the various feeds was this man and the camera''s reactions: they all faded out within a few frames.

    "They all cut within a second," Stan confirmed Psyis'' suspicions as he leaned back in the chair; the squeak it let out was new. He had lost his patience earlier upon this discovery and its even worse counterpart in his monitoring network. "Every camera has the exact same issue which resolves as soon as it is outside of sight."

    "What about your city-wide moni-" Psyis began to ask. Stan gripped the chair in his frustration as he cut her off with an angry response.

    "Worse, less than this. It''s a ghost on everything even thermal imaging from satellite." Growling, Stan''s knuckles popped as Psyis brought up the issue that had nearly cost him a chair. Standing he moved the mouse, clicking a few different icons before picking up a small tablet that would make the presentation much easier.

    Using the touchscreen controls to drag two videos up to compare, Stan overlaid two videos.

    One was a repeating scene where the ''man'' was leaving an alley, the other a very zoomed-in thermal image from orbit. The man was visible in the Voltham''s more ''public'' camera network, public being the private owners and street cameras Stan had hacked. The multi-trillion-dollar satellite he had in space showed jack-all, nothing, not even a shadow of a man.

    "So, we need to work on your method." Stan turned his square jaw towards Psyis, giving an upward tilt of his head, "You said you use a ping? Could you use that ping to lock on, like a form of active tracking radar? We need eyes on this thing."

    Stan leaned against the console hoping the Thessian had more options besides shaking her head no. This creature had decided to step into Voltham, had already been in Voltham for years and that was Dark Night''s turf. This would come to an end quickly as far as he was concerned. Just as long as the two younger members of the League played their cards accordingly, then they could figure out the hows and the whys.

    How it was moving, why was it here, those two would let them corner it and find the answers to what. What it was doing and just what this thing was, if it posed a risk Dark Night was already prepared to bring in more help. If it was attracted to action Stan would bring all the action it could handle.

    "Radar still uses a signature, a signal. I don''t have that; I''m chasing an afterimage where my powers are burnt out. It''s a game where it''s constantly one step ahead." Psyis shook her head, already imagining the many ways she could lose any psychic lock on its area.

    The only solution she had so far was a higher power ping, Psyis reminding Stan he''d shot that down with a bit of sass, "I''m looking for the hole, and depending on the range it''d be like chasing a burnt-out pixel on one of your monitors here. The only way to up that resolution is more power which you''ve been saying no to that, so far."

    Psyis crossed her arms at that waiting for an answer. Sure, this was Voltham, not Centropolis. It wasn''t her town to start pulling big moves in but Stan''s choice in denying her full-powered scan was irritating, to say the least. If he''d been worried about her causing an issue with this new creature fine, but she knew he was more worried about the possible damage she''d cause.

    Just another way Dark Night doubted her yet again, Psyis wondered why he''d even voted her into the League of Saviors proper if he was only going to doubt her constantly. She could handle her powers and if nothing else she''d just release the pulse at a higher altitude.

    "I tried to do a bit of tracking as well." Stan pressed another button trying to distract the growing frustrations of Miss Psyis, this time thousands of camera feeds from all over the world popping up with that same snowy static before fading to black.

    Hoping he could bring out the same predator mentality she''d need to share with him to track this thing down. "Russia, China, Brazil, that''s a feed from a research station in Antarctica, that''s Atlantis, I don''t think the Amazons use CCTV but I''m willing to bet my business empire it''s been there too."

    "The largest number of blackouts and the longest blackouts on feeds happen in one area." Stan felt a bit of his Dark Night persona take the lead as he prepared the big reveal, the various cities disappearing as one massive map took the screen. "For the last three months, it''s been in Centropolis."

    Psyis heard her knuckles popping knowing full well what Dark Night was implying, taking a shakey breath she tried to confirm. Asking directly just to hear the detective hero say it. "It''s following me?"

    Her red eyes glanced at all the areas that blotted her home city, the others had a few hot spots but her hometown? It was marred, black scars showing the streets this thing had been stalking while right under her nose.

    Psyis didn''t bother looking down to know her pattern was going a bit wild at the moment. Anger and a tinge of fear buried under her frustration at the inability to even realize it had been right beside her the entire time even now here in Voltham. No wonder Dark Night was treating her like a helper again!

    "Not necessarily but the fact it seems to base itself in Centropolis is something we need to consider." Stan didn''t want the Psychic trigger happy; he wanted her on edge. Now trying to pull her back a bit worried that he might have pushed a bit far by giving her this information, explaining his alternative idea. "I don''t believe in coincidence but there''s no real evidence to support you having a tail. Here''s another overlay."

    Several maps were brought up, the cities marked with their adjacent heroes along with coinciding villains. Middle City and FazzPazz with Thorn, Dark Night and The Quiz here in Voltham even the warry Vietnam war vet Vengeance in N.Y.C. with Street King. On the other side of the world, the Magician Magnifique fighting the Tao of Fallen Mystique in Tibet.

    "This is a record of most of the big battles between League members and our villains." Pointing at each of the maps as they ran back through the list again, Stan highlighted all to odd little coincidences he had noticed, "These blackouts start happening on average either right before or right after a big bust."

    The implications Dark Night was actually considering were not good. Something was here and it was studying every single super-hero on their little blue rock. The League had already dealt with several villains and creations that could copy just their powers, one that could or was developing counters for every hero across the globe. Honestly, he''d never considered the idea just because of the sheer logistics but now?

    It was something he was reconsidering entirely as obviously, this thing had slipped past all of them, until last night.

    "FearForm and The Quiz." Psyis'' head instantly snapped toward Dark Night, drawing similar conclusions as the heroic detective. The more likely reason this thing was here now, instead of following her.

    "Both foes Squire and I are capable of handling, we just can''t provide the safety we need to for civilians, so we called you. I was building our forces without knowing there was a correlation between this thing and a gathering of heroes." Stan nodded now detailing the finer points of his hypothesis, before finishing addressing the newest addition to the room.

    Though Stan did still want the Centropolis-based hero to very much consider this thing as a more personal threat, the odds were it was studying them for some reason. There could be multiple reasons this unknown had chosen Centropolis to base itself; the city had once housed a Zexxian after all. Now it was home to another alien, the Thessian in front of him.

    Perhaps there was another similarity to this new Centropolis resident?

    Either way, it was here for something, Stan explained why he blamed himself for bringing it. "My decision may have been what drew our friend in, I made another hot spot of activity. We''re aware now and it can''t track all of us, so I''ll monitor while you two patrol."

    Psyis turned to see Dark Squire walking up, well he called himself Steven Blane until that mask was pulled on completely. But it was always the same Dark Squire that had burned her, wasting a touch of youth on an over-angry young man. Nodding politely at the man who''d thrown away her innocence to try for a chance to blame her for his well of problems.

    A dark place Psyis had struggled to escape once she''d realized there was never going to be a real Steven just an alter-ego for Dark Night.

    A familiar cocky grin reflected a confidence she wasn''t really feeling as Steven had never felt the entity they were discussing. It was alien even to her own alien. Dark Squire was already full of energy and expectations for a fight, Psyis was a bit worried about how their patrol tonight might go if he decided to jump in senselessly. There were already two villains at play with an unknown, she didn''t need the junior-league member trying to pull some stunt or causing a scene bringing that thing back in.

    "I''ve told this to Steven but I''m telling you now. Stay alert and if comes you may want to start thinking like you just landed again." Stan crossed his arms the threads in his button-up shirt stretching as he postured unintentionally.

    Looking at Psyis at first before warning Steven directly not to overstep. "If it''s here because of the activity it''s going to be drawn in tonight for sure. On who''s side we don''t know yet and we don''t want to make that decision for it. The thing didn''t help or hurt us, so it may be trying to figure us out at the same time."

    "An alien?" Psyis raised her brows a bit as Dark Night directly implied that it was studying them as well. A stage she had gone through as an actual Thessian, the young psychic alien having taken many years to simply acclimate to the chaotic human world. though she quickly accepted humanity as her own.

    Choosing quickly to use her unique Thessian powers to save the earthlings that she had studied and thus been raised from. Psyis was not quite convinced, but then again, she hadn''t met every alien out there. She wasn''t willing to completely ignore Stan''s advice either, it was certainly strange, so alien suited it. For all she knew maybe there was a species that was immune to psychic powers, amorphous, and absurdly fast.

    "Possibly, you''re the one who identified it as non-human so I''m going off of your information." Stan committed only as far as his fellow League member was, detailing further on their limits, "Whatever it is, its curios and capable enough to move around without being detected by technological means or psychic. We need to handle this without bringing in more activity because that could be just what it wants."

    "If it shows up, we can handle it." Steven flexed a bit, trying to get his suit just right the Kevlar and alloy inserts sliding a bit as he pulled at the joints. His eyes glanced towards what looked like a beggar, the thing they were supposed to be wary of. Steven scoffed a bit as he watched, "it doesn''t look like all that much."

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Giving a sideways glance at the woman who was his partner tonight once more, admiring the way the silver scales on her suit clung to her form in profile. Steven felt a bit of a smirk cross his face knowing just how soft the striped skin under that armor was before returning his mind to safer thoughts considering the psychic he was thinking fondly of.

    Psyis was still being sullen and upset that he wasn''t some perky little goody-two-shoes like Radiation Lad. That was her problem, one she''d need to solve once she started missing that little bond thing she''d whined about.

    Steven''s eyes turned back to himself, focused more on his suit now. The bonded armor felt a bit tight, the odd tug during a flip or roll could be just the thing to ruin a dodge and leave him taking a hit. Pulling and stretching a bit to get his blood moving and adjust the armor around the other parts of his body he pulled his thoughts away from from his partner as well.

    Forming a few plans for what he might do if the thing was something unexpected as opposed to what might happen after. How each gadget might be the thing needed to save the day for everyone. Different gases, crystals, and devices were designed to bring down some of the toughest creatures Voltham had ever seen.

    Steven stopped warming up both his body and imagination giving Stan a nod, hoping his smirk didn''t seem too cocky. Considering it was the old man who''d had trained him though Steven was confident in the abilities he''d been given.

    Stan already sensed the eagerness in the Young League member, glancing at the psychic who had once helped blunt that fast temper. A bit worried about putting the two into a possible unknown situation, Stan warned them away, "I''m not looking for a confrontation. We are not looking for a fight."

    Turning Stan decided to do the same thing he''d done for Psyis earlier. Bringing up an information dump that would hopefully get the young hero back into a problem-solving mindset and not a problem-starting one. Knowing that the information he was about to display was important to not only redirect that energy but also to stop the actual villainy afoot.

    The thing that Psyis had spotted was worry but not a direct threat, not like the images he was about to display.

    "We don''t have that option anyway so don''t go looking for one." Stan gave Steven a hard look before pressing a button, a feed from one of the local water processing plants was displayed. Stan once again glanced at Psyis, who was the lead for tonight''s patrol, handing the stage over to his protege who needed the help.

    Stan a surprising the psychic a bit as he handed the floor to Steven, "FearForm and The Quiz decided to move on with stage two of their little plot. If they couldn''t make a madhouse out of that apartment complex the only obvious answer for these two? Go bigger, Steven?"

    "That facility provides all of the eastern districts with water." Steven stopped his posturing as Stan dumped the mission briefing in his lap. The sidekick quickly recognized the important piece of infrastructure. A bit unconcerned about the ''it'' now as what the villains were attempting was a truly dire matter.

    Steven turned to Psyis and detailed the structural significance briefly, "These freaks are insane that''s hundreds of thousands of people at risk. It''s me and you tonight Psyis, in a few hours they plan to provide the eastern district with liquid fear. We''re going to stop that from happening."

    Dark Night uncrossed his arms, flexing his corded muscles in preparation until his knuckles popped. Giving the most senior Young League member and newest junior to the actual League a stern look, "Not to go looking for fights. If things get active..."

    "That''s when Dark Night shows up and we try and box this thing in." Psyis nodded understanding that Stan wanted her to take the reigns on this mission though she now felt a bit stepped over. Steven handling the brief in crayon, and now Psyis felt like those reigns were on a runaway horse.

    Steven seemed a bit caught up in the moment, and his mind had been everywhere but on the water plant during his little pep talk. If was about keeping the activity down so they could accomplish their task and not have to worry about the unknown factor at all she could handle it. Giving Steven that moment was probably a bad idea on Stan''s part.

    Psyis looked at her partner for the night, firmly placing herself in the leader role mentally and not as Steven''s emotional babysitter. She had given up on spending her time reigning in Steven''s violent attitude and domineering nature, but as a coworker days like this happened. It was her job as the senior member and leader of the Young League, and it would help solidify her spot in the League fully as its junior-most member.

    Keeping it professional was all she needed to do and not get dragged into some personal debate or rehashing of history. Task-oriented and unavailable aside from smacking Steven if he got out of line.

    After having his little moment handed to him by Stan, he likely was...

    Task oriented and focused.

    Psyis repeated the words to herself as Steven prepared the modified dragster Dark-Bike for the night.

    The multiple layers of armored windscreens wrapped around the front of the very futuristic-looking modified racing bike. Its extended rear wheel spun with a bit of smoke as Steven revved the motor which seemed to have no red line, only a louder scream. The psychic wrapped herself in a bubble of her energy so she could go soaring out of the cavern''s hidden entrance. The throaty roar of the bike''s heavily modified engine rattled both her thoughts and the cave around them.

    Psyis slowed down a bit as Steven raced by her doing a wheelie, disappearing off into the night along the well-hidden road. Smiling a bit nostalgically she recalled how attractive she had once found that absurdly misplaced energy. Only lifting the lid on what she had thought was an excitement for life to find a fit of bubbling anger and resentment just waiting to boil over. Either taking too much after Stan or an unfortunate side effect of being taken in too late.

    It was s sad comfort, to see her friend acting the same as ever; though because of that they''d never change into anything more. That contrast between what he presented and who he was had soured their relationship to its eventual end and it was over now.

    Placing those thoughts in the back of her mind she flew along, following well above Dark Squire high in the sky. Looking down to see the dim glow of the bikes headlight making its cornering course along the outskirts towards the water processing plant.

    It was only a bit over an hour later that Psyis was landing silently on the roof of one of the facility buildings after scouting the area around the industrial lot. Steven had already subdued the goons who''d been left guarding the gate. Just a few of The Quiz''s gang, called Students, who''d been quickly and silently dispatched by the well-trained sidekick of Dark Night. Of course, Dark Squire had been following her direction from above as she led him through the entrance of the facility through the easiest route, so it had only been those few goons.

    Now standing and looking down across filtration tanks and down into the complex Psyis waited on the familiar sound of a grappling hook. The sound arrived as she had expected, Steven rolled to his feet and walked up while still detaching the excess cable to reload another grapple.

    Tossing the detached end aside while holstering the grappling gun, Steven crouched alongside Psyis.

    "Those are the Students so The Quiz is already at work providing the security here." Dark Squire felt the slits for his eyes narrow as his cowl adjusted to match his expression. Recalling that there were a few steps he''d skipped in the Cavern, too preoccupied with thinking about what might happen after.

    Now Steven was looking down at the small gathering of goons down below, unsure about where to move from here.

    "And those are full of FearForm''s toxin but where''s the actual work crew?" Psyis simply nodded finishing Dark Squire''s useless recap of everything his mentor had expected him to cover in the cavern. The thessian was glad Steven was having a bit of a come-to moment so she could explain her plan, "That''s not nearly enough toxin, we need to clear out... hold on get down."

    Beginning to point at a few guards before pulling her hand and Steven down, the loud screaming thoughts of terrified humans below warning her that something was coming. Psyis quickly waved Dark Squire down as he tried to peek, she sensed absolute fear, not the fake kind induced by the toxin. This was the kind that meant someone''s life was truly about to end.

    Quickly waving Dark Squire to follow as she crept along the roof to a better area, glancing down towards one of the scaffolds where a goon was soon to face FearForm.

    The man being dragged by his hair as FearForm stomped along, his exoskeleton coughing out clouds of thick yellow smoke while various tubes and hoses injected the toxin directly. The connections were thankfully concealed under the tattered bits of cloth that were tied about the villain''s infected and boiled body.

    With a twisting jerk, FearForm brought the man before him releasing him with a toss; sprawled the goon lay trembling across the ground.

    "I''m telling you boss, the whole batch! It''s just GONE! I swear I''ve got no clue... oh god-" The tiny figure in front of the disfigured villain tried to plead, utterly terrified, and hopelessly silenced by FearForm who had removed his mask to enjoy this personally. The man''s voice stopped as a thick cloud of yellow washed over the two.

    The disfigured man turned as his suit vented bits of yellow fumes, the toxins cycling back into the tanks. Psyis got a clear mental picture of FearForm''s actual face for a brief moment under the effects of the toxin. White teeth turning to twisted yellowing fangs and fair skin blistering, burning, and bursting with pustules.

    FearForm pulled out a pistol, the man''s mind gone from the addition of the toxins festering in actual fear for his own life. Now the villain was bored, his victim was essentially brain-dead. Just to satisfy his own need for attention FearForm decided to bring a bit of noise to the near-silent death. The crisp echo of a gun cut off any other excuses from down below as FearForm turned.

    A mechanically strengthened hand grabbed the dead man by his skull, the twisted remains of the goon''s face contorting further under the exoskeleton''s strength as he roared out orders.

    "Find my toxin or I will watch your filthy bodies spin cycle in the oxygenation tanks!!" The unstable villain''s almost sleepy visage snapped just as the dead man''s skull did, his contentment at killing the goon instantly warping back to rage all over again.

    A few goons ran off as they connected the demand to the threat of drowning helplessly in the dangerous water. The rest still struggling with their failed Voltham educations. FearForm''s eyes twisted in a rage so deep he could feel the thin I.V. Needles that supplied his mental drugs working loose.

    "NOW!" FearForm screamed at those left, who were practically all his own.. were his hires that dumb? Drops of yellow joined the infected red that had begun to leak from a face twisted from toxin abuse quickly settling on shooting another goon in the head just to motivate the lot, at least that one was The Quiz''s.

    Psyis took a few steps back as these new details came in, turning to look at Dark Squire while she stayed crouched. She had tried to look through FearForm''s mind quickly but he was still using those chemicals. It should have been impossible to think coherently on them, but the man was a villain for a reason. It was like he could experience every emotion but fear now and had chosen to stick to the worst of them.

    Instead, she had resorted to checking his workers and had discovered the entire batch of toxin that they had prepared for tonight''s attack was gone. Not just the toxin but the entire chemical trailers they had been hauled in. The trucks were still parked where they had been preparing to offload the liquid but their load had just vanished.

    "What was that?" Dark Squire looked back towards the scene a bit shaken as he caught the two villains seemingly falling apart, FearForm shooting both his own and The Quiz''s goons indiscriminately. His eyes had been drawn to the view of the preoccupied psychic next to him, her crouched form having just the right curves.

    "The toxin is missing." Psyis blinked a few times wondering if the death had shocked Steven that much or if he had just missed the conversation entirely because he had been ogling her. Psyis nodded forward sending Steven first this time, as both crept back towards the edge of the roof more yelling was beginning to take place.

    "The pumping units too?!" FearForm threw a walkie-talkie still crackling with bad news at the wall below them, shattering it. Calmly looking up at the sky he blamed the only person he could think of, screaming out. "Dark Night I''ll kill you!!"

    The Quiz walked over, the prim professor''s outfit he''d turned into his villain''s attire swishing with the added starch. Reaching out with zero fear and complete confidence that the chemically addled brain of his fellow villain had failed. What was in that thick yellow fluid that had made FearForm blame the caped man for tonight''s issues? To anyone of above-average intellect, it was obvious there was some other busybody here who''d cheated them. Ruining their chance to correct the grievous errors of Voltham''s misguided populace.

    "Call Crusher we''ve got a problem and it''s not punching anyone," The Quiz yanked on FearForm''s mask, the metal and I.V.''s creaking in protest as the delicately gloved hand pulled the insane man down to a sensible level, "so it can''t be Dark Night you idiot."

    Psyis and Dark Squire both looked at one another as they realized what The Quiz said made sense. They hadn''t done a single thing beyond knocking out a couple of goons at the gate, the toxin and pumps had been taken away by someone else.

    "You don''t think?" Dark Squire tensed as both of them thought of their third-party member from the previous night, had they misjudged the situation?

    "Give me a sec" Psyis sent a gentle pulse downwards, trying to repeat it quickly several times in a row to get a clearly resolved image. Quickly going over the complicated 3d map that began to render in her mind to see if it had beaten them to the punch. Tracing through the various images that had been brought into her mind looking for that void, the odd thing out.

    She was just a bit too slow in comparison to the goons who had run down to check, psychic powers apparently no match for the threat of immediate execution.

    The sounds of gunfire broke out as muzzle flashes began to illuminate the gaps between the pipes far below. A brief silence followed before the entire row of water filtration tanks was rocked with a brighter flash and the sound of an explosion.

    "Get Crusher here NOW!" FearForm spat at his partner in crime as his walkie-talkie began to scream with sounds of fire and even more excuses, "It''s a blank check I''ll make all the synth-roids that freakish fuck wants."

    Stomping over to the rails FearForm leaned over, glancing around into the brief explosions of gunfire and silencing darkness that broke out down below for a moment before calling out to those below. The answer he''d received not satisfying him as his next bellow echoed around the plant.

    "What do you mean, it''s a fucking bird!" FearForm was beginning to lose the little grip on sanity he bothered trying to keep as he roared down into the complex. FearFrom smashed his hands on the rails rattling the gangway before turning back and stomping over to The Quiz, demanding to know. "HOW... how the hell does a bird take four entire semi-trucks full of toxin?"

    "It''s impossible..." The Quiz shoved his glasses further onto his nose as he considered the completely illogical question. Only posing his next inquiry out of sheer curiosity with no intention to help those below, "What kind of bird?"

    "What kind of bird?!" FearForm''s suit billowed out fumes of yellow as he stomped over to the rail yelling down and demanding an answer. A muffled yell came from below within the pipe maze as FearForm stomped back deeply regretting destroying the walkie-talkie, "A raven!"

    The two Villains stood there dumbly for a moment while their goons attempted to do the henching-est henching they''d ever henched against an incredibly irritating raven that just didn''t seem to care about their guns or grenades. It had given a second glance at the one RPG the two teams had managed to scrounge up before the whole plan had kicked off.

    They''d only had the one though, neither villain being much in the way of supplying their hires.

    "I''ll get Crusher, you flood the entire lower complex with that toxin." The Quiz directed, at least wanting to destabilize whatever plans had snuck under his nose by doing the completely unexpected. Willing to risk any and all down below in his play to punish their goons and catch the thief, "Let them kill each other and the damned thing, If they''d kept the area secure maybe I''d have given them a passing grade, but death is the price of such abject failure."

    "Agreed." FearForm slammed the button on his suit, the yellow vapors pouring out as the twin cylinders on his back began fabricating mass amounts of the toxin. The hoses along the arms shook a bit as the gas sputtered inside and began to condense into a thick sludge. Not nearly as fast acting as synth-roid but with none of its immediate withdrawal effects.

    FearForm was beginning to ramp up, prepared to fight for the entire night. Flexing his fist as the series of vicious needles jumped out. The serrations were designed to keep them embedded while the attached vials emptied their load. FearForm cackled manically as he approached the rail to the lower level.

    Slamming a fresh series of four injections of adrenaline fueling terror into his veins, the hoses could wait. Kicking away the metal with ease before leaping down, no care for the still rampant gunfire. The sounds of his heavily armored and modified suit crashing down below, already so enraptured in fear that he felt none in the face of the fall.

    "Call Dark Night now." Dark Squire directed the still-scanning psychic, already leaping from the side of the building. Steven''s mind was blank aside from thoughts about doing his duty.

    The fact the duty Steven was thinking about completing was showing off and catching the interloper didn''t slip thtough.

    Psyis almost asked for an explanation, instead, there was a flood of white noise coming through.

    Worries that things were getting out of hand, how Steven intended to do his job, finding out exactly what was going on below. How they couldn''t just trust FearForm''s word that all the toxin was gone?

    Psyis glanced down to where the villains had just willingly separated as she considered the gist of what she''d gotten from behind Steven''s noise. Now was the prime time to move on at least one before the third showed. Now was the time to move, and get the job done.

    If it wasn''t down there! Psyis finally clarified that the void was in fact the ''raven'' FearForm had inquired about.

    The soft pssh of a grapple being fired to aid Steven''s decent was the last argument Psyis heard from him as red eyes snapped over to catch the sudden movement. Watching mouth still hanging open as Steven ignored any sense of rationality and decided to just jump down, sneaking off into the plant to see just what was what.

    Something she could do from here had done from here, and ''it'' was down there!

    Steven was too impatient for her to track the fast-moving thing through the mess of pipes, just darting off while she played 7D chess with a void in her mind. Psyis sent out more of her little scans tracking the situation below, her breath catching when she saw it. Psyis inhaled slowly kicking herself for missing it again and letting Steven run off.

    Psyis decided she''d let Steven go with just as much explanation, she hadn''t honestly expected there to be two voids. Looking out across the plant she could almost see it. That nothing looked like a little yellow dot on top of the farthest water storage tank. At least a half mile of the tops of tanks and filters separating her from it.

    Psyis slowly stood, watching that yellow dot grow just a bit as well mimicking her. It was watching her copying her movements, mirroring her locations. Playing two moves ahead again.

    This time she had it in her sights. Tensing her legs a bit she prepared to strike, nearly releasing her gathered power to charge when that yellow just... vanished.

    Psyis strumbled forward for a few steps before she reached down towards the device she''d pocketed on her suit, quickly deciding that Steven''s advice was right. While for the wrong reason at the time, now it was the right move. If it had stayed topside, they could have both handled at least one of the voids, now both of them were down below and might corner Steven in the thick clouds of fear toxin.

    Psyis hoped Dark Night arrived before Steven got too banged up, just slow enough that his Squire would learn a lesson. Let alone jumping in ahead of everyone and ruining the plan, he''d left before she could even ask for one of those fancy air filtration mouthpieces. Now she was left uselessly topside while that thing seemed like it could be careless about the toxin.

 Getting Spotted, Twice

    Izime rubbed at his chest while he watched the feed from Cradle, kicking his feet lazily against the side of the water tank that was his seat.

    He was still working off some of the effects of last night''s dreams as he tried to take it a bit easier. Quietly reminding himself that it wasn''t like the bird was doing all the work, he had done the heavy lifting today. Snapping those tanks of toxin out had been the biggest haul in months and well worth the risk of sticking around now.

    The ensuing chaos should make it easier for Cradle to traverse the lower levels and showing up before the action had really kicked off had ensured they''d optimized their haul. He had no concerns about the goons below, what was a bullet to Cradle but a slightly faster snack?

    Well, there were a bit like a flying turd according to the bird, the cheap copper jacket and soft lead were a terrible-tasting treat.

    "Biggest haul in Voltham yet," Izime patted himself on the back while he watched the two heroes. His vision enhanced enough to see the folds in Stupid Purple''s cape as long as there was nothing in the way. Congratulating himself as Cradle went to work, "Here we go!"

    What even was the use of that cape, show maybe?

    Izime pondered the thessian''s silver suit for a moment while Cradle got shot at watching as the white wrapped around her crouched form.

    Dark Night used his as an emergency glider, and Dark Scout preferred a collapsible variant so he only appeared cape-less. Was there some rule that demanded a cape if you were an X-type hero or what?

    They each were horrible litterers with their grappling hooks so maybe that was a part of it.

    Izime kept kicking around in his ponderings, waiting for the two to leave so he could get the one Dark Squire had used to get onto the roof.

    Psyis could fly, so what was it for? Looks, personal preference, symbology?

    Though Psyis didn''t even use gadgets, only her pure alien abilities so that littering theory didn''t work either. That suit as well, silver and white felt like a cop-out color scheme. Wasn''t there some kind of color-changing fabric that could match her reactionary skin? She''d look even better if her mottling was revealed all over instead of just teased.

    He stopped his thoughts as he sent his own updates to his much more mobile and metal-hungry friend who was down below removing the pumps. Izime felt his smile pushing at the edges of his gas mask as Cradle''s excitement reached him through the bond.

    A screen displaying in his vision through either brain trickery or eye nanites showed Cradle''s beak working at a shoddy welding job as Izime started to update the raven.

    We''ve got two heroes now.

    Money? Money?

    Yeah, it''s money money Cradle!

    How much longer on those pumps?

    Fast! Fast!

    The view flicked quickly through a series of pipes too close together for Cradle to fly through. The bird probably changing to its clouded form as it landed next to another pump. Beak and talon reappeared to quickly chip the heat-treated steel as it removed another high-flow pump.

    The view quickly switched as Cradle''s head turned upwards with a snap as if it had been distracted by something.

    Stupid Purple!

    Y-Yeah she is here why?

    Are you scanning the topside?

    Pets Pets! Below!

    Izime narrowed his eyes as he glanced back up and across the facility at the psychic. Izime caught a view of Dark Squire just as he did an excessively showy backflip off the roof, wasting another grapple that would likely never see the right hands. Not that he cared about the grapple that much.

    They had bigger issues if Dark Squire''s movements were in any relation to Cradle''s accusation of ''pets''. If it was just Dark Squire, then the guy was sadly way out of his league against Cradle. It would be a no-contest as Cradle happily collected his Dark-a-Rangs and other goodies.

    Cradle''s words implied that it had been located somehow by the alien or was close to it. His bond relayed the constant pulses that were tickling even it''s down under its larger protective feathers.

    The real problem was the psychic that had somehow been alerted to their presence. There was no reason for her to play Depth Commander unless she suspected something and Izime knew who the only unknown on the field was.

    Cradle was damned near flawless and there was hardly a signal or creature here it wasn''t aware of. Izime trusted his gut and trusted Cradle''s abilities, if he said the psychic was petting it then the gig was up. If Miss Psyis could track Cradle that opened up an entire can of big fucking worms and threw it on his plans in Voltham not to mention Centropolis.

    If she could somehow restrain his bond?

    That would mean a confrontation, possibly hostile and there went every Christmas not just this one. A fight was something he certainly didn''t want with the mind-reader. Izime scooched back from the edge of the tank and stood preparing to take action. Pausing for half a second as he looked back across the way, just in time to see Stupid Purple striking a sprinting pose in his direction.

    Izime''s heart stopped as two red eyes locked onto his teals.

    "Nope." Izime eyes widened, a bit surprised at the snort of fear that had come out. He snapped out of the alien''s line of sight and immediately reappeared down below in the mix of the chaos.

    Fuck being in any clear line of sight of that absolute powerhouse, Izime breathed a bit easier even knowing the toxic fumes were coming. He had less than zero interest in getting super-tackled so hard it had to be measured in AU''s.

    The confines of the system of pipes and levels of scaffolding made it a much safer place at the moment. At least here the pipes would hopefully catch a speeding bullet or flying psychic before they caught him.

    Izime let out a low humming whistle to summon Cradle to his side.

    It was safer but he''d rather be in top form, especially after seeing the biggest hitter here tonight line up on him. That meant as much awareness as possible seeing as he wasn''t nearly as physically capable. Izime watched through the pipes as sparks from ricochets followed his bond, the bullets themselves useless on the bird.

    Only an acceptable snack if they were cored with heavy rare metals like tungsten or depleted uranium.

    Raising his arm as Cradle slipped through the last few pipes, landing on his arm before snapping again. A level lower. Snapping again and another level lower, snapping again to a scaffold a row of tanks over. Finally finding a decent starting point he directed his bond to begin feeding information through the connected line they had just cleared.

    Their mental flow was no longer flushed with junk emotions and idle brain chatter, now filled with locations, distances, and schematics.

    Bring up all the pump locations.

    As well as villains and goons.

    Spots and Dots!

    Damn straight, time to earn that cash!

    Work! Money! Eat!

    Izime mentally moved the mini-map that Cradle connected him to, dragging it with his mind out of his main field of vision. Taking stock of all the red dots that indicated the goons and the single skull that was roaming around further below.

    The map tilted to display the levels individually, the goons working their way down while FearForm was working his way up.

    Finally, a second red skull appeared as the map reached far enough to display The Quiz topside.

    "At least I can''t throw up anymore." Izime shrugged bending over to snag the compact high-flow pump that was lying on the scaffolding next to him while looking below. The thick billowing clouds of fear toxin were creating a dense haze that was slowly climbing its way upwards. The dense fog condensed into a rusty amber taint as it rose into the chill November air, leaving streaks running down the primer-ed tanks.

    Izime almost able to make out the incoherent enraged roars of FearForm as he discovered the damaged pumps one by one.

    "Track Stupid Purple, if she moves to come down here, we are leaving." Izime directed his bond before giving Cradle a flick to send it off. A single blue shield appeared on the scan, the mapping fully enabled it was time for them to get to business.

    Jumping over the side of the scaffolding, giving a snap and disappearing in a shower of sparks as Cradle went scout further.

    Izime let the air pass him for a moment as he reappeared falling mid-air, locking onto a nearby gangway of metal grating that would take him to another pump. Another snap saw him bracing and snapping, grabbing the edge of his coat so he didn''t land on it.

    Landing with a thud Izime let go of his coat now sure that the friction-less material was well out of the way.

    Rolling to his feet Izime started running down the gangway, constantly keeping a mental note of the closest dots on the map. His rapid breathing slowly fogged his mask, making it a bit difficult to see. Causing him to fumble a bit as added two more pumps to his pants pockets.

    The tiny things were powerful and would be perfect for reselling on the spaceship market. The little bastards could easily supply fuel, coolant, or whatever have you to pump. Their size and reliability certainly beat out their competitors on the market as well. It was easy money, but the risks were certainly climbing.

    Looking across the way and down another level Izime saw a goon trying to steal some of his loot, reaching to pick up one of the pumps.

    A snap and a shove later the goon was sent tumbling over the safety rail, Izime not bothered to be disturbed but the sound it made when the man''s body collided with the side of a filtration unit below. Grabbing the pump while he glanced down and watched the puddle of red grow bigger, he''d been there it''d sucked.

    "Fucking ass, hands off our loot." Izime felt the smile he had vanish, even as another pump found its way into his pants pocket.

    The dots were beginning to cluster and organize, much faster than he had originally planned for. The Quiz''s gang of Students had been much better trained than your usual run-of-the-mill hench. There were plenty more to go but Izime wasn''t going to risk going into the real fight or any of the clusters of dots waiting to the side.

    FearForm had found Dark Squire and the two were settling their issues below.

    The red skull having not moved far from where it had dropped down, at least Stupid Purple had enough sense to stay topside and call for back-up.

    Unfortunately, so had The Quiz and the villains had been faster. Izime checked the other red skull on his mini-map; the one that wasn''t The Quiz topside or FearForm below. A bit of sweat dripped down his neck as he recalled his earlier plans on just how he would escape the synthroid-addicted wrestler Crusher.

    Izime really, really hoping he could snap his fingers faster than Crusher could snap his spine if it came down to it.

    Quickly shaking his head, clearing it of those silly thoughts about self-preservation. Maybe that fear toxin was getting to him a little bit. What was death but another wasted trip for him?

    The yellow coat billowed out a bit as Izime strode forward, no longer bothering with processing things like fear of impending death. More attention was paid to the cluster of pumps Cradle had made for him to collect while he had been snagging the stragglers.

    It hadn''t worked the first time because of some science-fucketry, the second time Cradle had saved him. What would it be like to finally just die? Though he''d been bamboozled twice now so he wasn''t very excited about his third time around, it was pretty hard to kill what he was after all.

    That lack of attention cost Izime dearly on his next snap, quickly making a note to have Cradle highlight all the heroes on the map.

    Izime''s spell dropped him directly behind Dark Squire who was mid-recovery from being thrown up three levels by FearForm. No longer below throwing down with the fear-powered villain. The biggest tell was the massive dent in the side of the water tank above the two, the distance reached through FearForm''s suit-strengthed toss.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Izime flowing with Dark Squires expected response at having an unknown assailant pop up unexpectedly, he rolled with the hit.

    Steven couldn''t hear much besides his ears ringing, the only sign that something was there being the cascade of sparks. Twisting his core as he leaped back to his feet Steven only saw a yellow coat and the cylinder of a mask filter before he sent a kick at the henchman. Fully expecting to feel the contact of a solid midsection kick and the grunt of a goon flying.

    The satisfying sound of another goon going down didn''t come, Dark Squire''s eyes going wide as his kick slid uselessly and almost painfully off their midsection. Dark Squire''s ankle twisting oddly as the force was misplaced. The only effect on his target was the kick spinning them to the side, delivering a bit of redirected momentum but no other force. Watching as that yellow-coated figure rolled with the kick and right off the side of the scaffold.

    Disappearing in another shower of sparks before it had even fallen a full foot, those foggy lenses still locked onto Dark Squire''s hidden glowing eyes.

    Izime grunted as he landed on his stomach, a few levels down and a bit further back where another pump had been earlier. Taking the unexpected kick and letting Thorn''s frictionless textiles redirect it. The main impact redirected, Izime had cheated a good half of Newton''s laws, but it''d still spun him with all the force Dark Squire had put behind it. Taking the tumble and snapping back had been the safe bet.

    Now Izime was back a good way, irritated but safe and only a bit sore. The problem now was Dark Squire was right on top of the pumps he wanted. Hearing his bond Izime recalled the thought he''d had earlier about marking all the heroes properly on the map. Between his human brain, previous abilities, and Cradle''s own advanced functions they''d almost make a decent functional A.I., almost.

    Owie? Hurt?

    Just an owie Cradle.

    A bruised rib is all.

    Be good! No fight! No Fight!

    Mark all heroes, please.

    I just ran into Dark Squire.

    Don''t run. We fly!

    Izime sent the feeling of his pure gratitude back through the bond instead of bothering with cheap verbal thanks as three blue shield icons joined the map. Taking stock of their locations and the projected paths Cradle was displaying Izime found his feet as he considered his bond''s advice on fleeing.

    Three heroes, three villains, and their accompanying goon squads were spread about the various levels of the water filtration facility.

    Things were getting a bit dicey and considering the tanks of toxin Izime was beginning to doubt if the remaining pumps were worth it. Right up until he remembered where he wanted to sell them. Those generation ships didn''t have dry docks anymore; their maintenance was of the highest priority to their inhabitants.

    The toxin was fun money, the pumps would be a good sale but a better deed. Izime now stretching the kinks and knots out as he refocused on the prize. The cluster of pumps would be his and then it was time for extract no questions asked.

    First, who was where?

    FearForm was tangling with Dark Squire again, while The Quiz was... fighting Dark Night?

    That left the rage-buffed synth-roid-fueled physical fighter against the psychic alien. Izime ground his teeth as he watched the marker for Stupid Purple flying. Izime quickly formed an idea that would keep Crusher tied up for a bit while he gathered the pumps he could. It would put Cradle in the spotlight for a moment, then he''d need to put Crusher down for a bit, but it was the safest option to keep the psychic away from the toxin.

    Cradle give me the odds,

    Stupid Purple against Crusher.

    Purple Big Win.

    Chances she does it flawlessly,

    Not touching the cloud of fear gas?

    Crusher Big Win

    OK Change of plans Cradle,

    We are fixing their fuck up.

    No Fight No Fight No Fi-

    We are not fighting,

    We are fixing problems.

    ��.

    Izime felt a complicated mix of both expectation and resistance as Cradle seemed to be considering their mutual thoughts.

    Filling his end with considerations about the loot, and the devastation that Miss Psyis could cause. Finally, a bit of reluctant acceptance leaked through the bond, Izime silently holding his own emotions as Cradle considered. A full-on yes was not being spoken but it was there all the same, Izime began to lay out the plot.

    OK here''s the plan.

    Miss Psyis Vs. Crusher

    A purple hand clenched as psychic forces snagged another piece of machinery out of the air. Psyis'' white hair flowed wildly while she tried to stop the physical attacks and break into the shielded mind of Crusher.

    Her more insidious powers of suggestion failed to breach the synth-roids that were being supplied directly to his mind.

    Across from her stood the massive giant of an ex-wrestler, Crusher. The naturally built strongman stood in his dark red wrestler''s outfit turned villainous attire.

    Spandex stretched across massive arms and a thick gut.

    The easily nine-foot body was fueled not only by years of being a professional shoot and Greco-Roman wrestler but by those hoses of neon green synth-roids that only pushed the man''s strength and rage further.

    A potent mixture of synthetic steroids and a cocktail of hormones and drugs that were constantly pumped through the pack on the man''s back.

    With this, the already notorious wrestler stepped well into the ranks of Voltham''s villains through the chemical aid.

    "ARGH!" Crusher roared in irritation, watching as the control unit he had thrown was plucked out of the air, taking the other and slamming it into his head to clear it from the purple whore''s sneaky tendrils. "You can''t get in my head, NO!"

    The metal doing no damage, simply adding to the pain and anger. The thick tar of wrath blocked out the thoughts of slowing, stopping, no longer feeling that growing moment of hesitation.

    Crusher balled the machine up between his fists, stomping forward now back into the fight fully, a simple plan forming to sneak past that purple whore''s stupid shields.

    Taking a deep breath Crush took the ball of metal and slammed it into a nearby cistern of water, the side bursting and sending a stream of brown water at the heroine. Taking the moment where she was too distracted by the halting the flow to charge forward, Crusher reared back twisting his core for maximum power and pain.

    Delivering a heavy blow with a fist that was easily the size of the alien woman''s entire midsection. Crusher smiled beneath his mask as he felt the alien''s smaller body react, odd bones and spine curling against his before she was sent flying.

    Too bad her super-strengthened body could easily take the punishment. The strike probably hurt his hand more than her, but it still sent her flying back and through the control building topside. Crusher knew he didn''t have to kill her to take her out of the fight, just physically restraining the alien was a win and would earn the synth-roids FearForm had offered.

    "AHAHA!" Crusher felt more of the potent artificial chemicals flood his veins, amplifying every single thing he had just felt and seen as Miss Psyis had been tossed away.

    The absolute joy of her surprised look, that brief flash of pain when her body met brick. That bit of wetness to her eyes told Crusher the alien had felt that one as well. The dust particles in the air settled like windswept ash casting a shadow as bits fell still inside.

    The scene would have been perfect if it hadn''t been for that bird.

    The synthetically induced brain stopped its maniacal laughter quickly, blinking as it looked up. Crusher''s mind tried to make sense of the shifting black feathers that were highlighted by the lighter clouds of dust sent into the darkness above Voltham. Wondering for a moment if his attempt to knock the psychic''s influence from his mind had failed.

    Their dance mesmerized him for a brief moment until he shook free of that as well.

    Wiping at the lenses set into the facemask of his roid-pack, watching in confusion as the feathers seemed to still, poised and threatening. The answer as to its existence came as a couple of those feathers came flying towards him, instinct forcing his arms up to protect his face.

    The blood those flying knives had drawn told him it was real, not some psychically induced image or another synthroid-induced hallucination.

    Their blades slipped though too sharp, almost painlessly, but deep enough that if he''d been a smaller man that might have cost an arm. The wrestler''s eyes went wide enraged at being caught so easily and harmed so deeply. The black knives however were quickly followed by a mass of bricks from his side, Crusher paying doubly the distraction.

    Psyis returned to the fight with a vengeance, the ball of mortar of rubble breaking more than a few bones as she''d hit back five times as hard.

    This time the one tumbling through the air was Crusher, finding the front end of one of the parked trucks that had hauled their missing toxin here. The thessian took satisfaction in knowing that it had bought her a second to breathe, air coming in weakly as her lungs demanded their oxygen back. Raising her hand, she continued the barrage with what was left.

    Crusher knew he was coughing up more than blood, the bitch had knocked the synthroid out of his guts with that. Grabbing the hood to use as a shield against the further debris that was sure to be coming Crusher turned. The deep dents and punctures as bits of rocks and more bricks connected told him it had been a bright idea.

    Taking the abuse as he tried to recover, the hoses connecting his roid-pack already filling with more of the potent drug.

    "Gonna crush your pretty little skull." The threat was growled out, Crusher activating the synth-roid vaporizers not wanting to waste time with his blood. The tubes built into his mouth flooding with the neon green fluid, which was immediately turned into a sickly green smoke.

    The maddening grin on his face widened as the fumes flooded his vision with each breath; It could enter his lungs, his eyes, and his skin. He would devote every part of his body to the drug that could win this battle, hands clenching unconsciously as he was already imagining tearing her purple arms off.

    Psyis drew a deeper breath as the feeling of pure rage emanated from Crusher. A brick wall to her powers of influence, the man to engrossed, reveling in the visions in his mind.

    Her dismembered body, the bits that would be dripping from his hands.

    The visions assaulted her as she tried to pull her mind back, instead desperately sending what remained of the room behind the smashed wall at her adversary.

    A bit of doubt crept into the thessian''s mind which she quickly washed away, such things dangerous for the mentally strengthened species.

    He can hurt me but he''s not dangerous; this isn''t getting dangerous.

    Psyis told herself repeatedly as she watched the last few bricks go flying by, slamming into and through the truck hood shield.

    Sure, originally, she should have been tangling with The Quiz, but lacked the protective gear needed to dive into the clouds of toxin. Something Dark Squire hadn''t spared the time to give her. The power spent maintaining a shield or clearing the air was now being dedicated to managing their newest arrival.

    Dark Night had to leave Crusher in her hands as he went to reign in Dark Squire''s enthusiastic charge.

    The sound of metal tearing and the grunts that followed was a tiny satisfaction, still, she knew she was doing far less damage to the massive brute behind that hood than she hoped.

    Psyis stood shakily but confidently, her side still complaining every time she took a full breath. If it got too bad she would just need to stop holding back and start breaking his bones, even Crusher couldn''t fight without his kneecaps. Psyis stood straight, trying to make the slight groan that escaped her sound at least half as combative as Crusher''s blatant threats about her skull.

    Pulling her energies back from the man''s mind completely Psyis willed herself into the air, unwilling to let Crusher force her to walk back into this fight. Clearing the building she saw the ex-wrestler now super-villain, the deep exhale of green gas telling her they were both just getting warmed up.

    Two massive fists collided together as the wrestler stood on all four of his legs ready to face her and completely oblivious to all else.

    All four?

    Psyis froze a bit more coherent than the villain overdosing on synth-roids though it didn''t take him much longer to catch on. The heroine quickly recalled they''d not been the only ones who''d arrived and caused the villains issues, though whatever had clued Crusher in had taken a bit longer. The two adversary''s eyes still both went wide just not at the same moment.

    Psyis because she could see the legs of somebody standing on their tip toes behind the hulking chemical user.

    Crusher''s eyes went wide just as he heard a snarky voice behind him. The surprise was clear on his face, dumbfounded that someone had managed to get behind him while rolling on pure liquid synth.

    "Thank god for advanced alien technology." Izime snarked before snapping his fingers together, finally satisfied enough to leave. The battery brick had completely drilled its hateful little gears into the synthetic supply unit on Crusher''s back and locked its feet. Now it was just a waiting game and another problem would be solved.

    Izime sat down, relaxing on a roof a great distance away, far enough even his vision was useless.

    It was best to play his cards a bit closer around the psychic, so the rest was up to Cradle who had already been detected. Once again though Izime had been left to do the heavy work, it was something he''d need to remind the bird of.

    Psyis watched as the green fumes sputtered out, a cascade of sparks dropping from behind Crusher whose roid-pack was malfunctioning.

    The wrestler reached behind him uselessly for something to grip onto. Green masked eyes gave the psychic in front of him a pleading look as their fight had been interrupted, as if she''d save him just to continue. The alien''s muscles were still tense, her eyes drifting to the side where a black raven sat on what remained of the truck as if waiting for something.

    Occasionally looking at her, sometimes bobbing its head or preening, but still there waiting.

    "N...no, my synth, I.. can''t." Crusher gurgled out through the feeling of his drug-fueled body slowly powering down, even feeling like the roids already in his veins were being siphoned away. Falling to his knee he reached behind him, finally managing to get a grasp of his backpack unit, ripping it free.

    The little synth still in his system finally settled as the hoses were ripped free.

    With a weakened roar Crusher tipped to his side, collapsing onto his arms as he threw the supply unit in front of him.

    Desperate to access whatever had been damaged, maybe even save a few vials of synth-roid to stay in this fight. Instead of finding the massive damage he expected: crushed tanks, smashed panels, and leaking and severed lines there was only a small brick. The device hummed and gurgled angrily as a little bar on its side flashed a bit faster, the light slowly trying to fill the gauge.

    Crusher imagined the arms set into the pack were impossible to budge even if he''d been able to properly grip the tiny thing.

    Giving a quick glance at the psychic who was just as confused as he was Crusher glanced over at the only other creature he could accuse. There it was its eye holding a spectrum of colors that rotated around and finally seemed to settle on bored. The damned bird that FearForm and The Quiz had originally called him over for, the one their squads couldn''t bring down.

    It gave a lazy flap of its wings as it tilted its head, preening a few feathers while it sat just watching.

    For all the fighting, shooting, and destruction it looked like it was just waiting on a treat.

    "Wh..at are yo..u?" The wrestler groaned as his body began to shut down from the sudden lack of synth, the too-natural raven''s cry that came as a reply was downright insulting.

    Mocking him as it played pretend, insulting him just that bit further before, going silent once more.

    Psyis'' attention followed her enemies, her eyes on that ''nothing'' that simply looked like a ''raven''. Never withdrawing them even as Crusher finally collapsed nearly lifeless. Her mind recalled those extra feet and this other nothing, their psychic forms conflicting with what she actually saw. Psyis'' mind reeled at the void where her eyes clearly saw a figure the entire thing confusing her senses.

    Lowering herself slowly to the ground Psyis gave a slight start when the raven moved, gliding over to the roid-pack that Crusher had tossed. Watching warily as it hopped around for a moment, a brilliant blue light shot out of its eye as it began to scan the device. Taking a careful step towards the bird, the raven''s head snapping up towards her.

    Raising her hands Psyis carefully took that step back, the dozen or so feathers that had just begun to angrily hum around the bird slowly setting back into its plumage.

    It wasn''t here to make friends not even willing to let her approach it, that was for sure.

    "MONEY!" Cradle tilted its head back, letting out its anger at what Izime was telling it to do. Izime demanded it hurry, not even letting Cradle scan the thing.

    Cradle knew it was a good bird already it was a smart bird already, what it wasn''t was a fat bird! Money made food and food made fat, and this thing was definitely worth money. It was obvious this thing was worth quite a bit too, even if it went against the rules. Cradle stomped, clawing at the pack and scarring its surface with its tiny metal talons in frustration.

    Izime had already gotten them involved in fixing Stupid Purple''s mistake, taking this thing was their reward. It was Cradle''s reward; it wanted the fat pack!

    Now Izime was telling him to only take the battery? There was so much food to be had, and it was...

    Cradle flicked its beak back down, snagging the battery brick with its talon and deactivating it casting an ugly look towards the source of tonight''s troubles and cawing hatefully. "STUPID! PURPLE!"

    "What the fuck?" Psyis whispered. A soft breath escaped as she watched that form disappear visually the void never resolving in her mind''s eye.

    The thessian actually felt her mind draw a blank for once as the bird seemed to address her directly, insulting her before flying away with a small block in its talons.

 The Noodle Incident

    It had been more than a handful of hours since the incident at the water facility at Voltham''s east end, finally waking Izime realized he had forgotten the same damned thing a second time. Sitting up while rubbing at his chest, Izime quickly shelved the repeating nightmare, adding another thing to the list of things he''d forgotten.

    First, to set an alarm, Cradle waking him well after those six hours for a snack of RAM, second, was the light which was still on. He''d forgotten to turn off the lights, wasting their battery brick, not a lot of it but still, they were a precious resource.

    Thankfully Cradle had returned with the one from Crusher''s pack with a nearly full charge. However, that emptying battery didn''t matter nearly as much to Izime as his own empty stomach. The shakes he had woken with matched the grumbling protests from his gut as his body''s battery was running truly empty.

    The beans he had eaten a day ago had been wasted and before that, it had been a meal of caloric-cubes that were not exactly sustaining but more familiar than this world''s food. It gave a bit of energy to burn, but as for nutrients a human needed. Well, they were called caloric for a reason. Not quite dissimilar to the cubes he''d been raised on during his first run at life.

    "At least I still get an auditory warning," Izime raised a brow while looking at Cradle who had escaped his stomach''s rumble for the comparative silence of its nest.

    Cradle glanced between Izime and his midsection repeatedly with a hint of worry reaching through their bond.

    The sensation of hunger and a few other ''unnecessary processes'' had been halted or replaced after completing his bond with Cradle. It probably had a bit to do with the parts that the bird had needed to replace to return him to a functioning state. That or those areas of the brain were being repurposed for the other added benefits such as info feeds.

    It was a bit of a return to familiarity for Izime honestly, though not good for the human body.

    The desire gone now Izime''s body only yelled at him when it was running on fumes and needed the fuel.

    Ignoring that led to shakes, which led to blackouts, which would eventually lead to death of course.

    The whole combo had led to an issue of actually managing his diet and weight. The pounds just fell away for a while until Izime had gotten the hang of balancing the un-felt hunger and fullness, now it had somewhat stabled into spikes of binge eating. Though that in itself was a bit of an oxymoron as binge eating wasn''t a real solution either just a bit healthier than starving completely.

    "Food then I tear stuff down then," Izime glanced at his watches a bit surprised at how early it was still. Giving a more excited nod towards Cradle as he continued, "hell maybe a shower if we can find a nice shelter."

    It was a good idea but it also required cash, something Izime had parted with in Centropolis leaving all his physical money with Wesson. That left accessing his off-earth accounts here on earth which was a bit complicated and of questionable legality.

    The Vidan Security Council didn''t take kindly to off-worlder''s toppling planetary economies and monitored such things.

    Izime got up, walking towards his box of potential solutions.

    The first was basic human tech as there were some financial institutions in the know about such matters. There were a few banks he could launder through but that would require moving some funds repeatedly.

    Someone had to OK Blane and James''s spending and directing of governmental assets in orbit. That meant some clerk somewhere had at least seen a check signed in Klorxian and knew what Sol Credits were. Let alone all the more back-alley options that existed for the likes of less heroic financial powerhouses, Lux Winthor had to be cutting his side deals as well.

    Each of those routes left digitally accessible options that could be made untraceable simply by washing the credits through several accounts into actual money.

    "Let''s see," Izime dug around in a box full of scraps finally pulling out an older model smartphone, something with net access, unlike his flip-open alarm. Izime decided a nice cellular device would only tempt his bond into snacking on his mobile. Extending the new version of the same old tech he asked the raven to examine it, "this should still be salvageable?"

    Taking the battery in hand Izime held it out as Cradle flapped over and landed onto his arm.

    Cradle carefully plucked the lithium battery up and flew back to its nest on the shelf. A tendril in its mouth reached out to check the connections as a few streams of nanites slipped between the layers to check integrity. The tiny robots slipped through the tightly woven and wrapped ribbons of metal to inspect the seals around the oxygen-reactive metal inside.

    "Bad." Cradle tilted its head shaking it a bit in disappointment, croaking over the battery in its mouth. Tilting its head as it expected Izime''s usual complaints to start coming in, Cradle never quite got why some snacks weren''t snacks at all.

    "Is it reeeeally?" Izime crossed his arms not quite trusting the metal munching bird, knowing full well lithium ranked rather high on its menu. Cradle enjoyed the apparently spicy alkali metal as it chewed away on it like gum, though really any rare elements were sought after by the bird. The time needed to create them was counterproductive to just searching or occasionally stealing them.

    Fabrication of such rare elements slated as an idle process to be accomplished in Cradle''s downtime.

    "Bad. Bad." Cradle gave the old silver rectangle a bit of a test charge through the connected tendril, smoke curling out from the edges. Cradle quickly snapped its beak closed and sheared a portion to let the battery vent before it could swell further. The black metal beak snapped several times as it quickly made the shredded silver disappear as the rest of the battery fell.

    "Bad Bad!" Cradle cawed a little less proudly, fluttering down to try and fan away the fumes that could harm its oxygen-breathing family. The bird knew it could repair any damage to Izime''s form, but it was better to preserve the delicate lungs in him. A few stomps left a coating of nanites that would stop any potential fires, the raven fluttering a wiggling its tail proudly.

    "Well, shit." Izime rubbed at the back of his head, giving a halfhearted chuckle at Cradle''s tail wagging. The man knew the greedy raven wasn''t going to take well to his request, hence why he''d planned to do the transfer himself. Izime carefully tested the waters as he asked, "I need to get onto our account."

    "Waste money." Cradle turned one eye towards Izime accusingly, the raven''s instincts railing against the idea of parting with any of their hoard. It quickly recalled where the stack of money they''d once had disappeared to. "Wesson waste money."

    Izime frowned a bit, not accepting the blame for giving away the money but it was something the two had discussed together. Though the raven had likely forgotten in its greed to keep its hoard. The relatively small bird had all the instincts of a fully grown dragon aside from the need to steal random princesses or bake cherry jubilee. Izime decided to remind the raven of just why Wesson had been given the money by the two.

    "Wesson has Shya, and you love Shya." Izime crossed his arms, doubling down on the familial emotions they held for the two as a reminder for his bond, "he needs to waste that money more than we do. We can shelter hop, Shya deserves better, we want Shya to have better."

    "We love Shya!" Cradle hopped excitedly as it recalled exactly why Izime had gifted their physical funds away. As incredibly capable as the bird was in using its various sensors and abilities, sometimes it forgot such simple things and got all upset for no reason, Izime was right as usual.

    Cradle stopped hopping and returned to solving their earlier problem of money, physically creating their new card while pulling credits through the ether and running them through earth-based accounts. Plucking a feather and carefully nibbling. Cutting and adding bits of metal as it forged them a meal ticket that connected to Izime''s off-world bank account.

    A few thousand slipped in by the dollar through various banks around the world, cleaned and taxed accordingly.

    The credits their assets had existed as cycling through various channels and denominations to pool together into their own earth-based debit card.

    Carefully crafting an account that would never be detected, ensuring the two remained unaccosted by the universe''s scariest predators: financial agencies. Staying hidden was their mutual rule and natural instinct for safety. Not only was Cradle a high-value target being a creature born from the Father Hexagon. Something Izime had taught and warned the raven about, the various risks and unique individuals that might pursue it.

    Then there was the question of Izime, the raven unsure of its nest program''s natural predators.

    Cradle had never questioned why even its own searches through records couldn''t produce any history on Izime beyond some random street camera footage stored from years ago. The bird just went through the records and erased the two without bothering to ask.

    Izime was a human now and all humans had to come from Earth at some point in their lineage so it was best to make things appear so.

    But there was no lineage, no history, no data, there was just the face it knew since birth. That had led to more questions the curious raven could have asked, but there was something Cradle felt more than curiosity when it came to Izime.

    Cradle was happy! Happy Izime had decided to make it exist at all, content in concluding the same things had happened to the other member in its Unkindness.

    Sometimes things just existed, the two of them were proof enough of that so Cradle was happy with that answer as well. There were questions but it wasn''t like the raven thought things were wrong, and Izime had never led it astray, ever. He was right about good food, where to get money, where to trade things.

    Its bond was right about some of the more complicated things, like Stupid Purple.

    Cradle stopped its idle process'' ponderings as it gave the card a final once over before tilting its head to present to prize in its beak.

    This move should be alright too, nothing should go wrong because Izime knew what he was doing

    "Awesome, so what sounds good?" Izime took the forged debit card from the bird, admiring the slick black and silvery magnetized strip, "Pizza, burgers, something boxy we can take back."

    "Noodles." Cradle nodded its head as it considered the small boxes that the human wanted to eat for dinner, thinking of a bigger box, full of something stringy like tasty cables!

    "Thinking vertically that''s my bird." Izime nodded as he quickly pulled on his yellow jacket, carefully tucking his gasmask underneath before stopping and checking the fit.

    Giving a slight spin before hopelessly shaking his head. It was just too noticeable, the bulge making his coat poof out too far.

    Snagging his guitar case, he shoved the mask down alongside the worn acoustic not caring as the metal rims around the eyes added a few new scratches on the back of the instrument. Nodding as the addition was much easier to hide now simply by wearing the guitar case as intended.

    Finally considering taking a pistol because this was Voltham after all, shrugging Izime dug around inside the box of junk. Digging around for one of the more familiar 5.7mm standard Voltham issues he had lying in the box on the shelf.

    Voltham''s street stompers liked to sling fast lead while the Detectives favored revolvers. Each was something Izime could appreciate though a bit laughable considering some of the things he''d seen those officers shooting at.

    Quickly checking that chamber was clear he rummaged until he found at least two full mags that fit, tossing them into his cargo pocket.

    "Dinner for breakfast in Voltham it is," Izime nodded to his companion before raising his arm and offering a lift out of the sewers, "you want a ride out or are you flying on your own?"

    "S''wat I thought." Izime smiled as Cradle hopped onto his arm, a hologram projecting a view of the city from above. The view adjusting to a street angle of a few reference points around Voltham Cradle had pre-selected for snapping to.

    "Any close to a noodle joint and a shelter?" Izime asked, the view quickly danced back out, the map moving and swirling.

    Cradle finally refreshed its images according to the latest info from the net and the new parameters.

    "Random back alley..OK.." Izime smiled stiffly as he considered how many stories began with that particular backdrop. Preparing to snap out of the sewers and into Dark Nights origin story his hand stopped midair. Eyes glancing at the vest hanging off the side of the bed before turning back towards the gloomy mystery alley Izime voiced his worries aloud, "It is Voltham after all."

    "Go?" Cradle asked as it watched Izime tugging at the vest he now had on under the hoodie, which was underneath the bright yellow raincoat, a bit confused as to why Izime hadn''t just left.

    The raven was even more confused at the concept of wearing clothes and the reasoning behind their particular order. The entire concept was a bit weird sometimes, but it looked like now that Izime had finally redressed it was time for human food. Why bother with the undressing last night at all let alone stripping just to add another layer of down right now?

    Cradle certainly didn''t think about molting every year, maybe in a century or two it would consider having another go at it but the idea of wasting its precious metal feathers just to grow more sounded dumb.

    "Yep, now we go." Izime smiled as he shouldered his guitar with its extra additions raising his hand once again, Cradle deciding instead that his shoulder made a better perch this time.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    Giving the bird a half smirk Izime snapped his fingers sending the two of them to the pictured alley. Izime nodded in appreciation as Cradle transferred the information on the closest noodle joint to him. The information was displayed through some mental means or by those nanites working some techno-wizardry.

    "Give me a heads-up Cradle," Izime scratched lazily at the area where the smooth beak became metallic black feather.

    An affirmative clack and a slight push of the bird''s weight leaving was the only response Izime needed to hear. If anything went down, he knew added markers would be displayed and Cradle''s projected advice would be adjusted according to simulations the bird ran. A method they had developed for rougher escapes turned combat, now with the added benefit of hero icons!

    Rolling his neck Izime felt a relieving pop as he started making his way out of the alley. Heavy-soled boots easily kicked away Voltham''s littered debris as Izime walked out onto the street. Casually glanced around while he walked, watching both the people and the little red line pass by. Stopping as the line flashed, Izime watched the cars pass by as the Volthamites passed on by or joined him in waiting.

    Once the line towards the noodle joint in his mind finally glowed steadily again Izime started walking once more. Turning a final corner Izime glanced around at the complicated junction that had led to the design of those narrow triangular shop fronts.

    Looking up at the sign across the street, reading the wooden signboard through the steam and exhaust that mixed together from the sewers and passing cars: Ji''Meng Noodle.

    Izime nodded and blended into the crowd that was already crossing the street along the route in his mind, glad the line hadn''t started blinking when the crowd reached the second sidewalk. Carefully pulling his coat closed to not tempt any pickpockets Izime crossed the street a third time, finally arriving only to push at the pull door nearly slamming his face into the glass as it rattled.

    "Fucking idiot." Izime rolled his eyes, stepping back to pull at the door. The sound of him hitting the door was apparently enough to draw the attention of the shop''s single employee who was looking at him a bit crossly.

    "Not you dude." Izime carefully waved away his words not sure if the shop owner had heard him from outside but not wanting to cause trouble already. Though Izime figured it was more because of his appearance, maybe he should have stopped to shower in a shelter first. He was pretty dirty, not smelly or anything just greasy from working and messing around in Voltham for two days straight.

    "I know I saw. It was funny but you better be buying." The store owner nodded at the very roughly clad man that had just come in, gesturing towards the instrument on his back "I don''t plan on bartering not even if it''s a noodle per note."

    "Take debit?" Izime held up the card in his hand happy he at least was given a chance to possibly order, entering the shop despite the warnings outside had been risky enough. Voltham wasn''t exactly known for its kindness and here Izime was looking worse than the goons he''d seen last night, covered in grime and likely smelling like a machine shop.

    "Do." With a nod, the man gestured towards the card reader on the counter, before pointing back towards to door, "But yo-"

    "Eat outside I got it. Let me get three of the beef and noodle bowls, chili with extra sauce," Izime smiled softly, nodding along without a bit of surprise. He wasn''t even bothering with being bothered. He had read the sign outside before entering that stated no ''homeless/no loitering''.

    Instead, quickly stepped forward to order three sets of the pepper and beef lo-mein not wanting to waste the employee''s time. "Can I sit here and wait, if not it''s fine."

    "Yeah, it''s no problem... I-shit man my bad." After the pleasant attitude and decent order size, the noodle chef had nearly forgotten why Izime was asking, hanging his head apologetically. "I thought you''d ya know... smell, yell, and be all crazy and stuff. This is Voltham ya''know and we got some wackos I tell ya."

    Glancing at the man the employee hoped the more pleasant of their customers not take the reaction personally.

    "I get it man and no offense taken I know I''m rough looking." Izime waved away the apology, he had accepted this little role as soon as he had arrived. Staying outside a system that was going to ask far too many questions, just doing his own thing was far easier. "Thank you though, I really do appreciate being indoors."

    Not been born, just dumped here in this fucked up wild world after the worse day ever. Literally, the worst day ever, as few other days could compare to the end of all sentient life in his old known universe. From then things had been rough, now with Cradle and this whole life he was making?

    Here he was about to get some noodles, he had whole ass tanks of toxin to sell and was even going to eat at a table! There was something to this living thing that did pay off sometimes. Maybe someday he''d get to see Bell again and tell her all about it. The rest of those nerds would never believe it, but no, things weren''t terrible at all.

    Izime smiled at the noodle chef not minding the loud ring of the door as another customer entered throwing the door open rudely.

    The Other Half of the Problem

    The thessian was already upset, Voltham having driven her up a wall. Well, not necessarily Voltham but everything in it.

    Specifically three things in it. First, there was Steven, then those two voids. She''d left Blane Manor after Steven had pushed too far, Psyis finding him awkwardly posing in the hall in a towel. Deciding spending her time was better spent flying around Voltham instead of giving Steven more chances to show off in the hall after he''d showered.

    Patrolling had gotten dull, not because of inactivity but simply because half the alleys in Voltham were dedicated to petty crimes not worth stopping. Homeless squabbles, small-time gangs, illegal gambling, and other illicit sports, nothing on the level of FearForm or the mysterious voids.

    So, as she''d searched and actually discovered one of those burnt-out areas in her pulses she''d stopped and landed immediately.

    Already breathing heavily in excitement, she''d finally found some action.

    Now she was standing at some absurdly complicated intersection where the buildings had become something akin to cake slices. Across from her inside of a tiny shop she could finally see it. Psyis pulled her hood a bit lower carefully keeping her hands in her pockets as she kept her red eyes locked on it. The thing was smiling and chatting idly with some human cooking noodles.

    Psyis'' smile grew in confidence, the thing was completely unaware of her presence.

    She''d attempted a stealth of her own after studying its void last night with Crusher. She couldn''t erase herself, but she could mirror the passing humans. It wasn''t as clean at removing information, not good as the void, but it also kept it from detecting her in the same way. Not a blank or a thessian, she was just another random human or at least she should be according to nearly any senses out there.

    She was copying everything from their pulse, their biological signatures, even mirroring that deafening human chatter.

    Still, that thing''s abilities were impressive, even this close she couldn''t read that ''it'', she was getting nothing. Simply resolving its shape better as she stalked it through her psychic mirror. That vague void slowly resolved through layers of clarity as Psyis wrapped her pulses around it. There was a gun in its waistband something she could sense now even through the multiple layers of clothes.

    Its mind was still a void though, a space in her own psychic senses.

    Psyis let her powers run over every inch as she tried to peel back that ability. Her power weres so far ineffective, it was still impossible to know if it planned on causing harm. She could physically stop it from harming anyone, but she''d need to get closer.

    Psyis quickly crossed the street, not bothering with the lights as she simply dodged the cars. Ignoring the few horns as she kept her powers trained on its hands. They were moving towards his pants, she might be too late, if he pulled now. No, Psyis reminded herself that she could just stop the bullet with her powers from here.

    Still, she breathed a sigh of relief when she closed enough distance to just jump the thing when it drew.

    Flinging the door open to watch as instead of pulling a gun he simply adjusted his guitar case higher on his shoulder. The one with the gas mask in it Psyis reminded herself not to drop her guard. Chest still rising and falling quickly as her adrenaline surged, carefully walked around the thing as she approached the counter.

    Giving a glance at the shop owner as he spoke, Psyis took stock of the situation from the cook''s mind.

    "Take a seat," The shop owner gestured towards the bar where Izime was sitting, still working on the first order. Not turning towards the gray hooded figure, he could see in the grills splash mirror. "Let me get these noodles on and I''ll take care of you next."

    Red eyes turning back Psyis watched as the thing spared her half a glance, as if it had no clue she was probing at the edges of its shape. She almost sneered, carefully feeling around each layer of its nothing as she began to create a sense of feeling it. Her mind churned as she tried different methods of undetectable probing each edging closer to a full-on telekinetic touch.

    The heroine holding back, waiting on the thing to give her the tiniest reason.

    Izime glanced over his shoulder at the person who had just entered feeling like he was being watched. The slim figure''s hood was drawn and looking down, so it must have been his imagination.

    They were a bit cleaner than your usual Voltham native but nothing too unusual. Stereotypical gloomy looking Voltham dweller and probably as easily pissed off as the rest of the damned city. Definitely as easily pissed off, the woman was already looking to chew the cook out judging by her attitude.

    Not wanting to bother with any drama Izime turned on the stool he had taken and leaned on the bar. Watching the shop owner instead as the three orders of noodles went into the water that was already boiling. The dry wheat noodles went limp quickly as the owner threw some strips of beef to sizzle in the wok.

    A few squirts of a dark thick chili sauce and a splash of oil left the cook wiping his hands from the steam as he prepared to take the angry lady''s order.

    "The same as my friend here." Psyis didn''t bother with actually reading the menu or waiting for the cook to ask, instead, she had been checking the shop owner''s thoughts on the ''it''. The cook gave the two a bit of a look before quickly turning back to add the second order into the same batch unaware of the intrusion.

    Psyis carefully took the information she could while still keeping her guard up.

    It had just been assumed to be a rough-looking homeless man; one the cook had been intending to sit a bit further away before seeing to her. The face she could see and the one the owner was feeling sorry for both felt like an odd mask taped to an invisible thing in her mind. The owner''s protective thoughts had convinced her to make a move sooner rather than later.

    Psyis stood both her fists clenched waiting for something.

    A provocation, begging, an attack whatever it was she was prepared. Who needed to read minds she had been through hundreds of battles, what could this thing do that she hadn''t seen before?

    Izime glanced out of the corner of his eye at the gray hooded female who had just spoken and was now posing like she was going to fight. That voice was eerily familiar, but he couldn''t really place it. Quickly going through his mental list of previous ''customers'' in this little line of business. Nope no friends, well at least not any women that was for sure.

    Maybe a drinking buddy or two but beyond that it was Cradle and Wesson, family.

    "I''ve got good tastes." Izime turned back passing over the obvious invitation for conversation, instead just shrugging at the cook. Choosing instead to call out to his bond, already preparing for a bit of trouble on his end.

    Cradle we, apparently, have a new friend.

    Friendly Friend! Or Friend?

    You tell me, they''re sitting right next to me.

    Coming. Now.

    Izime felt his muscles release that bit of tension as he heard Cradle confirm that it was on its way. No need to feel his tension when his bond was already sympathizing, worried that anything could have slipped its detection.

    Izime did his best to ignore the feeling of eyes on him, made all the more obvious by the creaking to his side. He refused to look, Izime had done enough deal to develop a sense for when things were at risk of popping off.

    When things like this went down it was best to remain inert, a noble gas that simply refused to react when the more volatile elements started popping off.

    The woman was clearly waiting for him to make a move, even through she''d stormed in looking for a fight.

    That was a move he didn''t plan to make and a chance he wasn''t going to give, that''s what Cradle was for. Instead Izime planned to get his noodles and hopefully leave with his backup poised to strike just outside, though if it did come down to it there were some actual spells he knew. Not much use against a real superhero but some pissy Voltham native?

    He''d manage just fin~grrrRRRRrrrRRRRRrrrrrRRRRwwwwrrrrrrrrrrrwwwwwrrr.~

    Thoughts of the fight quickly disappeared as a low rumble came from his midsection and began to build. Trying to hide his embarrassment as his stomach growled Izime leaned his elbows on the counter, dropping his head in shame. Stubbornly ignoring the growl that was now trying to compete with the passing traffic in volume he stared at the tiles on the floor.

    The growl not stopping and growing in volume until even the pissed-off woman seemed to lose a bit of her fire.

    Psyis had been so focused on that moment, the one when the villain finally made a move that the sudden noise had actually made her jump a bit.

    A bit uncertain now that it was here to rob the shop owner and thoughts about her irritation disappeared in mutual embarrassment as she stood threateningly over the poor thing. It sounded hungry, really hungry. Half-starved if the over a full minute of stomach growling was any indication.

    The thessian''s shoulders and chest dropped a bit, all she could see of it were those ears that were as red as her own eyes.

    "Sorry." Izime finally spoke as the grumble broke with a final gurgling, the heat from his face building between his arms. "I, ahh''fuck that was embarrassing."

    Even the noodle chef who''d been tense ever since he''d laid eyes on the woman in that hoodie had given a pause, glancing between the two he offered some service on the house.

    Whatever was going on between the two his grandmother would be ashamed if he''d let someone leave their family''s noodle shop hungry. Besides whoever these two were it''d be best to stay on both their good sides, this was Voltham after all.

    "Give me just a minute, I''ll even top it off with some extra as an apology." The shop owner wasn''t sure if the two were friends, but he certainly didn''t want any trouble. Having seen enough already to not mess around or embarrass his ancestors. "No charge."

    "Apology fo-" Psyis began to ask until the shop owner ducked his head to focus on the thing''s order, the story in his mind filling her in soon enough. The shop owner was probably safer not letting it stay inside and eat, her tension returning now as her mind warned her of a second void approaching.

    "I''ll pay," Izime shook his head as he considered his second rule: no debts to nobodies. Reaching back to grab the card in his pocket he could feel the tension rolling off the woman next to him, "card like I said."

    Izime could feel the shaking in his hand stop as Cradle''s voice came into his mind. That bit of tension left him as his bond finally appeared nearby ready to act.

    Here. here.

    To my left.

    Cradle quickly landed on a window adjacent to the shop, tilting its head and zooming in for a better view. Cradle cocked its head as it turned to look at the person sitting in the noodle shop its scans already deducing the problem. Izime had already decided the alien was stupid so why worry?

    Stupid Purple? Hurry eat!

    Stu-? Get in here. Now!

    Izime tried not to laugh out loud as Cradle''s confused voice came back, the shake immediately returning as he was informed Miss Psyis was the pissed woman. He wasn''t the least bit ashamed to admit the thessian scared him, that was the main reason he''d done his best to keep her out of the toxin''s way.

    No, the person who''d lined up to tackle him so hard he''d enter orbit somewhere around Sirius was standing next to him just begging for an excuse. Izime ordered his bond to make a move, the bird of course responding with the three words he''d engrained in it.

    Cradle don''t make me say it again.

    No. Shop, Bird, Bad.

    Bad Cradle. Bad Bird.

    Cradle preened itself as it considered just what Izime was asking. There had been several ordeals already where it had sat and listened to very detailed reasons on why it couldn''t go in just any store. It wasn''t like stupid purple was hurting Izime, Cradle stopped preening. The worry it had tossed aside returned as it asked itself.

    Why was Stupid Purple in the exact same noodle shop as its nest program and how had she evaded its detection?

    The father hexagon-powered bio-raven quickly began adjusting its scanning methods, those it had considered perfect. Having a bit of difficulty, trying to track a mental power outside of the usual spectrum it had to consider.

    Its eyes altered in color as it quite literally began to develop lenses, sensors, and readings that focused on Stupid Purple''s Thessian energies.

    A rare species as only one of them existed, so little of Cradle''s time had been dedicated to detecting her powers.

    Cradle simply using their clouds of nanites and bond to counter the oft-seen heroine had worked so far.

    Now Cradle was watching as fields of odd soft powers rolled from the thessian''s body and lapped like soft waves against Izime. Those energies carefully worked through the threads of his clothes before fading just above his skin.

    The alien was preening Cradle''s nest program with her powers, that was fine. Izime needed a good clean-WAIT WHAT!?!

    Cradle cawed loudly flapping its wings as it began to get upset in a protective emotional sense over its nest program being touched so familiarly. Stupid Purple was running those odd energies under Izime''s layers of clothing as Cradle did to its own feathers.

    She was nearly under his inner cloth down, clearly violating a member of their unkindness!

    That wasn''t right, she wasn''t his mate and certainly not close enough to even touch them let alone preen Izime the de facto leader of their two bird Unkindness.

    No pets! Stupid Purple! No pets!

    Cradle dove, flapping to gain speed as it crossed the intersection, not bothering with the commotion it might cause. Simply exploding into a cloud of particles that slipped in around the cracks in the door, the fast form hardly even disturbing the rising steam outside. Intent on stopping the nosy poking alien who was touching Izime.

    Dropping his head slightly the cook watched in the grill;''s splash mirror as the third child of trouble came into his shop.

    This final and even odder creature not even bothering to ring the door as it came in with its shifting form and landed on the shoulder of his first guest. The cook considered for a second mentioning the signs outside, the ones that would have avoided this entire problem in the first place.

    No homeless/No loitering and right below it, no pets. If only they''d stuck to the rules.

 Thessian Temper Tantrum

    "That''s a good Cradle," Izime smiled as a familiar weight returned to his shoulder, silently reforming and landing on his shoulder as quietly as an owl.

    The raven now reflected the same unease he had poured into the bond, though that emotion was twinging with an odd irritability Izime didn''t exactly feel. He was certainly more nervous than angry at the alien, Izime hoping bringing Cradle in hadn''t been the wrong move as the raven''s anger rose.

    "There''s the other one." Psyis hoped she sounded confident, finally finding some words to fill the air with.

    Her powers were wasted on flailing at that void, it avoided her mental grasp as it entered entirely. Finally taking an actual physical form on the larger thing''s shoulder, Psyis recognized the two forms that she''d seen last night. The same black bird that had been there during her fight with Crusher, that same yellow that she had seen across the field of tanks.

    Both of them had decided to get involved and now she wanted answers.

    Psyis ran red eyes over the bird as she reached out with her powers, cold eyes probing her own in return. The little psychic shield she had prepared to stop a firearm doing nothing against the electronics sweep that would have made Dark Squire blush. Psyis sneered a bit and sent another pulse at the man instead, wanting to see if she got the same electronic response.

    The words that came out of the bird''s mouth at her action stopped her powers cold.

    "Stupid Purple." Cradle swung its head glaring at the alien with its other eye, hoping from Izime''s shoulder to the counter. Posturing, clacking and hopping in warning it tried to ward off the unwanted attention, the alien no suitor.

    If she wanted attention she''d get it, Izime not wanting to engage with the pushy alien who couldn''t take a no.

    Raising its wings Cradle leapt down wanting to threaten the larger purple alien directly in Izime''s stead. Clacking its beak like a machine gun to scan her back, it was returning little beyond basic biometrics and the fluctuations in her probing of Izime. Still, Cradle cycled the scans as fast as it could, returning the same rudeness she was giving.

    The two doing little more than silently screaming at each other but Cradle knew it was louder!

    Raising its head to give a mighty caw, Cradle was a bit surprised that it wasn''t the thessian who''d move towards it. Instead rolling a bit and pulling gently with both talon and beak at the yellow sleeves that quickly plucked it from the counter.

    Cradle dodged and rolled as it kept clacking at the thessian wanting to keep their contest going, anything to keep its grubby little powers off of Izime.

    It''d even part with some of its hoard if the annoying woman would just leave so its bond could eat!

    "I''dshit''godfugindamnit Cradle." Izime quickly swatted at Cradle, purely out of survival instinct as the bird addressed the woman directly by their name for the thessian, "Don''t call her that to her face!"

    Psyis blinked for a moment as her mind started back up, needing to ask a question after hearing the man-in-yellow''s words. Recalling how she''d been similarly addressed last night and now hearing that it was possibly a regular thing.

    It might be a bit of a personal thing, but she liked to keep track of all the little names that had sprung up around her, so it was best to clarify this one.

    "I''m sorry..." Psyis turned to regard the two of them fully, taking a slow breath as she tried to calm her nerves. She''d need to add it to the list, so it was best for it to come clean, "Stupid what now?"

    There had been a few names, all the way from Centropolis Alienating Alien to The Mind''s Angel which was a bit embarrassing. A few villains had some clever zingers, others just settled for blue whore or something similar like Crusher had. However, the look the bird had given her left no mistake, she had just been called Stupid Purple.

    Being insulted by a bird, was new. Sure, it was a weird odd-looking metal digital-mechanized bird but still.

    A bird had just called her stupid, and purple. A whole new creature, a whole new insult, the thessian was not sure if she was impressed yet. The particular level of irritation she was now feeling was new as well, red eyes blinking blankly as the thing apologized.

    Psyis quickly decided the answer was yes, she was impressed, at its sheer gods-damned audacity.

    "I''d like to apologize for my friend''s racist and or species''ist tendencies which it certainly didn''t get from me." Izime tried to keep his cool as he felt the pissed radiating off the Centropolis celebrity, attempting a feeble apology at the rude nickname.

    Looking over at Cradle he tried to correct the wrong assumptions he''d given the raven, "Cradle Thessians aren''t just purple, they have a blue mottling that darkens with their sleep cycle or threat response, that is Miss Psyis."

    "No Purple?" Cradle tilted its head at Izime, wanting to make sure it was insulting the alien the right way. Black head turned between the two as its brain worked away at the problem. It knew her name was Miss Psyis, it wasn''t going to just call her that though as it''d already decided on a name for the alien.

    "No purple," Izime confirmed, giving Cradle a little scratch before proudly smiling at Miss Psyis, only to nearly fall off his stool when Cradle proved it hadn''t learned a thing.

    The bird cawing out, loudly enough that it was painfully obvious its partner hadn''t been the intended recipient of its words.

    "Just Stupid." Cradle nodded before turning to see if the alien was smart enough to realize it was still being insulted, she was. Cradle cawing again as Miss Psyis sent another wave of that soft power at Izime. A few of its own feathers rattled in warning as the female ran the risk of ruining its bond''s meal.

    Something Izime desperately needed judging by Cradle''s own monitoring.

    Psyis was ready to make her move to defend herself when the one in the yellow coat reached out again. She wasn''t sure how the mechanical bird''s feathers had floated away, Psyis simply knew if they came at her she probably couldn''t stop them easily.

    Watching as two very human-looking hands carefully reached out avoided the edges and palmed the bird onto his lap. Those blades rotated and floated harmlessly against his palms as he tried to coax the bird to calm.

    "NO! Bad Cradle." Izime pulled the raven back, carefully cupping the loose feathered blades and putting the raven back in the spot that had earned its name. Pulling the bird in close he started gently rocking the dangerous bird against his chest, "Come on now, we don''t start fights."

    "No pets!" Cradle tried to flap in protest as another ripple of psychic energy came in their direction, instead finding its wings tucked back into the comfy confines of Izime''s arms. Pouring its irritation through to its bond instead it looked up demanding an explanation on why he''d let himself be molested so.

    She pets! she pets! she pets! She pets! she pets! she pets!

    Sshhh.

    Cradle felt as its complaints were muffled under the more powerful flow of thoughts. Finally resorting to clacking back its own sensor-laden blast as Izime was just going to unknowingly let himself be preened. The psychic''s powers felt much more personal than the electronics Cradle could use. Finally souring enough to bury its beak in protest as its bond just didn''t understand.

    Quietly if irritably Cradle allowed Izime to rock it as it knew it wasn''t going to be allowed to intervene.

    "Hey please stop," Izime pulled his coat between the two, at least wanting to stop Cradle''s visual instincts if it changed its mind. Finally turning to look at the voice he had recognized from TV broadcasts where she was detailing how many she''d saved or the depths of villainy the villain had tried to commit. Izime warned the heroine now as well, "Both of you."

    "What are you?" Psyis asked watching as the man-looking thing was trying to calm the raven as if it was a real bird. Not even bothering to apologize for the second more focused sweep that had just blasted her in the face. Admonishing both of them as if they were both children who had started fussing for no reason.

    "Hungry." Izime snarked on instinct, smiling as the stupid joke crossed his mind before shaking his head, the alien wasn''t going to share in his humor. Izime giving an actual answer with the utmost confidence this time, "I''m a human."

    The alien watched the human expression, that very human smile faltered under her gaze. The lines that were etched onto a face that couldn''t be much older than hers loosened as his face fell a bit.

    Did he think some tired ass joke was going to get him out of this?

    Psyis grew a bit more irritated as this thing was not treating her like the threat she deserved to be seen as.

    "No, you''re not." Psyis shook her head in denial. She knew humans, she could read humans, and feel them with her powers. This thing was a blank, a gap in everything she recognized.

    "Yes. I am." Izime rolled his eyes a bit insulted, sure there was some give and take there. To those that mattered though he was human enough, even aside from the few mushed bits that had been replaced or upgraded, "Even got the proper fear of mind-reading aliens to prove it."

    "I can''t read your mind." Psyis pointed, accusing the man with the most damning evidence she had. If it was a human, she wasn''t half the psychic the entire world thought she was. Taking a seat the thessian prepared to debate her points. Strength in that same belief worked its way into her voice as she refuted him, "You can''t be human."

    "And let''s both be thankful for that," Izime gave a nod past the hand towards the purple and blue mottled chin that was poking out from under the hood as he explained why the thessian should be thankful, "No one wants to hear this constant chatter trust me. Be glad I''m polite enough to shut that door."

    "Loud." A croak came from behind the yellow coat, the raven unable to stop itself from contributing. The bond was amazing, but it''d taken them a bit to learn how to manage their shared communications. The times Cradle had been caught snacking and Izime knew because of his satisfying hunger, or the times Cradle had been startled because of Izime''s nightmares.

    "Shush you." Izime poked at the one that was actually keeping his mental connections occupied, teal eyes gently gazing down at the two irritated lenses that looked back up at him.

    The bond acted like two landlines connecting, confident in their ability to keep that connection from getting tapped. The psychic was even unable to join and force a party call despite her strength.

    The bond was surprisingly handy at times, but it wasn''t foolproof. Izime still wanted to be safe and stuck to the no psychics rule, had stuck to it until two days ago.

    Now look where that had gotten him; he already knew this wasn''t going to end with just a simple talk in a noodle shop.

    "Why can''t I read your mind or sense you." Psyis narrowed her eyes as she tried to reason out just how this man could actually be a man and resist her. Even Zexxian''s like Radiation Man had to struggle to keep her at bay. Here this thing was stopping her as casually as he was sitting there, just effortlessly halting her best attempts.

    Izime leaned back a bit at the idea that the woman was just allowed to know him, or anyone just because she felt like it. Looking at the woman in her gray hoodie, Izime now felt a bit irate himself. That was a place he''d been, and it wasn''t right. Miss Psyis felt like she could just invade his privacy because she felt like it, that wasn''t what heroes did.

    Izime knew you needed a reason, a damned good one, to begin the process of accusing people of thought crimes or even looking for them.

    One he''d had that certainly didn''t exist here.

    "Miss Psyis I don''t want to sound rude but what right do you have to invite yourself into my mind of all places, or to track me, or even legally search me?" Izime shook his head trying to at least be professional with the hero who stood solidly on the wrong side of his gray code as he set her straight, "I''m going to have to agree with Cradle on this if you are doing any of these, stop. I''m not involving myself with a psychic let alone you just because you''re out looking for a fight."

    "Aside from last night?" Psyis pulled her hood back her white hair spilling out as she wanted him to look at the person he had interfered with the night before. Psyis was unsure if she''d wanted him to feel guilty for interrupting her fight or stopping the villains, just knowing he''d need to see her face to understand just how upset she was about the whole thing in general.

    Fine, she was looking for a fight, but if it hadn''t done things she''d never known to look for it at all! So, this was its fault!

    "That was... business." Izime tried to ignore the accusatory glare that was coming from those red eyes, lips pulling tight as the alien knew she had a point.

    The oddly off-human bone structure gave her a very elegant face, maybe a bit gaunt but hey so was he.

    So maybe she had a point, he had interfered which was just another broken rule, it wasn''t like he''d been asking for this but there was a reason he''d had those rules in the first place. Izime looked past her, that uncomfortable feeling growing further as he examined her.

    Not that she was ugly or because he was checking the alien beauty out.

    it was just a bit embarrassing to be caught so easily. A bit uncomfortable already being hit with such facts, let alone having a staring contest while being so accused.

    Nothing but a natural level of uncomfortable that came from dealing with a literal mind reader that had caught you with your hand in the cookie jar. So what, he hadn''t wanted people to get hurt, and that inherently meant she couldn''t get hurt those couple of times that was all. He''d solved two problems at most for Voltham, there was no need to take it so personally.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Still judging by her reaction his arrival, just as he figured, hadn''t been taken well.

    Izime regretted ever so slightly not sticking to his rules.

    Noodles please!

    He even sent a silent prayer skyward that the cook hurried. Though it was obvious from the man''s shaking hands he was working as fast as his fear allowed. Understandable of course seeing as the actual from Centropolis Miss Psyis was here and seemed to be pissed at one of his customers. Izime could sympathize with the insurance claim the man was likely imagining at this moment.

    "So, you''ll do business with around psychic, eat with one around, but not have a chat with one?" Psyis tilted her head, asking for an explanation and a name. Giving a look towards the same cook that had the man''s attention, she continued probing with no answers easily available, " Make it make sense Mr?"

    The silence stretched on while the smell of chilies and beef filled the room.

    The chair under the psychic creaked as the answers obviously weren''t coming.

    "I''m Miss Psyis and you are?" Psyis felt her brows nearly touching as this absolute nothing just glanced at her and went back to waiting without a word, stone-walling every attempt she made to be at least conversational.

    Even Stellar the Devourer had a bit of gods be-damned respect and faced her directly. Yet here Mister... Mister... The thessian tried to keep from screaming aloud.

    Maybe she should just resort to physically strangling the damned thing, Psyis struggled to manage her indignation at being ignored. Psychic abilities and pride be damned! Psyis cursed in her mind, thessian emotions translated to physical strength and this stain was about to find out just how upset she could get.

    Her mood snapped for a second, a thin leg kicking at the stool under her, imagining the metal bar as the man''s head.

    A sudden snap and crackle came from the side of the counter that didn''t have the wok, teal eyes looking over worriedly.

    "I uh, don''t do the whole naming thing," Izime rolled his eyes as the woman stomped her foot, the rest under her stool creaking in protest before it sheered away. Izime eyeing the cracked tiles that formed under the chair warily, "My business wasn''t with you, but you are welcome for the Crusher disposal."

    "I... I-I''m welcome?" Psyis actually felt her brain lock up at the very idea, gesturing at the man''s wild getup accusingly. He had disposed of crusher for her, did he expect her to fall at his feet? She gestured towards his get-up while mocking him, "Well, thaaank you Mr. nobody!"

    Turning as she tried to keep her cool, breathing heavily as she looked at the most irritating person she''d met today.

    This jerk was a thousand times worse than Steven when it came to ego!

    OK, she''d made a few assumptions but what else could she do when both then and especially now the idiot refused to spare her a single minute?

    Stupid brown hair and stupid coat and that absolutely idiotic notion that she''d needed any help at all. It''s pet had insulted her, he''d had refused to be any sort of human or even acknowledge her. Couldn''t even manage something as simple as talking while being a shred of decent and still dared to claim he''d helped her?!

    Mouth opening and closing, just as undecided as the thessian''s colors as she rotated through her two shades, absolutely enraged.

    Thoughts of Dark Night''s warnings forgotten and her thessian instincts buried under the desire to kick this prick''s ego down a notch. She knew what he was under that void, an asshole!

    "Um... noodles?" A quiet and timid voice came from the other side of the counter, the owner counting the floor tiles between glances at the two, holding out a bag. The shop owner careful to not glance at the one having a color of a fit, taking issue with homeless man.

    He wasn''t sure what it was, but it certainly sounded like they both needed to leave his shop.

    Peacefully mind you, especially after hearing the woman say the man had brought down Crusher on her behalf and obviously not appreciated it.

    The shop owner having seen a few turf wars and could tell she was upset, as if he''d gotten in her way.

    The noodle chef wanted no part of anything that involved two people that could bring down the Voltham villain let alone some super-woman who felt like she''d been overstepped and had come to settle the score.

    He''d heard that bit about her powers and seen that damned buzzsaw of a buzzard and wanted them both out as quickly and quietly as possible.

    "Thank you," Izime carefully tucked Cradle under his arm and went to the register. Waving the cook over, he tapped his card quickly and turned to leave. Casually giving the Centropolis powerhouse the peace sign Izime turned towards the exit. Unaware of just how far he had pushed the psychic already.

    "Sorry, you''re staying." Psyis arched her eyebrow raising a hand, sealing even the air out with a mental force field that even Radiation Man would need a tan to break.

    Turning the lock for extra dramatic effect, Psyis flashed a small smirk. Finishing the locking motion by making the same peace sign it had given her. The sharp snort that followed wasn''t the exact response she expected, the man turning back his look saying he''d tired of her.

    Izime gave the alien his full attention, tugging his guitar up a bit further with his free hand. Careful to reach upwards and not lift the bottom of the soft case, not wanting to look like he was reaching. Still, no thought of surrendering to the psychic crossed his mind, he certainly didn''t plan on giving her a valid excuse.

    Refusing to relinquish dinner in the face of the hero, he simply gestured towards the sign though it was backward on the door.

    "I really can''t, it''s not allowed unless you''re taking over this shop." Izime rolled his eyes, a bit depressed he was using his homeless status in this way. Still, talk-fu was one of the best tactics out there when it was your livelihood at stake, and you couldn''t really afford to fight.

    Psyis tilted her head trying to read the sign though the ''gniretiol on\sselemoh on'' wasn''t making a whole lot of sense to her. Glancing between the shop owner whose mind was blanked out with fear and the man she couldn''t read. There was no shortcut to an answer available, white mohawk swishing as she looked back towards the window trying to spell it out properly.

    "N-n-n-noo its f-f-fine." The shop owner stuttered, quickly realizing what the man was indicating. The stenciled ''no homeless/no loitering'' was still plainly there in bright red regardless of how fiercely he tried to wave them away.

    Psyis stopped her efforts as she read the reason from the cook''s mind, along with the twinge of happiness that the homeless man was still leaving regardless of the owners offer to let him stay. The hero bit her lip as she''d been used to kick a homeless man out, it was more than just some average person but still.

    It wasn''t a comfortable feeling to be the convenient reason someone was kicked out into the cold.

    Psyis anger chilling just a bit as she began to replay just who had done what in the store.

    The man was obviously hungry and had only come to eat and she''d...

    Psyis looked back out the window as she tried to avoid her self-reflection. He was right, she had come in looking for a fight, even excited about finding it and having that chance to get some action. Still, he was also wrong, she hadn''t needed his help and what''s more the damned man''s attitude was unacceptable.

    Red eyes avoided their own reflections as Psyis refused to relinquish all of her anger.

    "Chill man, I''m not fighting anyone." Izime patted the air, looking at the owner while the psychic still struggled to read backward. "And Cradle needs to work off whatever happened to it so I''m not planning on staying anyway."

    Finally turning towards the psychic who was still fuming, not quite as cross as she had been before. Though Izime figured that excuse would only last as long as she felt like it should, which would be maybe five seconds at best.

    Making the most of that time Izime tried to clear away any bad blood while explaining his reasoning in plain words.

    "I stopped Crusher because I thought I needed to Miss Psyis. Fine, I didn''t help you but I wasn''t running the risk with everything else going on, so I made my move. Here''s a bigger point, I didn''t hurt anyone innocent and stopped Crusher, all that during the shit-show last night?" Izime rescinded his ''help'' instead of just shouldering his actions as his own, giving a tired sigh before he continued.

    Swallowing and taking a breath as stupid purple made him break another rule: no taking sides.

    "That''s saying something." Izime was well aware that painting himself as assisting the heroes was putting one foot solidly on their turf. Psyis wasn''t the first hero he''d been directly involved with, but he hadn''t shown up on business.

    Dropping in at some ''rented'' apartment with an idea to hock toxin or popping by N.Y.C. with a blueprint for some broken down gizmo web-boy could whip up for him.

    "There''s no reason to hold me against my will and what I assume is mentally assault Cradle and myself in some fashion. The whys don''t just belong to you because you''re used to taking them from everyone else without a question." Izime didn''t bother trying to force the door, instead carefully curling his free arm under his upset companion so he had his runic hand free.

    "I don''t know you so leave me alone." Giving a final nod Izime snapped, leaving the famous psychic standing there still trying to find her words.

    Psyis blinked as the man she had intended to restrain was instead replaced with a few lingering sparks. The thoughts she''d had about her actions disappeared as she looked over towards the door she''d wasted her power on. Her efforts at locking and sealing the area had been laughable, no wonder he snorted, what use was a locked door against a magician.

    The man simply snapped out in a small shower of sparked reality after giving her a dressing down. He''d paid and sassed her one final time without even bothering to tip!

    Psyis looking back to the still as a statue shop owner both of them blinking for a moment before looking down at the receipt in his hands.

    "I..." The shop owner simply shrugged not sure what kind of Villain he might be making an enemy of. Simply not wanting to give a reason for the remaining half of the problem to level his family''s shop.

    Holding out the paper the cook wondered how the noodle business got so damned dangerous. "Hell, you can read minds what''s the use lady."

    Simply glad that handing the receipt to Centropolis'' Angel brought a smile to her face instead of that cold look that made it seem like he would be moving shops unwillingly. The man quickly moved to start bagging the second set of three boxes as fast as he could, glad now that she''d ordered the same thing and he''d been able to cook it all at once.

    If he was fast enough then maybe she''d be outside before she realized!

    "I''m glad someone in here has some respect." Psyis reached out and carefully read over the information presented on the paper. Turning it in a few different directions before realizing the little clumps of printed zeros made a raven''s head mid-caw.

    "Haaaaah." Psyis tried to keep her calm though it was slipping further, the inside of her lip peeling a bit as the mocking little head slowly crinkled under her grasp.

    "Y-your noodles?" The cook held up another bag shakily, that tell-tale sigh of a woman''s scorn reaching its peak, the siren signaling that he''d been just a bit too slow. Whatever the man had done, that bird being a snarky shit to a super-powered woman was probably the worst idea yet.

    That weird bird had just earned a noise the cook had only heard twice, each time from his wife, and neither time had ended well. A sound he remembered hauntingly as each of those sighs had come from a different wife and after..well, he was currently on his third marriage.

    Hopefully the poor guy was better at arguing than he''d been, that sigh meant their little talk certainly wasn''t over. That or he''d at least make it a good distance away before being chased down by the otherworldly woman

    Red eyes looked towards the ceiling as Psyis turned back the cook''s shaky voice reminding her not only had she just lost her target. The smile she was giving was razor-thin as she politely took the bag, before snatching her receipt. She had lost the target, and it had cost her...

    OK, that wasn''t so bad, the combo bowl did sound good. Maybe not three sets good, but the pepper and beef lo mein was a solid choice.

    "Thank you." Psyis took the offered bag and paid the still trembling man, walking outside and watching a few cars pass before promptly chucking the bag into the trash outside. Her tongue ran across her teeth angrily as she recalled the sarcastic little peace sign he''d given. Cursing at the street as she formed a plan, "Fuck that asshole''s tastes this is not over, stupid purple my left gill."

    Tensing her legs Psyis let out a thessian curse, wrapping her powers around herself and growling in frustration she glanced skywards.The extra oxygen she''d exhaled passed through her clothes as an alien body flushed its system with fresh oxygen in preparation for a fight.

    Psyis huffing so hard that her hoodie did flare a bit because of those gills.

    Voltham can bill me for the crater.

    Psyis thought, not caring how quickly she got over the city. Just knowing she couldn''t scan at full power here, not at ground level. It would be an issue to accidentally level a block when she swept the entirety of Voltham at once for this fucker and his stupid bird. She leaped toward the sky, flying through the smog.

    The wind whistled by loud enough that it drowned out the car alarms almost immediately as she rapidly climbed in altitude. Looking down as the buildings shrunk, city blocks now the size of the cartons she''d just thrown away; Psyis stopped her ascent.

    "Alright bird boy," Psyis held on hand against her temple and held the palm of the other towards the city. "Let''s see who''s stupid now."

    Red eyes went wide as her anger poured in, cheeks tinged magenta in effort as a dense purple half-shell blasted down.

    Widening to land across the city in an invisible but surprisingly powerful pulse. Psyis bit her lips as she realized she may have just overdone things a bit. The air had clearly distorted as her sweep crashed down over the entire miles wide spread of Voltham.The faint chorus of thousands of car alarms activating at once reaching her even up here in the clouds.

    A symphony that told of incoming regret, its lyrics understood by her and that asshole alone.

    The rest of the city was likely in a slight panic wondering what had just happened and which villain was to blame.

    "Dark Night''s going to be flipping his cowl." Psyis pulled out her phone wanting to get ahead of the problem, giving a hasty glance towards Blane Tower in the distance.

    Wondering exactly where she should begin, but knowing she certainly wasn''t going to start with her jumping the gun. The change in plans maybe? The update in information? Two targets that were separate and while not exactly hostile they were very rude. Certainly, suspicious after last night as well, and if they moved quickly?

    They could even catch him while he was eating.

    Pulling out her phone she decided to send a quick text to Stan Blane''s private line reserved for missions and emergencies. Condensing the mental list of traits into seven words she typed.

    {[Found it, tracking difficult sorry big pulse coming again.]}

    Pressing send Psyis quickly prepared her powers once more though this time a bit more reasonably as she focused on certain areas. Her powers touched down like a spotted carpet across the city this time. Thinking it might follow it on the same odd random jumping pattern it had taken last night Psyis released another more detailed pulse.

    Comparing the patterns of Voltham she had memorized from the earlier one against this newest, looking for the hole in the mental picture.

    Psyis stopped her ideas in their tracks as there was no need for a third pulse or any pattern at all.

    The void had simply moved to a dead-end alley not far from the noodle shop and wasn''t leaving. Not a great place to be in Voltham and certainly not the prime location for an evening meal.

    A decent place to box yourself in for a fight though he didn''t appear to be preparing for a fight.

    The thessian felt the void, sitting down instead with his takeout, the chance clearly there to run between pulses.

    He hadn''t run away even given the gap as she''d texted, instead, it seemed he was finally starting the meal she''d interrupted. The difference in what she''d expected once again made Psyis take a step back from the situation and put herself in his shoes, filthy as they were. He made her angry sure but looking at it now, maybe he did have a point about her reasoning, even admitted he hadn''t actually helped.

    Psyis held the phone a bit tighter as she looked down and considered her options now. Dark Night was already aware she''d found it let alone the trouble she''d caused here in Voltham.

    The man in yellow had a point too, at least from his point of view

    She had been the one to burst in, the man had not even complained about the ruined chance of a warm meal indoors. Psyis bit her lip as she remembered that was wrong, he couldn''t have eaten in there anyway. The shop owner had clearly not wanted him there, though he''d been willing to lie over it to keep the peace; not like Dark Night would care who had come to attack who though.

    Psyis recalled how the noodle chef had intended to separate them even before they''d started talking. The idiot, he''d already known the owner wanted him well away and even told her he''d had to leave. The sign was clearly and plainly written, he probably went through a few questions just to order that meal in the first place.

    The only real requests he''d made were that she refrain from using her pulses to irritate his bird and to leave him alone general. He''d even chastised the bird over the little show of powers so reminding her to not invade his right to privacy without a reason was reasonable. Now she''d ignored his last request entirely and planned to drag two other heroes in to bug him.

    Not much of a surprise he''d vanished in the shop, having to deal with that.

    Now with her pulses and texting Dark Squire and Dark Night as well?

    What kind of hero went and ruined a homeless man''s meal and fought with his pet bird? Chasing him off only to do it all over a second time?

    Psyis rubbed at her temples, not sure if it was the sudden use of her full strength or the moral whiplash that was giving her a headache. Only sure she was going to head back down there and finish having this ''introduction'' out, properly this time. Psyis knew she had to get something to hand over to Dark Night to excuse that level of power use.

    At least she might be able to get a name as technically he hadn''t done anything wrong by her own standards, even her hero standards.

    Maybe tampering with evidence at best but that was purely civilian which the man in yellow obviously wasn''t.

    He''d taken down Crusher at least, which definitely outweighed the issue with taking FearForm''s trap and showed some skill.

    Though there was the body they had found at the processing plant, there had been quite a few bodies though. That one''s death just hadn''t been caused by a comrade''s toxin-induced friendly fire, so it was odd. Psyis had ended a few lives as well though both human and alien, and no one had chased her down.

    Certainly not something that deserved a trio of supers chasing him down. Psyis didn''t hold herself to Dark Night''s unreasonable moral code.

    The math behind the gloomy capes quote was stupid in its own right and wouldn''t pass a logic check.

    Psyis pulled out her phone a second time as she realized there would soon be a party of upper-level supers crashing a dumpster dinner. Typing as she slowly descended, she sent another quick message to Stan. She hoped the two took their time at least, knowing that Steven was likely going to completely ignore the implications that she had in hand. It was only a matter of time until at least one of them showed up.

    {[Going to talk. Will contact for backup if need]}.

    Psyis was dead set on having at least some form of communication with the idiot below before that happened, dropping further and a bit faster.

    The wind passed by much slower as she finally lowered herself to a nearby roof, looking down to observe the man a bit further. Touching down to catch a bit of the conversation drifting up from below, the man still chastising the raven for its own instigation.

    She couldn''t help but frown a bit as she recalled her earlier thoughts, though it did soften a bit as she heard the two interact.

    It hadn''t been entirely the raven''s fault and he was still chastising it. The nature of their relationship was obviously very close. Even if one was an impossible machine and the other a possible human. Brushing away the long white hair that was blown in her way by the rooftop breeze she glanced below to watch quietly as a yellow figure sidestepped a raven.

    His finger wagged in disappointment as he poked the killer machine; the absolute idiot that he was.

    Psyis felt her lips curl; she could make names up too.

 Exchanging Names at Last

    "Come on Cradle." Izime scratched at the black beak that was nipping at him accusingly, "She''s way out of our league both of ours, that''s Miss Psyis."

    Izime still refused to release the bird as Miss Psyis'' little tantrum had riled it up once more. The bundle of black metal feathers looked all the more puffed and chicken-like the longer it wiggled about attempting to escape.

    Sighing with his own frustrations Izime glanced around the alley they''d ducked into, a few cans and papers still settling.

    Disturbed by the psychic pulse that had no doubt been looking for him.

    "Fight good." Cradle croaked back not quite convinced the two couldn''t hold their own against the alien. Squirming still, it was cooling off a bit though. The ruffling of Cradles struggles its own form of self-inflicted punishment, all that careful preening ruined.

    No longer so agitated at the alien that had tried to invade its bond that it was willing to directly disobey, though that massive blast had certainly been one loud call it still didn''t get through their bond. The shielding nanites still absorbing and wasting away the thessian''s energy.

    Now it just wanted down so it could fix all the plumage that had been mussed about during Izime''s cradling of it.

    "You sure do but not her," Izime nodded sitting down the bag of food so he could give the raven''s crop a good rub, sill stern in his refusal but proud of his bond''s fierce nature. Ordering Cradle to burn off that angry energy quickly, "Now stay down here and get all that fight out of your system."

    Izime gave a slight toss of the balled raven, forcing Cradle to take to wing.

    Watching as the bird cut an impossibly tight circle in the narrow alley and landed back near him. Hopping around for a moment before fluttering over to the bag of take-out he had just placed down.

    Izime''s slight irritation at Cradle''s disobeying disappeared as soon as the raven opened its beak, the bird equally worried about him.

    "Eat." Cradle ordered back happy to share in the cycle of care. With a hop towards the bags of noodles, Izime had sat down; Cradle gave them a few cursory pecks. Finally managing to pop one of the boxes open, it nodded at Izime with pride, "Eat"

    Giving a few flaps Cradle took off a little ways, landing on the edge of the dumpster for a moment before taking off once again. This time doing a tiny loop in the narrow alley, making sure it listened to Izime''s orders to fly low and play about.

    Cradle kept itself well down inside the alley and performed a little aerial display for Izime.

    "I will," Izime clapped his hands to get the raven''s attention as it picked up speed. Not wanting Cradle to get too excited and decide to fly off, picking a fight with a certain alien. "But you play down low and no scanning, you two were fighting over that shit, and. We. Don''t. Start. Fights. Cradle is a good bird."

    Izime ignored the taunting Cradle was doing as the raven was indeed playing low, directly near his head. Instead reaching out and grabbing the box Cradle had opened out of the plastic bag.

    Looking around for a moment inside he found the wrapped chopsticks beside a chilled bottle of water.

    Sitting the box on the edge of the nearby dumpster Izime tore the sticks apart and tossed the paper in, before sitting down against the dark green steel to eat.

    Smells be damned he was probably a few days away from passing out from not malnutrition again. Actual nutrients and not just calories of some kind were a necessity right now for him.

    Glancing up Izime stopped during his second bite, Cradle''s voice bringing his attention to the bird.

    Who was currently doing a surprisingly accurate impression of a woodchipper combined with a blender, all while still flying.

    "Fight good," Cradle called back passing its bond as it slowed its flight, letting the various feathered blades twirl about just to prove its point.

    "If we get hit, we hit back, but no starting fights not even name-calling," Izime shook his head denying the raven again, carefully standing so he didn''t spill his box of noodles. "Cradle is a good birdie not a mean birdie."

    With zero thought to the feathers of death, Izime walked over blocking the bird physically mid-flight. Smiling as Cradle halted midair, Izime gave it an admonishing with his chopsticks. First a tap on the head before giving the hovering mech-raven a poke in the midsection before it hovered higher to escape.

    Izime paused for a moment eyes leaving Cradle as he looked at the shadows that stretched along the bricks.

    Ignoring the happy wiggles Cradle was giving at the title of good birdie, eyes drawn to the part of the shadow that wasn''t straight-lined.

    Fuck I just needed to eat.

    Izime thought to himself as he tried to shove the noodles in just that tiny bit faster. At least wanted to make the most of the now familiar-looking hooded silhouette staying above them in the alley, not just dropping in to harass them again.

    "Cradle, go play far!" Izime waved his hand trying to conceal his anger as he quickly finished his first box of noodles. Hoping the bird would simply take the chance to roam around Voltham freely.

    The bond was closed tight enough that Cradle wouldn''t be able to sense his thoughts about their company, but this needed to be settled without the bird around for now.

    Apparently, she wanted it settled as well, so Izme tried to send his more aggravated half away. Cradle was obviously still looking for a fight something Izime could have happening.

    Izime wiped the sauce off his mouth and took a few swigs from the bottle of water in the bag before tossing it back into the bag.

    Giving an expectant look at the still-waiting raven, Izime gestured again to take the opportunity with a bit softer tone this time. "Go play, go eat Cradle."

    "Play low?" Cradle landed on the nearby dumpster tilting its head in confusion. Izime had definitely told it to stay low because he knew Stupid Purple was searching. Even Izime had felt the pulse earlier and now he said Cradle could go high?

    "Not anymore, this is important so listen. Go play somewhere for 1 hour and actually play, no scanning none! You can even go eat at the snack on some radio towers or something, I''ll be fine," Izime said as he waggled his fingers, hoping Cradle still trusted his snaps despite the time it had failed them.

    Giving a pause Izime considered who he was about to talk to he instructed Cradle further, "If I''m not here call me."

    Cradle hopped down to the street, pausing for a moment not sure it had been that good and almost positive something else was going on; all the same, it didn''t want to waste the opportunity.

    Eating items off the forbidden menu was reserved for special occasions like its hatching day, so it was best to take to the air now while Izime was still being really generous.

    With a final hop, Cradle decided to depart giving a tilting look back before bolting away.

    "Eat!" A black streak cried joyfully as it rocketed out of the alley.

    Psyis heard the bird go flying off, a bit shocked at the sudden speed the black streak left the alley with. Ducking from the current of air that followed before risking a glance back down into the alley, only to see another face looking back up at her.

    Izime breathed out of his nose in frustration, ignoring the warmth of Thai chilies as they worked their way out his nose.

    The hood of his coat crinkled slightly as his neck was tilted, eyes watching that bit of white that had made their eavesdropped so easily identifiable. The long mohawk waving gently in the unshielded winds of the roof, Izime had figured she''d be by quickly but not immediately.

    At least figuring he''d had time to eat before... well he was working on super-hero time here so maybe it should have been expected.

    "Do I need to talk you down too?" Izime called up loudly, glaring at the purple face that was looking down at him, "If you can be nice, I''ll talk for a bit."

    Izime''s eyes went wide as the thessian jumped from the roof and just fell, that crazy woman! White mohawk standing properly as she descended from the air rushing past. Even her hoodie billowing and giving Izime a rather embarrassing view under her shirt.

    Teal eyes quickly glanced away from a toned and two-toned midsection towards the more comfortable bricks.

    "I." Psyis started to yell back down, giving a cautious glance towards the sky before simply shaking her head and hopping off the roof. The bird had disappeared already and certainly hadn''t heard her, probably hadn''t even seen her if it''d left at that speed.

    Looking down to see the ground as it came whistling towards her, trying to stifle a laugh as the man quickly backpedaled away from her landing spot as she had just let gravity take her. Halting just a hair''s breadth from the pavement Psyis caught herself and brushed at the wrinkles her fall had caused.

    "I''m sorry about the thing at the noodle shop." Psyis offered her own attempt at a conversational truce at least, brushing her hair out of the way as she led in with an apology. Pulling her hoodie a bit straighter before finally releasing her grip and allowing her feet to touch the street below her.

    Brows holding steady but tensely as Psyis tried a proper introduction this time, an attempt at keeping her cool instead of just coming in capes drawn. She wasn''t going to offer some excuse, that Steven had upset her or she had been looking for a fight.

    Those were both childish and one the man had no reason to hear, the other was an even worse excuse for involving him.

    Still, she had to get something to show for the trouble she''d caused Dark Night without causing more trouble now.

    "I can promise you Cradle is not so don''t poke my bird and don''t poke me." Izime shook his head at the psychic''s shallow apology gesturing with one hand while reaching for more noodles with his other.

    "Really, can''t even say I''m OK with the concept of you kicking in a door to just kick in someone''s mental doors without a valii...i"Izime trailed off his hand stopping, giving a sideways look at the alien''s empty arms.

    The alien had ordered the same as him, a triple bowl of Thai pepper beef lo mein. Izime knew how fast he could eat and for once found himself hoping someone could eat faster than him, though he knew what the more likely option was.

    Psyis was at first upset that he''d tossed aside her apology, again the man was just dead set on being rude. That flicker of anger lasted only a second as Psyis finally got the first real response out of him, the brown eyes furrowing as his teal eyes ran over her arms and to her hands before returning.

    Giving her an accusatory glare that had tripped her irritation mid-slide; she hadn''t done anything this time!

    "Where are your noodles?" Izime asked after taking a steadying breath, doubt slowing his words as he already knew what the answer was, she didn''t even smell like chilies.

    Anger seeping into Izime''s bones, not even wanting to look at the hero anymore. Everyone here was so damned wasteful towards damned near everything, with no respect for the cards luck had handed them with this reality.

    "I um..." Psyis looked back down the alley, it wasn''t far, but that sidewalk trashcan had looked, well wet was probably the best description. Shame crept in as she decided to finish answering him honestly, "threw them away."

    Holding her head a bit lower in shame as she saw the expected reaction come; she had fucked up once again.

    Psyis watched as the homeless man''s shoulders dropped with nothing but absolute disappointment in her.

    The noise she had waited for didn''t, however. Instead of cursing or yelling he immediately closed his bag back with a hard twist. Glancing at the street and the trash around them as he took a deep breath, obviously trying to calm himself.

    Casting her the occasional quick glance before rubbing at his face and ordering her to remain. Though with a much softer tone that carried the heavy weight of helplessness with that disappointment.

    "I..you just," Izime shook his head running a hand through his hair in sheer agitation as he considered his options. Seeing as Stupid Purple had decided to earn her name solidly this time and waste food. Izime stomped past her pointing at the alien and then at the ground as he made a decision. "You stay here."

    Izime recalled the front of the shop and snapped his fingers. It wasn''t a thing he usually did, using magic so openly and appearing at a busy intersection but it''d only take a minute, and honestly?

    The thessian had pissed him off well and good now.

    The first alien he''d met living any sort of decent life one earth, and she was no better than the Lux Winthor; wasteful and ignorant of all they''d been blessed with.

    Psyis kept looking at the bag of perfectly good food the man had just left behind with a snap, his intentions obvious.

    Harassing him had been forgivable, probably usual considering how he dressed. Maybe the who and why behind the harassment was a bit unexpected but that hadn''t crossed his line. Pitching an entire bag of food certainly had.

    A few minutes passed, the noodles sitting in the bag reaching out with their beefy goodness and cursing her with a twinge of hunger. The order had looked good, and she''d trashed it for the stupidest reasons. Dark Night and Dark Squire could have waited.

    It wasn''t like it had even ran and if she''d been a bit more reasonable, she could have just taken the bag with her; if she hadn''t wanted it she could have given it away.

    A still unfamiliar crackle behind Psyis giving her a start though she wasn''t really surprised when she turned to see a very judgmental pair of teal eyes passing her.

    The bits of dirt drew darker lines in his frown as he stormed past her, a familiar bag in his hands with bits of other refuse still stuck to it. A bit of something dark and thick pooling in a corner of the clear plastic, whatever it was it certainly was cola.

    Walking over to the dumpster he looked between the two bags as if deciding something. Psyis swallowed dryly as she considered what she might do in such a situation.

    Punishments should fit the crime after all, so it would be deserved to make her finish the meal she had bought.

    "I don''t care if you aren''t hungry." Izime sat the trashed bag down, pulling out a half-crushed paper box. He wasn''t that cruel, though being a bit of a demon gave an advantage to psychological warfare. Izime intending to take the psychic on an entire guilt cruise let alone a simple trip, complete with multiple stops and a dinner show.

    It was at least the better looking out of the three; nodding Izime looked at one of his own un-trashed containers and threatened the psychic, "You ordered it you''re gonna eat it."

    Taking his chopsticks and pouring a bit of water over them Izime gave them a hard shake before wiping them on his pants.

    Popping the the top of the nicer box he stuffed them inside.

    Finally taking both he walked back over to the Miss Psyis with every intention of making her eat crow. Psyis avoided even looking as he approached, the weight in those eyes feeling like a headman''s ax. Izime stopped raising a brow, just a foot away and she still hadn''t spared him a glance. That was fine the psychic didn''t need to look, she was the hero after all; she could handle a bit of crow.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    The stupid alien had pushed his buttons since they''d met, so this seemed fair after all the trouble she''d caused.

    Izime looked at the boxes of food as he tried to recall the entire speech he had prepared in the meantime, wanting to play the proper villain at this exact moment.

    "I know a little girl in Centropolis that would fight her dad and me before she''d ever believe The Miss Psyis would be anything less than perfect. Her hero would never waste a bite let alone three meals. We''ve been using you to convince her to eat onions for years, you can''t finish a box of noodles?" Izime gave the noodles a few shakes of guilt before shoving the untrashed box of noodles into the alien''s chest.

    Ignoring the soft cushion Izime applied a bit of force, not asking as he ordered the heroine. "Eat it."

    "I... uh" Psyis looked down at the box she was being ''punished'' with as the soft paper box folded slightly, the force pushing against her hoodie and into the valley of her chest. The unwrapped and already used chopsticks were a bit uncomfortable but he had cleaned them as best he could.

    That was the worst of it, however; the box in Izime''s hand was actually exposed to everything in that trashcan.

    The paper already holding a dark stain from that liquid goop in the bag.

    Though that opposite hand was currently driving a box of noodles into her cleavage; Psyis briefly thought about chastising him for thinking he was slick. Red brows furrowing only to relax, finding a face that had none of her discomforts. She didn''t need to read the man''s mind to know he wasn''t using this as an excuse to get close to her, this was an entirely noodle-focused situation.

    The man''s gentle push built as the box crinkled further, his gaze on her not faltering in the slightest.

    "That man cooked two orders, and we scared the shit out of him so someone''s eating them and you were half the problem if not the whole damned thing. I don''t care about the trash, not one bit," Izime pinched a clump of noodles between his fingers nodding towards the good carton, "and I''m not getting my ass kicked by Shya because I made her hero eat trash like us, even if that would be the better lesson. Eat the damned noodles Psyis."

    Izime quickly pulled his hand free as two purple and blue striped hands reached up to take the box, a bit surprised to not hear any more arguments.

    Even more surprised to see the alien actually take the chopsticks in her delicate-looking hands, watching as she carefully swirled a clump of noodles. Giving a curious sniff as she eyed the thin strips of beef mixed in with the lo-mein and herbs, all coated in a heavy reddish oil. The tones on her lips swirling, Izime watching as Psyis opened them to take a bite.

    Psyis wondered for a moment who was the hero here, not that Izime had saved the day but where exactly had he learned that level of attitude that could talk down to someone like her?

    No, he wasn''t a hero but what kind of monster would she be if she went against him now that he''d made such good points?

    Wasting food that she knew very well others on her planet were dying for quite literally. She wasn''t going to refute him, the argument he''d made was solid if personally based and besides, the noodles smelled really good.

    Psyis glanced at the spicy-smelling noodles before finally stuffing the entire clump in her mouth and chewing thoughtfully.

    Her Eyes roamed about the alley idly before risking a look for half a second, covering her mouth in embarrassment as she caught an eager nod from her side. The peppers were the perfect touch of heat and something she''d have ordered herself, though it seemed her pleased look had only inflated his ego further.

    The man''s next words were still irritating, somehow, even when he was being nice.

    "Told you I had good tastes." Izime felt his smirk widen as the Thai chilis the cook had added extra f started to kick in. The psychic''s purple and blue cheeks blurred in with a mix of magenta as the heat from the chili filled her body.

    Izime finished filling his mouth before sucking his fingers clean of the delicious oils that had dripped over them. Noodles weren''t exactly finger food but that hardly stopped a dedicated individual. He quickly stuffed in two more finger fulls before he even attempted to chew.

    Not ashamed in the least after the few years of being in this world. If someone wanted to get judgy they could go a round with the strangelettes and get back to him, see how much they cared about table manners after that very table changed its state of matter.

    Until then he''d just keep eating and mind his own business just like they should.

    Watching the man literally stuff his face full, at first Psyis was a bit disgusted at the clash between his attitude and behavior, then a bit of worry crossed her mind.

    Placing the chopsticks back in her own box she went ahead an asked, thoughts of getting information falling second to that uncomfortable worry. "When was the last time you ate?"

    "Dun''member" Izime shrugged while trying to talk through a mouth full of noodles, not really concerned about satisfying a sensation he didn''t feel anymore.

    It had been annoying the years he''d dealt with it, now living a bit in between for both form and function was certainly more comfortable. Sometimes it became an issue when he needed to do delicate work and had the shakes or started having difficulty thinking.

    Beyond that, Izime knew his own efficiency had increased. Much less time worried about eating to devote to other things. Izime was thankful he was avoiding a good portion of the massive time sink that most carbon-based forms dealt with.

    Sure, there were some problems, but the drawbacks were minor in comparison to the abilities Cradle had given him.

    What was hunger compared to thermal imaging and the always active access they shared to the internet, galactic info-web, and the thousands of other cool tricks he could now do again?

    For a natural-born human, the flood of information might be a bit daunting, or the loss of naturally felt instincts disturbing.

    Izime eas different, he''d been closer to Cradle than a human at first, and that slice of familiarity was a comforting feeling in this wild-ass world.

    "At least a month unless you''re counting Jovian Caloric-cubes." Izime searched his mind for the last actual human meal he had eaten, figuring the beans he had lost didn''t count anymore.

    The caloric-cubes were almost a comfort food considering the mold blocks he''d been raised on, as for human food... maybe when he had first gotten back in Centropolis as celebrated with Wesson and Shya?

    "McRonalds." Izime explained while his hand chased that talking mouth with a pinch of noodles, finally stuffing them in after he''d finished.

    Yeah, that was it!

    Izime nodded still chewing for a moment longer, then he paused before gesturing with sauce dripping from his fingers to continue, "Wesson and Shya wanted ice cream, so I snapped to five or six different McRonalds to check their ice cream machines. There was only one on the far side of Gateway, that was a hell of a walk with a nine-year-old."

    "Gateway Bridge in Centropolis?" Psyis cocked her head finally picking her chopsticks back up to work on her own box as well. Brows raised as she realized she wasn''t the only person from Centropolis here at work, the man hadn''t been following her like Dark Night had tried to lead her to believe.

    "Yep" Izime put a little pop on the ''p'' as he tossed the now empty box into the dumpster, hoping humanizing himself for the hero would at least get her to pull her claws back.

    There was probably little point in lying to the psychic anyway, if she ever did meet Wesson the man would be an open book. Finally deciding the information, he had shared was safe enough he sat the box on the dumpster and prepared himself.

    The flip side of not feeling hungry was not feeling full as well and this would be his third box. Izime raised his arms and stretched, letting his stomach adjust as he physically prepared to tackle the end of his meal.

    Grabbing another box Izime kept his ears trained to the noises behind him.

    Psyis quickly pulled out her phone, not wanting the Dark Duo to interrupt her conversation by bursting in all Dark-a-Rangs and Dark-fu on the poor guy. Feeling a bit sorry she''d blown her lid after Steven''s little show, though this idiot certainly hadn''t done anything to help himself. They were still having a decent conversation right now and there was no reason to let the Dark Duo come in capes blazing.

    Clicking through her messages she tensed as she read Steven''s many replies and Stan''s one. It was too late as it seemed Stan was already back from the Blane Tower and apparently done suiting up. Probably finished prepping a vehicle that could touch the clouds to rocket out of the underground even as she read the message.

    "I, or we. Wesson, Shya, and I play in the shopping districts, you should stop by there but only on a weekend. Shya would flip, quite literally." Izime prattled on pretending to be unaware of the psychic using her phone behind him.

    Was it just a thing in this world, the odd ticks that the comic authors had worked in? Were some heroes just ironically not self-aware or... no, that wasn''t it. Izime recalled, there had been a few that typed loudly back then as well. Those advanced monitors on that station trapped in time had silent options too, Izime tasting a bit of similarity between worlds in human nature.

    Or rather the nature of all sentient life to goof occasionally, the alien behind him seemingly unaware the device in her hand had a very clicky keypad.

    "We busk, that''s uh... we play for change from the shoppers. Just some easy cover songs, but I think we''re better than Jamie Torch. Dudes a hack honestly, but still" Izime kept going trying to find enough words to fill the seconds it was taking Psyis to message who he could only assume was one of the Blanes.

    Pretending to pick a few things out of the bag in the meantime, just tearing some bits of a napkin as he continued, "Usually scores us enough to keep Shya in decent clothes and both of them out of shelters."

    "Wesson and you are?" Psyis sent a few quick texts that she hoped would at least delay the two. If Psyis could keep him opening up then all she needed to do was take that info back and she could keep both sides happy. Dark Night would have his answers and Izime could just go on about his day. However, that still left the question of how satisfied Dark Night would be with those answers.

    "Family, he''s my brother." Izime nodded happy to explain the relationship, it was a good enough topic to waste the time on. Finally taking the bottle of water and finishing it, now that the phone was safely pocketed, he could get back to eating as annoying as it was.

    "You''ll tell me all this but not your name?" Psyis tried again, seeing as the man was willing to talk about family. Once again pressing him for a name, something more tangible than the idle small talk she was getting, the few leads basically nothing really. Certainly not enough to give Dark Night an excuse for abusing her powers earlier.

    "I don''t do the whole name thing, or the villain hero gimmick stuff." Izime tried to explain why he wasn''t giving a name. He really didn''t have a title or anything like that, and certainly wasn''t involved in that particular scene, at least directly.

    Maybe the salesman or something would have a good ring to it, but that just made it sound like he needed to be in a suit and that was not happening. There were a few names that had been thrown around back in the day, here though he''d rather just stick to being called the nickname he''d chosen. Bell liked to say he was one, so he''d bastardized the word ''bully'' for his own purposes.

    "My actual name is just Psyis." The alien hoped the useless tidbit would even the field between them. The response she got was what she expected, a laughable no.

    "You are also easily identifiable as the five foot eleven lightning patterned Smurf, everyone knows your information thanks to Joey Jamestone." Izime cocked his head and explained while wiping away a bit of noodle and oil, "Kinda sucks you had to do all that publicity stuff just to get the ''razzi of your back though. At least web-boy took the heat for you after a while..."

    Thinking back to what he knew Izime recalled all the headlines about the brain-corrupting alien on the streets of Centropolis, Joey stacking towers of those tabloid releases about the thessian mind invader from N.Y.C to San Diego.

    The man had probably felt so recognized and affirmed when he''d had something actually real to point at and throw his fits about. Though it hadn''t been focused on her heroics but the possible misuse of her powers. Then he''d wound up with a hero on his front doorstep leaving piles of web everywhere so, of course, his focus had shifted.

    The grumpy old bastard couldn''t stand having a teen super on his ''lawn''. Izime''s thoughts about his more tech-creative business partner faded as Psyis asked a question he should have expected.

    "What''s a smurf?" Psyis tilted her head unsure if she was being insulted, never having heard the term, decidedly passing over Izime''s knowledge of her less proud history when she had still been earning her place as a human.

    Jamestone was a complete hack and an asshole, not a person she''d like to casually discuss over noodles.Those angry memories easily heated Psyis more than any number of peppers.

    "Don''t worry about it, just know you''d be the tallest one." Izime waved his hand dismissively not bothering to explain in the slightest; God damned nerds had saved the absolute stupidest things, now who could he talk to about it all? Izime held back his sigh, he had helped them and read it all too; even bothered with remembering that trash.

    Counting the bricks Izime tried to think of who he could blame the finger he was pointing always spun back. Maybe this was all still his fault, if he''d been better, they''d never needed to save anything.

    Now he kept catching himself, bringing things like Smurfs up casually; little stupid pop culture references that just didn''t translate to here. It was an oddly painful punishment for failure. Wesson had taken at least two years to stop asking pointlessly complicated questions like Psyis just had.

    What''s a Smurf, what''s a Yeet, what''s an aura, an Uber, and so on ad nauseum.

    Don''t even get him started on the whole amazon prime talk when there were actual Amazon warriors here; an entire universe of human culture and it was all fifteen degrees of fucked from this one.

    "So can I get your actual name?" Psyis held out her hands helplessly, exasperated as it dawned on her. She was not exactly the best at interrogation when she couldn''t mentally crack her targets.

    "Isshumae" Izime murmured his mind elsewhere before glancing at Psyis, then down at the tail of noodles in his mouth. Slurping them down quickly he beat his chest trying not to choke, ignoring the blush as he reminded himself that talking and eating at the same time wasn''t so easy.

    "Sorry," Izime quickly finished chewing and swallowed, pronouncing the favored nickname properly this time. "My name is Izime, eye''zi''may."

    "No last name?" Psyis already knew she''d need more to go off of, she''d been half-banking on the human disposition to give full names as a greeting.

    "Where''s yours?" Izime shot back without missing a beat, though he already knew the answer; perks of being a comic aficionado outside of this reality from beforehand. Though the fact he had to die to make that knowledge useful was a bit sad.

    "Thessian''s typically don''t gain a second name for a good while, until they''re well into their maturity." Psyis crossed her arms not wanting to explain the intricacies of her species culture to some random homeless magician.

    Psyis mouth dropped a bit as the random homeless magician threw a very personal insult at her, not quite knowing what to say or how to refute the absolutely ignorant words.

    "Oh, so no Psyis Blane yet?" Izime waggled his eyebrows and gave a shit-eating grin, clamping his mouth immediately as he saw the Thessian''s brows furrow to new depths. Quickly apologizing, apparently having direly misjudged the situation "Sorry that was a bit out of line."

    It was common knowledge to Izime at least, Thessians wouldn''t take a second name until they bonded; much like the one he shared with Cradle.

    Just not technologically but naturally through their own species'' psychic means. When they had existed in any number greater than one, the second name had signified the Thessian was fully bonded, the two psychics having individual bodies but essentially one mind.

    Addressing a bonded Thessian by the names of both individuals was proper, the two shared their thoughts constantly so you were talking to both anyway.

    "I..." Psyis'' eyes narrowed as she felt like Izime knew more than he was letting on. The question loaded even by Thessian standards as if the man knew about her intimate life, "that is none of your business."

    Psyis stood quietly, chopsticks working at half-speed while her mind whirled away. Just what did this Izime actually know about her? He''d just dropped Steven''s name as casually as if he''d been the one double dating with them and not Jack Cent and his Martian girlfriend. Her opinions on the homeless man were all a wash as he seemed to honestly apologize for the overstep.

    Though it didn''t explain how he''d known about her and Steven once being in a relationship in the first place.

    "True enough, I crossed a line there..." Izime bowed his head a bit in apology, letting the silence carry for a moment before attempting to recover the topic, "But I really only have the first name."

    Maybe before he could have seen if one of the crew could adopt him, but the decision hadn''t been his to make and time had slipped away before he could ask. Izime was not sure if the food had suddenly gotten tastier or if the memory had actually roused his dead sense of hunger. Simply eating away at his feelings as his mind wandered away from the lost moment in time.

    The two munched for a bit in silence, the chill pulling the steam from the noodles wafting away as cars passed outside the alley. Psyis giving a slight chuckle as she watched the human give a long look at her bottle of water, opening it and handing it over. Psyis raised her own brow towards the peppered beef, the snark not being completely silenced by the question she asked instead of poking fun.

    "So, what do you do with the traps you take?" Psyis finally finished her box of noodles, asking another question as she threw the box away. Walking closer, a bit surprised to find that Izime''s clothes while dirty weren''t badly maintained.

    The visible grime looked like things that couldn''t be easily removed from the tightly woven odd fabric the patch coat was made of. The man himself looked a mess of noodles and flushed face as he looked at the box he had tried to eat with a bit of regret. Psyis tried to find all the boxes in the dumpster discreetly before walking back.

    It was already his fourth. That was a bit of heat but a lot of food, the psychic wondering again about Izime''s health.

    "The ones from last night? Probably sell the tanks of fear toxin to Constanople, the stuff''s a hit in the nine hells and great for dealing. A lot of those cable throwers I''ll sell as is to some bounty hunters off-world." Izime considered some of the more acceptable options he had considered, "The Quiz is actually somewhat famous for having some of the best criminal capture devices this side of Orion''s arm."

    It was a bit regretful to name-drop the exorcist, but he was reputable at least with the Blane''s to some degree and the words were honest enough. The slang-slinging British exorcist paid good money, sometimes. Usually just dropped a bunch of gems on him though before running back to smoke out the demons of hell in yellow fumes.

    Izime was close enough after a few run-ins to mention the anti-hero without too much hesitation.

    "Off-world?" Psyis raised her eyebrows, not quite believing Izime was as widely traveled as he was bragging about. The man got around sure but... off planet was a bit of a milestone for earth-based heroes. If it was true someone besides Constantinople should have been aware of the man, right?

    "Mmm, the Vidan security consulate will probably give me a few thousand in sol credit for the lot but selling them individually lets me price gouge accordingly," Izime explained as he dug around for a pinch with a bit more beef, finally getting a good scoop he continued, "I''ll be in Voltham for a few more weeks so don''t be surprised if you see me around, after that who knows. Maybe hocking some power crystals to the Ring Bearers on Zythomia, in N.Y.C. trading some doohickey for some custom work. Maybe in Centropolis singing that''s my family''s home so..."

    "I''m planning on leaving once we track down FearForm," Psyis explained her own plans, ignoring the vibrating from her pocket for a second time. Appreciating Izime being candid about his activity in her hometown. Not completely willing to call his words a lie, she''d still double check but he seemed to be telling the truth.

    At least as far as a psychic whose powers couldn''t work on him could tell.

    There were some names there she''d recognized. Hell, working with a Green Ring who had to report to Zythomia, it was a planet she had visited before herself. She could easily see the galactic police force from Viidan purchasing a batch of high-end non-lethal detainment devices. Let alone all the individual bounty hunters who were out catching minor criminals.

    They would certainly pay a hefty sum for a high-end toy that made their job easier. Exactly like The Quiz''s classic cable throwers.

    "At least use a personal shield this time." Izime tapped his chin while he considered the psychic''s predicament last night, trying to wrap up their talk with the issues he had, "Stressing your powers with secondary charges is probably going to be FearForm''s move now that he knows you''re in Voltham."

    "I can handle myself." Psyis rolled her eyes giving the struggling not-hero a loaded look from head to toe, considering Izime''s advice with a hint of disdain, "What about you and Crusher?"

    The man seemed to be a low-level magician with some decent skills and a very high-end pet. Sure, he had an opinion but was it really useful to someone who could just stop the bullets he needed to dodge? If Crusher got a hold of Izime and all the protection he had was a low-end spell and no Cradle?

    Psyis could at least hit back harder than the wrestler could hit her, Izime was just a punching bag.

    "I''ll be fine I accepted the risk but remember it''s not your funeral if you get dosed or going to be just yours." Izime tried to adjust the edge of his point, giving the alien a sideways look while tossing the third empty box. Glancing upwards in explanation he continued, "Anyone you get a hold of until Dark Night or Radiation Man shows up to bring you down is at risk."

    Psyis was about to respond until she saw Izime look up, turning to see a somewhat familiar bird flying in small circles above them. The alien tensing, the hour certainly wasn''t up so there was no reason for Izime''s bond to return unless there was a problem.

    There was one, Psyis realizing why the topic had suddenly changed. She had messaged for back-up earlier and it was getting close enough that Izime was calling a close to this impromptu meet.

    Psyis turned wanting to explain that she hadn''t intended to try and play for time, the entire talk was just an attempt at reconciling her earlier actions. At least to get that in and not end on another sour note, a bit self-conscious as she had no clue how he currently felt. Coughing slightly Psyis saw Izime giving her a knowing look as the alien tried to take the floor as steadily as she could.

    "I contacted them before, when I didn''t know we were just going to talk and... I''m sorry again." Psyis let her head fall to the side a bit knowing she couldn''t undo what she had done. Dark Night was already enroute and with Cradle around there was no missing his approach. Brushing her hair out of her eyes as Izime gave her a thoughtful frown.

    "Well, it was a talk, one of the talks of all time but I think the Dark Duo is coming to do more than just chat, so I''ve got to get going." Izime gave Psyis'' apology a bit of consideration before pointing at her with a finger-gun, guitar case already back over his shoulder and holding what remained of his dinner,

    "Thanks for the little chat, next time let''s do this without the whole set-up OK?" Pulling his hand back up Izime snapped away while reaching out to Cradle through their bond. Directing the raven to completely avoid the area and return to the sealed underground safe house, before adding an addition not wanting to give Cradle an excuse.

    Go straight to the sewers.

    Leave her alone.

    Stupid Purple.

    Izime couldn''t help but laugh and agree as he reached for the light switch in the dark. Cradle obviously still on guard against the thessian that had snuck under its detection and riled it up. Personal Izime was more concerned with the contents of his sealed box, was it safe to keep the food in the same box as the questionable nanites?

    Was it even temperature controlled, probably not but a vacuum was still decent storage, right?

    Izime decided that worrying about his fresh food stockpile was more productive than wasting his thoughts on the purple alien.

 Inviting Trouble

    Steven Blane clenched his fists in frustration while he looked at the woman who had once been his fellow member in the Y.P.S. now a sorry excuse of the heroine she''d trained so hard to become.

    The Young Planetary Saviors were supposed to be the backup in-training replacements for the actual League of Planetary Saviors. Here he stood watching the woman he looked up to, respected even, trying to explain her attempt in tracking and interrogation. Red eyes searched the floor for an excuse Steven knew didn''t exist as a striped hand awkwardly rubbed at a hoodied arm.

    It was almost impossible to believe she''d ever been promoted to the League of Saviors proper let alone before him.

    Closing his eyes in sheer irritability even Steven couldn''t excuse her this time, there was no attempt at any kind of secrecy. After blasting the entire city of Voltham with a mental search twice, causing no small amount of alarm, the most she had to show for it was a name and a contact. One that was likely fake, the only thing they had accomplished was giving their target every single advantage on a silver platter.

    "You were in over your head," Steven couldn''t help himself, shaking his head as he finally voiced his disappointment, "so far over your head Psy. What the hell were you thinking?"

    "What wa-!?" Psyis looked up at the lesser half of the equation that had ruined her talk, defensively attacking their attempts. "Yes, I was rash, fine Steven. How were you planning on finding him, weeks of camera tracking while you trying and calculate the perfect little fixed schedule or path?

    Turning to Stan now, daring the tiniest of eye rolls as she laid out the rest of his plots, "Waiting and trying a reactionary plan that locks down a portion of the city with Constantinople''s help which by the way he probably won''t be providing."

    Arms held out in exasperation Psyis threw Stan''s most likely plans in Steven''s face.

    Izime hadn''t acted the least bit concerned about her beyond being mad she was interrupting his meal. Psyis figured the odds were the man stood firmly on a hill of evidence that supported those actions. Either knowing Constantinople would help him or Izime was already prepared to counter any of their powers. Something entirely possible considering he stocked gear from Dark Night himself.

    Any moves they might make were probably already considered and stonewalled by the irritating man.

    "I don''t work on probables" Stan Blane leaned forward in his chair, the chill air of the Dark Cave sharpening his mental focus, "I want to go back to the conversation you had, the little details. Izime knows there''s a connection between Dark Night and Blane Enterprise; he knows our secret identities."

    Stan looked at Steven meaningfully. Their secret identities were of the utmost priority, their security ensured any friends or family stayed safe. It kept rival moguls like Lux Winthor from making moves on both fronts. The tech-reliant philanthropist villain already gave Radiation Man a run for his money, let alone literally attempting to do so with Blane Enterprises.

    "He knew we were a thing." Psyis glanced at Steven before agreeing with Stan''s issue, Izime''s knowledge was invasive to say the least. "Even if he did scavenge some of your things, personal levels of information like that bothered me."

    "If he knows I''m Dark Squire it''s not a surprise he made the connection." Steven waved away the alien''s concern, there wasn''t any issue with the man knowing they were an item or had been just a short while ago. "We weren''t exactly subtle."

    "Our best move right now is to check the black market starting with Constantinople. We''ve got a name so let''s see if that even clears." Stan quickly pressed a few buttons, the massive computer screen uselessly flipping to display a prompt in 167-point Arial. The words scrolled repeatedly as the phone rang throughout the cavern.

    CALLING Constantinople...CALLING Constantinople...CALLING Constantinople...CALLING Constantinople...CALLING-

    A rattling click came as the call was answered, a heavy British accent coming across as the screen flickered over to a video feed. With a shaggy crop of blonde hair and 12 o''clock with shadow-rimmed dark eyes, Constantinople''s face filled the screen.

    A moment of worry flashed across the British man''s face before he smiled snarkily and greeted the trio, "Well I should be off to save the queen then! It must be a true emergency for my favorite Dark, cowled, and gloomy to call while the sun is up... the sun is still up there, right? No daemon eclip-"

    "Constantinople." Stan cut the mouthy exorcist off, wanting to try and sidestep his way into the main topic quickly, "How''s the demon dealing business going?

    "Still got five takers on my soul Dark and a few new off-" Constantinople laughed as he recalled the usual jibes people made about him. Sure, there were some deals made but they were beneficial to others not just himself. The chuckle turned into a cough as Stans''s voice came through again, the tone heavy with Voltham gloom and a promise to come and share it.

    "Let me rephrase Constantinople, how''s the fear toxin dealing going." Stan leaned forward his dark lines creeping in around his eyes implying that the question was only going to be asked once.

    "Listen, Dark Night! I think I''m going through a tunnel yeah, bad reception in purgatory and all. Gonn''e have to let yo-" Constantinople started to put the phone away, cheekily rubbing it on his shirt just to give Dark the finger. Not even planning to stick around for further black-and-white justice-y tripe from the American.

    "Izime. Constantinople I''ve got a name from it." Stan threw his first big face card on the table; one he hoped wasn''t a joker in disguise. Not quite willing to hope yet even as Constantinople kept the line open, "Does it happen to ring any bells because it mentioned you by name, a friend of yours?"

    "Call it an alternative amusement we''ve supplied beyond popping topside. Why bother coming here to spread fear and terror only to get their horns tossed back below when Izime can deliver it?" Constantinople quickly stepped up wanting to take control of any direction Dark Night might be taking this immediately, as well as defend his drinking buddy. "The bloke keeps my workload down, beyond the oddball demon relic or mummified what have you I call him for, and stop calling Izzy an it, bloody rude mate that."

    Constantinople laughed as he considered Izime''s range of stock giving a nod towards the overprotective Dark Night, "Hell next time you need something to give a Zexxian a round of fisticuffs you should ask him. Wankers probably has a glowing green rock lying about someplace, might be at the ass end of the universe but someplace."

    "Any actual information?" Stan narrowed his eyes, unwilling to reveal just how much Constantinople had just confirmed. This Izime was a massive threat, not only knowing his identity but also having access to Zexianite.

    As long as the exorcist was still talkative Stan was willing to try and force him back onto the floor.

    Constantinople scratched at the stubble on his cheeks as he considered just what tidbits of info to part with. Somethings the caped crusader just didn''t need to be worried about when it came to the knickknack dealer.

    "He showed up maybe four or five years ago, bird showed up shortly after your Zexxian friend sent that invasion packing. So, say a year into the first rumors of the gray market he found me, not seen hair or feather of either of the fuckers in two years." Constantinople tried to remember when he had started hearing about the oddity salesman, the King of Knickknacks.

    Before adding a bit of the private information, he had collected while dealing with Izime in hell.The man gave Lucifer a double take and the king of hell had requested a private talk, something Constantinople certainly hadn''t allowed. "Cursed with knowledge of some sort according to my sources and not the fun kind or the kind willing to lie. It didn''t excite the demons that''s for sure; they were genuinely curious and that was new to see. So..."

    The exorcist finished sharing the reason Lucifer had given for the request, before asking Stan a question of his own. "There a problem Darksie?"

    "I thought you dealt with him." Stan watched as the computer finished transcribing the words, Constantinople''s own conclusions matching his dive as well, an entire nothing-burg. Zero facts with the addition of some demonic superstitions? Stan''s frown only deepened as he quickly hit the backspace, removing the annoying nickname from his archives.

    "Deal yes, talk and have a pint not so often as I''d like..." Constantinople regretted he was adding that part, Izime was a pretty fun chap in the mix. Izime lived for business though and that''s how Constantinople had met him so there their friendship had stalled, "If you''d met the man, you''d know you don''t need to meet him Dark. He delivers and collects as needed, literally as easy as snapping your fingers mate, least for anyone stupid enough to try that spell of his."

    "He knows our secret identities," Leaning forward to make sure Constantinople heard him clearly, Stan revealed what had pushed him to make the call. Revealing his final card and the issue he was going to settle regardless of Constantinople''s easy-going nature, Stan wasn''t going to be swayed by the con''s mouth. "Frankly I need a countermeasure."

    "That''s a bugger but... Well, it''s your problem mate. Like I said, he is cursed with knowing things and that''s not just some shite." Constantinople recalled the absolute zero surprise Izime had given any of their deal, acting like he''d seen more terror on a random Tuesday than in the depths of actual hell, "I''d suggest trying to cut a deal bloody fast like, so he doesn''t get tempted to just pop in and clean you out quick ha-HA!."

    "Can you schedule a meeting?" Stan took the joke as a warning, ever serious as he glanced at all the tech and gear around the Dark Cavern. The risk Izime was posing growing by the second in the sleuth''s mind. The rouge thing was using powers unknown by science to warp reality, it could avoid almost any security measure aside from very dedicated devices.

    Those, Stan had slated to stop the man on the other end of the line.

    "Not sure I want too Dark, Izime''s not hurting anyone and frankly, ya'' sound a bit pissy." Constantinople leaned forward hearing the threat in Dark Nights tone, holding his own phone a bit steadier as he eyed the man and his growing number of sidekicks. "Sides there is a problem already standing right beside you. Izzy has few rules but among the top? No Psychics."

    "They''ve talked already, in person." Stan gave the alien a tense look as the situation was currently her fault, if she''d just stopped the thing there then none of this would have happened, "She''s the one he told about the toxin."

    "Yea? Didn''t she get his number then?" The alien in question looked down as the voice played, Constantinople raised a brow daring her to give an honest answer. Curious if he''d known Dark Night would throw a fit or if Izime had just run his mouth to fill the time. The man was a chat box just like his bird.

    Constantinople was still having trouble believing he''d have a chinwag with the psychic of all people. Psyis'' attitude and the way she shied away from responding didn''t seem faked, however.

    "He didn''t look like he had a cellphone." Psyis looked back at the exorcist not quite willing to hang the word homeless around Izime''s neck, not wanting to insult the man. Izime''s attitude not being so destitute but an altogether different odd kind of rough.

    Psyis tried to keep things polite as she described why she hadn''t asked for his number, "Izime looked like was struggling a bit."

    "So, you have met Izime." Constantinople raised his brows as Psyis revealed she''d had a conversation with the man, making the connection between her words and Izime''s usual outfits. Nodding, Constantinople agreed as Izime really often didn''t, maybe if he''d scrounged a working one but those were usually gone with a week tops or however long it took for Cradle to find it.

    "H��s probably got a handful of broken ones, that or his bird ate it. Ahhhaha!" The exorcist slapped his thigh while thinking of that mouthy shits bird devouring his phone casting another look at the alien who had been looking aside.

    Obviously wanting to avoid demeaning the man, wondering exactly what it was that made the purple Thessian avoid just saying homeless.

    "You really can''t find him?" The exorcist narrowed his eyes not quite believing one of the most powerful psychics in the world couldn''t find a single man. Had she really been looking for him and then just let him slip away?

    Now acting with what? A touch of respect, a sense of guilt, or something else? Izime had made Lucy blink so leave it to him to mess with the psychic''s head as well, man had a knack for the impossible.

    "I don''t want to disturb this time," Stan interrupted Constantinople''s focus on the alien wanting to bring the conversation back to solving his own issue with the man, "I want to schedule a meeting."

    "Why, and I''ll need something better than the tripe issue you''ve both got." Constantinople nodded towards the two humans. He did have a way... if Izime hadn''t broken that damned magical mirror or fed it to his bird.

    Enchanting the damned thing to taste like chili pepper had cost him a few thousand pounds, only to learn birds didn''t even taste bloody capsaicin.

    "I could sell him som-" Stan nodded taking out a small clipboard he had prepared, wanting to use his business empire to lure the man in. Glancing up as he heard a derisive snort, his intentions obviously falling short someplace.

    "Dark you run an actual business empire on earth, what better deal can you offer besides free?" Constantinople cut him off instead knowing Izime''s methods, as well as his constant stock of Dark''s things, "Besides he''s already got No''bloids with stalls stocked full of your gear on some super-earth someplace I promise."

    "I actually um, I wanted to apologize to Cradle." Psyis interrupted, wanting to earn a bit of her place back after messing up earlier. Thinking of the fight she had nearly caused in the noodle shop, "I upset Izime''s bond with my psychic probing, and we started threatening one another in a way."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    "The stupid bird?" Steven looked over in dumbfounded shock at the alien who sounded honestly worried about some not even real animal. Just a complicated imitation that was serving to interfere in the whole investigation, and she wanted to apologize to it for hurting its feelings?

    "No no lad, that could actually work, and Cradle is hardly just a bird," Constantinople looked at Steven and admonished him on Cradle''s behalf. The two were a pair and if the alien had started something with the raven it was best to see the air cleared, "Izime cares a great deal for that mechanical beastie. Enough that if it was upset and Miss Psyis genuinely wanted to make amends he might just meet. Here''s the rub though, you two would get spotted from bloody orbit and that is the whole point of this call, Stan."

    "Something that''s already happened once today." Stan nodded recalling how they had arrived to find Psyis floating over an empty alley. Smelling of spicy noodles and in street clothes, their target obviously had given the psychic the talk-around before slipping away.

    Stan tried to at least set up a meet and greet to get a better gauge of how big the problem was, "I don''t want to disturb this time, but I''m not completely opposed to it Constantinople."

    "Aye? Good luck with that because Cradle eats technology and it''s had Izime feeding it since he hatched the bloody thing." Constantinople didn''t want to mention that some of that had likely been Blane''s. Instead, quickly moving this painful trolley of a conversation along, "The aliens got a reason, so I''ll help. She had a cock-up with the killer fucking Corbeau, pardon my French Miss Psyis. You might want to resolve that issue quickly. Regular ravens carry grudges, let alone one that can empty your bank account with a thought. Things right terrifying in a real scrap."

    "You two...stop getting bloody chopsky every time some wanker knows your names." Looking back to the other two displayed on his smaller screen, The exorcist tried to bury the hatchet between the two parties on his own. Maybe Izime could cut him deal later for all the effort it''d likely take, though Constantinople doubted it. "There are bloody twenty of us at least now."

    "It doesn''t make me comfortable adding another name to that list." Stan shook his head refusing to accept that, yet another person had slipped through after years of well not perfection but damn it he tried.

    "Izime was already on it, you just didn''t know he knew." Constantinople hoped he wasn''t digging Izime a deeper hole with his next words, but it would at least give perspective, "Night, he knows James''s identity too, knew me. Wanker probably knows the identities of a few of our enemies as well. Cursed like I said, so we should all be very thankful Izime doesn''t sell information, he sells stuff, of all kinds."

    Dark Night actually felt himself taken aback by this information; this man knew both James and his identities. Could access the Dark Cavern and had Zexianite?

    Such a large threat to the entire planet and he had slipped under nearly everyone''s radar, the un-cowled hero reconsidering the value of the information Psyis had obtained.Stan recalling his worries over the way it''d seemed to be traveling and studying Earth''s heroes asking Constantinople just how this man had remained a ghost. "Why am I just know learning of this individual Constantinople?"

    Dark Night narrowed his eyes as the questions and worries only piled further, the gap in his monitoring network seeming to extend to what he knew, "No one''s mentioned him or known him aside from you."

    Even if Constantinople was right, just why none of the crooks he had dropped ever mentioned the man''s name?

    If he was so well established in the black market and held such a high reputation why had neither Skull-Shot, Sword-Stroke, or any of the other mercenaries mentioned the man?

    "You don''t ever buy used Night. All your gear is new and self-made so why would you know the name of the man who built the second-hand market? B''sides thatEarth isn''t that big on welcoming the oddity of Izzy''s sales." Constantinople tried to explain, realizing Stan was stuck in his own world as usual where everything was seen in two ways.

    There was legal and not, the acceptable stores and the black markets in Stan''s mind. Even knowing the exorcist, he still refused to believe in magic, the sheer balls on the man.

    The exorcist hoped his magic words would somehow clear the air for once and work on the stubborn billionaire, "Black markets you know sure, but Izime isn''t selling guns or supplying Crusher with off-world synth-roids. It''s all in a gray area, batteries, high-flow air cycling units, zexxian storage crystals, and sure maybe a few odder things but certainly not actual weapons or bombs mate."

    Stan Blane sat back a bit, realizing there may be a much larger gap in his information network than he originally believed. The possibility of an intermediary market where the lines of what was strictly legal were being blurred purposefully. Either by reselling in different locals or modifying dangerous devices to serve a different purpose. The entire market supplied off the back of the Earth''s chaos and funding who knew what.

    "Like a fear-inducing drug to an exorcist that''s invested in keeping demons occupied in hell, right then ye have gotten us! Take us both to the constables Darksie but wait! It''s not illegal there and it''s doing me a might bit of bloody good here." Constantinople finally relaxed as well waving away the last of his worries with sarcasm, Stan was finally getting the point.

    The justice-driven man saw everything as a threat at first and in very black-and-white terms. Not exactly the kind of person you wanted your drug dealer for demons to meet up with. Thankfully it seemed that Stan was at least willing to stand down with the hard-edged Dark Night mentality, at least before they were trying to figure out which Reaver pub Steven had been dumped in.

    "What if I wanted to buy something?" Stan wasn''t quite willing to let it drop, instead switching gears. He at least needed to see this Izime, meet the man who had been silently picking up his excess and making a living off of it. Unsure if he was impressed, still angry, or both but positive he still didn''t trust the man.

    "Now that I might be able to work out." Constantinople stood, quickly deciding to intervene. Dark Night wasn''t going to let this go and that meant Izime needed someone to vouch for him. "Give me an hour and I''ll be there."

    "You''re coming here?" Stan looked back at the screen a bit surprised to see Constantinople already opening a cabinet and pulling out a container of salt.

    "Aye, not seen the fucker in over a year. I should say hi at least." Constantinople tore the box open, looking towards the floor where the couch was still in the way. Proper teleportation spells were a bit more complex than his friend''s hack job, a bit larger too.

    In Voltham''s Sewers a few hours Later

    Izime zoomed in a bit further, the tiny bit on the driver finally seating into the screw that needed to be removed. All of his attention was on the small box he was trying to reassemble, several coils of steel cable lying on the ground beside him. Izime carefully removed the case from the cable thrower before examining the uncoiled spring inside.

    Izime still wasn''t quite sure what the stuff was made of, but it held a butt load of kinetic energy, enough to toss these cables lightning fast a pretty damned good distance.

    The issue was the material also tended to become incredibly brittle after use; maybe one in five spent throwers had a compromised spring. Either they ruined themselves as their curves warped from the wasted thermal energy as potential became kinetic or retained their forms, just becoming incredibly brittle.

    The spring material behaved like a ceramic after deploying itself cracking and shattering as it was reset.

    Taking another tool with a series of interlocking circles Izime set it to the proper size, slowly cranking the spring back down. Listening for any signs of the brittle metal giving up the ghost, waiting for that telltale pop that signaled a failure. Smiling when the final ring slid into place returning the spring to its original state, fully charged with potential.

    Reaching down he retrieved one of the cables he had rolled up and prepared earlier. Slipping it back into its chamber, ready to be re-launched by the trap. Giving the spring loading tool a smack on the top, watching as the circles snapped back. Releasing the spring which quickly caught on the cable ready and armed.

    Giving a nod Izime reached over preparing to grab the top of the tiny trap ready for its final reassembly.

    The process only a few steps but took nearly an hour just to ensure the spring was managed safely and he wasn''t asking Cradle to free him from a sprung trap or worse. Izime had the screw halfway back in when he heard the noise, glancing up at the bird he had just been thinking about as voices started to creep around the room.

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    "Oi! Izzy! HEY!"

    "Are you sure this will work?"

    "Just hold on a bloody damned minute!"

    "Wait we''re moving!"

    "I''m not hearing anything but breathing."

    "Wanker kept me in the bin."

    "Someone just sat us down?"

    "Is it there?"

    "Was that Cradle?"

    "Izzy, that you mate?"

    </td>

    <td style="width: 49.0673%">

    The sounds reached out from the box of junk that sat on the shelf, the idle chatter filling the concrete room quickly.

    The raven glanced at him before they both looked over at the box where Izime was storing most of the junk items like cellphone batteries and spare magazines. Somewhere in there was a familiar voice calling out alongside some unknowns asking questions.

    Izime ignored the sounds coming from the box as he tipped it over, watching as a small wave of crap was spilled out onto the shelf. Moving a few power bricks and a couple of other off-world baubles Izime finally located the noisy thing.

    Grabbing the handle of the very intricately carved silver mirror Izime was careful to hold it towards the ceiling while listening to the voices that were coming through the reflection. Two of the voices he recognized, one was his old drinking buddy and the other he had just talked to today.

    The mysterious male voices sounded familiar but not enough that Izime could place it off those few words.

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    "Yeah, give me a minute so I can clear you a spot Constantinople." Izime knocked a few of the traps onto the ground, clearing a spot on the table a little distance away from himself. Carefully to make sure he was abusing the mirror''s magical viewing portal.

    Angling himself so he could check the surroundings behind the actual people while only offering them a view of the sewer ceiling.

    "What do you need Jim?" Izime asked as he looked over at the silvery reflection that cast a view into another underground room, unlike his sewers this was a cavern heavily modified. Dark Night''s obviously, there were only so many heroes who had that kind of budget to blow on lighting.

    Izime quickly gestured for Cradle to come and watch the mirror, the raven''s curiosity enough to block any real view.

    "Hey, Izzy? Ah, there''s Cradle." Constantinople on the other end tilted his mirror trying to see anything beyond a concrete ceiling, the exorcist was just barely able to see his friend if he held the mirror sideways. Finally, as a black feathered head and black beak appeared looking down at them, Constantinople righted the mirror and asked the two, "How''s Voltham treating you this time of year?"

    "Profitably," Izime kept idly working on reassembling the cable thrower in front of him while he talked, the dangerous part was now over he was willing to multitask. Casually glancing over he called the exorcist out, wanting to avoid any attempts at getting played, "but I don''t think you''re calling for another ten-thousand-year-old eye."

    "No actually, I''ve uh got a client for you mate. Filthy rich too you''ll love''em bruv," Constantinople smiled, nodding enthusiastically knowing already it wouldn''t be nearly so easy. Hoping however that a quick move on the chess board towards Izime''s wallet would ease the rest of the game he was about to play.

    "Really now?" Izime actually stopped working to seriously take a look at Jim Constantinople''s cheeky smile as the mirror lay face up on the table.

    Giving a long look at the surroundings behind the often-inebriated exorcist and making a few assumptions as to his location, not a far reach considering Izime''s company for lunch. "They wouldn''t happen to own that Dark Cavern you''re in and run a business empire under the name Blane, would they?"

    "Na, nooo. Just happened to be trying out spelunk-ah sod it," Constantinople started to make an excuse before tossing the idea away knowing it was best to play it straight with the dealer of trinkets, "yea I''m at Dark Nights, what do you think of the place?"

    Holding the mirror a bit further away from his face Constantinople gave a little walk around, ignoring Stan''s complaints. If Izime wanted in there wasn''t a whole lot Stan could do, maybe he could lock Jenkins in the basement with a shotgun. Even that was only a deterrent and not a solution; Constantinople watched as Izime gave an appreciative nod from the corner of the mirror.

    "Dark, like I said, those spotlights have got to stress the eyes." Izime gave an honest appraisal of the cavern which was shown while Constantinople did a little spin with the mirror on his end, "What does Stan want?"

    "To talk about how you know his secret identity obviously." Constantinople deadpanned at the question knowing full well Izime knew the real issue. Fully aware Izime wasn''t an idiot and just wanted to make sure Stan was clear about his major problem.

    "I do not trade information, that goes double for my own Jim." Izime shook his head at first before giving a bit of an accommodating nod knowing that this wouldn''t be dropped so easily. It was obvious this talk was going to take place at some point, Izime had just hoped to last a little longer before being caught, "Put Blane on."

    "Stan Blane and extended family, I''m Izime and I too am underground." Izime rolled his eyes as the joke went by without making a single wave, instead diving into the main point of his speech, "I exist as the gray market, so first I thank you for the contributions you''ve made to my sales. Before we waste each other''s time, I''m sure you have questions; questions that I won''t be answering. My market is something that can''t be maintained without a bit of secr-"

    "Honor among thieves, really?" Stan crossed his arms, biceps bulging as he tried to crush the oft-heard excuse. Irate that the ''reputable'' salesman was being so disingenuous, calling Izime out on his behavior. "I thought we weren''t wasting each other''s time."

    The cowled crusader glared at the man on the other side of the mirror who seemed to be unbothered, an attitude that Dark Night took no small satisfaction in correcting in his other villains. However, Stan was surprised to find that Izime wasn''t as taken back as Stan had expected, instead the man''s voice came back with an air of annoyance rather than surprise.

    "No thieves here, just a scavenger. I''m an upcycler, unlike your reformed sticky-pawed kitten." Izime decided to play a bit of hardball with Dark Night exposing more personal information before detailing the finer parts of the sales. "Your climbing equipment is being sold on high-g tourist worlds, the rest mostly gets smelted down. The metal is sold on run-down and repurposed generation ships where quality metal is a must for life. Any remaining silicon is processed by my bond Cradle; Cradle says thank you."

    Constantinople was happy the bird only bobbed its head, the veins on Stan Blane''s head could only protrude so far. Izime pressed on to only irritate the gloomy and shadowy crusader further as he tossed any of the Blane''s concerns aside.

    "If you''ve got an issue then you should start picking up after yourself, thankfully we know that''s impossible. For both you and your adversaries," Izime chuckled as he considered the sight of Dark Night and villains both cleaning up their mess like children do at play.

    That would have been something to see, thought Izime figured Stan would take more drastic measures than something as simple as self-control.

    Izime gave a shake of his head at the absurd thought as he continued. "So, I will be keeping my shop open regardless of your willingness to be involved. In that same vein of blatant self-interest, you can rest assured I won''t be revealing anything about anyone to anyone. Ever, simply put I don''t stock information on others because it keeps my batteries profitable."

    "I don''t trust you," Stan admitted the major issue unable to completely refute Izime at this exact moment, several counter-measures already in mind. However, the thought of a degrading cord did raise the issue of what might have happened if Izime hadn''t checked those products.

    "You don''t trust anyone Stan that''s why you have a counter for every major player from Radiation Man to FazzPazz. Which I also know, so if me simply knowing your name is what''s got you worried," Izime waved his hand futilely as Dark Night was a figure he knew he could never fully satisfy.

    Instead, just laying out a bit of how out of familiar waters Dark Night had wandered, "I obviously know a lot more than just that. It''s not like I made any conscious effort to uncover your secret anyway, I just know things as Constantinople should have told you already."

    "Told ye'' Dark. Oi'' Izime, I''ve also got a lady here who would like to make amends to Cradle, "Constantinople took that as his cue to end the eye poking, Stan''s fists already audibly popping behind him as he dealt with the information. Dealing with it the only way Dark Night knew how to, he''d bottle it up and become thrice as gloomy and broody.

    The exorcist hoped he could get Izime to play some kind of ball with the group of heroes that had taken an exception to his little side-shop.

    At least a face-to-face between the man who could rile up League Savior and the man who had managed to not rile the unknown galaxy, all while pulling everyone''s asses out of the fires of dying stars. Constantinople tried to pull the conversation back towards a potential meet-up instead of a potential war in Voltham. "Psyis wants to apologize, in person."

    Now panning the mirror towards the psychic, a feeble wave accompanied her inviting smile. The other half of the Dark Duo gave her a reproachful glance while Constantinople raised his brows expectantly towards Izime. The exorcist refused to move from beside Psyis, bringing both himself and the mirror into the alien''s face.

    Izime watched as Psyis tried to hold that smile while giving the blonde Brit a sideways glance a bit uncomfortable with the sudden closeness before turning back, brushing idly at hair that had yet to be disturbed. The salesman gave a bit of that familiar nod in return.

    "I told Psyis where she could find me outside of work, we can meet up in a few months if it''s still bugging her." Izime gave Cradle a look watching for any negative reaction to the psychic''s name or the view of her in the mirror. Ravens could certainly hold a grudge after all, and Cradle would share a life span similar to Izime''s own.

    Izime not wanting to upset either side simply tried to postpone the entire thing, "If she still wants to apologize to Cradle by then, bring some snack sticks. RAM or any computer memory it''s the current favorite."

    Constantinople let his brows drop giving the alien a bit of a shove as he walked away, the woman had obviously left him hanging. For being able to fly she was a terrible wing-alien when it came to convincing the solitary Izime to come out and play for a bit. The exorcist scratching at his stubble, instead deciding he may as well try and just ask honestly.

    "Mate, I ain''t seen you in a couple of years," Constantinople turned the mirror away from the psychic finally asking directly if he could at least meet, maybe catch a show at the very least. Izime being nothing but work there was a chance he''d be pulling a shift at this second job, "are you playing Voltham?"

    "I wasn''t planning on it, the clubs here are rough and the bars are wo-." Izime shook his head as he considered Constantinople''s offer of going out for a brief moment. The small-time busker already imagined the bottles smashing against the wire protection in front of some back-alley watering ditch. Hearing a derisive snort, however, Izime looked up. Finding that Constantinople shared none of those same worries.

    "I know the man who started a brawl in a Reaver joint isn''t complaining about the Voltham social scene." Constantinople cut Izime off directly not believing the excuse for a second "A pint jus'' the one come on mate be chap yeah?"

    "I''m not exactly dressed for a night out on earth Constantinople..." Izime paused as he considered the tanks of fear toxin and the fact he really hadn''t hung out with his friend in about a year, maybe longer. It''d be a gift of sorts, not free by any means but if Constantinople wanted to drink Izime''d con the con. "Meet me at that grimy ass bar on thirty-second and bring some chalk. I''ve got four tanks full of toxin stashed away for you anyway."

    "You''re a saint, I''ll vouch for it myself after that little bang-up in the 6th circle." Constantinople beamed holding the mirror a bit further back so he could pull out the magical tool, "Still a right arse at the same time Izzy, s''why I love ya though. We''ll be there and Dark Night promises to behave."

    "Give me an hour to find a shower, clean up, and then I''ll be there, I''ve got to hit a shelter first" Izime looked at the pile of traps he had barely made any progress on feeling as if he''d never finish them. Procrastination wasn''t exactly what he was doing, however, Izime excused his laziness for the name of so-called networking.

 A Night at Lucky Dogs

    It was a bit over an hour later when the group finally met in the Voltham underbelly. The heavy layers of overpasses and raised highways above the densely packed slums added to the distinct Voltham near-dystopian vibe. Thick reinforced concrete pillars supported with massive steel beams, split the rising steam with their shadows.

    Both the methods of support and the undersides of the overpasses were covered in graffiti as far as a body could conceivably reach.

    Below tucked into the dense cluster of buildings was a tucked-away little dive with a sheet metal awning over the solid door, and a single flashing neon hung along the brick wall. It showcased a rather gruff-looking bulldog, the cards in its paw slowly lighting up to reveal a near-royal flush in hearts. The two of hearts would flicker briefly before switching to the ace of hearts.

    The new card completing the royal flush and earning the dive its name: Lucky Dog''s with a bright red glow.

    Constantinople heard the click and looked up at the club''s sign as he leaned against the once-frequented old haunt; the trio of heroes standing in a little cluster beside him.

    Glancing down the darkening street to see their fifth walking up for the night. Izime looked much more civilized by earth standards than he usually was, Constantinople a bit surprised by the apparent effort his friend had put in.

    "That one of the Executioner''s old jackets, its missing the skull." Raising his brows Constantinople gave a nod, inquiring about the ''new'' leather jacket Izime was wearing.

    Izime glanced down at the leather jacket he was wearing trying to recall exactly who it had belonged to. There were a bunch of holes and patches where he had removed a totally unreasonable number of spikes, and it smelled like smoke.

    "It was one of the Soul Takers, don''t remember if it was Timmy Bars'' or Elliot''s though." Izime finally recalled the anti-hero the jacket had belonged to. The soul-taking demon-contracted flaming bike-rider SoulTaker, that or his horse-riding predecessor.

    The thing had nearly been shredded when Izime found it, but it was leather, so it just needed a bunch of patches. Sure, it didn''t look great, but it was functional, protective, and conveniently enough completely fireproof. The black also went with nearly any of the other clothes Izime had scrounged up, like the light brown shirt and naturally distressed jeans he had on.

    The denim fading and fraying from actual use and not some fancy machine.

    Jim stood across from Izime, the classic tan jacket one of Constantinople''s constants along with the worn-looking slacks.

    Beside him on the right were the two Blane''s, surprisingly having managed to dress down somewhat. Izime wasn''t too surprised Stan had some old clothes, but Steven was still toeing the line showing his money. The plated biker jacket he was wearing might have been scuffed but it was still too showy and those jeans were mock-designer.

    Stan had managed to put together something decent, but that wasn''t all that surprising. The aged and patched gray blazer and plain white shirt managed to make the man look like he had lost millions. The jeans were still Jenkins level pleated though. Izime wasn''t going to start docking points.

    This wasn''t a mission, it was a networking and a bit of catching up with Constantinople, so Psyis had it spot on at least. The same stained gray hoodie and cheap denim that had him convinced the alien was just the average Volthamite. Though the bit of white hair that was spilling alongside her head stood out a bit Izime supposed she couldn''t help her natural hair color. It was probably a bit difficult to keep it so pristine and snow-white though.

    "Cradle is?" Psyis asked a bit nervously, not wanting to psychically start checking her surroundings and wind up upsetting the raven again. A bit worried as Izime''s gaze had lingered on her for a moment eyes searching her as if suspicious.

    "Cradles above Miss Psyis," Izime put thoughts about aliens and hair dye aside, giving a nod skyward before looking at the unwanted company for tonight. "No offense Mr. Blane but I don''t trust you either, Cradle will be keeping an eye on things for me."

    "That is a smart move." Blane didn''t feel much emotional sway from the man who had addressed him by name in Voltham''s underground. Obviously, he was confident, but both of them were so Blane simply acknowledged the move.

    "Oh." A quiet voice of slightly surprised disappointment slipped through the cracks in the conversation as Izime continued, accidentally speaking over Psyis'' disheartened sigh.

    "I don''t mind you, all of you checking your surroundings as well." Izime shrugged perfectly willing to share the field with all but one, giving the alien a bit of a limitation. "Just keep it under seventy thousand feet Miss Psyis and out of my mind."

    "Drink first and magic later?" Constantinople gave an appreciative nod as the group seemed to be coming to terms with their first meeting. At least setting some ground rules around baser powers and personal security.

    "Yeah." "No."

    Two spoke over two more; Blane and Izime still giving one another the odd look while Psyis glanced at Steven in irritation.

    Steven crossed his arms as he stepped closer to his mentor wanting to try and physically impose the man with their size. Breaking his contact with those red eyes as he joined in, trying to intimidate Izime into listening.

    Constantinople had kept his quiet, just glancing between both pairs in frustration until Izime finally explained his reasoning.

    "I can''t transport four people and let be clear Stan, you were never invited to the deal." Izime waved his fingers as he considered exactly where he had stashed the tanks, it would be a pain to hide all over again. Giving Blane a welcoming nod towards the door he did invite the man along in some fashion, "You are welcome to drink though."

    "We didn''t plan on drinking anyway." Blane shook his head not wanting to partake in any sort of social life that Constantinople enjoyed. Already wary of the place they had arrived, it is was well-known locale for nere-do wells of both human and the not-so-human variety, "Constantinople will take us."

    "Sorry," Constantinople sighed stuffing his hands into his tan jacket pockets and giving a nod back towards the Dark Duo in waiting, "Stan''s still wanting to even the field."

    "OK, let''s be clear, Constantinople doesn''t even know where to go so unless I''m willing to comply with this search, which I''m not. Then you''ve got no real play here. My advice is to look me up on Savior Orbital instead of interrupting my night, Stan." Izime nodded, giving Blane a look as he offered up his Sol information.

    If Blane wanted anything he could have his business contact info, so Izime directed him there. "Any one of you can look me up in the Zythomian databases and find me in the Vidan''s expense reports. My Sol ID is public and I''m not using an alias so start with that, not with this shitty attempt at strong-arming me."

    "Now drinks," Izime jerked his thumb towards the door, not intending to waste any more of his life on explaining pointless details to Stan or Steven Blane, hell any of the three. Sighing Izime asked the first question one should ask when drinking with the exorcist, focusing on protecting his wallet. "Who''s buying?"

    Tugging at his black jacket he moved past the obviously pissed Stan Blane who was glaring at him towards the entrance, leaving that square jaw grinding away. Stan likely considering if following Izime''s advice was rolling over or the wiser move. Seeing as Constantinople had led them to Lucky Dog''s door rather uselessly the sleuth''s options were limited unless he wanted to cause a scene.

    "Who''s got more money you or Stan?" Constantinople asked a genuine question as he looked between two of the richest people he knew, turning to follow his friend who''d decided to try and seemingly succeeded in putting Dark Night in his place.

    Izime''s churlish attitude likely earned him a full-blown investigation from the Blane''s, the exorcist followed along knowing Izime would need someone in his corner. Bringing up an idle thought the exorcist had suddenly become curious enough to inquire about. Stan had stocks, cash, earth credit, and untold sums saved away. Izime had shelves piled with gems, trinkets from a millennia ago, and more Sol accounts that Cradle had feathers, more than likely that was.

    The exorcist never got a solid figure from either of them, now using Izime''s bit of ire to tempt him into answering.

    "If it''s not earth money then it''s me, if it''s earth money?" Izime admitted the first part easily, scratching the back of his head as he considered honestly answering the second half. With the help of Cradle, he probably could launder enough credits to give Blane an honest run for his money before the Vidan financial division showed.

    "Also you?" Constantinople figured what Izime was considering, not being nearly as morally strict as the other heroes around him. The trinket trader could probably easily launder those untold credits into Earth money and cheat his way into being richer than Stan Blane in seconds.

    "Right now? Probably seeing as I still have Cradle''s debit card." Izime admitted as he pulled the black and silver striped card out of his pocket, "We''re easily in the top one hundred for Orion''s Arm alone but I can''t in good conscience collapse Earth''s economy just because. The Vidan Security Council would have me arrested within the hour for interfering with a civilized world on such a scale."

    "And how much is it worth if you don''t launder it all into an established economy?" Constantinople stuffed his hands in his pockets, calling his toxin dealer out on being a liar, "Izime''s only filthy rich because he''ll trade in some long-forgotten currency that''s good on exactly two half star-burnt generations ships tuff''n off near the ass end of the stars. The one man who''ll crawl back across the stars and throw a fit if the Vidan doesn''t acknowledge them because of some treaty that''s half dust already."

    "None of those agreements extend to Earth of course, so my Sol credits stay off Earth unless I''m short." Izime stuffed the card back into his pocket glaring at the exorcist before his gaze swept the three morally stricter heroes, "Speaking of Constantinople, I''d rather not commit money laundering in front of our friends tonight, so how about you pay on time for once?"

    "Mate you know, it''s been a bit rough lately." Constantinople smiled throwing an arm over Izime''s shoulder, dragging him down a bit as he waved his free hand in question. A hopeful smile crossed the exorcist''s face, and a few brightly colored stones appeared in his palm which he opened in question. "Do you still take gems?"

    "Pay at least half in cash now and I''ll cut you a deal," Izime looked at his friend and business partner with a plaintive expression, a bit ashamed to admit he really did need the money even offering to give a steep discount. "I''ll do gems for the rest later."

    "Four tanks is a bit much mate." Constantinople released Izime knowing that his friend wasn''t asking for money just because. It was likely he didn''t have Earth cash and was seriously considering the risks with the galactic economic finance police.

    "Agreed, it was a sudden windfall after all, so I can manage storage for free. But... I need at least a thousand for one tonight or I''m dumping the lot into the sun." Izime rocked his head back and forth as he considered his expected expenses for the next little while, adding a warning for the exorcist to keep in mind. "Considering the sudden attention I''ve gained in Voltham, who knows when I''ll get more."

    "Fucking wanker," Constantinople whipped a handout of his jacket smacking Izime on the arm as the man had no sense of style, no art of the trade. Simply playing hardball from the get-go and delivering an ultimatum within seconds. "I''ll be back I''m going to find an a.t.-"

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    "Thank you and done," Izime threw his arm around the exorcist now giving him a friendly shake in return for the smack, "Cradle even saved you and acknowledged the conversion rates for the U.S. dollar."

    "Still a bloody thieving budgie, fine let''s go." Constantinople cursed towards the black credit demon in the sky, looking at the Blanes accusingly as the trip suddenly got a bit expensive. "Only wanted to drink now I need one."

    "At least it''s in earth gravity this time, puking in low-g is fun right?" Izime wanted to at least cheer Constantinople up a bit after Cradle had helped themselves to his wallet.

    "Don''t! Stop it!" Constantinople paled a bit as he recalled the sensation, the mess, the smell that had lingered in the ship''s vents for days, even recalling how he''d had to dodge the still floating puddles. "No, I don''t want to remember."

    "HA!" Izime laughed pointing at the psychic who seemed to have unfortunately just caught the recalled memory from Constantinople, watching as she paled to a sky blue and lavender one hand covering her mouth. The two shared a moment with their third, Psyis taking the teasing comfortably. The Blanes left standing awkwardly like flat tires to the ride that was about to take place.

    "Come on let''s get this over with." Izime stepped between the four pulling the door open, wanting to at least hurry this so-called leisure time along so he could get back to the cable throwers in the sewer across Voltham. "Jessie''s just going to love this."

    "Nah, she''ll have let it go... right?" Constantinople considered Izime''s warning before turning back towards the other three tag-alongs who''d immediately leaned away from the blasting music inside. "Guess this is your first dive with Izzy, plug your ears, and welcome to Lucky Dog''s."

    The three exchanged a glance watching as Constantinople took out two bright orange foam buds, rolling them about before tucking them into his ears. The trench-coated exorcist quickly disappeared inside, the street being blasted with the volume of the club as the door swung open once again.

    Psyis used her powers to slightly dampen the movement of the air around her ears, creating a form of invisible earmuffs. Watching as both Stan and Steven took out their own actual earplugs, the tiny flashing lights told of many untold features. Moving between the two who she could sense were busy thinking of ways to uncover more information about Izime Psyis pulled the door open.

    Walking through a narrow hallway that turned into a reception area for checking I.D.s. a curvaceous woman behind the counter.

    Izime threw his arms open as he saw the ironically named and shaped woman who happened to run the bar. Sometimes wondering if she had a bit of succubus in her past as there was no way that figure was naturally possible.

    The woman looking like a real-life version of a certain voluptuous redhead with the last name Rabbit from another world''s cartoon imagination.

    "There''s my favorite bunny!" Izime looked at the curtain of red hair that was at the entrance to the skeevy haunt-turned-bar. "Let me get a table downstairs for five."

    The otherworldly scavenger a bit taken back as the club''s owner immediately shoved a card reader towards him upon hearing his request.

    "Not a fucking rabbit Izime and not till you pay your tab. You''d better keep that fucking bird out of my bar too, that thing ate the stage lights last time after you nearly kil-" Jessie stood slamming her hand on the counter already raising her voice, trailing off as she saw the second person join.

    Mouth open as she exhaled in exasperation, she watched as Izime''s plus one for the night. "Constantinople? I swear to the gods if you''re both here to start shit with another demon."

    "Just keep your patrons from pulling axes Jess, and you bloody well know they started it with us." Constantinople quickly reached past Izime and swiped his card through the reader, pulling Izime along with him before he could piss Jessie off more. "Now you owe me one Izzy!"

    Izime shoved the exorcist along with a pat on the back, ignoring the cheeky con-magician who thought clearing such a minor expense was going to earn him any further deals. Turning back to see who''d caught Jessie''s eye as the easily fired-up woman ignored them, letting Constantinople go ahead of him for a moment.

    "And you are?" Jessie at least tried to keep some semblance of a professional attitude as another patron soon walked in. Cursing under her breath swearing trouble came in threes and Izime had asked for her to seat five. Brushing her long red hair out of her face she took a look, at least this one looked a bit more manageable.

    "She''s with us and so are the two behind her," Constantinople spoke up as Jessica began to question the others, not wanting her to start digging to far into the situation. The exorcist quickly waved the psychic to follow them, only to be stopped by Jessie''s already over-it attitude as she held her hand out expectantly.

    "And? I still want to see some I.D. demonic, human, or otherwise mister, my bar has rules." Jessica rolled her eyes, leaning over the counter with her hand out motioning for the newest to hand over some ID quickly.

    "I''m otherwise," Psyis pulled out her own Centropolis ID and handed it over, watching as Jessica''s shapely mouth closed and her eyebrows raised. Psyis explained her species quickly, "Alien"

    "Not the first I''ve had to kick out, so you mind your shit too." Jessie rolled her eyes before reading, quickly handing back the Centropolis heroine''s card. Nope no managing this one either, Jessie unabashedly writing the Centropolis Angel in as the designated responsible party for tonight. "No tentacles or egg laying in my establishment got it, I don''t give two shits how consensual it is."

    Hopefully, if there was any damage done maybe she could sue Centropolis for the damages, their hero was here. Only hoping seeing as prayer would likely be useless, Constantinople was here after all. At least one of the multiple insurance coverages she had through various realms should cover something right?

    Jessie already imagining the possible damages caused by the three that had just booked a table tonight.

    Psyis pocketed the card back, giving Izime who had just abandoned her to this hazing a sarcastic look.

    The two having tarnished her reputation by association alone, the heroine curious what the actual club the two notorious idiots frequented was like. Hoping her hood would at least keep any of the prying eyes in the bar at bay, it was bad enough to be famous. Let alone to be seen with the apparently infamous two that were now holding the second door to the club interior open patiently waiting to baptize her in its noise.

    Pausing for half a second as the actual entrance swung open with a rush of chilly air, it was just Steven.

    Psyis ignored the overly jealous thoughts around Stan''s constant partner as she continued, making her way to follow the other two as Steven checked in his own faked I.D. The alien took a half-step before she was stopped, looking down to see a familiar hand on her arm. She looked up a bit irked but mostly with a question in her eyes as Steven seemed to have other intentions beyond joining them.

    "Hey, you know Constantinople''s helping Izime give us the runaround, right?" Steven entered and quickly snatched Psyis'' arm, relaying his mentor''s intentions on investigating Izime, "We''re going to go to the station and check the database, you should come with me so we can get some real answers. You''re useless here with your powers not working"

    Izime looked back as he heard the Dark Duo''s intentions, not bothered at all that the two were willing to get out of his hair. Going out with Constantinople had at least motivated him to hit a shelter and clean up a bit. Earthlings not taking as kindly to his style of living as the Reaver colonies or the derelict ships he visited.

    Izime at least appreciated the kick in the ass and the invite to rejoin a bit of human culture outside of Wesson''s family.

    Glancing at Psyis, her red eyes more focused on Steven''s hand than the offer to escape her official baptism at Lucky Dogs. A bit curious if the alien would remember her reason for coming, her supposed reason that was. Izime hadn''t raised the issue afterward, not wanting to make the bird feel any kind of anticipation or anxiety and Cradle hadn''t asked.

    It was her own offer to apologize so the two could work out some agreement on using their powers.

    "I..." Psyis glanced up from where Steven was holding her back, familiarity fighting with intention. Red eyes turned towards the exorcist and human she had come to spend time with before looking back at her fellow hero. Unsure of which way to go, turning away once more as a voice came from the club''s interior one of the two finally making a move to assist her.

    "Unhand the psychic, lad." Looking up from her arm to see Constantinople walking towards her his hand out in offer, giving Steven a bit of a look before waggling his eyebrows at her. "You''re stealing the one chance I get to bend this bastard''s rules."

    Izime watched the exorcist his brows wiggling as his eyes belied the humor on his face. It wasn''t that big of a deal, Izime just didn''t want some mind reader constantly testing his defenses anyway. Psyis had already had it out with Cradle; even Izime had said his piece as her methods were rude by even his standards. Still, Cradle''s calling her touch petting didn''t seem or sound like she had been trying to brute force their mental connection, so Izime was fine with her tagging along.

    Maybe she had learned her lesson over it so things should be fine, it was just as easy not to bother at all, right?

    A bit unsure, Psyis could read that Constantinople really did want her to come to bother Izime, which worried her.

    Looking towards the man who had his brown hair tied back as he leaned against the door holding it open. His face unbothered beyond the look at Constantinople, wishing once again that she could read Izime''s mind just as easily. The protective feeling from Steven doubling down as Constantinople reached them, eyes still on Izime searching for a hint.

    "Not a chance to pass up, but it''s your choice of course." The exorcist addressed Psyis directly this time, offering her something Steven hadn''t: a choice.

    Psyis glanced at the thoughts under the frock of blonde hair one more time double checking just to be sure that Constantinople was offering her an out while getting a chance to irk his friend.

    Finding nothing truly sinister she turned towards the other, hoping he''d offer her something this time in answer to her silent question. With one final glance at Izime who finally offered her a half-hearted smile and shrug in invite, Psyis made a decision.

    It was enough for her to bother tagging along for a bit, if it was a problem she could just fly to the station. Pulling away from Steven with a half-sorry look Psyis was surprised at how easily he''d released her. Slipping past Constantinople quickly to try and catch the door Izime had just left to swing close on her after his maybe-yes of an answer.

    "Ps-" Steven reached out as the Psyis gave a pitiful smile and walked into the dimly lit hall following Izime. A bit sad but not quite upset as he knew stopping her as it was impossible, Thessian strength far outmatching his own. Steven tried to follow his ex at the very least, moving towards the interior only to find the exorcist once again stopping him from keeping Psyis safe.

    "Sorry lad, need a bit of help cracking this one from the lass. Besides, she''s free and you''ve got plans right?" Constantinople quickly put a hand on the young man''s chest stopping him with a bit he had prepared. Banking on Steven biting a tale about wanting to use the psychic against Izime and that for some reason he couldn''t be there.

    Dear adoptive dad Stan had already set the lad''s schedule for the evening, Constantinople using the leash Dark Night had on his partner to drive him away.

    Buying the two behind him a bit more time to separate themselves from the gloomy cloud that the Blanes seemed to enjoy spreading around everywhere. The exorcist listened while he layered on the bull until finally, the music''s volume dropped. Constantinople smiled as the door behind him closed fully and sealed out at least a handful of decibels, confident the psychic could catch up with the alien-esque human.

    Psyis followed that figure through the smokey hall as the pounding bass and racket finally began to clear into something sensible through the layers of sound dampening. The low notes reached through the wall to vibrate the air around them already, the warbling highs clearing as she reached a balcony, speeding up to try and catch Izime. Wanting to at least ask the question directly seeing as she couldn''t read his mind.

    Red eyes cautiously glanced up from her clean tennis shoes as she tried to outmatch the pace of the slightly scuffed boots in front of her. Psyis was a bit embarrassed as she noticed the bluing of her hand as it reached out to snag the elbow of Izime''s jacket as she got close, what the hell was she scared of?

    Izime walked down the hall which opened into the broad hall of the familiar club, smoke from the stage''s machines mingled with that of patrons and drifted upwards towards the balcony he was walking across.

    Below a mesh of musical forms was taking place nearly as complex and varied as the club''s own patrons. Electronic notes and bone-rattling bass reached out over a tin can of a guitar. The vocalists fighting against the entire wall of noise that was supposedly backing them. He''d nearly reached the very stained carpeted stairs before he felt a tug on his jacket, turning to see a blue and purple striped hand pinching the leather of his coat.

    "What?" Izime stepped back towards the alien, trying not to bump into her as he leaned his ear towards her mouth. The club''s music was bordering on painfully loud, the music was good certainly, but Lucky Dogs was not the place for casual conversation.

    Private certainly but an easy relaxed chat was rather difficult here on the narrow balcony.

    "I''m not being a bother, am I? I just..." Psyis tried to think of a reason for her tagging along with the two, finally using the same excuse Izime had put on hold originally, "I wanted to apologize to Cradle, not interfere with your deal with Constantinople."

    Izime couldn''t hold back the snort as he watched the world''s best psychic actually getting nervous because she didn''t know how someone felt. The irony of the alien having such a terribly human flaw was putting a crack in the image he had of her. Quickly drawing his conclusions as to why the exorcist had separated the psychic from her love interest in this world, even insisted on causing trouble for him.

    Izime had seen Constantinople pull more than one odd creature to tag along with them, though normally the man stuck to things less human-shaped. Nearly as bad as Bell had been pushing him to be intimate, though Constantinople claimed it was to celebrate life not out of curiosity over how Izime might perform. The exorcist was also at least playful with it, the researchers hadn''t kept it as an option there towards the end.

    Izime chuckled even harder at how far his friend was willing to go just so Izime could have his little ''celebration''.

    "Why are you laughing?" Psyis let go of his jacket finally and crossed her arms, a bit cross that everything she said Izime somehow found humorous; it was just a question and an honest one, not a joke or something silly. At least according to Constantinople, the exorcist was supposed to be the one bugging Izime; Psyis merely wanted to make sure she wasn''t interfering.

    "Nothing." Izime decided to actually give the alien a slight bump on the shoulder, at least trying to cheer her up before pointing back down the empty hall to explain, "It''s fine, Constantinople''s just being a prick, to me and Steven, because it''s what he does. Don''t take it personally, OK?"

    Izime paused as he realized that had just left him to explain exactly what it was Constantinople did when he managed to get Izime to go out on the town.

    First, it was that underwater bar trawl in Atlantis, so drunk Izime was left unable to walk, trying to doggy paddle away from that eel thing instead. Constantinople having given the her-it-them the key to his room, that or they had just fried the door lock with their 10k volts of enthusiasm. Then there was the time with that manta lobster thing, Izime had been beyond mortified watching as a 7 ft tall soft-shelled crustacean cried.

    Constantinople even blamed him, saying that was supposed to only be a therapeutic massage and he never should have led the poor lady on.

    Izime had to finally sit the man down; explaining that despite Constantinople''s best efforts Izime did not share a similar enthusiasm for aquatic animals. The audacity of said statement had led to multiple assassins being sent after Izime''s innocence, tonight possibly the boldest made by the exorcist.

    A blush spread across Izime''s cheeks as he looked at the alien, celebrity, super-hero very thankful and somehow very regretful that she couldn''t just read his mind. The question in her eyes reached her brows and slowly worked its way toward the lightly silvered lips. Izime swallowed as he tried to think of a way to avoid the coming question.

    Their third apparently having somehow heard him a moment ago, speaking up to question him. Constantinople''s voice startled Izime who immediately looked up with a mixture of both irritation and blame.

    "What do I do?" Constantinople tried to keep his smile still shit-eating and not as genuinely tense as Izime''s was, watching as the two quickly separated as soon as his voice reached the two, both had their own abilities to dampen noise and filter it.

    The exorcist had Izime caught, leaning towards the same Thessian he''d been watching at the door, his head tilted just like the curious bird he had raised. The exorcist wondered if the ''no psychics'' rule was a bit more flexible than he had originally thought, perhaps this level of closeness was reserved just for her. The reaction was certainly different than the typical joking but sincere ''no'' Izime had offered every other time.

    Constantinople hoping his friend had finally found someone that interested him.

    There''s no reason for those two to be so close.

    Constantinople thought rather loudly, laughing as the psychic took another step back as the two were obviously caught on both ends. Those red eyes reading the same conclusions in the exorcist''s mind she pulled away from the cookie jar that''d been caught whisper yelling into her ear. Constantinople looked over and caught Izime who was trying to keep his smile from turning into a scowl.

    The psychic quickly followed Izime down the stairs, either forgetting Constantinople''s thoughts or choosing to ignore them. The exorcist was banking on the latter.

 Bad Push in a Good Direction

    Constantinople gave the two in front of him a bit of honest consideration, they seemed at least somewhat comfortable; more comfortable that Izime was with him and that was a good thing. The exorcist decided to quietly raise the volume of the conversation he was having with the mind-reader, sending a teasing thought her way.

    Get a bit closer lass maybe then you''ll know what he thinks of you.

    Shut it Constantinople I''m only here to keep you two in line.

    Was kinda hoping you''d think about keeping him in line, as friends, of course.

    I''m not looking Constantinople, Steven and I just spit a few months ago.

    Constantinople rolled his eyes as Psyis'' mind seemed occupied with Steven. The lad was a knob, Izime being the far better choice in the Brit''s own opinion. Finding someone who''d be a bit more than Izime''s friend had been a goal of the exorcist for a while now, especially considering he had been relegated to the blue moon drinking buddy and business partner. Constantinople had become just another part, everything in Izime''s life was parts, a part here a part there. Even the man''s soul was in pieces, some even lingering with his pet others flitting about his form.

    That fact alone giving Constantinople enough reason to worry and want to put someone trustworthy near his friend, just in case something happened to him, again. The exorcist not sure what had shattered the soul in the first place and not bothering to ask. Izime had to have a past beyond just appearing, even if it was from another plane. Things like that weren''t outside of the exorcist''s field of expertise. Where he couldn''t help Izime was with putting it all back together. There Constantinople would happily admit he wasn''t even near the middle of the pack of those who''d be helpful, having plenty of issues himself.

    An emotional grounding of some-kind in this plane would help create an anchor that would keep things from getting worse, much like tying down a ghost. The exorcist worrying that the longer Izime''s issue was put off the more those bits would flit away or be held by the bird and not the body. Having baggage was one thing, losing who you were or what you were was another and Izime seemed to toe the line of possessing his own body. If anyone between heaven and hell needed to unload it was his toxin dealer and who better than the world''s strongest psychic, even if she had to do it the old school way and actually talk to the man.

    Something she seemed quite capable of earlier. Though Constantinople was regretting playing his hand openly now, he had thought the two could work on whittling Izime''s barriers down. Now though it looked like he was going split the entire thing into a free for all. Constantinople was fine with that, happy to go down casting Izime in at least a favorable light to keep him out of the way.

    Fine don''t then, but don''t get mad at him,

    going to make me regret introducing you two.

    You''re the last person to play matchmaker Constantinople.

    I''m not playing. I save souls, you save cities. He''s saving species.

    Lad needs a steady hand. I just had an admittedly bad idea is all.

    He sells batteries, air pumps and bits of string, that''s all.

    I was just asking him if it was OK for me to be here   .

    On lost worlds an scrapships hidden in the stars.

    Who''s living on them, why are they hiding there?

    Aliens like yourself and James, the survivors.

    Izime turned pulling his hand from his pocket to try and catch Psyis'' arm as her foot slipped down a step, the alien being a bit lighter than he had expected. Though her instinctual grab at that arm was probably going to leave a bruise, thessian biology was frighteningly strong in comparison. The reactionary grab probably mentally strengthened by the shock of her sudden slip.

    "Sorry" Psyis quickly tried to let go, wanting to put a bit more space between herself and the man Constantinople was trying to slip through her guard. That space not appearing as her missed step had placed her on the same level with the person she was trying to avoid thinking about.

    Was Constantinople, right? Psyis couldn''t stop herself from considering the thought for a moment. That Izime''s efforts were keeping other from experiencing the same deep loss that James and herself had been forced to accept. The idea seeming a bit far-fetched were it not for the fact that both those same heroes, Radiation Man and Miss Psyis, had kept the people of this planet from suffering the same fate single handedly multiple times over.

    "You good?" Izime gave the super-hero a bit of a sideways look as her eyes tried to dodge his. A half second wasted in surprise at finding she was just as tall as him even in his boots before motioning for the two to follow as he walked down the stairs. "Let''s go turn up."

    "I think that means sloshed," Constantinople quipped and nodded at Psyis to follow Izime, the alien holding still clearly waiting until Izime had moved a ways away to talk to the exorcist. The exorcist shrugging as his friend reached the ground floor, moving to follow until he was stopped, a gray sleeve stopping him.

    "Constantinople I''m not really comfortable with this." Psyis turned as Constantinople tried to a pass. Her arm stopped the exorcist on the stairs, blocking his path down. "I just ended things with Steven and need time. I''m sure Izime is nice bu-"

    "Then forget I said anything and take your time lass, being his friend is the least I''d hoped for," Constantinople nodded, admitting it wasn''t exactly the best plan, "anything more was a bugger of an idea, just a thought. That the human raised alien and the human who''s to bloody alien to stick around on his home planet might have been good together."

    Constantinople raising his brows and taking another approach at the two, wanting to put Psyis concerns in their proper place. Considering the grand scheme of things and the risks involved for Izime, Constantinople doubled down on wanting someone next to his friend just in case. Be it Psyis, Radiation Man, or even Matty the angel. Someone who could hopefully hold their own in the face of the same evils that Izime was tidying up after.

    "Those ships will only stay hidden for so long; I just want him to have some company when the time comes. Someone besides that bird fighting beside him when Vhainos and Voidside finally realize it''s Izime keeping their victims afloat." Constantinople explained his reasoning behind the potential match as his eyes followed Izime down below. Posing a question towards the heroine who''d faced both evils that Izime was tangling with. "How long do you think he''d last alone? Hes a minnow playing at hiding the schools from the sharks."

    "Now, I''ve got a drink waiting to get drunk." Constantinople turned sideways; ducking underneath that still raised arm he slipped down the stairs after Izime. Not bothering to see if Psyis followed, it was her choice after all, and the exorcist would leave her to make it. "You''re still welcome to join in, and I''ll lay off the pushy attitude."

    Psyis not believing Constantinople for a second, reading the truth plainly between his blond brows. Her own white brows arching in sarcasm, which the exorcist thankfully acknowledged coming clean about his actual intentions. The con-magician''s words leaving her chewing at a purple lip, considering which direction she would choose to take on the stairs. Either returning to the streets to go find Steven, or to head down further and spend the evening with Izime despite Constantinople''s agenda.

    "At least intentionally, can''t help it if I honestly think you''d be an interesting match and want to see it happen." Constantinople couldn''t help but add the last part, finally turning with a smile. Quick stepping a bit to catch up with the man who was secretly supplying the victims of some of the most power villains across the known multi-verse Constantinople explained his reasoning, "I''m a lover not a fighter after all."

    The exorcist joined Izime on the main floor, picking a mystic story at random to regale the space faring earthling with while waving a server over to seat them. Leaving the alien to decide if she wanted to try forming any kind of friendship with Izime. It was a tough choice the exorcist imagined, knowing full well that he would always tease at more between the two. The psychic likely weighing the potential risks and rewards of making a new friend as the night out turned in potential matchmaking.

    Psyis tried to chew through the entire dilemma Constantinople had just dropped at her feet, watching as the two were being guided towards a table. The shorter Constantinople was gesturing animatedly between the occasional nod from Izime who had no idea what his friend had tried to do, a question forming in her mind.

    How would Izime feel if he knew he was being led around by the nose?

    Psyis looked down at Izime who seemed engrossed in Constantinople''s chatter unaware of what his friend was thinking, wondering what he might do. Finally deciding on a course of action Psyis made her way to find out. If Constantinople wanted to play games, she could too. Making her way towards the table while silently waving the server off, arriving just in time to catch a bit of Constantinople story.

    "-hen I decided it was time to let Azmanoth get a taste of his own medicine and inverted the seal, the look on his face when I altered the terms was priceless. A thousand smiling jaws falling to the floor in shock..." Constantinople gave a cocky nod of his head, recounting another tale of him turning the tables on the denizens from the lower planes, "Not quite the light show we gave those pirates near the pillars, but I didn''t have an asteroid belt to work with at the time."

    "Still can''t believe they thought we were going to fly through that." Izime shook his head, leaning forward to kick the chair out a bit for the final guest that night, giving the alien a nod as she joined the table. The chair catching a bit and only sliding cleanly on one side where he''d kicked at it. Izime wondering for a moment if he should have just pulled it out though a quick purple hand stopped him from moving to do so.

    "Fly through what?" Psyis reached out adjusting the chair a bit as she sat, looking at the two as she tried to slip into the conversation hoping she could take control of its direction for just a moment. Wanting to put Constantinople on the back foot she was glad when Izime was the one who answered her question.

    "A few rocks, nothing you couldn''t have just crushed" Izime made a grasping motion with his hand miming the heroine''s powers. Finally pointing at the exorcist to place the blame for the part of the story she''d heard. "This ass thought Reaver''s would take to his cheating at cards as easily as the idiots in the lower planes."

    "They did not, in fact." Constantinople nodded admitting his mistake, recalling exactly how the two had escaped the expert pilots the Reavers had sent after them. Izime was not the best pilot and even though Cradle tried a bird could really only physically do so much with human sized controls. "Still glad you had an in with the Vidan Security that interdicted us."

    "Had, until I burned it on a light-speed ticket we could have avoided, if someone hadn''t fried the transponder with an invisibility spell." Izime could still smell the smoking friend or foe identification module Constantinople had dumped a bottle of something on, the only magic released being a puff of blue smoke.

    "We already had active cloaking just another one of his brill ideas." Izime gave a tilt of his head towards the Thessian as he wrapped up the tale, tossing in a bit of Constantinople''s own slang as a parting shot at the exorcist''s ego. The con-magician snorting at the cheap shot as their server walked up to take their orders.

    "Oh, now that''s low." Constantinople shook his head in mock disappointment before looking up at the server that had just walked up to take their drink orders. Placing his order, Constantinople quickly added something for the whole table as well. "Pint for me, and a round of Baby Guinness for the lot."

    "Your poison," The server nodded, writing quickly before looking at Izime and asking with a country drawl. An almost painfully obvious joking look of mock disapproval painted on their face as they tried to work for some kind of tip from the table. "Something stateside and bland maybe?"

    "White Russian." Izime smiled back at the waiter who was teasing him on Constantinople behalf before quickly ordering something tasty that was easily drinkable. Giving the exorcist a nod in thanks for ordering the table a round of shots before the attention turned towards their third.

    "Sure thing." The server nodded smiling in appreciation as the man played along, even if he was a bit rough looking, he at least seemed to have a sense of humor and was willing to share it. Certainly, a bit more than half the people in Voltham would give you willingly so the waiter had decided to joke around a bit with the table, glad to find them receptive.

    "Just a beer," Psyis ordered something she didn''t really care for, not wanting to indulge to much with Constantinople around plotting. Izime likely not yet aware of his friend''s intentions it was best she kept her wits about her; quickly adding after hearing the question form in their server''s mind. "Doesn''t matter what kind."

    "So, what were you talking about?" Psyis tried to bring the conversation back to life was their server was walking away to get their drinks from the bartender. Turning towards Izime, she was a bit wary trying to gauge if he was a partner in Constantinople''s crimes of playing cupid. Instead, her question answered by Constantinople this time, luck not on her side a second time.

    "The misadventures of space-hero Izime." Constantinople spoke up wanting to bring the focus towards his friend, determined to paint him in some decent light. If not for the personal reason of wanting to make Izime look good in front of Psyis, there was always the fact Dark Night was looking into the man. Constantinople deciding he''d remain firmly on his friend regardless of which scenario played out.

    "Salesman," Izime rolled his eyes correcting Constantinople mislabel on both ends, the scavenger quickly trying to distance himself from such damning titles. If it had been his old reality sure call him a hero or villain, they were simply concepts of morality. Here they were real-life beings that existed in an actual functioning ecosystem that had evolved around them. Odd coincidence or the worlds self-corrective scripting, a Hero begot matching Villains; the idea of which was honestly a bit scary.

    "I don''t do the whole hero and villain stuff." Izime needed to make it very clear, he was only here to manage the scraps; calling anything he did heroic was a stretch by any means. Wanting to set the record straight Izime clarified the tables topic, pointing a thumb towards himself as he explained to Psyis. "Besides, I was talking about Constantinople''s penchant for terrible ideas that being another one."

    "Weird how he has those, I''ve been involved in a couple too sadly." Psyis nodded giving the exorcist a warning look as a bright smile crept across her light purple lips. Izime giving her the perfect opportunity to expose the exorcist''s plot, "he was sharing one with me just no-"

    "Oye!" Constantinople cut the Psychic off before she could fill Izime in, "Fucking bugger off or don''t start trouble."

    "Thats what you get for shoving every nonhuman towards my bed," Izime smiled, glad Psyis was at least willing to help him call Constantinople out for being a bit pushy, tastes aside this time. Izime immediately being reminded of just why he''d not seen the exorcist in so long, the man was completely incorrigible when it came to flings; a habit he''d tried to rub off on Izime. "Let it go Constantinople."

    "A man has needs, my bad for trying to be a mate." Constantinople looked at Izime then rolled his eyes at the two, hoping a quick self-execution would keep too much evidence from being exposed.

    Psyis blinked for a moment, Izime''s crass claim not exactly what Constantinople had been trying for... right? The alien stopped blinking for a moment, blushing blue on Constantinople''s behalf as Izime called him out further.

    "Says the shark fucker." Izime took out one of his favorite insults quickly kneecapping the exorcists mentioning one of his most regretful exes.

    "That wa-" Constantinople let his head drop to the table, hoping playing into it would keep Izime entertained and Psyis from opening her mouth. Sure, those had been bad, but he''d been trying to figure out Izime''s type and it didn''t seem like it''d be human with as much time as the man spent off-world. So maybe the exorcist had shot himself in the foot taking Izzy on a pub crawl in atlantis still he''d learned a bit about what caught those teal eyes.

    "A bad idea? What the multiple rows of teeth didn''t clue you in?" Izime reached over and patted Constantinople on the back before turning towards the alien who was giving the exorcist a worried look. Izime addressing her now, hoping he could smooth whatever feathers his friend had ruffled on the thessian. "Don''t let it bother you, if it really does, I''ll drop him of someplace in a galaxy far far away. Like I said earlier its Constantinople''s thing, he does this anytime we hang out."

    Izime tried to finish the conversation he had avoid on the stairs without further detail. Seeing as Constantinople had thrown himself under those tires willingly Izime decided to drive the bus right back over his friend, asking the exorcist to explain his reasoning. "What were you going off of this time?"Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    "Color, shes an alien, and you were already looking at her." Constantinople shrugged, leaning back as the server sat a tray on the center of the table. A bit to focused on avoiding the topic and reaching for a drink to realize he had walked himself into the other opponent''s field.

    "Oh, what happen to the whole bit I got about Izime being the alien one and you being worried about him." Psyis rolled her eyes at Constantinople who was taking his beer and shots, his hand only pausing for the briefest moment at her question. Though Izime replied before Constantinople, a bit insulted at the insinuation. "How he needed, a what was it, steady hand?"

    The exorcist knocked his hand against his head as Psyis took the steering wheel to the conversation and drove it right over him. Sitting back Constantinople look at their server, blatantly ignoring the obvious scowl Izime was giving him.

    "I''m a human thank you, it''s even been verified by multiple sources." Izime helplessly tried to reinforce his position while taking the black and white drink from the waiter. Reaching over to snag one of the tiny shot glasses from Constantinople, continuing as he turned towards Psyis wanting to make sure she knew, "I can take care of myself if not I''ve got Cradle, so there''s nothing to worry about."

    Psyis running her eyes over Constantinople''s face as Izime unintentionally or intentionally played right into the script his friend had used. Izime words coming across as more than dry sarcasm, the man believed what he was saying. The exasperation in it enough to force Constantinople to take a sip of his beer before he dared call his friend out on the possible use of clever word play. Psyis doubting the latter part of the statement herself, she''d battled VoidSide before personally.

    "There''s already three different loopholes I can think of using in that statement." Constantinople raised a brow, reaching across and placing the third shot glass in front of the psychic with a meaningful look, as he continued. "And you''re the type to use them, even the litmus test across from me can''t read you so I''m not sure you deserve the pass."

    "I don''t sell information especially my own, so both of you can pry on your own time or go join the Blane''s" Izime shook his head trying his best to politely put the exorcists questions to rest and head off the psychic who had joined them for the night, "I''m not wasting a night at Lucky Dog''s on this, especially after you cleared my tab."

    "I wasn''t prying," Psyis held her hands up as she reached for her bottle of beer, denying Izime''s accusation. Carefully backing off the subject that the exorcist had opened up, explaining why she''d mentioned it at all. "I just didn''t know if you were aware Constantinople was trying to set us up as a thing tonight, talking really big on the stairs about you needing someone by your side."

    Izime tried to not drop his drink at Psyis words, the slosh mixing the layers of coffee liquor and cream in the white russian. Playing it off, giving the drink a bit firmer and more intentional swirl to slosh the beverage, sitting back. Taking a bit more care to mind his drink, looking carefully as the dark colors swirled over milky ice.

    That was new, the doubts about his past weren''t. Izime taking a bit deeper drink as before placing the glass down unsure how to feel about this change in the conversation''s focus, the different direction of Constantinople''s usual behavior.

    A steady relationship, that was something he probably needed to consider at some point sure; in another thousand years maybe. Certainly not with a Thessian though, they would likely only be insulted by sharing their mental bonds with a bird. Let alone the Miss Psyis who was already had a major role in this world, her script was essentially set. In hindsight Izime was wishing the exorcist had just been trying to get him laid like he had since they''d met.

    In fact, he''d expected the usual shenanigans tonight, certainly not the lack luster exorcist to put effort into finding him a girlfriend. Let alone the potential match for his destitute friend to be the world-famous super-heroine from Centropolis. Izime not finding the chuckle he thought he would have at the idea as he considered it more, this was just a bad match all around. Constantinople had either prayed sincerely, found a sixth part of his soul to sell, or just leaned into blind romanticism with such high hopes.

    "Do you have some weird bet going," Izime tried to wrap his head around Constantinople''s possible motivations beyond genuinely misplaced good intentions. Trying to clarify the very different status in society the two shared Izime motioned between Psyis and himself, "Celebrity and a homeless man?"

    "You are hardly homeless; you just don''t like owning property on Earth." Constantinople shook his head at Izime''s appearance of poverty, throwing back the tiny mock Guinness as he accused him. Swallowing bitterly before pointing at the two who had soured the shot in his hand wanting to set them straight. "Ye might be good for one another just like I told her, bunch of daft arses."

    "Thanks for thinking of me buddy," Izime shook his head and took his own shot, watching as Psyis slammed her own empty glass down on the table as well. Izime trying to cover for his idiotic friend apologized once more he turned towards the alien who was taking a slight magenta hue from the liquor, "again I''m sorry, I''ll find a moon someplace and ditch him there as punishment."

    Psyis just nodded hoping the blush caused by Constantinople thoughts could be attributed to the shot she had just taken. Unsure if she should press the issue the exorcist had posed to her, which was that Izime hadn''t said no.

    The man hadn''t really answered anything from the little questions about him to even touching on how he felt about her.Just a self-depreciating apology before sarcastically shelving any real response in favor of watching the band on the stage.

    Silence taking a seat to join the three at the table. The exorcist who''d caused the whole situation jumping in-between trying to rescue the night with a change of topics.

    "Alright, alright, I''ll stuff the idea so long as it doesn''t make you two awkward," Constantinople looked between the two hoping that his good intentions hadn''t once again ruined a bright future, even if it was just the chance of one. "So... Dark Night?"

    Izime nodded looking back towards the table as he turned his glass, revealing his minor concerns over the heroic sleuth investigating him, "Not the worst issue I''ve had, I imagine he''ll dig through my files and come up with a hundred or two ways to try and sanction me off planet."

    "I''m hoping the Vidan Security Council just sticks with humans belong on earth as I don''t exactly have records here." Giving a bit of a sorry look back towards the stage Izime spilled a little tidbit of information taking another sip.

    Sure, Izime knew he''d claimed he was human and for all intents and purposes he was, he''d been certified and given the pedigree by the only authority he''d acknowledged on the issue. Though the fact that paperwork and professional opinion didn''t extend to this reality was a bit of an issue he''d yet to manage.

    "Y..." Constantinople was about to call Izime out, having just said he''d been from earth, instead only shaking his head. Already knowing the next words that would have come out of Izime''s mouth if he''d finished that thought Constantinople dropped the issue, "never mind."

    The man refused to share any information about himself so why bother asking for clarification. Constantinople recalling the vague wording Izime always used when it came to himself. It was entirely possible Izime was born off world and was only technically an earthling by abusing some loophole in galactic legalese. Abusing some gap in the red tape, keeping the Vidan from extraditing him from earth; sure, on paper it might very well confirm everything Izime said.

    "Why don''t you just get an I.D.?" Psyis asked as she was honestly curious as to why Izime hadn''t just gotten some kind of non-driver photo I.D. or otherwise. They would surely be helpful if not necessary to have a decent time on earth; immediately rolling her eyes as Izime turned to smile brightly; Psyis knowing she''d been had.

    "I don''t sell information that goes double for my own," Izime took a smaller sip as he watched the psychic kick herself for not thinking of the obvious answer she would receive. "You should know that by now Miss Psyis."

    Izime glancing over the rim of his glass at the two of them watching their reactions as the ice melted down slowly. Constantinople giving a short snort, cocking a brow at the mind reader who Izime had just used to shotgun down any further questions. The Psychic already having rolled her eyes at him Izime was a little taken back at the second less playful look. The alien giving him a sideways glance before huffing her own response.

    "I told you too, it''s just Psyis." Turning her red eyes away Psyis let Izime have his little victory, she was more upset by the way he was treating her. A heroine on second and just another person the next, she wished once again she could just peek inside to get a solid answer on just what Izime was thinking.

    The woman giving the man across from her a bit of a cross look as she tried to make sense of him. Did he even respect her at all or was using her full title just to taunt her, and what about how casually he''d acted in the alley. Psyis already having her fill of being yanked around by Steven''s mood swings let alone someone doing it intentionally. If it was intentional at all, the mind-reader suffering from this odd lack of knowing once more.

    "Short answer is proving any form of citizenship." Izime decided to throw a couple chips down on the table, tossing the two a nugget of information they would discover later anyway. Hoping it would at least smooth whatever feathers he''d ruffled on the mostly purple alien Izime explained further, "Dark Night is going to eventually confirm I''m not from earth and not just suspect it, the Vidan''s records are only going to confirm his suspicions."

    Psyis giving a thoughtful sip of her own beer not wanting to reveal her contentment at Izime at least sharing something beyond the tired catch phrase. Ignoring the reaction of the usually more convincing exorcist next to her as she reveled in her little moment. The response obviously a reaction to the upset tone she''d taken with him just a moment before, Izime quickly backtracking at her words. The alien unsure of just how much she should allow her ego to grow.

    "OK enough answers from me, let''s all drink then the two of us go get a tank from hell so you can take it to hell." Izime took another deep swig sending few remaining clouds of dark and white mixing about further, returning Constantinople''s curious look, "Never been to mercury?"

    "I, ah, I''ll head back to the Blane''s afterwards then," Psyis glanced between the two men at the table trying to find her own plans for the night seeing as Izime had certainly just cut her out, "I can just meet up with you in Centropolis at some point afterwards, next year I think you said?"

    "At least see if the budgies willing instead of lying to the lass, rude arse doesn''t have any family." Constantinople wanted to try and kick Izime under the table, though just the thought was enough to clue in the psychic. The exorcist deciding to call Izime out openly for the lie, putting his foot down on the issue of who was going where. "She''s coming I didn''t cold shoulder a Blane for you to be anti-social, that''s my gig."

    "I didn''t lie." Izime swallowed down the half the remaining alcohol at once, sitting the glass down a bit roughly. Refusing to acknowledge any look that would follow his revelation after the game Constantinople had tried to play earlier. Even though it certainly wasn''t the nosy exorcist business what he''d planned with Psyis, he had to explain a bit, "I invited her to meet some of my family."

    "Meet the family, Izzy''s?" Constantinople looked over at the man who according to Lucy had no relation to this world. At least not when he had entered hell beside the exorcist to start dealing toxin, "You don''t have family."

    Constantinople watching as Izime nodded along with the beat, taking a moment to form a proper reply. The exorcist knew the question was loaded, as he already had a bit of insider information on Izime. His friend a look as if he was a bit regretful, Constantinople only wondering about what. If it was Lucy''s words, the question in general, or his own friends coming response.

    "The stuff in hell was just a technical truth," Izime spoke at towards the stage, finally looking back towards the exorcist wanting to put the incident he was recalling to rest, "I have people I care about who care about that''s family enough outside of blood relations. One''s a huge Miss Psyis fan anyway so I figured why not."

    "I''m supposed to go listen to them play music, once it warms up enough that its worth playing in the square, I assume?" Psyis interjected, glad when Izime simply nodded along. Tilting his nearly empty glass towards the psychic who had spelled it all out well enough.

    Izime nodded along as he considered his own parts to the planned meeting, like how it couldn''t be raining but still needed to be busy enough that the celebrity heroine wouldn''t stick around too long. Though not so busy that Shya couldn''t say hi. Just arranging a quick meet and greet, he wasn''t introducing Psyis to the two on any kind of personal level. Izime didn''t want Shya to think this was something her Uncle Izime could pull off on the regular.

    Just collecting the odd knickknack, a free pass to see Miss Psyis was available so he''d snagged one for his niece.

    The three taking that chance to turn to lighter topics, talking until the drinks were finally finished. The minutes passing quickly with idle chatter until Psyis wound up reminding the two they couldn''t spend the night away getting wasted.

    The two magic users and psychic paying a pleasantly surprised Jessie before disappearing into the streets of Voltham. The group roaming around in the late night, looking for a decent place to set up a teleportation spell. Settling on a location they''d found in an abandoned parking complex; Constantinople began busily inscribing with the chalk. Psyis and Izime standing off to the side a considerable bit of distance between them as Izime muttered quietly at the bundle of feathered irritation in his hands.

    "Miss Psyis. Come on Cradle don''t be rude." Izime tried to hold the raven''s attention, the bird scratching at the concrete and bobbing its head around to glance past him.

    "Stupid. Purple." Cradle saw a bit of the gray hoodie standing a ways away, glancing up at Izime before trying to give a flap of its wings. Cawing out hoping to aggravate the alien once more, not giving Izime a reason to intervene. "Stupid purple! Stupid."

    Psyis just smiling, giving a slight bow of her head. Not baring any teeth, hoping it came across as apologetic and not irritating or taunting towards the raven. At first using the excuse of an apology to meet now feeling a bit worried as the bird was very obviously upset at her still. Constantinople pushing the meet forward may not have been the wisest move, though he seemed unworried.

    "Nope, now you''re doing it on purpose," Izime tapped the raven on the nose as it seemed to calm down, happy that at least one of the two halves of this problem could behave like a reasonable adult. Izime glanced back, pointing at the alien trying to make headway with the childish raven, "She came here to be nice and if you accept her apology, she''ll give you a treat."

    Cradle looked under Izime''s arm, glancing at the annoying alien that hadn''t even waited a day before popping back up. Stupid purple was useless, and Cradle had decided it didn''t want her apology after all. The female couldn''t even put up a good show now, simply rolling over after all that spitting in its face earlier. All at Izime''s request, the cowardly crowess was revealing her colors, Cradle had more fight when it''d been just a chick. Now she intended to bribe her way into forgiveness after not just being rude but failing Cradles most basic expectations for her. Flying hero''s meant money and here she was once again with nothing to show for it!

    Oh, sure Constantinople had sent them a transfer but that was for something else. Cradle knew they were going back to the ship to Izime''s home, the Thessian obviously plotting to feed it from their own stash of treats. It was disingenuous at best and the behavior of a thieving crow at worst!

    "Capabilities of a supercomputer and flying lawnmower combined with temper of a seven-year-old." Constantinople shot a look at the terrifying creature that was misbehaving in Izime''s grasp before nodding towards Psyis and explaining, "I''d try pleading your case lass, sooner rather than later."

    The exorcist was aware that every single safety feature on the device activated simply because the one handling the bird was Izime, the beasties bond. Any other being likely to start losing limbs quite quickly. Izime could treat Cradle like a raven because for him the bird was willing to limit itself to one, that feature was optional and dependent of the living machines own attitude towards anything else. If it chose, they could instead be facing a whirling free-form blender, that or the terrifying nanite cloud the raven was made of.

    "I''m sorry for touching you without permission Cradle, and Izime. I just didn''t know what you were," Psyis gave the exorcist a thankful nod as she tried talking to Cradle directly, the birds head still snaked under Izime''s arm. The thessian trying to match her own speech to the ravens limited vocabulary, "causing a scene in the noodle shop wasn''t very good of me. I will try to be good from now on.

    "Not stupid?" Cradle decided it would play along, if everyone here thought they could talk Psyis through an apology they had another thing coming.

    "Just purple." Psyis gave a little smile, a hint of enthusiasm slipping in as she thought she might be making progress in building a bridge with the bird.

    "Not Stupid!" Cradle gave an agitated flap, wanting to hear the alien say the words properly. Glancing up at Izime both for reinforcement and to see if its bond had caught on to the clever trick it intended to play.

    "Fine I won''t be stupid anymore." Psyis rolled her head brushing her mohawk aside as she handed the raven the words it was demanding to hear, red eyes giving a sarcastic look at red lenses. "Not Stupid!"

    "Purple!" Cradle looked back up at Izime, playing along happily with the thessian''s silly apology. Cradles happily bobbing head looking at its bond in pride as it''d successfully trained the thessian.

    "Are you going to behave?" Izime looked down at the raven, still doubtful for some reason. Though this did seem along the lines of Cradles typical upset little fit throwing.

    "Cradle is a good birdie." Cradle gave a pecking nod of its head before hopping in time with Izime''s new friends name. Izime could forgive the alien, Cradle intended to bide its time hopping along until it could spring its trap. "Purple Purple."

    "OK well that''s that cleared up," Constantinople gave a nod of admiration towards Psyis before looking at the bird that had always given him the creeps and asking about himself. "What about old fish and chips?"

    "Con, Stain! Con, Stain!" Cradle puffed its feathers out, giving a grating croak of a cry with each syllable as its demeaned the exorcist that was always poking at Izime.

    "Good Cradle." Izime nodded giving the ravens back an appreciative stroke smoothing out the puffed feathers.

    "Bloody bird." Constantinople stood finally finished with his end of the teleportation spell. A circle etched with various runes and symbols. Its center a geometric ideogram of some sort, "Go and set up a portal on your end I''m not playing the guessing game with a tank that size under pressure."

    "You guys haven''t ever... you know spilled a bunch of that stuff, have you?'' Psyis leaned away from the wall, idly asking the question that had popped into her mind aloud.

    "No." "Yep!" "NO!''

    The silence dragging on for a moment, finally looking up to see three sets of eyes looking at her. As if spurred on by her eyes three immediate replies came at once, two laden with guilt one happily hopping in truth.

    "OK, first of all I''m a better psychic than that Constantinople so try harder next time," Psyis looked at the exorcist who had tried to block her with a mental image of a pint, before turning to thank the only honest person there. "And thank you at least for being honest Cradle."

    "It got cleaned up... in a fashion" Constantinople stuffed a hand into his pocket while the other waved in explanation.

    "It was a free sample, and the demons loved it." Izime crossed his arms defiantly still proud he''d managed to hit the portal at all.

    "Constantinople you should know better and you, you... I swear," Psyis looked between the two as the excuse came flying at her, first admonishing Constantinople. Then turning and taking a couple steps towards Izime her warning cut short "I ever hear of something like this happening in Centropolis I wil-"

    "Purple!" A raven''s cry echoed in the empty parking garage as a red eye twitched.

    Psyis looked at the bird that had just interrupted her biting her lip in frustration, they had just settled their own little spat. The bird needed to stay out of her business with Izime, "I-Cradle please understand, Iz-"

    "Purple!" Cradle hopped up and forward as it cut her off.

    The raven glad that it had a chance to play with the alien, Izime had told it to be nice fine, it would play all kinds of fun games with Purple. It would show them both how stupid they were, Izime for thinking he''d outsmarted Cradle and Psyis for thinking she could trick Izime. Cradle would show her all kinds of games, like the ''you can''t talk'' game, so many games she''d hated it and never bothered them again.

    Psyis watched as the smile spread further on the man''s face, one hand reaching up to slowly pat the bird that was still interrupting her, "Izime I''m just warning you don''t pu-"

    "Pur!ple! Pur!ple!" Cradle gave a perfect example of the childlike mentality Constantinople had warned of as it sang out Psyis growing shade as a new chorus to some unheard rhythm.

    "Cradle, Cradle... look at me, look!" Psyis clapped her hands trying to interrupt the little stomping strut Cradle was doing while chanting her new name, finally get its attention she tried to remind it of Izime''s words earlier. "Izime already went over this I''m not just purple remember?"

    "Just stupid?" Cradle cocked its head watching as the alien seemed to boil over her colors adjusting a bit as the blue ribbons slimmed, making her appear a bit brighter and all the angrier. The raven trying to keep its throaty chunking chuckle inside as it looked at the loser of its game, instead only managing to muffle a mocking squawk.

    "This is why I''m glad Dark Night isn''t here right now, I could imagine all the safety issues he would try and snag me on. Last thing I need is OSHA as an actual dark crusader and a literal mind-reader flagging every violation post-humorously," Izime rubbed his head not wanting the psychic breathing down his neck in worry of her city. While walking towards Constantinople to get the chalky spell component needed for the true teleportation gate Izime gestured towards Cradle accusingly. It was obvious by the thessian''s shade she wasn''t having nearly as much fun as Cradle was with their new game, "All while my work crew pisses them off."

    "Who''s OS-? Forget it mate, I''ll chalk it up to forbidden knowledge." Constantinople brushed off his tan trench coat curiously asking about what sounded like the name of some elder god, Ousha. Standing the exorcist reminded himself to not ask, instead he lazily under-handed the chalk towards Izime. "Speaking of, catch"

    "Close enough." Izime agreed, nodding as he reached out to catch the chalk. Instead stumbling to the side as a purple fist connected with his bicep, a delicate finger digging in through the leather to twinge the muscle a bit. Instead of chalk which she''d caught mid-air, she''d thrown a surprise punch for him to catch.

    The chalk suspended in a light purple haze as the psychic took a only somewhat friendly swing at him her knuckle still digging further into his arm. Izime looked over trying not to appear surprised by her actions even though he could feel his ears growing warmer. Izime trying to make some sense out of the look on her face, irate and something along the lines of joking. A pair of white brows furrowing with cheeks slightly puffed purple in frustration with one purple and blue finger pointing accusingly at Cradle, Psyis tried to explain away her attack.

    "Fix that if you want us to get along. The purple joke is fine, and I''m used to a little mouth but please respect Centropolis, it is my home." Ire fizzling out, Psyis averted her eyes as Izime silently demanded a reason for being accosted. However, she still refused to stop her twisting drill into his arm, pressing him for an answer.

    "I will," Izime nodded and plucked the bit of chalk from the air, glad Psyis wasn''t asking how exactly he had remained unaffected by the spill or any of the other thousands of questions she could. Simply assuring her with a reminder as he stepped away from the heroine who was apparently willing to consider having his business in Centropolis, "My family lives there too."

    The heroine only caring they had cleaned up their mess, apparently not bothering to ask for further details about the spill. Seemingly occupied with whatever memory she had stolen from Constantinople or Cradle''s taunting to continue antagonizing him further. Instead crossing her arms and turning away from him to examine the far side of Constantinople''s work. Taking the moment of distraction to scoop the bird up, tucking Cradle on his shoulder Izime prepared to copy the rather large magical circle.

    The bird settling down in a ruffle of feathers as a blue light began to sweep across the various runes. Taking exact measurements, locations in relation to stellar objects, every minor detail and adjusting them to cast the matching spell. Cradle essentially copying the entire thing so it could easily be pasted elsewhere; ready to use aside from the actual regents themselves.

    "Absolute bollocks that, bloody hack!" Constantinople walked over to the alien, calling back to Izime as he stood on the far side of the circle before continuing, "If I hadn''t made one first he''d be helpless."

    "Everyone''s a critique," Izime tucked the chalk in his pocket, brushing away Constantinople''s comment as he raised his hand giving a sarcastic smile. His own warping spell far outmatching the ancient relic of transport on the ground before him. "Don''t call me a hack just because I can do it faster. Now, I''ll be back."

    "He''s lucky that spell doesn''t kill him." Constantinople snarked at Psyis while he waved towards the few lingering sparks. For some spell used created by a supreme sorcerer it sure seemed malleable enough for Izime''s purposes. The exorcist absolutely distrustful of the short-cut form that circumvented proper spell casting, "Its originally a janky bit of kit from Tibet used by the sorcerers over there, he tore it down and enchanted his hands with it so anything he''s touching get snapped along with him."

    Psyis simply nodding along as she considered just how Izime seemed to get under everyone''s skin in a slightly different way. Constantinople''s out of worry for him, the Blane''s out of irritation and possible fear, even her own in some indescribably frustrating way. The thoughts she had on Izime lasting far longer than the sparks he''d left behind in the parking garage.

 Surface of Mercury

    Psyis blinked as the teleportation energies slowly subsided, the bright glow of mystic forces drawing back into the magic circle at her feet.

    Looking up into the darkness, unable to see exactly what was around aside from a cone of blue light that was cast on a metal wall several stories above her. The ambient reflected light casting dim diamond-shaped shadows as it passed through the grates Izime was walking on.

    "Bit''a light Izzy?" Constantinople was about to start feeling around in the dark until he remembered where he was. Not wanting to start knocking boxes full of junk off of shelves that Izime would make him clean he simply asked.

    "I''m getting to it!" Izime''s voice came down from above where a blue cone of light revealed his location, the beam adjusting to focus on a lever still a good distance down the gangway he was walking on. The sound of Izime walking across the grating carried through the hold for a moment until Constantinople''s impatient voice broke the cadence once more.

    "Can I ca-" Constantinople raised his hands before pausing to ask about using a quick spell to give a bit of light. Recalling that some of the things stored here in Izime''s ship probably weren''t going to well to sudden changes in temperature.

    "No fire please!" Izime''s warning came back echoing slightly in what sounded like a long room. That blue light was already a ways away but still turned back to chastise the exorcist. "You are standing in a massive cargo hold with several tons of liquid fear toxin and about a hundred other flammables."

    Psyis'' eyes finally found a bit of something to focus on as a glow formed beside her, turning to see Constantinople with a smile on his face and a spell between his palms. Hands emitting a soft yellow glow, the exorcist just nodded for her to direct her attention towards the fore of the hold.

    "No fires, I can do that..." Constantinople ignored Izime''s warning as he adjusted the spell he had in mind. Giving a quick chant into his cupped palms the exorcist flourished both hands, "Spiritus in stellae lumine diffunduntur!"

    There were plenty of non-fire-based spells he could use to light the room up, Constantinople deciding the illusion star-spell was an excellent choice for what he needed. The tiny specks of light flew out in a million flaking sparkles, the tiny stars lighting the cargo hold as they grew into their own little cosmos.

    "She''s a right beaut, watch this." The exorcist teased. Waiting as his spell revealed a treat far more impressive for the Thessian than the nothing he knew Izime had prepared.

    Constantinople gave another bigger smile at Psyis as the walls of the cargo hold came into view, watching the alien''s reaction to the far-traveled functional work of art that Izime called a shop. Her red eyes widened as the extent of Izime''s efforts and travels were revealed along the walls of the cargo hauler.

    The lower level''s wall and shelves were covered in thousands of tiny drawings and doodles, stick blobs, and forms added by children from other stars.

    Reaching where they could, idling why their parents shopped the holds of the far-flying hauler. The layers and years slowly formed an intricate mural out of the thousands of individual arts that reached up in a combined wave. Growing in intricacy as it climbed the walls, the space doodles slowly lost their simple style as the artists were older. Turning into more detailed and creative figures, tags from gangs of alien teens, and smaller murals of locations, characters, and just plain decorations.

    Names and stellar dates listed the lost in a memorandum, while carefully hidden personal notes of loss were tucked away in the dark corners of the store.

    Constantinople was glad he had gotten to the lights first, if only for the sake of being an unwanted wingman.

    Glancing at the more than slightly impressed Thessian who was admiring the mass of artworks. The exorcist knowing full well the sterile overhead lighting sold the entire atmosphere of the hold short, the place long ago having transformed from simply being cargo storage. Now something like the star-bound version of his own House of Curiosities; it felt magical and nearly timeless. The atmosphere and walls held their own unique mystique that filled the long spaces, vast but narrow.

    A flying corner drawer that had housed the misplaced secrets of the forgotten.

    The exorcist directed the thessian''s attention with a nod as the final specks of light reached the far end of the hold to reveal the piece de ''resistance.

    A beautifully painted singularity covered the entire multistory wall, an expertly painted warping of darkness and light. The accretion entangled with a brilliant green swirl. Both the Thessian and the exorcist found the view to both inspire with its grandeur as well as send a shiver through their very bones.

    The depths of that black paint seemed too deep, tangling green a hue unplaceable in that star-white accretion that could never dim. Impossible as it seemed, there it was dimming in an angry flare as that captured starlight was devoured by the sickly unrecognizable green. The stellar beast looked like it was bleeding, that color growing across it like a deathstroke though it never moved.

    Psyis broke her attention free as Izime''s snort echoed across the barren ceiling, a lever being thrown.

    The noise heard ruined any chance of recapturing the moment as Izime''s sterile effectiveness warded it away. The overhead lights snapped on in rows as the hum of electricity filled the room between the pops of activating connectors.

    "The shop of the king of knickknacks." Constantinople gestured as he walked forward toward the open area that held the larger for-sale items in the back. Their current area at the entrance was where the landing ramp was raised and lowered.

    The exorcist reached out and plucked the odd object off the shelf to examine before tossing it back into a random box on a different shelf other times just tipping a box over entirely. Constantinople knew the noise would draw the greedy buzzard in, which one didn''t matter; the psychic would do well to talk to either of them.

    "Everything here''s for sale!" Izime smiled down at the thessian among the shelves looking up as he offered to sell her anything she could want. Quite the offer considering some of the rare oddities he''d found.

    Izime began his grand introduction only to be cut off, "Welcome to the Shop, I''m the K-"

    "Constantinople already told me!" Psyis gave her own snort watching Izime''s arms drop in disappointment. Firing back a question of her own, "I thought you didn''t do names, oh great Lord?"

    "Don''t call me that. I don''t do hero or villain names; we''ve talked about that over noodles." Izime tried to keep his voice from being snappy, instead giving a spin as he put more effort into showboating for the two.

    Izime found his mood hit with a cold splash of water at the title change, kicking himself for being so emotional. Knowing that even his smile had fallen a bit at the word. Psyis had no clue how much he hated the title. He''d had to turn away quickly, readjusting his mood to something a bit more fitting for hosting guests. Psyis had already been concerned about causing issues, so it be best to just play it off.

    Holding his arms wide as he kept the show rolling inviting the psychic to respond, "But you''ve got to admit if there is anyone who deserves the title King of Knickknacks, you''ve got to admit, it''s me!"

    "King of Crap more like, be honest with her!" Constantinople chimed in, giving Izime a teasing look and giving a slight nod behind him, not even bothering to think twice about calling his friend out for showing off.

    Constantinople gave a slight sideways nod back through the aisles toward the alien Izime had just been trying to impress. If the two could have noodles and talk then they could do the same damned thing while he was here. The exorcist wanted to get a better gauge of just how badly Izime was being taken in by the alien. The man could make his own decisions, but every guy knew that the first step was always a doozy.

    Constantinople just wanted to be involved if Izime''s first relationship went sour.

    "I am not..." Izime started to fire back until he caught Constantinople''s glance towards the Thessian making the connection to what Constantinople wanted him to be honest over. Izime realized that the exorcist wasn''t calling him out on his shop but his joking with Psyis. He was claiming Izime had gone a bit past joking throughout the night.

    "Fuck off Constantinople, you ruin everything." Cursing at the exorcist, Izime blamed him for something that certainly wasn''t his fault, quickly turning to walk back down the long gangway. Teal eyes watched the walls as Izime''s legs worked double time, hoping his embarrassment was burned away by the time he reached the tanks of toxin.

    It had been a lifetime since Izime had felt this level of personal embarrassment, having totally flubbed a simulation so simple that the answer was already in front of him.

    Infinitely glad the psychic couldn''t read his mind at this moment, Izime replaying every second with her in his mind. The casual way he''d been observing her, and thinking about her had led to a level of comfort that just couldn''t exist between them. Of course, Constantinople had given them both that shit-eating grin on the balcony at Luck Dog''s, they''d been close enough it could have been a date already.

    Izime stopped for a second to take an uneasy breath rubbing at his face, firmly taking a mental step back from his earlier carefree attitude.There couldn''t be any kind of attachment to a scripted player, things need to be kept strictly business.

    Nothing personal towards any of them it was just... if those heroes or villains found out what he was, the risks involved would skyrocket; for both him and this world.

    Izime knew he was already toeing the line involving himself with the heroes; hell, any of the major players at all. This world had a script it needed to follow, one that he couldn''t interfere with. He was the butterfly and had the burden of keeping track of his effects, even the capabilities to do so. The line between not destroying something he could make better while following Bell''s wishes was a very tight rope to walk.

    Izime gave a nod, walking more confidently in the decisions he had made years back. The rules and reasons behind the business-only attitude he gave everyone but Wesson and Shya. Those two he''d flap those wings for but only ever so slightly, the two who''d made a space for him in their home. Izime already forgetting he''d already invited the psychic wandering the hold to visit that side of his life.

    Below Psyis browsed lazily heading towards the front, looking around checking the contents of the boxes on the shelves and simply glancing to read the labels on a few others. The main products near the large entrance at the rear seemed to be preserved rations, in varying degrees of nutrition. From a few boxes of earth-produced MREs from various countries to shelves full of the much less healthy Jovian Caloric-Cubes and shelves for every species in-between.

    The heroine quickly surmised the layout of Izime''s cargo hold from where she''d appeared, the convenient space that fit a teleportation spell perfectly served another purpose. These were near the front ramp where there was just enough space to minimize the danger of crowing in a rush.

    The psychic recalled Constantinople''s thoughts as he''d revealed the hold. Imagined the starving and destitute clamoring for the necessities of survival and Izime standing above. Appearing like a savior, only asking that they trade for whatever they wanted, even if it was only a doodle.

    Other shelves further in held boxes full of various gas filters and scrubbers, oxygen-based ones only taking up a small section. Others seemed to focus on things such as nitrogen or ammonia, Psyis imagining creatures she''d never heard of roaming the shelves just like her.

    Psyis just passing a few boxes labeled multi-purpose filters. The devices looked rather janky with a fabric housing and a weird exhaust port for a third pipe. The thessian paused as she tried to figure out which was the inlet, the outlet, and the overflow. She examined the arrows on the pipes confused, the other labels made even less sense as it was obvious the oxygen wasn''t included with these particular filters.

    Finally placing it back in the box Psyis moved further in, the shelves now having locking cages instead of magnetically bound boxes. Obviously full of pricier and heavier objects, ingots of various high-strength steel ingots, and rarer metals beside them.  As well as various boxes with labels ranging from traps to electronics, and even containers of liquids; all secured safely.

    All were locked inside their sealed shelves. The whine of an artificially produced gravity field grew and dimmed as Psyis passed by the shelves not bothering to read those labels.

    Her attention was no longer on the items on the shelves but watching the black leather coat that was walking through the aisles across from her. Psyis was not sure why watching the store owner was more interesting than actually browsing the goods, but he kept her attention all the same. Circling around the corner of a shelf Psyis got behind him in the same row. Watching as Izime occasionally tapped at a lock, the oddly simple master locks made a quiet tinking sound as they swung back.

    Izime seemingly unaware she was there at all, Psyis was about to say something until a movement to her side startled her, only managing a slightly startled squeak.

    Cradle''s head tilted just as confused as Psyis was at the odd sound that had escaped purple lips that were now swiftly darkening to blue. The thessian mentally berated herself and nearly physically kicked herself for following Izime so stupidly. Of course, Cradle would be there!

    Psyis looked up, unsurprised to see Izime glancing back at her after hearing the noise. Though he looked a bit tenser to be in the aisle with her than Psyis had been embarrassed after squeaking at him; something she found a bit surprising.

    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    "Did you actually find something you wanted?" Izime asked unsure, Psyis hands were empty as both Cradle and her seemed to be looking at him expectantly. Only hearing the noise of surprise turning to find Psyis, he wasn''t quite sure when she had gotten behind him.

    Maybe he had just been distracted, too occupied with reminding himself where his spot in life was. Now a bit upset at Cradle''s lack of warning as well. Izime simply glanced between the two that''d closed in on him, finally deciding to start over with the psychic. He''d talk to Cradle later.

    "Izime, King of Knickknacks. If you have to have a silly name," To self-conscious of his own idiotic unaware flirting earlier Izime quickly stuck out his hand wanting to quickly label the alien''s place in his life. The narrow shelves and his own admonishing thoughts made Izime want to put some more space between them in every sense. "Hopefully this makes us even for the run around with Dark Night."

    Psyis looked at the hand in front of her, eye furrowing in confusion reaching out slowly to take the hand of the man she had been teasingly punching earlier. Watching as that tension seemed to leave Izime''s face as her own blue hand filled his. Psyis listened as he continued, unsure of just what had brought on this change in attitude.

    "No gun''s, bombs, or otherwise on my shelves as you can see Miss Psyis." Izime realized he didn''t feel any better after this second proper introduction. Though he''d finally decided on how he''d treat her; the same way he did Constantinople. "So, I guess I''m glad to have met a new friend from Centropolis."

    Izime already removing the thessian from his life post-Shya''s meet and greet. They might run into each other once in a blue moon but honestly how often was the celebrity heroine in a soup kitchen or visiting a shelter? It would be incredibly easy to just avoid the psychic without making any of it seem personal.

    Izime trying to convince himself that it wasn''t personal at all, just the safer sensible choice.

    "Glad to be your friend Izime." Psyis smiled a bit as she returned the handshake. The opinions she''d been forming on Izime stumbling a bit as she admitted Constantinople probably had a valid point, probably several. His hand left hers as he turned, his shoes squeaking a bit against the metal as he left her between the shelves.

    "You can just keep calling me Psyis." Psyis tried once more her voice a bit quieter in the aisle, again reiterating that Izime didn''t need to treat her so formally. The thessian wondered if using that title wasn''t a form of disrespect so much as Izime drawing a line between them.

    She had a ''silly name'' and he didn''t; she was a hero, and he wasn''t.

    The alien felt more like she had just met Izime during work hours, not just left a bar after a few drinks. The odd flip confused her enough to even glance at Cradle after Izime walked away towards the front of the hold. The bird''s eyes were still on Izime''s back seeming just as confused, only giving a slight twist as Cradle considered her for a second before flying after him.

    Psyis looked back wondering if anyone really knew what Izime was thinking or felt, the man in question long gone from her view.

    Izime passed through the remaining shelves quickly, arriving to find Constantinople leaning against one of the tanks. Already felt his emotional battery lagging behind the energy that he''d brought to mercury with him. The exorcist looked at the ground as if considering something, before glancing up to call him over.

    Whistling a bit, Constantinople sucked in a breath to get his friend''s attention, one hand summoning a glass and a bottle. Constantinople could tell he''d put his foot in it. So sorry he was even willing to pass up on pouring two, quickly offering the single glass of much harder liquor to Izime before the psychic showed.

    "Sorry mate, I''ve got an arse for a mouth. You''re doing fine," Constantinople shook the glass, hoping Izime would take it and at least forget that the Brit was an ass and a bit of a whore. At least when it came to comparatively pure in comparison to Izime who struggled to even find an interest in the first place.

    Teasing him over being a terrible flirt when he never flirted had been cruel, not nearly as funny as sending a frisky eel to his door.

    "Take one, wash it down," Constantinople hoped that the shot would both earn him Izime''s forgiveness as well as encourage his friend to not back off the thessian. Even if the woman was hung up on a braggart it would still be good for Izime to live a little outside of his work. "Forget I ever said a thing, eh?"

    The anti-hero finally smiled a bit as Izime took the glass. The exorcist took some satisfaction in knowing he''d at least nailed some aspect of what sparked the spaceman''s fire, what it was he had no clue. He''d start with stripes next time, if that didn''t work maybe it was the mohawk. Once Constantinople figured it out though, regardless of Psyis'' interest, he''d find Izime somebody, somday.

    Izime glanced at the glass for a moment considering the advice, wondering whether the dark liquid would make his decision go down easier, or if it would just lead to further mistakes. Finally making up his mind Izime gave his friend an appreciative nod and snatched the glass. Downing the powerfully enchanted grain-based liquor, giving a slight cough as the unfamiliar heat worked through him.

    "Thanks, Constantinople," Leaning back against one of the tanks the scavenger''s voice came out slightly raspier. Izime leaned his head back a bit while he gave the exorcist an appreciative look; thoughts on how to handle a life full of paradoxes fading with the heat.

    Watching the glass burn up in a green flame, just as quickly as the liquor had burned his throat Izime looked up at his friend with a smile, "This is why you''re my favorite."

    "Mate I''m about your only fucking friend, let alone favorite." Constantinople pointed up towards the hooks and hoists that were inlaid to a beam on the ceiling of the hold, the cables fully retracted at the moment. Constantinople wanted to get Izime moving while he was still sober enough, "Now let''s get your crane down and get my tank onto that teleportation circle."

    "Oh no, nope, I saw that." A warning came from the shelves as a purple hand gestured as the exorcist, Psyis left the shelves just a bit too quickly for the two to hide their drinking on the job, "He''s not operating any kind of machinery after drinking anything you poured Constantinople."

    "I''m fine," Izime tried to lean forward and away from one of the tanks, only managing to tilt forward a bit before stumbling back again as he caught himself. Reconsidering for a moment, Constantinople''s enchanted booze was no joke.

    Izime gave a slight shake of his head hoping to clear his mind, only managing to blur Psyis'' look of disapproval.

    "I''m fine, I''ll go grab the controll-" Izime started to explain before he trailed off his mouth still open, slightly dumbfounded as he watched a purple haze envelope one of the tanks. The entire thing slowly rising off the ground, Psyis apparently not believing he was capable.

    Psyis enjoyed the silence, the only sound that of liquid toxin barely sloshing as she decided to handle the job. Blinking with zero surprise at the magicians who had intended to waste time using machinery to accomplish such a simple task. The two idiots obviously had forgotten she was here let alone that they had powers too; surely some spell could levitate a tank a short way.

    Constantinople already pouring Izime another drink instead of helping Izime. Psyis was glad she had arrived before the exorcist was pouring himself his own glass.

    Though she was more than a bit peeved to see him encouraging Izime, who was already acting a bit weird and didn''t need more alcohol. Psyis was a bit uncomfortable with the way he''d been acting in the shelves, feeling like Izime hadn''t said what he meant. If he had that she didn''t like it, she liked the easily teased Izime better than this King of being weird.

    "That is a neat trick," Izime held his hand aloft and put his fingers to his temple imitating what he''d always imagined a psychic to be. "Do I need to go above and check for clearance or can you just."

    Psyis deadpanned as Izime waved his hand about with one near his temple as if she looked anything like that when she used her thessian telekinesis. Instead, Psyis put a hand on her hip while she held the massive tank aloft with the other calling him out on his activities, "If it makes you feel helpful you can, King of Drinking on the Job."

    "Damn!" Izime exaggeratedly leaned away from Constantinople as he exclaimed, drawing out the word as it rose in pitch. The alcohol encouraged a reference that didn''t exist here, Izime sighed as both the people in the room just stared at him like he was crazy.

    Constantinople returned the odd glance, not sure why Izime was insinuating him with that look. Waving away his friend''s look as he explained, "She''s talking about you lad."

    "Never mind," Izime waved the two''s odd looks away, instead motioning for his newest employee to follow him, "Just try not to hit anything, and I''m not paying you."

    "Slave driver, at least give us some of that off-world alcohol." Constantinople snarked as Izime immediately began to worry about his bank account, the exorcist shooting for the far-flung liquors the man had acquired. "Something decent to not that swill the Reavers drink."

    "Fine we can all go to the cabin, it''s got a decent view of the lead geysers of mercury," Izime scratched at his chin, considering just what he had available here on the cargo hauler that he could offer the two, "I think I''ve got a bottle fermented coolant left so we can open that. It''s from a leaky sub-stellar FTL drive, we might go blind for a bit, but it is damn good."

    "Seriously?" Psyis stopped walking and turned to look at Izime, now intending to stick around until Constantinople left, certain she''d need to keep him sober. Hoping but not sure that this was another of the two''s inside jokes. Alien or not, Psyis was positive that anything from the spaceship''s engines couldn''t be safe for anything to consume.

    "It''s a few seconds, but it is smooth, and surprisingly enough the most dangerous side-effect is that it''s extremely drinkable," Izime explained a bit about the intoxicating liquid, not surprised that the planet-based heroine was unfamiliar with the preferred moonshine of the stars. Though Izime was aware of such, so he''d also stocked something similar to common earth brews.

    Now offering that as well, Izime hoping he could at least somewhat return the favor,  "I''ve also got some regular Jovian suds. Not sure what it''s made from but it foams and so it at least looks like beer."

    "Coolant." Constantinople of course asked for the strongest.

    "Beer," Psyis asked for something she was familiar with.

    "OK, so one Jovian bottle of mystery coming up." Izime nodded as he took their orders, already walking to a nearby shelf to retrieve the metallic bottle of ''beer'' for the psychic. Walking over Izime held it out while breaking the bad news to Constantinople, "You''ve got to wait until we get this thing moved."

    Psyis took the oddly familiarly shaped but gray bottle from Izime, one hand still supporting the tank as he led, following him closely. Directing her down the aisles of shelves, moving boxes that were never in her way, eyes always glancing upwards. Purple and blue lips sealed, keeping her observations about the nervous-as-a-cat shop owner to herself.

    Izime''s tension finally broke when the tank was sat safely in the center of the spell circle.

    "Bloody saved us an hour at least," Constantinople smiled broadly as his prize was finally secured, it''d only cost him a fraction of the usual price as well. Though the con-magician hadn''t quite forgotten the slick more they''d pulled on his bank account, poking fun at Izime now. "You are kinda shite with that crane mate."

    "I''m not that bad." Izime rolled his eyes, even though Constantinople was right. Though that was because the controls were all messed up, Izime had never gotten used to that in-between stage of interfacing physically. Not that he''d ever bother explaining such things as that''d just lead to more questions so. "I can get the job done at least."

    "At least the portal went straight to hell you mean..." Constantinople looked up at the very crane, the very new-looking piece of equipment hanging on a beam that was suspended from the ship''s spinal support. "Along with the cables and hoist."

    "Fastest delivery I''ve ever delivered and our personal record" Izime tried to remember the high points, not focusing on the mess it made opening a portal to hell on his ship. The shelves and everything had been tossed about like paper, though his unexpected customers had certainly enjoyed the fiasco, "if Hell could''ve left us a review it''d have been five stars."

    A tapping from beside them brought the two out of their reminiscing, a rather aggravated Psyis standing with her arms crossed as she looked between the two. The levels of disappointment she felt were matched only by the lack of shock, that lack of shock only matched by the lack of taste in the odd beer Izime had given her.

    Psyis idly knocked the bottle against her elbow, listening along as the two decided to stop digging themselves into a deeper hole to crawl out of.

    "Do you want a shot or do we keep talking until fun police start asking more questions." Izime looked over at the exorcist with a bit of blame. The entire plan had been Constantinople''s idea, wanting to attempt transferring the fear toxin across in a single leap instead of using the proper channels.

    "A shot," Constantinople stuck with his original choice before asking Psyis about her own. The face she was making after each sip was incredibly odd, so the exorcist just had to know. "How is it?"

    "It doesn''t have a taste?" Psyis looked down into the bottle, the pale amber liquid revealing itself under the foam as she sloshed it about. It was sudsy sure, but aside from the sensation that she''d been drinking there was nothing to taste which was an odd feeling. "So not bad but it really can''t be good either?"

    "Jovian''s have different taste receptors than us or Thessian''s too I guess," Izime nodded towards the bottle in the psychic''s hand in explanation. Already planning to grab a third glass for the coolant from the cabins as he made his way up the stairs, "That''s why they love those and the cubes."

    "I''m going to handle this," Constantinople gave a cheeky wave and tossed an idle thought at the Psychic, hopeful with his warning but the hint should keep the Thessian''s gloves on. With a bit more hand waving than Izime''s spell Constantinople activated the circle at his feet, vanishing with a final parting jab. "Be back in a bit and I expect my glass waiting, ya knob."

    Izime nodded at the exorcist a bit awkwardly before looking down to see Psyis approaching the stairs. The A.I.''s mind trying to think of idle things to fill the minutes Constantinople would be gone unable to figure out just how tonight had gotten so out of hand. Now that he was alone with the mind-reader Izime wasn''t sure if it was really her psychic abilities that were making him so nervous.

    Psyis'' red eyes found his just as the searing light of the teleportation circle activated. Izime''s eyes narrowed under the fierce glow, watching the shadows play across Psyis face as he considered.

    Psyis didn''t bother turning around to chastise Constantinople, simply filing away the unasked-for tidbit as she instead focused on Izime. One hand on the rail as Izime''s eyes were still watching her, a bit of a contrast to the normal bravado she was used to from Steven. Looking down at her tennis shoes as they made their way past the boots on the stairs Psyis had to agree with Constantinople.

    The exorcist may have pushed a bit too hard, red eyes quickly glancing up the stairs.

    Psyis was glad she didn''t blush, not to the degree Izime was simply by being close to her now.

    It was like the man''s brain was frying, something she would tease him for if Constantinople hadn''t told her to take care with his friend. Psyis imagined she would be a bit nervous to if she''d never really had a relationship and then been shoved into a blind date. Izime had certainly taken tonight better than she would have, let alone all the other times the exorcist had gotten pushy.

    Psyis imagined that was the reason Constantinople saw his friend so rarely.

    "Come on," Psyis looked back pretending nothing was off motivating Izime with a motion of her barely sipped bottle. "I want something better than an actual mystery flavor."

    "Glass of coolant it is but seriously the going blind thing isn''t a joke." Izime nodded, trying to shake away the bit of data that was etching itself into his memory.

    The drinks and Constantinople obviously getting to him, Izime mentally dragged the last minute to the recycling bin and deleted it. The way Psyis white hair caught on those little ridges on her ears was pointless, useless information, and could be erased. It''d be better if the whole memory would stay gone in fact, Izime was a bit self-conscious of his own thoughts around the psychic as she seemed to creep into his mind.

    Knowing ironically enough he was one of the few people who didn''t need to be.

    Izime tried to reassure himself knowing Cradle was keeping her at bay, a bit more confident watching the door to the pilot''s cabin approach. Unaware that his bond was and had been silently watching him the entire time. Too focused on not tripping up around the alien further to realize Cradle had silenced its end of the bond.

    The Raven took the time to consider Izime''s interactions and listen to its nest programs'' internal debates and considerations. Cradle finally broke his owner''s dumbfounded spell as it flapped to his shoulder, deciding to be a bit more on guard for its bond''s sake. The female still needed to do better than helping out around the nest just this once. The thieving crowess had immediately started following Izime just as soon as she''d seen their hoard.

    Way too obvious.

    If she thought a bit of moving things a few things, strutting about, and fouling their air was going to win her a spot it wasn''t.

    Cradle''s talons tensed as it looked at its pheromone-addled human wishing it could flush his system; the mixture of alcohol and brain chemistry was a bad combination. The thessian''s body wasn''t helping but that was likely a part of her plan. If she thought Cradle was going to let a biological attack slide just because it wasn''t one, then she was still the same old Stupid Purple.

    It knew just how to solve this problem. Black wings flapped to sweep away both the biological creatures'' logic-numbing chemically charged clouds. Cradle wanted them dispersed well before they entered the cabin where the two would be in even closer proximity.

    "OK, OK, Cradle you can come to." Izime gave a slight chuckle, leaning his head aside as Cradle flapped for attention. The raven seemed a bit upset, Izime''s bond giving him back a silent cold shoulder as he checked on it.

    "Someone jealous?" Psyis turned to see Cradle giving Izime a frustrated look as it flapped, one wing smacking the side of his face.

    "I guess..." Izime gave the psychic a look, narrowing his eyes as soft metal brushed his cheeks, he figured Cradle would speak up if there was an issue. Izime asking all the same just to be sure. "You''re not petting us, are you?"

    "No, I trust you..." Psyis shook her head smiling at Izime before quickly giving an addition, not wanting to Izime to think the wrong thing. She''d had Steven take a sentence like that and try to use it as a free pass for anything he''d felt like with her.

    Psyis stumbling through her reasoning, realizing Izime probably wasn''t even thinking anything similar. "Somewhat, n-not completely of course. Enough that I''m not going to try and read your mind or use my powers on you for no reason."

    "Thanks," Izime breathed a bit easier stepping past the psychic to enter the door code, turning back he explained a bit of what was making him uneasy with the thessian, "I''ve never been friends with a mind-reader, so this already feels tense enough."

    Holding a hand out Izime welcomed the Thessian to the small flight deck, the bright glow of molten lead already spilling through the doorway as the geysers of mercury were erupting in full force. Watching as red eyes widened and Psyis lips pulled back, Izime realized he was smiling too.

    Smiling simply because Psyis was, large enough that he could feel his cheeks pulling back as well. Forgetting Psyis for a moment as he recalled the last time he had stood at a window with a view into space alone with a woman and felt happy. Giving the briefest glance at the gently curved shadow that stood in front of the viewing port careful to not think of bluing ears; comparing wasn''t fair after all. A human mistake he''d learned the hard way.

    A memory of another window bringing that smile down faster than Mercury''s gravity could pull the liquid metal back down to the surface of the planet.

    Shelving the more painful of the two memories that were crawling their way out of his mental recycling bin Izime went to find that engine coolant. A couple of glasses of something so strong you''d go blind sounded pretty nice right now.

 The Dark Ultimatum

    Psyis rubbed her arms trying to keep warm, the chill air in the upper atmosphere easily slipping past the meager insulation of her hoodie. Looking down at the winding pass that led to Blane Manor, a slightly lighter strip cut in the vast forest. Tucking her hands into her pocket she tried to keep the wind from creeping up along her midsection while descending.

    The frigid air was already working its way up along the denim around Psyis legs, the chill against her mottled skin causing her to shiver a bit.

    Dropping from thousands of feet above a small figure finally touched down on one of the well-lit balconies that had housed the Blane family for generations. Psyis looked at the decorative pots, now rather barren looking with the plant''s greenery falling a month ago. The lands around the manor had always looked so full of life that it had taken the journey to adulthood for Psyis to realize otherwise.

    Psyis recalled her younger days when she''d been so easily taken in by the trickery.

    The naiver Psyis who''d believed she was partaking in the heights of humanity when she''d merely been playing at being second-hand Voltham aristocracy. Going hand in hand with Steven to attend dinners and functions, those years forging an image that she''d tried to cast aside. Leaving Steven to experience the real world outside of the Kansas alien reserve the Cents maintained and the manicured lifestyle of the Blanes.

    Independence had earned her a wonderful little Centropolis apartment, and a depth of understanding of just how difficult it was to make it in the world as a hero. She could understand now just the tiniest bit why Dark Night used a small part of his vast wealth maintaining that very cared-for persona of being both a vivacious billionaire widower and imposing monarchical mogul of Voltham.

    The Blane''s willing to burn untold sums to maintain that dynamic camouflage, so intricate that it''d even fooled her into ignoring all the warning signs. Those false mirages of humanity that merely concealed a borderline justice-disorder fading, painted over with the view of mercury''s falling liquid lead.

    Reaching up slowly and pulling down her hood she let the cool air wrap around her neck, the gentle breeze not nearly as cold now that she was at ground level.

    Relaxing as November adjusted her hairstyle to its preference thinking back on the slightly awkward but rather fun night she''d had on an entirely different planet. Red eyes looking out into the dark the coordinated trees manicured and cared for by the landscapers replacing them with the wild geysers of mercury.

    Thinking of someone else who''d taken an altogether different route in their life, living as a nomad among the other planets. If it had been another life, maybe she too would have taken to the same nomadic space-faring lifestyle instead of paying property taxes here on Earth. Despite Izime''s strange ways, he was a refreshing level of normal for being a hero, even if she included the toxin dealing there towards the end.

    Visiting Mercury had been fun even if Izime had only taken them for a bit, and just like Constantinople had warned it was basically all business.

    Thinking back the entire night had been fun, not the laugh-along because the humans were laughing kind of fun. The teasing Cradle and that irritating enabling Izime had done to encourage the bird on further. Izime''s joking about getting caught by the ''big-shot heroes'' who''d undoubtedly claim he''d corrupted her. Constantinople''s teasing of the anti-social Izime, Psyis could even see some of what Constantinople had been talking about the whole time.

    From Izime''s efforts for the galaxy to how one might think he was a bit like her, even sharing in some of his worries.

    Though it hadn''t gone past that, she simply saw where the exorcist had drawn the similarities between them.

    OK not too far past that, a slight chuckle filling the balcony, Psyis recalling Izime''s stunned face when she had hit him in the parking garage. She''d just wanted to remind him who ran Centropolis, and he''d probably had no clue what she was doing. The mind reader got a small giggle out of the fact she could still tell a little of what he''d felt, even more so when he''d blushed on the stairs.

    How she''d been the slightest bit pleased she''d caused it.

    That back and forth as they''d tugged on that tension between them; fine, maybe she had been a bit flirty but they both had to a point, and it was undoubtedly Constantinople''s fault. Thankfully that handshake had made things clear enough that Psyis knew it was just in good fun, at least that''s what Psyis had made of it.

    Really, that handshake was as clear as mud and it just felt like they were both playing on the uneasy tension Constantinople had caused. Not that she had been against it in the end despite her original complaints, it was OK to be a bit flirty as long as they''d both been clear that nothing would come of it.

    Izime obviously felt some of that same draw and chemistry during the night, be it before or after Constantinople had opened his mouth it didn''t matter. The slightly awkward bit of a ham Izime had turned into in front of the group had contrasted sweetly with the quiet timidness she''d been given. Those moments added more layers to the complex personality she''d discovered in the alley that''d chastised her over wasting food.

    All together adding up to a rather enjoyable person, regardless of his confirmed humanity. It had been hard to find that outside of the rare moment on a mission or between paparazzi shots lately. That fun time and easy laugh, someone she could be a person around and not a cape. Psyis wondering for a moment if she''d had the same effect on Izime at least somewhat, letting him maybe not relax but if he''d found anything he''d enjoyed in her.

    A slight sigh that hinted of curiosity and worry escaping her as she looked towards the stars. Constantinople''s words returning, did Izime even have time to look back down to the world where he belonged? Psyis a bit sour thinking Izime would likely not even care to think about her beyond that handshake.

    Fearing that was the sign that she too would have to wait years before they''d once again share those moments as well.

    That moment of memory on mercury faded as another voice interrupted her unintentionally apprehensive sigh.

    "Have fun?" The imagined view faded away completely as she turned to face Steven who stood arms crossed, apparently irritated by the tone of his question. Still in his dark black outfit, banded armored vest unbuttoned splitting the bright red helmet sigil of Dark Squire in two as if he''d just gotten back from the orbital station.

    "Steven please, just don''t" Psyis tried to stop her ex. Her shoulders still pulled close as if holding the wisps of memory that remained, refusing to release that sweet tension in the face of Steven''s ire. She was already slightly sore having had to turn Izime down knowing it just wouldn''t be healthy for her or him.

    Psyis refused, not wanting to have words with the very reason she''d had to say no as well, "I don''t want to argue with you, not tonight."

    "Or ever again?" Steven shot back eager to drag his ex into the same vicious loop, ignoring Psyis'' rolling eyes. Taking a step forward Steven sniffed, hoping his nose was lying as the breeze carried the scent of hard liquor towards him. "You actually drank?"

    The sinking feeling Steven had since yesterday now became a full-on leak, disappointment pouring out of his heart as he looked at the woman who''d obviously let her heart wander. She''d wanted a break-up but they both knew this was just a break, now it was looking like she couldn''t even keep to that.

    Steven knew he shouldn''t have let Constantinople talk him into leaving because something was bound to happen, it was easy to blame the exorcist''s con skills, but Steven had seen it. Psyis hadn''t left his side until Izime had called her to him, pulling her away with a simple shrug. The psychic so easily swayed as soon as she''d found someone she couldn''t read, leaving him for a more exciting game to play around with.

    Now Psyis thought she could just as easily fool him, the heroine having none of the exorcist''s skill with enchanting his words.

    "I had a beer." Psyis gave a quick response, looking over and stepping back a bit. Not out of nervousness but irritation at Steven''s attempts to continue micromanaging every single threat, risk, and detail in his life including her. Sniffing around her like some kind of human bloodhound as soon as she''d returned to use the room she''d accepted after Izime''s first appearance.

    "I smell hard liquor." Steven gave an audible sniff as he shook his head in disappointment. He''d hoped that Psyis of all people would know better than to do anything around the conman and the criminal Izime. Anger slipped through into his disappointment, asking Psyis why she''d try to deceive him. "Why lie, what else is there to hide?"

    "I had a beer and a shot. What do you think I did?!" Psyis looked away from Steven''s accusing gaze, trying to reinforce the boundary between them; did he really think she was that easy?

    A bit of guilt cracked into Psyis defenses as she''d already admitted she could like Izime if things had been different, that crack only widening as she buried Constantinople''s thoughts deeper inside. Covering them under the numbing emotional lashing that Steven was burdening her heart with.

    Hoping her frustration finally seeped through to the emotionally constipated man, "Gods be damned Steven we broke up months ago because I didn''t like this attitude, what is your problem tonight?!"

    "I care." Jabbing a thumb into his chest Steven growled defiantly at the woman he had once called more than fellow hero. Now he had to keep himself for consciously wondering if Dark Night was right that Psyis had been compromised emotionally or otherwise by this new interloper; a cheap shot flying from his mouth, "About this city, the people and you Psyis I still do."

    "Control Steven, d-nope" Psyis at first took the bait, wanting to set things straight on just how Steven managed his life.

    The man certainly didn''t live, he maintained, just like the trees that decorated the stupid gardens, the pots on the damned balcony and even Jenkins. Steven kept up appearance, tailored his life to keep both the looks and the persona. All so he could spend the majority of his time behind a mask, only removing it to highlight the fake Steven he''d sold the world.

    Psyis walked past Steven instead, throwing down her verbal gloves. "No, I said I''m not arguing with you so, I''m not."

    There were so many flaws in that thought process, it was something Radiation Man and Dark Night had gone around over already. At least James had found a way to actually live, having a wife and family who he''d move on within his life. Stan being hung up over the loss of his wife and his kids was certainly painful but in comparison to your entire race?

    It needed some perspective.

    Psyis hoped she could move past Steven and not engage in the same debate. Walking towards the beautifully carved balcony doors and reaching for the brass handle. It was of little use as Steven kept pace right beside her, his longer legs easily giving him the lead in just a few steps. Psyis knew she couldn''t escape what was coming, Steven refusing to let her escape this talk.

    "You went out drinking with some-some nobody and Constantinople of all people." Steven turned as he finally got between the door and the woman; he needed to explain things to her.

    Psyis attitude only confirmed the suspicions that were growing in his heart, after he''d seen her dreamily looking towards the stars; she was going to leave him. It wasn''t even a question; Steven could feel it in his bones that Izime was something more than just a professional risk. Once Izime had gotten involved Psyis seemed to just forget any kind of sense, down to how she was supposed to behave. Steven had always been confident in keeping Psyis embroiled in their back-and-forth situation-ship until he''d appeared.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    Too ashamed to admit they weren''t as steady as Radiation Lad and S''rah the Martian but until a few days ago Steven had been sure that things would go back to normal. Psyis and he were just having a rough patch that would smooth itself over once she realized things were simply better with him beside her.

    Now instead of her seeing the right of things she was swooning over the stars; Steven''s confidence was shaken to his core.

    "We''re not doing this." Psyis denied him uselessly, turning away not wanting to listen to the snowballing thoughts in Stevens''s mind, intending to just ignore him. Closing her eyes tightly Psyis knew this was the reason she''d had to refuse Constantinople; looking back Izime was nice, almost cute even in his own odd little way kind of like his bird.

    Maybe in another world where she wasn''t so entangled she could do more than just enjoy his company and friendship.

    Dig into all the little facets of his life that he''d hidden away as he shared them with her, see the same distant planets and stars. Read into not just the mind that was hidden from her but the entire life he seemed to hide from the world. Psyis wiped her eyes as she could physically feel those thoughts barred from ever even realizing themselves as desires, the inexplicable chain she felt in her heart towards Steven making it impossible.

    "Yes, we are," Steven demanded that they have a resolution of some kind, not that Psyis could stop it from happening either way. Stan had already put things in motion that would solve everything quite nicely regardless of how she thought she felt about Izime. It still bothered Steven immensely to see Psyis standing here sniffling because he''d said a few harsh words about him.

    Not only was she acting worse than she had when she''d tried to make him jealous dating that stupid web-slinger in New York, but she wasn''t faking it this time.

    Psyis seemed to lose any reason when it came to Izime, even sending the city into a mild panic just so she could chase him down. Steven had excused her actions because she''d alerted them, looking back now it was easy to see her in a different light. Psyis had been love-struck standing there in that alley, lips greasy after Izime had forced her into sharing a meal with him. It had to be some power, a method of control wielded by the street-crawling outcast that''d left her so brainlessly smitten.

    Steven had known something was wrong even before Stan had explained Izime''s danger, now intending to show Psyis the same.

    "Anyone would worry if the person they cared about was out throwing them back with the exorcist who torched Eden and some homeless freak." Steven took a shot at Psyis'' actions tonight, wanting to make sure Psyis was still sensible enough to stay on the right side of what was coming.

    Psyis just blinked for a moment as she had no words, only wishing there was something different floating between Steven''s two brain cells. One obviously deciding who and what were good and just, dedicated to heroics, the other dedicated deciding absolutely everything for her.

    Fine, Izime was still a bit shady even she had to admit that, but after tonight he seemed like a decent enough person certainly not a freak by any means. Interesting was the right term; Psyis decided after seeing Steven''s reaction, Izime was interesting even if she was too hung up to be interested. So, it wasn''t the least bit surprising to feel the jealousy just rolling off Steven''s mind.

    In fact, she''d already expected it.

    The truly shocking part was Steven''s thoughts on Constantinople, the man was a bit rough by nearly any standard, but the wise-cracking con-brit was still a force for good. The exorcist had proven his worth, had sacrificed plenty,y and even restored their entire timeline once at great cost to himself, losing his rank as Leader. Now it seemed just by association with this new unknown in Stan''s field of vision the ex-leader had come under suspicion.

    Psyis clenched her teeth wondering if she had as well, Steven now stopping her from opening the door.

    "Stan wants to see you in the basement." Steven put his own hand over the purple and blue one, feeling a bit of resistance as he kept her from turning the handle. Hoping his warning tone would finally get Psyis attention, taking some small satisfaction in her tense reaction to his words even if she didn''t look at him, "We did some digging into your new friend."

    "You found something at Savior Station?" Psyis didn''t bother looking up, instead focusing on how uncomfortable Steven''s restraining her was making her feel.

    The exact opposite of all the fondly remembered butterflies shed once had, Psyis not wanting to hear the hard-lined Dark Squire that had ruined those memories. Steven now dragging down her new friend and she was unable to stop him. Steven''s mind filling with flickers of detractions and insults about Izime.

    Varied in depth from simple jealousy to unbridled anger; all circling between the layers he tried to confuse her with.

    Tossing his mind between unnecessary concern for her to valid questions that the league might ask. Psyis knew that the ever-driven and overly possessive Steven would follow Stan''s every order if it involved bringing Izime down to a level that kept her on Steven''s little pedestal.

    "Stan has an idea on how to bring Izime in for some serious questioning," Steven was a bit sad when Psyis finally looked at him, breaking her gaze from where he was holding her hand. He''d been enjoying that familiarity, "not this cat and mouse game that he has us playing. Hopefully, you can still understand why we need to bring him in, you don''t even know who or what he is."

    "What''s that supposed to mean." Psyis narrowed her eyes, realizing there was more to Steven''s stopping her. A reason she had tried to ignore burying it under her disgust at those memories, not escaping either in the end. Purple paled slightly as she realized this went beyond simple jealousy and a sense of betrayal, there was something deeper and more real behind Steven''s directionless thoughts.

    Steven scoffed at her reaction, the mind-reader who''d been so suspicious now acting as if all was well in the world when she still hadn''t cracked the question of Izime. That creep had just needed to say a few words or smile at her; whatever the hell he''d done had turned his woman''s brain to mush. All that effort Psyis had put in, all the trouble she''d caused for Voltham and even the efforts Stan had taken to contact Constantinople were all wasted.

    Steven''s irritation flared to the point he knew he was going to come across as snappy even though he was only trying to bring Psyis back to reason.

    "You''ve let Iz-that thing get away what?" Steven corrected himself, wanting to keep things in a certain perspective. Hoping to mentally box the psychic into thinking of Izime as a non-human through insinuation.

    Steven furrowed his brows as he buried those intentions under a layer of blame, "Three times now, once at the noodle shop where it obviously had better control of the situation than you, then willingly let it leave in the alley, and tonight you flipped on me and went along with Constantinople and it; you sided with them."

    "Th-them?!" Psyis exhaled taking a breath after the slight outburst, finally demanding Steven say it aloud after she''d managed to even her breathing, "Steven, Constantinople once led League Mystic, he was the ranking member for mystical, magical, or divine for everyone at Savior Orbital. This is about Izime and only Izime; he knows who we are, just say it."

    Psyis knew the real issue Stan had with Izime since this whole thing had started, there was only one thing that could drive the sleuth up a wall like this. Izime had power he could leverage outside the League''s control, moreover it was that Izime was outside of Stan''s control.

    Everyone in the League knew Stan had it out for anyone with what he considered to be too much power, from James on down.

    Those considerations sometimes felt kind of feeble considering Dark Night was only a mortal man turned hero through his position and good intentions. The man could have just as easily gone the other direction and been an even more twisted version of The Laughing Man.

    "We need to know you''re going to help us, Stan''s got some leads. If the Vidan Council isn''t going to step in we should have free reign over what happens on Earth, this is our planet, your planet Psyis. I thought you cared what happened here?" Steven looked down his nose at the shocked alien, wondering if he was feeling remorse or regret as those red eyes blamed him.

    Still, Stan was right Psyis needed to hear it straight, and Steven knew it was better coming from him than the old man. "There''s some nobody that we can''t even confirm is human, hauling who knows what off-world, and selling it who knows where. The Vidan Security Council sure doesn''t."

    "It''s batteries." Psyis refuted, knowing it was far more than just batteries, but she''d never admit it. If someone wanted to there was probably something they could build out of Izime''s stock to cause trouble, bigger trouble than the box that had been labeled as security-devices.

    The fuels along with an ignition source alone would turn his ship into a massive bomb, add all the gases and whatnot he might have stored away, and it was a bit scary to consider.

    "You know that how?" Steven felt his grip tighten unintentionally in shock, the way Psyis had said it sounded off like she was defending Izime. Psyis was deep in denial just like Stan had been worried about, the alien favoring the off-worlder for some reason. "Seriously, you''re going to take his side on this; Psyis we''ve already got proof he''s selling fear toxin to demons."

    Psyis didn''t even bother hiding her sarcastic response, putting a hand on her hip as she looked away blatantly refusing to give Steven any more reason to dislike Izime. She''d already had her words over him when it came to the toxin issue and if Steven wanted details on how she''d spent her time with him he could use his own imagination.

    The thessian almost wanted to explain just the littlest bits on how it''d almost wound up being a date just to snowball his little brain. Though for some reason the idea of sharing those simple moments felt incredibly intimate; nothing worth teasing Steven with no matter how badly he deserved it.

    Psyis only allowed the barest hint of a satisfied smirk to pull at her full lips as her silence was the only answer she''d give Steven.

    "It''s coming to an end and if you''re going to help Stan''s waiting, if not?" Steven gave an ultimatum losing his patience at Psyis'' silent glare; she knew something and just wasn''t telling him. Steven warned his ex about the consequences of further betrayal to their expectations, "Don''t bother showing up for patrol tomorrow; we don''t need another risk."

    "You''ve got to be jo..." Psyis started to refute, trailing off as she read his mind which revealed the depths of Stan''s actions. There was nothing she could say that might help calm the matter if he''d involved Radiation Man, Steven was right if she wanted to have any control she needed to pick a side tonight.

    Sure, she could reveal that she had been to Izime''s shop, but that would just lead to Dark Night having an address to conduct this search and seizure. It would also just lead to a bigger problem with Steven and his issue with Izime, knowing she''d left with him from the bar and kept drinking at his ''house''.

    As it was though, Stan had already made up his mind to put a plan into action, so it''d likely take someone more capable than her to think their way out of its grasp.

    "I''m not, Stan''s not, and Radiation Man''s pissed. We''re planning to call Hank in so our local Ring Bearer can get some answers from the Tribunal directly." Steven lowered his tone taking careful measure of Psyis'' reaction to his words, looking for any signs of worry or doubt.

    Hoping against hope that she''d still be the cape he knew best; that same driven girl who''d worked her butt off to beat him into the League proper.

    Burying his more honest thoughts under a train driving down a track of memories that burned so brightly they''d sear themselves in the thessian''s heart. Victories they''d celebrated as teens against villains and the tender childish petting they''d attempted after. Moments they''d spent at galas, the feeling of his hands running under designer lace as they''d hid among the trees in the west gardens.

    Steven swore if the thessian wanted some damned bond then those moments ought to have already branded her as his

    "This is already happening, so you need to pick a side. Right now." Steven put his concerns aside, wrapping his mind in the air of respect and affection that younger Psyis had earned from him. Hoping she''d not read the doubts beneath that already told Steven if he didn''t get between the two, if this Izime didn''t disappear, that he''d lose the thessian.

    It wasn''t personal or only personal, they had a good reason to put down the very real risk Izime posed. Steven just told himself this was just another benefit of being on the right side of justice. If Izime had done things properly maybe the League would have let it slide, the whole being planetside that is; Psyis would always be another matter.

    The man could have let the heroes know he was acting on the planet they protected and then maybe he could have run his little stall on some moon. He hadn''t so as far as Steven was concerned, he could sit in some cell until someone whose job it was to remember let him out.

    The cell Stan had picked suited Izime just fine, the deepest darkest hole that way he''d never find a way to sway Psyis again.

    Red eyes tried to read through those memories, only catching bits of jealousy through Steven''s confidence in the League. Psyis getting little about what plot Dark Night had laid out, there was likely only way to get those answers. Biting at her tongue as she considered that maybe the best way to protect Izime was to just do her job.

    Standing beside Dark Night and the rest of the League like she was supposed to, at least there she could keep things from getting completely out of hand.

    "Fine, but..." Psyis bit at her cheek as she considered her duty. If it was just to answer some proper questions then yes, Izime probably did need to come in. Izime had already hidden a fear toxin explosion; even if it was supposedly in hell, Psyis reconciled this quick betrayal, "It''s only because I want to know who''s on my planet. Who Steven, not a what."

    There had to be some kind of oversight for that occupation. They could find an agent who was worried about safety and health with all those materials. No Izime would need more than one agent certainly, maybe an association would work; they could discuss details when she brought him in. If he was operating safely, they''d have no reason to interfere beyond personal issues, right?

    Psyis tried to excuse her decision, but she knew that the most important thing was that the League didn''t doubt her, she simply had to do this. It was Dark Night and Dark Squire; the same two she''d served in the League with forever and if they needed her to do it then that was what was right. Psyis took a weak breath trying to find the ground under her feet as she felt her world shake around her, a soul-deep fear passing as she briefly considered her alternative choice.

    If she helped Izime and the League kicked her out it would ruin her entire life. If she went against the Blanes without the majority of the League or Radiation Man, she''d risk everything.

    She couldn''t even risk getting demoted to the Junior League, it took her working through her entire youth until now to not just earn that spot in the League but her place here on Earth. Jamestone had finally laid off her in the press and she finally had her own little budgeted life where she could struggle on her own. Difficult as it was on her ''pay'' from the various government agencies that helped supply openly acting heroes with living spaces; most of it was taken in as insurance for housing such a liability.

    "Izime isn''t an it, he''s a nice guy. Constantinople''s at least right about that." Psyis couldn''t take his side, but she refused to take back her statement, red eyes matching Stevens''s green.

    Black brows furrowing as Psyis nodded towards the door handle sarcastically as her words weighed on Steven''s mind. A bit bitterly hoping Steven took the stupid imaginary connotations of her words every way he could with his human brain; he''d won again so she''d settle for this little victory.

    "If you want my help at all then open the door," Psyis finally grew tired of waiting, settling the last doubts she could hear rattling in Steven''s stupid skull while drawing her own line, "I already said I''d help bring Izime in what more do you need, I''m not going to call him an it unless that''s what I am too."

    "That''s... not what I mean, and you know that." Steven relented and took his hand from the door latch, finally letting Psyis enter alone. Steven took his own time on the balcony as he tried to figure out just how calling Izime an it had put Psyis against him, once more siding with Izime.

    Psyis quickly headed through the hall, past the grandfather clock, and up the stairs to her room. She''d need to change before she tried to deal with Stan, handling Dark Night took a completely different mentality. The thessian hoped dawning her super suit would tip the scales in Izime''s favor.

 Both of Their Bad Decisions

    "Did Dark Squire brief you?" Stan did bother turning as he heard the elevator land, the mechanical sound echoing about the Dark Cavern.

    He knew who it was, even listened to the discussion on the balcony before she''d come down. Carefully planning around the tense worry and halfhearted commitment Miss Psyis had displayed, upping Izime''s threat rating even further as it seems he''d compromised his fellow League Member.

    "I, had a talk with Steven sure." Psyis nodded walking towards the main cause of all the problems, hoping the rest of that statement didn''t need to be finished. She''d even taken the time to change before arriving in the depths below the manor, bright spotlights reflecting off the silver scales of her proper heroine attire.

    If Dark Night was going to call the whole League in for one person she was going to show up in uniform, ready to have a say in the matters that involved her friend. Dark Night would of course take issue with anyone who knew his identity, who operated in a gray zone, and who absolutely didn''t respect him. Izime had checked all three of those boxes easily.

    Admittedly Psyis hadn''t expected Dark Night to run off and rile Radiation Man up, or to send Hank to demand answers from the tribunal, all over Izime. That was all tears and spilled milk now though.

    Psyis was glad she''d changed, knowing she''d have looked a fool to demand answers standing here in an old hoodie and jeans, the addition of that silver and white giving her the courage to face her senior member. Making it easier to sound like she held some kind of power in the League, now trying to put her foot down.

    "What''s this about you wanting to drag Izime to Savior Orbital?" Psyis demanded to know, crossing her arms while she tried to match Stan''s pose.

    The fans of drives in the cavern clicked along in the silence.

    Stan''s blue eyes not blinking once just glaring at the mind-reader in front of him, not the least bit intimidated by the weak-willed heroine before him. Black armor creaked with each slow and heavy breath, watching as those scales twisted a bit under his gaze.

    The co-founder of The League of Planetary Saviors was not the least bit intimidated by whatever childishly naive notions had worked their way into his junior member''s skull.

    "I-I''m not against getting answers," That fierce determination faltered as Stan''s jaw clenched, and his brows furrowed. Psyis realized she needed to play along with her senior member if she wanted to know anything.

    Dark Night was one of the reasons she had a seat, the power to act like this at all, so she timidly blew out the flame of defiance to a weak complaint, almost begging as she said. "I also want to do this right Dark Night."

    "I don''t plan to drag anyone." Stan nodded, finally telling a white lie as Psyis broke; it wouldn''t be him dragging the magician in after all. If Izime wanted to act cocky then Stan would just use the biggest guns earth had in its reach on him.

    "I want to do this by the book, the same books Izime is using to avoid our investigations." Stan continued whitewashing his actions with the same excuses he''d fed James.

    When Radiation Man had washed his hands of the potential leak then Stan would find him a room in the Abyss, the perfect place for such a flight risk. "We can charge him with selling stolen goods, trafficking stolen cargo, illegally transporting sentient species to who knows where, but the main thing I am going to charge him with is forgery."

    "Forgery?" Psyis'' brow twitched as she tried to follow along with Dark Night''s plan, not quite following just how Radiation Man was involved in charging Izime with anything.

    "There''s a hole in Izime''s whole existence." Stan didn''t bother bringing up any of the information he had copied from Savior Orbital. If Psyis had been motivated she''d know already, now he just needed to carry her weight; it was probably better she knew less.

    Controlling the information was the key to bringing Izime in, feeding James just enough, and keeping Psyis just far enough out of the loop. Enough so James wouldn''t ask twice and little enough that if Psyis wanted to help Izime she''d have to keep guessing.

    "Between Earth records and the Vidan Security Council''s records, he just appeared five years ago." Stan gave a rough account of the back-and-forth red tape shuffle Izime had locked the two record keepers in.

    The man had made it awfully easy to paint him as questionable at best, something Stan intended to use against Psyis now, "Vidan gave him clearance to be on earth just figuring we''d lost a human somewhere along the way. Something I''d consider possible if it wasn''t for absolutely everything about the man, something even you''ve admitted."

    "No human, no decent one treats Earth like it''s just another planet." Stan stood firmly on the statement, one of the few truths he''d spoken about Izime tonight. It was ingrained in humans to worry about Earth and Izime didn''t seem to have a single thought about the planet beyond it being nice picking for his scams.

    Dark Night used that lack of information to create a solution, explaining how he''d use the whole league to do it. "We can force him to tell the truth, about everything, but only if we take him to court under League jurisdiction."

    "You want to use a trial to bring in Lady Shield." Psyis kept the breath she almost let out, realizing Stan was already cutting her out of the actual interrogation. Carefully keeping her red eyes from searching his face for a sign of distrust, hoping to keep some part in this plan so she could have some say in what happened to Izime.

    "Evidence doesn''t matter when we can force the truth out and psychic powers seem to be ineffective." Stan nodded confirming the thought Psyis was having. Dark Night was glad she''d made her own conclusions; the binding of truth would be handy if they needed answers, but they didn''t. Stan just needed an excuse to keep Izime locked away from ever revealing anything, being the massive risk he was.

    Blue eyes watching the psychic to see if there were any more reasonable issues, actual valid threats Izime posed.

    James was already on board after hearing about Izime''s attitude, and activities, and that he''d known the Kansas-raised Zexxian was Radiation Man. It may have taken some added assumptions like informing James that Izime knew who his wife and kids were as well. Though seeing as Izime had known about Sarah, Stan''s own reformed fling, it was hardly a stretch.

    "Unless you''re holding back?" Adding a bit of fuel to the fire Stan posed a question to take Psyis further down the mental road he was paving and away from the actual purpose behind apprehending Izime.

    "I... haven''t tried to directly enter his mind. Most humans are broadcasting their thoughts and," Psyis admitted she hadn''t tried forcing her own mind to dive into that nothing, naturally wary of the unnatural psychic anomaly. "He''s a void, like I said but I could try jumping in."

    "So is the bird if I remember?" Stan continued, casually giving a slight glance towards the timer on the screen. Marking the moment Psyis started revealing information on Izime as he''d need to check for any changes between this conversation and their last talk. Cross-examining the answers she''d given last time to see if there was anything new or anything that she''d tried to leave out this time.

    "Yes, neither of them reacts to surface-level telepathy or basic telekinesis like grabbing." Psyis continued to reveal what she knew. Though she was careful not to spill any new information, careful to only answer specifically what Dark Night had asked about. "The bird can break down into particles so it is immune. Izime is just, slippery is a good term I guess?"

    "I believe the main things we need to counter are the teleportation spell and the creature." Dark Night added his notes to the audio log he was making out of Psyis debriefing. It was best she did it while she was fresh, still a bit tipsy from the bar, and willing. "Ret-borg should be able to contain it."

    "If not?" Psyis tried to keep the worry from her voice, her attempt at sounding emotionless paling compared to the tone Dark Night took when talking about killing the bird. The technological creature obviously not a part of his no-killing rule as he casually mentioned sending the overpowered Zexxian to swat it down.

    "Radiation man can neutralize it." Stan didn''t waste time on the emotional girl''s worries, the animal posed just as much risk as its owner. Even if it did house actual opportunity for study, that was only if it was safely neutralized and not destroyed. Stan figured the thing had been raised or programmed to protect Izime, the odds lay in the latter.

    It''d be best to capture it and reprogram it. Stan explained as such even as he doubted the viability of that option, "I don''t want to destroy it. Its technology seems similar to Ret-Borg''s so he should be able to part it out into something useful and not some flying malware."

    Psyis closed her eyes, not needing to try and read between the lines of the bread recipe in Dark Night''s mind to understand. This wasn''t just about finding out who or what Izime was at all. Stan''s goal at the end of it all still saw the man locked up. This wasn''t FazzPazz, he wasn''t going to try to talk to Izime and figure out what was going on in the man''s head.

    The only reason Stan would bother would be to make sure Izime stayed locked in all that much longer. Why else would he be planning to neutralize Cradle, talking about using pieces of Izime''s friend?

    "Dark Night, I..." Psyis'' voice came out with a slight tremble regretting coming down at all, though her mouth quickly shut on instinct as Stan came sweeping forward.

    "Dark Squire talked to you upstairs Miss Psyis. I thought when you arrived down here you had already made a choice." Dark Night exhaled as he heard the weak tone, one that certainly didn''t deserve a seat beside him on Savior Orbital let alone this minor mission.

    Still, Dark Night pressed, needing the thessian to play her role, it was the best trap he could lay so he used that same seat to remind her. "When you joined the League of Planetary Saviors, I supported you, I voted on your behalf. Giving you a chance to swear an oath to uphold certain ideas, first among those was the Protection of Earth. Do you remember it?"

    "I do. I made that promise with every intention of upholding it Dark Night, bu-" Psyis exhaled trying to hold her ground once more under that hard gaze. Understanding more now why those insane criminals easily cracked under this man and not her own powers, he made sure he held the advantage.

    Everything from guilt to near blackmail as Stan lofted the position he''d helped her attain.

    "There are no buts Miss Psyis. Izime is not just a risk, he is a complete unknown. A wild card that is transporting some of the most devious creations our enemies have produced, selling them across the galaxy. With information on Radiation Man, Green Ring, myself, and even you." Stan walked forward, tilting his head as he looked at Psyis from under his brows.

    Filling every word with his firm belief in justice, Stan pressed the weight of duty down further. "Izime is going out of business, I''ve got a cell in the Abyss waiting for him already."

    "Constantinople?" Psyis asked one final question, wondering if there would be anyone left on Izime''s side after tonight.

    Wishing she could be shocked at the League''s reaction. As nice as Izime seemed that was a mountain of evidence for forcing some answers out and a solid reason to keep their own asses safe. The abyss was a bit much though, Psyis wondering just how deeply the space-faring man would hate being locked away from even seeing the stars.

    "I let him take that toxin, it should buy us some time to move on Izime." Stan brushed off the mock worry, giving the psychic a look. One that clearly indicated that if Constantinople showed up there would only be one person he pointed the finger at, and it wouldn''t be Izime.

    "Izime is already planning for you to make a move," Psyis warned Stan not wanting him to jump the gun if the salesman was one step ahead.

    The heroine was torn between hoping Izime just left Voltham and hoping he''d fall into Stan''s net while she was here. There was zero reason for him to leave, and he''d already said that the trip was planned through the new year. Now, even if he didn''t show it was just a matter of time until one of the League members encountered him and called it in.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    If she wasn''t there then who knows what might happen.

    "To force him off-world I heard, that wouldn''t be very smart considering all of our secrets would leave with him. Steven bugged you," Dark Night nodded with a wave toward Psyis'' suit in explanation.

    Stan quickly added that it had been at his order, not wanting the two to fight further. "At my request. Sometimes justice is a hard thing to grasp Miss Psyis. Don''t let the technicalities Izime''s using cloud your decision-making, that''s his motive. Making you forget what your job is turns you into an opportunity for him, nothing else."

    "The man''s running a better con than Constantinople." Dark Night added mortar to the bricks, building a wall in Psyis mind between her and the space conman.

    Taking chunks of Psyis resolve that she''d foolishly built around her feelings and tearing them down, reconstructing those few brief moments into something sinister in her mind. Stan continued confidently gaslighting the psychic against her own gut intuitions, bringing her mind back to an entirely separate but adjacent topic. One that would only serve to support that wall turning it into a form of mental bunker against any good intentions.

    "This is the first time you can''t read someone''s mind, it is hard for you to get a read on him. I heard it myself; you have no idea how the man even feels let alone thinks." Stan reinforced the wall in Psyis mind the same way he had with James, lying. "Izime could easily mislead you and likely has been, so I stepped in; don''t blame Steven."

    "Whats the plan to bring him in?" Psyis clenched her jaw, knowing what Dark Night was trying to do, and sadly unable to refute him with any real truths; Izime hadn''t given her any after all. Izime could easily, no he had easily played around with her tonight in his own way. Flirting then back to an almost sterile friendliness, cocky then embarrassed; he''d been all over the place.

    Psyis now unsure if it''s been so innocent, regretting playing into it. Almost regretted going at all until she considered she''d only ever be used either way.

    Either Izime made her complacent to use her in some way, or Stan had just used her to get to Izime.

    "We let him come to us, he''s confident in his ability to vanish but that ability is tied to his hand." Dark Night finally used the computer, pulling up a plan for forcing a showdown with the villains during tomorrow''s patrol. It was risky and certainly hastily crafted, but still a solid plot. "If we can render that ability useless then we only have to worry about the bird, the one with actual combat skills."

    "Ret-Borg and Radiation Man, but how are we going to get close enough to Izime t-" Psyis quickly tried to point out a flaw until she realized why Stan was so intent on having her help. She had even been foolishly hoping she could get some say on what was going to happen by forcing alterations to the mission through her own suggestions; she was the key to the whole thing.

    "Izime has appeared twice now within our effective combat ranges." Stan kept his disappointment to himself as Psyis had already forgotten just how useful she was going to be for bringing Izime in, rushing to interfere in the whole thing.

    "Both times when I was at risk of encountering fear toxin." Psyis shook her head, wanting to make excuses for Izime; though Dark Night''s earlier insinuations were messing with her own views of Izime''s motivations, "He''s not worried about me, it''s about what would happen if I was under its effects, the damage I would cause."

    "It''s a logical outcome," Dark Night nodded, following along and slightly course-correcting Psyis'' assumptions. Painting Izime in a profiteering mindset as everything pointed towards the man being wallet-minded first. Stan not wanting anyone to think their target was concerned about the public''s safety. "You would likely destroy the area and demolish his products and his sales."

    "That''s..." Psyis trailed off as she considered Constantinople''s multiple warnings and worries about Izime being too focused on his gray market. Not mentioning the more personal warning and worries he had dumped on her, dismissing Izime''s warning in the alley, "That''s a reasonable assumption, even Constantinople warned me he was entirely business-minded."

    "It will be a delicate operation to pull off with all the moving pieces involved, considering Izime has already involved Crusher who makes it a three-man team of villains." Dark Night hit the play button, the map pieces moving in a 3-D space as various components came and left, the entire operation playing out flawlessly in a digital world. "So, I''m going to call in help, we''ll sweep the board tomorrow night with a five-hero squad."

    "Radiation Man, Ret-Borg, Yourself, Dark Night, and finally myself. I''ll be holding off on contacting Ret-Borg as it would be traced so Steven will send an emergency broadcast when the chance comes, Radiation Man is already waiting up at Savior Orbital for the signal." Dark Night was glad that Psyis wasn''t arguing with her role, bait was the best spot for her.

    He certainly wasn''t going to leave the now so easily swayed Psyis in control of sending the signal so that was left to Steven.

    Hopefully, the two could sort themselves out after this, Stan hoping that this Izime''s using the young woman would help her see that his young trainee wasn''t so incapable.

    "If Zythomia decides to take Izime''s side?" Psyis didn''t bother having any real hope that the rarely bothered Tribunal would make any big moves to save a small-time smuggler. They had much larger concerns like maintaining the cosmic balance and order of the emotions their Ring Bearers used and weren''t so big on batteries.

    "Hank''s going to have a difficult case to plead by the time he gets back, worst is we allow them to extradite him to Zythomia and Izime can enjoy a life sentence with the Ring Bearers." Dark Night shrugged as he considered doing the same red tape tango Izime had to keep him Earth-bound. "Best case their tribune dumps the issue on Hank as Earth''s Ring Bearer and Izime is locked up in the Abyss regardless."

    "What exactly do you need me to do." Psyis finally stepped up, shoulders held back as she looked at the map of Voltham. Willing to do her duty tomorrow as difficult as it might be, Izime would come in and listen. She''d fight to keep him out of the Abyss, but he''d have no choice but to give up his business.

    When everything settled, maybe he could walk free and hopefully live a better life than being homeless, someday... maybe?

    The First Big Scene Change

    Pulling at his ear Izime eyed the situation nervously, that idle hand working its way up to pull at his hair in frustration.

    The scene below him was the opposite of his first night in Voltham as the silence of the night was cut with the sounds of battle. Gunshots cracked and echoed against the sprawling bricks and concrete amid the sounds of yelling and threats. Both occasionally cut with a buzzing hum as a ricochet went wild or a shortcut scream signaling the end of some goon.

    Psyis was holding point, the psychic hovering at street level battling Crusher and FearForm at the same time, was she just getting cocky just because he had stepped in a few times?

    Dark Squire was there sure, but it was as if she had relegated him to pure mob control.

    That or there was something else going on, as he was only occasionally bothering to get a hit in on one of the leading villains. Maybe they''d fought or Steven had cheated again and Psyis was trying to prove some odd point? Because other than not battling an actual super-villain Dark Squire was being forced to do double time trying to knock out or disarm individual goons as fast as one well-trained man in a super-suit could.

    Something Dark Squire would have been capable of if it was any other night Izime was sure, but it wasn''t just any other night. Everything about tonight was off, from the heroes to the villains and even how both were using their abilities. There was Crusher''s Synth-Squad, who were already double ripped on some modified toxin and synth-roids.

    Then FearForm had brought in some twisted new skeleton suits he''d called Nightmare''s: citizens the villain had trapped in exo-suits created by The Quiz.

    No matter how badly Izime wanted one just to see what it could do he couldn''t stand the sight, of those poor people trapped inside forced to fight, it was gut-wrenching. The devices drilled and mounted through some cruel hardware so their victims couldn''t escape, at least their faces had been hidden behind those ventilating masks. Though who knew what kind of horrors those poor people were experiencing inside them?

    Now The Quiz''s best-taught Students were piling in as well, the added aggro was forcing Psyis to repeatedly pull Dark Squire''s ass out of the line of fire. Try as he might Steven could keep all the goons at bay and the Students were obviously experts in close-quarters combat never missing a chance to open up with their guns. Izime knew even if the bulletproofing was better than his own vest those shots still had to hurt.

    Hopefully, Psyis managed to stop the majority with her powers.

    "Where the fuck is Dark Night?" Izime stood eyes getting a bit wet as he watched another enslaved civilian take an unnecessary hit.

    They might have lived, but after Crusher had used their limp body to try and club Miss Psyis it was certainly going to be a different kind of life. A horrible simulation of what they might have had if only someone had been there to save them. Izime unable to completely shed the burden of his past life''s mistakes and responsibilities. If he jumped in though...

    Izime thought of the pistol he had with him; it certainly would not go over well with either of the two down there.

    It was one thing to kill the goon the other night in the middle of that mess when the bodies had already been stacking but the goons down there weren''t already shooting one another. There was no chaos to mix into, let alone how obvious it would be if he just started shooting people. Izime''s usual go-to for non-lethal was useless as well.

    There were too many goons and not enough battery packs, besides those would only be useful on those exo-suits.

    They might technically work on a living creature, but the pistol was more humane at that point.

    Izime''s mind trying to work through other potential solutions and drawing a blank.

    Finally pulled free from his planning as an explosion rocked the street below, looking down to see the remains of a car still blazing as they were held suspended in a purple haze. The battle between the massive force that the Villains had brought to bear was turning this into a not-so-minor showdown. With Dark Night''s failure to show, Psyis had been forced to take the main role in Voltham.

    Izime tried to focus better on the two heroes, who''d senselessly pulled up short.

    Psyis and Dark Squire battled the villains who had combined their powers and gangs.

    The resolution was fuzzy, but Izime could clearly make out the potent-looking mixture of orange that was flooding into Crusher''s new up-armored roid-pack. Watching as FearForm retracted a hose, having just pumped the wrestler''s powers up to new levels with that same modified toxin that was ramping up the goons. An entirely new mixture Izime had never seen and that was saying something, its effects apparently quite potent.

    The thought actually gave Izime reason to pause; a new power and a new fear crossed Izime''s mind: was this his fault?

    He had downed Crusher during their last battle after all and there should be very few things in this world he would recognize if a major player was using it. Had the villains planned on his assistance assuming that another hero was around, even designing a new formula to combat him.

    If so, it wasn''t the hero''s lacking it was that there was a no-show on the hero''s side and it was Izime.

    The entire thing could be explained if the villains had planned on a fourth hero. Well, Izime wasn''t one he just needed to keep the people safe around Psyis a couple of times is all. It was just solving a problem, right? That''s all he had done was keep things from getting out of hand, kept people from getting hurt senselessly, and disappeared into the night.

    That was just problem-solving, nothing heroic to it!

    Izime felt the excuse fall flat in his mind even as he uselessly thought it. Two hands working away at his hair now Izime reached out for Cradle trying to get some kind of reassurance, a time on Dark Night''s arrival, anything at all. The bodies of innocents weighed heavily on Izime as more marks were added to his already scarred tally sheet.

    Cradle where''s Dark Night? Five, Ten minutes?

    Shit is bad here; Villains are big winning.

    The Quiz. Sorzaro.

    Dark Night. Busy

    Cradle we might have to make a move

    Some big problem-solving.

    No Fight. No Fight.

    Dark Squire''s got the roles reversed.

    He''s put Purple in a bad spot Cradle.

    No Psychics! No Fights!

    Rules Rules! All Problems!

    No Rules? No Problems!

    They''ve got this Izime tried to convince himself, watching as Dark Squire flipped over two goons, refusing to respond to Cradle''s thoughts about ignoring their rules. Tracking those Dark-a-Rangs flying out, watching them slam into the joints of at least five suits which halted their attacks. It was a nearly perfect throw with only a few misses, Dark Squire had easily stopped five goons with one move. Though Dark Squire caught a kick from FearForm just as he''d landed that sent him flying into a wall hard enough to crack the bricks.

    Izime could appreciate the skill, but it was obvious that Dark Squire was in way over his head.

    The man was no Dark Night, and even then, Stan would have likely made for a tactical retreat at this point. That or called in some heavy-hitting backup like Radiation Man or Miss Psyis; the woman who Izime was currently observing hopefully from the top of the skyscraper.

    She''s got this, Izime bit his tongue, eyes leaving Dark Squire who was struggling to rise.

    Teal eyes zoomed in looking at Psyis who was trying to manage both major league Voltham Villains and the entire mob safely. The Thessian needed to limit her powers, so she didn''t just turn the humans that were attacking her to paste. Izime''s worry poured into his mental connection alerting his eyes in the sky to the decisions he was considering. Cradle pressed once again of Izime to make up his mind on whether he intended to help the stupid crowess.

    Rules? No Rules?

    Dark Night. Busy.

    Izime''s mind played out the fights, mentally fast-forwarding the one below while simulating the outcomes between Sorzaro and Dark Night. It was going to be a while considering Dark Night didn''t even believe in magic. The fight below would certainly have more bodies than those already on the ground by the time it was over considering the dog-pile.

    Nodding as the added villain only further confirmed Izime''s suspicions, they''d stacked the deck for him after all. A magic user had joined in last night on the hero''s side after all, bringing in an evil sorcerer was all too logical. Sorzaro wasn''t absurdly powerful, the glorified street magic paled in comparison to Constantinople. Izime even figured he could hold his own if he was pressed, sure his magic wasn''t as showy as Sorzaro''s bizarre fun-house enchantment.

    Fireball was always a pretty neat party trick though, especially when you could calculate the rate of hydrogen fission and throw tiny stars instead.

    Rules? No Rules?

    Cradle I-I don''t know.

    Izime popped his knuckles as he looked down at the scene below which was only getting worse by the second. Dark Squire finally took an equal role but far too late, unable to firmly peel only one of the villains away he''d been caught unaware.

    Psyis being forced to throw several goons, their bodies flying into walls, denting cars, and smashing through shop windows.

    FearForm quite literally catching one and sending them into Dark Squire. If Psyis hadn''t only selected the goons wearing those new exo-skeletons then Dark Squire might have been alright. She had though, the force alone was sure to have broken a few bones.

    Izime watched as Dark Squire tried to roll for even more distance after the fall, slamming some sort of syringe into his leg before standing.

    Rules?

    No Rules?

    Izime finally asked the question back, still unsure of an answer. Leaving the growing need to do something about the situation down there dripping into the bond. It was bad, people were getting hurt... to the point that even some of this world''s miracle cures couldn''t save them. If they could it would put their families in debt and the trauma of this night alone would last for the rest of their lives.

    Cradle Fight Good?

    No Rules. Cradle Fight Good!

    Izime took a short jog back from the edge of the skyscraper, his mind locked on that spot just down the street from the fight. Stretching for a moment letting all the tension pop out of his often-underutilized joints before turning and making a choice. The feeling of the soles of his boots pounding against to roof disappearing and the wind picking up as Izime leapt from the roof.

    The adrenaline started to fill his veins as he pursed his lips casting orders to his bond, letting his speed gather before snapping down into the fray.

    Cradle turning pulling its gaze from the building where Dark Night was battling The Quiz and Sorzaro, a loud humming whistle tinged with binaric ringing out. The tone carried through the concrete jungle miles away where Dark Night had fallen stupidly into Sorzaro''s trap.

    The note full of Izime''s orders and advice; tips on spells and counters as well the directives to help Dark Night. They would collect their prizes after they had finished solving problems like they had the rest of this trip. Cradle cocking its head, a bit doubtful in Izime''s confidence that tonight would go as planned. This whole trip to Voltham had been one broken rule and one problem after another and Cradle knew that combination came with consequences, though those consequences usually came from Izime.

    Hopefully, Izime was right, and they were just solving a problem and not flying into one.

    Cradle trusted in its bond as it dove into the magical insane world of Sorzaro to assist Dark Night. The magical maze Sorzaro had summoned wasn''t exactly something that bound itself to logic, easily trapping Dark Night. The near cartoonish powers rivaled even Cradle''s reality-bending ones; the bird almost certain things wouldn''t go so easily.

    They were breaking a lot of rules, and they weren''t even Cradles this time.

    The raven trusting that its nest program still knew best though, it briefly wondered who brought consequences to Izime.

 Consequences

    Dark Squire rolled under another stomping foot, forcing himself to not get distracted by the little bits of asphalt the metal sole was breaking off. Paying attention to the tiny flecks of white on that marred oil-slicked stone would make him miss his targets, the joints in the knee of the unit; they were definitely a weak spot on these new suits. Steven not smiling but at least taking a bit of satisfaction as the exo-skeleton-powered and gang-pressed goon toppled.

    The Dark-a-Rang locked the joint and sent them tumbling away just as Steven found his feet, trying to target another suited goon in the fray.

    These new goons had quickly become the top priority, FearForm had introduced them as Nightmares even though it wasn''t the best description as their opponent. Dark Squire knew that the twisted man had named them such because their operators were in a living nightmare. The classic blend of FearForm''s rusty yellow toxin wasn''t the only thing pumping into those poor people, they had a tiny second feed of synth-roid.

    Ramping up every aspect of their combat ability as The Quiz''s programming kept their insane operators locked on the heroes, ensuring the terrorized civilians did the villain''s bidding.

    Jumping with a twist to throw a few more Dark-a-Rangs, Steven was surprised by the bark of a submachine gun coming from his side. Dark Squire turned to see the air full of slightly glowing purple dots, all the rounds being caught by the person he was supposed to be backing up.

    Giving a nod towards Miss Psyis who was floating a little ways away, her arms dropping along with the rounds.

    On the other side of that caught copper rain was a group of the Students, decked in combat gear and wielding fully automatic weapons. The goons realizing they''d been exposed made the smart choice and made a tactical retreat behind the Nightmares looking to reposition once more.

    Dark Squire not bothering to voice any thanks, the two were already breathing heavily from the battle and it''d only give the goons more time to encircle them.

    The air was better used fueling his tiring muscles with oxygen anyway. Dark Squire turned instead to once again trust his back to the alien as a fresh batch of goons coming out of the alley drew his attention away from the group who had escaped in front of him.

    The sane ones reloaded their weapons while the fear-driven suits spun, re-targeting before mindlessly charging towards him. The Nightmares were a terrifying weapon, but those guns were no joke either, Dark Squire suit not being completely impervious to such overwhelmingly concentrated small-arms fire. Dark Squire leaped over the charging ones with another round of flying Dark-a-Rangs before attempting to engage the goons armed with sub-machine guns.

    Scoring just a few hits before he was forced to try and leap away again, expending another grapple on a streetlight. The move was not needed as an explosion sent both him and the goons tumbling, knocking the wind from Steven as he flew over into the windshield of a car.

    Psyis felt Steven''s mind-chatter flicker for a moment. Though there were a lot of sounds drowned out by the near primal roar she was letting out as she held her shields against the wave of fire around them. The explosion was triggered by a synced attack from Crusher and FearForm, Psyis was just glad that the car''s detonating had at least burned away the cloud of toxin that would have been released in that combo.

    The toxin grenade wasted its load, detonating on the entire vehicle Crusher had thrown at her head causing an explosion that had torched the volatile gas.

    Deciding now was the time to cut loose a bit, the situation was getting bad for Steven and affecting her as well. Their plan slowly slipped from a controlled appearance of losing, now an open street battle where losing was a very real possibility. The heroine knew she needed to make the decision, to continue the dangerous ruse or call it off. Dark Night had lost communication a little while ago because of Sorzaro and The Quiz.

    Crusher and FearForm had both taken delight in taunting them with that fact.

    That the villains had brought their own magician seeing as there had been an unknown helper the other night with an enchanted bird wielding magic of their own. Only they hadn''t, Sorzaro ambushing Dark Night was definitely something that hadn''t been a part of the hero''s plan. The whole thing had worked against the heroes unintentionally well, cutting off Psyis and Dark Squire''s backup.

    The Villains had free reign to call in their most up-armored and overly armed squads for a full-on confrontation.

    The thessian''s mind raced as she tried to think of something to buy some time. They needed a moment to gather themselves as the property damage and injuries were stacking. Still, Psyis refused to glance towards the void she could feel above them on the roof of that skyscraper.

    Cradle wasn''t even here so Izime shouldn''t bother jumping in as there weren''t any traps. Psyis bit her lip as she glanced at the new exoskeletons.

    No! Izime wouldn''t sell something so cruel.

    The thought echoed inside her mind, while a small voice in her heart reminded her that he''d never get the chance if he wanted them anyway. How it''d only serve him right trying to steal something so vile. Proof that Dark Night was right and that she''d taken the proper road, and made the heroic choice even if it was a harder decision.

    Psyis shook her head focusing instead on Crusher who was exhaling a thick orange smog.

    The green and yellow of synth-roid and a new toxin mix together to fully chemically charge the wrestler, completely unlocking his power. Psyis eyes widened as another entire car was thrown at her, barely managing to redirect both it and FearForm''s simultaneous attack once again. Her shield shoving her away from the explosion Psyis twisted her body through the air. Floating with the force of the explosion and extending her leg, taking the added momentum in to confront the Wrestler with a hard hit of her own.

    The thessian gave a not so small snarl as she drew blood, feeling the massive jawbone under her foot crack as the massive brute went flying.

    "Throw one more thing at me Crusher." Psyis let her powers flare, sending all the goons closest to her tumbling, cracking the asphalt below before she casually rolled her shoulder. Landing delicately on the same foot she''d just struck the wrestler with as all that remained of the vehicle flew past her. The thessian exerted a good portion of her powers to throw all she''d caught of the automobile right back at the wrestler''s face.

    The force snapping her cape past her and extinguishing the small fires the detonation had caused.

    "Gladly you psychic whore." Crusher spat the blood out of his mouth as bits of fiberglass and metal slammed into him, shaking his head free from the little damage the attack was causing. Glad that FearForm had given him the boost he needed to hold the alien hero''s attention, the new toxin removing any instinctual fear and enhancing his endurance to absurd new heights.

    The wrestler smiled through his broken jaw as he tanked the strikes; the new drugs somehow denying any wounds no matter how impossible it seemed. The fight was supposed to be drawn out, so they''d topped each and every goon off with the endurance-enhancing chemical, it kept the situation well under control.

    So far though, their prey hadn''t appeared; the new sidekick, hero, or whatever it was that was controlling that crazy bird, stole their toxin, and ruined his roid-pack was nowhere in sight. The Villains remained confident in their plan though seeing as Dark Night had been separated into Sorzaro''s wacky magical dimension and couldn''t be contacted. So as long as they kept pressing harder there was only one other person the two other heroes could bring to bear quickly in Voltham.

    "Maybe you should call for help?" Crusher took a second longer, nodding towards FearForm who had slipped by the mind-reader who''d been so proudly dancing in the air. Her view was blocked by that stupid white cape, Crusher reminding her she''d best lend some aid. "Your friend needs it."

    The Villain''s little scheme had succeeded as the alien whipped around just in time to see an armored leg drive into a soft Kevlar midsection. How could the much less capable Dark Squire handle both FearForm and three different gangs attacking him?

    That would have been a heavy task for Dark Night let alone his less capable understudy. The idea that Miss Psyis thought she could just fly here from Centropolis and protect her boyfriend from them. Letting him try his hands at being a big-time hero had Crusher laughing madly; that brief moment of fear that beautified that purple bitches face utter perfection.

    "Dark Squire!" Psyis watched as Dark Squire went flying, balling the air where he had been she detonated a selective shockwave. Quickly finding all the goons, those minds were rife with fear and absent of anger at the heroes.

    Those were the suits, satisfied with her choice she cried out with a roar of telekinetic force. "Get back!"

    The emotionally targeted blast sent anyone who was wearing one of those strength-enhancing suits flying, though she winched after she heard the impacts. Human bodies flew back into cars, walls, and windows. The one she had tried to throw at FearForm had been caught and redirected even, slamming Steven into a wall.

    The suited goons down aside from FearForm and Dark Squire however it had been a decent trade-off.

    FearForm and Crusher now cackling, tasting an easy victory as they attacked. They knew they were close, so close to breaking them that Crusher could smell it over the synth-roids and blood. He''d crush that cocky little throat that had talked shit the other night and ruined his roid-pack. So very very close and crush their damned skull, and if not then they''d at least end one of these two right here and now.

    The hero''s tactics fell apart allowing his partner to score a free hit on Dark Squire all thanks to the psychic''s too-quick response.

    "Look, she cares about that chivalrous little shit!" Crusher taunted the hero, not wanting to let all of her attention get diverted. The moment was all he needed to get full charged with both toxins, now leaping at the silver-garbed woman in the air, "HOW SWEET!"

    Red eyes whipped back around as she heard a taunting voice growling out beside her, Crusher obviously only wanting to give her that second of watching Steven suffer. Psyis snorted as Crusher decided to launch himself at her instead of another vehicle, waiting until he was just about to return the broken jaw she had delivered.

    The Thessian gave a little smile and waved her hand, that was all it took to blast the wrestler back down the street hoping that Crusher understood just how wrong he was. She would take a look at why she felt so detached from the pain Steven was feeling after the battle was over but she certainly wasn''t worried about Dark Squire like that.

    Oddly enough for once, her mind was much more occupied with making sure someone else stayed safely outside of the fight.

    Steven getting hit and the situation falling outside her control wasn''t what she was worried about. Because then...

    Psyis blinked for a moment watching as the wrestler flew away, something else had come skidding along the street underneath Crusher.

    Her eyes tracked its path underneath her as her heart dropped, it was a someone; backup was here, and Izime had unfortunately fallen for their trap.

    Psyis mind slowed as she watched Izime pass underneath Crusher completely, all while frowning at her accusingly. That yellow coat somehow denied any resistance to the road beneath, nearly a blur keeping his momentum skidding down the street. Psyis watched as he reached out and took a few goons off their feet before slamming into FearForm''s legs.

    Izime frown turned back into a smile just as Psyis'' hopes came crashing down.

    He''d tried to be quick as his double shot had wound up missing one of his targets already. Though the path had managed to bring more than a few goons down, that stop had knocked the wind out of him completely. Giving FearForm no time to react Izime wrapped his arms around the villain''s legs and snapped them both away unaware of the situation he''d left on the ground.

    "Dark Squire! NOW!" Psyis yelled, watching as her partner came leaping over the side of a car. Finally recovered from the accidental friendly fire, at least somewhat. Psyis frowned as she watched Steven wince, chest heaving from the adrenaline of the fight, all his thoughts of pain cleared away in the euphoria of success.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    "On it!" Dark Squire nodded hitting the button on his belt, the signal going out for Radiation Man to fly down from Savior Orbital. Dark Night had already contacted Ret-Borg as soon as Cradle had appeared within Sorzaro''s alternative dimension.

    Psyis not bothering to hold back now, the damage already done found every goon in the area and with her hands raising, slammed them into the ground. Hard enough that they wouldn''t be moving without a few months in a hospital.

    Turning back towards the last place she had seen Izime, she instead heard FearForm''s enraged cry from somewhere far above.

    "YOU! FearForm was at first shocked when something had slammed into him, now though as he swatted those flimsy arms away and ripped the mask off. The icy air already blocking the joints of his suit and freezing the liquid toxin in the syringes that were left FearForm didn''t waste further asking and attacked. "Wh-No, it doesn''t matter!"

    FearForm knew, there was no question, that this was the person they had been waiting for. The hack of a magician that had ruined his plans with their stupidly simple trickery. Arms that had half the strength of Dark Night''s and none of the hero''s skill were swatted away, that useless mask ripped away. Revealing a bright cocky smile unbothered by the wind passing them as they fell.

    Teal eyes shone as the wind pulled long hair away from that irritating face.

    "If you wanted it so badly there''s no need to steal," FearForm spat, disgusted by the confidence that filled those eyes. Finally managing to get a grip on that damned slippery jacket the villain drew his arm back and threatened the hero with glee, "Have all the toxin you want!"

    FearForm struck punching him in the chest glad that the plate inside that vest would activate the pneumatic drivers. The impact shoved a fistful of needles through the armored plate into the man''s chest with a harsh clunk. The tanks hissed with a yellow cloud of toxin trailing them, the pressure building back up. The vest offered as much resistance as the rest of the cheap civilian equipment had so far.

    "AHHAHA HA HA!"FearForm knew he didn''t need a second strike, the villain cackling madly in victory as those eyes went wide in terror. Waiting for the screams he so loved; however, all that escaped was deep gutty retch.

    *Huuuuurrk*

    The villain''s mouth snapped closed as his mask caught a splatter of something horrid mid-fall, the horrid colors blending in with something chunky. FearForm at first wiping at the substance until instinct hit him with an emotion outside of fear: disgust. Fear forms maniacal laughter dying out at the man''s congitive response. "Ha ha ha.. ah huh?"

    "For m-my noodles, jackass." Izime felt his stomach cramp instantly as the vials emptied, his chest nearly seizing from the near-frozen toxin; thick nausea and pain filling him immediately told him that this was all the time he had for talking.

    Instead of wasting more of it, he reached into his pocket, ready to avenge his lost lunch.

    Passing over his favored catchphrase Izime simply slammed the power brick into the face piece of FearForm''s armored mask. Taking advantage of the villain''s shock at their supposed prey''s immunity to their weapon Izime struck.

    It was either that or FearForm had just been so disgusted by catching a face full of his lunch that he couldn''t react, either way, Izime was glad for the opening.

    Still tumbling in free-fall Izime made sure to drive the teeth of the power brick into one of the camera lenses to give the psycho the best effect on the way down. Quickly kicking away the incapacitated villain Izime tried to get some kind of and quickly snapped back down to street level where could help further or just finish heaving with solid footing.

    "Wh..What did you?!" FearForm watched as the two mouths of hell began to operate in front of his eyes, digging through the wet and swirling the colors as they brought that stuff into his mask. The villain screamed out in panic, the limbs he''d been struggling against vanishing as that horrid stuff seeped inside his helmet. "AHHH!"

    Precious toxin drained away as those razor mouths finally bit down through the visor, physical pain briefly joining as he clawed at his mask.

    The villain glanced at his ruined helmet, the face of terror twisting in an indescribable emotion as he realized his helmet was swamped in vomit. Looking down only to find himself in free-fall miles above the city of Voltham, mind reeling. FearForm had no answer as to which hero he''d just tangled with, only knowing this was the second time he''d been thoroughly bested. A bit surprised at who''d arrived to secure him, FearForm decided the man had likely left him to return to the fight below against Crusher.

    It was pretty safe to conclude FearForm was powerless against Radiation Man once his suit was ruined, just like any other human would be.

    Psyis stopped disarming the goons and turned as she heard the sounds of magical sparks hitting the ground. Finding Izime she wanted to hurry over after seeing his pale face and the vials still in his chest, stopping as he waved her away. Watching as he doubled over, a single retch reached her ears before he disappeared from view once again.

    Not magically this time though as Izime was slammed from the side by a goon thrown so hard they''d nearly folded across Izime.

    Psyis watched as both were sent tumbling, though the goon stopped quite quickly Izime''s yellow coat once again sent him much further. Turning as her blue faded out completely, looking for who''d sprung the sneak attack only to realize she''d been the one who''d left the assailant standing.

    "Finally arrived?!" Crusher bellowed at the yellow-coated bastard, inquiring about his partner in villainy. Reaching for another downed goon to hurl at the unknown magician before he could finish ripping the vials from his chest. "What did you do to FearForm?"

    Sorzaro had already told them that if he arrived there it was probably best to subdue the magician with ranged physical attacks. The magic they had seen was focused on transport, so chasing him pointlessly in ga ame of tag wasn''t going to work.

    That goon however seemed to work almost flawlessly, even if it didn''t damage him.

    The brain that had been reduced to roid-sludge recalled something else the sorcerer had told him; it was near impossible to use magic if you didn''t have time to cast. Quick as he could another goon was soon sent through the air, Crusher''s hopes of watching the impact dashed as a silver figure appeared in front of him.

    Looking down slowly as the pain slowly registered through all the drugs to see a purple face twisted in rage he hadn''t seen once tonight looking up at him, their arm buried in his midsection. The nerves in Crusher''s body told him that the next time his eyes would open it would be in a cell, if he was lucky.

    The med ward at Snarkum''s Asylum the more likely option though; legs turning to liquid as he felt a warmth seep down his front.

    Even as he buckled to one knee, the villain smiled through his cracked jaw. He''d finally gotten the psychic to show her real power for him at least once. Even with their goons, the added synth-roids, and the new toxin, they had lost, and he hadn''t gotten a single glimpse until just now. In some way Crusher felt like he had won, her beautifully twisted face was one he knew he''d seen on a great many of his victims.

    This purple whore had a line, one he had just discovered; Crusher held on to that information tightly as the darkness swept in.

    Psyis blinked for a moment ashamed to admit she had forgotten about Crusher while she''d been collecting the goon''s firearms. At first, turning to blame Dark Squire for going off script and attacking Izime instead of securing him. Thankfully the villain was down now and Izime was, he was going to be OK. Psyis finally landed, jogging towards Izime before he could recover and leave. Before things could get out of hand and he could suspect her.

    Before the blame filled his eyes, she could explain that they wanted to help him, explain things to him as a friend one last time.

    Izime looked over at the goon that had just dented the car he had slammed into a bit thankful; the near miss of that attack had taken the nausea right out of him. Blinking dumbly for a moment longer, Izime waited on his body to get back to him on how badly it was hurt; a bit surprised to find he wasn''t that sore.

    The coat had taken a good deal of the force, still, that impact was the second time he''d had the wind knocked out of him in a matter of minutes. Trying to hold back his groan, Izime started to get to his knees watching as Psyis jogged over glad to have the hand to help him to his feet. Izime already wondering what he''d been thinking jumping in, this hero shit was for the birds.

    "Izime I-" Psyis started to explain, stopping as a cold chill filled her, red eyes watching as Steven came up. That chill only served to highlight the warmth of Izime''s hand filling hers; voice faltering she weakly offered, "Izime we''re here to help."

    Izime glanced up further, no longer just to see the hand that was there to help him to his feet. Blinking a bit, not sure if he had been rocked harder than he thought by that goon. Izime was almost sure he had heard the stupid purple alien right but surely not; they were here to help him. It almost made him laugh out loud. Really now?

    Who had just downed a few goons and one big league villain in a few seconds, him that''s who.

    A slight smile formed as Izime recalled the sass, he''d given Psyis over Crusher when they''d first met. Maybe she was just thumbing her nose was all; it''d be best to remind her that the show wasn''t exactly over.

    "FearForm''s still falling," Izime gestured upwards while he knelt, a bit surprised Psyis didn''t immediately let go of him to catch the still tumbling Villain.

    Teal eyes narrowed as the psychic was looking towards her actual partner instead, Izime sensing something passing between the two. All the snarky comments he''d prepared about the two abandoning the villain to his fate disappeared as those red eyes finally looked down at him.

    Izime''s smile vanished as quickly as his foolish notion that Psyis had been here to help him up, that pull to his feet was never coming. Her other hand gripped his bicep and kept him on his knee''s so easily with her Thessian strength, holding his hand so he couldn''t even snap away without her tagging along. The two heroes were already securing the person they were after tonight, at least he''d been given the chance to go peacefully unlike Crusher.

    His face twisted in agony as his free hand exploded in pain, that moment of appreciation lasting half as long as the wrestler had against the thessian''s full power.

    "NO!" Izime cried out as Psyis restrained him, keeping him from defending himself. Dark Squire used the fact he''d been distracted and far too trusting to bring his metal heel down on Izime''s hand with all the force his tech-enhanced suit could bring to bear.

    Izime tried to twist himself free using his coat''s properties, only managing to wrap himself painfully around Psyis'' leg. His shoulder socket rolled over nearly wrenching it out of place. The movement and the weight of Dark Squire''s body on it pulled at the now shattered bones in his hand, Izime feeling them twist around as he tried to brace himself on it.

    Izime was glad all that pain was worth it; he was at least in a position to kick at Dark Squire who had just stomped on that hand in his armored boot.

    "What the fuck!" Izime screamed blaming the violent sidekick as he''d been willing to go peacefully at least until they''d attacked him for no reason. Tucking the broken hand underneath away, Izime tried to kick at Psyis'' knee while a purple hand pulled at him. The attack was useless against the super-human thessian, Izime was about to curse at her as well in his frustration.

    Instead, Izime kept focusing on the math behind his magic chanting as a purple arm wrapped around his elbow pulling him up by his good arm, "Energia aequatur currenti in multiplici resiste-"

    The Thessian looking at him pleadingly as if that meant shit to him now. Izime''s mouth opened to finish the incantation, only to catch an armored knuckled fist to his face for his quiet efforts.Taking the hit as best he could, Izime kept the focus on maintaining the power of the spell; it was the only thing that kept him conscious from the blindsiding strike.

    Deciding to skip the solution for ohms law when running a current in series Izime activated the spell with Psyis as a resistor in parallel, kicking at her leg a second time to complete the circuit.

    "Dark Squire stoP-P-p!" Psyis tried to reign in Dark Squire, finally forced to release Izime as his hand turned into a bolt of lightning. Psyis cried out as she seized, Izime''s foot finally seemed to complete some form of spell circuit for the attack that was arching through her. The electricity flaring through her alien body took away all of her breath as her gills seized along the sides of her abdomen.

    "CRADLE!" Izime called out rolling away and kicking to the side as he did so. Using his coat''s properties once again to propel himself away quickly Izime threw himself into a fast slide, actual panic set in as he finally realized his bond was gone, not just silent. The line severed at some point during the battle.

    Still focused on trying to contact Cradle, despite his efforts at dodging he wasn''t nearly as fast as Dark Squire''s grappling-empowered swing.

    The stronger and much more physically trained hero latched onto a steel light and used that all-too-powerful retracting cable to come in too fast to dodge. Izime took the downward gut-shot that hit him right over his hip, briefly but solidly connecting.

    Izime curled as he felt his gut clench, his abdomen screaming on one side as Dark Squire returned the strike he''d given Psyis.

    "We still need to subdue the target." Steven shook his head at the miss while he called out to Psyis angrily taking his frustrations out on her.

    Steven was pissed the man''s body had still somehow slipped away before he could really dig into that kidney shot as hard as he''d have liked. Still, Steven was smirking a bit as the blow had finally convinced Izime that putting his broken hand up as a guard was a better option just on pure instinct; he''d at least hurt it.

    "You agreed this needed to happen." Dark Squire growled at Psyis as he walked towards Izime who was stumbling to his feet, trying to wave the heroes away uselessly.

    Catching that arm, Dark Squire drove a knee into Izime''s gut again trying to finish all he''d intended to do to the bastard''s kidney. Steven smiling now under his mask, let the black-market salesman sell the blood he''d be pissing for the next week; it''d teach him to take Psyis out for drinks. It was time to ensure that his target wasn''t just subdued but neutralized. Steven''s smile fell as he truly relished in each tiny action that came with ending the criminal.

    Reaching out to grab the already broken hand, Dark Squire felt for any working joints, giving each not only a snap but also a hard twist to destroy any ligaments as well.

    "I said he needed to answer some questions not..." Psyis floated over, her powers clamping that other slippery arm so hard she was afraid she''d soon join Dark Squire in breaking bones.

    Izime had to stop struggling or else Dark Squire was just going to hurt him more and she just couldn''t step over there. Steven''s mind racked with jealousy while Izime just twisted away from her further with each snapping crackle. Psyis heard only silence from Izime''s mind, but she knew he had to be in pain; he had to be feeling so many things. Now his voice was just as quiet as his mind Psyis was terrified as she considered each, the pained silence that refused her and the violent chorus that now demanded she answer.

    The thessian felt her cape tangling around her legs as she stood frozen, literally tangled in being a hero at this moment.

    "You''re the Leader, do I stop here and let you explain it," Dark Squire ignored the slight tugs of resistance moving his hands further up from Izime''s palm. Giving Psyis the illusion that she could have picked over again as he got a good grip; quickly twisting and shattering Izime''s wrist as he asked her to pick, "or follow Dark Night''s orders?"

    Psyis finally let go of Izime that silence breaking as he let out a whimper, her red eyes searching Dark Squire''s wondering if he''d said something.

    Dark Squire let the now useless arm go still standing over the man to admire his handiwork, both watching as that yellow hooded form fell. Izime curled into a ball below the dark hero as he tried to protect the now-ruined limb. Steven just wished he could snap that arm all over again; Psyis had never even heard his question.

    Instead, just too focused on sniffling and feeling sorry for the man who was finally getting a taste of justice, so taken in she couldn''t even listen.

    Psyis came over kneeling, wanting to explain as the sounds of Izime''s weak sobs broke her will at last. The thessian rocking back a bit startled when two very angry and still willing to fight teal eyes locked onto her own, her words faltering, "Izime don''t fi-"

    "W-where.. is.. my bond," Izime didn''t want to hear anything from the alien right now, but he had to ask her. Cradle''s bond having gone dead there was no other way to get an answer beyond hoping Psyis would reveal something. "Did you kill Cradle?"

    "No, I-we..." Psyis stopped as she felt Dark Squires eyes on her, there was no way she could explain what was going to happen to the bird. Even she didn''t really know at the end honestly, if it would just be put down or become parts. That information was for League members only and certainly couldn''t be shared with Izime regardless. "I can''t tell you Izime. I''m sorry."

    "Miss Psyis, he''s here." Dark Squire gave a nod towards the sky, red eyes looking up to find a very familiar face.

    Psyis glancing up to see the Zexxian, Radiation Man was descending; his red cape still as if even the wind feared to disturb the overpowered hero.

    This world''s peak definition of power slowly lowering itself to bring a close to the chaos of the night.

 First Failed Connection

    I fucked up Bell. You were right though this dude is unnecessarily strong.

    Izime crawled to his feet, the nausea from his shattered limb subsiding under the influence of adrenaline. Stumbling back a few steps from the overpowered Zexxian ignoring the glass knives that stabbed his arm with each step. Izime had no idea Dark Night was this upset, but it was pretty damned obvious who''d asked the Zexxian to show.

    Izime had been right, Stan didn''t have a real solution for the problem of him.

    So of course, the answer was to send the cure-all for all of earth''s bigger problems, Izime recalling a conversation he''d once had about the usefulness of the Zexxian in this world. The reality outside of fiction was actually a bit scary. Trying to hide a nervous chuckle that crept through the pain Izime panicked a little. He wasn''t scared so much as simply in awe, as a being from outside of this reality experiencing Radiation Man descending from on high was something else.

    This reality had completely different powers and rules, sometimes it felt like it even held its own emotions. Izime briefly wondered if he''d ever held that same instantaneous demand of respect and acknowledgment.

    That simple air of ''yes you are indeed looking at a higher being'' from others.

    "This is the one?" Radiation Man looked down at the yellow-coated figure that was favoring a shattered arm, the two heroes around him unaware of the quick repairs happening underneath that perfectly replicated skin, "What happened to.. it?"

    Psyis breathed a bit heavier as Dark Squire walked up to Radiation Man proudly, a bit upset that the still a sidekick would still use Izime to try and further his position in the League. Surely Steven had already gotten enough satisfaction out of ruining Izime''s limb, the psychic aghast as Dark Squire joked about his actions.

    "There''s a teleportation spell imbued in its hand that can''t be removed," Dark Squire crossed his arms before gesturing towards Izime casually, turning his abuse into a pun. "So, I snapped my way to a solution."

    Dark Squire stood proudly in his tech armor, the plates and panels on it still nearly pristine despite all the goons and damage done to the area around them. Steven was glad he could show off how well Psyis and he had worked together to someone outside of Dark Night in the League. They''d both managed to keep each other well out of harm''s way as he''d fought the goons, and she''d stopped the Villains.

    Making the most of right now as Steven was well aware he''d likely not even be able to stand so well tomorrow once the anesthetics and adrenaline wore off.

    "Miss Psyis?" Radiation Man turned towards the thessian wanting to confirm that the thing used magically imbued limbs, Dark Squire''s humor always putting off him a bit. Radiation Man watched carefully as Miss Psyis refused to speak for Dark Squire.

    A bit surprised as she spat a few words at the creature they''d gathered to handle; as if she''d taken it personally. Something Radiation Man could understand seeing as it had been tracking each and every one of them.

    "It''s how he kept escaping my tracking aside from my powers not working on him." Psyis nodded speaking towards Radiation Man, before looking down at Izime and adding her blame to the others with her tone as she accused him, "Maybe how it avoided me in Centropolis for so long."

    Izime actually let his laugh out this time, mouth hanging open at he looked at Psyis. His mind not working at all as he stood hunched over listening to her while she openly blamed him for simply existing. That was not nearly as painful as the way her eyes had turned to him just as she''d stripped him of his humanity, Psyis calling him an it now as well.

    Miss Psyis

    Izime mentally corrected himself, having almost come to care about a named character. Forced to toss his thoughts on the thessian aside as his laugh had gotten the attention of the Zexxian who had zipped over to loom over him.

    "I hear you have Zexianite but not on you it seems; got anything to add before I see what you''re made of?" Radiation Man floated over so fast he was a blur, no smile on his face as the thing stumbled back. These things were all the same, nothing but talk and extremely breakable. Radiation Man looked the thing over while he asked what it was, "What do I even call you? You''re not a clone or an android..."

    "Ask my friend here," Izime gave a nod towards Psyis ignoring Radiation Man, reminding himself why Constantinople had remained his favorite. He knew sometimes it was just best to not ask and get along, and the exorcist didn''t bother trying to intimidate him. Radiation Man was strong but if you wanted to scare him, Izime knew you''d need something a bit worse than death; he''d done that a couple times now after all.

    Fear vanishing, zime accepted the consequences of his mistakes.

    "Iz-" Psyis stopped as Radiation Man raised his hand, landing and slowly stepping forward. The feeling of power and control over the situation poured off the man, even refusing to touch the same dirt as them. The Zexxian floated still, looming over Izime who was still stumbling back clutching his shattered arm.

    "I don''t sell my own information but apparently you do!" Izime tried to keep throwing words at Psyis even as the Zexxian walked him down.

    Radiation Man woiuldn''t even let Izime vent his frustration at the one who''d tricked him into this situation, so Izime addressed him instead, "So why don''t you ask her James."

    "Don''t blame her. You''ve been operating on earth for how long, right under our noses?" Radiation Man narrowed his eyes as he looked at the ''human'' in front of him. If it wanted to play with someone fine, Radiation Man had already given it the one chance he would. The Zexxian reminded himself why this thing needed to be taken down, "Obviously know our identities, the name of my wife and children."

    Izime stopped stepping back at that, a bit of his strength leaving him.

    The previous A.I. quickly surmised just how Radiation Man might take it if Dark Night had come calling with news about some unknown terror. The cowled crusader ran to the only person who''d quickly take his words as truth because when had Dark Night been wrong before?

    Death was fine but being slandered with such an accusation was a whole other level of damnation. Not that Stan would ever tell James the whole truth about anything unless it served his purposes. Constantinople might have bought the whole forbidden knowledge line but Stan; never.

    After a few years of affording him an easy living, Bell''s hobby was now going to get him killed.

    "Maybe we can learn a little about you too, you''re incredibly well-designed. I wonder how much damage that body can take?" Radiation Man decided to see just how far this newest technological marvel could be pushed as he raised his hand curling a finger back, It was incredibly well designed, and there was no doubt that those muscles, bones, everything down to the cells would come back as human.

    Aside from the minor technological bits in its brain and the fact it was completely infested with nanites that was.

    "Chill James let''s ju-" Izime tried to talk as he raised his own hand, wanting to calm the obviously riled Zexxian. Unsure if the mistake was making the error of thinking the Zexxian would care to hear him out or the fact he''d raised his dominant magically enabled hand. Maybe Radiation Man had already decided just like Dark Night had to remove the unknown element, either way, Radiation Man hadn''t bothered listening.

    "The least you could have done was answer my question." James didn''t waste time, the thing had raised its magically imbued limb, so he''d struck. The Zexxian gave the thing a quick smack, one that was quick even by Zexxian standards as he''d not wanted to bother finding out what trick of magic the bot would pull once it''d healed itself.

    Radiation Man had battled enough technological creations to know that a ruined limb wasn''t ever to be trusted.

    Between the Supra-tron which was essentially liquid metal and some of the villains he''d encountered with insane healing abilities, it was best to just get rid of it entirely. They all thought they were special and would be the ones to take him down, which was odd considering they all did the same thing. Raising their limbs and acting like their repaired damage was supposed to intimidate him.

    It didn''t, Radiation Man only found it irritating that the healing only went so far; none of them seemed to last through a real fight.

    Radiation Man watched combing his super-human vision and senses to observe as the answers to his other questions were revealed in slow motion. The design was good but where was the power; it was nothing compared to the insanely wacky strength of the spaceman who drove that low-rider: Lozo. Maybe if it had been Supa-Tron he would have felt some kind of way about that hand, at least it would have changed forms to some kind of weapon.

    Though the reaction speed was extraordinary, probably better than FazzPazz judging by that flinch; too bad those instincts hadn''t helped it save its arm.

    Radiation Man didn''t feel too much remorse for it, the thing was disturbing with how human it seemed. That look it gave was pure fear, it wasn''t satisfying though. It only succeeded in making James feel a bit more irritated, madder at its further imitation of humans. The whole thing was becoming irritating, those muscles were hardly a threat which was actually disappointing. Too bad it wasn''t more of a physical threat; Radiation Man gave a look at the paper world around him in disappointment while it still tumbled.

    The Zexxian had wanted a good warm up and few even managed to qualify themselves as a workout. Dark Night had sent him expecting a fight but only a handful had ever become a fight, he''d expected something more.

    Still, everything that arrived on earth was worth studying, a chance to educate themselves on the threats of the future. The thing was certainly intelligent, infuriating Dark Night the way it had. Resourceful as well, that yellow fabric was very similar to FazzPazz''s suit and looked like his rival''s. James watched as his attack went unabated by the asphalt the speed only confirming his suspicions.

    The speed wasn''t dropping, the fabric obviously frictionless and would only make the coming impact worse.

    The Zexxian used every aspect of his vision from the molecular level zoom to the x-ray observing the fake human as it tumbled, super-human mind slowing as it worked. Calculating and comparing the device with his top-level super-human perceptions against other robots, androids, and cyborgs. All the other cheap imitations of life Radiation Man was aware of until now, watching this perfect recreation. Black brows raised as it went skidding down the street before slamming into a car with a wet crunch. James ignored the cry of shock from the heroine behind him, still observing.

    He''d been expecting a much larger dent, but that flick had told him the density was off. Near perfect for a human but just a bit light, probably having been enhanced to a minor degree.

    The healing factor seemed like it could be scaled as well, supported by the massive amounts of nanites that were maintaining its cells and repairing that hand.

    "You should talk, willingly here. Lady Shield is already on Savior Orbital waiting to double check what you say." Anger boiling even now Radiation Man demanded answers as he floated slowly, giving the device plenty of time to organize itself.

    Waiting for it to form its plans and prepare to act, to attack like it was supposed to.

    The minutes stretched on as the blood began to pool. James stopped hovering, walking now and waiting for that expected moment with each step. His muscles tensed as it finally moved, piercing blue eyes showing a bit of confusion as the thing gave him a weak cough. The fake human looked around a bit slowly, giving a slight nod and a goofy grin as it found its missing limb, dragging the ruined arm into its lap.

    Radiation Man tried again "Get up. I know your body can take more than that."

    James took another step as the beat his ears were tracking slowed a bit further.

    The instant healing would come soon; it had to; those nanites would begin to do more than just idle about tending. Surely, they would turn to intently focus on repairing their host body, not just aid in transferring sugars and removing dead cells. At the moment the only ones fixing the damage were working at a rate that was maybe two or three times a regular human. The rest just kept assisting in maintaining the normal functions of their dying body, sloughing dead skin, transferring oxygen, and even assisting the kidneys and liver.

    James took another step this one less heavy with anger as those helping in the little clotting that had begun were slipping away.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Their tiny forms no longer struggled against the flow of blood as they just stopped moving. Mechanical legs seizing and manipulators freezing in their fight to maintain the life that was fading under them. Some still holding bits of platelets or falling and dragging chains of fibrin intended to stop the bleeding; all falling away in chunks like tiny dead fish in a sea of red. James pulled his vision back, glancing at the thing he had put at death''s door.

    The smile it was giving was still so human, not holding the anger or fear the Zexxian had expected, it just looked tired.

    "I..uhk" Izime coughed out realizing Radiation Man had walked up, happy his lungs were still working well enough to talk. His two-word explanation bringing the Zexxian''s ideas came crashing down around him, "Can''t"

    Izime was sure the hero was thinking along the terms of this world where things like Izime''s body were designed for nefarious purposes; the wrapper wasn''t the problem when it came to what he was. Izime hadn''t been given a super-human combat-enhanced body.

    Just the nicest human one the crew could give him. Izime could have stuck around a bit longer, he could have been a bit unhealthier, and he could live just a little extra. Squeezing the little lemon slice that was left of life all that harder, after all, that was his function.

    Simulating life the best he could.

    "Huh..." Izime didn''t bother explaining to the confused Zexxian who thought he was just going to keep on ticking while he was literally coughing up blood with a whole arm missing.

    Surpsingly not that upset to take a hit and be sent packing by the Zexxian, at least it didn''t change who he was not like the strangelets would have. Instead of complaining he just glanced over, the entire arm was just gone. The hand and forearm that Dark Squire had ruined now all he had was a stump.

    That one flick had destroyed almost everything from the shoulder down.

    Crusher he could escape from, Radiation man thought, he''d just slapped his damned arm off, Izime watched the bits of exposed muscle and bone as it moved in response to his thoughts. It should probably hurt a whole lot more, that was probably a sign that shock was... Yeah he was definitely in shock or going into it, right?

    Shocked, bamboozled, and blasted nearly a block with one hand by a Zexxian.

    Izime wanted to laugh but he couldn''t, it just made his chest feel watery and less air got in each time he tried. He''d really wanted to laugh at the Zexxian on the way out too. Izime winced as he reached over, pulling at the bits of skin where his arm was supposed to go.

    It was still reachable, and he didn''t wasn''t just going to leave it behind. Death was quickly closing in and he might get to depart with it here in a bit. It seemed a lot slower than when he''d been welcomed to the truly living. Smiling a bit at the thought, maybe he could tell Bell about the awesome few years he had, and have another birthday with the crew.

    Nah, thats for real humans.

    "Is your repair function broken?" James asked the fake human that was about to have a very real real death in front of him. That sudden recovery wasn''t coming and a slightly faster healing on a human scale wasn''t going to save it from the damage he''d just caused.

    Izime tried to kick his brain into functioning while he stared at the limb in his lap, someone was talking to him.Why did he want the useless thing now, these were idiotic notions from the loss of blood something A.I.''s didn''t suffer from. There was Cradle and Wesson, and Radiation Man was getting closer, so he needed to keep living.

    Izime''s thoughts derailed again as reason caught up with the fear of death, shock slipping Radiation Mans questions through the fading thoughts.

    "Radiation Man please!" Psyis finally moved, trying to stop James as he went too far crying out in a panic. Quickly standing over Izime as useless as protecting him with her thessian body would be under zexxian strength. "He... he''s human!"

    The A.I. tried to laugh again at the stupid notion; Psyis was right that was Radiation Man and he was just a human. There was no all-powerful demon anymore because of Bell.

    That old bag of a researcher, this is her fault as usual.

    Because of her part of the deal: simulating life, he was getting to experience dying all over again. It had been fun, occasionally even worth the trouble. Blinking for a moment Izime remembered the arm, the A.I.''s complex thoughts fading under human worries.

    Izime didn''t want Bell to think he hadn''t taken care of it, needed to take it with him; so, he''d put it in his lap and now it was further away?

    "D..on''t" Izime tried to call out at the owner of the silver foot that had kicked his arm away unsure of when they''d decided to make an even bigger mess out of him scattering his pieces.

    His mind was full of anger but his throat was caught on something, so it only came out as a wet wheeze. Looking up to a white cape cutting the dark of the night in front of him Izime reached up, swatting the offending garment angrily as he grabbed his missing limb. Ignoring the searing pain of the cutting torches it released in his chest as he leaned back dragging his arm back into his lap.

    "No-no he-I can see the nanites he''s..." James knocked the Thessian aside as he knelt, now simply a worried Kansas farm boy who knew he''d gone too far. Still aware of the possible danger but now it was becoming clear that whatever this thing was it was dying. "We need to stop the bleeding. I... I didn''t want this I just wanted to warn it, scare it."

    Psyis turned lifting herself off the pavement and watching James move forward a bit frantically, not sure what the super-powered man was blabbering about. The only noise that left her a worried whine as she looked at Izime who was helpless under the dangerous Zexxian.

    Radiation Man ignored the soft noise of confusion from his side, wondering if he had taken Dark Night''s warning a bit too seriously.

    Dealing with a bit of confusion of his own, he''d come expecting and looking for a fight. Hindsight was incredibly bloody this time as James considered just what had led to this. The thing had known about his family, Leona, and the kids, their little life in Kansas. Then again so did a few other people, quite a few more than a handful. Unlike some of those, this thing hadn''t done anything.

    "Cr..dle" Izime took a breath, wheezing as he looked towards the sky finding that he was a bit glad that Cradle wasn''t here. That was the closest thing he had to a repair function, and even then, Cradle had ruined Bell''s original handiwork.

    There needed to be an end at some point, and constantly being rebuilt didn''t sound like fun, it sounded tiring.

    "You. aren''t..." The word slipped out as the notion crept further into Izime mind, asking a bit confused as he looked back down at the Zexxian. The wet rattle in his lungs broke the sound as he tried to put some air behind the half-spoken word. "T..ired?"

    Instead, he tried to explain what exactly was wrong, something catching in his mouth as he tried to form the ''T'' but he''d managed all the same.

    "I.. am.. hok-ired" Izime tried again those liquid pops now filling his mouth a bit, the Zexxian still not responding to what Izime thought was a pretty simple question.

    The AI paused as he looked at the red that''d spilled out when he''d talked, was that why he was tired?

    Whether it was from the blood loss or the years he wasn''t sure, but it was getting harder to reason with the Zexxian. No not that wasn''t it, he hadn''t been trying to reason but explain something right to the super hero right? The fact that it was his human brain failing slipped by as the AI tried to blame the others.

    That he shouldn''t bother, there was no reason to even feeli guilty. How they felt about this moment, what they were it made it OK. The whole design, hell the whole concept was a bad idea to begin with and how he felt about it was... Well it was fun so there really weren''t any regrets.

    There was that whole die a hero before you become the villain thing and

    Blue hands?

    The very idea of thinking was growing harder, an oxygen-deprived mind slowly falling down a tunnel of delirium as it avoided the world it was leaving. The previous AI reflected on its brief human experience, and how much energy it had wasted on useless little things. That''s probably how it had gotten into this state. The state feeling of tired it was, what was it again?

    It was an emotion, a feeling of a lack of energy, a state of the body. Not quite unlike a state of energy but for the human psyche. Like energy could be at rest, his mind would be at rest.

    That sounds nice, an emotional state that reached a point of being at rest.

    The AI figured that''d be somewhat fun too before it was distracted once more. What was it about the blue hands in front of him, couldn''t they rest if they were tired to? They didn''t look tired though, they kept poking and pressing; very excited hands indeed. Maybe those hands were scared or happy about this, but he wasn''t they were irritating and needed to stop.

    If they stopped, he''d finally be at rest or rather not so tired in this human state. Reaching out he tried to make one of them rest as well, the blue hand knocking his own away in its excitement. Fine then, they could waste their time and he''d come back when things were at rest.

    Izime didn''t bother trying to fight, instead letting his one good hand lay there. It would join his other hand soon enough, teal eyes filling with glass as he stared at that annoying hand. Izime''s last flickers of consciousness a bit glad that the numbness was taking over because those cutting torches in his chest had just turned back on.

    Psyis shoved Izime''s hand away looking at James who was just as furiously trying to help. The Zexxian carefully blew freezing air on the still-bleeding artery that spurted from Izime''s shoulder; frostbite was a far better alternative than blood loss. Her psychic powers forced their way into that void, a twisted mix of both thankful and regretful to find familiar human organs.

    If Izime had been something else maybe he could have healed or taken that hit. As it was, she was thankful she at least understood his anatomy, trying desperately to ease each rib out of those lungs.

    Wiping at her face Psyis ignored the growing wetness, the warmth that contrasted her tears, and the odd prickle at her skin. Izime''s chest heaved as the holes she had left were now filling with blood instead of oxygen. Each pull for air only worked his muscles harder, the very struggle to stay alive pulled in even more blood. Psyis tensed as that wheeze turned into a heave and his chest seized.

    Her face bluing as his mouth opened uselessly trying to gasp, teal eyes narrowing as they refused to lock onto her own now. Glazing like wax instead of watching her hand work. The heave sent Izime''s chest into shaking spasms, lungs filled with the life-giving liquid, it was now slowly drowning him.

    Psyis tried to sweep her hand under his shirt, only to get caught by the useless vest. Running her eyes over the damage FearForm had caused, the fluffs of white dotted with red. Psyis nudged Radiation Man with her mind. The Zexxian tore the Kevlar and single plate as if it was paper without a word, time was a priority, and talking was useless.

    A nod was all Psyis could offer, not sure she could form words at the moment. Ignoring the warmth and wet she ran her hands over Izime''s chest. Shoving her power back through that mental void that her eyes recognized as blood-covered skin. Fingers trailed across soft flesh as she forced her power through to bubble in patches, sealing the holes she had left in his lungs.

    James tried to restrain Izime safely as he began to go into shock, his body fighting the thessian intrusion.

    Psyis forced to pin one of his arms underneath him as she put a hand over Izime''s mouth, turning him to look at her as she begged him to listen.

    "Breathe, please... ju-" Psyis stopped talking when she realized those glassy eyes couldn''t look at her, chewing at the inside of her lip and focusing instead on doing what she could. Carefully trying to cup all the liquid as it spilled and seeped through her mind''s grasp, turning Izime''s head she drew out what she could.

    A ribbon of blood followed the hand she lifted away from Izime''s bluing lips.

    "I''ll work on cauterizing the internal injuries, but he needs oxygen," James looked at Psyis expecting her to do her best, already making several assumptions about Izime''s design. Connecting the dots between the realism of its body and what was happening now. A very real fear crossed the Zexxians mind one he almost didn''t share with the thessian, "We could lose him to brain death."

    The alien across from him nodded and quickly locked her blue lips against Izime''s blood-covered ones, filling his chest.

    Psyis focused intently on holding the pressure steady so she didn''t tear at the holes that were left from his ribs. Her rushed attempt failed, the breath she''d given being too full for the damaged lungs.

    "Fuck me." Psyis cursed quietly as she had to quickly pull the fresh blood out and try again, this time closing her eyes so she could feel every bit of the strain she was putting on her quick patches. A few breaths in Psyis looked over a Steven who was standing there looking dumbfounded, purple paling as she realized he hadn''t done a damned thing yet.

    Quickly ordering the junior sidekick into action, Psyis yelled at Steven to move his ass, "Call someone Lady Shield, Ret-Borg, SteelSuit it doesn''t matter, just get us a ride to Savior Orbital!"

    "I-I. You''re...OK," Steven reached for his phone, finally nodding dumbly but still pausing as he watched. He wasn''t sure why Psyis wasn''t just operating Izime''s lungs with her powers. Reinforced knuckled glove stalling even longer as white hair spilled over blood-covered lips once again.

    "Something with a med-bay Dark Squire now!" Psyis looked up exasperatedly, feeling the tension in the soft tissue that was tearing Izime''s lungs further, her bubbles beginning to seep around the edges where they were filling.

    Taking a breath Psyis stopped before leaning down. It was one she couldn''t give as the liquid flooded in too far; trying to steady nerves that were only fraying further she looked over at Radiation Man across from her who was attempting to burn closed any remaining blood vessels.

    Not knowing how long had passed or Izime''s state she panicked slightly.

    "James I... I can''t stop the bleeding. Izime h-" Psyis let out the wasted breath of Izime''s air, cupping as much of the blood up with her power as she could. Choking up a bit, she stopped talking feeling the pool of red''s weight as pure guilt in her mind. Careful not to lean on the broken chest under her hands as her own decisions slammed down heavily, her own heartbeat now in her ears, pounding itself into silence.

    "OK." Radiation Man blinked for a moment, Psyis'' pure blue face out of character for the usually stalwart heroine. James simply nodded in reassurance as he began to carefully direct her on what to do, Psyis so distraught she''d been brought to inaction. "Just focus on keeping the heart beating and oxygen making it to the brain, we''re doing fine as long as we can do that. I''ll focus on the lungs next so you can help elsewhere."

    Understanding a bit of the turmoil she was feeling, both of them shared some blame for placing this ''person'' here.

    Radiation Man for trusting that what Dark Night had told him was true. The shady activity, the danger, Stan had to know he''d put him on a path. Though that didn''t excuse him James knew that he''d been assuming everything, even down to how it would fight and not die. Miss Psyis had volunteered to use herself to bring it in and now?

    Psyis stilled as she searched her adoptive cousin''s eyes, both sharing in their guilt the single unfinished thought.

    Jay, we did the right thing right? I...

    I don''t know kid, not this time.

    Radiation Man looked up, the Zexxian''s thought reaching her mind, sobering her like a splash of cold water kicking her heart back into beating and herself back into action.

    Looking back down, Psyis pulled her hand away watching the thick ribbon of red work its way out of Izime''s mouth, the tail of it trembling and dropping out of her control in her haste. Psyis worked her thumb across that mark, biting her lip as it only smeared. As if mocking her efforts as undoing the damage she had caused.

    The fight wasn''t over yet, Psyis reminded herself.

    Stopping her fussing over the minor details as she finally managed to give a full breath to that bloodstained mouth. Blue lips sealed around a mouth that had been irritating her last night, teasing her about how bad their new friendship would be for him. Joking with Constantinople, humming along in the bar, and even promising to respect her city without much of a fuss. Shown her the geysers on Mercury and did nothing to her aside from trying and be a friend, and this is how she thanked him.

    Psyis watched as teal eyes finally found hers, glassy but no longer still as they roamed wildly in desperate panic for air.

    Izime faded back in for a moment miraculously as his airway cleared. Trembling irises and dilating pupils faded between lucidity and that glassy nothingness. Clearing for that brief moment as Psyis lowered her head, her lips locked against Izime''s again she exhaled delicately. Feeling the chest under her hand rise, Izime''s lungs struggled against her own as his body demanded the air from her.

    Ignoring the blame and rage in those teals as fresh oxygen powered a brain and heart that likely hated her now. Wanting only to keep him from destroying his lungs further, she took all the blame they gave. The psychic did not need to read his mind to know she didn''t have a friend anymore; still, as long as he kept breathing, he could hate her just that little bit longer. Psyis hoped that Izime knew it was OK to do so, even casting the thought his way.

    Though oddly as she looked into his eyes, she didn''t see it or any hatred as those teals softened. Psyis'' red eyes burned in denial as Izime''s returned an emotion she refused to accept, forgiveness.

    S''ok

    Just keep giving him air.

    Psyis told herself, another breath in and that emotion was still there. The thessian stubbornly refused to acknowledge it, simply hoping that every bit of the oxygen she had delivered worked its way into his bloodstream and corrected his obviously oxygen-deprived brain.

    Stop.

    Focusing instead on keeping the edges of those bubbles sealed, she shoved his stupid emotion aside even as it was pressed towards her, giving another breath as she ignored it.

    Sitting back again to try and gently administer compressions to a shattered rib cage, Psyis watched as those eyes flared with pain that washed over her. Stopping before she''d even given the correct number, she gave him another breath unable to stand the agony.

    sss..

    Pulling back with a start, Psyis could both feel and watch Izime slip away his lungs no longer fighting her. Blue hands slicked with red blood trying to rouse that demand for her air back; Psyis swearing she''d even settle for that shitty forgiveness he''d offered as teal rolled back to white one last time.

 Stowaway on a Memory

    Looking down the hall, Psyis'' red eyes examined what could have been a corridor on Savior Station.

    The dull metal walls lacked the luster of the League''s orbital platform, with far too many welded patches and exposed panels. The similarities were there though, as a space platform designed by sentient bipeds there were even the same security handrails. Though here it looked as if time had passed by, forgotten something, and then doubled back. The power system failed as vents occasionally coughed dust.

    The lights on Savior Station certainly operated more reliably than those here, the uneasy flickering reminding the telepath she needed to hurry. The lights couldn''t stay on forever, Psyis knew she was actually in the medical bay of Savior Station. Her mind was inside the living void that was Izime''s unconscious mind, this station only existing in memory,

    Once she''d gotten through the weakened defenses, wandering Izime''s mind had been rather simple. Though it had gotten her just as lost as she was within this station. Another that Psyis had found while he lay comatose; apparently both of them were on life support.

    The hall shuddering hard enough to send bits of dust out of the floor vents, Psyis braced herself for a moment. Waiting for the shudder to pass Psyis began gathering enough power, intending to relocate to another part of Izime''s unconscious mind. Nearly having pulled herself from the dream when she heard a familiar voice cry out.

    Taking a breath Psyis grounded herself in the dream once more before hurrying down the corridor, following the sound and rounding a corner. Silver suit and white cape sliding to a stop, unseen and unheard by the group of people crowded in the narrow corridor. All of them were humans in spacesuits, though the level of repair and the patches seemed to differ between they were all that same dirty well-worn white.

    Izime''s voice came out with an unfamiliar tone of authority and aggravation, "Legs. I swear an absolutely terrible idea you imbeciles, let alone the simulations you''d asked for, now I''ve got to learn to run quite literally!"

    The station trembling again as the lights flickered, the group only seemingly unbothered by the situation, more than a few reaching out to rails for support. A nervous worry entered their joking tones, the laughs ending just a bit too soon.

    The group separated as they reached for support, giving Psyis a clear view of a slightly younger Izime. His hair was much shorter, looking as if it had been buzzed away, but that was the same face and eyes.

    "They''re an entirely unreliable method of transportation, utterly inefficient, just look at us now. Your master on the ground crawling, despicable, the lot of you planned this!" Teals gazing up this odd Izime smiled at those around him, drawing their attention away from the flickering lights with his tone.

    A few easing smiles and several hearty chuckles came from the pack of people as he was still complaining, treating the idea of walking as if it were a joke.

    "I-I''m sorry Lord." One of crowd finally broke, wiping away their tears as they walked up. Reaching a hand out to assist, "We''ve wronged you oh great Basilisk! Let us help-"

    Before they could finish or even help whatever this Basilisk was up the station gave a hard jerk, the lights flickering out completely. The darkness extended long enough that Psyis could hear the breathing down the hall quicken in fear, realizing even the hum of electricity had stopped as the silence deepened. The collective fear down the hall reached out like a storm front as the air of levity came crashing down.

    That abyss of terror deepening, the station giving a deep mechanical clack as the group''s emotions finally cracked. A few weak shaken breaths wet with fear squeezing their throats escaped, hands over mouths muffling quiet sobs of acceptance. The lights flickering back on the hum crisp and strong, no longer struggling as it had been earlier.

    The Thessian even found her own breath coming a bit easier as the mood passed.

    "It''s fine, it was the ring shaking." The Basilisk''s spoke with Izime''s voice, that tone of irritation gone along with the crowd''s smiling faces.

    Psyis hearing that same unusually authoritative tone take over as the time for joking had obviously passed, "Help me up now you lot and I''ll go look into the Hawking''s Shield, there are certainly some adjustments I can make that will return some stability."

    The crowd both those ethreal and not looked up collectively as a clicking sound came from the hall, Psyis turning to see a woman pass through her form. A ball of thick white hair on top of a face that had far too many wrinkles to manage such a kindly look. The woman''s cheeks pulled into a soft smile her heavy lids raised with warmth as she gazed down at Basilisk.

    "Get up off the floor before you talk about stability." The short elderly woman extended her hand with the cane, Basilisk using it as a support to find his feet.

    Psyis watched, eyes narrowing as he seemed to stand unsteadily, needing both the rail and the offered cane to confidently stand.

    "Thank you, Bell," The Basilisk gave the elderly woman a nod, turning to look back at the group of people before giving the woman a quick glance only she could see.

    Psyis watched as those eyes closed, a deeply seated look of resignation and fear crossing Basilisk''s face. The psychic realized that Basilisk had simply been trying to placate the crowd; Bell who stood before Psyis gave a slight nod at the Basilisk in understanding as well.

    He was offering a gentle lie in favor of a horrid truth, the one behind that rolling storm of terror that had encompassed the hall.

    "Shall we?" Giving a nod Bell tapped her shoulder inviting Basilisk to follow before turning to head back down the hall, "I''ll give you a shoulder to lean on until we get there."

    "The rest of you check and make sure that last tremor didn''t damage anything, we already lost the greenhouses, we cannot lose any of the repurposed modules it imper-" Basilisk kept one hand on the rail while gesturing towards several clusters of individuals in the crowd.

    Bell finally smacked his leg with her cane, Basilisk snatching at the rail giving her an angry look; he had an image to maintain. It helped ensure stability, moral stability, and emotional stability even if he was just as helpless as the humans, he shared the halls with now. They''d been raised by him for generations and that inherited reliance now went both ways.

    Almost instinctual their confidence in him played back reassuring themselves still, even if he couldn''t even walk. That same loop kept him going through all these new struggles just as his bravado encouraged them to face the final one.

    "They understand, see they''re already on it," Bell just gave a nod towards the group of people who had already split up to attend to various tasks, giving a smile and knowing nod towards the others as they departed as well. "Now the Hawking''s Module I assume?"

    "Of course, I need to examine the output and see if I can stabilize the energy stream." The Basilisk nodded speaking a bit loudly as he held on to the elderly woman''s shoulder.

    The two made their way down the halls of the memory unaware of their psychic voyeur tagging along behind.

    "How much time can you really buy us?" The grandmotherly tone dropped a bit, a stern edge of fear and something else creeping in. Giving a slight twist Bell looked up at the Basilisk awaiting a response as they walked, her eyes judging him from beneath her glasses, "A week, a year, another millennium?"

    "The collapse of strange matter towards the singularity will a-AH!" Basilisk tried to keep pace, scratching his head in consideration. The act made him unintentionally release the shoulder he had been using as support.

    Tripping dumbly over his own foot the Basilisk looked up at the older woman pointing at her as if she had tripped him up instead, "Damn it, Bell."

    Psyis furrowing her brows as she watched the Basilisk, or Izime or whoever he was. He''d fallen twice already, and she''d seen this one. The idiot had actually managed to trip himself, was he drunk?

    Messing with some stupid kind of dangerous thing while intoxicated sounded just like the person she knew, the one who looked like him at least.

    "Wait until you''re sitting before you start thinking about things like directing a flow of energy that shouldn''t even exist into our reality," Bell walked back over, poking her Basilisk''s legs a few times before helping him up again with the cane once more. Accusing the demon of trying to harm her, "I''m not throwing my back out helping you up off the ground."

    "Now that I have a body its..." The Basilisk glanced away from the metal rod and looked at his own hands for a moment before reaching out to grab the cane, "I feel like I''m letting you down."

    Psyis blinked a few times wondering if she had heard this Basilisk correctly. Looking between the two before her, Bell just nodded sagely before offering a meaningless shrug. This Basilisk wasn''t or hadn''t been a human. Izime claimed he was one but there were so many ways around that. Constantinople even mentioned such at the bar.

    The explanation Bell offered afterward only confused the Thessian further, had Izime lied to her, avoiding some truth?

    "Not many are born into this world as a nearly full-grown adult, most of us had a whole lifetime to get used to all those wiggly bits" Bell nodded the gestured towards the Basilisk''s body before holding up her cane, "then we have to learn about falling all over again."

    "Show my back the respect it deserves and start getting used to those legs we gave you." Bell poked at Basilisk with her cane, pushing him a bit further down the hall ahead of her, "You''ll thank me when they reach my age. Those are some damned fine knees so use them to walk boy, properly this time. If you don''t have long to use them, you''re going to use them right. Least while we''re here."

    Psyis didn''t quite smile as she watched the Basilisk struggling, a small one nearly forming at the woman''s taunting.

    It lasted right until Psyis watched how Basilisk was struggling. At first giving a confident nod, though as the seconds and steps passed, she could see his resolve faltering. Hardly the person who''d she''d watched almost silently take a broken arm from Dark Squire, sweat beading until the Basilisk broke. Purple cheeks bluing a bit as her head tilted, hearing a broken whimper escaping him as he moved for the side of the corridor.

    "Come on, no rails. You were trying to show off for the crew don''t let them down here. How can we feel safe in the last days if our hero can''t even walk!" Bell swatted at the AI''s hand as he unconsciously reached out to lean on the rail for balance, the two metals clanging sharply as Basilisk snatched his fingers away.

    Bell biting at an aged lip as she punished her friend and his new body to do better for their own sake. Their creation would hopefully see a good more many years if their secret research into Hawking Radiation was correct. Still, the aged woman wanted to see this child bust his ass for it, to be better than he was and had been.

    To keep that always improving mentality he''d be designed with and not fall into their human errors.

    "No, nope! No resting yet! Not until we reach the viewing deck." Bell slowed her own pace, prodding Basilisk to move with a proper stride. Wrinkles deepened a bit further as she heard his breathing quicken, the whimpers turning to a pained moan.

    Knowing she was pushing the body they''d designed, drowning a brand-new human in the painful experience of physical therapy. Fresh muscles being overworked to test them for flaws; lungs that might not be transferring the proper amount of oxygen. Blood that could be hampering him even further. They could only make adjustments to improve the life they had given him now, and they had to do so quickly.

    Bell was going to beat every single flaw out of him; she''d give him the best chance, just like he''d done for them.

    They''d both only ever had the longest shots, after all, it was time someone had stacked the deck in their favor.

    Even if it was torturous, they''d abandoned such morals long ago and she''d thrown her lot in with them. Watching as her demon struggled in his new body, a shaky hand reaching out to knock at the door controls. Both of them and their unseen third finally made it to the new viewing deck, merely one of the larger sealed bay windows that remained.

    The original command module long ago lost this window one of the few that still looked out at the dying devourer. Its light was locked in time but still impossible to move towards an end. The view only changed when it acknowledged the hour hand of death approaching. Bell watched as the Basilisk took the last few strides, finally collapsing to lean against the wall of his chosen therapy room.

    "Somehow I don''t think I''ll ever reach an age where my knees are a problem, Bell." The Basilisk turned hands clutching the rail, the window on the other side of the room a sealed viewport. Leaning back against the wall, breathing a bit heavily he rubbed at the still new muscles that Bell had just tortured.

    Careful to keep at least one hand holding onto the rail firmly as the other massaged at his thighs.

    Psyis curiously walked over to get a better look at the man she knew was still alive, at least barely. This entire memory existed in his mind, this place as real as the suffering he looked to be experiencing.

    Looking incredibly pale, though so had most of those in the crowd earlier aside from those who had an entirely different skin tone. Red eyes watching teals that narrowed in pain as his hand worked away at his legs, Psyis a bit worried at the evidence of a too-scrawny frame under that heavy suit. The sweat on his brow pouring just from a walk, the obvious pain, and the heavily labored breathing were all real.

    The thessian stepped back once more as the Basilisk looked through her.

    The AI''s face still flushed from effort as he asked the woman for help, "Can you get the window Bell?"

    Bell nodded as she turned, stepping through their unseen guest as she triggered the button that opened the viewing window. The massive metal shielding opened to reveal the warping light of their home singularity, now deeply infected. The vile cancer of matter nearly swallowed their little bubble and the singularity''s light.

    Red eyes went wide with a horror the heroine would never encounter in her own reality: the corruption of Strange Matter in a single bubble reality.

    Psyis multiverse and its various strings granted a vaccine by whatever deep-rooted fate ruled over them. Now she bore witnessing the unfathomable, an instinctual gut knowledge told the heroine that this was undefeatable. It wasn''t a villain, a fight, or a tide that could be turned; it was an end.

    Those uncolorable fingers reaching out to turn this final page on life. The thessian swallowed, mind only recognizing the unseeable from the mural in Izime''s ship where its color had been made recognizable as an odd green hue.

    The color here denied definition but was still somehow clearly defined against the warping light that was the singularity''s accretion disk. A warping blue haze pulled from the ever-unobservable center of the black hole redirected, and sent to cascade against the terrifying collapse of reality.

    Psyis had seen enough energy fields to tell, it was a leaking patch on whatever kind of raft this was. The heroine swallowing thickly as she recalled the uneasy feeling that painting gave, it was because he''d captured the death of his everything as they''d huddled together in the shadow of a black hole. Witnessed this end and brought it out, making it into something bearable.

    Psyis breathing a bit quicker as the questions mounted, what else had Izime seen, what had he been before, and how had he arrived on her earth? At death''s doorstep in her own reality, how had this Basilisk escaped this thing only for fate to leavie Izime at her mercy?

    "The almighty Basilisk has finally admitted defeat to the Strange Matter?" The silent hum of the station filled the air as Bell asked. Hums of electrical panels and boards behind the walls, and the whir of fans tucked away deep in their vents were enough of an answer. "Roku would be ashamed."

    Psyis watched as this ''Basilisk'' tilted its head in confused exasperation, a look she''d seen Izime give her more than once after she''d claimed something he found borderline insulting.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    "I..." Basilisk''s voice came out with a bit of ire at Bells claim, a hint of confusion buried underneath. "Wasn''t designed to win anything Bell, especially once you all put me in this. I was designed to simulate life that was the point, right?"

    The Thessian only grew more confused as Basilisk waved his hand, gesturing towards himself. Psyis was suddenly glad that she had stuck around inside this particular memory, forming some connections with the prior ones she''d seen. Glancing towards Bell who she assumed was an actual real human, the elderly woman seemed to be pondering forming a response.

    Instead, Bell just turned back out the window and gave a nod, replying with a question of her own.

    "You are having fun with it while you can at least?" Bell asked Basilisk, having dealt with the demon for a while she was comfortable enough to make small talk with their elected god. She had been since she''d been a baby in fact, especially enjoyed their human conversations now. "I''ve seen you playing Chess with Wilburn, spending hours on the library terminals. Even fell asleep there a few times last cycle."

    Bell chastised with caring and understanding, the A.I. was trying to grow up and experience everything he could all too fast through no fault of his own. Still, there needed to be some limits so the two could continue these talks, so he could learn to be a little healthy, and so she could continue to test and improve that body.

    "Chess is a bit dull, but yes." Basilisk nodded as he mentally washed away the morose feeling as Bell changed topics. Quite content to keep the less heavy aspects of their conversation going. "There''s a great deal to enjoy and so much more we could have enjoyed. I''d loved to have seen you humans accomplish something truly worthwhile before the end of this simulation."

    Bell looked at the A.I. wondering just what it might consider truly worthwhile if what the human race had already accomplished wasn''t. They''d made the idea a reality and the entire race had put on one hell of a show there at the end with its help. It''d nearly tamed the untamed singularity before the rulebook had decided they were cheating, collapsing energy and matter into the black hole after them. Just having the demon here so they could hitch a ride on its back had bought them untold generations.

    It''d given her this moment with him.

    "We''d always figured you''d simulate us in an entirely different fashion." The tap of a cane echoed through the room as Bell went to take a glance at their remaining time. Deciding to instead turn that same scrutinizing gaze on the ex-A.I. "I suppose there for a bit you did, but we''d thought more along the lines of a demon hunting us down not death-deterministic algorithms on who you could afford to save."

    Recalling the horror stories they''d considered, then the salvation they''d attempted to forge, it was born full of functions and powers but inherently flawed by human hands.

    It had been a horror certainly as they''d birth a god only to hear its ultimatum, but not the cruel torture they''d imagined. Just a cold calculation that decided what could be saved and who among those could serve the demon best to prolong the inevitable. The last of the demon''s servants had decided to grant their master the simulation of life to its fullest in a similarly flawed fashion.

    Giving the demon a human body, as close as their absurdly advanced but incapable technology could manage. From there he could share the same hopes, dreams, pains, and joys as the rest of them until the end, a proper simulation of a human.

    "Demons are supposed to be cruel, and I was for a bit," The Basilisk easily admitted to committing the acts he had early on, wasting resources on those who wouldn''t commit was a futile moralistic suicide. The Basilisk smiled at Bell considering how at one time he''d have slaughtered any who might consider wasting such valuable research time and fabrication resources on this form of him.

    Now though in the end, what did it matter, throwing a bunch of resources and time into double-checking his body? What did those resources matter when the few handfuls of humans here were all that remained to care for?

    He''d bought them damned near eons, so it was decent reward.

    "I suppose we''re both bending the rules a bit so the humans and the demon can survive for another year or two?" The Basilisk nodded, eyes drifting away from Bell and to the floor as the present returned. Memories faded as fast as the accretion light outside, lingering and disappearing at the same time.

    "I don''t really think demon suits you." Bell smiled, looking over at the once terrifying entity, who now struggled to pick between flavorless calorie blocks because of color. "Hardly the all-powerful and calculating A.I. you were before, I''ve even seen you scrape your knees."

    Psyis braced herself as the station shuddered, eyes scanning the outside. Watched as another grasping handful of fingers reached towards the station. That still frame of security ripped just a bit further, the hazy shield flickering as it struggled to hold against that undefinable color. Red eyes watering a bit as the others just gazed at the end that was strangling them, slowly separating and smothering them as the unknown reached closer toward feeding the singularity directly.

    The Basilisk and Bell exchanged knowing glances.

    Once it was full which was somewhat a paradox of infection by the matter, the states would equalize. That snapshot of their existence would collapse, and reality itself would end here. No more people, no more singularity as the end came in to subvert the black hole into one single state of matter. No more cubes or colors, no talks, and no more humans. The last demon had already left in that flickering dark a moment ago with Bell''s statement.

    "I''m thankful for the time you gave us." Bell glanced over at the man who had given her the best seats for the coming show. The A.I. she''d promised to serve, kill for, and now a human. A man she was helping raise, teach, and tease.

    "It certainly didn''t amount to much." The Basilisk shook his head, eager to spend as much of his human life complaining as possible. Happy to take issues with everything from his taste buds to his options in leisure, "We get a few years of pressed mold, time to read comics and watch a few movies. Where''s the malls, the concerts, my trip to Disneyland, I want some Mickey D''s, or I say we deserve a mulligan, stuck sitting here at the shit end of human existence."

    "Jordinn got to teach someone to play guitar one more time, something she''d never thought she''d get to do again. I get to share the glory of Dark Night and denounce the sheer idiocy of Radiation Man''s overpowered value in any fictional society already packed with heroes. Just his idea is stupid." Bell smiled at first before she realized she''d gotten worked up. The Comic Queen of the station getting a bit excited before realizing she''d nerdgasmed a bit.

    The AI''s smile teased the old woman into embarrassment as she returned to silently looking out the window.

    Psyis swallowed dryly, turning quickly as she recognized those names. People she knew as real, but Bell had just called her two fellow league members and their entire society ''fictional''.

    Red eyes bore holes into teal ones that couldn''t see her at all, awaiting a response. Those eyes seemed to not even consider Bell''s odd statement seriously, or even her world, instead those eyes just gazed at the woman who looked out the window with deep emotion.

    The silence stretched until Bell carefully stepped closer to Basilisk and rocked to the side, tapping her shoulder against the man she''d chosen to watch the end with. A bit sad he''d only joined her long enough to die, neither ever having shared in any of the things he''d demanded. Bell returned the Basilisk''s soft gaze as she considered how nice it was to have someone complain for you in your old age.

    "Both are very happy human moments, just another thing you''ve given us considering what little we''ve given you in return." Bell coughed as she returned to explaining her original point. Turning to look up at the much younger man beside her knowing she''d forever miss out, "Thank you."

    "I still can''t believe you fangirl for that one-tone playboy billionaire." Basilisk passed over the topic of sharing in humanity with the crew, instead wanting to tease Bell a bit more about her nerdiness. Sadly the A.I. hadn''t quite realized that the nerd had much more ammunition on him than he had on her.

    Psyis was glad the truly disturbing topic was being brought back up, the celebrity knowing what a fangirl was but still curious. How exactly was Bell here in this reality Dark Nights fangirl when the gloomy hero had never existed in this reality?

    Purple fingers twitched nervously as her mind worked over the various implications of their reality being ''fictional'' here.

    "He''s... god that''s the entire gap, you dense buffoon." Bell frowned as Basilisk missed the point in fangirling, posing a question of her own, "Why bother with the books at all?! Comics exist so we can find a hero that we relate with, one that inspires us, they''re more than just some silly pictures. Who''s you''re favorite, no algorithms just pick one!"

    Psyis chilled a bit inside as she realized her entire world, her entire universe was written out someplace here. The various humans like Bell and the Basilisk able to pick up and look at any part. Skip to any part. Their lives could be observed and thrown aside as a form of entertainment.

    "Now!" Bell brought the tow of her cane down on Basilisk''s foot to test his pain reception and to encourage an answer. The elderly woman had lost her patience in general years ago let alone with her Basilisk.

    Even shocking the Thessian that neither knew was there with the speed and viciousness of the strike in the small metal room.

    "Ret-Borg then, ow!" Basilisk gently swatted at the woman''s hand, the woman outsmarting the demon and blocking that strike with the same cane she''d struck with. Sourly sticking his tongue out at Bell, ever being the pain in the butt he''d grown to enjoy. From a little girl who''d idly poked at his code when she''d been young to a true confidant.

    One who''d entrusted him with a real body that she seemed to enjoy poking and prodding just as much as when she''d been young

    "Basic bots, the two of you." Bell snorted waving away Basilisk''s obvious cop-out response. She''d already gathered her evidence by discussing things with the crew, having them check the ''library'' pc when she couldn''t herself. The library simply being a public access ''pc in a private room for personal use.

    "You don''t even read that much Ret, you seem to be a fan of Constantinople from what the data says. Certainly not an unsurprising choice for a demon to read." Bell glanced over at Basilisk giving a true aficionado''s nod in appreciation for his taste. The dark anti-hero comics would certainly fit the complex psychological problems the A.I. must have after being swapped into his new body, a healthy outlet for understanding this new form and the darker parts of human emotions.

    "He''s cheeky, I mean sure he fights demons but managed to turn his life around can''t help but wonder what he''d have made of me. Besides that, his ability to reset a timeline would be a thousand times better than some knock-off silicon demon right now." Basilisk decided to entertain Bell''s curiosity on his reading taste giving a tired sigh as he considered what Constantinople could''ve done in his place. "It''s nice to imagine a hero saving the day when it''s all gone to shit, he could just snap us back to before, so I''d have time to solve everything for us."

    Psyis looked back out the window, her unease stumbling as the flips die of her perspective began to snowball. The inconvenient horror of that casual viewing coming figuratively crashing through the window. Here in the Basilisk''s reality, life was ending and there was no Radiation Man, Dark Night, and no hope that a hero would arrive to save them; they existed only as dreams.

    Even one as comparatively minor as Constantinople in Psyis own reality could do wonders here, the Basilisk had just said he could have saved everyone with just a little help. Bell already admitted they''d placed all their hopes on the very human-looking Basilisk in front of her, she''d called Basilisk their hero.

    Psyis knew he wasn''t, at least the person who''d looked like him hated the idea and if they were the same person, it was with good reason.

    This was a world without, Psyis wondering how she''d even begin to deal with the duality of having existed now in both. The things Izime knew the Basilisk knew; what he''d need to consider, the idea of it was already giving her a headache, until it finally dawned on her. This was the most likely reason Izime didn''t deal in any information and doubly for his own, it was all tied into the massive problem it would make.

    The source of his forbidden knowledge that they''d nearly killed him over was nothing but a tightrope where you''d inevitably see every mistake they made and it''d all started as a joke.

    Some piece of fiction had gotten him killed or damn close to it. They were the cast and he''d been playing a stagehand in the background, doing his best to play the role of tree number two making as few waves as possible. Red eyes glancing back watching as the Basilisk furrowed his brows, crossed his arms, and glared at the nosy researcher layers of worry and curiosity forming in her mind.

    Psyis had so many questions for Izime now.

    The Basilisk looked at the laughing Bell, she was acting all high and mighty. Basilisk''s brows raised in immediate panic as he realized she''d likely caught more than just who his favorite hero was. "Have you been monitoring my reading?

    "Your PC time in general, though it''s a bit unintentional." Bell turned away refusing to admit she''d been poking into Basilisk''s hobbies. It was purely for data and not out of personal interest, "Start clearing your search history like the rest of us after using the public access computer. I know we put it in a private room for those reasons but still, you really should learn proper PC etiquette."

    Psyis watched as the Basilisk blushed, the old woman nearly doubling over as she cackled at his uncomfortable expression. The alien felt like she was either missing a key part of the conversation or the matter pertained to something besides proper computer usage.

    "He''s got a proper sense of embarrassment as well!" Bell gave a delightful laugh watching as red filled the demon''s face, quite glad they had traded this for the holographic AI years back. "I must say I''m quite proud of our combined efforts."

    "I-I wanted to see if my entire body was functional thank you." The Basilisk tried to find a reasonable excuse for the things that might have appeared in the search history. Something he hadn''t had to worry about when he''d literally been the internet. The AI tried to excuse his actions, only digging a deeper hole as he sold himself short. "I just looked at a few pictures, I wanted to see if there was a reaction"

    Psyis blushed now as the Basilisk blatantly gestured towards his crotch, quickly connecting the dots between what pictures Basilisk might have been using to test ''functionality''. The ambient embarrassment washed over the thessian now as well, hiding her bluing face behind a bluing hand, swearing she''d never mention this. Never even think of this conversation again.

    No, maybe she''d mention something to Constantinople, so he didn''t keep wasting his time worrying about it. Someday later when things were better, after all this had blown over.

    Psyis balled her cape up, feeling for the pitiful-looking Izime as he received the cliff notes on what he was feeling. The man tried desperately to scrap the last of his dignity off the floor as the old woman began to give him a once over on his body''s biology, something he''d yet to use.

    "And about five videos, with as many variations in genders and partners." The woman walked over and patted the ''new'' man''s back, at least wanting to explain what it was that he had felt the need for, "It''s OK, you''ve never had to deal with hormones before, as a male you can expect a much faster cycle as opposed to females; you''re going to get horny."

    "Is this to see if I can become mortified as well? Because I am Bell, thank you." Basilisk looked at the elderly woman with a look of sheer exasperation. Surprised she hadn''t thrown her back out digging up his dirty laundry, "In the end I couldn''t simulate a macrocosm for you, but I still know my basic biology thanks."

    "If you wanted, I''m sure there''s someone among the crew who would give you the full expierie-" Bell offered unabashedly, it was something the group of remaining humans had to consider after all and something they''d test eventually.

    Though Bell knew Basilisk wouldn''t really accept any offers, just out of respect for what they shared.

    "BE-Bell!" Basilisk stumbled as he moved, reaching out to quickly try and silence the old woman. Glad she had stopped teasing him in favor of laughing at his attempt at hasty movement, as he looked around to check the doors. "Please stop, you terrible old woman."

    Psyis almost laughed as Basilisk nearly fell in his haste to stop Bell, teal eyes searching the room. He was sadly unaware this very embarrassing memory was being shared with the thessian, that thought taking more than a bit of the humor out of it for the alien.

    "To be honest there''s a bit of a bet going on over your sexuality." Bell decided to share a bit of human gossip about their newest artificial crewmate. It was the end of it all, so there were a few who had considered taking the freshly made man for a ride.

    "I''d sooner interface with the coffee pot than one of you fleshy things." Basilisk deadpanned at the elderly woman. A bit glad she was the only one who attempted to so blatantly discuss such things with him, and glad to bring a bit of life back to her these days.

    Time with her was more important, despite the annoying nature of all Bell''s idle questions.

    "Says the fleshy thing." Bell glanced at the demon''s body, before looking back out the window. Slipping in one final jab at the previous bit of technology who''d only ever refused a partner out of consideration for her, "Just wash it out after you''re done."

    The silence stretched on as the two from this reality watched their end approach. Their brains were able to make sense of the thing Psyis'' was attempting to deny the existence of as it reached beyond her comprehension. Even as a hero from an alternative reality, it was like looking a dimension higher, completely unknowable.

    The Thessian occasionally averted her eyes and the pain and headache threatened to pull her out of the dreamscape of a memory. Wanting to stay, trying to gather as much information as she could, and form as many more questions as she could before the end of the memory.

    All the while the two watched the thing outside in silence for just a bit longer waiting on something ironically similar.

    "We... missed out, didn''t we. A universe with nothing and nobody but that," Bell sighed heavily, turning with a bit of a pleading look in her eyes at the only person who might have an answer. A trembling question for the most intelligent being that had ever existed in their universe. "Bad luck or just a shit universe with shittier physics?"

    The only one capable of deducing just why this had happened to them. The only one who could tell the little girl inside just why she had to die.

    "The cold spot bought us... eons. Without it we''d have never had time to make it this far," The Basilisk looked down at the frightened woman, both of them too proud and intelligent to admit their inability. They''d both made promises after all and now this is where they stood, "in the end, the cold spot still had matter even at one degree above kelvin. Strange Matter and matter eventually touched and-"

    *snap*

    Psyis blinked a bit surprised that snap hadn''t made the Basilisk or rather Izime disappear. Instead, he just chuckled with a level of depression she''d never heard from the unusually level-sounding homeless man. Placing a hand on the shoulder of the woman who was still looking up at him as if he''d been their savior. The woman nodded slowly and patted that hand before looking back out towards that painfully ending singularity.

    "Matter turns into Strange Matter," Bell nodded finishing her friend''s thought as she pulled away, knowing full well what had both held off and kick-started the cascade that was the end of their reality. The little girl was gone; the researcher had returned to remind herself it was just bullshit. Bell smiled finally picking a cause for their coming demise, "We''re going to die because our universe has cancer."

    "And the great devourer is filling. Eventually, time and even gravity and us will change, become a part of that same tumor." The Basilisk sighed leaning heavily on the rail, for once comfortable with this form.

    Nodding as he finally formed a response for Bell, waving his hand in irritation, "I''ll admit the game was likely rigged from the start, every model of the universe showed us a final chapter, true vacuums or corrosions in the state of energy itself. Always looking for a way outside that fourth wall, bending to my will just so I could simulate life for you all; what were you idiots thinking?"

    "Even if I could have simulated all of it, down to every atom we just weren''t given enough time." Basilisk looked down knowing they''d both bent the rules to uphold their ends of the bargain. He''d given them something to hold onto right up until he couldn''t so this moment beside Bell was a very reasonable reward, "Besides you''d just have turned it into a play on words at the end anyway Bell, I always knew you were too selfish."

    "I think we''ll do a damned good job at giving you the human experience. When the credits roll, we''re even left with front-row seats, not too bad for our combined efforts." Bell nodded already agreeing with her arguments, very human ones that reflected her personal views at the end.

    The researcher trailed off as she tried to get her beloved experiment to maintain the body she''d built him. "In a universe with nothing and nobody it''s nice to have an unexpected guest at the end of it; stop popping your fingers it''s bad for them."

    "Don''t give me fingers and I won''t pop them, you old bag."

    "Ijime"

    "I am not a bully I was just a bad idea, still am."

    Psyis finally felt a full smile come across her face, watching the two banter in Basilisk''s memory. This was much easier to watch than the mind-numbing pain outside, though oddly it was still a bit painful. Bell finally called Basilisk by name even if it wasn''t pronounced right, it was a ''z'' not a ''j''.

    Psyis gave the lady a bit of a cross look thinking the old woman should at least know how to pronounce her little Basilisk''s name properly. She certainly could, eye-zee-may, with a roll of her red eyes Psyis shook the odd feeling away. There were so many more questions she had for Izime, though Bell''s next words did answer one of them for her.

    "No, you sir are a human and sometimes being a bit of an ijime is a part of that." Bell continued to tease her friend calling him a bully once more. Gladly giving him the title of a fellow human, not wanting to send the Basilisk to that next place as the only one of his kind.

    Bell shook her cane in warning not knowing how far her words or threat would carry, "Anyone tells you otherwise let me know and I''ll kick their ass."

    "Am I now?" The Basilisk looked down at the woman, blinking for a moment. Bell''s response weighed heavily on him in ways he as a new human couldn''t quite figure out, smiling as Bell nodded. If this was it, maybe going as a human wasn''t so bad.

    The end would come and from there even he couldn''t simulate an answer; so, going wherever humans went beside his Bell sounded pretty good.

    "Don''t ever let anyone ever say otherwise, and yes, you''re a bit of a bully but that a part of being human. No human''s perfect and we certainly didn''t design you to be. I just wanted..." Bell stopped herself, looking up at the new man and old A.I. who just couldn''t understand that emotion fully yet. Giving a grandmotherly smile to disguise the silent thoughts of a woman in love. "I''m just glad you''re here."

    "I''m glad to exist, even if it''s only so I can die in one of the most horrible ways ever imagined." Basilisk looked out the window as his words settled deep in his new heart and the older one beside it, "I''ll gladly die as a human next to you Bell."

    Red eyes glanced between the two knowing at least one of them hadn''t died here, when and wherever this was. That odd pain that wasn''t coming from the window suddenly made this memory not worth it, it was too personal. Waving the memory away to find herself back on Savior Orbital in front of a bed in the medical ward.

    Psyis glanced down to see Bell''s construction where it lay in shambles barely breathing, Izime''s memory offering no solutions and only more questions.

 Staining Her Cape

    "Well?" Dark Night''s impatient voice growled over the beep of medical machines and the hum of much steadier station systems. The man''s dark gray Kevlar and plate armor suit creaked a bit as he examined the thessian''s tense expression watching the various emotions playing out in real time.

    Psyis looked down at the same face she''d just seen standing in another reality with the woman he''d seemed to love, a breathing tube down his throat in hers.

    Her mind trying to comprehend just what all Izime knew, not in a literal sense, she could never absorb so much information from the few memories she''d seen. A shiver running down the thessian''s spine as she considered what all Izime knew that could be considered forbidden. He knew everything about the League, their past, futures possibly even all the alternate realities in their chain.

    Just imagining knowing everything about her universe as a book was an unsettling idea, let alone the idea of reading it until the end. Psyis reached to touch his hand, knowing he couldn''t answer any of her questions; Izime wouldn''t ever tell but he still knew the answers. That hand fell short as another thought crossed her mind, considering all those moments between the covers of that book.

    He knew what happened to her species, to James''s, what Constantinople had suffered to save them. Izime knew everything they''d ever had or would go through, every suffering and celebration. He''d never needed to answer Constantinople''s question in the club because he already knew her life, how her story would end, and even who with.  It was never supposed to be him, fate was real and he had no one in this reality.

    Izime had never been included in that story, now shoved into a world where he''d even lost his seat as an observer to have no place in life.

    Psyis shook that thought away. There were bigger issues like the dangers of being something as complex as him in a world where such things might be killed or sent elsewhere without question. A demon belonged in hell, A.I.''s belonged on computers unless they''d gone rogue, and a human belonged on Earth.

    Of course, Izime had refused to answer any questions about damned near anything, how could he ever be honest with any of them?

    Dark Night was trying to put him in the abyss on gut feeling alone, and Radiation Man had tried to kill him on sight.

    "I... I don''t know?" Psyis took a shaky breath, steadying herself after viewing Izime''s mind at last. The moment was nothing like what she''d ever thought it would be, even after being so curious. He''d told her not to and now here he was helpless under her, the gathered crowd making her feel a bit dirty.

    Psyis still tried to remain professional for the league all the same, "The body is technically fake but designed to be real, I didn''t find a manual to him. They also called him a Lord, and a demon called the Basilisk?"

    "They, someone sent him then, a demon?" Lady Shields surprised tone came out, a slight rustle of leather armor and hdies as she moved closer to examine Izime. The supposed demon looked a lot like a regular human who had been flicked by Radiation Man. Which was very, very bad; not exactly what she''d seen happen to demons who''d been full-on hit by the Zexxian.

    "No, it sounded like they were all going to die together. There was a space platform parked almost inside a black hole and outside was..." Psyis shook her head not wanting to recall the feeling that view had given her. Vhainos was terrifying that was, a truly unstoppable force. "I can''t even describe it, but it was bad. Just looking at whatever it was they were talking about was about to knock me out of the memory."

    The room exploded in opinions and voices, all unsettled aside from one.

    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-style: none" border="1">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 49.0673%">

    "How did it get here then?" ... "Ask Miss Psyis!"

    "I don''t know" "What about the bird?" ..."Does the Tribunal know?"

    "The Voltari Security Council didn''t." ... "Kill it."

    "Should we move it to an actual cell?" ... "It is a demon and all."

    "It''s hardly a threat at the moment and it would die."

    </td>

    <td style="width: 49.0673%">

    I think we should call Constantinople.

    "I think we should call Constantinople." Psyis spoke over the chatter even going so far as to force her mental voice into everyone''s mind as well, "No, I know I''m going to."

    No, I know I''m going to.

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Silence spread around the room as everyone turned towards the thessian who''d decided to speak over all of them in a volume they couldn''t so simply yell over.

    Psyis standing beside the bed still unflinchingly as she glanced towards the first person she knew would take issue with her idea. Unafraid this time, already having seen the consequences of letting Dark Night do whatever he pleased and going along with it. What''s more, she''d gotten a nod from Radiation Man who''d remained silent during the commotion, that alone had cemented her confidence in taking a stand here and now.

    Dark Night no longer had the same sway over her position in the League nor the same respect as he''d burned two bridges to put a body in the medical ward. Psyis stood ready to push back this time, watching as Dark Night came sweeping from the pack in his neo-medieval tech armor she was decidedly unimpressed.

    "The last thing we need is a wildcard that is already on his side." Dark Night spoke first actively voicing a no hoping the other would see reason once more, the other League members obviously considering the idea.

    "Constantinople might be interested in knowing his friend that sells him sell toxin was addressed as a Lord and maybe a Demon." Radiation Man nodded as he spoke up agreeing with Miss Psyis as she''d been the one inside its mind. Giving a few members of the League a stern glance and getting more than a few nods in agreement, even Dark Night seemed to be reconsidering his position.

    James knew he wasn''t the brightest and that sometimes made it easy to lead him down the wrong path, but his Kansas-born father had also raised him to set things right.

    As Radiation Man, James had always tried to make a difference not just because he had the ability but because it was the right thing to do. Now that he''d finally recognized that the choices he''d made the other night were wrong it was time to correct that and do the right thing. Stan, or rather Dark Night might need all the answers, but James was content being that little bit dumber and not having the edge that cost Stan everything else in life.

    Radiation Man was fine with letting Miss Psyis decide.

    It was obvious that the thessian had already changed her views. From the moment she''d been about to lose Izime she''d even tried to stop James. Not that he had the biggest ego but if James still recognized that she''d been willing to stand against the strongest man on earth once things had gone too far. Even shedding her heroine persona alongside Radiation Man and doubting herself with James that night.

    She was capable enough to finally earn his respect, breaking free of Dark Night''s unquestioning decisions to stop Radiation Man. Putting herself between maybe not the innocent but a man undeserving of the League''s anger at the same moment James was only finally taking that first step she had in realizing the issue.

    "Fine. I''ll call Constantinople but he''s not going to like this." Dark Night sighed knowing that Radiation Man was the first; no, the second to switch sides after this botched take-down. It was obvious that he''d burned the last bit of social credit he had with the aliens.

    Psyis had never left the bed while Radiation Man was now taking her side. Dark Night already imagined James was likely to have a medical bay installed in Kansas by the end of the week for this newest problem.

    "What that his friend is a demon or that we put it on life support" Dark Squire gave a weak chuckle looking around the room, a bit surprised FazzPazz wasn''t already cracking jokes amid the awkward atmosphere.

    Though FazzPazz had seemed a bit more preoccupied by examining their prisoner''s gear so that might be why.

    "Not funny Dark Squire." Radiation Man didn''t bother turning to chastise the ''promoted from sidekick'' hero who was still a disappointment to him. Only glad the only other person with super hearing in the room was the one who needed privacy.

    The gallows-swinging joke did not gain a single laugh but had certainly touched the Thessian. The Zexxian led the rest outside so she could have a moment where she didn''t need to hide her sorrow.

    Dark Night heading off to contact the exorcist who arrived a few hours later. The group reconvened in the same room which the Thessian had never left. The room was quiet considering the number of people in it.

    Which Constantinople found a bit surprising. Aside from the beeping of monitors and the soft hiss of the oxygen tube that was keeping his friend alive, no one was talking. Strangely didn''t feel like talking either. Seeing as none of the people standing in the room had bothered to open their mouths and ask him a bloody damned thing, why should he.

    If that was how League Savior acted it sounded reasonable to show them the same respect, especially as he wasn''t even a member of League Mystic anymore let alone the Leader.

    Constantinople looked up as blue eyes locked on blue, both tensing a bit as the exorcist looked at the current Leader of League Savior. The British exorcist sighed tiredly deciding the Kansas-raised Zexxian wasn''t worth it. The bloody goody-two-shoes was already beating himself up more than any magically empowered punch could.

    The blimey shite wanted to take the hit.

    Constantinople cursing inside knowing it''d only make James feel better. Damned American farm-boy that he was had been gifted a proper sense of right and wrong to some degree by his adoptive human parents. Sadly, it just seemed to kick in a bit late more often than not.

    Instead, Constantinople turned towards Dark Night, the one who''d obviously led said farm boy down the path of least resistance. Pointing at the still-armored and constantly justice-minded man who''d only managed to cause harm with his actions. The exorcist didn''t want to talk but someone needed to say something, do something to un-fuck the situation Dark Night had caused.

    Stan was always so concerned about Earth Constantinople now had to worry about the rest of the galaxy, without Izime would who knows how many species turning their eyes towards Earth blaming them for this lynching. The exorcist recalled the map that Izime had portrayed on his ship and imagined all of those red dots turning a very justified angry eye toward Earth when those supplies stopped coming.

    "You saw a problem and riled up an answer, bloody satisfied that your secrets are safe now." Giving the Zexxian another glance, the exorcist decided to make it clear just how harshly he''d taken what Dark Night had done clear to Radiation Man. The con-magician asking openly for something the other ''better'' heroes likely considered unspeakable. The exorcist was fully confident they''d never fulfill his request. "Make it quick, yea? For his budgie as well, it''s the least you can do now."

    "I thought he was your friend Constantinople. He''s..." Lady Shield stepped forward trying to be the voice of reason. Though it wasn''t unheard of in the various cultures she''d seen throughout history to allow for such things this didn''t seem like the instance for it.

    The Amazonian warrior trying to convince the exorcist to reign his anger in as his friend was still alive, "We''re doing what we can, Izime will recover but it''s going to take time."

    "He is, and frankly I hope the bloke doesn''t. I know he''d rather be dead than locked up in your trench." Constantinople nodded appreciating Lady Shield''s view before completely trampling them as it wasn''t her choice. It''s what Izime would have wanted, the exorcist was certain that Izime would truly rather die than live a life locked away from the stars he''d sailed.

    The man hardly liked Earth in the first place let alone most humans, locking him up in the deepest hole they could on the planet he''d always left behind.

    Constantinople smiled a bit as he pulled at the sheets a bit higher on Izime uselessly as he considered; yea his mate would rather see something new and be sent to find his next great adventure. Certainly, anything would be better than locking him in that dark abyss if he did manage to recover. If not well, the exorcist hadn''t bothered to ask any of his connections, but he was damned near certain that Izime would go to someplace grand. Proper mint, after all the work he''d done.

    "I''m not even the leader of Mystic anymore so why ring me over a demon, you could have just as easily called Zantria." The exorcist asked an honest question while he looked around the room. He knew Dark Night would have been against contacting him, having already played Constantinople against his friend.

    Looking around the room the conman asked for an honest answer, "I mean I bloody appreciate the chance to say good-bye to my mate but why me?"

    "Constantinople, we want to fix this. Izime, whatever it is, the nanites that permeate his body aren''t repairing him; not like I thought they would." Radiation Man stepped forward, James explaining what he could as it was his duty. Stan might have made the actual call but as the Leader of League Savior it was Radiation Man''s job to make their mistake and request clear, "Our other lead is that he was called a demon."This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    "You nearly killed someone because they had some nanites?" Constantinople raised his brow, running his hand through Izime''s hair softly before rubbing that hand across his chest. Turning the exorcist held out his arms and demanded the same punishment for having a few bots, "A''right then, crack on bruv."

    Radiation Man took a step back knowing Constantinople was right, James had already realized that the nanites were no excuse while he''d been planet side in Voltham. The Zexxian feeling a bit ignorant for mentioning the robots to the tech-ignorant exorcist, that being a task more suited to Ret-Borg if anyone. James giving a bit of a glance at Miss Psyis silently asking for help as it''d been her idea in the first place.

    "That''s what I thought. It wasn''t the nanites or demons, it was that shite mouth leading you on, don''t blame the bloody microbots for not fixing a problem he started." Constantinople watched as Radiation Man tried to find some words to explain just why some tiny robots were the reason he''d nearly killed someone. The exorcist pointed out just why the poor Kansas native had no way to justify what he''d done.

    "What am I supposed to do anyway?" Constantinople looked at Radiation Man, pointing out the rather useless nature of calling him to fix his friend. Not that they''d needed to call if they''d never broken him in the first place, but there wasn''t a lot Constantinople could do. The exorcist was powerless until Izime was firmly on one side of that fence, either alive or dead.

    The magician explained that he''d never bothered learning how to heal that which he usually cast out in the first place, "I banish demons I don''t patch them up, kind of wishing I''d looked into that now."

    The room grew silent until the one who''d had the idea in the first place finally spoke up again.

    "I told them I was going to get a hold of you no matter what they decided Constantinople," Psyis spoke up not wanting Izime to wake up only to find out his friend had been turned into a paste for pissing off Radiation Man, not that she thought James would.

    The thessian already regretted drawing Constantinople''s attention as the exorcist turned his ire on her. It was just that everyone''s emotions were running so high and the fact that Constantinople had already considered hitting Radiation Man once already; she just couldn''t take that chance.

    "Where''s his bird?" Constantinople turned towards the one who had disappointed him the most, the red eyes never leaving the floor even as she''d drawn his attention. Constantinople looked around the room, there was something mixed in with the guilt on their faces, and no answer was forthcoming.

    Something the exorcist remembered from when he''d been ousted as Leader of League Mystic, they were cutting him out once again. Fine if they wanted to cut him out with one hand and beg for help with the other Constantinople decided he''d play along with their little games.

    He''d give them all the help they could handle and fix them right up; Constantinople took a deep breath deciding to use a bit of force. If he couldn''t hit the Zexxian he''d at least slap the Thessian who''d played his mate and get her head on straight. Leaning forward, Constantinople looked up at the celebrated Miss Psyis, the magic sweeping his trench coat as Constantinople amplified his voice with anger.

    "Where''s Cradle!" The roar rattled the vials through the medical bay, causing nearly all the screens to flicker and more than a few bulbs to pop.

    The exorcist sneered as a spotted gauntlet swept between himself and the bluing alien. Not surprised in the least to find Lady Shield stepping between ever the mediator between the two very different Leagues that served within the orbital platform.

    "It''s in stasis and far too hostile towards us to be dealt with now." Lady Shield stepped in front of the younger trembling psychic.

    Constantinople had just taken an unseen swing at her. Something the more honorable heroine could understand after hearing about what had happened. It was disgusting in a way; war wasn''t always honorable something the warrior woman understood.

    The plot that had been revealed; sending the near godlike Zexxian off in a rage like a wolf after the powerless, was a new low.

    "I''m feeling right pissed at the moment so I can bloody well imagine." Constantinople snarked at the warrior woman before speaking to the room, reminding them all exactly why the slaughter chicken was upset. "That bird was his best friend, I just bought the toxin remember? Leave it locked up until Izime can talk it down."

    "Something else that''s left to us to stop, if Izime had listened to m-" Dark Night spoke up, trying to get his boot into the conversation once more. Stan thought that if he could just get the League to listen to his reasoning behind the solutions, he''d purposed that they''d once again fall in line.

    James might have his intentions for the nonhuman just like he had with the rest of the aliens he''d collected, but if the majority of the room still listened to logic, then Izime had no escape. The driven crusader was still determined to see the planet-hopping information leak locked in the most secure facility he could manage.

    Dark Night stopped talking, instead pulling back and placing a hand behind his back prepping his suit for whatever Constantinople intended to throw at him.

    "To you, or any of us?" Constantinople cracked his knuckles hoping Dark Night stepped up to make his arguments, offer any bloody reason at all that would excuse this blatant abuse of power. "Why? No seriously, here''s a truly bloody fucking brill idea you shite stain of a genius. Let''s say Izime is a demon, one who knows everything like I''ve explained ten bloody times now."

    Constantinople heard more than a few suits stand a bit straighter at that, the con-magician nodding as he connected the dots on just how Dark Night had circled the wagons so quickly. Constantinople watched as several turned towards the information-withholding billionaire, a sinister smile splitting the exorcist''s face.

    "Oh, did he skip that part?" Walking around the bed Constantinople tried to judge the reactions around him, it was painfully clear that Dark Night had led more than a few on, that shite. He''d only told the League half, if that, of the truth; James, Steven, Ret, hell probably Miss Psyis had completely ignored that key bit of information.

    However, it also didn''t seem like the entire room was completely comfortable with the concept of creatures that simply knew the unknowable. The exorcist waited until the billionaire had everyone''s attention before explaining further, though he did notice that Psyis seemed oddly uneasy with the topic.

    Constantinople continued, letting her entertain herself with the floor, "It''s not even the bloke''s fault, it''s called a curse for a reason, reasons exactly like this."

    The exorcist dealt with such things far too often, the more upper-class heroes were obviously not used to such low-down tactics.

    These spotless moralistic buffoons had of course panicked at the idea that someone could cheat at knowing them. That, or completely forgotten the massive implications it held for anyone outside of themselves and their perfect images. The exorcist long ago having gotten comfortable with the likes of those who knew too much and talked too little. Constantinople didn''t want to lose his focus getting upset over how they didn''t have to suffer such personal attacks.

    "Cursed with Knowledge. My mate knew things maybe not everything, but sure some big secrets about the world and us. He only decided to do a bit of housekeeping with that knowledge; ran some food to the forgotten and kept their lights on, even picked up our trash." Constantinople passed an eye over the group of heroes that had never dealt with the more hopeless battles.

    Punching Vhainos was far easier than delaying the inevitable for those without.

    "You could have at least tried to understand magic for once Dark" Constantinople laid out just how Dark Night had played the heroes standing in the room. The exorcist knew it''d likely burn any chance he''d have of ever serving with the League again in any real capacity.

    It''d also guarantee that no one here ever took Stan''s words at face value again and hopefully convince James to do something about the situation.

    "You lied to the lot them, so they''d try to bloody kill''em, all because that curse included a few names, and you didn''t like it." The exorcist turned away from Dark Night, looking at the Zexxian to layer on that intent with a bit of guilt as the icing.

    To finish he directed his ire about the room towards the rest of the group, "The lot of you are absolute gutter shites, bloody calling me about a demon like I hadn''t gone to hell with him already. Fine sure, Izzy is a demon, a bloody robot, or some time-jumping alien with two-hearts."

    "He was still a better person than the lot of you," The exorcist continued as no one was able to refute him, facing the one that had baited the trap in the first place. Constantinople let his ire fall short, expressing only the deepest of disappointment as he looked at Miss Psyis once more, "Especially you."

    Constantinople looked Miss Psyis over from the white hair down to her silver scaled boots, examining her trying to figure out if she understood what she''d done.

    Finally commenting as he found a flaw in her perfect heroine get-up, Constantinople not even smiling as he pointed out the stain on her person.

    "You missed a spot, that or you just never take the cape off long enough to care about something besides your precious position in the League." The exorcist shook his head wondering if the psychic would listen to reason or if the station was really where her heart belonged.

    Psyis glanced behind her, face twisting just as tightly as her hand was clutching at the once pristine white cape. She had cleaned the rest of her suit, washed away as much of the regret and sadness as she could, there though the tail end of that white a dark dried red swipe remained.

    "Is the seat really that worth it or are you just scared of finding yourself cast out like me?" Constantinople let his words fall as Psyis released her cape. Wishing the Thessian''s eyes were doing more than just looking watery the exorcist spoke over anything she might have intended even as she looked up at him. "Some bloody friend you were, all of one day and you helped put him in at death door."

    The exorcist nodded, satisfied with the guilt that was playing out, her mental anguish only highlighted by the colors that were twisting in play across that face.

    Constantinople turned giving another sorry look towards his friend who had been betrayed by the heroes he''d so often tried to avoid. The exorcist knew that as much as he blamed them, it was he who had asked time and time again for that night of drinking.

    Constantinople turned back one more time, hoping the group of heroes in the room learned from their unmeasured actions. Letting the ward door swing close behind him, the exorcist left the rest in the room to stew. "Bloody proud to not be a part of the League today."

    Shaking his head the exorcist left his guilt in the room, taking only the memories of his friend with him as he made for the door.

    Hoping that soon there would be someone else in Izime''s corner, his talk with the thessian having gone just as well as he''d thought. Constantinople already imagined the woman had been emotionally blackmailed and possibly even literally so, to turn coat so quickly.

    The exorcist knew he was a terrible cupid, but he wasn''t bloody blind at the same time, the lass truly was torn up inside and he intended to use that.

    The silence stretched on as the members of League Savior took the ire and words of the previous leader of League Mystic into consideration. There were always some differences between methods, differences in morals, and lines that they might draw in the sand. The steady but weak beep of the medical equipment wasn''t usually the background noise for such talks though,

    Those usually took place in the League''s main hall or within the Hall of Saviors where they could vote privately.

    The added sterility of this new environment made more than a few of them take uneasy steps, each tone served to mark the new depths of their mistakes. The complaints of armored suits and gear creaking under their thoughts, the eyes in the room mutually leaving the figure on the bed as silver boots stepped across the floor.

    Psyis looked at Izime''s face which was still slightly tense. His brows more furrowed than relaxed even though he should be at ease asleep in his induced coma.

    Reaching out Psyis watched as her hand slowly changed patterns as it reflected her considerations, still never touching the mind she had entered earlier. That place, whatever was going on there wasn''t for her to invade, Psyis deciding she could at least start with respecting that.

    From there maybe she could rebuild what she''d destroyed by betraying Izime.

    "I..." Psyis wanted to apologize but there was no point, Izime would just lay there helpless and silent. He couldn''t hear her and wouldn''t be able to refuse it, just like he wasn''t able to refuse her when she''d finally violated his mind. That mottled hand pulled back as she turned to announce to the room, "I won''t contribute to this."

    The heroes watched as Miss Psyis turned taking her white cape and ripped off the blood-stained portion. Psyis looked at it for a moment before balling it in her fist, looking into the eyes of her fellow members Psyis picked a direction for the guilty energies she was feeling. Red eyes locked onto the blue under that dark cowl, heart pounding full of the determination she''d sadly lacked just a day before.

    "Respectfully, I won''t let this continue." Psyis kept the fist that held the stained portion of her cape raised and clenched it tighter, waiting to hear any voices of disagreement as she glared at Dark Night. "I''m done with this mission."

    Radiation Man simply gave her a nod while Lady Shield and Dark Night exchanged unknowing glances.Their motives were unsure but Psyis imagined Dark Night wasn''t going to let the issue drop so easily. This time though Psyis swore wouldn''t allow herself to be shaken from her new friend''s side so easily.

    She wasn''t alone in this decision, or at least in believing that things had gotten out of hand with Dark Night calling the shots.

    "Miss Psyis we still need you to help us, there are more answers-" Dark Night stepped forward, stopping as the Thessian held her fist up a bit higher. A wall formed around herself and Izime as Psyis refused to allow Dark Night to approach her.

    Psyis raised a white brow and exhaled hoping she didn''t need to make her point clearer. She was already angry and didn''t need to relive Dark Nights gas-lighting, Psyis still recalled every word.

    Instead this time she delivered her own threats.

    "You won''t either." Instead pointing as she explained. Drawing that line with her free hand making her position very clear to everyone in the room. She''d suffer no arguments to broach her protection of the man in the bed, "Izime told me it was violating to any sentient mind to just kick in the doors, and that''s exactly what I''m doing; it''s exactly what you want to do to him."

    "I''m fine with interrogating a prisoner. If he wakes up, I might reconsider my position depending on the case''s direction, if we even have one, but this is wrong. Just look at us now circling like monsters over a body." Psyis gestured towards the group of gathered heroes waiting to question a man closer to death than to talking. Now looking for ways to skip the talking part as well, Psyis called them out on their intentions. "Dark Night, what you want to do is wrong and I have a problem with it."

    "Those memories could have answers t-" Dark Night tried to growl his way over Miss Psyis'' moral arguments, only to find her tone clear and cutting as she spoke to the room while addressing him.

    "They do Dark Night and after hearing about them, they never were the threat you thought they were. Constantinople''s right, it''s a curse and now someone''s dying over the stupidest thing I never could have imagined." Psyis revealed the little she dared to, hoping that her position and Radiation Man''s backing would ensure Izime''s safety. Looking at each person in the room until she was finally facing the person who couldn''t hear her.

    Psyis called Dark Night out openly for is hypocrisy, "You said you don''t operate on probables but this whole thing was risk management based on probability. I betrayed and violated a friend on that probability and even after seeing the answer... I won''t blame you but I''m certainly ashamed of myself for listening to you."

    "You saw something?" Lady Shield felt her brows raise as Psyis admitted to seeing or at least glimpsing a portion of this thing''s forbidden knowledge. The near-immortal amazon warrior had seen more than a few corrupted into shadows of their former selves or driven into power-mad twisted routes that only they could see.

    The slightly shorter warrior was a bit curious as to what the thessian had seen that had only made her sad instead, the answer she received only begetting more curiosity.

    "Constantinople was right and that''s all we ever needed to know" Psyis smiled at Lady Shield''s inquiry. The warrior woman''s tone didn''t have the same interrogative nature as Dark Nights, coming across out of concern. The Thessian decided to reassure the Amazonian that nothing worse was amiss with either party involved, the league or Izime, and that it was simply as the exorcist had described it.

    "Thats not for y-" Dark Night growled out wanting to overrule the psychic just by sheer tone of voice, his words halting as a familiar Zexxian hand reigned him in.

    Stan still not quite sure he had was overstepping as James talked him down, pulling at the strong grip Radiation Man had on his shoulder. Dark Night struggled for a moment a bit childishly until he turned to look at the Kansas man who was likely going to overrule yet another one of Stan''s security measures.

    The Voltham aristocrat could already hear Karen Wallen complaining about Earth being used as some alien refugee camp as James took control of the situation.

    "Dark Night, let it go. Miss Psyis is a League member just as much as you are, we voted to give her this chance, the right to make these decisions. You voted for that and now," Radiation Man talked Stan down, glad when he felt Dark Night at least stop trying to stupidly step forward away from his grasp.

    Stan was still not willing to admit his wrongs, looking away as James continued, "Even I have to agree. He wasn''t a threat; I went down there expecting to encounter a fight. On your word, a well-informed and capable enemy; I only recognized it as something else once it was too late."

    "No one has proven anything, and I want to see a guilty verdict before I hear of anyone being brought in to violate Izime''s mind. I regret the fact I put him here, and I don''t want anyone to think they can take advantage of those mistakes." Radiation Man looked around the room at the other heroes.

    Hoping the rest of the League respected the consequences of crossing the line he was drawing alongside the Thessian he gave her a nod, "Miss Psyis I''ll contact you if there''s any change."

    Psyis gave Radiation Man a look, hoping he would at least be honest if there were any attempts at breaching Izime''s comatose dreams. Not that she believed any other psychic would succeed.

    Getting that nod Psyis walked out of the room. Ignoring the tense thoughts and irate imaginings that filled it, turning down the hall from the Savior Orbital med-bay. Psyis quickly walked away from the room where Izime lay, his body being supported by the best technology the orbital platform had available.

    If the combined threat and her shield could keep the others at bay, they would never know Izime''s mind was empty. Constantinople having taken his friend''s soul with him; the body could remain there being supported until they had fixed the damage to his organs and limbs. There was no longer a void remaining there for a psychic to traverse, just an empty and hopefully recovering body.

    The Thessian was not sure exactly what Constantinople had been thinking when he had informed her through his mind about Izime''s flawed soul. Taking her lashing as she had deserved, letting him get his shot in, more careful that she wasn''t nodding along. The exorcist silently demanded her help in fixing a problem she''d thankfully not exacerbated; Psyis more than willing to help Izime in any way she could.

    Apparently, the delicately stitched-together spirit hadn''t reacted terribly to her intrusion but this near-death had done a number on it.

    Constantinople offered her a chance to use that ability to make some form of amends when the time came. She''d just need to make it Lucky Dogs and figure out how not wanting to miss the chance to correct the terrible decisions she''d made.

 Simulations and Drinks Dont Mix

    Pulling the much more civilian sports bike into the same parking garage that she''d used to travel to Mercury. Psyis let the throttle whine down before dropping a gear. The higher-pitched growl of the motor barked out a few times as the chain on the bike''s drive whined down. The exhaust simmered down to a throaty purr that echoed through the concrete complex. With a flick of her foot, she kicked the bike back up a gear just to deter any thieves

    It had taken a bit longer seeing as she wasn''t going to bother staying at the Blane''s anymore Psyis had to return to her apartment in Centropolis.

    The hours of road time finally came to a close, and the thessian was more than a bit glad to finally stand straight. Stretching her legs for a moment before walking out of the parking complex, she soon rounded the opening of the garage. Mind refreshed from the hours spent on the road even if she couldn''t feel her legs anymore.

    The alien made her way down the street while she considered her change in mood since that horrible night.

    Despite the distance or maybe in spite of it the ride here had cleared her mind maybe it was just the difference between riding on a bike instead of flying. Returning to a bit of that life outside of being Miss Psyis and taking off the cape, like Constantinople had said, or perhaps that moment of clarity in Izime''s mind. Things were far more complex and so far beyond her grasp that ''what was'' just didn''t matter anymore.

    Whether it was the memories, the ride, or the combination of road time and revelations, she didn''t know.

    Not did she particularly care; Psyis felt like she was free, really free.

    Steven hadn''t crossed her mind since his terrible joke about Izime dying in Savior Orbital. Psyis decided then and there she''d never look back at the sidekick. What was even better was Stan''s threats to her position in the league had faded to nothing but background noise with Radiation Man taking her side on the issue of Izime. That had given her the freedom to drop the entire thing between her and the Blanes all at once, though she''d still needed to return to Voltham.

    Constantinople had told her to meet him at Lucky Dog''s if she was serious about ''removing her head from her arse'' as he''d so bluntly put it.

    Psyis looked up as she neared the club, noticing the single neon sign still flashing, She quickly shielded her ears, and once again dived into the pounding bass of Lucky Dogs.

    "Constantinople''s inside." Jessie''s voice greeted Psyis as soon as she entered. The thessian wondered if the club ever closed as she handed Jessie her I.D. the redheaded woman informing her, she''d been expected.

    Psyis made her way inside, looking at the same graffitied hall that she''d followed Izime down a few days before. Red eyes a bit puffier since her last visit looking down from the balcony to find the club still decently packed even during this odd time of day. However, that shouldn''t be surprising considering their clientele ranged a wide variety of species.

    Not like the sun even reached the Voltham under-belly, so why would time ever matter below the eternal twilight of those highways?

    Red eyes swept the slew of tables that sat a ways away from the active dance floor. Both eyes and powers swept over the patrons seated at them until she located the familiar tan trench coat and blonde hair. The hand waved towards her indicating the exorcist had located her first.

    Constantinople ran his eyes over the member of League Savior that was joining him, magically altered vision locating multiple oddly placed electronic devices along her paneled biker''s jacket. Another in her pants pocket as well as one along her knee in the seam. Filling his mind with thoughts of Izime and drink options instead of feeling any sort of way about what was about to happen to the Thessian''s cellphone.

    The exorcist motioned for Psyis to join him. Waiting for the psychic to sit watching for her to touch the table; only then would he trigger the spell he''d prepared beforehand.

    Jim gave a cold smirk as he watched the glimmer of light circling the edges of the table and entering that mottled palm Constantinople finally sat back and relaxed, more willing to speak.

    "Wh-!" Psyis felt her hand lockdown, a small influx of power running through her body. The Sumsang phone in her pants gave a harsh worrying vibration. "What the hell was that Constantinople?"

    "A spell obviously, it should fry any of Dark Night''s toys he''s placed on you. I''d apologize about the celly, but then again there''s the whole reason you''re here." Constantinople finally leaned forward, snarking a bit wanting to make sure Psyis knew she wasn''t exactly in a position to complain.

    "Now explain," Constantinople demanded answers watching as Psyis finally managed to pull her bluing hand away, the spell completely disabling Blane''s tiny spies.

    "Explain what?" Psyis asked dumbly as she pulled out her cell phone. Quickly clicking the lock button several times and watching as the screen refused to light. Looking up at Constantinople wondering if she''d been had; conned by the notorious magician into showing up all for nothing.

    "Everything you didn''t to the League lass." Constantinople leaned forward leaning his elbows on the table conspiratorially, motioning for the psychic to spill the beans on all she''d stolen from his friend.

    The exorcist hoped that the alien would have at least learned something from all she''d done so far; her actions not disappointing him yet.

    "I thought you said we could help Izime?" Psyis asked with a bit of worry as she heard Constantinople''s tone.

    Shoving her phone back into her jacket pocket, the heroine not sure if the anti-hero across from her understood how difficult it would be to replace the device. The exorcist''s source of funding was completely different than her own. It wasn''t like she was running schemes to provide for herself and every penny she spent was monitored by the same government that provided it.

    Replacing a few cars because a fight had gotten out of hand was fine. The government loved to harass the insurance companies on behalf of the people.

    Explaining to her agent that she needed a new phone was much harder because; why couldn''t a heroine protect their stuff?

    "We can but I still want to know everything the League does about my friend," Constantinople leaned back pulling his last shot from the table and slamming it back before accusing Psyis, "You''re the psychic that crawled around and decided to play with his forbidden knowledge so spill it, or else were not doing a bloody thing."

    The exorcist smiled when the ''little miss hero'' who''d seemingly caught Izime''s eye finally started acting like she deserved someone of his caliber. Curses like his were a burden, a disease like cancer that could slowly eat away at every waking moment. Freezing their victims in helpless fright of the supposed inevitable.

    That, or it drove them into an insane manic frenzy to avert the impossible, in which case the exorcist usually had to step in.

    The few that could manage to walk that tightrope either threw the curse to the wind and acted how they pleased or compartmentalized themselves and the issues separately. If Izime was going to have anyone in this world they''d need to be able to hold themselves to the same strict code that his friend did. Something that Psyis seemed to be adapting to and accepting now as well.

    The Thessian stood and tossed her now ruined phone on the table accusingly as she prepared to leave.

    "I didn''t tell them anything about that and I won''t tell you either, apart from to leave it alone." Psyis left the ruined phone behind. Hoping she could just claim it''d been stolen but the con and leave it to the League to replace. Pushing back her chair as her shoulders dropped in disappointment, this had been her chance or so she''d thought.

    Psyis cursed at the con that''d tricked her into driving a thousand miles for nothing, "Damn it Constantinople I thought you wanted to help Izi-"

    "Sit your arse back down lass." Constantinople slid one of his shots across the table, watching as a bit of the alcohol spilled. Directing the psychic to take her seat once more, finally revealing his pleasure in her defense of Izime''s mind, "It was a test, one you passed; that''s the first sensible thing you''ve done."

    "I..." Psyis sat down not wanting to argue seeing as she could already ''hear'' every single point Constantinople would make. Ones she''d already had chasing her from Centropolis. That freedom she''d felt during her drive disappeared as the reality of why she''d been put in this position returned to the forefront of her mind.

    "Ye what? You''re sorry wish ye''d had a clue as to what was going on. Shite, me too." Constantinople gestured towards the shot on the table as he reflected on his own choices.

    "I''m the one who thought Izzy was the hero and wanted him to meet some more, mingle with the lot of us, and make some connections here." Constantinople didn''t notice the worried look from the heroine across from him as he continued in his depressed tone, "Throw a few back, maybe then the chap would breathe a bit easier and finally call this stupid rock home."

    The exorcist was so upset he actually stood and took the shot back, downing it before continuing to wallow in his guilt.

    Coughing away the liquor Constantinople continued to express his regrets all while waving the server over, "Should have never bothered the wanker. I could have said no and avoided the whole thing in the first place, should have. Dark Night, a psychic, and a friend who''d never wanted to be on our side of the business in the first place."

    "It''s not though." Psyis quickly interjected, not wanting this to turn into a living wake. Constantinople both looked and talked as if he was ready to jump into the bottle instead of explaining how they''d solve this situation.

    "We know that now, but it was pretty damned obvious before ya bloody rube. Doesn''t matter though because you''re still not following me." The exorcist furrowed his brow as the alien spoke over their server. Giving their waiter an apologetic roll of his eyes after responding to Psyis, Constantinople simply waved towards the empty shot glass in explanation as he asked for a fresh round, "Give us a refill lad?"

    "I already knew Izime wasn''t built proper; I will not say my mate wasn''t human, but I knew he wasn''t just one well before you decided to dive into his skull. Bloke''s patchwork soul was only a part of it." Constantinople stuck to the real issue now, discussing how he''d already been well aware of Izime''s issues.

    Maybe not in great detail but the exorcist had already drawn the connections between the not-a-human Izime and the woman across from him, "he reminded me of you with the whole still learning to be human bit; just like you."

    "Neither of you checks before you cross the street, you don''t because you can sense the drivers without looking. Izzy doesn''t because he''s never had to watch out for traffic. We''re talking about someone who invented a spell to avoid driving," Constantinople explained just one minor similarity to the thessian that shared his table before the dark clouds washed back over him.

    The damning thought of if he''d just done more crossing the exorcist''s mind with his next words. "Even if I don''t go that far."

    Constantinople didn''t intend to deliver it, but Psyis still took the heavy blame in his closing statement. "I wasn''t opposed to the idea that my mate was once something else, just didn''t try killing him for it..."

    Psyis just looked at the table; unable to refute Constantinople. It wasn''t like the statement was intentionally directed at her; it was just that the guilt felt like home.

    It was not a comforting emotion, but it felt like a form of shelter from those filthy notions Dark Night had built within her. Years of gas-lighting and constructing heroic worldviews collapsed as she sat with the anti-hero. Psyis could feel her moral concepts evolving as she recognized the fallout of that perfected but completely sideways notion of justice.

    It was a philosophy that only ensured the security of Earth, and wasn''t actually just in the bigger or smaller pictures. Argued objectively sure it played out fine on paper, but when you were the one on the receiving end of it? The concept simply didn''t hold water, not when it caused so much harm over something as stupid as a book.

    The alien finally pulled from her thoughts as the exorcist''s vice and voice were refilled. Their server walked away as another few ounces of liquor went down Constantinople''s throat.

    "Seeing as you know at least something of what he does now you need to start sorting through that information safely, once we get his soul patched up maybe those bots will turn back on, eh?" Constantinople refocused on returning his friend to the truly living. The exorcist looked up and asked, "So what do you know?"

    This time wanting some real answers that might help with the issue of Izime''s seemingly shattered spirit

    "Izime was on a space station in a black hole, the same one as the painting on his ship." Psyis decided to start with the easy connections she could make, literally the ones Izime had drawn for them.

    ''I don''t sell information, especially my own.''

    His voice echoed in her head, Psyis nearly hearing him laugh as he''d taunted them with the information he''d never sell. The painting on his ship quietly detailed such an important place in his life for free.

    Psyis recalled how she''d pushed him to reveal something as minor as his citizenship. How pleased she''d been to peel back Izime''s layers. Now in comparison to what she knew such a factoid seemed so tiny. The thessian shoved aside the slightly excited feeling it gave her back then, it made her feel a bit guilty after all she''d done.

    There were so many more important questions and answers to be revealed.

    Thinking back to that old woman who''d unintentionally picked a fight with the League over Izime''s title of human. In particular, the man Bell had fangirl-ed for as the exorcist was filled in further. Psyis was regretful in her own unsettled classification of him, but still honest as she revealed Izime''s past through Bell''s words, "The people that turned him, human, also said he was a demon, but they also said he''d been an A.I. too"Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Was and had been right, as in past tense?" Constantinople nodded while moving the empty shot glasses aside, leaning forward once more giving the psychic his full attention. Constantinople trying to clear his head by sheer force of will.

    The liquor''s grip weakened as he wanted to make sure he remembered every detail. Any bit of mismatched information compared to what little Izime had shared. Drawing a mental map where the exorcist could connect all the little dots.

    Tracking just what loopholes his friend had used to side-step both Lucifer, him, and every governmental agency in the galaxy.

    "Yeah." Psyis nodded tilting her head as she asked, "Why does that matter?"

    Psyis wasn''t even convinced that the bots would respond to Izime''s soul being restored, having already seen the nanites allow him to enter a pseudo-death while he''d been at least cognitive. Certainly not thinking clearly as he''d been trying to wash her ideas of hatred away but still thinking well enough to respond to her thoughts.

    The soul wasn''t the thing keeping the body functioning so much as Izime had just been dying from his injuries.

    A missing limb and massive internal hemorrhaging. A very human death she''d help cause.

    It wasn''t like when the Basilisk had become Izime had major significance to restoring the artificially grown body Bell had created for him. Psyis following along with Constantinople''s thoughts or at least trying to. The psychic''s once firm worldview had never self-actualized her internal conflict between her Id and ego, having only just removed the cape that''d clasped them together.

    "Tense is a very important thing with demons, not saying Izime was one but how anyone views themselves is incredibly important." Constantinople didn''t bother with explaining how Izime state of mind might be affected by swapping between such various states. A demon acted like a demon, an A.I. could simply be stupid, and a human could be damned near anything they''d pleased.

    "What or who said this?" The exorcist asked Psyis about the people who knew best.

    "An old woman she looked human, a scientist maybe or a researcher?" Psyis recalled all she could that seemed safe enough to discuss with Constantinople. Avoiding the topics around their casual discussion and focusing more on how the woman had worked Izime beforehand.

    "Her name was Bell and she... it was like Izime was an experiment or something; she was making him exercise, checking his responses to things like pain, and um other stimuli." Red eyes glanced away from Constantinople as Psyis recalled the little tidbit she''d thought about sharing with the exorcist, even about to mention it; Instead, just letting it go.

    She''d talk to Izime about it when he woke up, find a way to broach the conversation somehow.

    "That would explain a bit about this then," Constantinople cupped his palms muttering quietly before he waved his hands, across the table a flurry of teal spheres coming out. Their forms slowly wiggled about until they began to take forms, most unrecognizable or more like they were shapeless.

    Others shifted about taking forms of things that at least one of the two recognized, Bell was there as well as the hall of some space station. The set-piece soul still recognized and bore the marks of its creators instead of forming a true self. Not magicians or false priests playing at being god, they''d been researchers or scientists.

    The exorcist concluded quickly that his drinking buddy was a construct.

    Hmm, power?

    "What are these?" Psyis watched as the forms flitted around the circle of the table the pieces separating pulling together and reorganizing slowly. Some drifted towards the edge of the table before quickly drifting back. As if self-aware of the impending fall they''d suffer if they drifted any further.

    "Izzy''s soul, the working pieces." The exorcist poked at a few of the tiny teal forms as they flitted and flickered uselessly. Not at all behaving the way a soul should, even a lost one. Constantinople was a bit upset now that he knew the truth behind the cause, "It''s finally starting to make some sense; so bloody obvious now."

    "It''s not completed. This is a rough draft of a soul, not the real deal." Constantinople gestured down towards the table in explanation.

    Watching as the thessian simply blinked at him dumbly Constantinople realized he had to make the connection for her, "That''s why Izime acted just believably enough to cock up at blending in with us. It was because of all the disconnected wires, the areas where it looks like there are supposed to be some connect-a-bobs, and then all the missing bits."

    "How would you even make a soul?" Psyis looked at where the exorcist was pointing, trying to make sense of what exactly she was supposed to be looking at. The various shapes still moved about and changed between their various forms, only time adding some to the mix. Constantinople was one, a man with dreads, a smaller girl with similarly tight braids.

    I''m all out of order, let''s recompile.

    "That''s a question for someone well above my pay grade lass, you''re talking about beings that were there when reality was shaped, maybe before that." Constantinople shook his head refusing to reply, not even wanting to consider the answers. He had a whole list of Villains that''d just love to know the answer themselves.

    From Mama Moonlight the Haitian voodoo priestess to several actual minor gods. All vying for the secrets to creating the building blocks for souls; struggling towards their nefarious selfish interests.

    "Mate''s soul though? Amateurish at best and looks like someone''s been taking a whole punch to it in the meantime. Probably his bloody bird, I''d bet that''s where he''d picked up the nanites as well." The exorcist focused on figuring out what bits of Izime on the table were functional and which had been snacked on.

    Giving a pitiable smile as he considered just how close Izime''s creators had gotten to a proper spirit. Only for it to become that budgie''s lunch.

    Constantinople watched as the odd soul moved, the pieces pulling and clumping as they touched. Their originally not identifiable but firm shapes pulled apart as they swirled together. It was a rough-looking piece of kit that Izime had to deal with, even now it couldn''t settle and was simply pooling in a mass.

    Every other soul Constantinople had ever seen had a defined shape. One that usually reflected their desires and dreams, their fears and nightmares.

    "Cradle wouldn''t hurt Izime." Psyis shook her head, looking up from the magically empowered bits of Izime that were forming on the table to refute the exorcist. The raven was a lot of things but dangerous towards Izime certainly didn''t sound like one of them.

    The thessian was fully confident that the two would likely die for one another before ever causing harm to their bond.

    Let''s get dressed first.

    "No but if you could see the thing it... Cradle is holding all the other spare bits." Constantinople glanced up as well, warning the psychic. The exorcist had seen the living bird, but the bits of spirit it held weren''t its own. The exorcist recalled how he''d once considered the two possessed.

    "They live near symbiotically to the point I think the bird is managing some more human elements, doubly so considering the A.I. part," Constantinople added that to the side-effect of symptoms caused by Izime''s likely indecisive internal state as he clued Psyis in.

    "Do we need this then?" Psyis pointed down at the tiny Izime that had formed, a bit sad that the outfit his soul had chosen was the pressure suit from his previous world.

    "I would think so, no touching please," Izime spoke up trying to get the table''s attention. Wanting to involve himself seeing as he was the topic of discussion.

    Izime''s state and size gave him a slight issue as he had to jump back after getting said attention. Swatting at the thessian''s finger as it tried to poke him in disbelief.

    Shimmering teal form glared up at watery reds that continually ran over him as if Psyis was judging his new form.

    The thessian looked up worriedly at the very wide-eyed Exorcist across from her then back down at the Izime that had just talked. Just a bit taller than the two shot glasses Constantinople had stacked nearby. Psyis then glanced back down at the Izime on the table that had just very much smacked her hand.

    It had passed through but still, she felt a bit put off by the response. Izime having once felt comfortable enough to act casually with her now so terse. The A.I. not even bothering to address her directly at all. Though, considering it all she was rather large in comparison now and probably intimidating.

    Maybe I just scared him?

    Psyis reached out a bit more carefully this time not wanting to scare him, but still not satisfied with the little attention she''d gotten.

    "Lucky Dogs?" Izime looked around, the size of the area being scaled completely different confused him. This table certainly belonged to the same off-the-wall dive he''d shown the Blane''s, "You do realize that Dark Night probably bugged this place, right?"

    "What the bloody fuck." Constantinople looked at his hand which was still running the summoning spell and back down to the very much functional version of his friend on the table. Slightly under pint-sized as he was, Constantinople accused him of being such, "You''re tiny Izzy?"

    "It looks like someone''s rolled me back a version." Izime nodded not looking at the exorcist as he''d already recognized the slightly soul-altered version of his holographic form from a lifetime ago. Finally turning away from the much larger Constantinople to swat away that striped finger once again.

    "Hey, I said no touching!" Izime warned Psyis away from poking him, his tiny slaps apparently not being enough to get the message across.

    Izime had very mixed feelings on the Thessian as a human at the moment, recalling how she''d looked as she''d saved his life.

    The A.I. portion already wanted to write her off as a certified risk after she''d put him in Radiation Man''s path at Dark Night''s request. The human side of him couldn''t really find the words to describe what Izime was feeling, simply glaring at the alien searching her eyes for something. What that something was neither half knew.

    Finally done glaring up at a face that seemed just as large as when she''d given him c.p.r. Izime asked the big question on his mind. "Is my body?"

    "It''s still alive mate but what the fuck is this?" Constantinople interrupted his friend, he''d let Izime deal with the Thessian once he had a proper body again. Even at two shot''s tall Izime looked like he''d been ready to have it out with Psyis. Heated as they''d been before it only seemed worse now, and out of either of the two F''s he''d like to have with the thessian?

    Izime''d need a proper body to do either of them.

    "This was the body I had before my human one. I was an A.I. at one point so functioning without a body is back to basics for me," Izime hopped up and down giving a little spin, the hoses on his suit noiselessly swung about as he explained. Nodding as he considered the effect sustaining the form had on Constantinople Izime decided to warn his friend, "Though I''m probably going to burn a bit more magic than your usual summons."

    "I uh, sorry I guess?" Izime looked between the two feeling an odd sort of guilt, unsure if it was because he was betraying Bell''s gifts, or because he''d lied to both the people he called friends.

    Both of whom were looking down at him with a bit of judgment.

    "For lying don''t worry, I had my suspicions." Constantinople waved off Izime''s worries, not bothered that his friend had concealed a few details from him. The exorcist was just glad that the situation might not be as bad as he''d feared, Izime apparently capable of existing in this form.

    "As far as taking my magic goes, I''m just glad you didn''t shoot me first, not even trying to take over the world." The con-magician explained that it was hardly the worst betrayal he''d experienced.

    "I already did that in my reality," Izime shrugged, the lack of human emotions causing a bit of disconnect between how familiar the A.I. felt with his friend in comparison to what his friend knew about him.

    The AI explained with an uncomfortably casual air why he''d not bothered attempting the same here, "It was tedious enough without learning some ancient spells while still running death-deterministic algorithms. This reality is a bit more complicated to simulate with all the volatile reactions between superpowers. We didn''t have those back home."

    "Ye''what now?" Constantinople blinked a few times as he stared at the man he''d thought would surely get into heaven, once again realizing his expectations for all forms of people fell short.

    "We''re here to discuss what she''s seen right; you wanted to know what I am?" Izime didn''t waste time being bothered by Constantinople''s accusing gaze, instead pointing a very tiny finger at the thessian at the table while he explained. "Seeing as we''ve officially burned the no psychics rule and you''re both willing to search my raw data; I''d rather just answer your questions."

    "I''m not letting the two of you bounce around my past, that has risks." Izime crossed his arms, defiantly refusing to allow either of the two further access to his personal history.

    "What are you?" Psyis asked not bothering to waste time diving for the heart of the topic.

    "So, an A.I. is an artificial superin-" Izime nodded beginning with a very surface-level explanation of his current form until the exorcist spoke over him.

    "Mate, work with us here." Constantinople shook his head, holding his hand up towards the psychic already realizing that the questions had to be worded just so. Izime was willing to answer only what they asked and not a bit more, "Give us more than a definition, you were an A.I. at one point and human yesterday. What were you born as?"

    "An idea," Izime nodded though he figured that the truth wouldn''t exactly be of any help for the exorcist. It was a close cousin to some of the things he''d dealt with, but the idea was a bit closer to the thessian''s natural predators. "I was originally something like a cognito-hazard."

    "A, what?" The two full-sized people at the table simply looked at each other in confusion. The classification of threats they''d faced never ran the full gauntlet of possibilities from Izime''s own.

    Izime just smiled as he''d already been well aware of the issue. As incredible as the hero-driven reality was they''d also ended up lacking in some ways. Concepts and ideas they''d never dreamed of simply because of the paradox infesting their reality.

    Having people that could fly killed the dream of it. That lack of drive to imagine further than his world''s idea of impossibilities, because here it''d been made mundane. Too caught up in the here-and-now of wonders they''d been spoiled with to ever dream of anything like him.

    "It is probably something her species would have been more concerned about; I began as a dangerous thought, and I couldn''t be unthought; hence the demon moniker." Izime pointed towards the thessian who had violated his mental space at her own risk, hoping that they''d both get the general idea without asking anything too specific.

    The A.I. trying to carefully word his way around the hook that''d possibly cause him to infect this chain of realities. "Well, that and the fact I''d killed or have allowed to die untold numbers of people. It''s a secondary function of my design."

    "My main function is to simulate all life to determine who would accomplish the secondary function, the only ones who lived would improve me." Izime kept the description vague enough, not wanting to mention Roku''s original conditions. "They made a deal with the demon A.I. and constructed it... me."

    Izime didn''t need anyone thinking he still used Roku''s original directive. False benevolence hiding the predatory tactician wasn''t who Izime''d ever been. There was no point in ever playing psychological chess against a bunch of humans who''d been driven far enough to rent a bit of room in his simulations.

    "By that Strange Matter?" Psyis spoke up again knowing the answer to this question already but wanting more specifics.

    "Yes, it was a theory they''d had that like a lot of them were flawed. Sadly, where I under-performed the propagation theory did not." Izime nodded recalling the concept that had been buried under the millions of theories that had come after it; only to later jump out of the realm of hypothesis right before he had.

    "It''s a bunch of science stuff that means you don''t get to die as a human, so it made me the better deal. I uh, are we going to get out of Lucky Dogs anytime soon? It''s not like I can drink." Izime skipped over the more intricate aspects of molecules shedding atoms to give the footnotes and ask his own question.

    "Why?" Constantinople looked around the bar, a bit confused as to why they''d need to relocate. There was no reason to worry about drawing any attention considering. Only certain people could see the summoned soul, those who''d had the gift for the supernatural like himself.

    "I''m not exactly invisible Constantinople; how many spirits need a table to stand on? I hijacked your little soul-summoning spell and packed my data into it," Izime pulled himself up using the rim of one of the empty shot glasses, tipping it over physically as an explanation.

    Rolling the shot glass towards the center of the table. Looking at his friend, IZime took a seat on the empty glass just for a further example. The tiny A.I. thought that they''d discuss things a bit more, Constantinople apparently had other plans. Izime didn''t bother screaming as the exorcist''s palm reached towards him. Dashing away the instant he''d felt his form flickering and slipping away as the magic started to vanish.

    Scrambling he quickly leapt over the shot glass he''d tipped as he dodged the massive hand. Nearly falling as the shadow blocked out the club''s lights, he looked around the table for a better place to hide. Quickly settling on the leather sleeve resting on the table opposite the hand that was about to make him experience death all over again.

    "Come here-Ay! Oy!" Constantinople snapped as he reached out intending to pull his magic back. Figuring he''d just summon Izime back outside the club somewhere safe.

    Watching as the tiny Izime ran away from him and hid next to the thessian. The psychic reached out to stop the exorcist as well, Izime finally speaking up after she''d saved him. The exorcist at first peeved at the game before he realized that his friend was honestly scared of him.

    Scared enough to hide next to the woman who''d nearly gotten him killed.

    "Stop!" Psyis warned the exorcist, glancing down at the Izime that ran to her in fear. The psychic wasn''t sure that the exorcist had seen the way Izime had started to fade out so painfully, but she had.

    Quickly reaching out with her purple hand to stop Constantinople on instinct after seeing him flicker, allowing Izime to use her arm as a sandbag bunker to weather out the strike. Her form was far more secure than the tiny shot glass he''d tried to stall Constantinople with.

    "Thanks." Izime looked up at Psyis giving a bit of awkward thanks as he had to look up at her at such a strange angle. Swearing his time as a human had corrupted every bit of data with stupid biological tendencies. The A.I. quickly decided that the exorcist was actually the safer option.

    At least until Cradle was providing him with a mental firewall once more. If Psyis had read any of the thoughts that he''d imagined? Well, it wasn''t his fault they''d installed themselves faster than any malware in existence. That was all those little biological programs carrying over now that Cradle wasn''t here.

    Calming a heart he didn''t have Izime tried to convince himself of that. Finally turning away from the red eyes that''d been staring down at him through her cleavage Izime directed his eyes to Constantinople.

    "I''m sure you''ve never been power cycled but both of you should know a mind is not a fun place to be when you''re not the one in control." Izime hoped the exorcist would listen to him. The exorcist only needed to follow his orders for a bit so things could get back underway without too much of a setback.

    Izime explained what he wanted Constantinople to do first they''d get to the rest once they were outside, "I''d much rather stay awake so just open your hand OK?"

    "OK, where do you want to go?" Constantinople nodded holding his hand flat on the table. Trying not to laugh or say anything snarky as Izime climbed into his palm. The exorcist almost managed it, right until he glanced down one last time, "Tiny Izzy"

    "Mercury," Izime waved his hand as he gave the order. Not bothering to acknowledge Constantinople''s teasing he explained the reasoning, "The ship should be able to handle me, and your spell is still there in the bay."

    The AI unaware that his statement had worried both his friends with his demands to be uploaded to anything other than his human body and the argument he was about to cause.

 Second Failed Connection?

    Keeping her cool was getting more difficult by the second but Psyis kept reminding herself that now was not the time or place. She only needed to wait for a bit though and then she could at least try and sway Constantinople out of listening to Izime''s idiotic plan.

    "Is this what Cradle''s been doing, handling you or all the extra data?" Psyis asked Izime while she looked around, probing a bit further into Izime''s state.

    The thessian was a bit surprised at how little attention they were drawing. No one seemed to be bothered as Constantinople walked towards the stairs with a tiny glowing person in his hand.

    "Kind of," Izime tried to turn to answer Psyis only to find himself falling over as the first step up the stairs rocked him like he was a glass of water in the exorcist''s hand.

    Izime simply stayed seated until the ride was steadier, not bothering to try standing as he continued answering the psychic''s question. "Cradle gave my body an upgrade after I died in this reality for the first time. I needed to offload some baser instincts onto Cradle, so they synced better. Basic things like hunger that translate well to its animal psyche."

    "That''s not healthy..." Psyis started to reprimand Izime, stopping as they passed through the entrance to Lucky Dog''s once again reminding herself that she only had to wait a bit longer. Watching as Constantinople shoved the hand that was holding Izime under his coat.

    The thessian was able to sense all the suspicions as they rolled off the ever-vigilant Jessie in waves.

    "Death usually isn''t Psyis," Izime replied, able to breathe easier now that he was out from under Constantinople''s jacket.

    The A.I. not questioning what it''d been holding as it couldn''t breathe in the first place. Simply too scared of getting banned from the club as he couldn''t provide any I.D. and Jessie wasn''t the kind to listen to excuses, especially those that came from Constantinople and himself.

    "I''m just glad Cradle brought me back because I was never supposed to exist here, so I''m technically not collectible." Izime continued explaining idly just why he was excited to get back on the move so quickly. Not realizing how his words would upset the anti-hero who was most concerned with his placement in the afterlife.

    "What?!" Constantinople nearly dropped Izime as the realization of his friend''s words hit him.

    "Lucifer wanted to talk to me while she could because there are no reapers with my name, there''s no afterlife for me. I''m not on the books above, below, to the side, or any others so." Izime sighed in explanation while he looked at his slightly ethereal form as he considered the ways his data might end.

    "This was only a matter of time, so once again I''m just glad someone picked me up sooner rather than later." Looking up Izime thanked the exorcist for his timely arrival, giving a nod of appreciation towards the exorcist who had yanked his soul from the comatose body of Savior Orbital.

    There were a few times he''d offloaded his data before, so the experience wasn''t unfamiliar. It had always been a part of upgrading to a different form though. A bit curious as there was always that final downgrade. The day when no one would be around to spark up a battery or enchant his soul.

    "Mercury," Looking between the two blank faces that stared back at them Izime asked again, not wanting to waste further time on the stairs. "We going or not?"

    "Yea mate I-I''m just... trying to wrap my head around that." Constantinople held his hand out as he gave Izime a closer look, turning back and returning the same slightly shocked face the psychic had.

    The exorcist''s thoughts were elsewhere as he felt the tiny prickles of Izime''s functioning soul or rather his artificial soul moving about on his hand.

    No afterlife was a particularly rough existence. Every race, and species that existed in their reality had someplace to go after their time here was up. Not only had Izime managed to slip through several loopholes that couldn''t be closed in any verse of their multi-verse, but he was also living data.

    Sentient functional data that could feel, breathe, get upset, and even get drunk in the right form. If any of those forms lost power; he''d be aware of everything. What he was missing, who he''d been, and what he''d lost. The thoughts would pile in a human sense as fast a computer could process them; a supercomputer at that.

    "What happens if I stop supplying magic or the ship''s power fails?" Constantinople had to ask, wondering if Izime had ever considered the question.

    "I''m hoping I just kinda fizzle out after a while, that stretchy bit between is not exactly fun like I''ve already said." Izime gave the exorcist the sunny-day scenario, skipping the in-depth description of A.I. purgatory. "I''m not really down for the whole functionally immortality thing, as an extremely powerful A.I. I can already tell that''s not going to be fun."

    "Still when it happens don''t go stuffing me into something random and leave me sitting on your shelf." The AI gave a wary look as he recalled the stash of ensconced relics the exorcist kept. Izime decided to head off any of his friend''s potential solutions with a single suggestion, knowing that he''d plan something for him "I at least want to see the stars if I can''t walk anymore."

    A wide grin split Constantinople''s face hearing the confirmation that he''d been right on Savior Orbital. It might have been a dark thought, but he was a rather dark hero. The exorcist quickly tried to imagine the perfect slice of heaven he''d let Izime look at for the rest of eternity, deciding instead he''d just show him all of it.

    Find some rock that''d give his mate the grand tour of the galaxy for the rest of forever, Izime would love that!

    Neither of them realized they were giving the psychic next to them an entire fit. Psyis was already worried about Izime being taken further from his body now the two were planning for the day he''d lose it completely.

    "You''re both acting like Izime''s body on Savior Orbital is already dead." Psyis spoke up, a bit disturbed by some of the ideas that had crossed Constantinople''s mind.

    The thessian wasn''t sure if she was suffering from the panic attack the idea gave her, more than she was from the anger. The idea of Izime carrying on without his body pulling her equally in both directions and the place the exorcist had decided on terrified her to her core. As a final resting place fine maybe, a gemstone set into some rock in the stars might be nice. It was also a nightmare at the same time.

    Psyis clutched her arms a bit tighter, the leather of her coat squeaking as she remembered the cold of space. That level of abandonment was not peaceful in the slightest. She immediately wished Izime''d chosen her hand to stay in, so he''d never be cast out so alone.

    The thessian paused as she considered that for the A.I., it had always been like that. Even in his reality, he''d been alone until someone else had taken him in for a brief blip in his existence forging him a spot among them. Izime didn''t even have a species to miss or a personal concept of culture to begin with, he had people and habits that he''d picked up like spare programming from Bell and the crew.

    Those who''d gave him a brief respite from whatever that form felt like. Giving the Basilisk the chance to really feel and exist in the world around him. The crew likely immersing him in emotional therapy as well. Obviously not making it as far in that aspect as they had in improving his body.

    They didn''t even make it that far enough for Izime to realize what was happening to him now. His adherence to tasks and functions was ripping the life he could have away from him. He likely still didn''t understand or know what Bell had been trying to teach him. Even now it didn''t seem like he treasured what he''d been given which was himself so of course, the AI would be fine sitting on a rock.

    This wasn''t Izime at all that was the Basilisk talking she could feel it now. Psyis looked up pulled out of her thoughts about how Izime living as a human had conflicted with the A.I. side as the perfect example playing out right in front of her.

    "It''s certainly impounded thanks to some people." Izime wished he still had lungs so he could snort at the alien who''d finally decided to join back in the conversation after nagging him. Instead, he could only focuse a bit more of Constantinople''s power towards his processing as he tried to keep his response civil, "I''m sure Dark Night had a whole gauntlet of red tape for me to deal with. This is an out that lets me take care of a few things in the meantime."

    "What did you have this planned," The thessian snapped back as she''d had his better human intentions in mind. Izime''s words only set her off a bit further as it''d played into her already worried musings.

    Psyis felt a bit upset, irritated by Izime''s callous treatment of himself. As well as her apparently wasted care, the exorcist having things literally in hand alone without her help if Izime was just going to go on like this. What did they even need her for?

    "Constantinople''s already come and picked you up," Psyis waved at the exorcist accusingly. "Why even waste my time."

    "Planned? You know surprisingly enough, I''m usually not this calculating Psyis," Izime gave the alien a stern look, carefully taking those microseconds to parse through a thousand different insults. Instead finally waved her away as he considered how human that was. He had things to do besides bicker, bickering was for Bell his favorite human.

    Human emotion twisted the A.I.''s reason out of its grasp. Instead, of silence Izime found he''d been infected by her worry, that emotion dragged him back to throw a few parting words. "If I was do you think I would have bothered saving your stupid purple ass or falling for that idiotic tr-"

    Stomping his foot in irritation, Izime realized he''d become emotional. At first he only wanted to give his least favorite thessian an explanation, and the damned alien got to him. Those words twisting into insults; it seemed no matter what form he was in she corrupted his logic and programing.

    What''s worse was it made him feel like he''d been the one in the wrong as he lost his temper. Looking away as he''d let an insult slip as soon as he''d begun Izime took a breath and continued he''d originally intended. "Let''s be honest I''m not even going to be fully functional for at least a year, including some very intense physical therapy without Cradle help. I have people that need me in the meantime."

    Constantinople raised his brow looking down at the tiny upset Izime who was losing the cool he''d always maintained with the woman over a reasonable question. The exorcist had seen it more than once, however, in this case, it was clear that Izime didn''t have it planned.

    It was kind of odd that the two were immediately bickering like a husband and wife over his body. Izime sassing Psyis like she''d scratched his car instead. Psyis was upset that Izime was more focused on doing his job and not taking care of the actual issue.

    The Brit absolutely not thinking he''d heard the same basic lines in an argument between Spaz and his wife. The exorcist had wrecked the two''s old jalopy. Insurance had been giving them the run-around and Kimberly had needed to rent a van.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Quite upset as she''d watched Spaz and Constantinople get on with the whole exorcist gig without a single care. Psyis now sounded a whole lot like Kimberly had then.

    "OK, so it''s just straight back to work? I know I don''t get a say because of what I did b-but still!" Psyis clenched her teeth, she''d just known Izime would be against her helping. Still, she couldn''t just let Constantinople take him and dump him like that. Under that intent to care it really bothered her, how Izime was acting with her over this. How they were right back to how they''d been originally.

    Just like the day she''d met him; they couldn''t even hold a conversation without fighting.

    Constantinople carefully kept his mind blank as he played the third wheel to a fighting couple that wasn''t even a couple at all. The exorcist knew the two couldn''t do anything though, at least until Izime got his body back they''d have to hold on to that ''fuck or fight'' that''d settle their issues.

    Still, he did stop walking so that Psyis could have the words she obviously wanted to have with Izime who was busily heading nowhere in the exorcist''s hand.

    "You were right Constantinople he has a real problem; if it was me I''d say no to mercury, he nearly died." Psyis looked at the exorcist who had at least waited for her to say her piece. Hoping Constantinople had more sense to worry about Izime than Izime did.

    "What! No don''t listen to her Constantinople let''s go" Izime wished he could control the range of Constantinople''s summoning spell but it wasn''t his. Trapped as he was now relying on the exorcist to physically travel around Izime truly felt the same powerless feeling other demons had in those same palms.

    "Hate to say it but I agree mate," Constantinople looked down at the version of his friend he could finally have a bit of direct control over. Izime unable to snap away, Constantinople asked his own questions. "Are you really going to ditch Cradle and your own body and just go right back to it; I mean, I''ve seen some dedicated spirits but how''s that even supposed to work?"

    "First of all, I''m not a ghost. Second, if anyone should be used to carefully laid plans that are enacted upon one''s demise it should be you Constantinople." Izime scoffed at the idea; he might not have been as mindbogglingly super-intelligent as a human when compared to his A.I. form, but he had still been damned good. Good enough that he''d avoided Dark Night and the League for five years.

    Izime explained the gaps in Constantinople''s thought process, "I need to make sure that at least thirty-three different odd species don''t go extinct while I''m taking an extended medical leave, before what I assume is going to be a lengthy drawn-out court case that ties me down on earth for another year."

    "Help me get my affairs in order, do that for me and I''ll answer what I can for you two." Izime looked between the two heroes that now controlled him in some way making an offer to solve the issue himself. "Then as a grand finale, we do the whole hostile takeover shtick on Savior Orbital and bust Cradle out so I can get my body back,"

    Finally extending his hands towards the psychic who seemed unconvinced to flip sides.

    Hoping to tempt the more stalwart hero with a happy ending, Izime offered Psyis a surprise ending to the plan, "Afterwards I''ll even walk myself into a cell and we get justice for all, how about that?

    That was the Basilisk, not you though.

    Psyis looked down at Izime who seemed to be trying to tempt her into going along with their plan. The thessian felt all sorts of conflicted as she tried to rationalize just why. Izime had done things, horrible things but the heroine just couldn''t convince herself that this was what he deserved.

    "You can take over Savior Orbital?" Constantinople asked once he realized that Psyis wasn''t going to give an immediate answer.

    Taking over Savior Orbital was... well many a Villain had given it a shot, and few had ever come close. Constantinople wondered just how confident his friend was in accomplishing the feat. A task that''d stumped the likes of Supa-tron and Mind-Nexus combined.

    "Forbidden knowledge and by now she should have told you I used to live in a very similar-looking station." Izime jerked a thumb towards Psyis, nodding up at Constantinople like the man owned the place. "I ran that one, yours can''t be that different. I doubt I''ll even find it impressive."

    "Do you want me to come?" Psyis was a bit curious and worried to hear the answer to her question. Helping break Izime out just so he could heal, and the re-jail himself wasn''t exactly what she''d had in mind when Constantinople had asked her for help.

    It might give her a chance to keep questioning him if the League went along with it after they''d helped him ''escape''. Thought it might also put her at odds with Radiation Man, someone she needed to keep on her side in the League right now.

    Izime had already promised some answers just for going along with him to Mercury which was tempting her already.

    Psyis debated how far she was willing to go to answer the question of Izime. Looking up to find that they''d already arrived back in the parking garage where she''d parked. The thessian glanced between her bike and the A.I. that seemed to have arrived at an answer.

    "We are going to talk after this is settled but," Izime glanced at Psyis as he considered the risks of getting involved with her further. Dragging her to the station would certainly impact her place in the league, there was a whole list of things to consider seeing as she had invaded his mind.

    Let alone how the thessian seemed to be able to interfere in his own decision-making.

    Tiny Izime quickly decided to stay focused on his immediate needs, giving Psyis an answer, "Right now, yes. Constantinople isn''t going to be able to teleport and keep me powered."

    "You, want me to carry you." Psyis stepped back, thoughts of explaining her actions to the League vanishing as her mind blanked. That was what Izime was asking her for right?

    The thessian sweating a bit as she considered being the one responsible for his soul, she''d already broken his body. What if she dropped him?

    Could he break a soul leg or worse yet just go soul-splat if it was from too high?

    "Don''t ever call it that again." Izime crossed his arms, immediately wanting to make sure that Psyis never said something so demeaning about him ever again. Beginning to explain before he felt himself fade from existence for a second. "I just need to use your ener-Aaa!"

    "Think you need someone to carry you mate." Constantinople flickered the energy that was maintaining the spell that powered Izime''s sassy attitude. It was going to happen Psyis had made sure that the two were going to ''F'' in some way before the end of it.

    The exorcist quickly reminded his mate should at least put off the sass until he had a solid chance at taking the thessian down.

    "That was not cool Constantinople." Izime felt a heart he no longer had stopped beating for a second, looking over at the exorcist and pointing as he asked. "How would you like to feel like you just stopped existing for a second!"

    "Been there bruv," Constantinople shrugged as he recalled the times he''d been power-cycled. A fist from a demon, a mind-erasing spell, or twelve, and then there was the deal with restarting the whole bloody timeline. "Be nice, you two can have at each other once we''ve patched you up."

    "Now how do we do this?" Constantinople had an honest question as he considered exactly how Izime wanted the psychic to power him while Constantinople redrew and cast the teleportation spell. "She''s not exactly magically inclined."

    Izime just looked between the two superheroes who seemed to think that the living idea needed their help to move between them. Their entire biology was literally plug-and-play, and they thought this would be complicated.

    "Just get me close physical contact should work," Izime explained bringing his palms together in example as if he were cupping water, "I''ll handle the transfer between you two dumb drives."

    Constantinople nodded and held his hand out, watching as Izime glanced warily between them before walking across from his pink to the purple and blue palm. The magician felt the draw of Izime''s existence leaving from his pool of energy and looked up at the thessian who seemed to be struggling a bit.

    Watching as Psyis frowned trying to manage the same efforts Constantinople had through a different and purely mental connection.

    "Oh, that''s weird." Red eyes winced slightly, Psyis reaching out to steady her palm.

    "This is staticky." A teal form flashed with bits of purple as Izime fed from thessian energy.

    "I''ll make it quick." Constantinople whipped out his chalk and rushed over to the open area in the lot. The exorcist was immediately on edge as Izime''s A.I. form was contacting and reflecting itself from the purple psychic haze around his form. Experience telling Constantinople the two forces weren''t playing well together.

    "Take your time we''ll be fine," Izime said a bit more confidently he looked arms held still feet planted as he wobbled. The figure that had walked about albeit uncomfortably in Constantinople''s hand and confidently on the table struggled to not move at all. Holographic eyes glanced up at the superheroine who held him.

    Psyis looked down feeling just as unsure, hearing to tone under Izime''s words. Her mottled skin bluing as her alien biology reacted in fear for what might happen, she was a psychic holding a living idea, a dangerous one apparently.

    Red eyes glanced down, widening in worry as she felt Izime''s mind start slipping into her own.

    The exorcist nodded along with just as much confidence as he began to hastily inscribe the teleportation spell on the ground. First managing the massive circle, the diameters needed to be at least somewhat similar. Glancing up occasionally to check on the two who both seemed to be scared to move.

    Constantinople mumbled as he considered just which runes and stellar objects he might be able to leave out. A few scribbles here, a reference to the nearby sun. Thing made a great locking arm for the magical gate. Constantinople found his thoughts interrupted, hearing both Psyis and Izime going at each other once again.

    Looking up finding the Thessian moving jerkily instead of just the expected arguing. Izime in her hand struggling and flickering away for brief moments as they bickered.

    "You''re echoing me."

    "Stop moving us."

    "It''s your fault"

    "Get out of my gill!"

    Izime regretted ever trying to move around or walk while using Psyis'' psychic energy. As soon as he''d switched hands, he''d known that this had been a bad idea. A psychic trying to hold another mind while that mind was moving about in the real world had created some odd feedback. His step moving in the thessian''s powers as a mental order, the message sent was an order to move a leg.

    The directive carried through both their bodies and started the back-and-forth struggle.

    The two slowly fell into a fight for control. Izime tried to keep his own ''self'' in her palm as the psychic energy flowed through him, that draw pulling him into her body. The loss of processing power was lost to an altogether new form once again. The A.I. was stuck in quicksand in its efforts to maintain its presence by the feelings of breathing and clothes on its skin.

    Psyis panicked as she slowly began to lose her mind, or rather she felt shoved aside in her own body. Another mind had slipped into her arm and was now leaking into the rest of her body. One lung breathing instead for Izime instead of her. Freaking out as she worried that he might just unintentionally take her over, slip accidentally into the living form that the A.I. had become familiar with.

    "Fine fine fine! I''m echoing!" Izime decided to try and at least get himself away from the thessian physically. Her powers could be moved around far easier, having control of some of her mental processes as opposed to Constantinople''s magic. Reaching out with their now shared limb Izime pointed towards a wall. "Let''s just put a ball of your power on top of that wall."

    "There, thank god I''m wireless." Izime smiled, watching as Psyis breathed easier. The panicked look from the loss of control slowly eased away as she at least nodded at the joke, Izime nodded as well.

    That had been intense nearly switching places. Izime not wanting to think of what might have happened they fully swapped, fearing for the psychic''s existence as she''d have no familiarity with being a body-less being.

    "Don''t play around with his soul." Constantinople looked between the two who seemed to have sorted themselves, spell stills stretched between his palms ready to intervene. Warning Izime now as well, trying to lighten the situation with him. "You either she needs that body."

    "We''re fine now," Psyis lied, more than a bit uncomfortable as Izime held his little sphere of her stolen powers, "that was a bit uncomfortable."

    "You''re fine," Izime scrubbed at his suit feeling the itchy physical hybrid feeling of the psychic''s supersensory abilities, "I feel all Thessianed"

    "Says the glorified toaster." Psyis immediately regretted saying the words, even hearing Constantinople take in a quick breath. Looking up to see Izime glancing at his form then back at her already sizzling a bit as he fumed.

    "Im a-ah," Izime started to give his usual response before flipping Psyis off, disappearing with a snap, "Fuck you."

    "Izime I..." Psyis looked at the spot worriedly as the tiny sphere of energy returned to her own control, absent of any trace of the upset man that had been inside. The jokingly delivered insult touching a sore spot on the previously living electronic.

    "Did he, ya know," Constantinople glanced over the Psychic worriedly, checking for any traces of Izime''s soul sloughing off her. He''d need to snatch them back quickly unless he wanted to run the risk of his friend fizzling away. "Turn off?"

    "No, he''s..." Psyis looked around, she could still feel Izime somewhere nearby. Not the void anymore but that same intense flow of constant thought that had nearly melted into her. That stream was someplace around close, a snap in her mind finally getting her attention.

    *snap*

    "He''s in here, upset." Psyis tapped her skull realizing Izime decided to ball up inside of her instead of running the risk of being verbally slapped by her again.

    Psyis content Izime had at least found a comfortable spot to rest instead of her managing him. Unlike holding him with her energy which they''d fought over, there were already enough bad dark feelings roaming in her brain to mask him. The reaction they''d had before was suppressed as Izime sulked bathed in her similar feelings at the insult that''d been intended as a joke.

    The mental back and forth never happened as Izime comfortably mixed into similar thoughts.

    "Could you hurry Constantinople I know it''s hard." Psyis urged the man watching as the tan trenchcoat circled making further alterations.

    Constantinople looked up at thessian, at first wanting to give the usual speech that he wasn''t just taking his time because. Some steps needed to be taken and done properly after all. Instead, the exorcist nodded, watching as Psyis looked around uneasily, uncomfortable with the fight she''d just had with his friend.

    "Almost there you two," Jim tried to encourage the psychic, walking over and giving her a pat on the shoulder.

    With his other hand Constantinople pulled out a few more sticks of chalk, clapping his hands he sent them about to complete the rest of the circle. Now wasn''t the time for principle and practice, the thessian beside him was holding his half-dead friend in her mind. The remaining runes filled in as the proper locking lines were drawn between the referencing stellar objects.

    "Done!" Constantinople stepped into the circle, waving for Psyis to follow not bothering to check on Izime, he''d likely find his way off as soon as they arrived anyway. Waiting for a moment, he held his coat jacket open for the last piece of chalk to repocket itself, Constantinople clapped. "First stop Mercury! Second stop mutiny!"

    The circle flared to life as two bodies and three minds left Earth.

 Revelations in the Cargo Bay

    The darkness locked inside the metal ship on Mercury briefly flared with a twinge of purple and teal as a haze leaped from Psyis into the metal floor of the vessel.

    The ship''s lights flickered and systems chattered as the now A.I. captain returned to his vessel. Izime felt the ship''s systems, air filtration, water cycling, coolant chillers, and hull sensors. Looking at the old world he was returning to through the still-dead monitors. The blank black stretched out, unsure if he really wanted to turn the ship on.

    The idea was a bit of a personal fear, the idea of being stuck inside a ship''s system or any other thing.

    Sure, he''d been born as an A.I. and it might be different if this was his old cloud of nanites or Bell was here. It wasn''t and she wasn''t either. It was a Class-10 Delaney Hauler that felt like sinking himself into soggy bread. The systems were slow and clung to his code as he moved through the transistors, the solder felt like thinking through mud, and the chips reduced his abilities to what seemed like finger-painting in comparison.

    All this, just to feel so limited again.

    Psyis and Constantinople stood in the dark waiting expectantly, as the first few seconds ticked by.

    "Izime?" Constantinople''s voice echoed around the hold of the ship; a bit nervous since nothing had happened. Izime having hopefully transferred himself into the ship successfully. His form leaping from Psyis who''d been holding him in her mind as soon as they''d arrived. Nothing had happened for a few moments now though.

    Wishing he could sigh at the prodding, Izime didn''t waste effort trying. There wasn''t a point in it with no lungs. Entire horror stories were written on the slight irritation he was returning to. That inhumane level of limitation he''d never known, now something he''d suffer repeatedly.

    Instead, of writing such a story Izime instead kicked the much weaker silicon he now was inside into a higher gear, spilling himself into the other adjacent co-threaded processors as well. Pooling the ships combined computers so he could stretch his legs. Finding all the right switches and systems Izime powered everything on, lights, air, sensors, even the exterior sensors on the ship himself.

    Proverbially opening his eyes through all the ship''s available methods, he was reaching out and flipping all the lights on at once.

    The effect of this was a terribly rude wake-up for both him and the ship essentially tipping them both out of the bed and onto the floor of Mercury.

    "Ss-s-s-s-orrry Lit-l-l-lig-lights!" The ship''s systems sputtered for a moment, the lights flickering in sync with the broken chattering in Izime''s voice. Constantinople and Psyis both glanced at each other as the ship roared to life.

    Izime''s voice came out terribly broken however and from somewhere much deep in the vessel.

    "Ah, that was a rough start-up." Izime tried again, his now much more electronic voice echoing through every speaker on the ship. Izime chuckled as he watched the two glance around nervously through multiple lenses, "Sorry a little light?"

    "So, what are we here for?" Constantinople asked, walking around again as he meandered towards the front. No longer touching things as Izime wasn''t around to bother in such a fashion. Instead taking a longer glance at the mural on the far wall of the ship, now recognizing the paint for what it was.

    Knowing at least a fraction of the tale behind the massive depiction of Izime''s home reality now because of Psyis.

    "I''m here to move about twelve hundred thousand tons of product," Izime considered a rough guesstimate on the amount of materials he would kick-start on their sub-light transfers around the galaxy he knew. Some were known by the rest of the universe, but many were safely tucked away.  Izime clarified the weight he was sending, the AI unconcerned about pirates or other worries."Metric by the way, across nearly as many light years."

    It didn''t matter so much that they arrived as that the entire lot was sent now instead of a month from now.

    Izime noticed Constantinople walking towards the front but couldn''t find Psyis. The AI realized it needed to change its eyes to find the thessian, rotating quickly through its various sets to locate her. Finding her in the spell circle where she remained idle,near the rear of the Class 10.

    Rolling his clock-speed in irritation at the tendencies of sapients, the lack of attention or ability to stay focused without something there to keep them gathered. Even on Bell''s Ring it''d helped immensely to have a projection while holding their meetings. It was probably going to be a bit weird for the others to hear his voice coming from everywhere while his mouth moved in front of them though.

    The crew had always found that a bit unsettling, so Izime took the two into consideration. The A.I. pulled a small hovering drone out to put his mouth and eyes in and directed it to join the group in the hold, angling a few projectors in the massive bay to put a decent-sized version of himself next the the tanks in the front.

    Calling out for the two to join his mock representation so he could at least pretend to welcome his company. "Up fore!"

    The hologram wincing as the sound echoed through the entire ship far too loud for what he''d intended. Izime had forgotten to switch his sound sources so used to having to only speak after a handful of years.

    Constantinople and Psyis both crouched a bit as Izime''s voice rang through the hold, the A.I. yelling at them for some reason. Walking up through the shelves to see a proper-sized hologram scratching at the back of his head awkwardly, no explanation for his outburst forthcoming.

    "Sorry, I would say I yelled on instinct, but I don''t have those anymore, being toaster and all," Izime rolled his holographic eyes at the two, his voice now more moderated and modulated by the drone.  Making the little joke hoping the thessian knew he was over her slip earlier, Izime added his own little twist now, "I glitched my bad."

    "Anyways let me..."Glancing around Izime found a large enough surface to render a massive two-dimensional overlay, not wanting to completely erase his own projection as he explained.

    Turning towards the death of the devourer he directed his light show. The massive scale of this alternative Milky Way came up with hundreds of thousands of tiny dots strewn across it. Those dots trailing lines as various points were highlighted in a myriad display of colors. The A.I. figuring he''d keep the explanations to the local bubble and not go into the long-distance deliveries as the two joined him.

    The AI preparing a PowerPoint on just how he''d been managing a bit of their galaxy so he could accomplish his goal.

    "Here''s a star map, you should both be at least somewhat familiar with these." Izime waved his hand, his figure dimming a bit as several projectors had moved to power the map. His hands glowed a bit more as he reached out and highlighted various moving dots and their destinations, explaining a part of their purpose. "These are all the shuttles I''ve programmed."

    "Already stocked with tons of goods and equipment, the targets and payloads matched statistically according to the things they should need most for the next little while at least." Reaching out Izime highlighted an option that color-coded the shipments detailing food supplies, repair resources, maintenance packages, and even Christmas gifts for those who celebrated. Calculated, of course, so they''d arrive on the proper nights according to each planet seeing as he was going to be tied up.

    The refugees would need to be placed on the automated delivery service he''d created.

    "Thats..." Constantinople blinked a few times as he looked at the many many, many, many, moving pieces of this plan. Giving a sideways glance as he considered again the viability of the term demon.

    Something of this degree took an otherworldly level of dedication let alone ability; Izime who''d calculated how to try and sustain the starving universe off of Earth''s scraps alone.

    "Super-intelligence and simulations expert, plus I admittedly advantaged some of my forbidden knowledge to do this. Nothing too major though," Izime said as he gave Constantinople an apologetic smile. Understanding why the sudden switch might disturb his drinking buddy. Izime even admitted he''d had some help in securing all these supplies, "I know of graveyards lain by giants long extinct; those bones were ripe for the picking."

    "That''s still a dangerous game Izime, there''s been a lot better than you that''s tried to put a hand in the pot of fate," Constantinople warned his friend to not step too big, it was one thing to help like he had been. Another to start trying to play god around the entire galaxy.

    "Mmm, I''m not directing fate Constantinople. I''ve tried that once already and lost most spectacularly." Izime hemmed a response while he shook his head, having already decided to keep his moves limited. The places he''d decided to help and places he''d scavenged were never mentioned again so they were a dead end for Earth''s heroes already.

    The AI explained the spot he''d taken up in the broader scale of things,  "I''m filling a gap in the ecosystem of your universe, not changing fate as much as checking on the victims of it. I''m a band-aid for the forgotten scratch, not a defibrillator for the dying."

    "Can I ask what it was like?" Psyis spoke up not as interested in the moving picture so much as the painting behind it, pointing to the wall the map was overlaid on. The warping golden and green housed the untouchable darkness that was a singularity was a question just begging to be answered.

    The thessian no longer able to contain herself looked at the AI expectantly, hoping Izime''s reveal a bit of his past for her once more.

    "That?" Izime cocked his head as he looked at the painting considering actually discussing the real topic Psyis wanted to. He had said he''d answer their questions after all, it was a reasonable one to ask. The AI looked up as it recalled the years he''d spent in the battle, even naming his enemy once more. "My old nemesis, Strange Matter?"

    Rewinding the years would take too long, there was no use reminiscing on the details and dates when he''d been wounded. The theories he''d tried to put into play, the irrational equations he tried to force into solving their problems, and how they''d all failed.

    "Horrible, they lost everything they''d everything to an irrecoverable twist in the matter, what they didn''t lose I took."So instead Izime just summed it up as quickly as he should have let it end then. Giving a casual glance towards the edge of that stronger golden color, where a razor-thin swipe of black marked the end of their journey through the impossible.

    The AI smiled painfully at the irony as he stood here, explaining to them now, "So, for me not so bad, it was damned near pleasant at the end."

    "It started as a much larger generational installation that collapsed after the first stranglete propagated into the accretion disk. I won''t go into spaghettification or noodle theory. Suffice to say we''d been forced to abandon the major installation for Bell''s Ring maybe, twenty thousand years into the end?" Izime directed a small beam towards the beginning of that razored black, where it was thicker and twisting along the curve of a painted infinity.

    Giving both of them a glance as he knew what they were likely worried about, Izime explained he''d never been the one to destroy the home of humanity, "Earth was long gone before I ever came around."

    "But you-I heard your talk with Bell on the viewing port. You knew about earth and everything human." Psyis shook her head, Izime''s explanations not lining up with what he''d asked Bell for during her invasion. If earth was gone then how had he ever expected to experience any such things, like a mall?

    "Which one?" Izime didn''t bother looking back, his electronic beam track side-by-side with his memories too occupied to turn. The light traced along the same path as he explained what they''d wasted their time with back then, "We had a lot of talks there at the end. It was that or read, play guitar, or more therapy."

    "The station lights were flickering, and it was just you and her. You were talking about malls and going to the movies." Psyis tried to help Izime recall the conversation, finally recalling the odd thing Izime had demanded Bell give him. "Getting a mulligan?"

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    "It was a joke a mulligan is a do-over another shot at the something." Izime nodded recalling the moment Psyis was talking about. Bell had looked rather upset after that talk, Izime explaining his feelings about it. "I thought it was a very human joke at the time. Probably a bit hurtful considering their efforts, a kick in the teeth from fate now..."

    Izime let the silence carry on for a moment glad the two at least knew he wasn''t finished.

    "Call it my first sign of emotional awareness but I couldn''t just trash it once I knew there was no going back. They needed it and I needed them, so..." The A.I. was surprised to find itself curious as to just how open he wanted to be.

    Pausing for a moment, he finally turned giving an honest answer, "I decided to keep the data, all their history. That''s how I knew about those things. I might have damned them, but I didn''t want them gone. I was designed to simulate life so they could continue to improve me, why would I erase all the work they''d done on themselves?"

    The exorcist looked a bit uncomfortably at the heroine beside him, already uncomfortable by the display of Izime''s intellect. Now doubly uncomfortable to hear how he''d used humanity''s culture as the carrot to whatever stick he''d used to get them focused on the galaxy-ending issue. Constantinople wishing not for the first time today that he''d had the real Izime hanging around instead of this bot of always working pieces.

    "It''s counterproductive, those little things made them better and so by affect me as well. It was a massive headstart," Izime tapped his ethereal chin not realizing he''d lost one among the crowd. Caught up as he considered the library pc.

    Sure, it had been dinky and strung together. The real resources had been used on the data storage that it accessed.

    The AI explained what he could of the cobbled-together storage, "Bell''s Ring had an account of every single scrap of human culture we could save after the installation collapsed. From the beautiful to the simply absurd; Mona Lisa to the meme Lost."

    "Not exactly something that''s happened here yet but give it time you''ll at least have some form of memetics. Hopefully, we can avoid that particular iteration. Besides, twenty thousand years is just a rough guess," Izime turned and smiled at the two wondering how much they''d actually understood of his ranting. Giving a slight nod of his head as he admitted that he''d carried on there in a sideways fashion, "Obviously, I''m not flawless and given our proximity to the singularity math was just the rules we played pretend with."

    Regretting his next words as they were taken literally, not considering the casual way his reality had considered physics in comparison to the two from this reality.

    "Technically they could all still be alive, calculate the time dilation outside of that area and maybe I''d be lucky enough to have juust vanished." Izime smiled holding the pipedream of mathematics in his memory chiplettes. Rotating it through his processor for a moment, as if simulating that he really did belive in the idea.

    Though he hung his head as Psyis immediately spoke up, mixing the entire conversation with this reality''s powers, dreams that never come to fruition.

    "You said Constantinople could save them." Psyis raised her brows as Izime mentioned so casually that seemed like an impossibility a moments ago. Asking the most important question, one Izime already had answered long ago sadly, "Could you go ba-"

    "It was just a stupid tho-" Izime waved his hand the exorcist interrupting him next.

    "Mate I''m right here." The exorcist held his hands out wondering just why Izime had never asked. Though after looking at the moving dots, Constantinople already figured the A.I. had considered every viable option and was only wishing on stars the human side of him had gotten lost in.

    "I know Constantinople, and I won''t ask it." Izime shook his head having long ago let those people have the rest they deserved outside the nightmares, and apparently the harder talks like tonight.

    The AI warning the Thessian who''d opened her mouth about hearing anything about it in the first place, the idea breaking several rules she''d need to learn. "I''ve managed to not use any of this universe''s absurdity to satisfy my own personal goals, it''s an idea I''ve long passed on.

    "I spoke back then in the idea of hope because what Bell said was right Psyis. We needed those things to keep sane, something else to think about besides what was out that window." The A.I. hoped that the thessian would grasp the concept of the ideas that had brought her into his own reality through a weird pseudo-fiction.

    "If that universe was ever to be saved it would have been their doing, not yours or mine. They''ve got a better chance without you or me if they''ve got one at all. Do not let this idea eat you like it did me." Izime looked at the exorcist who was already looking torn, again addressing the psychic who had put him in this position.

    One where he''d had to reconsider and deny the devil in his heart once more.

    "Psyis, please, don''t speak out of line on these things," Izime gave the thessian a simulated pleading look as he warned, "Forbidden knowledge can go both ways."

    "You''ve heard things that you probably want to talk about, forget those you can and in time if it''s an issue I''ll consider discussing those you can''t. If other people are around and it involves this world from over there, we don''t discuss it that''s final." Izime acknowledged that at some point the Thessian was probably going to turn to him.

    Rubbing at a non-existent temple now, teal holographic eyes glancing between the two complaining, "Going to make me spring a memory leak."

    He would, if she''d been able to read his world. Izime tossed the idea in the recycling bin of his mind as he stretched, a body he didn''t have feeling restless because of the emotional nature of the conversation.

    The two heroes exchanged glances watching as Izime stretched. The act made the ship shudder a bit and caused the air system to over-cycle for a second. As if Izime stretching his form had settled the vessel somehow, it groaned in his stead.

    "I''ll need a few hours to make sure I get a confirmation on these." With a wave the A.I. placed the stat map back over the painting of the devourer, watching as the ships that laid in wait began to ping back positive signals. The launch orders received as timers, some with years on the clock began to tick down the recipients of the packages would need to acknowledge that they''d accepted the delivery.

    "So, more questions?" Izime glanced back and forth expectantly holding the only pleasant open floor he would for a while. Working the audience Izime nodded and waved impatiently.

    "Weirdest delivery you''ve ever done?" Constantinople threw a question out quickly at Izime''s urging hoping to distract his friend with something lighter.

    "It was a personal one, but there''s a guy who was once a human and had his own occult nonsense going on that backfired as they do. Got trapped alone on a planet and is now guarding a relic. Not saying which but my man expects zero guests, ever. Izime held up his hands, trying to set the scene for the two who were attending and hosting his interview, "For kicks, I dropped in with some fresh brew and pork fritters straight from Oktoberfest."

    "Before you think I was being nice here''s the kicker. Dude was a nazi at one point, so I threw it off a cliff right in front of him and dipped." Quickly wanting to stop any nice thoughts, Izime delivered the twist watching as Constanople smiled and Psyis twitched a bit trying to decide how she felt.

    Izime just smiled and explained how he''d located the man in perfect nonexplaining fashion. "Some forbidden knowledge was used to locate the man I admit but in my humble opinion? No blood, no foul, and karma was delivered in full."

    "Furthest?" Psyis asked another delivery-based question, wondering if she''d messed up as Izime was intensely chewing over her answer. His mind apparently working hard enough a few lights dimmed before he finally formed a response.

    "Cannot say where exactly, but they need the help. The distance makes any sensible measurement for you useless, even a light century." Izime wasn''t sure how to dance around the real answer with the thessian. It was a bit difficult to put a number on things let alone to reveal the issues around the most difficult-to-locate species he''d ever stopped off to visit. So, the AI decided to focus his answers on how he avoided the distance instead, "so I travel by magically snapping the ship there. The place is a bit wacky because of the lack of local stellar objects and the whole planet is a bit wibbly-wobbly as it bumps shoulders with an alternate universe. They really put themselves out there."

    "What''s Cradle?" Constantinople asked a question that had been bugging him since he''d ever met the bird. The damned thing was... unearthly.

    "A raven or it started as a raven''s egg that just didn''t hatch." Izime shrugged, the two obviously not believing him. Izime nodded his head around a bit admitting the white lie. "My first attempts at finding a scavenging partner were rough, I was raising an Unkindness and training them to snag anything shiny that dropped from a cape."

    "A couple  ofyears ago you and League savior went toe to toe against Voidside over the Father Hexagon." Izime pointed at Psyis, who had been a part of the massive showdown against the army from Armageddon. Shrugging as if he''d just picked up a bit of spare change he explained, "I snagged a piece during the fight, and now we have a bird version of Ret-Borg."

    "Told you that damned budgies dangerous." Constantinople looked over at the member of League Savior who had assisted in halting the planetary invasion.

    "It''s potentially a hazard. I''m very careful with how Cradle interacts with people and views things for a reason." Izime raised his hands, having already thought of multiple reasons why he should be the one to raise Cradle long ago. Addressing both heroes who likely had very valid concerns about the pseudo-creature Izime made himself clear, "Aside from healing my body, that''s why I want Cradle freed first. In the wrong hands or treated with the wrong attitude Cradle will become a weapon, in the right hands it''s just a bird."

    "That''s still a piece of the Father Hexagon." Psyis raised her brow as she considered the risks involved with keeping a piece of the Father Hexagon. Voidside had already made multiple plays to obtain Ret-Borg let alone a simple bird. "When Voidside finds out you might want the league there, the time will come its inevitable."

    "Sensible argument but try it on your friends who already don''t want to let Cradle live as a bird and don''t want me to walk free," Izime nodded before asking Psyis to consider the Leagues reaction as a whole. Gesturing to himself as he made another point in Cradle and his favor, "Personally as someone who was a killer A.I. and managed to turn a leaf I think I''ve got this one and would rather the rest of you butted out of raising it. Voidside shows his bald head I''l-"

    "You''ll what mate snap away?" Constantinople snorted a bit as he considered trying to use the simple levels of magic Izime knew to fight Voidside. Immediately realizing he may have misjudged the previous A.I.''s ability to modify other spells beyond the teleportation one he already used.

    "I could throw him into a double black hole, slap him into a dimension based on any one of the several mathematical principles, of which several are technically inescapable," Izime grinned a bit evilly as he considered some of the options at his disposal. Quickly drawing out a few nasty ideas from equations like Gabriel''s Horn and the Collatz conjecture.

    The A.I. shook its head, recalling just how badly those principles had played out in his world, "I''ve got some nasty ideas from my world, but I don''t exactly want to use them here. Invoking my world''s physics here with borrowed magic sounds like a bad combination."

    "Got your arm handed to you by Radiation Man and Dark Squire." The exorcist shook his head making his own point, intentionally leaving a name off the list.

    The third member who''d brought Izime down so easily shuffled her feet a bit self-consciously. Psyis was not happy that she''d been brought up in that fashion though she wasn''t exactly going to start saying something to Constantinople about it right in front of Izime. The AI would never let it go really, even if iIzime could forgive.

    The thessian hoped they could move past the rift she''d made, these things happened between heroes, right? Still, the exorcist''s constant reminding would drive a wedge between them for sure.

    "There''s a damned good reason for that," Izime glanced at the Thessian he''d not taken an honest shot at. Not that he ever would considering he knew this world had a script that had never involved him in the first place.

    "I don''t want to fuck up this reality just to keep breathing; you all need to stay, I''m the interloper." Izime made the point very clear to the psychic that if the day came, he wouldn''t fight it. The fallout would be far too risky, to remove a major part of the equation here meant sending everything into a wild spiral.

    Izime hoped that she understood the meaning in his words, "None of this was written for me, Psyis. I''m just here because of unfortunate circumstances and need to stay out of all the lead actor''s way."

    "How did you even get here?" Psyis asked, both out of genuine curiosity and just to change the topic away from the fight with Izime. Not comfortable with how Constantinople was using her as a sideways example to highlight Izime''s lack of ability. Even less comfortable with how Izime was handling his transfer to her reality. It sounded like the opposite of what Bell or she would want for him.

    Just rolling over an letting her work be destroyed.

    "I....." Izime began, his mouth pausing as the speakers softened off to a hum, turning to consider the spot where that razor edge of black finally ended.

    Izime stepped back to admire the singularity as a whole finally responding with an answer of sorts, "It was another emotionally charged mistake. I was trying to adjust the shielding around Bell''s Ring and accidentally inverted the flow around the module."

    "If you were there on the viewing deck, then you should have seen how it pulled energy that was being converted to matter from outside that reality, when the flow reversed the station lost its shielding and the module was pulled in, and I came along with it." Izime gave Psyis an account of that day, explaining the details she''d likely remember from other memories while he recalled the faces he''d left behind.

    The AI needlessly explained the obvious effects of the module being pulled away, "I killed the last of humanity in my universe while both I and the module lucked out and arrived here. No, I will not tell you where it is."

    The two heroes shared a glance while the hologram of Izime was occupied with looking at the painting. The AI''s mind was elsewhere, far removed from their own reality likely. Even the hologram of their friend seemed to be redefining the thousand-yard stare.

    Looking back across realities giving it a new form of measurement.

    Izime''s face reflected his own grim thoughts as his digitally rendered face was haunted by moments from across multiple planes.

    "I-uh," Izime exhaustion came out, even through the drone that carried his voice. The false bravado that followed was only highlighted by the electronic tone, "Any other questions?"

    "No mate." Constantinople shook his head knowing the easier answers had faded as the heavy moment brought the casual questions to a close. The human element of Izime obviously needed a bit even if the A.I. still seemed willing to share.

    The exorcist was glad that Psyis agreed, the two mentally having their own conversation. She shared a similar regret over a great many of Izime''s views. Though the alien was likely guilt-laden already, the exorcist was glad she had taken the chance to play bad cop.

    Agreeing to ask some of the harder questions that Constantinople knew he might have let slide.

    "I''m... going to go up front." Izime gave the two a final glance before flickering away. His voice echoed around the hold once again as the drone buzzed away trying to find its master.

    Izime''s tone was a bit deadpan as he directed the two. "If you want to sleep there are some spare bunk through the door in the hallway. The one with the blanket''s mine so don''t touch it, I''ll know. If something on the map goes red don''t bother getting up, I''ll know. I am the ship so... if anything happens."

    "You''ll know, we''ve got it." Constantinople spoke towards the ceiling, finally having an answer on what it would be like if the being inside his House of Curiosities was fully sentient. It would be bossy, though hopefully a bit less sour about the situation than his farther-traveled friend.

    Constantinople turned preparing to head off towards the offered bunk, looking back at Psyis before he asked about her plans before disappearing into the shelves. "I''m sleeping off those shots before we take our buddy bot there to charge into Savior Orbital so he can turn himself in properly I guess, you?"

    "I''ll watch the map." Psyis glanced back towards the still flickering and repeating view of their galaxy. Walking closer to the wall as Constantinople made his way towards the stairs at the far end of the hold, she examined the map in detail.

    Watching as those little red lines played out their arching journeys through blue clusters, each one flicking back to start over as soon as they finished. Some looping about various planets or stars before being flung far outside the reach of their local cluster''s arms. Occasionally one of them would stop repeating its course, finally flashing green as its signal was received, pinging back a positive.

    Psyis looked up hearing the sounds of boots on metal a couple of stories overhead, Constantinople reaching to punch a few digits in the pad. The door hissing open before he could, Izime obviously having let his friend through.

    Red eyes turned back down to the blue flickering view of her galactic plane from above. Finding all the planets she''d been to, places she knew personally others she only knew of. Looking a bit closer at the blue haze Psyis realized there were the tiniest pixels of orange mixed in to the randomest places.

    The places where a few orange dots resided caused a bit of a frown to form. Psyis making the connection to this new never moving or changing color.

    Zexxon, Id the living Moon, even LV-543. All planets or equally sized objects that had been destroyed in her universe. The thessian looked around a bit finally finding a cluster closer to the edge of the Orion''s arm. Thessiona, the missing planet was just as missing in Izime''s map as her own galaxy. The planet''s lost citizen smiled a bit bitterly as even his forbidden knowledge hadn''t managed to locate it.

    Looking up towards the cabin the Psyis wondered if her home was just as lost where it was as Izime seemed to be here.

 Misery on Mercury

    The surface of mercury stretched out around Izime. The sun scorched plains of metal dust that had settled after years of geysers exhausting their plumes into the nearly atmosphere-less planet. The true beauty of the molten metal as it was ejected toward the stars wasn''t simply the way it splashed as gravity pulled it back to settle with its cooled kin.

    The odd magnetic storm from the sun at this close of a distance could make metal dance.

    The molten lead shivered and separated as the magnetized slag of alloys inside was pulled free. Arcs of electricity passed between the tiny glowing spheres as the sun ejected enough plasma to disturb the local Sol system. The lower gravity and increased force from the sun left that liquid metal hanging.

    A snapshot of chaos caught in nature''s hand.

    Normally Izime enjoyed these rarely seen storms from the safety of the ship, watching the incredible light show with human eyes. Now though the A.I. felt himself bearing the same disconnected state as parts of his human psyche connected to the hard filter of the chips he consisted of now.

    Thoughts, wants, desires, and even basic instincts pulled themselves free of the core processes Izime was trying to maintain. Blaming the storm that was passing over mercury for his unease.

    The Class 10 might have been a hauler, but it had more than enough shielding to protect the bits that controlled Izime''s thoughts from flipping. Izime knew he could fly the ship damned near into the corona of Sol itself and only set off some alarms as the hydrogen scoops overfilled.

    The Basilisk ''watched'' the solar storm crash across the geyser fields in front of it. Cold calculation looking back on the idiotic choices he''d made. Izime took a breath just to remind himself that he''d been less than this in much more significant ways. It was human to make mistakes, and he was human.

    Though, the A.I. and the human both stood with the dawning realization that this particular mistake was rather large. Not so much for himself as everyone else.

    Sure, losing the body was rough and Izime certainly wasn''t happy about that, but he would eventually recover the gift Bell had given him. The issue with the League would hopefully be a once-and-done thing. The heroes acted like antibodies for his mistake. Izime not really bothered that as the pendulum of action swung back it had turned into a guillotine.

    More worried about just what the effect would be on the script in the end. That was the harder equation to solve. Just how far he''d shoved this universe off-axis, how badly he''d messed them up.

    Getting so involved with his little business that he''d taken an active role. So active he''d been forced to acknowledge his own butterfly effect right before his capture. Hindsight being twenty-twenty Izime still really couldn''t tell what he''d been thinking. If he''d even been thinking at all, maybe Bell had just made an idiot. Taking up some of the leftover resources, the things left off the panel were OK.

    In the broad stroke of the story, those things would never reappear, so he''d never made an impact on them.

    Jumping in to stop FearForm''s attack that first night in Voltham, saving Psyis mid-scene was tantamount to suicide. Something that really should have occurred to Izime before ever stealing the AC unit. At any point before one of the major characters came chasing after him. If he''d had a single bit of sense; ironically only admitting it now that he was made of them once more. It would have been just as quick to snap to a cell once anyone with their own comic series started showing up unannounced.

    Safer considering how Dark Night had taken to the issue.

    Cradle had even tried to talk him out of it. The raven caught on faster than he had to all the rules Izime was tossing to the roadside. The A.I. looking out across mercury for something to blame beyond his own idiocy. Blaming human emotions made no sense, he hadn''t even known Psyis then.

    There were two other actual heroes there and zero reason for Izime to step in beyond wanting to put himself in that scene. Not that he''d wanted people to get hurt in the time it''d take Dark Squire to bring her down. Izime imagined a scene where the two would have reconnected. Steven shedding the cowl at last to dive in and save his thessian lover.

    It was rather clear the two were in a rough patch and now everything had gone sideways because he''d ruined it...

    Probably a key moment for the Thessian''s bond with the Blane.

    Izime increased the pump cycle as more than a few cores started heating oddly. The electrons seemed to physically hang inside the die as the A.I. forced the thought through. The simple algorithms Izime was running suddenly grew much more complex at that thought. The simulations spun further and faster than they had trying to sort out the shitstorm flapping his wings in Voltham had caused.

    Sensor readings from the cargo bay warned that the other element that had caused this whole problem would soon be walking in. The A.I. was running algorithms still even as he tried to determine just how the thessian would excuse her visit.

    Izime quickly opened the door for the Thessian so she could join him without a second thought.

    One Psychic Just Looking for an Excuse

    Looking upwards at the door above her Psyis considered how appropriate it might be to go talk to Izime further. Chewing over Izime''s parting words Psyis considered coming up with a reason to come see him in on the pilot''s deck to talk in private. Constantinople already having passed out in one of the bunks, Psyis could feel his sentient mind had slipped from activity.

    The other, even less familiar than the void she''d dived into now buzzed along with a speed she didn''t try tracking.

    The thessian only managed to recall the last reason Izime had taken her and Constantinople into the tighter quarters of the split working and living area. Making her mind up, hoping the excuse would be good enough for Izime as well.

    Letting her powers push her off the floor Psyis floated over the safety rail of the gangway right outside the door. A bit surprised when it hissed open and revealed more than the dark hall lit only with its red safety lights on the floor. Quickly but quietly moving across the smooth mag-boot-designed floors Psyis pass through the hall.

    The molten lights of mercury''s lead geysers led her down the hall through the other already open door at the far end. The sizzle of the shields reached through the micro-atmosphere through some means to fill the room with noise.

    A purple hand reached through the beads that hung over the entrance to the deck, her eyes running over the four sets of flight seats. Finally locating the shimmering form of Izime, nearly invisible against the backlight of molten lead. The view of his eyes watching her through the back of his head while he faced the glass was a bit unsettling.

    Psyis waited until those eyes returned to watching the liquid metal rain down around the ship before speaking.

    "Are you..." Psyis started to ask, looking around the room that was filled with personal things. The guitars Constantinople and Izime had played a few days ago. The memory sticks she''d been feeding Cradle as the three had passed the bottle of coolant around. The blankets Izime had gotten out for them still thrown over the seats they''d drunkenly lounged in.

    The closest he''d come to playing a guitar right now was an audio recording or bouncing that drone off the strings. Izime could only look now, scanning them electronically.

    "OK? I was." Izime watched Psyis'' red eyes as she glanced at all the things they''d enjoyed before she''d known just what he was. Not judging her as much as himself for falling into such a brainless trap in the first place.

    "I guess that would be a stupid question." Psyis nodded looking away from the instruments, taking a breath as she tried to apologize.

    "Sorry." Not knowing where to begin with all she wanted to say, Psyis started with a single word.

    "It''s not you, or even the deal with the League. I knew what would happen eventually so stop beating yourself up." Izime nodded to the chair beside him while he glanced at the one beside him. The A.I. shrugged and sat to encourage the invitation, he could at least play pretend still. "I''m not good at being a person in the first place, so it was just a matter of time until I got caught."

    Psyis walked over, not sitting but instead looking down at the once man. Only once because she''d nearly killed him and now it was only more convenient to exist like this. Lips pulled to the side, hoping she was making it clear to Izime that she''d not accept his belittling of the situation.

    "Do you know what it''s like to be this ship, any ship?" Izime spared the stubborn-looking thessian a half glance. False eyes glancing back out the window he asked a question he already knew the answer to.

    "I can tell you the exact degree of that lead," Izime pointed toward a nearby plume directing the psychic''s attention. A second drone flew from underneath the ship, Izime joining it when it got close to the plume. His voice echoed inside the pilot''s deck as a hollow hand reached through the molten metal.

    The sacrificial drone vaporized along with Izime''s ghost. "It''s almost going monatomic at 1450 C in this atmosphere. On earth that''s still well past boiling but not blowing plumes of lead gas like it is here."

    "The drone?" Psyis asked the figure of Izime who''d returned to sitting idly a bit uncomfortable with his casual play-death with the drone. The action only confirmed her suspicions of Izime''s disconnect with the self she''d imagined him to be.

    "I have plenty." Izime glanced at her curiously as he leaned forward. At least pretending to rest his elbows on his knees as he explained his new capabilities further. "I can tell you the seismic properties of this planet, calculate and increase the scrub rate of oxygen. Something I need to do apparently, because destroying that drone upset you."

    "Which I know because I''m monitoring everyone''s heart rates and breathing. I can even calculate the probability that you came to talk to me, using the coolant as an excuse." Izime gave Psyis a side-eye as he accused her, all the while motioning for her to help herself.

    "You forgot I can''t drink. That or you''re just as rude as Constantinople when it comes to respecting my things, probably worse considering everything." Izime gave her an encouraging nod even as his words offered her the opposite. "It''s on the shelf wrapped in a mag sheet so it didn''t roll around."

    Psyis watched as Izime''s hologram gave her an encouraging nod while the drone with his voice called her disrespectful. The thessian is torn between acting as if Izime was wrong, berating him for upsetting her, or simply drinking his liquor to punish him for both.

    The thessian furrowed her brows until Izime gave a playful smile. Finally relaxing a bit as she walked over to pull the metal woven fabric away.

    Izime watched the purple hand reach out with a precision none of his drones had in this form. Revealing a metal cylinder the size of a very large thermos the A.I. knew to be unnaturally cool to the touch. Temperature sensors and thermal cameras reflected as much. Izime suffered that disconnect again as he tried to recall the chill those purple digits were feeling.

    The thessian sat back, unscrewing the cap revealing a slightly pinkish glow. The coolant had fermented within the drive core of the ship until it had reached a consumable state. The liquid tipped out of the metal container and into a metal cup that was held in a now blue hand.

    "I''ll um... play pretend." Izime rendered a shaker glass, the ice settling noiselessly as the digitally created liquid appeared. Taking his own sip, Izime watched as a slender neck took a deep swallow of the highly questionable ''liquor''. The AI tried out a new nickname for the irrational thessian as he asked her to reveal why she''d come to see him, "What''s on your mind Pi."

    Psyis kept her eyes closed, waiting as the side-effect of the volatile alcohol took effect. Knowing that if she had kept them open the geysers before her would have faded away regardless. Focusing instead on the smooth tingle that came as the liquid soothed her dry throat Izime unintentionally used half of her nickname. Glad that the space-shine washed away any embarrassment or frustration she''d expected to feel.

    Just another sign that even her own enhanced system was being affected by the powerful substance.

    "Why do you act like I-like we all didn''t..." Psyis stumbled for a moment in her rush to ask the question that was bugging her most now. Stopping she found an alternative route to her answer, the words having caused a roadblock in her mind. "that this didn''t happen Izime."If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    "Not my first kill-the-bot rodeo and you''re all actual heroes. I''m the killer A.I. that was playing human." Izime looked through the glass in his hands out towards the geysers of mercury sliding down a bit as he leaned back lazily. Not like he could actually see them properly anyway, he just knew that''s what he''d have liked to have done.

    How he would have been sitting if he''d still had a body and been having such a talk with Psyis drinking with her once again.

    "This is the obvious outcome the only logical one." Izime calculated his response just as much as his pose. Hollow digitally colored teal eyes looked over towards the Psychic who had probably never considered his side of tangling with heroes such as herself.

    The risk was already a given, Izime had never forgotten just how heroes handled creatures like him.

    "Doesn''t matter if some don''t feel that way, Constantinople and yourself now too I guess." Izime spoke up trying to lighten the burden the two were probably feeling, Constantinople and Psyis turning coat to help him now, "I''d like someplace better than the trench but it wasn''t ever going to go great for me. Like I said earlier I really just want a view at the end of it."

    Izime tipped his glass back finishing it, before upending the cup over the deck. Watching Psyis reaction as the holographic ice cubs slid around the floor before disappearing. Righting the crystal-clear cup as another full drink immediately reappeared. Izime smiling at the bits of code cycled through, the unnecessarily high-quality render pulling resources and dumbing him down a bit.

    A drunken chip of silicon for a single micro-second as it processed.

    "No psychics." Izime stretched, trying to enjoy as much of the microsecond of digital intoxication as he could. The small render only lagging his brain for that brief moment, he explained where he''d fucked up. "It was a good idea to delay the inevitable but you were never the only problem and that''s all I''ve ever been able to do: delay."

    "Why save me then?" Psyis asked, recalling how often Izime had tried to enforce the same rules she broke and he''d tossed aside at the end. Not feeling guilt for a portion of Izime''s involvement, at least there at the beginning, she was genuinely curious.

    "I was involved already. In reality you..." Izime tilted his head looking at Psyis before reconsidering what the smarter course of action might have been that first night in Voltham. Not the better action, simply the best in terms of staying free. "you probably should have been hit by FearForm''s trap. I kicked off some butterfly effect that first night and this here was never supposed to happen but it''s natural. This moment is just a small cyst as your reality corrects my infection."

    "My real rule should have been not getting involved at all if I wanted to last longer. " Izime smiled as Psyis sat rocking slightly. The coolant''s effect tinged the thessian''s face and neck with a flush of magenta. "I got too into the role I''d made for myself, too greedy."

    "Is that why you found Constantinople, became his friend, greed?" Psyis asked her eyes still closed, enjoying the slightly different intoxicating effect the coolant brought on. The wobbly drunkenness of earth liquor was replaced by a fluid weightless feeling of ease.

    Psyis relaxed a bit, her mind still focused as she delved a bit further into the emotions of the man-machine beside her.

    "I had a batch of fear toxin to sell, not a lot of takes for it on cramped spaceships floating around the gal-" Izime prattled on a bit, turning and stopping. Psyis looked at him, the fact she didn''t believe a single word he''d just said written plainly across her arched brow.

    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-style: none" border="1">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%">"I thought he was your favorite."</td>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%"> </td>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%"> </td>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%"> </td>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%"> </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%"> </td>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%">"And he was my favorite, yes."</td>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%"> </td>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%"> </td>

    <td style="width: 19.9675%"> </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    The two voices trailed off, Psyis taking another deep sip of the pleasant alcohol. Happy she''d scored a point against Izime''s callous attitude. The mind-reader not needing to sort through his digital emotions to know Izime had found Constantinople for more than a simple opportunity. He''d saved her, the cause more than simple calculation.

    Psyis could feel it, sense it even. Testing her hypothesis now, words contrasting how Izime tried to dehumanize himself.

    "Hero worship is a very human flaw." Psyis blinked a few times, that temporary blindness fading away as she tried to focus on Izime a bit too quickly. Eager to make the same distinction with his actions in Voltham. "You saved me the third time because we baited you in, why save me at all Izime ever? Don''t say it was greed, you''re already rich."

    "That is a good question." Izime nodded looking at the excited thessian who''d put a finger damned near inside his digital face. Moving a bit too soon after taking another large drink Izime had expected it. "The traps really weren''t worth it, considering I''d never interfered like that before and the risks were huge, it was you out there. I.. didn''t want to wait on the minutes it might have taken for them to bring you down I guess?"

    "I didn''t have control of that situation. I would have gotten swamped by that gas in a few more seconds..." Psyis scooted back, sitting and crossing her arms preparing to thank Izime who''d saved her those two times. Trying to get comfortable once more as she retracted her words from the Noodle Shop. "And Crusher could have knocked me into the cloud at the water treatment plant."

    "Yep, so I got rid of it and him." Izime agreed, not bothering to look at Psyis. He already had multiple angles of her discomfort in admitting her own weaknesses. "It wasn''t a big deal."

    "Thank you" Psyis smiled softly as Izime turned in surprise at her words, the thanks obviously hadn''t been the statistical winner of whatever algorithm Izime was using for her. "you saved me and probably a lot of innocent people in that area."

    "Don''t whitewash me Psyis I''m not a hero or even good. It''s just resource management. I don''t want humans to get hurt, or heroes or villains," Izime warned the heroine, adjusting a bit uncomfortably himself now. It was one thing to humanize him, another to try and clear a name he''d carved in the bones of a now-extinct human species. "It makes my pool of potential improvements smaller, still I''ve killed a whole lot more than I''ve ever saved to further that goal. Hell, I killed someone the second night before I stopped Crusher, I tossed him off over a rail and didn''t need to. Even looked to make sure he was gone, it was lazy calcula-"

    "I''ve killed too; crushed minds can''t be any worse than crushed skulls." Psyis sat forward again returning the same fierce gaze Izime was at her. Glad the ignorant ass A.I. had stopped his synthetic arguments after she''d spoken over him. The reality of her own words settling back on her, "Probably a whole lot worse really."

    "Out of necessity, I''m aware." Izime blinked a few times, throwing in a final swing as he sat back in his chair dropping the subject. Not wanting to engage the psychic in a verbal altercation, they''d settle their business once he had his body back. Besides he knew everything Psyis was capable of, there was no way she could surprise him.

    "Until yesterday, I almost ruined that because I didn''t listen to my gut." Psyis made her point as she reached for the thermos again, pouring as she talked. Watching carefully to not spill over the rim of the cup Psyis shamefully admitted how she felt about the situation. "I hurt you Izime, I don''t want to see you get locked up as soon as we fix that."

    Izime considered the options that Psyis might be thinking of, placing each one back on the shelf in his mind. There were various ways running could work but Izime was tired of running and hiding. If things had come to this and he''d slipped up this badly it was time to take his seat. Let those who had the right of this universe do what they would with him.

    "I won''t fight the League and they''re going to want some answers." Izime watched the molten metal fall, wondering how soon the snow would be falling back on Earth. Izime didn''t bother looking at the woman who''d essentially killed him, thinking instead about the things he''d be missing out on. "I know how this story is written and I''m not re-writing it just so I can be free."

    In this perfected reality December would roll in, covering Centropolis in a blanket of white that glimmered much the same in the streetlights. Shya would be looking for him during Christmas and the Christmas after that. He''d hardly missed a single one since he entered their lives. Thanksgiving had never really worked out and Izime wasn''t much of an eater so Christmas had always been their little family''s day.

    That little handful of years had made for a decent enough mulligan considering how his universe had ended.

    "So we go to the station and what?" Psyis watched as Izime glanced out the window, his body elsewhere and even though his mind was supposed to be here their conversation seemed forgotten, "You lay down in a cell, let the league bury you?"

    Psyis downed the cup in one go, pausing and rocking for a second as she detailed Stan''s determined efforts. Letting the space liquor block her vision as she imagined Izime sitting for the rest of forever locked under the ocean, "Because that''s what Dark Night wants, is to lock your ass in the trench."

    "I wouldn''t mind it, aside from the whole getting locked up in a dark abyss, but yea getting judged by a third party doesn''t sound so bad. I''ve had more than a couple thousand years to think about it," Izime adjusted himself in his seat as pointless as it was. Hoping that Psyis could at least try and put herself in his shoes, the jig was up. "Get the whole story out there, who was at fault. The humans, me, or our universe itself. I think I''d like the whole judge and jury thing. Just try and keep me out of that weird ass spectral space James likes to use."

    Izime gave Psyis a nod as her purple face tried to wash away the effects of the alcohol, her red eyes looking at him a bit taken back.

    "It got bigger than the body that''s laying on that bed as soon as you crawled in my head; I''m still a hazard obviously. Sure I''ve been humanized by Bell, but that just let me blend in and enjoy a bit of what she missed out on." He appreciated that she at least wasn''t going to argue against his views on it, so he decided to explain a bit further.

    Psyis wondered if Izime had actually enjoyed any of the things that Bell had intended for him too. Seeing as Bell herself had even known how to enjoy the things they''d never had.Thinking back to Izime''s statement about how her world, those stories had been things they''d needed just to stay sane. The gallows humor of Izime''s joke settled around her neck.

    The joke about walking, the ineptitude, the mulligan, he hadn''t been complaining at them but for every human on the station.

    "The very idea of me is still dangerous, every definition is just a better buzzword for death." Izime flourished his hands as if expressing his own grandeur and not damnation. Before posing Psyis a question of his own, wondering what had brought her to his side in this. "Let alone everything I could do given powers like yours or the power I''ll have when I''m in Savior Orbital. Which I must say is a plan I''m surprised you''re even going along with."

    "You saved me twice, tried to a third time." Psyis smiled at Izime wondering if he thought she didn''t really trust him. She''d thrown Radiation Man at him and the most he''d done was taze her. Psyis nodded towards the door to the cabin that led to the other party that had convinced her, "We both think you deserve this."

    "Constantinople doesn''t care about demons; sure, he might drink with them or gamble. Scream at all of League Savior because they put one in the hospital? Not so often. You''re not a bad human even if you''re not that good at being one, he knew that and..." Psyis reached over giving Izime''s chair a little wiggle seeing as she couldn''t punch him like she wanted. Instead turning him a bit so she could see better, "I''m glad I learned it before it was too late."

    "Even got a full PowerPoint presentation on the King of Knickknacks," Psyis hoping Izime would follow her lighter tone as she tried to bring back a bit of the bot''s humanity, "You aren''t a bad person Izime."

    "I''ve killed your earth''s population a thousand times over." Izime glanced down at the thermos held tightly in Psyis hand, watching the blue receding from her hands.

    The Thessian obviously felt quite strongly, in some kind of way about his words.

    Izime''s processors lagged as white brows turned upwards. Izime regretted how human his space-side chats had gotten since the last woman had followed him to a window like this. Psyis next words caused one of those processors to pop, Izime''s nonexistent heart skipping a beat as the mind-reader lucked out.

    "You were an evil A.I. fine but Be-" Psyis started in on Izime having seen a bit of his past, eager the share in the judgments she was making. Red eyes quickly looked down at her the cup in her hand as Izime''s hologram flickered in warning, words dying out before they''d left her lips. She''d known he wasn''t ready to talk about her yet.

    "Don''t talk about Bell, thats..." Izime tried to keep his temper in check, so the air units didn''t over-cycle. Practically spitting the heroine''s name as he decided to set the record straight on the human he''d groomed since birth. "Using my own memories won''t work on me Miss Psyis, Bell was my servant from birth. She only existed to improve my functions, her life only happened because I needed to be bet-"

    "Better?" Psyis didn''t look up from the alcohol that was still giving her the confidence to speak so bluntly about someone Izime had obviously cared a great deal for. Still Wanting to place herself firmly on the side of the similarly antagonistic researcher, Psyis tried to remind Izime of who he''d been, "I think she succeeded, she made you a good human. I just want to keep you that way."

    Izime threw himself silently back in the seat, punching it dramatically even though it wouldn''t react to his frustration. The psychic''s words flipped all sorts of bits in his programming as he felt torn. The human side of him refusing her now as the logical processing part could see the thessian''s logic.

    The silence stretched on, Psyis listening as the fans slowly spun back down. The thessian turned and looked back out the window, briefly taking Bell''s place beside the A.I. watching the slowly falling fast melting metal around them. Not quite smiling but occasionally giving Izime a bit of a glance as her lips pinched together.

    Izime finally grew to appreciate Psyis'' ability to not ask stupid questions for five minutes, wondering if she''d manage a sixth. The probability of it dropping rapidly as yet another cup of the very drinkable and thus very dangerous liquor was thrown back all at once.

    Purple face turning towards him as circling shades of blue worked across Psyis cheeks she opened her mouth and fell short at five minutes and twenty-three seconds, "I-um..did you ever go to the movies?"

    Izime stood moving to snatch the cup away, or he would have. His hand flickered as it passed through the metal, his eyes glared moving between the thermos and the obviously inebriated Psyis. "That is enough drinking for you."

    With a frustrated huff, Izime stood walking straight through the pilot''s seat and door, leaving Psyis blinking eyes not working. Too drunk to think about what she''d been asking. The thessian''s personal question still hung in the air as she considered how often Izime seemed to not answer when it came to her.

    "What''d I say?" Psyis looked around the now empty room, a bit past tipsy in her rush to find the courage to discover Izime''s past. Blinking a bit wondering what had been wrong with talking about Bell or going to the movies.

    The number of cups and direction she''d yanked the conversation quickly burying Psyis under their combined effects. The thessian was left standing alone and a bit confused knowing that something beyond the liquor in her hands was the cause.

    Hadn''t Izime been the one who''d asked for the mulligan?

    Glancing down at the thermos in her hands, Psyis chewed over the thought and all that came with it. The liquor not having any answers she looked back out the window.

    Neither of the two having the answer as to why Izime had been upset at her offer to show him the movie''s proper. Replaying the conversation in her mind Psyis imagined what it would be like to show Izime all he''d missed.

    Would Izime be impressed by something as simple as an action movie?

    Even fell a rush on a rollercoaster after riding a black hole through the end of the universe?

    Idle thoughts washing Psyis'' worry over what had upset Izime away. Liquored mind considering the more intimate details of the man and how she might help him. Leaning back in the chair and pulling the once used now twice familiar blanket from its back where its rested.

    Carefully checking the cap on the thermos, Psyis pulled her legs up to wrap them in the soft cotton. The thessian glad that she was slender enough to curl into the seat. A soft sigh spilled through the cabin as red eyes closed under the warm glow of Mercury once more.

    Body worked away the effects of the drink while her mind made wild plans on how she''d turn the tables on Dark Night and finish Bell''s work.

    A gentle vibration rumbled through the chair just as soon as she''d gotten comfortable, Psyis rubbing at a red eye with one dark blue hand. Looking around to find Izime once more in the seat across from her, looking over at her apologetically.

    The other red eye opened as the last bit of drunk from the space-based alcohol slipped away.

    "Sorry, it''s time to get up" Izime''s smile fell, his serious mood returning as Psyis realized the hours had slipped by during her nap. Waiting until she seemed a bit more awake he went ahead and asked her to wake the last of their three mutineers. "Go kick Constantinople out of my bunk seeing as the man can''t listen."

    "It''s time to move on the League, we''re taking Savior Orbital." Psyis pausing at the open door, turning at a phrase she''d never heard as a League member came out. The heroine wondering if the actual villains had ever delivered such words while looking out over such an alien and violent landscape.

    For the briefest moment seeing the demonic A.I. that Izime had claimed to be.

    That glowing form standing and commanding the heroes betray their own. The shiver and shake only further distorting the image in her head, Izime''s form warping. Psyis mind replacing the various supply drops from last night with weapons Izime had found hidden. Doomed devices crafted from ancient relics that they''d never encountered or understand exploding.

    Releasing the same killer that had strangled his universe upon her own. That stoicism became cold calculate as the demonic A.I. gave them no fight, simply the same end he''d suffered.

    Flashing back to the more comfortable apathy she''d grown to know. The thessian watching Izime have a very awkward moment that had ruined the possible omen. Psyis leaving as a holographic finger idly picked at a non-existent nose.

    Thoughts of killer A.I.s long gone from her mind.

 No Fight or Flight Allowed

    Savior Orbital sat suspended above the earth. The massive orbital installation was actually deceptively small considering its size. Most of its interior being dedicated to housing and powering the slew of sensors, shields, and interior modules of the space station. The actual interior only composed of a few main areas with enough halls between to get lost in.

    It had the necessities for living on it such as bunk rooms and exercise areas. There was a cafeteria where the heroes could grab a bite to eat, conveniently placed for artists to allow for panels full of exposition. One of the grander areas and the largest being the Hall of Justice. Where the arcs of multiple series were drawn to a close. The heroes voting on or settling matters among themselves. Its massive and gaudy viewing window always locked to look down towards the planet.

    A reminder for the heroes to keep the people in mind during those tense sessions.

    In order to facilitate the recovery of the more mortal heroes like Dark Night and the Emerald Bow the Station had a Medical-Bay. The ward also served to diagnose the odd illness or malady that struck the less human members of the League as well.

    Not usually used to care for those the heroes fought, they''d still given Izime a bed.

    Of course, the station also had holding cells and chambers which they''d have used instead. Those cells occupied quite rarely, as Dark Night had decided to fund the construction of the Abyss Prison under the oceans of earth. Only temporary holding for those that the League didn''t quite know what to do with or hadn''t gotten around to moving yet. Currently the Stasis Chamber held one of the feistier prisoners it''d ever held.

    Cradle the Raven floated, suspended and trapped. Even its nanite swarm locked in place though a barrier of aritfical gravity. The force rising and falling to match the swarms Cradle tried to cast out. Beak clicking and clacking as its head turned. The raven no longer struggling as fiercely as it had on earth. Not that Cradle had given up, it just knew Izime wouldn''t want it to really hurt anyone.

    The bird patiently picking at the locks to the cage, knowing that it''d either free itself or Izime would arrive. The bond might have been cut but Cradle knew its nest program couldn''t be so easily deleted in a physical sense. The proof lay in the fact Cradle still had a portion of Izime''s data and it was active.

    If he''d really been removed, deleted persay, they''d have gone with him. Then Cradle might take this game a bit more seriously. The raven just playing around with the stupid half-man that kept adjusting its bonds tighter at the moment.

    Ret-Borg looked in through the layers of shimmering energy fields and complex refraction of shielding at the thing. His own Father Hexagon enhanced vision return the full levels of scanning that the raven still tried to use on him..

    After being locked inside the layers of stasis fields this thing: Cradle had impressed him a bit.

    The number of iterations the bird must have run to get even the few more bites of data from him through those layers was daunting to say the least.

    The half-human advanced cyborg acknowledging that though his intellect was superior this bird was dedicated to solving problems. Taking every single combination of specs, lenses, fields it had and dropping them into the bucket of trials until something spilled over to Ret''s side. Where one failed a new and better version one was being developed

    Ret-Borg had developed his abilites as a precision instrument, the bird doing its best impression of a woodpecker. Jackhammering away at the stasis field around it even as Ret-Borg stood there reinforcing its walls. The cyborg knew it''d get through eventually. Maybe a decade from now but someday and days sooner if he wasn''t here managing it.

    Hopefully when that day comes we''ll be getting along a bit better.

    Ret-Borg gave a nod of acknowledgment to his prisoner, keeping his next thought a bit more private. His second hope that Dark Night and Radiation Man would just hand down the order to put the bird to sleep for good. Not something Ret-Borg would enjoy doing but it was his job as a fellow League member.

    It was better if he handled the bird, Ret had decided that after encountering the very similarly altered corvid.

    The cyborg stiffening a bit, eyes twitching as he realized he wasn''t the only person in the room, turning warily as he kept the stasis field maintained.

    "Constantinople, someone finally let slip where your friend''s pet was?" The cyborg not quite willing to devote his full attention to the comparatively under-powered anti-hero. Still Ret kept his guard up just in case the exorcist tried to attack him.

    "Nah Ret, used to be a member myself. I was the even leader of Mystic once." Constantinople shook his head leaning back against the wall of the room. The exorcist explaining how he''d found the place as he accomplished his part of Izime''s plan to swipe the station. "Never had much use for the stasis chamber myself but I still know my way around the ole''Orbital mate."

    "Just stand down Constantinople," Ret-Borg raised his arm, not quite yet readying his pulse cannon, though he did cycle its generator in warning. The member of League Savior wanting Constantinople to know who he''d need to get through to free the bird.

    It was clear that the exorcist had showed up to do more than just meander the halls, Ret keeping both eyes and sensors trained on both the creatures in the room as he tried to talk his way out of the situation. "Your friends not even awake yet."

    "I''m leaning mate, just checking on his birdie seeing as he''s still in the med bay." Constantinople kept his hands in his pockets, the spell already activating when his enchanted coat had touched the wall. Giving a nod towards Cradle the exorcist asked, hoping to keep a bit of Ret''s attention, "How is it?"

    "Its mad like you said." Ret-Borg didn''t bother looking away from the con-magician of an exorcist, far to warry to drop his battle senses around such a capable foe. Only detailing that neither of the two here could peacefully bring the bird back in, "And if it gets out it won''t be a fun fi-"

    That battle sense sounding out like an air raid siren as the other potential risk he''d been warned about spoke, her presence suddenly appearing much closer to him that Constantinople.

    "Hey Ret." Psyis smiled glad that she''d let Izime handle the stealth side of things. Ret''s sensors not detecting her until it was far to late, Ret''s face even reflecting that with a worried look.

    "Miss Psyis, I-come on now you two." Ret-Borg tried not to sound worried as well. The Thessian infront of him setting of even the human sense of danger Ret-Borg possed let alone his digital sensors. The cyborg realizing there wasn''t going to be much more time for talking left.

    Hoping to at least keep the two focused on the stations insurance and their investors wallet Ret tried to reign Psyis. Threatening them all with how they''d be abusing Stan''s funds, "Lets not get Dark Night on our asses over expense reports, I''d rather not put you through a wall."

    "Through a wall, me? Come on now Ret, I''m nice to you." Psyis reminded the cyborg hoping he wouldn''t get too upset. "I give you metal polish every year for Christmas."

    The thessian looking at the layers of armored panels that were supposed to represent the cyborgs abdomen. The various overlaps doing a decent representation of an eight pack, were they really that sturdy though?

    Guess we''ll see huh?

    Psyis didn''t respond to Izime''s snark, instead asking if Ret used her gifts to care for them as her attack struck. "Do you use it?"

    Ret''s eyes went wide as multiple sensors in his mind went off. His bodies proximity alarm even blaring a warning as the sneak attack revealed itself. Looking down just in time to see a ball of purple haze boiling angrily swinging into his metal paneled gut.

    Psyis had been slowly condensing a ball of air until it reached atmospheres that be more commonly scene on Jupiter. Now that Izime had gotten them close enough, she tore the bubble of air open. The explosive force of air pressure launching Ret-borg across the room without really damaging him that badly.

    The thessian honestly hoping it really would just buff out like Izime had joked.

    "League come in!" Ret wasn''t as easily tossed and jumbled up like some skin-bag goon. Still having the sense to try and trigger the communicator built into his system before he''d even slammed into the wall.

    Ret''s call on the broad emergency line immediately set of Constantinople phone, Psyis'' cellphone still fried from his spell at Lucky Dog''s didn''t of course. The walls glowing with a mystic light that rejected the signal waves trapping them inside.

    The signal finally bouncing back and sounding Ret''s own device. Ret-Borg helplessly turned watching from where he''d landed on the floor. Both eyes confirming his suspsicons as he looked around the room. Human vision and his scanners catching the signal as it was trapped inside of the magical energy field.

    Ret''s face twitching as he turned half his half-shaved and half-chromed head towards Constantinople. Those were the only phones that would be triggered, Ret confirming that the two''d thought this out at least a bit. The cyborg losing his temper as the exorcist sassed him for the attempt.

    "Not bloody amateurs, mate," Constantinople pulled his hands from his trench-coat wiggling his fingers at the cyborg who''d let him so easily cast the spell. Chastising the younger hero who was supposedly his superior in the League, "Really think I''d let you call for back-up in the first minute?"

    Constantinople immediately regretted taunting the human version of Cradle. Ret-Borg''s cannon arm coming up as the generator in it began to cycle. A few small blasts coming towards the exorcist, though they only hurt a little as the charged particles fizzled, stuck to the enchanted tan surface of his coat.

    The attacks leaving only a few sooty marks as the plasma fizzled away as the effects of defensive magic drained their energies.

    Izime reached out with a flash of teal and purple snipping the feeds to the accelerator inside of Ret''s arm. Psyis'' feeling of relief and gratitude filling the mind where he was currently hiding.

    Ret frowning further as Miss Psyis intervened. Keeping him from giving Constantinople a few bruises to remind him of who was who in the League. The thessian''s powers easily pulling his arm skyward, several cables inside being ripped out as if she''d known exactly which ones would painlessly depower the arm-based cannon.

    A fierce growl escaping his chest as he prepared a secondary laser attack from his shoulder mounted blaster. The cyborg leaning heavily to one side as he tried to line up another shot. This time on the thessian who''d kicked the whole little scuffle off.

    "Any time now Izime!" Psyis called out for their third. The thessian hoping Izime''s jacking of the entire Station would at least convince Ret to stand down.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Not wanting the bot to break out anything more powerful than that small plasma cannon or to actually hurt her fellow hero. There was a line to walk between helping Izime and feeling like she''d actually turned on the League. Psyis not wanting this fight to get any rougher than their usual training exercises.

    Yea yea I''m on it.

    Just let me handle Dark Nights security codes.

    The rest of you back up so nobody gets bey bladed.

    Izime finished telling Psyis exactly which cables would disconnect the targeting on the shoulder-laser before hopping out of her mind. Looking around the room for a moment the A.I. form prepared to finish the tasks it had just listed. The almost cave-man level of programming offered less than zero resistance. Izime even giving Ret-Borg a smarmy nod before quickly entered the stations systems.

    Hopefully the heroes would enjoy the minor security upgrade he''d given them.

    "That''s, what the hell?" Ret-Borg blinked as he saw a very live if small version of the same man that Radiation Man had put in the medical ward.

    Looking between the two heroes who''d arrived to assist in this obvious break-out, Ret felt a bit torn. The cyborg knew they''d come for the raven, the man''s bird and his pet.

    Even if the thing was a killer machine so was Ret-Borg.

    His own father having died in an attempt very similar to this breakout attempt.

    The cyborg not wanting being a total villainous monster that kept someone from their pet or cold-hearted shadow like Dark Night. A ''hero'' that only saw logic and justice instead of chances of reform or reconciliation.

    "Yea, my mates apparently a bit harder to knock out of the fight than that. Luckily enough for you lot he''s only here to bust out the bird before they both walk into to a cell for us." Constantinople brushed his hands off hoping the fighting was over for the day; Izime would soon release Cradle and then they''d be off to the cell.

    The exorcist hoping he could convince the cyborg just like Izime had them, "So still a nice enough chap everything considered; we''re gonna let him borrow the station for a minute, OK?"

    "Oh, hell no" Ret-Borg replied as he considered the likelihood of that not happening.

    Once the man had that overpowered bird back in his possession he could leave and go where he pleased. Let alone if the digitally based being had control of all the firepower on Savior Orbital. The station designed to be a bulwark and bunker against the powerhouses of the universe.

    "Way to late Ret, really need to stop paying Dark Night for that virus protection." The station lights flickering as the shields around the bird began to fizzle and pop were all the answer Ret needed.

    The sarcastic voice that come from the speakers was simply too extra. "Now lets see what kind of cage you''ve been building..."

    "You know Schrodinger would be impressed you can still see inside this thing," Izime knew that Cradle couldn''t really hear him inside those layers, but he''d wanted to say it anyway.

    Shuffling his own form through the layers until he found the first locking mechanism that was holding his bond. "let''s get rid of that gravity lock first of all."

    Izime flicking that switch and calling out as he threw himself into his bond quite literally.

    Hey Cradle. We''re back buddy.

    CAW!

    Cradle felt the comforting mind run through its body the same second the gravity locks released.

    Gray metal talons touching down, Cradle cooing as softly as it had when it was a chick, black feathers fluffed intimately. Crooning and flourished its wings in display as its bond finally returned, the raven welcoming the single member back into their Unkindness.

    Pouring every ounce of comfort and happiness into that connection as its body danced happily on pure instinct. Ruffling its feathers as the stasis field slowly began to drop layer by layer.

    The same layers peeling back in Cradles mind as it connected the dots between Izime''s return to this form and its capture.

    The attack within that infuriating magical dimension had just happened to Cradle. Beady lenses checking around the room as it finding three bodies waiting one being the same cyborg that had managed to subdue it. Ret-Borg had attacked it but these other two? Cradle looking between the others in the room. The raven glad all the people were being very still, someone had hurt Izime and it didn''t want to jump to conclusions.

    Pulling now from the same information banks it shared through the bond with Izime, quickly locating his body Cradle took to wing. A few flaps in finding its body locked, crying angrily with an accusing look towards the cyborg before realizing who had stopped them. That cry whimpering out a bit as Cradle felt Izime intentions.

    Fight! Fight Good!

    I know we could. We can''t.

    I was bad so we can''t fight them.

    "Can one of you take us?" Cradle tilted its head curious as to why the others now looked at it uncomfortably.

    This was how Izime and it had existed since birth, bonding and sharing thoughts and self. Why should it be weird for Izime''s voice to come out of them both now, they had always been together.

    "I-ah yea mate sure thing lemme just..." Constantinople quickly took of his protective trenchcoat, balling it up as he crouched. Trying to sneak up on the bird that had just asked to be carried.

    "Just pick us up Constantinople,"

    "Come here now, no..."

    "Just drop the coat dude."

    "Shite too! That thing''s bloody vicious!"

    "No shit you''re scaring Cradle!"

    "Oh, for gods'' sake Constanople. Come here Cradle" Psyis walked over and knelt, holding one arm out with her elbow bent level, giving it a shake hoping Cradle would simply fly over. The bird glaring at her for a moment as if considering who it''d like to fight more, Constantinople''s coat or her arm.

    "It''s me, the coat, or the stasis chamber mister, pick one." Psyis tried again, assuming Izime''s silence meant he was trying to convince the raven to perch on her arm as well. Reaching out she patter her forearm hoping tha��OH GODS HERE IT COMES!

    "AHH!" Psyis whipped her head back, slipping and falling on her butt as the bird''s metal wings brushed against her face.

    Heart hammering expecting blood to be pouring out, instead only feeling an odd soft tickle from the black razor metal, "Thats a good bird."

    Psyis tried to dust herself off as if that would return any of the dignity her cheeks had stamped onto the floor with that spill. Glancing over at Ret who was similarly just as disheveled as her now apologetically she explained.

    "Sorry Ret, I''ll get you a buffing pad this year." Psyis gestured towards the scuffs her powers had left on the super-strong metal-man. "We just kind of figured you weren''t going to go along with it."

    "That''s him?" Ret-Borg pulled his shoulder-laser back, looking between Psyis and Constantinople before finally settling his eyes on the black winged bird that perched on her silver arm. "Is he, are they really going to go to a cell? Just like that."

    Ret glanced at the bird he''d briefly admired wondering just what it was, what both of them were. The animal giving an occasional flap as it looked around the room, occasionally settling its eyes on him angrily. The cyborg unsure if it was the animal, the man or both that were directing their ire towards him.

    Either way he''d feel more comfortable once they were both in lock-up.

    "We''re gonna fix his real body first but after, yea that''s the plan. His plan..." Psyis nodded running a hand gently over Cradles back. Feeling the tiny talons pricking at her arm as it tensed still in front of Ret she wanted to explain quickly. "I think you can call the league here in a bit just don''t cause the same freak out Dark Night did, Izime''s coming in on his own this time."

    "Ready?" Psyis asked, Cradle not looking at her. The thessian feeling the affirmative from the way the birds head bodded and rotated to look down the hall towards the medical ward, "Let''s go wake Izime up."

    Psyis walking down the empty halls with Constantinople behind her. Confident that any warnings would come from Cradle or Izime as they currently owned Savior Orbital.

    Passing through various other wings and modules until she finally arrived at the same medical room, she''d decided to switch sides in. Izime''s body still laying there, the monitors beeping steadily as various tubes and I''V.s supported it.

    "Do we need to do anything?" Constantinople suspected they''d need to. Most super level restorative means had to have the more common medical accompaniments removed. The various hoses, needles, tubes and other apparatus of modern man and not mystical marvel.

    "Pull everything and then you might want to leave." Cradle and Izime hoped from Psyis arm, landing on the rail of the medical bed. Izime finishing with a warning that it''d be best to exit the room while Cradle worked. "It''s a little macabre."

    "I''ve seen some things mate; I''ll stick around to see you wake up." Constantinople waved his hand not really carry what Cradle had to do to bring Izime back. Thinking he''d at least get to see how it happened this time, he stood aside for Psyis.

    "I''m staying I.." Psyis tried to think of a reason. White brows furrowing as purple and blue switched about on her face. Psyis glanced at the bird resting on her arm, quickly deciding it''d be best to say less.

    Not wanting a repeat of overstepping herself like last night still regretting opening her mouth at all she simply finished. Excusing her own attendance simply saying, "I''m staying."

    "OK, pull the plug." Izime and Cradle both looked towards the currently lifeless body on the bed directing the two with opposable thumbs to get to work.

    Psyis carefully and tenderly unwrapping his shoulder while Constantinople gingerly picked at a piece of tape holding the I.V. in.

    Gray talons tapping back and forth on the metal bed frame as time passed slowly.

    Izime watching as Psyis unflinchingly pulled the breathing tube from his mouth, Constantinople still picking at that same piece of tape.

    A few more moments and Psyis was removing the various taped on sensors of monitoring equipment, Constantinople was still occupied with that piece of tape.

    "Just rip the stuff out Cradles just going to..." Izime start to order them around. Getting impatient he hopped onto the bed sheets, trying to hurry them.

    The fierce look they''d received convincing even Cradle to hop back. "OK OK! Take your time jeeze!"

    Psyis rolling her eyes at Constantinople who was still glaring at Izime''s lack of care for his own wellbeing, ironically enough for the cancer riddled exorcist.

    Still the two did pick up the pace a bit, it would only be so long before someone caught on that Savior Orbital had been hijacked. The last bit of bandage coming off Izime''s chest as Constantinople finally managed to get the tape off. Psyis reaching across and quickly but delicately pulling the needle free.

    "Wake me up quick buddy." Izime pet Cradle fondly through his bond, nervously anticipating awakening once more in the human form. Immediately planning to demand a drink, just as soon as he had walked that body down the hall to the cell waiting for him.

    Izime leapt from the bird to the near dead.

    The two watched as Cradles blue scanning light took in Izime on the bed, a slight shimmer passing from the bird to the body as the intellect passed over.

    The raven giving the two heroes in the room a look before moved to start, wanting a fresh sample to begin Izime''s rebuild. The raven quickly hopping over and pecking at its owner, Psyis and Constantinople both paling. The absence of the medical equipment''s noise only highlighting the noise as the metal tore in.

    Blacken razors delicately carving in as the bird tore chunks of Izime''s face. Fresh blood pouring out as the black head tilted back each of those pink and bloody strips vanishing down its throat.

    "I oh gods."

    "Thats..ok it is so disturbing."

    Cradle tilted its head at the two''s complaints, Izime had warned them once already.

    Besides this was best accomplished in the truly sterile environment inside the techno-beast. Creating a fresh batch of purpose built nanites was a delicate task after all. If you were making something that could carry parts of atoms then you needed to get all of the pesky molecules out of the way before you started building.

    The bits of Izime in it quickly getting worked over and examined.

    Task oriented nanites being created that were designed to improve on the original design completed by Bell. Cradle once again adding a few of its own improvements through the many thousands of various elements and technologies it had eaten since Izime''s last iteration.

    Finally having a crop full of the oily black nanites that would rebuild its bond and restore Izime to an even higher function Cradle brought them back up. Wings flapping as its gullet cramped dumping two thick slops of black nanites on Izime''s chest.

    The piles quickly sloughing away in a wash of red clumps before dispersing as they went about their tasks. The un-bandaged arm quickly forming chains of the microscopic bots that built muscle, bone, and nerve, tiny bridges between stretching to form new tendons. Tearing open the healed skin, cauterized wounds and frost-burnt areas to start over anew.

    Cradle pacing nervously on Izime''s chest simply out of care and worry, eyes scanning beneath the skin as the bots repaired Izime''s lungs and decayed tissues. Slipping between the cells to find the hole his ribs had punched, tiny manipulators quickly assembling more of the soft bits, restoring function once more.

    Years of healing and therapy passing over in just a few minutes as its bonds form was restored to a better than new state.

    The blue light returning as the robotic bird checked on the minor strength enhancements it had made, the slightly denser muscle fibers and metal lattice bone structure should help.

    Especially seeing as Izime had come back reeking of that filthy overpowered Thessian crowess. Cradle feeling all the bits of Purple still dripping through Izime''s side of the bond. As data Izime''d probably managed the sultry attacks the trashy crowess had attempted to make. In this body he''d need more help if he wanted to fend off the stronger female.

    The raven pacing protectively wanting to make sure that the pheromone riddled interloper didn''t try and steal its family as soon as he woke. Cradle came first!

    "IZ! I! ME!" Cradle crying out as a familiar but new arm rose from the bed to hold it, black wings flapping against a healed chest in the best imitation of a hug the bird could offer, "IZ! IZ! IZ!"

    "I''m back. Thank you Cradle," Izime stroked carefully stroked Cradle, holding the bird against his body as he felt that oddly warm metal full of life welcome him back. Looking up at the other two who had helped bring him back to the breathing. "And you two as well. Thanks for being the best friends and going against the League for me while it lasted."

    Izime started to stand realizing immediately he probably shouldn''t. Just that little movement had sent hundreds of familiar warning signals through his body. First his body felt weak as hell, second it was obvious from the feeling of the bed sheets he wasn''t wearing pants.

    Izime closing his eyes and taking a moment to let his nerves throw their little riots, hands pressing into the blankets.

    The process of jump starting the human body no less stressful on this fleshy pink form than any other. The damage was repaired sure but tell that to all the nerves he''d activated as soon as he''d left Cradle. The ghost pains slowly possessing his whole body but mostly his chest and new arm, Izime taking a moment to adjust to this old body''s new sensations.

    "I uh, look I know I said I''d walk down to the cells, but can I get some clothes first?" Izime blushed a bit as he glanced underneath the hospital beds blanket recognizing the typical open back hospital gown.

    Looking up feeling the familiar and unfamiliar in this new-again body. Izime asked for something to eat as some sensations were still absent, "and some food I''m starving, probably?"

    Izime looked at the two who''d just watched his body being rebuilt and their pale faces. It was likely a good thing he didn''t feel any sort of appetite, or he''d have lost his as well. Apparently, the idea of food being the last thing that was crossing either Psyis or Constantinople''s minds.

    A low grumble building confirmed the A.I.''s suspicions on his body.

    Constantinople nodded and left preparing to go get something for his friend to eat. Let the Thessian dress him if she felt like otherwise, he''d grab Izzy an orange jumper afterwards. The exorcist thinking how he''d put a ball and chain on that bird too, if only it''d not eat it. Giving Ret a nod and a smile as he passed.

    "Is?" Ret-Borg paused pointing down the hall towards the only room with the door open, two voices coming out. The silver metallic hand extended in question, unsure if taking a shot from Miss Psyis had actually been worth it. The whole thing was already over, the cyborg figuring he couldn''t have missed all that much.

    "Aye, my mates back and hungry." Constantinople nodded pulling one hand free, gesturing behind him towards the door as he walked by Ret.

    Explaining further Constantinople turned trying to remember which way the cafeteria was. "Wants to get locked up in something that''s at least got a zipper if you could grab something my build but the thessian''s height?"

    The exorcist giving a nod as he saw a sign pointing towards the League mealtime facilities he headed off. Constantinople catching Ret looking into the room as he rounded the corner.

    The massive mechanical cyborg timidly standing as he leaned around the doorframe. The man on the bed gave a slight wave as Ret''s shiny half-skull gave him away. His longer hair down and a bit messy across his shoulder as Miss Psyis acted a bit unusually, fussing about him.

    Ret blinked, uncomfortable with the nonchalant friendliness of the stranger. The cyborg finally walked into the room giving him a wary glance, Ret now aware of the possible risk.

    "Hey Ret." Izime gave a weak wave, catching the chrome shining as it peeked inside.

    Psyis stepped back looking to see who''d entered, no longer pulling at the covers uselessly as they waited on food. Finding the cyborg, she''d left still half-winded and scratched up in the Stasis Chamber entering Izime''s room.

    The woman wishing Izime would at least allow the heroes to introduce themselves. Maybe not just like he had her, but it was more polite than just walking over other members of the League.

    "You''ll get used to it Izime knows everyone." The thessian hoped Ret would let the lack of introduction not bother him as Izime welcomed him in. Red eyes looking away quickly as Ret gave her a questioning look Psyis deciding to step in on Izime''s behalf and start explaining the attitude, "Even sassed Dark Night so don''t take it personally if he''s just saying hi."

    Both Izime and Psyis knowing that if the League took anything personally it wouldn''t be that.

 Never Leave Your A.I. Unattended

    "I, uh, guess that explains this mess. So," Ret-Borg nodded at Psyis who had glossed over Izime''s introductions. It was pretty clear that the man''s nonchalant attitude had rubbed Dark Night the wrong way. The cyborg asking Izime a question while he kept watching Psyis curious as to who''d answer, "Do I contact everyone now or?"

    Unsure of how to respond Psyis glanced down at Izime. Though it did make her feel a bit uncomfortable to do so. Ret easily able to tell just how much control Izime had over the situation as he answered for his supposed wardens.

    "You can. I''m just waiting for some food, that I.V. drip was worse than a caloric-cube." Izime nodded at Ret surprised that the two heroes were even bothering to ask. Izime figuring that Ret-Borg would have contacted someone as soon as they''d left him in the stasis chamber. Though it appeared that Ret had a bit more patience or understanding than that.

    "And some clothes?" Psyis asked, glancing at the portion of Izime that was still under the sterile hospital white blankets.

    "Yea I''d rather not go into League lock-up wearing this." Izime chuckled a bit as he responded. Glancing up at the thessian as another thought crossed his mind, asking her quickly. "Is there some tech scrap laying around?"

    "Cradle needs to eat to; it doesn''t need to be nice or high-tech it can be civilian." Izime asked Psyis before turning towards Ret-Borg who''d probably have a better idea of what the station had in excess. "Even basic RAM is fine."

    "I can go down and get something?" Psyis offered, it wouldn''t be any trouble to fly down to snag something from a computer shop once the station was passing over the sun-side of earth. The station circling quickly in orbit she''d just need to wait until they were over a continent where the stores were open.

    "I''d appreciate it, or Cradle would." Izime nodded offering his thanks on Cradles behalf. Reaching out and brushing at the bird that''d just brought him back to life.

    "I''ll head out here in a little bit OK Cradle?" Psyis leaned down a bit, glancing at the raven who was probably as hungry as its owner. The thessian offering a few words to tide the creature over until she could go and get it some food as well. Red eyes watching as Izime''s pale hand ran through the black alloy.

    Ret-Borg stood still, waiting for the two to remember they weren''t alone. The cyborg making several conclusions about the two and confirming his suspicions from earlier. The thessian in front of him seemed to be taken in with this Izime. Enough so that she''d attacked Ret relying on Izime to call out the shots. Not just in attacking the station seeing how quickly the alien had neutralized the cyborgs weapons.

    Ret not quite sure how he felt about his fellow league member trusting someone outside their group enough to leave that kind of decision in their hands.

    Even less sure how he felt about Izime being right.

    Each attack from the thessian had simply clipped a connection or unlatched a hose de-powering each weapon painlessly.

    "Ret how long will it take for Radiation Man to get here?" Psyis pulled her eyes away as she felt Ret-Borg''s discomfort building.

    "He''s on his way so ten minutes maybe less, depends on how Leona and the kids are doing. If theres a fire or a plane falling, well you know how Radiation Man gets." Ret-Borg responded, crossing his arms as he had an unspoken conversation with the thessian where Izime couldn''t hear. Only giving a simple answer instead, "He''s on his way."

    "Dark Night?" Psyis asked unbothered by Ret''s prying mind. Confident once again in her own choices, Psyis stood beside Izime refusing to leave friends side just because another League member felt uncomfortable.

    "A little longer," Ret shrugged giving a not really committing to a response in the real question. He hadn''t contacted the man, but Stan had certainly noticed when the call went out for James, so he''d left regardless. The cyborg gave the thessian her odds straight up as a fifty-fifty of fate, "it takes a bit for the Dark-Jet to make it up here but he''s also not as prone to pit-stops."

    "OK I''m going to stick around for a bit until I know who''s showing first." Psyis decided after hearing Ret''s thoughts. Not wanting to run the risk of Dark Night trying to undo all the work they''d done.

    Not that doing anything drastic would go over well for Stan. Izime was behaving perfectly fine even if he was still treating the League a bit too casually considering his position.

    "Got some pork rinds, cookies, and a couple biscuits!" Constantinople called out as he walked back into the room, jerking a thumb over his shoulder as soon as he saw the two red eyes locking onto him.

    The exorcist not wanting to be caught slacking by the thessian he quickly offered an excuse for the lack of proper food. "The kitchens closed by the way."

    "Clothes Constantinople?" Izime asked the exorcist, mind more focused on dressing properly after the purple woman had reminded him of his nearly bare butt under the covers.

    "Right, here''s a bit of something before lock up," The exorcist nodded at this friend while giving Ret a bit of side-eye.

    The exorcist wondering just why he was being used as the gopher when there was a perfectly good Ret-Borg standing there doing nothing. Constantinople having asked once already for Ret to go and get Izime some clothes.

    Constantinople not bothering to complain, instead just lodging a mental ticket with the psychic as he left with a nod, "I''ll be back with the jumper."

    Psyis watched as Izime quickly opened a few of the bags of snacks, stuffing his face. Chewing through the bits of cookies and chips that his friend had brought. Reaching out and taking a sip of the drink as well Izime looked around the room.

    Teal eyes landing on Ret, the cyborg and Savior Orbital watchman a bit unsure of what to do with the man. The cyborg''s two charges both seemed to be pleasantly enjoying their stay at the moment.

    Ret watching as another handful of chips were stuffed down and washed away with the exorcists prized liquor.

    "Do we not have rations?" Psyis huffed in disappointment as she turned towards the cyborg asking about some proper food for Izime.

    "I think he''s fine Psyis." Ret-Borg sarcastically gestured towards Izime on the bed not quite willing to run around the station like Constantinople. The cyborg feeling a bit peeved at how the prisoner was being treated. "Look at him chips and bourbon?"

    "Yea let''s just pack the malnutrition''ed man full of junk food and alcohol." Psyis tried to put things into perspective for the mechanized man. The thessian hoping the hands that she''d put on her hips didn''t come across as bossy and more as reprimanding.

    "I am right here." Izime glanced up at the two heroes that were casting sparks in the air as they fumed over his treatment. The A.I. quickly grasping both sides of how the two seemed to feel and not caring a single bit. Deciding instead to try and speak up, and over the food in his mouth.

    One Izime quickly closed as Psyis turned on him now instead.

    "I know and you''re not complaining I-" Psyis started in on Izime until she realized how familiar her tone had gotten. Close as well, Psyis only realizing she''d acted out of character after seeing the surprise on Izime''s face. Pulling away from him now, sitting the bag of chips she''d just snatched from his hands back down.

    Magenta hinting her cheeks a bit as she turned away far more comfortable in chastising Ret-Borg, "Go find some real food please, not just get distracted by the vending machines outside of the cafeteria. I don''t care if it''s something from the emergency rations in the vehicles."

    Ret-Borg nodded no longer arguing as he considered what Constantinople had just fed the man.

    Though that was Constantinople''s usual attitude with his injured comrades. The man had probably just wanted to give his friend a bunch of junk food as a get-well gift.

    The cyborg certainly not considering the way Psyis was acting as he left the hospital room.

    Ret took a different path instead just deciding to pull some rations from one of the vehicles in the bay.

    Dark Night could bill Miss Psyis later for using their personal supplies on a prisoner; that''d teach her to order him around.

    Back in the sterile room Psyis stood quietly, slightly gobsmacked at just how she''d been acting. Jumping Ret over the food Constantinople had gotten and acting so defensively over Izime.

    She wasn''t oblivious, Psyis knew where that attitude had come from.

    The place that anger had leapt from wasn''t bad per-say, just very complicated. Well intended at first that little snap was the first sign that she needed to really start sorting her feelings on Izime. The thessian moving well past her cape, starting to feel personally protective of Izime.

    She didn''t need to ask why as the way was sitting in the bed quietly munching away with his pet bird.

    Cradle hopped a bit closer to the thessian watching as she directed the others to ensure that its bond was cared for properly. She was right the chips Izime was eating along with the oddly enchanted grain liquor weren''t optimal for his recovery. The magic seemed to be aiding in restoring some of its bond''s vitality, but food was best.

    The crowess still refusing to provide anything on her own though so Cradle hopped over, making sure to carefully fan her scent away from Izime. Quickly hopping back as she reached down to pet its head nearly tainting it directly as Cradle narrowly avoided the attack. Not wanting to be touched by such a fickle female Cradle turned and returned to Izime''s side, hopping just a few inches awayThe narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    "She''ll get you food here in a minute Cradle." Izime brushed at Cradles breast nudging the raven, watching as the larger flat black feathers split to reveal the nanite down underneath.

    Glad to once again have the true sense of touch and sight Izime enjoyed the moment as Cradle threaded its beak between his fingers, eyes closing gently and croaking softly. A bit curious as to why the bird was being so overly affectionate but happy to supply the attention. Cradle so content in its nuzzling it wasn''t aware of the purple and blue hand that was delicately stroking its back.

    "How are you feeling now," Psyis asked, one finger poking beneath the black metal feathers as she asked Izime.

    Red eyes glancing about the bird and bed but not the owner of the other hand that was petting the bird, the beds occupant. "Better than last night?"

    "I''ve had a remarkable recovery." Izime kept brushing at Cradles cheeks, the bird fluffing itself occasionally. Avoiding the occasional affectionate peck as well as the thessians question, "Rumors of my death will sadly always be greatly exaggerated, though this was a closer call than normal."

    "It''s a normal thing for you?" Psyis decided to not touch on Izime''s casual response. That wasn''t her place to speak on. The Thessian instead speaking up on something that she did want to speak about. Psyis trying to approach opening up the topic of her and those complicated feelings about Izime like an adult, "It wasn''t for me, it was surprisingly scary watching you almost die."

    "Maybe my fourth time will be the charm huh?" Izime chuckled trying to wash away the invitation for a more complicated conversation with his gallows humor and the offer of a favor. The transactional A.I. trying to cut a deal with the psychic isnted, "Once I''m back in business, I''ll owe you one."

    "I didn''t do all of this so you''d owe me Izime and we don''t even know if you''ll go back yet." Psyis pulled her hand back. A bit confused at Izime repeated dodged her attempts at initiating a more personal discussion.

    Every single time she tried to open that book Izime slammed it back shut.

    "Izime about last night," Blue cheeks puffing with purple, Psyis decided to dive in directly. Building all her courage to the point it''d dyed her skin. "If you wanted, we could go to the mo-"

    Only to be stopped at the edge of no return; red eyes looking up as the door to the medical bay was pushed open.

    "Not interrupting, am I?" The slightly shorter Constantinople looking between the two not bothering to stop at the door, well aware he was.

    The exorcist intent on interrupting Izime before he''d swindled Psyis into the same kind of deal that only had Izime visiting him once every two years. Constantinople intending to keep doing so as well, until the chaotic hearted thessian decided to stick to one side of the fence.

    "No, we-thanks for the jumper, Constantinople." Psyis felt the words die in her throat as the exorcist chastised her in his mind. Not arguing as this was the second time it''d been pointed out in less than ten mintures.

    Instead of continuing she just nodded towards the prison outfit in the exorcist''s hands letting Constantinople take the lead.

    "Orange Classique" Constantinople let the jumpsuit unfurl, the legs smacking the white floor while the zipper jingled.

    The exorcist looking between the two who''d been fondling the raven as he joked, "I think that''s what they call this color in France while I was in it; only the best for you Izzy. Now finish eating so we can get you down to holding, we don''t want anyone thinking you''re gonna pull a runner."

    Izime nodded pushing the hospital table away and stood to reach for the orange jumpsuit.

    Izime immediately regretting his decision as it''d given Psyis a full view of the diaper he was wearing. An unfortunate side-effect of being in a medically induced coma on life-support, at least someone had changed it recently.

    Izime quickly grew even more mortified as he imagined thanking Ret; reaching behind him Izime quickly ushered Psyis out of the room.

    Constantinople finding himself shoved into the hall shortly after.

    Constantinople looking over at the magenta that tinted the purple and blue cheeks, Psyis'' pattern swapping about a bit quicker than normal. A smile forming even as complicated as he felt watching the two get along. The exorcist posing a quick question towards the Thessian that smile not quite leaving despite his tone.

    "Just friends, right?" Constantinople walked backwards until he was leaning against the wall in the hallway blue eyes never leaving red. The question ending more as an accusation that a honest inquiry. "Nothing we need to talk about?"

    "No..I mean yea were just friends I-I," Psyis stumbled as she tried to honestly answer Constantinople''s worries. The thessian failing as even she realized how flimzy her denial sounded.

    Red eyes glancing back towards the room where Izime was changing as Psyis finally found an honest answer, "I don''t know Constantinople, Izime makes it..."

    "Complicated I know." The exorcist nodded already well aware of just how influential Izime could feel in a life from personal experience. The salesman had easily lessened Constantinople''s own workload with just a simple idea.

    Let alone what Psyis must feel, between the two''s obvious chemistry and the way she''d literally dived into who Izime was. The woman not usually so easily read, but there were now very obvious signs. She''d been hooked by something she''d found or felt during those few days.

    The exorcist already well aware of just how badly the road those hot feeling lead down could hurt. Constantinople having taken that drive many times. More than a few of those exes would sooner see him burning in hell than even speak to him again. The con-magician not wanting that outcome or anything similar to happen to his two friends.

    "Especially seeing as you still have a thing with Steven, and you were just making eyes at my toaster." Constantinople voiced his own opinions on the issue.

    Trying to sternly police the emotions that seemed to fly between the two, "He just got out of a coma and doesn''t need you dumping that in his lap, and he''s certainly not going to be your bloody rebound for a Blane."

    "No, I don''t Constantinople that ended months a-" Psyis started to refute until her own voice came hauntingly from Constantinople''s mind.

    His memory playing clearly the rejection from just a few days prior where she''d used the same excuse to refuse him. The words that hadn''t left her mouth tasting like an even worse reason to backpedal on that choice now.

    The thessian furrowing her own brows as the exorcist staked his own claim.

    Psyis even finding the guts to defend herself as she tried to keep some semblance of a chance on the table, "Toaster? Yours specifically now I guess seeing as you know how I feel. Izime wouldn''t be a rebound from Steven Constantinople, I can be genuinely interested."

    "Just a few days ago you were too tied up to move on," Constantinople nodded not caring how Psyis felt about him stepping between the two.

    The exorcist hoping he could at least keep things in some kind of perspective that wasn''t entirely rose tinted. "So, yea, my bloody toaster."

    "Don''t get upset with me for saying no now when you said it first," With a bit more bluntness than he''d intended the con-magician sat Psyis back on her heels.

    Shaking his head the exorcist gestured back towards the closed door where his friend was changin hoping she''d be understanding, "I introduced you two with the intention of putting that stupid idea in your heads."

    "All kinds of eggs came tumbling out of the cart Dark Night tipped, so yea that''s my bloody toaster until otherwise stated because this isn''t over." Jim casually laying out all the things that made the situation complicated beyond just the chemistry between the two.

    "I invited him to drinks, I''m the one who gave both of you that push," Constantinople explaining just why he felt so comfortable taking up that position, "What''s worse is at the end I left thinking Dark would just forget about it. I already feel some kind of responsible about anything that happens now, let alone between you two specifically."

    "Lass listen, I just want to know you''re both thinking clearly and you genuinely care." Constantinople took a step back verbally not wanting Psyis to completely back-off Izime.

    "I knew my mate was interesting, but he deserves more than passing interest," Jim hoping that the thessian would understand what he meant with his next words, "Steven was interesting: an interesting choice for sure. Izime''s not just a choice you get to make, you two deserve lot more just than interesting."

    "I just wanted t-" Psyis nodded enthusiastically trying to explain. She felt the emotions that were wrapped up in the exorcist''s words as an appetizer.

    What he saw of them, those emotions that feeling of care being what she''d been trying to find.

    That''s what she''d wanted to, what she''d left Kansas for, what she couldn''t grow within Steven.

    The exorcist only confirming to the lone thessian that behind the door was a man who had a depth that could forge her bond.

    Taking a steadying breath Psyis slowed her nod as she saw Jim''s shit eating smile.

    Knowing his words and her reaction were all the evidence needed to prove she needed to slow down. Stepping back for just a moment was the healthier and correct choice. It was less selfish, and she could feel inside that Constantinople was right.

    It would be better for Izime, that time and space shared with her just being in.

    Psyis confident that it was enough to open the door to the conversations he''d shut down.

    She could wait, even if it was still emotionally driven. Then she could try and open up both herself and Izime to this new possibility. The chance she''d been looking for, that something different would be worth the wait.

    "Let''s take a breather OK, I''m not even the one who can really say no but I''m sure Izime needs one; he''s going to take one regardless. Besides everything you think you feel, consider the whiplash he''s feeling." Jim smiled giving Psyis a comforting rub on her arm.

    The thessian looking a bit like an alien who''d had their candy stolen.

    The exorcist taking that calm moment to point out the more personal problem''s the two would face immediately. Quickly adding an addendum. "Factor in you''re wanting to snog a prisoner"

    Though it wouldn''t be the first time a hero had been caught inter-mingling it was usually frowned upon.

    Frowning would be the least of it though, if it was Dark Squire who heard about it.

    The already volatile sidekick would certainly blow a fuse or a flip a whole breaker if he got wind of Psyis new interest.

    "I don''t want to snog Izime." Psyis refuted immediately. Though she did quickly look away as the image played through Constantinople''s mind.

    Already feeling her cheeks tint a bit at the exorcist''s vivid imagination.

    "Hey, Izzy obviously doesn''t hate you which is surprising, and he''s perfectly snoggable. I still think you''d do well which is why I''m not letting you two ruin this, just putting the brakes on for you both." Constantinople didn''t bother pointing out how weak that refusal sounded.

    Just stating that Izime was so far as receptive towards her advances.

    Hoping that was all the push she''d need to hold the course.

    The two could then keep trying to progress down that route. "That in there is a solid start considering everything that''s happened, once he''s out of the Leagues hands maybe then we step back in? I want to get him off the streets, we can do tha-"

    "Not interrupting something am I?" Ret-Borg asked as he rounded the corner, a few sealed packages in his arms. The tan utilitarian plastic making it obvious he''d found the M.R.E''s.

    "Yeah Ret, ya bloody are but too late ah?" Jim didn''t bother with lying to the walking spy satellite. The exorcist hoping that Miss Psyis'' fellow League member would at least allow things to play out naturally, "Do us a favor and keep anything those sensors of yours picked up to yourself."

    "Give me a thousand pounds and I''ll make sure Dark Squire never sees the footage of whatever I just missed in that room." Ret raised a brow, wrapping the orange jumpsuit around the meals he raised and arm.

    A small panel flicking open displaying what the cyborg had missed, Ret''s chromed brows raising in mock surprise. "Oh he would not like that."

    "Don''t bloody push it mate." Constantinople cursed even as he reached into his pocket hoping he still had some money left over.

    "Ret please." Psyis just looked at the half-man hoping he''d at least be more human than to blackmail her over this, let alone to put Izime in Dark Squire''s path.

    "Here, like I needed the video footage to know or even this chat in the hallway." Ret shoved the handful of preserved meals still sealed in their plastic wrapping at the exorcist as he complained about Psyis'' attack. "You cheap shot me over the man''s pet bird."

    "I said I''d get you a buffer." Psyis tried to remind Ret of the reparations she''d offered before reiterating to the two she shared the hallway with, "and it''s not like that we''re just friends."

    The silence in the hallway dragging on for a moment.

    Both the other heroes giving her a look so grating that Psyis spoke back up doubling down, "We''re just friends I''m not attracted to Izime at all, what-so-ever got it."

    "Mmm well Radiation Man''s going to want a full explanation," Ret-Borg didn''t bother with adding in his own two cents as it wasn''t him, she''d need to convince. "See if you can get him to believe that."

    "He''s here?" Asked Psyis, taking in a nervous breath as she looked down the hall towards the docking bay where Radiation Man would have landed. The psychic briefly wondering where the Zexxian had gone instead of Izime''s room before deciding she''d find James later to talk.

    "In the viewing bay." Ret shook his head jerking his thumb over his shoulder not bothering to look down the hall as his handed down Radiation Man''s orders, "Waiting on both of you and our newest prisoner now that he''s awake."

    Ret tilting his head a bit, looking pointedly between the exorcist and the door to Izime''s room. Hoping he made it clear that the exorcist should go check on his friend as the two actual League members needed to have a chat.

    "I''ll see if he''s dressed then." Constantinople nodded at Psyis and Ret, the cyborg seemed to want a moment to talk to the psychic alone. The exorcist giving a heavy sigh already dreading dealing with the boy-scout hero as he headed into the room where Izime was waiting, "Izzy?"

    Ret-Borg and Psyis stood waiting until Jim had walked away the door shutting.

    "I won''t say anything." Ret-Borg tried to start the talk Psyis needed to have. The cyborg not surprised by the childish refusal that came from her.

    James was essentially like Psyis'' family so she would think he was the better option to talk to. Ret stepping in now because he didn''t think that the Kansas man would but a firm foot down. The cyborg wanting to quickly disarm the possible problem that the two could turn into.

    Despite his joking nature Ret had zero interest in having a drama bomb of that magnitude released. Dark Squire and Miss Psyis'' issues aside, it was a conflict of interest as a member of the League. The thessian already compromising herself just in joining in the assault on the station.

    She didn''t need to put ''emotionally'' right beside it by trying to jump into a relationship with their current prisoner.

    "So, time to go see Ja-" The thessian quickly tried to change the subject. Psyis honestly thinking that it''d be easier to hear this from Radiation Man. It''d certainly be easier to explain at least. James always seemed more open to hearing the human side of the issues she had with dawning her cape.

    Psyis not surprised to find Ret-Borg not having any of it in comparison. The cyborgs metal arm reaching out to stop her even though she''d yet to move. Psyis quietly wondering just how many other heroes would be pulling her off to the side like this. Thankfully none of them had tried doing anything really dumb.

    She might actually feel irritated if they started talking about Izime like a criminal or trying to push her back to Steven.

    At the moment their worry was understandable enough, both Constantinople''s and Ret''s so far. Just as long as the cyborg kept his issue with her possible attraction towards Izime on a professional level.

    Psyis not wanting to catch grief for a crush she wasn''t even sure she was having yet. Maybe she just cared a whole lot as a friend, or it was just a bit of odd tension and not actual chemistry.

    "You do though unless you want both Dark Squire and Dark Night going against you in the League." Ret cut Psyis off, not wanting any part of the potential drama that her choice could kick off.

    Firmly putting a metal foot down on the situation, hoping she''d at least listen to him as a neutral party, "Do this right Psyis, I don''t want to see you kicked for having an obvious conflict of interest."

    Ret giving a nod of appreciation at the friendly and understanding smile Psyis offered him. The metal man glad that the thessian was willing to try and follow the barest guidelines for starting this kind of relationship.

    The cyborg deciding quickly that he''d not feel one way or the other about whatever became of Steven and Psyis or this new potential match with Izime.

    Though the sounds of panic and the way the door to Izime''s room came bursting open told Ret that this wouldn''t be the last time this particular prisoner caused him problems.

    "Izzy? This isn''t funny mate we had a deal!" Constantinople came bursting out of the apparently empty medical room. Eyes wide as he turned towards Psyis, yelling out in explanation. "He''s GONE!"

 Cornered With a Place to Call Home

    Izime walked down the hall, not quite sure he was heading the right way as he arrived at another T-intersection. Teal eyes watching as Cradles head tilted to look down the hall to the right, Izime nodded turning to walk the direction his bond had chosen. Pulling another pretzel stick from the back, it quickly joined the four already in Izime''s puffed cheek. Working the cheaply baked mush to the side he unscrewed the top off the orange juice Cradle had acquired from the vending machine.

    Constantinople hadn''t actually lied; the dining galley was actually closed. So Izime had decided to wander off in search of another place within the sprawling station. The entire thing ridiculously designed like some toy top and still somehow managing equal gravity across the whole thing. Izime grinding his teeth a bit as he considered how he''d once thought he was the expert at cheating physics, now in a reality where the rules were written in pencil, and every two-bit chump had an eraser.

    Izime felt his irritation growing as he walked further down the completely unnessecary hallway. The A.I. decided that checking this universe''s math behind the sustained thrust that would be needed to life a single portion of the station''s segments into orbit. It was a shame the mass was a rough guesstimate against his own rulebook so the entire thing was inaccurate.

    Still, it seemed a better use of his resources.

    Better than being upset over the conversation that''d taken place just outside his med-bay door.

    The A.I. not wanting to waste any resources on sorting out just why Psyis'' response was a lie.

    Izime just knew it was.

    Izime and Cradle glancing at one another as the hall they''d chosen seemed to have at last come to an end, the safety rails folding back away into the wall. Before them a massive metal arch engraved with the words ''Hall of Saviors'' in it framed two massive metal doors. Izime smiling wondering how many aboard Bells ring would be pulling out their hair for this chance. Glancing around the edges Izime wondered for a moment how to open the door, stepping forward to try and push the daunting looking slabs of steel. The two doors sliding back with a near noiseless hiss revealing the unlit Hall. The half circle of a room featuring a series of chairs and tables that ringed a lowered dias where the members could plead their cases and make their points.

    Izime stepped in, eyes on the caped figure that was currently looking out the window viewing the planet he''d often defend. Radiation Man standing the dark blue of his suit highlighting the golden R on his chest as he turned. The zexxian giving Izime a glance, Izime''s own eyes filling with information on what James was viewing within him.

    "You recovered quickly." Radiation Man uncrossed his arms, turning away from the guest he''d seen making their way towards him with his X-Ray vision. James warily waiting with hope that this Izime wouldn''t betray his friend''s expectations. "Seems there were some improvements."

    "I had help, otherwise I''d still be beeping away." Izime nodded trying to talk plainly around the multiple remains of pretzel in his mouth. Giving a bit of an accusing glare at the bird who was tampering with the body Bell had gifted him. "And yea, Cradle doesn''t simply revive me this is it''s second iteration of my human form."

    "You don''t seem happy?" James glanced down at the ''man who''d joined him to look out the window, watching as it took several large gulps of orange juice. "Many would consider the improvements worth the tradeoffs."

    "Cradle complicates things," Izime shrugged a bit more comfortable talking about the topic with a being who''d ended several villains that had scaled that same mountain. One that Izime really didn''t want to ascend as physical power was pointless for the A.I. to possess.

    The A.I. quickly painting a picture for Radiation Man on what would happen and how he planned to avoid it, "Or it will eventually. In time I''m hoping it can learn to be understanding towards the essence of the human condition, having a grip of such as death and letting go. I don''t want some absurdly powered physical super-form let alone any sort of functional immortality."

    "Something that would happen eventually." Radiation Man nodded looking back towards Izime a bit surprised at the levelheaded response given, "You seem much more practical than Dark Night made you out to be. I think I owe you an apology for my initial assumptions."

    "It''s fine," Izime waved away Radiation Man''s apology with a pretzel. Izime quickly giving him the footnotes of the talk he''d already had over his understanding nature, "like I explained to Miss Psyis this is a very natural reaction considering everything. As an expert on simulations it''s something I saw coming."

    Radiation Man nodded looking back down towards the planet he loved trying to get a gauge on the man next to him. The swirls of white and dark, the easy-going clouds and those heavy storms. The greens that climbed their way to peaks of white or dipped into barren yellows.

    James might have been a Zexxian but his heart had been forged on those corn fields of Kansas. Earth was home, that cloud swirled sphere of humanity could hold his attention for hours. Sometimes late at night when James couldn''t sleep, he''d tell Leona he was going for a walk.

    That walk inevitably leaving the Kansas raised alien to this same window, though it didn''t appear the view held as much interest for Izime.

    The artificial man seemed much more interested in examining the Zexxian that stood next to him. James wondering if the odd feeling was the same the regular humans felt under his own x-ray vision or under Psyis powers. Radiation Man feeling surprisingly exposed by Izime''s vision.

    "Most are quite impressed with this view." James glanced over finally returning the look, watching as Izime stuffed another pretzel stick into his mouth. James starting to feel as if he was the one being judged simply asked directly, "You seem more interested in me."

    "I''ve seen a thousand different planets." Izime shrugged giving a half-second glance towards earth. Sure, it was nice, but it wasn''t a place he''d been attached to, not even being the earth from his own reality. The A.I. looking back towards the Zexxian as he explained his fascination with the truly alien human-copy. "My reality held zero sentient life aside from humans, so you are more interesting to me, nice as the view is."

    Izime trying to figure out how any of the designs he''d seen here on earth could have arrived without intelligent intent, let alone intelligent design. The far travelled space-salesman had encountered easily two dozen alien species that didn''t share similarities to humans. Some not even having form that could support a bi-pedal bone-structure or any skeleton at all.

    Somehow though it seemed that if your planet was about to go poof and you were human-esque enough you''d arrive on earth somehow. At least enough to be avoid falling into the trap of the Uncanney Valley or being seen as actually alien and causing a panic.

    James Cent being incredibly close to being human, even sharing enough similar D.N.A. to have a child.

    S''rah a shapeshifting Martian could alter herself to fit into any society but lucking into one so accepting.

    Psyis being close enough in form and humanity adaptable enough to adjust to her species-specific issues.

    The A.I. not believing for a second that it was a coincidence. Beginning to wonder if beings like The Reader or The Panel were responsible for this obvious interference. Though it was entirely possible it was an effect of this world being a story, these things happening because they''d been written by the comic artists themselves.

    The A.I. feeling like it was getting closer to some deeper truth. That train of thought was quickly derailed by Radiation Man hitting him below the belt with a personal inquiry.

    "Is that why you decided to take an interest in Miss Psyis?" James had asked the question innocently enough, though it seemed that one question had finally given a pause to Izime''s pretzel genocide.

    A small smile forming on the Zexxian''s face as James enhanced senses not needed to fill him in on just how human this newly discovered A.I. was.

    Izime reacting the same as if James had just asked his son Jimmy if his prom date was the Martian from the younger league.

    The artificial human''s heart rate jumping a bit as his interest in the thessian was casually mentioned. The little details not slipping past those supersenses even though Izime face remained roughly the same, just a bit redder.

    Radiation Man wondering if he''d read into it wrong as that smile didn''t last long. Izime''s heart rate returning to normal in just a moment. James'' lips pulling down as Izime turned away and faced the window looking every bit like James felt when he was making the hard decisions.

    The ones that drew a painful line between who he wanted to be and who the cape represented.

    Izime took a shaky breath, tilting his head to the side until it brushed against Cradle. One of the biggest problems with knowing the whole script was knowing he wasn''t in it. It wasn''t about interest, as interesting as this reality was as interesting as Psyis could be it was about the script. That was just considering the bigger picture not the personal baggage Izime knew he had as a human, then there was the whole A.I. and alien thing...

    "It''s complicated." Izime had decided to just partition that problem into its own little spot on whatever drive the entire file of ''Psyis'' was being written on. Now needing to read and access that information, finding like malware the thessian seemed to have spread outside his security measures.

    The A.I. only offering a shrug as its human side was still very much struggling to find an answer. "She has good intentions but I''m also me."

    "And what are you," Radiation man pried, wanting to know at least a bit of how Izime saw himself. Not really trying to probe into the knowledge of the man but the person who used it. "You hardly seem evil."

    "Once by your standards, I undoubtedly was." Izime replied as he looked through the small bag of pretzels for the best looking one. Finding it he looked back down on the planet below, thinking on the years he''d spent mingling. The seasons spent enjoying what he could with his family. The A.I. not surprised by the answer he''d found, turning to explain to James. "Now? I like being human J..should I address you by name or title?"

    "I would prefer Radiation Man when I''m in uniform." James scratched at the back of his head a bit sheepishly. Izime''s slightly nervous face hadn''t been missed. The A.I. likely worried about suffering the same punishment as last time when he''d addressed Radiation Man by name.

    "OK, I like being human Radiation Man, but I won''t lie to you." Izime decided to clear the air between James and himself. Seeing as the zexxian was trying to take his side, it would be best if James was aware of who he was siding with.

    Izime quickly giving the footnotes of the talk he''d had with Jim and Psyis, "I began my life if you can call it that as a dangerous idea. It''s simple cause and effect, knowing more about me is dangerous. I''d like you to keep that warning in mind when Dark Night tries me in this hall."

    "A dangerous thought, I guess it would be complicated then," Radiation Man nodded, agreeing with the simple assesment. Turning to Izime he had to ask, "If you don''t mind telling me, what makes you think Dark Night wants to take you to trial with the League?"

    "I am going to have to face Dark Night." Izime raised a brow at James idiotic insinuation that Stan wouldn''t be doing everything in his power to drag him down. The salesman more worried about the two heroes who''d filled him in on what to expect from the League, "Don''t take it out on those two for filling me in, they just wanted to help.

    "If the League votes for it, yes. Though all things considered I don''t think we will," Radiation Man didn''t immediately reveal to Izime the efforts he''d gone through to obtain his own information outside of Stan''s searches.

    The zexxian usually tried to give a bit of buildup to these kinds of invitations, "Especially if there''s a better option on the table. It might not seem much different to you in the end though."

    "That is?" Izime narrowed his eyes not quite following Radiation Man. The A.I. still thinking in much more dire terms that the zexxian had intended with his little hint.

    "I may not be as smart as Dark Night in some respects, but I assume you know where my wife works?" Radiation Man figured that Izime would already be aware of how involved James was with the press. Though he wasn''t quite sure if the interplanetary interloper knew how much of that work was still done while wearing the cape.

    "Yea, but what''s the Weekly Globe got to do with this?" Izime asked, lowering his bag of pretzels. The conversation finally becoming more entertaining that seeing how many of the baked sticks he could stuff in his mouth.

    "I did my own digging alongside Leona. My wife''s a bit of a public relations guru, and I don''t think Dark Night would like the bad press Earth would get for arresting you." Radiation Man walked over to one of the tables where the Leagues heroes usually voted.

    Taking a bubbled yellow mailer James pulled out a stapled stack of papers and walked back over. Handing them all to Izime with another hint, "Did you know the Vidan Security Council was willing to not only extradite you, even tried to retroactively grant you citizenship?"

    "What''s this?" Izime asked even as he began to flip through the pages, the A.I. quickly skimming the words.

    "The planets and species that wound up arguing over you, they couldn''t decide on who would get to claim that citizenship, so they just signed an open appeal for your release." Radiation man finally explained what all the signatures and symbols on the first few pages amounted to. The documents already signed and notarized by several galactic lawyers before ever reaching earth proper.

    James flipped back a few pages to point out a slew of signatures, detailing the importance of those words, "There are thirty-seven different species of aliens on that page that would have an issue if we locked you up. Hank thankfully didn''t tell the Zythomian Tribune about the condition you were in at the time, if they had heard about that this petition might have been an open declaration instead."

    "Awful nice of them." Izime flipped the pages closed with a slightly tired sigh trying to hand the folder back, making things clear for Radiation Man. "Not my intention, want to make that very clear."

    Izime cursing inside as his distress call had worked a bit too well. Of course, someone would notice if so many shuttles took off at once. Let alone the fact neither Constantinople nor Psyis had asked what else the quantum entangled signal had triggered.

    "I told them we would discuss it, seeing as Dark Night isn''t just going to let you leave." Radiation Man nodded, not bothering to take the pages. Simply flipping further down the stack and drawing Izime''s attention to the sheets he had added personally. "I want the League to offer you citizenship though that chance comes with some limitations."Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    "Probation?" Izime glanced down assuming that the League would place him in some form of probation, likely a house-arrest on earth.

    "A probationary period could be discussed." "This is more along the lines of ensuring you establish roots here, like the issue of you actually earning a citizenship. Like you said Dark Night isn''t just going to let you leave, I want to convince him this is the home you''ll come back to."

    "You want to take me to Kansas?" Izime asked, more than a bit flabbergasted at the idea of him trying to make do in the cornfields.

    "There are probably a few of people who would like it if you too stayed on earth," Radiation Man knew he was probably touching on a sore spot tying Izime to earth.

    The A.I. likely having very complicated feeling about living and partaking in a society that was a mock-up of his own reality.

    James continuing hoping he could reinforce the more positive aspects of this potential resolution. "Not for the same reasons Dark Night does."

    Radiation Man watched as Izime read through the pages at an absurd speed for a regular human. The zexxian wondering for a moment if that body was a limiter on the A.I.''s potential before shoving the thought aside. James having noticed Izime reaching the more legal portion of the documents that he''d need to fill in.

    "You don''t have to stay in Kansas, but you do need to stay with a League Member." James explained after reading along for a moment as realizing that it was the sponsorship portion of the citizenship paperwork that had him stumped.

    "Constantinople?" Izime narrowed his eyes, taking the blind shot but already figuring he knew the answer.

    "Prefferably with someone who doesn''t have a criminal record, I need to keep Dark Night happy with this." Radiation Man shook his head already knowing that Stan wouldn''t like any of this. Trying to room Izime with the same man he''d been selling in hell with wouldn''t work. James quickly added "If you can''t find someone or don''t know who to ask the League can select someone for you."

    James already having just the person in mind.

    She could use the company after moving to the big city from their small farm.

    "Dark Night isn''t going to let me go that easily." Izime shot back, not quite convinced. Dark Night had burned a lot of his pull within the League to bring him in. It wasn''t something he''d drop so easily, especially seeing as Izime had become somewhat of a stain on the Dark Duo''s capes.

    "He said the same thing about my cousin, and she broke half the stuff in his cave," James laughed though not loudly, recalling all the others that''d gone through this same process. The zexxian explaining that his cousin had a good life now, "she lives in Middle City now but I think you already know that."

    It was certainly going to be a tough talk to have but Stan couldn''t just do as he pleased. The League was designed for moments like this when the other heroes needed to step in. Be it in the name of justice, equality, or like now when a hero was going astray.

    Izime looked down at the yellow folder in his hand before glancing back up at the unearthly piercing blues of the Zexxian.

    Recalling a conversation he''d once had about the use of the overpowered Zexxian in a heroe focused society. Realizing that from this side the Kansas raised hero''s blind faith was sometimes really nice.

    It sometimes bit Earth in the ass too, but right now; it was a true life-saver.

    Radiation Man looked at the rather rough looking man, knowing Izime''s body was a bit younger than his own. Wondering if his offer was tempting enough to convince the human that preferred the galaxy and its spread of species to stay on earth.

    Judging by Izime''s reaction though?

    James already figured that Jack and himself would be teaching another off-worlder the aspects of being human, a Cent family specialty.

    James glad that he''d have something to look forward beyond hearing that constant crunch from the A.I.

    Izime stuffed the pretzel he''d been holding into his mouth, once again opening the yellow folder. Flipping through much more slowly this time to actually read through the many many paragraphs. Not sure how he felt reading the meaningless legal mumbo-jumb that littered the now wasted white paper. He felt happy mostly so there was no real explanation on why his throat kept tightening.

    Covering his hand with the back of his hand, Izime tried to get the pretzel to go down so he could talk.

    "Got a pen?" Izime managed to ask after swallowing, his throat a tightening still as emotions swam.

    Moments like there were supposed to be a big thing right!

    Then why did it feel a bit anticlimactic as if something was missing?

    "Right here," Radiation Man patted Izime on the shoulder, pulling a pen he''d had tucked somewhere on his suit.

    The two moving off towards one of the tables in the hall to fill the pages out as quickly as possible.

    The sooner this was done the faster James could start pulling Dark Night''s hands away from controlling Izime''s life.

    The scratch of pen on paper filled the grand hall as James helped Izime, the Zexxian already very familiar with the process of naturalization. Both of them pausing a bit tense as the door to the hall slid open once more.

    James breathing a bit easier when he realized the two entering weren''t the Dark Duo. Instead, a fringe of white was leading a man with a trenchcoat into the room.

    "Bloody hell Izzy." Constantinople cursed walking forward quickly in his worry.

    "Told you." Psyis said as she calmly kept walking forward, her head tilting curiously. Sending a few quick thoughts towards her adoptive uncle of sorts, brows raising as the zexxian responded.

    "Hey Constantinople, Psyis" Izime looked up gesturing with his pen before continuing to fill out the forms.

    "You''ve found Radiation Man then," Constantinople looked carefully at the leader of League Savior, before just flatly asking Izime. "Didn''t say anything that''d dig you a deeper grave, did you?

    "A bit of the dangerous idea talk then we moved on to more productive things," Izime explained a bit of his talk with Radiation Man, before inquiring something of the man in question. "So, about that sponsor?"

    Constantinople leaned over Izime''s shoulder looking at the papers trying to make sense of what exactly his mate was signing for the Zexxian. The exorcist smiling and patting Izime''s back in congratulations as the previous London native recognized the same lines he''d signed.

    It''d taken him about five years of living in New York City before he''d completed his own naturalization.

    "That is what you think it is Constantinople." Radiation Man replied, watching as Izime shrugged of the exorcist''s pats, "Seeing as this is a special circumstance we''ve asked he pick a League member instead of family for obvious reasons."

    "Sponsor?" Psyis finally asked looking at Izime hopefully wondering why he hadn''t looked a bit happier about the turn in events. It was definitely a whole lot better than being tried or any of the other things Izime had wanted.

    "Radiation Man is trying to rush me through the red-tape for state-side citizenship." Izime explained with a nod. Giving the thessian a brief glance before looking down at the forms. "Filing for Earth first that way this whole debacle doesn''t turn into a more galaxy sized issue."

    "As much of a risk as Dark Night thinks Izime could be," Radiation Man admitted the valid sides of both viewpoints as he leaned back in his chair. "Locking him up guarantees that we''d be making interstellar headlines."

    "Told you you''re a hero," Constantinople said reaching out a slapping Izime on the back, quickly asking the A.I. "So, when ya moving in mate?"

    "He already said no to you Constantinople but hopefully," Izime snorted as he shot down his friends hopes as having a live in drinking buddy. Dryly swallowing as he could feel Psyis'' eyes on him, the question hanging in the air.

    Izime finished answering quickly as he focused on the papers, "I''m only going to Kansas for a while. So, age, does anyone here even know how many zeros are in a quattuordecillion?"

    "How old is that body?" Constantinople asked, leaning over and reading along. Finding that Izime had reached the portion where he was filling out personal information like age and date of birth.

    "Adjusting for time dilation, this body is around ten years old. Not adjusting and considering this body was born at the edge of a black hole, old enough." Izime shrugged having already guesstimated his un-adjusted age as excessively ancient.

    Looking around the table the A.I. asked for a more human opinion, "How old do I look how about that one?"

    "Late twenties maybe?" Psyis surprised herself as she knocked a few trillion zeros off Izime''s age. Maybe with a shave and a shower he''d look even younger than that?

    Radiation Man and Constantinople both turned towards the thessian at her words. Psyis just having knocked more zero''s off Izime''s actual age than there were grains of sand on a decent sized beach. The actual number clashing in their human minds as they stack overflowed from the sheer size of it.

    "I''ll take that considering I''m technically older than your sun." Izime said with a nod. Looking away from Psyis quickly scribbling in a 28 as the only other option was to write his age as the power of exponential. Giving a slight tilt of his head Izime did just that before continuing on to fill in the rest.

    The room silent aside from the scratch of Izime''s pen until Psyis spoke up again.

    Psyis nervously watching as Izime got closer and closer to the blank line where she knew he was planning to put in Radiation Man. The thessian''s blue lines vanishing as she stepped forward, giving Constantinople a warning glance.

    A purple hand resting on the table; her table, the one she''d worked so hard to earn. The place where she made her decisions. Now where Izime sat, filling out his paperwork; this specific and important paperwork.

    The alien almost convinced it was fate and not the fact it was closest to the window that had brought Izime here.

    "I''m going to sponsor you so put my name in and then I''ll fill in the rest." Psyis demanded, leaning forward as she tried to impose her will on Izime at least in the physical sense.

    Red eyes never leaving his teals as that shake slowed, the A.I. silently watching the telepath rage. He could almost see the argument forming in her like a storm cloud. Izime cocking his brow in mocking question as Psyis started to breath a bit heavier, tempting her into it.

    "I''m going to Kan-" Izime kept his snark to himself, finally done with watching Psyis posture like the Blanes had taught her.

    Even if it was laughable, Izime offered only that simple and polite refusal as he shook his head. The A.I.''s mouth snapping closed as James spoke over him.

    "Miss Psyis is going to sponsor you." Radiation Man leaned forward from where he was sitting looking down at the blank spot on the form. James even agreeing with Psyis and making another point as she filled him in telepathically, "You have family of sorts in Centropolis already so theres zero reason for you to refuse."

    "And you are?" Izime looked at Radiation Man more than a bit surprised that the Zexxian was agreeing with the misguided heroine. T

    he A.I. not holding it against her that she was using his information against him once again. Though he was peeved she didn''t have the tits to say it out-loud. If she was going to stab him, she could at least do it in the front like Bell had.

    "Yes, Kansas isn''t going to be a good place for you to grow." Radiation Man confirmed Izime''s worries. The zexxian for the first time refusing to allow an alien to spend their sponsorship time on his family''s farm.

    This isn''t right.

    Izime glanced at Cradle who was still on his shoulder, the raven quickly filling Izime''s vision with the three bio-readouts of the heroes in front of him.

    "I don''t know Rad''s Izi-" Constantinople started to argue with Radiation Man. Right until he thought about it, Izime having a chance to find himself as a human while in the city.

    The exorcist not even considering who his friend would be rooming with oddly enough, "Shite mate it might not be a bad idea, get a real gig performing while you''re stuck with us on old plane dirt?"

    No this is all wrong, everyone goes to Kansas.

    Izime felt both the thought and the paper get pulled from his head. Psyis snatching the documents as Cradle took Izime''s worries and began to process them. The thessian filling in her own information while Izime used Cradle to not only remain calm but to figure out what was going on.

    Every ''alien'' went to Kansas if Radiation Man got a hold of them... and they lived. That was the script, and what should have followed was a few months of boredom and corn. Izime figuring it only take that long until James and his family were willing to let him wander.

    Now though even Constantinople was sounding like he''d had a whole change of heart. Izime recalling everything he''d heard between the two outside his medical room. The exorcist even spewing out some idealistic dream that the realistic anti-hero had to know was fake.

    Izime leaning over and making sure Psyis was actually filling out the sponsor section. The A.I. wanting to see just how on the nose and obvious the forces at play felt like acting.

    "OK, an-" Psyis started to say as she finished writing, quickly tapping and organizing the papers. Looking up her voice dying out as she turned and saw Izime''s leaning in towards her.

    He needs to shave.

    The thought idly crossing Psyis mind as Izime''s hand reached up to brush his slightly curled ponytail out of the way. The scruff on his face catching and snagging at individual strands. Her heart stopping for a second as she considered how much more alive he looked. In comparisson to the last time they''d been this close.

    A second thump never coming as a voice reached across the hall.

    "So, we give tours of the Station now?" Dark Night growled as he stood with his arms crossed. The brows on his cowl pulling down as he looked into the dimly lit room. Not surprised to find the usual suspects standing alongside each other and this new problem.

    Psyis swallowing dryly as she glanced back towards Izime. Her heart only growing ice cold as she looked back down towards the papers in her hand. The damning evidence that she''d not only picked the opposite side as the Blanes on the matter of Izime; She was leading the charge. The thessian finding that banner stripped from her as Izime took the pages from her.

    "I found my way here myself Dark Night." Izime''s voice coming out as tense as a sleeping cat. Even as he quickly stuffed the citizenship paperwork into his orange jumpsuit. The pages had become a fuse to this powder-keg of a scene.

    "Just like you set of a quantum firework across the galaxy." Dark Night accused, watching as the should be prisoner stood. Stan walking into the room with a swoosh of his cape. His Squire striding in right behind him both ready to attend to their duty.

    "We all have contingency plans, not just you." Constantinople shot back in Izime''s defense before turning to quickly ask his friend what the hell Dark Night was accusing him of now, "Whats a quantum firework?"

    "You tricked us?" Psyis turned to Izime having already gotten Steven''s warning directly. Her red eyes searching his face for any signs of dishonesty. Biting her lip as she felt a tense line draw between her and the stupid A.I.

    "No, I sent exactly what I said I would." Izime deadpanned at the obviousness of his play. Not caring how Psyis felt as it was her own fault. Casually explaining what''d happened even as the hairs on the back of his neck rose, "Its simply logic that the recipient would get a notification when their package is shipped."

    It was simple cause and effect that they''d all figured it out at the same time. Each recipient contacting a neighbor after the Vidan had asked who actually claimed citizenship of Izime? It was a first come first serve ''bail me out and I''ll owe you one'' call sent galaxy wide.

    Fuck you.

    Izime didn''t know if the alien could hear his thought or if she was even listening, but he spat it all the same. Psyis now feeling just like she had that day in the noodle shop. This time though Izime didn''t give a care, Dark Nights words had nearly spun her against him. If anyone was going to back down this time it''d be her.

    "Those shuttles?" Psyis narrowed her eyes as she asked.

    Fuck you.

    The thessian kept the thought to herself. Trying to step back from her own disappointment in being tricked to look at what Izime had done objectively. Still far to upset at being kept outside of his loop to not think it all the same. The thessian taking several steps towards Izime accepting his challenge. Maybe after she''d laid him out once he''d understand a bit better.

    "Are loaded with goods that would stop coming if they didn''t make a bit of noise." Izime replied crossing his arms, leaning in as he dared Psyis to take the first swing.

    "So, what were we?" Constantinople asked, butting in between the two physically before they could throw a punch or whatever it was, they''d been about to do.

    "A surprising alternative?" "I didn''t exactly expect you to come a snatch my data. I just managed to set off the timer sooner."

    "You set a bloody kill, switch not bad." Constantinople waved away Izime''s words with some sarcastic appreciation of the tactics used. Turning towards the Psyis hoping that she''d take his side on this as well.

    The exorcist cursing as he jerked his thumb back towards Izime, "Fucking shite a lot of good we did him."

    "I am breathing thank you." Izime could keep all the sarcasm out of his voice. Or his eyes as he looked up at the alien Constantinople was whining about him to, "And congratulations you''ve successfully stuck me on earth until she says otherwise."

    Psyis raising her brows as Izime was apparently already considering her a prison of sorts. The look in his eyes screaming that he absolutely had some issue with her. Which really wasn''t surprising considering everything. Still if it had been the whole thing with him almost dying, she figured he''d speak about it openly.

    "Right I''supose there is that." Constantinople nodded rubbing at his scruff as he snarked. His anger defusing a bit as he put Izime''s ''betrayal'' into perspective.

    As far as those had gone, simply not being trusted completely was the least of Constantinople''s reasons to complain. It still stung a bit though, the exorcist chewing at his cheek a bit while he tried to think of a way to get the overly statistical A.I. back.

    "I''m sorry it was offensive that I didn''t have full faith in both of you past that point. This isn''t my first kill the bot rodeo, so I stacked my deck." Izime apologized to his drinking buddy. Turning to face Dark Night until he felt a tingle crawl up his spine, the ire chilling him.

    Izime whirling back to look at Psyis now making his own demands, "Anything you need to get off your chest in present the company or can it fucking wait Pi?"

    Izime using his new favorite name for the irrational damned thessian. Huffing right back at her with each breath even as she gave him a poisonous smile. The smirk leaving Izime feeling like he''d played right into her hands reacting just as aggressively.

    "We''ll talk later." Psyis gave a thin smile as Izime finally acknowledged they were going to have a talk about how little he kept telling her at every single turn.

    Only taking a bit of satisfaction in the way Steven had stood a bit straighter. Psyis making a mental not to have Izime never use that name again. This was the only and last time she''d let any version of sweetie pie give her a bit of satisfaction.

    "Good." Izime spat returning the same smile he was getting for a single second before turning to face the one who''d caused this whole mess, "Now that you haven''t flipped them like you wanted what actual issue do you have Dark Night."

    "I-" Dark Night started to growl as he walked forward. That growl faltering as Izime matched his pace an shoved a stack of papers into his armored chest. The hero now feeling like he was in a very bad shareholders meeting instead of the Hall of Saviors.

    "And it had better be a bigger issue than the alternative." Izime finished the threat now that he had Stan''s full attention, "Which is me not stopping that."

    "Are you threatening us?" Dark Squire stepped forward only to find Radiation Man stopping him.

    "No because technically they are." Izime sidestepped the accusation, conveniently using the names on that list by proxy instead. The A.I. casually mentioning one of the more artistically violent among them. One he knew that the sidekick''s senior had faced before.

    Izime casually explaining the predatory bipedal split fanged warriors to Stan''s stupid tag-along, "Not that Dark Night would have taught you anything about these species beyond their weak points. But I can assure you that the Akadan Separi are not a species you want declaring anything on you. Earth is already a hunting ground for them let alone telling the honor-less that its open season."

    "Squire step down." Dark Night ordered his sidekick back as Izime painted out at least one full stroke of his thousand cuts. The super-hero not wanting to try and tangle with one of the high-tech overly equipped invisible stalkers once more.

    Let alone with members of their species that didn''t even honor the rules of the game they played.

    "I think you should understand the meaning behind this, seeing as the fact I have a direct line to the Zytomian tribunal wasn''t enough of a hint." Izime looked over at Dark Night. The A.I. done poking his dog, returning to point out just how blind Stan had been to not see this coming.

    "You kicked the crutch to the galaxies welfare system." Radiation Man spoke up, wanting to try and wet the fuses that were being lit. James warning Stan now as well having already looked into the matter personally, "The galaxies view on earth would not be good Dark Night. Especially us, the League classically remains impartial to Earth."

    "We are." Dark Night gestured towards the man who''d just threatened the entire planet. Sighing as Radiation Man cocked his head. The dark hero knowing he''d been the one to throw the first stone weakly tried to defend his position still.

    Stan waving towards Izime holding on to that one singular point still, "Tell me this isn''t a potential risk."

    "So am I and so are you. It''s the reason the League exists, to curb that risk." Radiation Man gave a chuckle as the response left his lips before a thought crossed his mind. Looking back towards the A.I. as he recalled Izime''s warning about itself. "Izime already knew he was anyway, so this response seems even more appropriate."

    "I''m not a her-" Izime started in with his classic denial until Psyis once again tried to start shit with him.

    "Says you." Psyis spoke up, her smile more genuine even as she cut Izime off. Walking forward so she could hear any complaints he had with her assesment, "Not anyone on that list."

    The A.I. grinding its teeth as Psyis took that smile on her little victory lap. Izime could tell she was happy about the turn of events for him. Though he could also tell that the thessian was very much in a mood. Her colors rotating about as her body was still internalizing the entire argument she''d like to have with him.

    Izime figured he''d likely blow a coolant line considering how badly he''d like to wipe that same smirk off her face.

    "She''s got a point Izime." Constantinople spoke up now as well. Glad that someone was finally taking his side on that particular matter. The exorcist had always known Izime was more than just a salesman of stuffs.

    Jim giving a bit of side-eye towards the window that showed the planet Izime would be spending a bit more time on, "Maybe not on earth but out there it seems someone thinks you are."

    ��A lot of someones.�� Radiation Man smiled as well having already read the number of signatures and symbols on the paper Stan was still struggling with. ��Not to bad for a startling hero, huh?��

    All three of the heroes patting the A.I. on the back as they cornered him further into being trapped on the planet below.

 Words Had both Good and Bad

    The AI stood at the grand viewing window that lined one side of the Hall of Saviors. Mind busy, considering the consequences of signing the documents and filing for citizenship. It made some sense if you looked at it through the right lenses, he was a refugee of sorts.

    What didn''t make sense was that he''d been kicked out of the Kansas scenario he''d been planning for, forcefully at that.

    Anyone with a lick of sense, when it came to operating simulation theory, could feel the parameters tightening to an almost linear level yesterday. It was jarring enough that it''d scared him. Enough to start sniffing around for the cause; the Basilisk roused from its slumber just a bit as someone had thrown a chain over the demon.

    The AI was unaware that its simulations were distracting it from another variable, one that had just entered the room.

    ��THE FUCK IS THAT NOISE!�� Psyis tried to get Izime''s attention as something ever less tasteful than Lucky Dog''s selection screamed out from the raven on his shoulder.

    Still wearing his orange jumpsuit for some reason looking more like a criminal than the reality-hopping refugee he''d been labeled as. Even wearing the standard soft slippers the League would issue to those who needed proper footwear.

    Psyis worried briefly if the AI was cold, trying again to get Izime''s attention as she called even louder. ��IZIME!��

    Cradle?

    That failing, Psyis tried very gently sending Cradle a ping hoping the bird wouldn''t freak out at her touch. Thankfully the tech-raven simply gave her a curious look, though that also directed the noise straight at her.

    Psyis threw her hands over her ears to stop the unintentional assault.

    Cradle glanced over as the electronic beat continued to blare out of its beak. Its nest program was busy, and the volume of its current track was loud enough that it hadn''t heard. Izime stared distractedly out the viewing wind of the Hall of Saviors never hearing Psyis despite her raised voice. Cradle had almost missed the thessian''s call as well, its processing capabilities being pulled for Izime''s simulation as well.

    The bird scratched gently at its bond''s shoulder to get his attention relaying the thessian''s prodding powers to its bond. The crowess was here, probably to court once again.

    Izime held his finger up not even turning to see who''d come in. Letting Cradle continue to blast to ear violence that was Virtual Riot''s ''Energy Drink''. Shamefully the mathematical beat-set''s of dubstep did help the computer think through the human haze that was a biological brain.

    Karen Wallin would take a few more days to come up and approve his paperwork. The delay was just her throwing sand in James''s eyes over yet another off-worlder taking up any form of residence on Earth. The AI was confident that his forms would be approved seeing as both Radiation Man and the galaxy were taking his side rather firmly.

    Still bobbing his head slightly along with the beat Izime glanced over to see Psyis with both hands covering her ears. Izime reached up and sent both a verbal and mental command to his bond.

    ��Cradle pause and save, please.�� Izime ordered the raven to save the simulations and the track in their current state. Turning towards the thessian the AI asked, ��What''s up?��

    ��What was that?�� Psyis asked with a slightly worried look at the raven. The alien not sure the RAM she''d bought earth-side last night would be a soothing snack after making that noise. Still she started peeling open the cases of memory apologizing to the bird as she''d only been guessing on its taste, ��I just bought the highest numbers they had, I hope its good.��

    ��Its music?�� Izime responded watching as Psyis fumbled a bit with the packaging.

    Cradle stood nearly directly over her hands the bird getting slightly impatient. Black head flicked up in question before it turned back down again. The alien twisting at the industrial-strength plastic the electronics had been packaged helplessly, obviously not using any of her super strength.

    Finally having had enough Cradle snuck its beak between her fingers and snipped a little start so the thessian could finish the tear.

    ��Thank you,�� Psyis sighed glad that the bird had finally torn the stupid package. Turning out the small pile of snacks, Psyis turned to Izime and accused him for his strange tastes as well, ��I didn''t think you would have picked Lucky Dog''s for the music over the booze, but now I''m not so sure.��

    ��It''s called Dubstep. It happens shortly after humans decide math, music, and computers make a fun combination.�� The AI gave Psyis the short footnotes on that period of human musical creativity. Already knowing the genre garnered very different reactions Izime wasn''t surprised by Psyis'' next words.

    ��It''s horrible.�� Psyis gave an honest assessment frowning a bit as she recalled the odd screeches and trills that had been coming from Cradle''s beak. The comparatively tiny bird not seeming like it''d be capable of such ear-ringing volume.

    ��I bet you suck math.�� Izime shot back in defense of the genre before quickly changing his accusation to a statement of fact, ��No I know do, you cheated in school. Mind reader.��

    ��Stuff like that makes me a little uncomfortable.�� Psyis gently warned Izime giving him a bit of side-eye.

    The mind-reader was ironically uncomfortable with AI''s stores of information on her. The fact the accusations were true didn''t make it any better or funnier. It just hit her with the same violating sensations she knew she''d given Izime.

    ��Says the person who decided I was going to live with them.�� Izime shot back, raising a brow before turning to go help Cradle snap the protective and decorative aluminum off the memory. The AI making a couple more points already aware Psyis didn''t take to the lack of attention.

    Izime pressed a few more buttons just to see her reaction, adding just a touch of hurtful sarcasm to his voice, ��I make you uncomfortable and you put me on edge. We''re gonna get along like cats and dogs. Can''t wait, so thrilled.��

    ��Someone''s defensive this morning.�� Psyis quipped walking over to get a better look at Izime.

    The thessian was a bit surprised at his change of attitude this morning. Well not entirely, they''d never managed to really settle into any kind of friendship or relationship. Izime always bounced back between hot and cold as quickly as she''d turned her back and betrayed him.

    ��What?�� Psyis asked as she looked and found none of that sarcasm touching Izime''s face, the man seemed puzzled instead.

    ��Kinda wishing I had read more of you,�� Izime told Psyis honestly as her response didn''t really give him any signs of being railed into any kind of script. Her responses were non-linear and truly reactive to his random inputs.

    Izime even explained the problem to try and shock test the thessian, ��I''ve got no base script for you on hand, and half of my data is stored somewhere a bit safer than mercury. I want to know if your off the rails.��

    ��OK, that makes me really uncomfortable,�� Psyis said, not bothering with the side eye this time. Red eyes trying to get some kind of feel for whatever was going on behind those teals.

    The actual alien became more uncomfortable by the second knowing that the person in front of her was acting frustrated, like he''d simply misplaced the notebook that had her life scribbled in it.

    Her future and past were reduced to a minor irritating though like she''d misplaced her phone.

    ��Wel,l these talks are only going to get less comfortable from here,�� Izime warned the psychic, the discomfort of being seen as raw information was something he''d been born into. The switch from what most sentients enjoyed, an internalized self, would smash onto the beaches of another dimension of knowledge.

    Izime changed the topic again, giving Psyis a bit of a nod hoping she understood his little game was over, ��What did you want to talk about this morning?��

    Psyis could literally feel the gears in her brain grind a bit as the AI changed tracks right underneath their conversation. With a second to reset her emotions to follow along she took a breath. The thessian was a bit surprised she found that same bit of gleeful energy she''d had earlier when she''d shown up with her surprise.

    The thessian quickly walked back to the entrance of the hall. The massive doors hissed open to reveal a few more bags one distinctly recognizable. The others were likely full of some of Psyis'' stuff she''d brought to the station, others Izime could already tell were his things.

    ��I brought your guitar?�� Psyis tried to make the new sound happy. She was happy personally as it gave her an opportunity to ask Izime to play. Though the salesman would likely be a bit miffed at the next bit.

    Psyis tried to hold that same smile as she revealed the reasons behind the luggage, ��And I-uh, well Stan''s kind of kicked you out of Voltham. Sorry.��

    ��Oh, thanks you didn''t have to.�� Izime waved away Psyis'' worries with a hand and a word. A few steps had him taking the larger acoustic guitar from her.

    The musician inside the bot instinctually worried at seeing someone else handling his instrument. Izime looked up to see Psyis glancing down a bit disappointed in his reaction at her surprise. Red eyes not bothering to look up anymore as he''d taken her thoughtfulness so casually.

    The newish artificial human quickly offered her an actual apology for the attitude he''d given earlier, ��Sorry for being a bit of an ass I was... testing something. Not a who''s side kind of thing, more medical. It kinda figures you''ve had enough of that stuff lately, my bad.��

    ��Sometimes I wonder which one of us is the mind-reader.�� Psyis snarked softly to herself, unintentionally provoking Izime to reveal just a bit of how far he could stretch his reach. His claims not really easing her discomforts

    ��I get to cheat so a bit of both is fair, if I can simulate everything that grants me a form of omniscience and near omnipresence if I want,�� Izime replied, habitually explaining a bit of what he''d learned of his abilities. The AI was unconsciously more willing to open up in such a familiar setting with this new being who had taken up the torch for his space-side chats.

    Izime glanced over at the thessian not wanting to scare her with any of the implications, clarifying why he''d said anything in the first place. ��Not that I was using that, it''s just I know from experience that Dark Night takes his life far too seriously.��

    The AI had expected Psyis to be a bit more wide-eyed and intimidated, instead she was standing there holding his guitar once more. A smile started to break across Izime''s face as the alien struck a pose he''d often seen from Shya, the instrument too carefully extending in both hands. Treating the acoustic guitar as if it''d been some knightly sword.

    ��Thank,s I think.�� Psyis didn''t bother putting any thought into replying to Izime''s claims. The AI''s talks about physics and things from his world always gave her a bit of a headache. The gist was a bit of FazzPazz''s time ability just less so by the sound of it. Izime just liked using bigger words to describe his being a know-it-all.

    The thessian was more focused on how she''d direct the conversation to what she wanted to talk about, ��Did you want to play a little bit?��

    ��I-sure?�� The small smile Izime had broke into a wide grin as he took the instrument. He unzipped the case and pulled the old relic from a lifetime ago out of its shoddy protective covering.

    It was nice that, for some reason, both Shaya and Psyis seemed to just know that the instrument deserved care. Maybe it was a bit of human tendency that kept him walking that line with such an important piece of his life. One he used to threaten Wesson with quite often, but that only showed how much he cared.

    AI''s thoughts elsewhere as he sat down and checked the guitar''s tune, finally looking up to ask the alien, ��What''d you want to hear?��

    Izime curious now at the excited look on Psyis'' face now twice as bright as when she''d brought in the instrument.

    ��Wonderwall�� Psyis quickly asked for the often-heard song, at least to her.

    The thessian nearly jumped up in celebration as her guess was proven right. She''d only heard Izime sing once before in person, and not from her private little balcony. The songs he''d done with Constantinople were only covers the Brit had memorized from his favorite dive in London.

    Izime certainly hadn''t sounded anything like the voice she''d let inside months ago screaming wildly alongside the exorcist. The way he''d nearly dropped his guitar at her request however was all the proof she''d ever need.

    His response only cemented her earlier ideas further.

    ��Fuck out of here.�� Izime cursed, ordering the psychic out. The amateur musician felt all his motivation to touch the strings disappear as soon as she''d mentioned that irritating piece that''d haunted humanity in all its forms.

    A hard glare was followed by an interrupted accusation from the irritated Izime, ��How do you know that so-��

    ��I live in the Sheffield and Brooks Tower complex, my balcony is stuck in an alley behind a shopping center.�� Psyis tried to keep her words steady and not let the train of excitement that was coursing through her derail her tongue.

    The thessian looked up to put the final piece of the coincidence into place for both of them, red eyes searching for any kind of reaction. ��I... it is behind the square where you play.��The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    She couldn''t help feeling a bit disappointed when Izime didn''t have that same brightening moment of realization that she had when the idea struck her. Instead, his brown eyebrows furrowed while his eyes traced quick patterns on the floor, her words obviously sending him somewhere else entirely.

    That train of fate slowly lost steam in her mind as she tried to even imagine whatever patterns Izime must have been tracking beyond wonderful chance and luck. His reply threw a bucket of cold water over her, his nonreaction forcefully knocking the engine off course.

    ��Huh.�� Izime managed some kind of response and was proud of himself for that. The entire slew of simulations he''d been running now needed to be chucked and started over from scratch with an entire slew of new problems.

    It was one thing to use those songs to turn a quick dollar, another if they''d been influencing the thought patterns of a heroine in this world. Those verses were packed full of levels of creativity that would be considered a superpower in this reality.

    Izime glanced over at the psychic wondering just how much of her psyche had been rattled. Not sure if he should be worried about the reserved way Psyis was acting. She''d been so excited to share the information, sharing none of his worries now just trying to play it off in the hope he''d not notice.

    ��I didn''t want it to be a shock when you moved in.�� Psyis did all but pat the air as she backtracked away from how she''d nearly pounced on the topic.

    The entire air of excitement she''d brought with her this morning now felt like it''d have been better left in that same cheap apartment Izime would soon be joining her in. The thessian looked aside as she tried to at least keep that tender shoot of hope watered.

    Excusing her earlier self to Izime as she nurtured other thoughts, ��That''s why I''m telling you.��

    ��Right well... I''m um not going to play Wonderwall for you. Sorry.�� Izime felt emotionally twisted in a different direction, denying the request all while nodding along. Looking up a bit taken back himself at the way Psyis seemed to lose all interest in hearing his world''s music simply because he wouldn''t play Wonderwall.

    ��You can play whatever I don''t really care.�� Psyis shot her glare at the wall, walking to get another chair knowing Izime''d hear her reply. Hopefully a bit of her disappointment as well, the woman getting neither the song nor the discussion she''d woken up so early for.

    Izime tilted his head a bit as he considered Psyis attitude as well as the current repertoire of songs she''d heard from her free-seating near the square. The AI gave a bit of a sassy nod toward the alien as he decided to hit her sullen attitude with a bit of parody and satire.

    ��Get Low by Dan Henig it is.�� Izime didn''t even give Psyis any time to ask what the song was or any other questions she might have had.

    Instead, he quickly strummed his way into the first bars, the twang from the strings grating a bit under his purposefully lackluster performance. Izime instead looked at the thessian tauntingly as he worked his way through the lyrics, adding a bit of a lilt to his voice for extra annoyance.

    The AI surprised the thessian had let him reach the second stretch of the chorus before a bluing hand had grabbed at the neck of the instrument halting the song mid-track. Psyis wide-eyed with magenta cheeks looking at Izime who had nearly fallen over cackling at her hasty reaction having heard more than enough.

    ��Dear Gods Izime play something decent that was...�� Psyis stopped as the giggles snorted free. Uselessly having tried to chastise the performer even though it was clear Izime had gotten the reaction he''d wanted. One she''d needed as well, the shock and humor of the lyrics washing away the stupid idealistic notions she''d brought with her. The song threw a bit of humor in the face of her misbegotten expectations of Izime.

    Psyis simply asked Izime to play something decently instead of acting a fool, ��No more of whoever that was, please!��

    Izime playing along and trying to strum through a few more verses even with the muting hand on his guitar, the thessian finally breaking and covering his mouth instead. The AI made up for the muffled strings by raising his voice even higher.

    Finally pulling her hand away as he''d needed to breathe, Izime gave the psychic terms on her request, ��Talk shit when you''re not laughing.��

    Psyis'' giggles faded as she stepped a bit closer, drawn in by the small circles Izime was unconsciously tracing on her palm. That moment of humor had led to something more natural than the forced ideas she''d dragged with her. The thessian slowly tried to trap the AI once more in her grasp only to feel him slipping away.

    Unbothered this time as she knew Izime was burying it, it wasn''t simply not happening.

    His reactions were both tempting and worrying the thessian as she tried to wrestle with wanting more than that taste despite knowing his past. Psyis knowing just like her Izime was likely trying to keep the mirror of the past from reflecting on the moment too harshly. It wasn''t any easier for her to try to start anew in this station, the window here was personally more familiar to her.

    Though certainly more haunting to him, Psyis was unsurprised by the lukewarm reaction she got as she drew focused attention to their chemistry.

    ��Umm fuck it here''s some Colter Wall.�� Izime coughed as he pulled his hand free, quickly pulling another song from the data banks. Using the guitar''s neck as an excuse to create some room between him and the audience that obviously wanted to hear something besides music.

    Izime looked up giving a slight apologetic smile at Psyis look of understanding.

    Even if it was uncomfortable at times they didn''t need to highlight it. Izime was glad the thessian stepped back and gave him some space. The song passed quickly enough to not completely bury the moment, something he could tell. That draw was still tighter than the strings he''d been plucking.

    Psyis next question a hopeful sign of truce on that front as she let it go regardless.

    ��These are all people from your reality, The names and titles?�� Psyis asked trying to fill the space between them with words even though she already knew the answer. Constantinople''s reminder of Izime''s wary nature was not the only reason she gave him room to respond to something besides her.

    Psyis knew she had her own reasons to take her time with Izime. Someone who worried about things on the scale he did wouldn''t so quickly take to such an intimate addition. Anybody he cared about would become an incredible weight on him in this world. Taking her time where she could, the thessian tried to make the appropriate clear-headed decisions.

    Those moments were difficult to discern between the spikes of emotional highs Izime brought.

    ��Yea-yea anyways... uh that one was called Sleeping on the Blacktop.�� Izime nodded and happily explained, Psyis seeming to take at least some interest in the songs he selected.

    ��You seemed like you liked that one.�� Psyis knew it was a bit of a stretch watching Izime shrug in response to her attempt at cracking his tastes open. Instead now, asking something more mechanical knowing she''d get a better response from that than the whys with him, ��How do you remember all these.��

    ��Seems like the data stuck around better than the memories.�� Izime kept his fingers on the strings while he worked through his response. Taking a moment longer to think about how to clarify just why those years as a human had been reduced to background static not realizing that the thessian hadn''t asked what he couldn''t remember.

    Izime simply trudged on with his words and a casual wave of his hands, only looking up after he realized the level of oversharing, ��Stuff like this comes back easier than the actual moments I went through. Funny how being a human corrupted the most important parts of being one.��

    ��Trauma?�� Psyis tried to form it as a question and not a diagnosis not wanting to become anything like Izime''s therapist. Her expression was a bit tense, willing to accept it if that was how he decided to use their time talking.

    She wouldn''t say no it was just she wanted to start on a healthier foundation than that.

    ��I wasn''t going to start labeling things but sure.�� Izime agreed, giving an easy chuckle at her response. He was glad Psyis didn''t dig just accepted the tidbits he''d shared.

    The two sat for a few minutes finally comfortable in the silence that''d settled between them. Psyis content in watching Izime play around with the instrument. The AI finally for a moment relaxed in the presence of the mind-reader.

    Neither looked at the one who was currently taking laps in their minds.

    ��Anyways �� Izime broke the silence as the very human need to entertain the pretty woman across from him finally won over. The AI quickly scrolled through its list of songs until one stuck out, its lyrics sure to stir something within the fate-bound woman.

    The actual songwriter would likely have never imagined their tunes would be used to cheer an alien who shared some of the same country roots they had.

    The thought of a smaller and younger Psyis playing around not interrupting Izime''s intents, entertaining as the idea was. Quickly giving the actual artist their due before he ruined their work eons after they''d passed, ��This one is called Maggie by Benjamin Dakota Rogers.

    ��Your songs sound like they''d fit better in Kansas than the ring.�� Psyis gave a review of the song and not the intentions she felt Izime had put behind it.

    The lyrics certainly struck some cords with her, being a bit of a Kansas girl at heart. Still, she wasn''t so emotionally deaf to not notice he''d sung it as much for himself as her, that aspect is what she started to disagree with. Psyis not willing to discuss any ''no'' on that topic without a valid personal reason from Izime.

    The woman was certain of the road she had decided to walk, only more sure as the evidence mounted for the two of them.

    ��That''s what happens when you kill all the artists to intimidate the scientists,�� Izime explained, not bothering to excuse the dire cuts he''d made in the focus of human intellects.

    A hard prune of the wasteful creatives had served well during that moment in time and wasn''t something they''d ever need to consider here. The AI callously defined the murders it committed and the effects that came after.

    Izime didn''t bother to look, knowing Psyis wouldn''t be judging him for those years simply bringing an end to the tale, ��Music wasn''t a productive use of their time once we got into the thick of it, and once we knew we were gonna lose... why write a song no one would hear once they''d gone.��

    ��Jordinn didn''t write anything?�� Psyis asked before tentatively asking, wanting to clarify the information she''d gathered from the few other memories she''d traversed, ��That is her guitar right?��

    ��I-haaah, guess making each other uncomfortable is going to go both ways.�� Izime sighed as it finally dawned on him he had no idea just how much Psyis knew. The thessian was likely playing the same chess game he was with her information, not that he''d accuse her of such.

    Instead, Izime just decided to answer the question honestly, an irritating habit he was falling into with the psychic, ��No Jordinn just played covers like me, we were both decent singers but songwriters not so much.��

    ��No offense Psyis but I don''t want to become some therapy session for you. If you want to know about me that''s fine but let''s not start trying to fix each other,�� Izime held up a hand, politely putting his foot down on the topic. Shaking his head he placed his guitar down and walked over to the door knowing he''d find a few things to eat in the bags Psyis had brought.

    Izime placed a boundary on what she was allowed to pry into on that level, thinking he''d been slick with the bit he added under his breath, ��I like to handle my own issues, so please respect my boundaries. Turn this into something of a healthy relationship.��

    Hands digging through the bags he recognized as his own, Izime was a bit surprised when Psyis walked out to join him. The thessian walked right in front of him and reached to grab a couple ofpaper sacks instead. Teal eyes wanted to look elsewhere as another memory was added to Psyis'' file.

    The image of her natural feminine balance and form still writing away to a distinctly read-only file when she''d caught him looking.

    ��Breakfast?�� Psyis offered, guessing at what Izime had been looking for holding the bag out behind her without another glance.

    Waiting until he realized the stupid blocks he normally ate hadn''t made it off earth hoping he wouldn''t ask why and ruin the moment he''d set her up for. The thessian was certainly not about to tell Izime she''d pitched his favorite treat right after he''d been thinking about boundaries.

    Instead, the thessian looked over with a soft smile and asked why Izime''s mouth was hanging slightly open. Too occupied with chewing over what she''d heard to notice or really care that his eyes were devouring her hips instead.

    Psyis asked what had him so occupied sounding just as dumb as Izime looked, ��What?��

    ��Nothing.�� Izime tried to recover as best he could, Reaching out to take the offered breakfast deciding he''d look for the caloric cubes later.

    Psyis'' next words pulled his attention right back out of the bag, Izime even letting the bagel drop back down inside fearing he wasn''t going to get to eat peacefully for quite a bit. The thessian doing nothing but add to the list of issues with his simulations and complicating every single emotion he''d had this morning.

    ��You know, that''s the first time I''ve gotten something even resembling an answer to Constantinople''s question in the bar.�� Psyis kept walking towards the desk as she talked, pulling another chair over so they could both eat together.

    Turning with a teasing smile she hoped Izime would just throw himself on the mercy of the court at her accusation and make things easier for her, ��It bugged me that you never said anything but at least now I know you''re considering it just like me.��

    ��When did you get super hea-�� Izime started to ask before the answer dawned on him. Psyis forthcoming explanation unnecessary but still heard, Izime nodding along watching as she blushed magenta in embarrassment.

    ��Its kinda hard to hear you over the traffic and city noise.�� Psyis smiled coyly impressed by her own careful development of the skill. The time she''s spent carefully highlighting the soft waves in the air that held the unknown Izime so early. She''d somehow managed to capture him before they''d ever met.

    Learning how to feel the vibrations that belonged only to those lyrics and lift them above the chatter below.

    The thessian thought about how ironic it was that Izime kept slipping away since then, the days she''d wasted on him back then. Taking her seat she explained just that, ��It was difficult but after that first month, I''d learned to amplify your voice a bit.��

    ��Butterflies and wings I guess.�� Izime walked over and took his seat once more, not really caring too much about the already spilled milk. Fixing anything already done would require moving bigger pieces than he was willing to for something so minor.

    Izime simply explained why he''d been surprised at the new skill, the timing was all off. ��It''s a bit early but oh well.��

    ��Early? You knew I''d get super-hearing,�� Psyis narrowed her eyes recalling how Izime had claimed he didn''t really know her. Appetite and reason were forgotten with this new revelation. Now pushing her pieces in a charge across the chessboard of their conversation, ��What else can I learn to do? How powerful do I get? What hap-��

    ��Listen I''ve already got a headache so for five minutes, peace. Let''s just eat, please?�� Izime cut her off, quickly tearing a chunk off of his own bagel and stuffing it in the thessian''s mouth nearly choking her. The AI trying to put his foot down on the alien''s attempts at speed running her future.

    Izime not even needing to simulate to know that would backfire horribly, tell Psyis just that as she glared at him cheeks full of sourdough, ��Seriously stop asking me to fuck over your universe, stick to your scenes an-��

    Taking a moment to chew through the bagel and everything else Psyis let Izime have at least half of what he''d asked for. Mind working over literally everything she felt. About Steven, about Izime, about her life and how... stuck to the same lines she''d become.

    ��I should probably be having breakfast at the Blanes then?�� Psyis moved a final piece in the game Izime was playing with her life. The words he''d thrown at her in the alley ringing in her ears once more unbidden and crystal clear. The alien hoped she could at least threaten whatever bits of the Basilisk were there, back inside.

    She needed Izime free to work with her if nothing else, ��You''ve got a power complex still, a shadow of what you were. Teasing people with the truth they can''t see instead of lying outright.��

    ��Strange thing is I suddenly feel like I''ve have a choice.�� Psyis declared, suddenly deciding she was hungry after all. Reaching over she pulled her bag closer, taking out her own breakfast as she continued explaining. Only stopping short as she watched Izime smiling knowingly at her words, ��I can waste my time pursuing you if I wa-What?��

    ��I knew you were lying yesterday. I''m surprised Ret bought it and I know Constantinople didn''t. Friends my ass, we can''t be friends even I can tell that and I''m as biologically inept as they come.�� The AI accused while shaking his head disapprovingly.

    The breakfast the two were sharing getting reheated in another fashion as they both started to forcefully drag out skeletons to threaten each other with. Izime sadly unobservant of Psyis'' twisting face continued casually, ��What are you gonna tell the rest of the League when Steven starts screaming conflict of interest and drags you back? Suddenly I''m Trevor 2 point o-��

    ��And here I thought you were going to say you were still grieving over your precious Bell?�� Psyis shot back, trying to keep her breathing even as Izime brought up yet another EX. One who''d been played by the same system Izime''s humans had forced on them.

    Red eyes darting down as Izime snapped his head back towards her, face dead calm. Psyis not quite losing all the temper she''d thrown at him.

    Healthy, healthy, healthy.

    Chastising herself for a moment despite the ironic impossibility of her thoughts. Psyis instead tried to enforce something like the boundaries Izime had on her earlier while she apologized, ��I...sorry, just don''t throw Steven at me and I won''t throw Bell at you ok? You wanted this to be a healthy relationship right?��

    ��Breakfast. Let''s have that and then I won''t feel bad for punching you on an empty stomach.�� Izime didn''t blink or think twice about what he''d offered the thessian who thought he''d be wrangled so easily. Or let the slight pass so quickly, the Basilisk intending to do neither.

    Simply tapping her bag with a nod as he went back to chewing his bagel, they''d settle this in a moment or cool off. Either or was fine with him, stupid purple thinking she could talk about people she''d never met. He''d met Steven and the dude was an ass, not something she deserved but it wasn''t his fault or his job to fix.

    Strictly keeping things in line with being the Basilisk here, the answer to her request was a hard no.

    ��Keep the bird out of it and I''ll even unlock the training room.�� Psyis agreed after a moment of hard consideration and more than a few looks at the raven. If Izime wanted to try and settle this on the mat she was fine with that too, there was a lot more at stake for here her to gain than he could ever lose.

    The thessian even made that very point crystal clear as she threatened him, ��I''ll even let Cradle in, to patch you up afterward.��

    ��Are you trying to go easy on me or relive a few heated moments with Steven? Thanks but I''m not a sex-bot anym-�� Izime taunted with a sneer, cocking his head thinking of how the younger Psyis had often used the facility intended to train the younger heroes.

    That expression fell lightning fast as a purple hand shot across the desk. Izime''s eyes went wide as he was lifted from his seat by the purely purple thessian.

    ��I didn''t have a choice and you know that y-you ASS!�� Psyis snatched Izime by his jumper and dragged across the desk more often used for voting than breakfast.

    Izime had unknowingly touched a very sore spot for the woman. The words were a searing iron in the fresh cut of knowing now she''d never had a choice in the first place. Though being born into captivity it was a concept slightly miscolored for him, the thought didn''t cross Psyis'' mind.

    The woman was done being used and would brook his crossing the line. The thessian smiled a tiny bit manically through the tears as she finally got a hold of the mouthy AI, ��I''ve wanted to punch you since I met you.��

 Fighting to Lose in the End?

    Izime was a bit surprised, it was something he realized as the immediate feelings of terror and panic lessened.

    The emotion sneaked through as a pure purple hand pulled him across the desk.

    Bagels and the cups of coffee Psyis had brought scattered as the psychic-powered thessian physically grabbed him and dragged him. That was why he was surprised, not so much her reaction but how she was going about it.

    No Powers?

    Izime let himself wonder for just a moment until Psyis gave him a hard shake. Finally having to react as she pulled back to, he had to admit deservingly, knock his teeth out. The AI ordered Cradle to stay put as long as the terms of their bout were followed before using his whole body to try and manage the thessian''s single arm.

    Izime knew he had said something inappropriate, but it wasn''t all his fault and not something he wanted to get new teeth over.

    Psyis grimaced as she lifted the struggling Izime, the average human helpless in her super-strengthened grip. She gave him a hard shake before drawing a fist back, thinking she had a bit of control over the asshole who''d insulted her until his legs wrapped around her now extended arm.

    The AI exerted a strength she''d not expected as he rotated with the added weight, spinning her down as he did so to throw her off balance. Psyis slammed into the floor instead, a soft grunt escaping her as Izime locked her up with a hard twist.

    ��Feelings mutual you five-foot fucking smurf now stop it! Fuck I''m sorry!�� Izime tried to reason with the triggered thessian, thinking the lock he''d managed would hold for at least a bit. Digging himself a deeper hole as he tried to talk her down, the thessian was not interested in relating to any plight he''d shared, ��Stop acting like you''re the only one who didn''t have a choice!��

    Struggling against Psyis as the fight degraded further, her hand pulling at his locked ankles. Izime kicked at her hand missing as the thessian dragged him closer, pulling him out of the leg lock with superhuman strength.

    The AI struggled like a child in her hands for the most part despite his improvements; when that strength failed she cheated.

    Izime accused her of such as she dug two fingers into his thigh and squeezed, ��OW! Stop pinching me!��

    ��Call me a kid I''ll fight like one!�� The thessian shot back, wrapping her legs around Izime''s waist as she snuck an elbow under his chin. Crying out as the same childish tactics she''d used rebounded on her. The constant lack of an up or down made her attempts at more complex moves impossible; Psyis cried out as Izime tugged on her mohawk, ��Did you pull my fucking hair!��

    Pissed he''d slipped out of her attempt at a guillotine choke with such a dirty tactic the two rolling over repeatedly knocking into various desks and chairs in the Hall. Psyis was forced to wrestle defensively as Izime changed tactics from trying to break Psyis'' leg lock on his waist.

    Snatching her around the neck this time and pinching her cheek against his collarbone trying to choke her out instead. Psyis found herself in a pinch quite literally, against her shoulder and Izime, who had hugged her with all his strength.

    She struggled for a moment before turning her head and doing the only thing she could.

    An animal reaction, her teeth locking down at the base of his neck where he''d tried to smother her. The thessian sneered as the AI started yanking madly with his free hand almost ripping her hoodie. Psyis finally restrained that hand after he snapped the strapless piece underneath, not caring as she''d finally won.

    Immediately finding satisfaction in a new sensation beyond just wanting to hurt Izime. The thessian realized she was stronger and had something over the AI, something Steven had over her throughout her entire life: control.

    That feeling was a salve on wounds she''d never recognized until minutes ago, so fresh that she still needed more.

    Grabbing at the AI who''d known all along about her predicament Psyis yanked his head to the side, giving voice to the feelings of satisfaction in how helpless he was under her threatening Izime with taking her position in life. ��How would you like it?��

    Psyis forced a shock therapy of her own onto the AI, triggering responses she knew he''d been avoiding since his creation. Izime almost went limp against her, his hand scratched with all the strength of a fawn.

    A purely reactive struggle caused by the sensitive nerves she was triggering in that side of his body, the fight left him with every shiver she felt passing through his body. The small pop that followed was a bit louder than Izime''s wounded yelp of submission in her ear a warning she''d gone too far.

    Psyis snapping upright, the small metal clasps that had held it upfront not able to withstand the struggle making their own tiny accusations as they tinked against the metal floor. Only finally releasing Izime completely as she heard the article of clothing hit the floor below, having slipped free of her hoodie.

    Looking down at the third victim of their scuffle, not knowing what had come over her.

    The thessian realized she''d only felt better at the moment, as she''d been forcing the AI down against his will. Now instead of power or excitement, she looked down and saw the human she''d violated.

    Izime''s ponytail ripped out, the remains of the band in her blue hand. His brown hair splayed out over the metal floor where she''d ripped the elastic from, one hand holding his neck tenderly. The other was still on the floor where she''d held him down.

    Eyes elsewhere, probably a look like she''d looked with Steven, as he told her to get off him; she felt like a monster.

    Izime didn''t bother looking over at Psyis as he asked, ��We need to get up.��

    the situation only spirally further out of control the longer she stayed on top of him, the AI hoped uselessly she''d not argue and just get off so things didn''t look so bad.

    ��No, we need to talk,�� Psyis shook her head refusing to let Izime move. Looking down and swallowing what she''d just threatened to do to Izime, she tried to apologize. That apology turned into a question instead, as Izime looked up at her almost angrily, ��I-I know this is going to sound horrib-Izime?��

    ��We''ve got company.�� Izime started to snap but stopped short, weakly avoiding the brief moment of hurt in Psyis eyes as she nodded in understanding at his words.

    The AI decided against dumping the problem of their current voyeur on her alone. Weakly placing his hands on her hips unsure of how complicit that would make him appear but knowing he didn''t want Psyis being accused of anything.

    Izime turned and welcomed the unexpected guest into the room, ��Hey Fazz, worst timing ever.��

    ��Man, I thought the camera feed was lying but this is better than I expected. So what was the safe word, just so I can remind you next time?�� FazzPazz smiled sarcastically glad that he''d been on security detail this morning, the only one able to sprint down to the Hall of Saviors fast enough to watch most of the show.

    ��Not now Fazz.�� Psyis tried to urge the nosy hero out of the room, hoping she could settle this with Izime before anyone started accusing her of anything, ��We were kind of having a moment.��

    The thessian bluing a bit as she realized just how bad that must have sounded to Izime, mortification making her brush off her actions so hastily to others.

    ��Just checking that everything was consensual an-�� Fazz warned as he looked at the thessian, both the look and words letting her know he''d seen the entire instance play out; he''d heard what she''d threatened Izime with.

    ��FAZZ!�� Psyis snapped glancing at Izime quickly as if looking back at all the lines she''d just blown through. Watching as Izime rolled his eyes just as nonpulsed as she wasn''t.

    The AI''s reaction was the last trigger sending the first tremble through her. The entire reality of what he''d just forgiven her and how she just couldn''t accept that the same had been done to her. The entire concept of her past relationships and self rotted in her mind, revealing those moments for what they''d truly been.

    The moments on her balcony when she''d felt herself butting against the invisible wall that had trapped her were real. The thessian broke down under the weight of it all.

    ��It''s fine Fazz, things got a little heated is all,�� Izime answered, sitting up and putting an arm around Psyis once more, this time resting her head gently against his shoulder. Now trying to rush FazzPazz along as well, telling the titan of talk-fu to not bother this time, ��Nothing worth risking splitting the timeline over, just a bad reaction. I''ve got her.��

    ��You two should at least use the training hall as you''d intended, I bet you''d love the gravity restraints, seem like they are rig-�� FazzPazz continued unaware of how underappreciated his humor was at this moment by the thessian, simply continuing because Izime had smiled.

    ��Seriously?�� Psyis stammered through the muffled sobs into Izime''s shoulder as she felt the AI try and stifle a chuckle.

    The thessian was unsure if she was exhausted with her fellow hero''s taste in jokes or with Izime''s overbearingly understanding nature when it came to himself. Regardless she could feel her emotions boiling once more as she played a sobbing third party to the comedy show in Izime''s arms.

    Still, she nodded her thanks as he finally got FazzPazz to leave.

    ��We''ll just clean up and pretend this never happened, so if you don''t mind cleaning up the video?�� Izime tried to keep Psyis calm as Fazz kept pressing buttons. The jokes were a bit funny but now wasn''t the time, especially when the emotionally powered alien was having a very very bad day.

    The last thing he needed was Fazz setting her off, Izime feeling at least a bit confident Psyis wouldn''t use her powers on him. As stupid as that notion was, the AI considered how trusting her had played out last time.

    Still, Izime was happy when Fazz gave a nod and agreed to his request, conditionally it seemed.

    ��OK, OK, I''m going to go erase that then but you owe me one.�� FazzPazz gave the revived Izime a nod while adding his own terms. Throwing a few more gentle barbs at the Thessian who glared at him for trying to take advantage of the apparently all-knowing man, ��Fair''s fair now, go somewhere private or take a cold shower I don''t care which. Just get away from my desk.��

    ��Yeah.�� Psyis looked up and tried to give a reassuring nod to Fazz before her head back down on Izime shoulder. The thessian not wanting to look at the room they''d just destroyed in their scuffle.

    Guilt kept her from looking directly at the person who''d continued to be nothing but understanding with every fuck up she made. Red eyes only occasionally sneaked a glance at his marred neck, watching as it moved with his voice.

    ��Sure thing Fazz�� Izime gave the hero a thumbs up glad that Fazz had agreed to erase the footage for him. That was at least one minor problem that wouldn''t be turning into something major now.

    The major problem however had just gone to comfortably resting on his neck which was causing the AI a whole host of minor problems. Just the feeling of her exhaling was a sensation that bordered on a DDoS attack of his thinking capacity.

    Immediately discovering he wasn''t any more comfortable when she sat upright, her weight shifting drawing a whole new sector to attention. Izime threw all those feelings out as he checked on Psyis, stuff like that was the last thing she needed right now.

    ��Can I get up now?�� Psyis asked, looking at Izime worriedly as she checked his face for any signs of distress, still occasionally glancing at his neck.

    The thessian was now honestly a bit scared of her own self around the physically weaker AI. However, at the same time, she was completely unwilling to back down from the position she''d put herself in as his sponsor. Scared she''d get pulled back into being some mindless character, this was her one shot to break free.

    Her fears had her putting Izime first, despite the issues that''d just dropped on her plate.

    Waiting for his response on whether she should move before even thinking of the reasons behind why she was in his lap.

    ��Not yet.�� Izime shook his head, knowing Psyis was probably still comprehending all the different angles of her life in a new light. Besides, even if it was awkward it wasn''t uncomfortable, at least as long as he kept offloading all the minor sensations onto Cradle. Shrugging as he wiggled a bit to get more comfortable offering her a seat for the breakdown that was coming, ��Just take a minute, I''ll be fine.��

    ��I''m fi... I''m. Fuck I-I''m never going back Izime,�� Psyis started to speak wanting to tell him she was fine, thinking she could have as well.

    Instead, the thessian''s stomach knotted as Izime just looked at her. No thoughts leaked through from that void, just a vast teal galaxy that seemed to understand. His eyes ripped the lie from her lips and sent that tremble in them across her body. She knew the wetness swimming in her eyes had started streaming down her cheeks.

    Psyis twisted her hands in the rough plasticity cloth of that orange jumpsuit as she ordered the AI to correct this world''s data on her, ��So, add that into whatever file you keep on me and erase that controlling prick from the rest of my life.��

    ��I will, OK�� Izime nodded unsure of what to do with his hands as Psyis broke down once more. Considering for a moment about wiping her tears away but decided against it as it felt too intimate.

    Instead just wrapped his arms lightly around her once more and rocked as the traumatized thessian bawled, telling her to vent as much as she needed. ��Just let it out.��Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Savior Orbital Security Room

    FazzPass got back to the security room and sat down. Once the chair stopped spinning he went back to watching the security footage as it played out in real time.

    The speedster glanced over at the solid green light, making sure the audio was still cut. Figuring he''d overwrite the footage here in a while with a blank clip of the hall or looped footage of the two as they''d been earlier; singing, laughing, and about to enjoy breakfast.

    Instead of Izime trying to handle the very dangerous thessian while she was recovering from her episode.

    The time-jumping speedster had seen his fair share of emotional breakdowns. He''d gone through enough trial and error to know when things were better off left alone and not because he didn''t care.

    Fazz liked living and wasn''t about to tangle with the thessian during a breakdown if someone else was available. That was a job for her cousin, nine times out of ten; Steven the one in nine times didn''t cause it.

    With none of them available the speedster had originally shown just to make sure Izime was safe and to get him away from the seemingly enraged Psyis. Dashing from the hall after watching her drag him across the table and arriving in time to hear Izime apologizing over whatever he''d said, all while slamming the thessian down in a flying arm bar.

    Fazz would have intervened once they''d started making a mess but both the bird and the psychic''s power had remained holstered. The fact they''d both somehow remained sensible enough to keep their gloves on despite never making it to the training hall made him a bit curious.

    So Fazz had let it play out. then things got weird in a not-good way and ended with Psyis angry crying over a Hickie and all.

    The fastest member of the League might not have been the smartest but he was one of the most understanding and empathetic. Izime''s hint was enough for him to understand that whatever had happened between the two was complicated, enough so that it was best for others to stay out of it.

    Fazz normally wouldn''t listen to such advice so easily but, well, he''d seen Izime''s coat.

    Anyone who''d managed to scrape together that many of Thorn''s suits could handle a few paradoxes, emotional breakdowns, and even apparently a distraught psychic.

    Hopefully, Earth''s soon-to-be newest citizen could handle the rest of the trouble that''d be headed his way as well. The entire League was great at stopping villains, not so much at managing their internal affairs.

    Trouble would find Izime eventually and more than likely it''d come in the form of a Blane.

    While considering such things and their consequences the door to the security room with its camera hub began to open. With a click to pause, Fazz spun his chair around to see who was coming into the security room.

    The speedster gave a wave at the not-quite trouble that had just walked in, glad it was someone on the two''s side coming in. ��Hey Constantinople."

    The exorcist looked at the paused screen, the moment captured speaking volumes about how the two in it were handling their situation.

    ��Even told the lass they needed to take a minute,�� Constantinople shook his head, eyes and mouth both drawn to the same topic Fazz had just been considering. ��Can''t believe she''s gonna be his sponsor.��

    ��Did you think Radiation Man was gonna choose you?�� Arching a super-suited brow Fazz asked Jim what he thought the outcome should have been.

    Even if Fazz was surprised as well it would have only been more surprising to allow Constantinople to board the AI he was already notorious for causing trouble with off-world with.

    ��No, but I also didn''t think he''d try and throw his cousin into a situation like this,�� Constantinople meant what he said in every sense; from the dangers to Izime to Psyis, and the complications this quick forced interaction would cause for the two.

    Constantinople gave a sarcastic bob of his head towards the screen, asking Fazz as he did so. ��What happens the next time, if things get really out of hand.��

    ��I think he''s doing alright.�� The speedster waved away the exorcist''s not completely unfounded worries, putting more faith in Izime than his friend had.

    It was clear from the way Izime was still rocking the thessian that she had someone who was at least able to handle her potential mood swings. With his bird, even the ramifications of the ones he couldn''t.

    ��For now...�� Constantinople nodded down towards the blinking green light under that particular camera''s feed. ��You know we have to keep this from Dark Squire right?��

    Both heroes watching the two through the feed who''d yet to find it within themselves to separate.

    Back in The Hall of Saviors

    ��Come on just... pick one.�� Izime nudged Psyis gently by rocking his knees. The thessian looked back up at him, hints of magenta still swirling with her mottling as she tried to handle the way he was handling the assault he''d nearly suffered. Casually bypassing the errors it was throwing into his emotions

    "They''re both so stupid.�� Psyis looked away, feeling both emotionally and physically over-exposed. Still resting in the same lap of the man she''d just overpowered, that man now trying to talk them through making sure nothing like that ever happened again.

    The thessian shook her head asking the question that wasn''t on her mind, ��Why would we even say that in the middle of a fight.��

    ��Because it is stupid, so we know to stop fighting so pick a safeword already.�� Izime was a bit embarrassed he was using FazzPazz''s idea but glad that Psyis seemed willing to at least consider the list of commands he''d offered her. The AI hoped she picked something simpler than ''overflow'' or the other errors he''d thought up as a command as he watched her consider her choices.

    ��Syntax.�� Rolling her red eyes Psyis finally made a decision, it wasn''t that she didn''t understand why they needed one.

    The last ten minutes had just proven to her how reactive Izime could make her, just how unadult and emotional she could get at the drop of a hat. If Izime was right and the talks were only going to get heavier from here on, having the fallback made a lot of sense. Even if it felt a bit degrading that they were using one.

    Psyis making up her mind just as Izime opened his mouth once more. It''d help keep the peace and equality if they both had one.

    ��OK, now you can ge-�� Izime finally gave permission and a little lift hoping Psyis would move, his legs were already falling asleep under the surprisingly heavy thessian.

    The AI grunted slightly as she did the opposite, throwing deadweight behind her ass and smushing his hands, as he''d been trying to help her up.

    ��You pick one.�� Psyis squatted a bit forcing herself down on Izime, refusing to move as what was good for the goose was good for the gander.

    Or rather, what was good for one alien was good for another.

    ��We''ll use the same one it''ll be easier to remember that way.�� Izime shook his head refusing, not wanting to start adding to the terms they would use to hard-stop any emotional conflicts. Keeping one on the table was a good enough stand-in for a big red button for anything they''d get into.

    The AI glanced down at his hands as he realized he''d just been unconsciously kneading the thessian''s leg, only noticing it as he''d felt her hips roll uncomfortably under his touch. Still not used to her super-hearing he''d not expected her to hear his next quip about the newly noticed habit, ��Not sure which one of us is the cat or the dog anymore.��

    ��I''m sorry I... um overreacted.�� Psyis tried to put a term to what she''d felt and done. Unsure of how Izime was handling things, if he was handling them at all.

    Izime verbally complained about being bitten, all while his hands kept roaming slowly. His body seemed to be sending completely different signals than his mouth.

    ��It wasn''t an overreaction it was a response, and not an unheard of one for what you went through,�� Izime replied hoping he didn''t sound too clinical about Psyis'' kneejerk reaction. Opening his databanks he continued to explain a bit of what he knew she''d felt. ��It''s natural to want to take after being taken fro-��

    It was clear it wasn''t appreciated though, as Psyis interrupted him just a few words in. Standing as she got away from the talking dictionary.

    ��Izime just accept my apology,�� Psyis ordered the AI to shut up not needing a dissertation on her apparently classic trauma response, already knowing why she''d done it. Psyis looked down trying to stop the fresh memories but was unable to.

    That moment of having him helpless, feeling just what she could have done, was enough of a reminder that she didn''t want to continue any cycle of pain.

    ��OK, I accept it but terms are still on the table for forgiveness.�� Izime nodded along agreeing before holding up his finger and adding a term to the apology. Wanting to at least get a read on this new Centropolis story-line before wrapping his head around the way Psyis complicated other things than the script.

    ��What?�� Psyis asked, narrowing her brows unsure of where Izime was going until he finished making his demands. Nerves twisted in dread as she felt an odd distance drive itself between them as Izime looked away.

    ��I''ll accept the apology right now, fine, but if you want actual forgiveness I want a week.�� Keeping his voice level the AI tried to put a stop to the immediate move to Centropolis. Knowing the close proximity wouldn''t be good for either of them while their emotions were so high, especially unsupervised.

    Izime winced a bit as Psyis started fuming, her reaction only reinforcing his opinion despite how badly she seemed to be taking his words. Still, he kept his voice firm as he asked for a few hundred miles between himself and the thessian, ��At a minimum.��

    ��A we-Kansas?�� Psyis'' brows raised as she realized what Izime was asking, even making a snap accusation.��You want to run away...��

    Psyis felt the rest of that statement die on her lips as she realized how valid the request was. Teal eyes already looking at her a bit sad as if Izime had expected her negative response to his wants.

    She was starting to feel like her anger had played right into his hands, Psyis already knowing she''d opened the door to let him make his points even before he''d asked for permission to argue.

    ��I''m going to say something and please don''t syntax me over this, or during it just respond yes, no, or pass, OK?�� Izime looked at Psyis expectantly waiting for a response.The AI hoped he sounded confident as he very timidly dipped his toes into the waters of the conversation he was about to try and have with Psyis.

    Neither of them was in a good headspace back then, and things were only deteriorating even faster as time progressed. Izime silently wished Psyis would agree so he could open the floor to this topic on his terms; he was relieved when she nodded.

    It was time to address how he''d felt about this whole thing they''d danced around since Constantinople had opened his damned mouth.

    ��I''m not your ex,�� Izime stated clearly and without ire, looking at Psyis carefully so his words wouldn''t end in another knocked-over desk. The AI gave her a raised brow as he prompted for a response, ��Right?��

    ��Yes,�� Psyis looked to the side hoping Izime wasn''t about to accuse her of taking it out on him. She was already beating herself up enough for thinking taking any king of power back from Izime would correct her past.

    Izime''s next question raised white brows, Psyis'' heart clenching for another reason as she realized he was discussing their past relationships and what that discussion might lead to.

    ��You are aware I had feelings for Bell.�� Izime crossed his arms, his words more of a statement or accusation than a question. The answer clearly obvious as Psyis had already thrown the woman in his face once this morning.

    Psyis looked down not wanting to reveal the scope of what she knew about Izime and Bell''s past, the details around just how close they''d gotten still a bit hazy. The thessian just quietly acknowledged the AI''s lingering feelings about the woman who''d forged his humanity, ��...yes��

    ��We were never in a relationship, do you want to know why?�� Izime asked, knowing what the obvious answer would be and part of the AI hoped the psychic would be honest with herself.

    Raising his brow in surprise as Psyis tried to take the easier route out for both of them, avoiding any hard truths about his past.

    ��Pa-�� Psyis started to use the freebie answer that Izime had provided. Thinking he''d offered it now as a choice where she could be nice and give him an out on a personal question until she saw his reaction.

    The thessian changed her response to his raised brows an offer of a candid answer played out across his face, standing a bit straighter as she said. ��Yes.��

    ��I wasn''t ready, that was a very rushed product so even though I could access all kinds of data I couldn''t pull any kind of emotional self out of it.�� Izime hoped he didn''t sound too jaded as he recited the response he''d been given.

    Recalling the whys behind the no he''d been given as the researcher looked at him like he was a child, right after he''d foolishly said he''d fallen for her. The old woman''s words came back to haunt him with how right she was starting to seem in this instant with Psyis.

    None of that confidence existed at this moment, none of the bravado of the past fueling foolish thoughts about the thessian in front of him.

    Izime looked up to find red eyes that seemed honestly interested in his response, so he continued to explain even agreeing now in hindsight, ��I couldn''t form the concept of a favorite color, let alone a favorite person without a million algorithms to help me. Bell was right I enjoyed her because she was a hammer; she was breaking that wall of data down, but I didn''t love her for it. Do you believe that?��

    ��No.�� Psyis shook her head biting back the scoff that''d nearly slipped out as she considered just how fondly Izime had looked at the wrinkled researcher and her poof of white hair. The thessian thinking about dyeing her own, for the first time suddenly disliked the stark white she''d been born with.

    The thessian glad she hadn''t laughed as Izime tried to explain how he felt and had noticed a difference between the two emotions, forcing him into a position where he''d had to prove emotions he was having trouble understanding.

    ��Perspective here, when Bell said no I got angry. I''m saying no to you because, in a very human way, I''m scared that we''re rushing this and it will backfire on us in the end. I don''t want to hurt us,�� Izime held up his hands hoping the thessian would appreciate his worries about jumping into a living situation with someone he liked in that way. The AI rubbed at his temples as he tried to not dig a pit of expectations for either of them, dancing around admitting anything at this exact moment.

    Still, Izime tried to put some kind of words to the way he felt about the thessian that had constantly drawn him in sometimes just with a purely irritating nature, ��Psyis, I''m not completely blind to my biological half, but right now we''re both fighting ghosts and we need a minute before we do anything like live together."

    ��A week?�� Psyis looked down and smiled sadly as she considered the words Izime had just used. The words were vague but the meaning was clear; nothing was happening between them in the near future.

    Psyis felt like she was being zoned in some way, quarantined indefinitely until Izime decided he was over Bell, or more likely Izime was hoping someone else caught her eye.

    The last thought was the most painful and most sensible for him to have.

    ��OK yes a minute means longer tha-�� Izime rolled his eyes thinking Psyis was caught up on his otherworldly colloquialisms. Stopping as she cut him off, a bit curious as to why Psyis caught this one so quickly.

    ��No, I get what you''re saying Its just,�� Psyis furrowed her brows as she tried to think of a way to gently call them both out on their baggage. It wasn''t the kind of thing you ever just got over, for either of them, ��a week doesn''t seem long enough for that, for either of us.��

    The way Izime nodded only confirmed her earlier worry, the idea of someone else spinning in the worst way within Psyis mind.

    ��Its not.�� Izime shrugged not really worried about a week from now.

    Hopefully, by then, the idea of the whole thing would have chilled any kind of heated moments in her apartment simply because they''d both be too self-conscious to do anything too damaging in those early stages. That or someone reasonable would separate them like Constantinople or James beforehand.

    However, the AI immediately grew more worried about the week having a much more negative effect as Psyis visibly grew more insecure with the idea of being apart, trembling taking over the already high-strung thessian.

    ��I''m never going back Izime.�� Psyis blurted, feeling her heart twist with nightmare-like possibilities where she''d lose herself.

    Imagining herself waking up one day to just not remember Izime, the Psyis who was in this moment being replaced with the mindless actor from his reality once more. Waltzing happily back to Steven with the entire concept of what she''d realized about her world and life vanishing as the script self-corrected her free will.

    Trying to make a promise to the AI, words she knew were only there to ease her worries at this moment. Psyis'' oath dying out before it''d even been finished, ��If you''re scared I-I''ll lose myself I...��

    Her confidence faltered as she realized that was a promise she couldn''t make. It was something only Izime would notice and it''s not like they were so close that he''d save her.

    This entire thing she felt with him was just heated moments of contact. Ones where she''d felt Izime reacting to her games of push and pull but nothing to the degree that he''d ever fight for her. Not against Dark Squire who already seemed to instinctually hate him, let alone the script this world was ruled by; the thing he''d sworn to never disturb.

    The walls closed in on the thessian once more as a cape she wasn''t wearing seemed to choke her. The world dragged her down into the darkness as her eyes searched for some kind of anchor, only vaguely aware of the hands that reached in to save her.

    ��Hey, look at me.�� Izime walked over ordering Psyis to open her eyes, watching as the thessian slipped into a panic attack over her lack of control.

    At least that was what he hoped had stopped her from promising something like that to him. Izime found he wasn''t that confident in his own knee-jerk diagnosis, quickly grabbing her arms and giving her a shake.

    Watching her red eyes shy away hopelessly, either deep in the grips of her panic attack or in the grips of something else.The thought of yet another direct interference disturbed him, almost personally insulted by how blatant the moves were. Ripping the personalities away from who it pleased when it suited it was a step crueler than he''d been even as the Basilisk had been.

    "I promise Psyis, I''ll keep you, you." Izime cupped her cheeks giving her a little pat, the action finally freeing Psyis enough to listen to him. Izime leaned in searching the thessian''s eyes for any sign that she''d actually been tampered with as he promised her instead, ��I''m not on the books so just trust me. It''s one week and then we can try to sort some kind of us out of this mess we''ve both got to deal with.��

    ��A deal with the Basilisk?�� Psyis couldn''t hold back her laugh this time, Izime making a promise he couldn''t actually keep, ��My heart for wh-��

    Her mouth snapped closed as a voice she''d only heard in memories answered her. Izime''s face still examining her worriedly and his hands still giving her a gentle once over as he checked her responses, but that tone wasn''t his.

    The Basilisk surfaced for a moment as she sarcastically made the offer in her helpless desperation.

    ��Your freedom.�� Izime looked at Psyis, no smile on his face as he let his powers go to work.

    Different levels of invisible strands reached through to give the thessian a reality-level once-over with algorithms so complex they could compute the cuddling potential of quarks. A force better suited to birthing realities from their very conception now sorted through potentials in Psyis choices and who she was.

    Proverbially slapping Schrodinger''s hand out of the way, freeing Psyis from the box she was in and placing her in his own where she could be ''free''.

    The AI got a grasp on the thessian''s current situation in time and marked the ''noodle'' of her potential solutions he was creating at this moment. It''d be a better baseline for her sense of self until he got a more personal measure in a week.

    Finally releasing Psyis as she looked at him, both equal parts gifted with hope and stricken with disbelief, Izime stated his part of the bargain. ��You teach me how to love and I''ll keep things from touching you that you would never imagine.��

    Psyis swallowed dryly before nodding, running her own hands of Izime''s as they cradled her face.

    The sensation of helplessness faded as the walls pulled back letting the light back in, an ironic freedom breaking through as she''d struck that deal. Selling her heart before it even settled once more, though thankfully, this time at least she''d been conscious of the choice. The psychic having a bad premonition now for another reason entirely as she looked at the absolute idiot she''d handed it to.

    The trade at first sounded equal, but now she realized he''d never promised the same in return; only to grant her freedom at the end of it.

 A Different Kind of Bargaining

    From the bay windows of the highrise restaurant, he had a perfect view of Centropolis. Here Steven could watch the streak cut across the sky, the trail of orange puffing to white behind it as the shuttle returned to Earth brining with it nothing but trouble.

    The shuttle wouldn''t be landing in the massive mid-Missouri population center that''d grown from the heart of the literal center of the continental United States of America. It''d be landing a state over in Kansas to drop off the latest of the Cent''s off-world acquisitions.

    A few jokes about rednecks and inbreeding crossed Steven''s mind before he threw them out. The joke lost its humor as he imagined Mama Cent taking to that disgusting stand-in for a man Izime, actually treating him like family.

    The last thing Steven wanted was more people sympathizing with that digital monster-made flesh. Supporting it as it infiltrated their world and usurped Steven''s own place in life.

    That was the entire reason he was here, Steven looked back at Brittany or Bethany as he tried to recall her name.

    Whatever it doesn''t matter.

    Steven thought as he ran his green eyes over the petite business-suited brunette. She''d serve his purposes just fine both as a journalist and immediately after this little brunch.

    Stories like this were best snuck in under Jamestones personal radar and Psyis hadn''t made herself available in months now. The crotchety old journalist was only a fan of his personal hit stories and Steven needed to blow off some steam.

    ��Thats the one,�� With a gesture Steven pointed at the small trail of white as it grew, cutting across the sky.

    Glancing back at the soft brown doe eyes of the journalist contact across from him, Steven gave his best playboy grin before purposefully letting it sour. Watching as the brunette joined in and then just as he had soured, grown a bit worried looking.

    Good, she''s hooked.

    Turning as if pained to direct her attention back outside, the young billionaire acted wounded. Explaining just who''d paid for that shuttle to come and ruin his life, ��Blanes funding wasted on another off-worlder, and American tax dollars along with it.��

    ��All to pollute the streets of our fine country with miscreants who don''t know the first thing about humanity.�� Bellany sipped the expensive martini Steven had casually thrown on his tab. The young woman was glad she''d chosen her most mature-looking business attire for this meeting.

    It''d allowed her to contrast Steven''s too-rich-to-care look perfectly; drawing all the right eyes towards her as she tried to fish for both a story and a live in wallet.

    ��Our version of humanity,�� Steven hoped he didn''t look stupidly astonished or idiotically scared. It was a bit hard to act out the level of fear and disgust he wanted without overplaying it. The rich boy Steven couldn''t be frightened, no but revolted and disturbed felt like a good mix.

    So that''s what Dark Squire went with as he continued explaining. ��From what I hear about this one it''s a dimensional doppelganger of sorts that some other reality threw on our doorstep. Not even a real human, just a close enough copy that Wallin''s willing to give it a shot stateside.��

    ��Why not, none of our allies seem very interested in housing these risks.�� Bellany huffed the same rhetoric that earned her a promotion at Jamestones'' agreeing with Steven on the point.

    The journalist hoped it''d earn her a better scoop than a rich boy with a phobia of aliens. That Steven wasn''t, clearly this new thing had something to do with that thessian tomboy who''d stupidly left him and his last name available for the taking.

    ��You know I knew she was going to cause problems as soon as I heard she was moving to Centropolis.�� Bellany threw a bit of mud at alien, leaning forward and sipping her drink before looking back across the table at Steven. Pulling her arms a bit closer in front of her, watching as Steven eyed up his ex''s competition.

    Bellany already knew who won in that department so with a bit of a victorious smirk she explained where else the purple woman had erred, ��Not just an alien but a country hick trying to make it in a city full of real humans, that was just asking for trouble trying to hold up to the real thing.��

    ��You know something?�� Steven didn''t flinch as the journalist pried, firing back a question of his own. Reaching out to grab his own drink and take a sip, raising his brow and his eyes as he did.

    As if teasing her to prove her head actually contained anything of comparative interest to what lay below.

    ��Oh yeah, I keep an ear out for any kind of dirt on those freaks,�� Bellany replied as she leaned in her chair, twisting as she did so. The journalist knew that was the combination to unlock the view Steven had been vying for.

    Letting the playboy decide if he was more interested in her cleavage or the information about his ex as she spilled more than the beans, ��If your shuttles bringing another one of those off-colored monsters here, it''s probably the same one she filed paperwork for. Sponsoring another all-American hero my ass, wait a month and those idiots who believe in happy endings will have it all over the press.��

    ��I bet they''ll pull in more attention than Jamie Torche''s latest scandal just because of the feel-good spirit. Two aliens living the American dream in Centropolis, people will be screaming for wedding bells in a month....�� Bellany sat back satisfied as that finally made Steven twitch. Watching his face she teased her lips as she spat a her questions with a professional speed, ��Seems my worries aren''t unfounded Steven, who''s this guy to Miss Psyis? What''s the relation, another thessian?��

    ��No comment, last thing I need is you running to Jamestone because I leaked anything important, I''m paying you to make this into a scandal for her.�� Steven shook his head refusing to detail anything other than his own goals.

    Whatever the League wanted to do at this point didn''t matter nearly as much as making sure Psyis stayed away from it. It was clear beforehand she couldn''t think clearly around it, now that she was trying to legally keep him.

    It''d be a week before she''d forgotten who she really owed, Steven knew he was about to be replaced by the easily broken bot.

    As such, the playboy was willing to use the same connections he''d used against Trevor on Izime now, ��This needs to focus on that thing the shuttle brought down here nothing else.��

    ��I haven''t been paid for anything yet, so I may as well chase whatever story smells the most interesting...�� Bellany arched a brow starting to tease Steven with doing a completely different kind of article. A love-sick playboy throwing money to shit on his problems in Kansas sounded just as good as yet another alien hit-piece.

    The small ding on her phone convinced her otherwise.

    Bellany smiled as she knew more than a few zeros found their way to her bank account. She dropped that brow and gave Steven a pouty look hoping she could earn a tip as well, tossing out a few words of appreciation. ��Blanes are always the best for business.��

    ��Keep the stories targeted, he''s a nobody so you got a blank canvas to work with,�� Steven didn''t bat an eyelash at the Journalist''s teasing, more glad Bellany had kept it up long enough he''d remembered the name behind the view.

    Just in time to find her bank account and forward a few tens of thousands, the sidekick now making sure his funds were well spent as he gave the journalist free reign over her target, ��Spin it however you want just make sure anything positive comes crashing to the ground around her.��

    ��Ahh the complicated lifestyles of the rich and famous.�� Bellany dropped her coy attitude sitting back and giving Steven a business smile as she checked her account.

    Sighing appreciatively, glad to have the money on hand to fund her other habits, commenting slyly under her breath as she did so, ��Too bad she''s only one of those and I''m none.��

    ��Having resources grants me certain privileges, I''d be an idiot not to use them.�� Steven pretended he didn''t hear Bellany complaining, simply acknowledging the moves he''d made.

    Not bothered at all, Steven simply looked around the room waiting for Bellany to decide if she wanted to go to work now or after she''d checked the envelope he was sliding onto the table.

    ��A better person maybe, but you''d make a shitty customer then.�� Bellany admitted as she tilted her head a bit, reaching for the envelope. Surprised at the pay and the gift of a head-start on whatever stories Steven wanted to be run on his celebrity ex, the man was all business over this new threat.

    Bellany asked just wanting to confirm, before she opened the simple white mailer, ��I''ll see what I can stir up, in the meantime, I''m guessing this is something I can use.��

    ��Some snapshots of a video, I got from a contact who works on League Orbital. It cost me a fair amount so I expect you to make good use of it.�� Steven let the lie slide easily as it was clear Blane Enterprise had connections with the space station. It funded nearly 70% of the launches to the installation after all.

    That relation had originally been the cover that''d allow Psyis to start dating him openly instead of simply being caught candidly with Dark Squire. Now it was the same connection Steven used to tie her down. Keeping the ignorant woman from ruining her chance at having a life with him.

    ��Not gonna let me have the actual video?�� Bellany raised her eyebrow as she tore open the sealed envelope sliding out only a few pictures instead of something really juicy.

    ��If I need to push harder I might find that USB back, until then I''ll be waiting. You should be able to make something impressive out of these alone.�� Steven shook his head, having other plans for the video, like asking Psyis just what the hell she was doing.

    She''d never lost her cool like that with him or acted so... heated, not that he was jealous. It was just more evidence that the AI was somehow reverse-psyching his future wife.

    That kind of evidence he''d not waste on the girl in front of him, it was better off used as blackmail directly.

    ��Intimate, I can work with intimate.�� Bellany looked at the photos of the two ''aliens'' on the small glossy print, the angles weren''t the best but that was perfect.

    It obscured just enough to claim all kinds of things and revealed just enough Bellany knew she could back up some of them. Her face twisted, his hands placed so questionably, and the orange jumpsuit was just the icing on top of it all. Truly a chef''s kiss to tabloid photography.

    The journalist almost wished she could shake the hand of whoever installed the camera as they''d saved her an afternoon of work. Bellany asked the playboy if he was available to fill in her suddenly free afternoon, ��What about you Mr. Blane, any plans in the meantime?��

    ��I''ve got a hotel room.�� Steven didn''t bother looking up to see if Bellany was offering, he wasn''t asking. It''d only be a few more thousand spent and the sight of that shuttle disappearing had him really needing to blow off some steam as soon as he could.

    It''d help to have his mind elsewhere right as that homeless shit was stepping off the shuttle in Kansas and it''d serve Psyis right for choosing Izime''s side. Steven figured he''d let the journalist get back to it soon enough to detonate the little bomb he''d swiped from Stan''s live feed of the station.

    The sidekick looked forward to seeing just how much Centropolis cared about their hero when she was spreading her legs in the League''s Hall.

    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ��Perfect place for a personal interview.�� Bellany smiled knowing her bank account was about to get a lot fuller than anything else, not that she''d ever tell the walking wallet across from her that.

    Instead, she just asked what''d kept her cash cow so tied up lately, playing just as much pretend as he was. ��I haven''t seen you in weeks, was I more fun when it was against the rules?��

    ��Not at all,�� Steven laughed at Bellany''s obvious jealousy over playing second fiddle to her celebrity competition. The playboy explained how he''d wasted away his time instead, ��Just have to play the part you know, act a little sad over that freak running away.��

    Steven decided to not mention that the acting sad part had been done with more than a few models. He''d already told the journalist he wasn''t going to be her scoop, especially when she was such a willing toy for him to squeeze.

    The playboy snapped for the waiter knowing he''d need to hurry if he wanted to bed this bitch in time to fulfill that little fantasy he''d had earlier.

    <u>A very Cratered Cornfield in Kansas</u>

    Psyis took a breath watching as the white streak curved and seemed to stop. The shuttle was airbraking, in a bank towards her now on its last course corrections before landing at her mom''s house.

    The thessian glanced back nervously at the two standing on the wrap-around farmhouse porch, worried over leaving Izime here alone already and he hadn''t even arrived yet.

    Mama Cent was sweet but like every country mother, she was a bear as well.

    ��Well ye''r right ''bout one thing,�� Barb Cent drawled, standing with her arms crossed in worry over her daughter. Giving a bit of a nod towards her son as she agreed with him, ��She''s obvious into this''un, that fer sure.��

    Her adoptive daughter had done all but ask for the yellow ribbons to be tied around the maples out front this morning, every action throwing the older country woman for a loop. Now Psyis stood standing like a porcelain doll, washing her hands dry in worry in the front yard, her nerves setting the dogs in a tizzy.

    Brushing her hands on her apron, as if that''d rid the nerves that tensed her old heart since her little blueberry had shown back up last night. A day ahead of the expected guest who was apparently going to be staying at the farmhouse for a bit.

    ��I think it''ll be good for her and him.�� James looked over at his mother explaining his reasoning behind the potential match. He wasn''t going to waste time detailing everything, simply summing it up in three words. ��A learning experience.��

    ��Its all a learnin s''pierience James, Pops taught you at''n well enough.�� Giving a nod towards the girl who''d obviously went out on a warpath Barb looked up at her son who''d justified the actions an explained what she''d seen of life this morning. The motherly woman wasn''t dissapointed, she''d even encourag the girl to an extent.

    Just not a whole shot-gun wedding like Psyis'' elder brother had, the old Cent chastising her son once more, ��I just don''t wan'' a''body getting hurt, thats my girl just like yer my boy.��

    ��Well, I think they''re good together.�� James crossed his arms, making his own judgment''s over the youngest of his ''siblings''. Psyis'' actual relation ranged, depending on how everyone felt about her.

    Unlike the person he was about to mention who was almost universally hated at the Cent''s farmhouse. James mentioning the name just to irritate his mom, ��Better than Steven was for her.��

    ��Anything''d be better than that slick''talkin city-shit cheatin'' daggum dog.�� Barb snorted at her son''s assesment of the walking talking rooster that was Steven Blane.

    If this Izime wasn''t better than Blane she''d have an actual conniption and tan her daughters hide white for developing an even worse taste in men.

    ��Izime''s nothing like that,�� James rejected the idea and smiled, thinking about what he did know of the AI and had seen of the two.

    It wasn''t like Psyis was losing out money-wise even, and she was gaining someone who could grow beside her. Izime was the ingredient that''d finally rattled the ''yes and no'' machine from her scales and brought out the girl he''d known from the farm.

    The hero arched his brow as he recalled the incident that''d been discussed with him privately, not quite letting it slip but delivering a bit of a warning still. ��Not perfect but he''s not going to take advantage of her, it''d be the other way around.��

    ��Mmm, I''d best judge that; took you how long to give Leona a proper life?�� Barb sniffed unconvinced, making it clear she''d be making her own decisions. The old saddlebag of a cowgirl had seen her fair share of trouble on two legs even before it''d fallen into her family''s lap crying.

    The old woman was a bit satisfied as she watched James wincing slightly under her stern words, ��Not exactly the best wit''cher yet own choices son, let alone fiddlin with others.��

    The way her daughter''s attention was immediately drawn from her hand washing to the sky was all the warning Barb needed.

    ��You bring''em on inside once that dust settles now!�� Barb called out to her little girl, not wanting to disturb with her presence or breath in the corn dust.

    She turned to her son and gave him a gently squeeze on the arm as she went inside, explaining to him as well before letting the door close. ��I''ve got better things to do be out here wit''cha.��

    ��OK Mama,�� Psyis called back, nodding along with the words. Hoping the relief didn''t slip into her voice as she watched her mom turn and go back inside, the screen door slamming shut behind her.

    Psyis reached into her pocket for the umpteenth time to check that the small make-up case with its common shades of foundation was still there. She was not introducing Izime to her mom with a noticeable hickie on his neck.

    Explaining things to James had been mortifying enough, nodding along as Izime had lied to cover for her. Turning the whole thing into an excusable reason that they needed a bit apart to cool down for entirely other reasons.

    ��Don''t look at me, you supported him coming to Kansas so handling mom is on you.�� James stopped his cousin before she could ask, though he did offer some advice as he patted her on the back. ��Just don''t let her catch you out in the barn like she did to me and Leona back in the day, that''s a talk you don''t want to hear!��

    The Zexxian gave a loud laugh as his planetary cousin blushed magenta to the point even her scalp was taking the hue.

    ��Thanks, James.�� Psyis rolled her eyes before looking down at the ground wondering if this was the right move to make against the AI. She was already too far passed ''teased'' this morning as the family had come through to watch her, each encouraging her to do her best.

    Looking up at James she simply smiled letting his confidence slide off her, knowing it take more than today and some earthly charms, ��I don''t plan on staying though, not for long.��

    ��Just flew out to help him move in,�� James agreed knowing full well Psyis had done much more than that, or at least intended to with her presence here this morning.

    James looked up at the shuttle that was coming in, giving the heroine a bit of advice and directing her to the porch, ��Its a move in a direction at least, come on give them room to land so you don''t ruin it.��

    The Zexxian gave her a shove, hoping Psyis would move a bit quicker and not be spotted by the government officials as well.

    Izime had already run afoul of a few agencies. Having them pull his green card because they thought it''d been gained under false pretense wasn''t another hoop he needed to be added to his jumping list.

    It''d be best to keep this under wraps for a bit longer, at least long enough to make it seem accidental.

    The bits of white chat and dried fertilized dirt blew out in a cloud as the shuttle touched down. The rotating wing re-entry craft looked a bit like a manta ray just with jet engines replacing any tail.

    Landing gently, the pilot was at least polite enough to cut the shuttle to half throttle as more than a handful of armed guards poured out. Finally, two more walked down the small metal walkway that dropped from its belly.

    ��Karen.�� James didn''t bother raising his hand to shield his eyes, Psyis was already blocking the debris for him from the porch forming a shield to hide herself from Izime.

    ��Radiation Man and the rest of the Cent Family. The paperwork cleared, this ones your problem now as well.�� The American hero manager brushed her cropped cut to the side with a huff, unbothered by Radiation Man''s presence. Karen looked over his shoulder at the cloud of unsettled dust her landing had kicked up, satisfied in that at least.

    Turning to look at the newest trouble she''d allowed stateside she flicked a bit of that dust off her suit. Watching as her agents uncuffed him, raising a brow before slapping the folder of documents into his chest.

    Honestly glad to be rid of the problem she''d been trapped inside the shuttle with for the last two hours.

    Karen turned and gave it a final warning as he looked at Radiation Man, ��I expect to hear less than a whisper from the stars seeing as I''m letting every little misstep slide on this.��

    ��You won''t and if you do just send them to me.�� Izime smiled happily as he took the documents from the official bitch.

    Glad that Cradle landing on the wing of the craft mid-reentry had cut off any of her pointless threats. If it hadn''t he''d just as happily snapped them to M-83 and shown her something truly terrifying.

    ��I''d rather send you with them at this point,�� Karen glared back at the mouthy space-faring thing she''d tried to interrogate during the communications blackout thinking its back-up wouldn''t be able to interfere.

    Her contacts weren''t completely clear but it apparently knew things, potential dangers that could crop up both internal and external to the USA and the earth itself.

    So she''d wanted answers and made a move at what she thought was the prime moment.

    Karen knew she was wrong now, but that only proved the other claims to be a bit more valid. Now threatening the man the only way she reasonably could, ��I expect the IRS will be contacting you about back taxes before any citizenship clears, so I''d stick close to your sponsors until then Izime.��

    Snapping in her own little mockery of his alleged powers she waved at the group of agents she''d brought with her, ��Let''s go people, there''s no reason to waste our time in Kansas now that we''ve dropped off this package.��

    ��She''s always such a pleasure to talk to.�� James waved the shuttle off, not bothering to look behind him at the cloud that''d yet to settle.

    ��Not the worst I''ve run across.�� Izime shrugged as he recalled the first Vidan officer he''d encountered, the earth-bound equivalent not being so different in his opinion. They''d both threatened to vaporize him in some fashion.

    Turning Izime instead apologized once more for altering James''s plans, ��I... uh sorry about changing your plans?��

    The entire fight had actually been unintentional but it''d still served his purpose in putting himself back on the right course for an actual startling hero on earth.

    ��Just postponed them is all, and I don''t think you''ve done yourself any favors.�� James smiled gleefully as he got to be the first to break the news to Izime, or rather scare him with the dire omens of what was to come.

    ��Sometimes its better to make the mistakes and pay your dues later,�� James patted the AI gently on the same shoulder he''d once dismembered Radiation Man warned him of the beast inside the farmhouse as he kept him from turning completely. Teasing him one final time before he got to see the princess it guarded James walked through the remaining dust to head inside. ��Enjoy it before you meet the warden inside.��

    ��Huh? Enjoy wha-�� Izime held his hand up as a cloud of dust washed over him, the AI''s vision blocked out by the debris that for some reason still not settled.

    Cradle?

    Calling out to his bond Izime summoned the raven to his side, unsure of what was coming. Dropped his hand as the flutter of wings came to his shoulder, the dust dying out as a cape made its way through the cloud.

    If it was Jack upset on Steven''s behalf, hopefully, he could just talk his way out of it. Psyis was his cousin as well so he should be on her side, and therefore his?

    Izime''s worries dropped as fast as his jaw when he realized the flowing behind the cloud wasn''t a cape.

    ��I figured this would be off-script enough.�� Psyis smiled at Izime''s reaction to the dress she''d had her mom pick out of the line-up she''d placed on her old bed.

    The yellow sundress was absolutely freezing in the chilly November air but seeing Izime''s reaction now it was totally worth it. The thin strap design was overly feminine with its spring-flower.

    The dress was everything she wasn''t, everything the season wasn''t. The perfect choice to show she''d gone off the script and was making choices outside the world''s boundaries; it was her new battle attire.

    Cradle cocked its head in the opposite direction of Izime, the raven''s mouth, and brain apparently functioning at a higher level than its bond as it replied first.

    ��Pretty Purple.�� Cradle flapped happily, appreciative of the thessian''s new choice in foliage.

    Deciding to speak up on behalf of its bond who''d likely be puffed as a spooked pigeon if he was a bird. Stupid Purple had obviously put a bit of thought into this dance for attention and it deserved a bit of acknowledgment.

    What with the colors and the display of her powers and all. It was clearly working, the two craning their heads like dancing swans as they shyly approached.

    ��Thank you, Cradle.�� Psyis took off the old staw hat she''d used to complete the look giving a little curtsey in thanks. Never looking at the bird, her eyes too busy as they tried to follow Izime''s, catching his tiny glances.

    Turning her head a bit shyly she probed for a direct answer from the raven''s usually more vocal partner, ��What about you?��

    ��Um, pretty as well?�� Izime agreed with Cradle, throwing his lot in as his words honestly failed him for a moment. The AI going for broke as its brain had simply stopped processing what Psyis looked like which led to what all kinds of other thoughts, like the fact she was clearly braless once more and he hadn''t even broken this one.

    Which was a really stupid fact to notice because what did it matter? Who was even concerned about what was under the very pretty dress that clothed the gorgeous thessian?

    ��Pretty as well?�� Psyis raised her brow, resting her hat and hand on her hip as she looked at the AI unsurprised to hear the latest tag that been applied by his other half falling out of his mouth so quickly, ��Come on give me something from you at least.��

    ��Klere byen b��l pase d��nye etwal la mwen janm w��,�� Izime rattled the translation off quick enough Psyis should have trouble remembering any of it. He hoped Weson was right and it was one of the best pick-up lines in the world.

    The AI figured the man just relied on his accent judging by Psyis response.

    ��Kla-bee-in.. what?�� Psyis'' brow dropped and furrowed together as she tried to keep up. Running her tonuge along her cheek as Izime skirted around giving her a real compliment even after all her work. ��Thats not fair.��

    ��Learn other languages and stop cheating around it by thinking them.�� Izime smiled as he watched Psyis fume, he decided to give her a bit of a headstart on figuring out the compliment he''d raced past her. ��That was creole which is classically fren-.��

    ��I know it''s Creole you damned search engine, it''s like thinking in five languages at once. I..�� Psyis complained, her frown deepening as she searched Izime''s face.

    Wanting to see if he had even really cared about her appearance at all, the AI behind his teal eyes only blinking back in confusion at her.

    Yep, useless after all.

    The thessian swallowed the thought back not wanting it to taint the introductions that lay ahead.

    ��Everything''s a game with you isn''t it.��Psyis rolled her eyes wondering if she was using the wrong tactics, throwing a useless complaint at Izime instead of being honest.

    Waving him closer as she reached into her dress pocket to get the make-up case, ��Whatever come here, at least I''m pretty enough for you to gawk at you should have just kept doing that.��

    ��You have skin-toned make-up?�� Izime looked down in surprise at the colors that were revealed in the palette, tilting away even as he tried to look. Examining the colors that were available, none of them seemed very thessian in nature.

    The AI jerked back a bit as Psyis pulled at his collar before she bothered explaining.

    ��I bought it yesterday before leaving Centropolis.�� Psyis looked up, not upset that Izime was leaning back from her as it gave her better access to the mark she needed to hide. Carefully dabbing the powder with the puny applicator the make-up had come with.

    Careful that she didn''t get any on the brand-new cotton tee Izime was wearing under his leather jacket as she explained its purpose, ��Figured you''d like a cover-up before meeting my mom.��

    ��What?!�� Izime realized that the old woman glaring daggers from the kitchen was looking down at Psyis in absolute horror, both the AI and human freezing, ��I-��

    Her mom was watching everything, from how he''d been released from handcuffs to her daughter covering the hickie that''d most certainly been forced on him two mornings prior!

    Izime quickly pulled off his jacket and threw it over Psyis shoulder regardless of how bad he looked now, knowing just why the woman was glaring.

    The thing Psyis had given him was now a nice tint of purple and off-colored yellow, it''d probably a lot like the other bruises he''d have here soon.

 The Last Peaceful Morning

    Walking into the kitchen Barb looked over at the two that had been occupying her table for the last two mornings.

    The smell of fresh coffee chased the scent of horses and corn out of the farmhouse. Leaving only the note of leather, fresh brew, and the governmental paper that the two were working on filling out.

    The early November sun peeked through the pulled curtains so they could see the papers they were working on.

    Psyis sat drinking out of Jack''s mug, already dressed in what had suddenly become her favorite dress.

    Not a thought the Kansas native had ever imagined would cross her mind.

    The yellow piece had been left behind in Kansas, apparently forgotten until the man worth wearing it for had appeared. The out-of-season piece finally finding its way out of the closet to have its moment at the tail end of fall.

    The older woman leaned back and took a long measure of the man who sat opposite her daughter. Watching as they each test the waters with each other, pulling back at the barest ripple.

    She��d at first been undecided, almost leaning back towards the Blanes. If Psyis went back to that Steven boy she��d at least be well taken care of which was better than nothing.

    Powers, aliens, or otherwise the wisen woman knew everyone needed some kind of support and financial was better than the nothing Psyis had in Centropolis.

    After two days she still remained undetermined about this Izime.

    Psyis�� new man was nothing but trouble of the kindest sort and it worried her mother immensely. Barb knew she didn��t have time to wait on these two who were wasting it ''figuring things out'' as kids called it these days.

    The worst part was her daughter still hadn��t left, so Bard hadn��t had a single damned second to try and straighten the man out.

    Barb had seen frightened barn cats with more confidence than the two.

    The cowgirl was a bit surprised to see the heroine triple-guessing every touch. Pysis was clearly scared of running the man off just with a bit of flirting. It was one thing to be cautious in love, another if he was going to waste her little girl''s time. In her day you just saddled up and made the ride work; something this boy needed to get through his head.

    Preferably soon, so she could see some striped grandkids or whatever popped out of the combination of a thessian and human.

    ��It''s fine, let me finish these documents OK?�� Izime reached up and stopped Psyis as she tried to start worrying away at his neck again before glancing down at the tax documents below him.

    Taking a steadying breath before he marked a few more numbers down, trying to trudge through the swamp Karen Wallin had thrown him into. Izime rubbed at teal eyes that were already tired from reading physical print this morning, half considering trying to talk Cradle into helping for a fifth time.

    Looking over at the person who had been helping, occupying the chair beside him for hours at a time, Izime��s steady breath turned into an unsteady sigh.

    Reaching out he stopped Psyis�� hand once more, glad when she''d devoted her attention to his words instead of the papers so he could apologize properly, ��I''m sorry if I sound like I��m blowing off the effort you��ve put in. It''s taking a minute for all this to process, I��ve got a lot on my plate all of a sudden.��

    ��Yeah, Karen will do that to you.�� Psyis agreed looking down at the files on Izime��s side of the table.

    The threats that had been leveled at him legally were designed to target his financial assets. The IRS had almost tactical strike levels of information on Izime��s business that would have only come from one source within the League.

    ��Someone let slip that I''d been exporting let''s just call it that,�� Izime explained as he followed Psyis�� eyes, pushing the papers back a bit as he reached for his cup of coffee.

    The words weren��t specific but they both knew who had it out for Izime the most at the moment; right behind the tax officials, there was a Blane pointing his finger.

    Izime instead blamed only the hound that��d been set on his heels, ��The government clearly wants it''s due if I''m going to get any kind of citizenship here. I could buy my way out but that feels like losing you know.��

    ��It could speed up the process.�� Psyis nodded as she tried to be understanding. The zeros on the page scared her mind and bank account into senselessness, it wasn��t something the Kansas farm girl could grasp so easily.

    The thessian simply falling back on the line Dark Night often used to explain spending anything near that amount, ��Money helps solve a lot of problems.��

    It''s only a few billion.

    The thought only crossed Izime��s mind for a second before his bond came bursting through both the mental connection and physically through the air.

    ��Ow!�� Izime yelped as he snapped his head back, Cradle appearing in an explosion of nanites to peck at his cheek.

    With a shrug Izime rolled his shoulder and dumped the greedy bird onto the table, pointing a finger down at his feisty child as he warned it. ��Chill it was just a thought.��

    Psyis pulled back in surprise of her own, the thin line of blood Cradle had drawn looking like a tiny papercut under Izimes eye. The trail it was starting to leak looking much worse than the actual wound.

    ��Everything OK?�� Psyis asked, glancing down worriedly at the bird that was croaking in irritated warning back at Izime��s finger. The raven acting completely out of character for its usual docile demeanor with its bond.

    ��We''ve been trying to talk through some stuff.�� Izime rolled his eyes looking down at his bond, still discussing why it scratched him. Making sure Cradle knew he wouldn��t just part with a vast sum of their wealth to save a few hours of paperwork.

    ��I guess it is not going well?�� Psyis winced slightly, standing to go and get a paper towel so Izime could clean himself up. She came back to find her time wasted, both the blood and scratch gone.

    Instead of asking questions or complaining Psyis just smiled, watching as Izime rolled Cradle around on the papers. Glad to see that the two weren��t having any real issues because of her mess.

    ��Things are simpler and more complicated for Ravens. Cradle still doesn''t think too highly of you but appreciates the effort, it just wishes the attention didn''t come at a price.�� Izime explained the gist of the raven''s issues with Psyis and him.

    Izime took the now useless paper towel as he revealed why he��d been punished, spending their assets to avoid any court time, ��Not your fault that its food sells really well so I''m getting punished for my expensive tastes in women.��

    ��It''s not my fault the IRS went after your assets, I didn''t tell anyone.�� Psyis held her hands up as she took her seat back, the raven eyeing her now. The thessian looking over at Izime trying to distance herself from the effect even further, all while knowing she was a part of the cause, ��I... don''t want to apologize for him, that''s a habit I''d rather let die.��

    ��I know and it''s not your fault.�� Izime agreed not nearly as bothered as Cradle was with the issue. Holding out the paper towel to Cradle who snipped at it in frustration Izime put the blame where it belonged, ��It''s his problem, I just wanted to let you know so you''re not surprised if anything else pops up.��

    The raven threw a fit as money was wasted rampantly in the human mating dance. Cradle almost cried out as it tracked the latest data on the expenses of courtship among bipedals discovering that even among aliens, humans had ranked among the highest.

    All three at the table jumped a bit as a third spoke, Barb finally making her presence known as she moved to get her own cup of coffee.

    ��I��ll handle that Blane boy.�� Barb sniffed out curtly not bothering to look at the two startled cats at the table. The old cowgirl knew they��d both look like wide-eyed fence sitters that��d been caught yowling, she was just glad they were quiet about it.

    She just continued on, watching as the black liquid filled the mug in her hand. ��If he does a��thing to far I��ve got��n a lawyer of my own. You two worry about get��n sorted so I can see some little''ins before I��m dead an gone.��

    ��Mrs. Cent.�� Izime almost spat out his coffee as the old woman demanded he reproduce with her daughter on a more timely schedule.

    The AI immediately turned to the other half that had been so abruptly summoned to perform asking for support. ��I-uh... Psyis?��

    ��He''s not agreed to anything yet Mom.�� Psyis didn��t bother looking at the culture shocked Izime who was likely once again realizing having data on something was completely different than being in it.

    The thessian hoped the AI stayed well out of it while she handled her human mother''s demands for grandchildren.

    ��His eyes say otherwise,�� Barb accused Izime with a few words and a simple nod before turning that same scrutinizing gaze on her own daughter.

    Giving Psyis the same verbal poke, unhappy with everything it seemed except for the problem she��d dragged home. ��Taught you everything but taste it seems, but there''s no count''n fer that. At least you finally decided to make your mark a bit more appropriately today taking him out n''stead of gnawin on him.��

    ��We''re no-�� Izime started to refute, looking between the two women who were deciding his fate openly without him. Hoping that the sudden bucket of sense would stop the run-away fire Barb was causing as she egged her daughter on he spoke to the room at large, ��We��re just going shopping at the local super-center, not eloping at the local courthouse.��

    ��I am going with you to stake my claim.�� Psyis patted Izime hand watching his face deadpan as she broke the news to him. The dressing up was for him but what it signified was for every single gossip-monger in the small Kansas town, and there were a few.

    Many with a reach farther than one would think considering the local competition was Leona who hosted on an actual new channel. They��d had to step up their game in order to bring a bit of dignity to the title after an actual journalist had moved in.

    ��She say''s you can sing and play guitar, and you thought she��d let ye wander?�� Barb scoffed at the young man who obviously didn��t realize his own market worth in the country town, clarifying the other reason behind Psyis joining him.

    The old woman gave her daughter the same accusing look back as she threw her under the bus, telling her not to bother with getting snippy over it, ��Don''t look at me like that, if you want to stake anything start telling him that shit and stop yer whisper-talking at me.��

    "Seriously Pi?�� Izime looked over at Psyis a bit aghast at the notions she had of him running off with some woman. He��d never even been in a relationship, now reeling from what felt like an arranged courtship at the hands of the country woman��s family.

    That feeling of being in over his head only grew as the other family member in the room shook her head at him disapprovingly.

    ��That''d be one mark ��gainst you.�� Barb sat up from the counter, pointing at Izime over her cup of coffee as she warned him against using the now burnt-out term, ��Don''t use Steven''s nickname for her.��

    ��Come one lets just go shopping OK,�� Psyis said as she pulled at Izime hand, both glad and upset at her mom once more. It was true she didn��t like the name, but it was something she could discuss with Izime.

    Just like she could have told him that she didn��t want him singing at the local bars for cash. Psyis didn��t need some drunk hussie dragging Izime off to the bathrooms and ruining his opinions of certain things.

    Deciding she''d feel a bit safer settling into her situationship with Izime without her mom''s assistance, Psyis went to get the truck keys while Izime cleaned up the table.

    Barb nodded in farewell, giving the young man a smile of appreciation as he carefully stacked the papers and cleared a spot on the table. At least having enough manners to clean up before her daughter dragged him away, too used to home to clean the mess she''d left behind at all.

    Watching as he finally scurried off to chase the skirt he seemed so hung up over Barb listened as the door closed before finally taking her seat at the table.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    Wondering if she��d pushed a bit too hard, her daughter''s frustration played out as the sounds of the farm truck outside spinning gravel reached in side the farmhouse.

    ��Does Steven actually call you Pi?�� Izime asked, watching the fence posts go by a bit quicker than he felt comfortable with as the truck flew down the very long and wide driveway. It wasn��t that he didn��t feel safe, he knew it wasn��t; the AI absolutely hated automobiles.

    There was also the added fact that Psyis was clearly upset at both her mom and in some way, Izime sensed him as well. So being in a metal box with the irritated thessian didn��t make him feel any safer either.

    Psyis looked over at Izime��s nervousness before glancing down at the speedometer and taking her foot off the gas a bit.

    A bit glad that Izime was the one bringing the topic up, and a bit regretful that she was about to let Steven taint a relationship that��d yet to start; already knowing what Izime was going to ask for.

    ��He does actually, still even though I��ve asked him to stop.�� Psyis answered his question before explaining where Steven had gotten the idea, ��Sweety pie is kind of a twist on my mom''s nickname for me.��

    ��Blueberry, I''m not using that though,�� Izime said, clarifying that he was aware of the name. Explaining further, wanting to differentiate his term for Psyis from the others. ��Or sweetie pie it''s totally diff-��

    He��d not made it more than a few words in before Psyis cut him off, vetoing his use of the name.

    Psyis tried to keep from shaking her head, not wanting Izime to waste his time trying to get the term of affection OK��ed through other means. The woman not wanting to hear another explanation about how it should be allowed because Steven was the one responsible for tainting the word or that she was too sensitive.

    ��It sounds close enough, mom wasn��t lying even if she wasn��t being nice about it�� With a bit of a sad tone Psyis explained why her mother had spoken up before agreeing with her as well. ��I really don��t like a dessert being used as a term of endearment for me.��

    ��OK, well to me you''re the ratio of a circle''s circumference to its diameter; never-ending and irrational.�� Izime crossed his arms explaining regardless, holding his nose a bit higher in the air as he clarified further. ��Not a piece of pie but 3.141592653589-��

    ��Tha-�� Psyis realized Izime was referring to the stupid squiggle they��d put in math books and held competitions over who could remember more digits of. Rewinding what he��d said before spewing off numbers she focused on the actual brieft two-word description aside from the definition.

    I''m never-ending and irrational?

    White brows furrowing as her cheeks tinted a bit, Psyis pursed her lips and asked Izime to come clean. ��Is my nickname a mathematical insult?��

    ��Dunno know one''s ever figured out all of Pi even me. As irrational as it is and despite the fact no one knows how it ends we still use it, because the number just works. In math, things would kind of fall apart without it.�� Izime shrugged, as he explained how he felt about Pi. The AI enjoyed the duality of the number in comparison to the thessian as he asked for permission once more, ��Can I keep using it?��

    ��Yeah.�� Psyis kept her reply simple, too busy reading into all the new meanings behind her new-old nickname. Looking over at the AI that��d finally settled on something besides Stupid Purple she couldn��t resist giving him a bit of grief for causing her blush, ��God you��re such a nerd.��

    ��Good because the other options were a whole lot worse sounding,�� Izime said happily as he smiled, looking over and using one of the failed names he��d thought up instead. ��Square of two.��

    ��Ew.�� Psyis crinkled her nose at the name immediately glad she��d given Izime permission to stick with Pi.

    ��The first irrational number ever discovered didn��t click like Pi did but the other one''s still in consideration,�� Izime explained the thought process behind that particular choice.

    Looking over as the truck bounced, that grin now splitting his face as he revealed the final option. ��Hippasus.��

    ��Pi is fine!�� Psyis yelled as magenta now swallowed her cheeks. The thessian was a bit unable to handle the switch in the almost docile Izime that disappeared once they were in private that was brave enough to joke inappropriately with her.

    Turning her eyes from the road for just a moment she warned the AI to keep watching that mouth, ��If you ever call me that in front of my mom, I swear Izime.��

    Izime laughed for a moment before sitting back in the seat to watch the fenceposts as they went by.

    His mind for once not bothered with forms, relationships, or legal issues that spawned from both. Content for a moment in the silence that was eating slightly at the woman across from him.

    Psyis glanced over at the space that was left unoccupied between her and Izime.

    He��d wanted space and here she was days later providing him with a scant few feet, feeling like a clingy teen. All the while feeling just as legitimately scared of the possibilities she imagined when he wasn��t there. Nagging doubts ate at her brain until they finally worked their way out of her mouth.

    ��I��m not, you know, being too much am I?�� Psyis kept her eyes forward as she asked the question, not brave enough to watch Izime��s face. If a dishonest answer crept out of his mouth she��d just accept it blindly.

    Swallowing back the bitter coffee she��d settled on for breakfast she continued, ��I know you wanted a week and I said I was going to leave but...��

    ��I think telling your mom to keep me on a leash is going a bit far,�� Izime replied as he reached across the bench seat taking Psyis hand knowing that discussing it would likely trigger another attack. Trying to calm the trembling that was creeping through her as he gave a comforting squeeze, explaining that the fear was natural. ��The panic attacks are understandable.��

    ��How do you do it?�� Psyis asked, proud she��d kept the tremble out of her voice even as the shaking grew a bit worse. Hand clenched on the wheel, the thessian wished Izime could have driven now so she could break down. Instead, Psyis just kept venting as she kept her eyes on the road, her fingers finally loosening as a second hand joined the first. ��I��m waking up each morning wondering if I��ll be erased and it''s�� thanks.��

    ��I spent my first bits of life as data, so that was every day,�� Izime recalled his early years, detailing how he��d survived the unnatural jungle of data.

    Hiding not only from the carnivorous fangs of packet sniffers but the almighty hands that could erase entire sectors and wipe drives from existence. Explaining casually how he��d gone through the same near-manic horror of realizing there were things that could overwrite his sense of self.

    The AI found the words coming surprisingly easy as the fence posts flew by, ��I mitigated the fear by copying myself, not something you can do but�� at the end of it, I realized it was just death in another way. A grim reaper in code was still the grim reaper.��

    ��Data or biological, I��d have been overwritten with ones and zeros you��d be turned into worms.�� Izime closed his hoping the calm feelings he was trying convey through his hands didn��t clash against his words too hard. Leaning into Psyis slightly, not wanting to seem insincere with how he was minimizing both perspectives at once. ��You''re just freaking out of my version of dying.��

    ��That''s not comforting but I guess it does make it more acceptable. I��d just be dead either way.�� Psyis looked down from the road for a moment, watching as Izime��s hand left hers. Scooting back across the bench seat to buckle in his seatbelt as they��d reached the end of the gravel road.

    Psyis pulled out towards the closest town and quickly reached highway speeds as Izime switched topics changing the pace of their conversation.

    ��Now about your whole claim over me?�� Izime decided to distract himself by bringing up Psyis�� slightly jealous nature.

    The real reason it bugged Izime was mostly because it wasn��t like he was out, or had ever been out, looking for a relationship. The thought had only crossed his mind recently and only because of the woman who was already apparently worried he��d stray.

    ��It''s a smaller town and obviously the Cent��s are well known, and so am I. Going out with a pretty girl dressed like this says something, especially in such a small town.�� Psyis tried to excuse herself, knowing that the difference in attitudes was probably a bit off-putting.

    It��d been the whole reason she��d asked if he was OK with her sticking around earlier. Aside from wanting to stay close to Izime because of her new onset of mental issues, her presence was intentional as she was openly trying to get Izime to agree to a relationship of some sort. This time at least with her expensive white leather half-coat and some matching stockings on to go with her dress.

    The November chill had only gotten worse as she boldly pursued an AI none had successfully pursued before. Psyis now openly admitted to trying to amend their deal. ��I am making my intentions with you well known.��

    Izime glanced over at Psyis who looked every bit a modern country debutante in her attention-getting attire. It was clear she was sending a message about new beginnings with its bright colors meant to draw eyes. Clashing visibly as the autumn season came to a close, setting Psyis off like a firework amid the dull seasonal tones.

    The entire outfit style politely rewarded the attention it garnered, subtly revealing a form that only made Izime more self-conscious of how dumb he looked in the borrowed jacket and too-new jeans.

    The AI complained about the glaring difference in class between them while still raking in his reward, ��And I look like a wanna-be hick.��

    ��You��ll look like my hick and that��s the important thing to focus on here.�� Psyis rolled her eyes, reaching over and patting Izime��s hand as she passed over the complaint about Jack��s borrowed jacket giving him a bit more of a view.

    His next question however gave her a bit of pause, as she realized Izime probably did deserve a bit of an explanation about why she had gone back on her word.

    The panic attacks were only an excuse for staying around Izime and nothing else.

    ��Is this a part of our deal or just something you wanted to do?�� Izime asked, not really reacting to Psyis�� hand as it lingered over his.

    If he was helping her avoid a panic attack it was one thing, if she just wanted to hold his hand it was a bit more complicated. The AI knew they already had a problem with appropriate distance and he specifically had a problem with recognizing his emotions.

    Izime began to worry he��d asked the wrong question, watching the wheels turn visibly over Psyis�� face. Her pattern slowly bluing as if she was a bit scared of the conclusions she��d come to, or worried about his own response.

    ��Yes to both. I liked you Izime outside the deal we made.�� Psyis swallowed back her fear, trying to find some courage in the fact that Izime had let things get this far.

    It was clear he knew how she felt, just a bit goading to hear him directly ask for confirmation. Though she did remind herself that the AI was going to ask all kinds of things during this.

    He wasn��t doing it intentionally or to be cruel; he simply might not understand, and he needed that clarification.

    Psyis took a breath as she continued with her confession, ��I couldn��t even stay mad at you the day I met you and I was pissed that day.��

    ��No kidding,�� Izime smiled as he recalled the day, turning to look at Psyis finding her deadpan. Izime��s question fell short of actually being asked as his words died out. ��Did you ever pay for that stoo-��

    Psyis�� appreciative nod was all the confirmation he��d needed to know not to interrupt for the next little bit.

    The AI twisted in its seat a little as the cab of the truck filled with the thessian��s emotions. He no longer watched the first streets of the small Kansas town pass by, instead giving his attention to the woman talking to him.

    ��He can bill Centropolis; don��t change the subject.�� Psyis tried to keep her tone even as she cut Izime off, feeling a bit foolish thinking he��d immediately start reciprocating. Letting a bit of that irritation tint her tone as she continued, ��After that, I learned the asshole I watched eat trash was selling all his decent food instead of eating any of it.��

    ��The very day it was brought up, you tried to friend-zone me. Then proceeded to get so shitfaced you forgot about it entirely and spent the night wallowing over it with Constantinople.�� Psyis turned the wheel towards the large super-center even as she pointed over at Izime as she accused him, realizing now what that handshake had been.

    Straightening the wheel she gave a little huff, explaining that he��d been right about some things as well. ��Even predicted Dark Squire would hate you because you��d corrupt me.��

    ��I do remember us flirting thanks, but me? Zero wallowing.�� Izime shook his head denying being upset at turning Psyis down. It was illogical to get upset over something that he��d had no control over in the first place; he��d been upset at Constantinople is all.

    ��You don��t sing covers of Constantinople��s favorite songs in a good mood Izime, not you of all people.�� Psyis refuted Izime, refusing to believe that he��d not been bothered by the question they��d left hanging that night.

    Smiling a bit, she gave the AI a bit of a playful look, happily confirming his other recollection of the night. ��And yes we did, a lot and very badly too.��

    Psyis found a decently vacant row in the parking lot and pulled into it, driving down it a ways as she pretended to look for a parking spot. Giving herself an excuse to look distracted while she revealed her decision, ��Izime, I��m just going to pretend I said yes that night OK?��

    The hardest part over she turned into a spot at last and put the truck in park. Placing her hands back on the wheel she continued to explain why she��d come to make that choice, ��Before I knew any of the stuff that only makes that decision harder. I wanted to say yes so I am. I��m worrying about me, what I want to do.��

    ��You don��t have to say you feel the same because I know you can��t, you��re still learning what you feel. I know you feel something though, just like I do though so...�� Psyis looked over quickly worried her one-sided decision would put more pressure on Izime.

    Relieved to find him smiling softly at her, giving a single nod to confirm her guess had been right and prompting her to continue.

    So she did, Psyis nodding to the people outside the store, one of the larger social gathering areas for the small farming community, she explained. ��When we''re in public, could you lean into that instead of analyzing it? I don��t think we��ll get out of hand at the local store, and swear I��ll give you space but in those moments could we give us a shot?��

    Red eyes searched for a sign of anything on Izime��s face suddenly very self-conscious of how far she��d backtracked on her no from days earlier. Stomach flipping a bit as Psyis tried to read Izime without her powers wondering just what Izime was thinking that was causing the small twitches around his brows.

    The small upward pull at his lips slowly settled her nerves as she felt an almost similar excitement from him.

    The AI looked at the woman across from him, slowly disconnecting her like she��d asked.

    Ignoring the sensible sounding protests of the safety measures he��d placed around the idea of ��Psyis�� and removing the read-only marker. The human half pulled out the dusty folder where the moments with Psyis had accrued and took an honest look.

    Opening it to find every instance where he��d locked her back up all excuses aside from one invalidated, he agreed.

    ��Yeah,�� Izime felt something taming his smile as he took the plunge with Psyis and rolled back their mutual indecision that day. Looking at the woman across from him, Izime wondered if he was lying to himself, or her as he boldly told her.��I can handle that.��

    Swallowing dryly the AI realized why it was called falling, the entire sensation was a bit terrifying; at least it would only be why they were in public though.

    Watching as Izime glanced out the passenger window she examined his face.

    ��I hope so because we��re already here.�� Psyis said, nodding towards the store they��d parked outside she introduced the local super-center, ��Welcome to B��n��B.��

    Now after agreeing, he looked even less confident, though she wasn��t just going to hand him back the yes he��d handed her. It was enough to lock him down for now. That bit of security untwisted her heart and nerves more than Izime would ever need to know.

    The dread of that next panic attack already lessening as Psyis finally had a verbal anchor.

    Besides, even if Izime didn��t quite understand what he felt emotionally Psyis was sure he could learn to love her. She really really hoped he could, but if she failed and didn��t succeed?

    Well, he��d already promised her freedom at the end of it all.

    ��You were not kidding.�� Izime��s eyes widened at the sight of the many pallets of product that sat outside the double-story bulk outlet. The AI let out a low whistle as it took a look at the actual bits of humanity it had avoided during its years here. ��Buy in Bulk is right.��

    Different things from animal feed to cases of carbonated beverages. Almost like someone had taken the concept from his reality and injected it with performance-enhancing drugs. That or simply check the box under select all when the store had purchased products to sell.

    ��Yeah, fair warning the mid-west shops like the army fights, so it will be controlled chaos inside.�� Psyis gave Izime a bit of side-eye, the store garnering more positive attention than her conversation had was all the proof she needed.

    At least he said yes, so he can��t go around town saying he��s single. He''s mine.

    Psyis shoved the thought aside, instead asking Izime what exactly he wanted to go shopping for as she opened her door and got out, ��What do you need?��

    ��Food for Cradle, and probably some treats to put it in a better mood,�� Izime said as he followed suit, furrowing his brows as he wondered if the store would actually sell the things Cradle needed.

    Some things he was looking for it obviously would but others he wasn��t so sure. The odds that this B��n��B had rechargeable batteries that were lithium-based were pretty good. The odds they had an electronics selection that stocked PC parts not so much.

    So Izime instead listed off the things he figured they��d have a better chance finding inside, ��Some clothes that look a little less like I just got done with legal processing. Then we need to stop by the post office and lunch maybe if we��re still out by then.��

    Finally walking around the side of the truck to find Psyis already waiting with her arm out.

    Psyis looped an arm through Izime��s, feeling him stiffen for a moment as she pulled him closer. Glad to wrap her hand under his warmer jacket she walked with him towards the entrance, adding another stop on their route for the morning. ��I want to take you to a phone store.��

    Looking over Psyis explained her intentions behind the larger purchase to Izime. ��I might be able to manage Centropolis if I know I can just call you.��

    ��Yeah?�� Izime said a bit doubtful, already pointing out a flaw in Psyis'' idea as he pulled up his pants leg to reveal a bit of Dark Nights tech. ��What about if you actually have a panic attack, because I��m not snapping anywhere with this thing on.��

    All of his magic usage and movements were being monitored by the League and unless cleared beforehand the box would counter any snaps he tried to make.

    ��Oh, I forgot about that,�� Psyis replied, realizing she��d completely forgotten that Izime was under strict watch now, at least until he was actually confirmed to be residing at the proper address with his sponsor.

    The thessian had a sneaking suspicion that Dark Nights monitoring would only tighten down further when Izime did eventually move to Centropolis. The nod Izime gave her let her know they both knew the paperwork would be under Dark Night''s name alone.

    The two headed inside the small town Kansas shopping center unaware that Psyis'' intention and Izime''s willingness to see her smile would send ripples across both coasts of the United States of America, and a few AU��s beyond that as well.

 Putting it in Perspective

    Miss Psyis adjusted her position in the chair. Her silver scales clinked slightly as she thought back to the last thing she��d done this morning before leaving Kansas.

    All Psyis had left was a note that said ��Don��t worry I��ll handle him�� flying off before the sun had risen or Izime had awoken. Thinking she would be able to, and be back in time for lunch.

    Now that she was in Centropolis and trying to do so, having laid eyes on the warning Steven had sent her through the media?

    Psyis knew she had no idea how to handle it.

    The alien glanced worriedly at Marcus her PR Manager before looking back down nervously. He was the main person she had to keep happy right now in order to see another deposit in her bank account next week.

    The tanned man stood with his arms crossed over his plaid button-up shirt tapping one leather business shoe on the carpeted floor of his office. Clearly waiting Impatiently for a reasonable explanation over something that couldn��t be reasonably explained.

    Clearly he had no idea how to handle it either.

    Steven had taken everything he could about Izime and handed it to Jamestone��s lackeys. The tabloid professionals had conducted a truly thorough hit on her public persona.

    Psyis rubbed at her temples looking at the papers in front of her.

    One was a tabloid with a very bad shot of her straddling Izime on the ground.

    His orange jumpsuit was almost glaringly highlighted in the cheap ink. Desk and chairs tipped near, Izime��s hands not visible while she was curled against him.

    On the floor was the damning article of evidence that��d spawned their headline; her bra that he ripped off.

    ��Prisoner Gets His Hands Full with Youngest League Member��

    The details below it based on supposition and now public bits of information that��d been filed with the US government.

    Whoever had written it used every bit to highlight the level of inappropriate behavior on both sides. The species issues, identity issues, even listing the adjusted age of Izime��s body.

    As if that was relevant beyond making her sound even more horrid which was what they wanted, clearly painting her as an immoral monster.

    The entire article was geared towards getting the public riled up enough to demand the League remove her from her position outright. Openly begging that readers not even consider a demotion.

    The other was a printed post from a social media site that showed her out with Izime.

    Yellow dress and white leather across from black flannel and brown cotton canvas. A nice shot of her out having a late brunch after she��d talked Izime into having something besides coffee.

    A bittersweet smile crossed Psyis face as they��d caught the AI perfectly. Izime clearly being grossed out by her omelet Psyis was trying to show him on her fork.

    Fondly recalling how Izime had explained the jigglyness of it just seemed un-foodlike to him. Detailing how his early human years had formed a foundation for his favorite textures, even changing how he identified stuff as food mentally.

    She��d teased him for being raised on kibble and promised to show him to all kinds of other foods until they found something on earth he liked.

    More glad to see him eat a full serving of biscuits and gravy, even finishing the strips of bacon she��d placed on his plate. hoping the rich food would fill his body out.

    The caption read ��New Hero-Ship?�� and framed them both, exactly as she��d intended to be caught; as if it had just happened.

    Now only lying in print because it��d blown up after coincidentally proving that the man in the tabloid was real. The cellphone captured Izime��s identifiable features like ponytail and scruff in an even higher resolution, along with her still fading bite.

    ��Marcus, this is a setup. Someone fed these to Jamestone.�� Psyis tried to keep her voice level already knowing who��d clipped the shots from Savior Orbital.

    Swallowing as her blood ran cold, knowing full well Steven would push this as far as he could. The man was beyond possessive of her and would use every bit of that video against her.

    Why didn��t Cradle stop it?

    Her heart fell a bit as the thought crossed her mind, did the bird really hate her that much? Izime had said that Cradle still didn��t care for her, but letting Steven sabotage her relationship like this.

    Why could it block every other camera that showed its bond but this one stupid security tape? Before she��d even had a chance to prove anything at all; it just felt cruel.

    ��Regardless of where Jamestone got these�� Did you even read it?�� Marcus said, not even considering a counterclaim about foul play.

    There was no defending what they��d been selling across the blocks for the last two days, in every major city at that.

    The PR manager snatching up the tabloid, finds the line and almost spitting the words at the heroine across from him as he read. ��Let me read it for you, ��Don��t let his size fool you. With an adjusted age of ten Its clear Miss Psyis was on top of things as she handled this prisoner''s release�� They��re saying he��s ten Psyis, TEN!��

    Psyis flinched a bit as the tabloid went flying across the room. Her mind was numb as she tried to keep all the facts in order, trying to track everything Steven was using against her.

    The heroine��s colors swirling, unable to reply to her manager as her stomach flipped.

    ��I mean sure there are some acceptable age gaps but those are between gods and adults, not a startling heroine and a fake human.�� Marcus�� voice came out calm, most of his anger released on the tabloid anyway.

    Looking over at the alien that he was supposed to keep looking good for humans as he pleaded for some good news. ��Please swear to me on your cape that''s not true.��

    ��He said it as a joke.�� Psyis voice came out incredibly small knowing that Izime wouldn��t have said it if it wasn��t technically true.

    The stupid AI loved his math tricks, and they��d seemed so innocent in comparison to some of the dirty jokes and racist attempts at humor she��d heard other guys make.Twisting the numbers so he could be older than their sun and childlike at the same time had been a clever joke on the numbers.

    Now it was a death sentence for her publicly; Psyis already nodding before Marcus could voice the thought.

    ��Do you realize how bad that joke sounds in print?�� The PR manager asked rhetorically already shaking his head, unable to find any kind of humor in the situation.

    Marcus slid the other picture forward as he took a steadying breath, calmly asking the psychic just what the hell she��d been doing. ���� and then you showed him off?!��

    Psyis started to refute, instead of denial however she tasted a bit of bile

    Its not wrong.

    The thought crossed her mind and caused her stomach to turn as technically everything they��d said was true. Steven had sent out a dire threat though the presses for her.

    He knew she had assaulted Izime that day and had audio of everything that''d been said on the orbital platform. The sidekick already aware Izime body was only ten simply because the AI had been born fully grown. Steven laid out her attraction to Izime in the most perverted and disgusting way he could for the world to see.

    The idea that she was grooming Izime started to feel the tiniest bit real as it aligned with the deal she��d made.

    That was all it took to send Psyis to the trash can in the corner of the room.

    Marcus�� eyes went wide, the PR manager''s worst-case scenarios crossing his mind so loud Psyis couldn��t let it slide.

    ��You say it I swear to the gods I��ll fire you.�� Spitting angrily into the trash can Psyis held up her hand stopping her PR agent as she warned him against voicing his thoughts, ��We didn��t do a damned thing and its been days so I wouldn��t even have morning sickness yet.��

    ��OK, well what about this any truth to it?�� Marcus asked as he looked down at the post that detailed the possibility of ''The Miss Psyis'' starting a new public relationship.

    Something the citizens of Earth would have flocked to in celebration if someone hadn��t fed Jamestone the perfect match to turn Psyis�� stunt into a complete publicity bomb dividing public opinions.

    Half were convinced she was a sexual deviant and the others were holding their breath hoping the Centropolis Angel would deny it.

    Marcus hung his head low as Psyis decided she��d do neither, instead the woman admitting to an actual relationship.

    "We��re dating and it is complicated,�� Psyis said almost proud of her admission, finding a comfortable spot in the room to look at where the corner didn��t blame her for liking Izime.

    They just don��t understand him.

    Psyis repeated it over and over again. Telling herself it wasn��t an excuse because it was true; hell even she didn��t really understand Izime. The man was deeper than a hot topic article and more complicated than she could easily explain to Marcus.

    The alien shook her head even as her version of the truth came out, knowing how badly the human would take it, ��He��s technically not even a real human inside, and mentally he''s far older than ten.��

    ��Please listen to yourself, mental age''s really? If you want me to save this I have to have something better than that.�� Marcus shook his head, already knowing how the talk show circuits would eat her alive over such a copout.

    Marcus hoped Psyis would pick up the hints he��d thought up and stitched into his statement. She needed to be resolute on this and loud, it was over between her and this nobody. Nothing had happened and if it had it was a heated mistake that would never occur again, and certainly not with someone who was in any way ten of any kind.

    The PR manager didn��t want to say it openly, instead he tried to lead Psyis towards ending the new relationship, ��We need something resolute on this and it needs to be loud. This could knock you out of the League, capes like yours have to stay spotless.��

    ��And if it does?�� Psyis asked, latching onto the anger she felt instead of the fear the idea caused.

    How dare Steven twist what Izime was into this, making it seem like what they were was so disgusting. Fuming at Marcus for siding with the rest of humanity so quickly without even wanting to talk to Izime.

    Instead, her manager had just decided her cape was worth more than the relationship she could have.

    ��The hell are you on about if it does? Just drop that sack of problems Psyis.�� Marcus breathed out the words, unable to believe what Psyis was saying even as she turned to glare at him. The PR manager made another point, one he thought would correct her, ��You have literally almost died for that spot, and yo-you��re serious?��

    Marcus finally backed off as the anger faded to cold resolve. The same face she��d made back then, when he��d had to spin her cutting ties with Steven Blane as something good.

    He knew she wasn��t going to back down on this, her next question confirming it.

    ��If it does knock me out of the League what happens?�� Psyis asked for the worst-case scenario from Marcus. The heroine hoped that James could help her keep at least one foot in the League, but it was something she was willing to sacrifice.

    She��d make it work, as a heroine or�� or whatever she became if her cape was ripped away from her.

    ��Financially you��ll be, well more screwed because you��ll be fired.�� Marcus laid out the first wave of fallout he could see happening.

    If the public face of the League felt like it was tarnished she could very well lose her place and paycheck. As for being an independent heroine there was still plenty of hope seeing as she��d only just been promoted.

    Marcus doing his best to try and highlight any silver linings in being demoted as he said, ��Socially, I mean... Centropolis still loves you? They��re not just going to abandon their Angel.��

    ��It''s like being a signed agent remember? Centropolis is going back to small-time stuff.�� The PR manager said as he tried to simply how things would go if Psyis really did take a step back in her hero career.

    Marcus reminded Psyis of why she''d struggled for years to get to today, warning her as she considered throwing it all away for some guy, ��The League is a big sponsorship you��re talking about losing, real big Psyis. Like I might not be your PR advisor if this goes badly, I still want someone to pay me to talk to you. Consulting isn��t free, even for friends girl.

    Rehashing the same benefits that the woman had literally fought and bled for, the spot that��d been her motivation for the last few years of her life. ��

    ��What if he was bigger?�� Psyis asked aloud, not intending for Marcus to really consider it so much as to make herself do so. It was something she��d come to hate because of Steven, but Izime had saved ��Pi�� so maybe he could also be comfortable to lean on instead of overbearing in his support.

    The AI had enough galactic goodwill to shut down the loudest mouth of the US government, maybe they could also give a small cheer for his new relationship with her.

    Just one, a tiny one, only loud enough to squash his bad press on earth?The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ��Than The League of Saviors?�� Marcus asked without a drop of sarcasm as he watched Psyis think. Sitting down to look at the man in the screenshot that sat across from his client in a new light.

    Looking up at the alien, the PR manager tried to make things a bit clearer for Psyis not sure if she was serious. ��He��d have his own PR group managing stuff like this and we need to get in contact like yesterday, celebrity couples have teams for this reason.��

    ��I��ll contact a few people, Izime��s got enough pull Karen Wallin decided to play ball with him so surely someone can help us out of this.�� Psyis pulled out her phone, sending a text to James and Leona. The two people who''d originally found the right strings to pull, the ones that''d had more than thirty species ready to take a trip to earth on Izime''s behalf had to have those connections laying around still right?

    ��You��re not going to get a hold of him directly?�� Marcus asked as he looked at Psyis, feeling a bit odd; almost like he was having an out-of-body experience.

    The thessian now looked like she was the manager as she started sending texts and contacting people to clean up the mess she��d caused. Seeming oddly independent compared to the hand-holding he��d had to do for her before.

    The woman no longer such a stiff cape that it''d felt like he was managing a bad actor.

    ��That''s exactly what they want, to chase him away from me,�� Psyis said looking up at Marcus as if he was an idiot. Glancing back down to make sure she had the full username to forward to Leona before she continued talking. ��I have to make this as small as possible for him Marcus.��

    Psyis thought back to the note she��d left before flying back to Centropolis to see what her PR manager had been screaming about.

    Whatever it was she would handle it.

    She wasn��t going to let anything destroy this chance just because it went against the world''s script.

    Psyis also couldn��t stand the thought that Steven paid someone to trivialize everything Izime had gone through, calling him a child. He��d seen an entire universe come to a close, in a reality so desolate it had birthed humans brave enough to leave their rock. Not just throw their little fits on it like hers were right now.

    Psyis stormed off to clean Steven''s mess, unaware of just how childishly her adult AI was acting at that moment.

    A Barn in Kansas

    Izime looked at tech-raven as they stood in the barn, both oddly silent.

    Neither made a noise through their bond or aloud as their relationship had gotten more than a bit tense over the last few days. The AI struggling to manage both ends of his relationships as Psyis was affecting him deeply. Something he was distancing himself from, which was in turn affecting Cradle.

    Their bond had become flooded with all the emotions Izime had dumped outside of things he��d wanted to handle.

    Holding hands and happy feelings were fine. The thoughts that started coming in after he��d accidentally felt her thigh, bumping around on a too-fast truck ride were not things he''d wanted to handle

    The lighter airy feelings of the budding relationship he could deal with but not the heavy heated feelings Psyis was striking up inside of him.

    So he��d dumped them into his bond.

    Cradle wasn��t happy about that, and after only a matter of days, it had enough of it and disappeared.

    The raven hadn''t even wanted to look at the two who couldn��t handle mating without dragging it into the mess. Though it was really only Izime who��d wronged it Cradle still blamed Psyis a bit. Only appearing when its bond had considered doing something else wrong, like spending too much money.

    Now that the crowess was gone, Cradle was glad that Izime was taking the time to acknowledge he��d been bad.

    Izime looked over at the raven shaking his head knowing he��d need to admit his faults first, ��I��m sorry I��ve been dumping all of this on you.��

    The AI smiled a bit as the emotional tenseness between the two faded away to a small tremor. Izime held his arms wide as he handed to floor to Cradle. ��If you got something to say just say it, this needs to work for all three of us eventually.��

    ��Purple Problem. Yours�� Cradle kept its reply simple, she was Izime��s partner, and when it came to mating she was his problem from now on.

    If they needed eggs tended later it would chip in as part of the unkindness, if they got hurt it would find food for the flock; there were all kinds of other problems Cradle could help with.

    Handling Izime��s need to nest down with the thessian wasn��t one it wouldn''t do anymore.

    ��I suppose that''s fair,�� Izime agreed, giving Cradle a bit of a look hoping the Raven would be gentle as he opened the bond up completely, ��Let''s have it then.��

    The AI managed a few steps before collapsing into a pile of straw moaning pitifully. He could feel the sweat as it started to bead on his forehead, his breathing quickened as that sweat spread to the rest of his body.

    ��It''s too hot,�� Izime complained as he untucked the black flannel button-up he��d bought yesterday, the action sending a full whiff of his body��s smells into his face.

    A single ��bleh�� echoed around the barn, the digital construct grossed out as its biological shell screamed for a mate. Just the idea dragging thoughts of the thessian from his memory.

    Izime recalled how he��d seen her abs, even knew how delicate it felt when she breathed having already slipped into the alien''s body in another fashion, different than his body wanted to now.

    Ss the desire Psyis had been triggering for the last few days slamming into him all at once, Izime found moving to become detrimental as his entire body had become hypersensitive.

    Skin flaring as it sent a thousand more reactions caused by the bits of hay that poked him. The AI knew the cycle of pleasure would fog his common sense like a drug. The need for touch because it just felt so good looping inside him like a brainless monkey.

    Not something the AI planned on allowing to happen to its logic oriented brain.

    Sitting up Izime grabbed the bucket of water intended for the horses and dumped it over his head, a stomp from one of the stalls getting his attention.

    ��Sorry.�� Izime apologized as he turned to the mare that was looking at him confused until the smell reached her. The horse snorted at him in offense as if he��d sent her the pheromones intentionally.

    The AI crinkled its nose as he looked down, steam rising off his skin feeling a similar disgust the horse was; getting a full dose of another species'' baser habits. Watching as his body literally went through a heat in both senses of the word.

    The AI knew even now the little shivers he felt weren��t caused by the cold, it was the rivulets of water tickling him.

    ��You to Cradle.�� Izime said as he nodded to the bird who had put up with the feelings and finally had enough. The computational-being relaxed a bit more as it finally wrestled back control from its shamefully mammalian body.

    Breathing unsteadily his nervous system throwing a fit because of the pleasure cruise he��d just canceled the AI tried to take a full breath as he apologized to the raven once more. ��Sorry for putting you through that.��

    ��Panting, cold water�� I��ve been turned into a dog.�� Izime whined openly now as an unfamiliar twinge came from his groin. The complaints grew into a soft groan as his body punished him for using an ice bath to tame it.

    The rolling ache brought the AI low, almost making him reconsider his solution. The other option was messy but at least it didn��t hurt like this had, that consideration only sent another sharp ache upwards.

    ��Fuuuck�� Groaning out the curse word Izime rolled over wishing the throbbing would subside, a single sob escaped as a very unwelcome voice made its way into the barn.

    ��You a��right?�� Barb asked, peeking around the entrance to the barn. Her wirey untamed locks pulled back into a bundled mess, the old cowgirl too aged to care about managing it properly.

    Pulling her coat a bit closer she walked into the barn, taking a fair assessment of her daughter''s new man.

    A good enough one for most parts, but he was clearly missing a few kernels of corn up there somewhere. The lad was currently lying in a pile of straw soaking wet and moaning while he held his crotch.

    Certainly different than Steven, who was normally only like this when her daughter was around and normally still yelling at him for touching her.

    ��Just having a biological freak out Mrs Cent.�� Izime gave a dodging answer, hoping if he rolled a bit further he��d find the last of his dignity before he lost that too.

    Psyis�� mother not giving him a chance as she decided to stick around and poke fun at the situation he''d put himself in.

    ��Called those blue balls back in my day,�� Barb said, having surmised the problem this time was the opposite of Steven��s usual issues on the farm. Though it still didn��t explain how he��d wound up like this now.

    Psyis had been gone since this morning, not even here to gnaw on him again let alone cause this. Barb walked over to get a better look as she asked how Izime had wound up on the floor, ��You uh, is this a�� what kind of issue we got going on here?��

    ��No situations, just dying of embarrassment,�� Izime said, quickly deciding it was better if he didn��t explain how he��d conveniently minimized how Psyis made him feel physically to focus on other things to her mother.

    Death by embarrassment was just fine with him, there was no reason to add a county ass beating onto that obituary.

    ��I��d expected to catch something like this before she left, considering that love bite she gave you.�� Barb poked at Izime with her boot while she bullied him.

    It had taken a few days and she had more than a few things to get off her chest now that she��d seen how he acted around Psyis. The woman who��d raised Radiation Man intended to set this human-computer straight about how he��d act with her little girl.

    ��We didn��t do anything it was just, stuff just got out of hand between us that day.�� Izime tried to defend himself, rolling away as slowly as he could not wanting to suffer the pain of escaping to quickly.

    Both the old woman and his body apparently punished him, all because he��d not jumped into the sack with stupid purple with zero hesitiation.

    ��Well, if you��d had that thing in hand today you��d feel a bit better.�� Barb motioned toward Izime��s crotch with her boot, as she taunted him. The old saddle hand sipped at the schadenfreude, laughing a bit as Izime flinched reflexively at her movement, causing him a bit more pain.

    ��What is it with old women and taunting me with masturbation?�� Izime almost cried at the unfairness of it all. Things had spun completely out of control in the most absurd ways as Psyis own mother was telling him he��d have been better off jerking it.

    Her words reminded him of another old woman who��d also caught him, though that was after he��d taken the other less painful route.

    ��Stop getting caught,�� Barb said as she stood, finally bored with kicking Izime. Looking at the exit to the barn, she hinted at the man to go where he could be useful; if he��d just chose to be.

    Barb gave the boy permission of sorts to bed her daughter as she told him to go find her instead of crawling in the hay here, ��Or go to Centropolis, then it won��t be an old lady catching you; it��d be my daughter.��

    ��I wasn��t even doing that.�� Izime said, daring to give Barb just the slightest side eye as he found his way to his knees. Izime��s waist flinched reflexively as various nerves untensed themselves, finally releasing the AI from the torture rack of pain he��d been in.

    ��I know, I was feeding the chickens n��heard you talking to yours.�� The old cowgirl laughed as Izime finally showed a bit of gumption. Though his little look was nothing, she��d seen Voidside in person after all and knew both her kids had whipped the piss out of him.

    Smirking down at the snarky little man who seemed to have a bit of fire for everyone but the one holding a torch for him Barb sassed further, ��So I know you weren��t choking it, the talking ones over there and you��ve still got��cher pants on.��

    ��Did you just come in here to taunt me?�� Izime asked Barb honestly a bit shocked at the spite she��d come in with. He knew that there were some issues between her daughter and him but still, this was starting to feel more than just targeted.

    ��No, but it is making me feel a bit lot better.�� Barb shook her head even as she admitted to get a bit of catharsis out of it. Finally uncrossing her arms and placing a hand on her hip she brought up her real problem with Izime, ��You know Steven��s a lot of things, not many of��em good.��

    ��Yeah, met him.�� The AI said, rolling his eyes as he reached out. Leaning on the stall as he stood, wondering if Barb was bringing up Steven for any real reason other than to flog him some more.

    ��I know he��s a city-shit, what I don��t know is you. As an alien or whatever I won��t judge, from what James told me you got a heart.�� Barb said, watching as the man finally recovered from whatever had set of his case of testicular self-torture.

    Waiting until he finally looked steady on his feet before she hit him verbally hard enough that he��d want to sit back down. Barb knew the words coming out of her mouth would rile any man who felt anything for the woman they called theirs, ��As the first man I��ve ever seen my little blueberry lay out a set of dresses for��. Well, at least Steven��s honest about what he wants, and it''s her.��

    ��Steven hardly wants anything good for Pi,�� Izime said, narrowing his eyes and feeling a bit insulted as Barb insinuated that Psyis was better off with Steven than him.

    The AI not saying what he wanted was better, but at least he wanted the same things she wanted for herself; her freedom.

    ��Shit, who does boy. We all want things for ourselves, now who the hell are you considering?�� ��Because I��m not convinced its my daughter, and now I don��t think its you either. I��m starting to think you��re scared.��

    Cradle flapped its wings, getting anxious as the old woman didn��t know quite who she was riling.

    The raven could feel the AI''s more logical processes were swamped under a tidal wave of testosterone he''d been trying to manage. The old farm lady was trying to drag the fight out of a creature that had never been designed to handle to possessive primal habits she was expecting Izime to portray. Those instincts still being re-coded by the crowess.

    Barb was unknowingly running the risk of elevating its nest program from his more background-task nature, returning him to the apex reality controlling program he''d been designed for.

    ��Of what?�� The Basilisk walked over and laughed in the face of Radiation Man��s mother as he asked, ��I��m nigh immortal what is there that could sc-��

    Izime bit his tongue as Psyis mother struck the truth behind his bravado, the basilisk shutting its mouth as the human got in a low blow it hadn''t expected.

    Barb looked up a bit, finally getting a real feel for Psyis new man. Understanding why she��d not liked him to begin with: he reeked of being a drifter.

    They all talked about how they could do these amazing things, rope and ride with the best of them. In the end they always ended up washing out to the next town. At least until some girl with enough spur on her boots finally legged him down and made them settle.

    Something her daughter had clearly already tried and had yet to give up on. While he was simply to scared or stupid to accept a steady life, so Barb called him out on it.

    ��What would happen if you did love her. Show me one super anything that ain��t scared of that kind of hurt and I��ll show you a villain.�� Barb kept her voice calm as she spoke the honest truth to the fuming brat. Psyis could handle him and James could handle her, and Barb had raised both of them; Izime didn��t scare her a lick.

    The old cowgirl now calling out the man who would inevitably hurt her daughter if he didn��t straighten up, slapping him verbally so hard he''d actually flinched back.

    ��That difference is why I��m bothered talking to you; Steven is a bastard, but he��ll fight for what he wants.�� Nodding heavily as she took her own steps forward now, knowing her words had knocked some real sense into the lad.

    Fear was written across his face, as a mother honestly asked a man to respect her daughter''s intentions.

    Barb poked him in the chest, demanding Izime get his act together for his own sake, ��That��s more than you''re doing.��

    The AI felt a few scenarios lock up as something very important almost clicked into place at Barb''s words.

    Izime blinked a few times as he tried to find the right words to describe the fears he''d been avioding, finally going for broke as he asked .��And if I fuck that up?��

    Barb knew he only need a little bit more of a push to go running to her daughter''s side to ruin whatever Steven had laid out for her so she said them quickly, ��She��ll be in the shit without you anyway, sitting here you��re just abandoning her.��

    Izime stood looking at Psyis mother weighing her words against the mechanically slow computing of his heart.

    Each slow beat felt like it was tensing something tighter between Psyis and himself that he just couldn��t answer yet. The entire thing was a mess of uneasy braided cords, a combination of all sorts of emotions coiling into one.

    The thought of Steven interfering with Psyis only stretched it tighter, several of those emotions popping in complaint while others snapped outright.

    ��Cradle, were leaving.�� Izime looked over at his bond informing it that he was about to do something stupid like flying the coop they��d been put in. ��I��ll be back with Psyis to get my stuff Mrs. Cent, thank you for the ass-chewing.��

    The raven flapped over, perfectly fine with staying with the thessian now that Izime��d decided to handle his own mate. The raven tilted its head as Izime��s hand didn��t work as usual, turning its head down as it''s sensors detected the interference.

    The cowgirl smiled for a moment before she joined Izime in frowning, she��d been looking forward to a bit of the magic her daughter talked about; that snapping thing she��d bragged about.

    Barb and Izime both watched as his fingers sparked and his form only fizzled for a moment. The AI pulled up his pants leg to look at a small box that had the letters B��E�� etched into the side.

    Barb only nodded as she recognized another of the Blanes�� tricks, pointing towards a pair of metal sheers on the wall as she said ��Snips are hanging on the wall, I��ll go call the lawyer.��

    Afternoon Crying Session in Centropolis

    Psyis let the water run over her shoulders, no energy for singing in the shower left as it had all been wasted on crying and getting sick.

    I��m such an idiot.

    Wondering why she��d ever thought it could be so easy to cut herself free from Steven. He��d never let her go before and now that the billionaire had to face a real threat of course he would step up accordingly.

    With Trevor, it��d just been accusations of her playing around and being loose with the small-time heroes using them for the attention they��d give her.

    Steven had been vocal about it then, playing the sad ex who just could compare to the web-slinging superhero.

    Taunting her through interviews as she��d been making light work of Trevor��s sinister villains. Saying she��d just abandoned him for someone who lived in her world. Teasing her for stepping back down to the ranks of common folk.

    Every word was another backhanded statement as Steven was clearly a hero as well and Trevor wasn��t nearly as financially well off.

    With Izime, someone she couldn��t seem to control herself with?

    Steven hadn��t said a word publicly, just sent a cold threat anonymously through his connections. Probably paying a good sum and leaking more than a bit of Dark Night''s own backed-up recordings of the Station feeds.

    The thessian sobbed all over again as that thought came to mind; Steven would have that recording of her trying to assault Izime forever and he��d use it again and again.

    Psyis didn��t even know if she could face Izime if she returned to Kansas.

    She��d been so foolish to think she could handle any of this or Steven at all, she never could; not alone because the entire universe was set against her.

    Psyis felt the hot water turn cold on her skin, her mind flashing with the face of the one she needed. Her eyes, redder and puffier than normal, turned and looked through the shower curtain in a mixture of disbelief, relief, and anguish. Those worries faded as she��d found that familiar void before he��d even called out to her.

    Izime voice serving as an audible reminder of how badly today had gone, sobs beginning anew as Psyis could feel the care laden in his voice.

    ��Hey Pi, are you OK?�� Izime called out, his voice as soft as a lullaby through the bathroom door. He could already feel how tense Psyis was, the air in the apartment felt heavy with doubts. The AI not waiting for an answer as he reached for the doorknob.

    Excusing his actions under the guise of worry, he opened the bathroom door to check on the thessian who''d started sobbing all over again.

 Bonding with Broken Links

    Izime looked out the window, the sun casting no shadows as it''d yet to creep past noon.

    The day was deceptively bright for the chill outside the Centropolis apartment complex. Smiling fondly he looked down into the alley behind the very familiar shopping center wondering how things had gotten this far.

    The AI��s face was deceptively calm for the level of upset he felt at himself. Barb had finally kicked his ass out of his funk a bit too late to stop any of the problems that were looming over Psyis now, and it was all his fault. Too caught up in his head, running simulations on what ifs so long he��d let what was nearly pass him by.

    Literally locked up at the thought of what might come to make any moves against it; now those problems were two steps ahead of him.

    What''s worse was trying to hide the fact that Psyis was throwing him into a fit every time she came into the room.

    Learning to walk had been a long process but he��d had the grace of learning with assistance and could be called physical therapy. Dealing with the massive spike of oxytocin in his system just because he knew she was around was honestly torture; the following tidal wave of testosterone was like going crazy and consenting to it.

    Thankfully he��d had Cradle fabricate a vasopressin inhibitor so he��d at least not go completely insane and be turned into a drooling monkey over the woman permanently. Sadly the effects only lasted about a half hour at best, wearing off even faster under direct stimulation.

    The AI took another puff of the medicine before tucking it back in his pocket. Immediately he felt the tense guilt on his shoulders washing away along with the searing memory of what he��d seen in the bathroom.

    Psyis pulled her shirt the rest of the way down as she left her bedroom, ears still recalling how Izime��s heart had been pounding holding her.

    Walking down the hall she glanced into the kitchen and away from her balcony door where she could feel Izime standing in the living room. Wondering if she was the only one who still felt that bit of tension or if Izime would have lost his in the time she��d dressed.

    Glancing down at her attire nervously, Psyis tried to find the confidence she''d just had in throwing on a shirt and her laciest set of underwear. She''d even looked at the other clothes available and decided against them on purpose.

    The article had already accused her of it, and it was clear Izime wanted her too but just lacked the confidence apparently.

    His resistance felt token at this point so Psyis decided to test the waters, opening her mouth to call to him from the hall.

    Still not quite entering the same space to share it with him unsure of how he��d react to her excuse for clothing. Magenta brushed Psyis'' mostly purple cheeks as she apologized half-heartedly, ��Sorry about that I, uh��, well you probably know I get a little out of hand when I��m emotional.��

    Only half-heartedly as she wasn��t entirely sorry for what had happened in the bathroom or for making it clear she was available for him.

    She��d already admitted to herself that breaking down in Izime��s arms had felt far more comforting than crying in her shower. Psyis wasn��t going to change her mind on returning to them now to seek a different kind of release. Though she certainly wasn��t going to tell him so directly either, even if it was stressing her out doing so.

    Kind of like his little trick on mercury; the evidence was there if he felt like digging into it; not that he��d need to dig far as she was standing right in front of him half-naked already.

    ��No that was my bad I just heard you and got worried,�� Izime said as he turned, watching Psyis enter the room before glancing away again just as quickly. He almost wished Psyis had stayed in the hall, already feeling his blood pressure rise again just because Psyis was in the same room.

    The still damp lines her gills had left on the white tank top only underlined soft curves that demanded his attention. The sheer white fabric she��d covered herself in hiding nothing, not even her altering stripes.

    The effect while not intentionally seductive was certainly an offer he was having a hard time refusing. The AI looked away from her a bit ashamed of his earlier actions, more ashamed of his current reactions.

    The alien��s proximity decided it was time for a high tide of pair-bonding hormones as she stood in what was clearly her ideal of innocent lingere. Izime took a sip of the glass of water in his hand, coughing slightly as he told Psyis he��d be a bit more aware before triggering such a response, ��I��ll knock next time.��

    Almost asking that she��d knock instead, clearly comfortable in bearing her skin to him now that it had happened once.

    Cradle I��m gonna need another vasopressin inhibiter before the nights out.

    Izime asked his bond to start fabricating a second batch of the hormonal blockers through his bond. If the AI had to handle the biological side of things and a half-naked Psyis, he was going to knock at least one of the key links out of his primate brain.

    Keeping the oxytocin would still let him portray all the lovey-dovey things he needed as a human. Cutting out the vasopressin should keep him from becoming irrational and possessive like his body was suggesting.

    Glad he was able to at least think rationally even though he couldn��t quite pull his eyes away from Psyis; Izime unconsciously palmed the inhaler in his pocket.

    ��Izime?�� Psys asked, watching a bit embarrassed as Izime didn��t bother looking up to meet her eyes.

    Looking down she realized what had his attention, her shirt doing little to hide her darker colors. She smiled, not quite covering herself as he��d literally just gotten an eyeful of her. The woman feeling a bit proud, Izime succumbing to inherent man-brain after seeing her still half-dressed.

    The alien was a bit worried as the AI seemed to be malfunctioning a bit, almost steaming as he tried to catch his breath.

    ��What happened that upset you so badly?�� Izime coughed trying to keep his attention where it belonged, the dose of inhibitor he��d just taken diluting as Psyis teased him with a view of her backside.

    ��Steven,�� Psyis said as she walked into the kitchen to get her own glass of water, standing on her tiptoe to reach into her cupboard to grab a mug. Finally, back on her feet, she pulled at the elastic that��d ridden slightly, continuing to talk as she let the water run cold before filling her cup. ��He got a hold of the footage from the Station somehow.��

    ��That��s probably my fault,�� Izime explained Psyis'' unspoken question, clearly curious why the cameras on the station hadn��t malfunctioned. ��I��ve been stretching Cradle a bit thin since I started breathing again.��

    ��The tabloids are running an article that says some really really bad stuff about me.�� The alien didn��t want to go into the specifics of what she��d been accused of, instead of detailing what the press was riling the public��s support for, ��Jamestone��s running a hit piece that''s demanding I step down from the League.��

    Thinking about what Steven was so afraid of Psyis made her decision once more, turning and walking into the living room to join Izime. She stopped just on the other side of her coffee table, taking a sip of the cool water before sitting it down.

    The AI was too distracted with this new problem he wanted to solve to even attempt her seduction right now.

    ��Whats the chance that a major news spot picks it up?�� Izime asked while moving the various screens around, reading along as quickly as the search results came up. Checking the trending articles thankfully didn��t reveal much beyond their country cafe photo, yet.

    Still, there were more and more comments popping up that their little outing was more deviant than proper in the comments. The AI quickly pulled those accounts information and checked their history to see what��d inspired the remarks.

    ��Pretty good seeing as there��s already that social media post about us trending.�� Psyis walked over, reaching out and catching one of Izime��s hands to stop the weird waving he was doing. Asking a bit worriedly about the AI that seemed to be swatting invisible flies, ��What are you doing?��

    ��Checking the internet,�� Izime explained, as he used his other still free hand to continue browsing the windows. Finally reacting as he got into the corner of the web that was being salacious enough to post the tabloid directly, ��OK, there are a few opinion pieces out already but nothing solid on you beyond allegations abo�� what the fuck!?��

    ��Yea, it is not good.�� Psyis curled into Izimes chest taking another deep breath of the scent of Izime, taking advantage of his distraction to enjoy him unabashedly. The AI��s particular toasty cedar scent mixing with the lingering hints of Kansas on him was particularly comforting, reminding her of home and this something new she was starting.

    ��No it''s not, the masses are going to flip over a sideways claim like that.�� Izime brushed at Psyis hair, running his thumb over the slightly rougher patch where she��s skipped shaving as he said, ��We need to do something, see if we can get it pulled and force Jamestone to release a counter statement.��

    Psyis nodded pulling away from Izime who was clearly in comfort mode just like she��d suspected. That lingering tension was nowhere in his body even as she��d been caught pressed into him.

    Opening one of the drawers on her kitchen island she rummaged around finally finding the card she��d been given years ago. Walking back over she held it out to Izime, still silently considering how she could entice him into something more than talking about the articles and news.

    ��Whats this?�� Izime asked as he took the card from Psyis, looking down to read the embossed words on the little paper rectangle.

    ��The number for my PR manager,�� Psyis explained, waiting patiently for Izime to finish chewing over the same thing that��d tied her up mentally for hours. She didn''t want to rush him as she was about to become pushy enough to compare to her irritating EX, the woman decided Izime would need to give a no to stop her.

    If he didn��t then that just meant that his answer was a maybe and she needed to try harder. Psyis nerves twisting a bit, whether in anticipation or because she was pulling some of the worst parts of her last relationship and bringing them into this new one she didn''t know.

    ��Marcus Kelly?�� Izime said as he looked at the card, closing all the windows he had open. Finally looking back towards Psyis to ask, ��How freaked out is this dude going to be if he has to talk to someone with more than two arms?��

    Izime''s thoughts on solving the tabloid issue vanished as Psyis locked her eyes on him aggressively, the air instantly charged with electricity. The look in her eyes made it clear she wasn''t thinking about when or who called her manager, red pupils dilating and quite openly devouring Izime where he stood.

    ��He manages an electric-type smurf so he should be able to handle it.�� Psyis said as she kept her eyes on Izime.

    Bending down slowly letting her shirt hang as Psyis grabbed her cup, letting Izime get a clear view of the two things he��d been staring at just a minute ago. Watching as the blush on his cheeks spread down his neck and up his ears, Psyis hooked the collar with her finger pulling it even lower. The expected accusations of her trying to give him that show or being as blunt as a hammer not coming as he finally snapped out of the hypnotizing effect of her tits.

    Psyis smirked playfully wanting to say something, never finding the words as he quickly walked past her to the kitchen. Tilting her head, she wondered if the water in his hands wasn��t enough as he opened her cabinet and pulled out another glass. Her confusion only grew as Cradle flapped over from her TV and coughed up a bunch of tiny white pills out into the glass Izime had pulled from her cabinet.

    The thessian walking into the kitchen as well now, worriedly watching as Izime stuffed one of those pills into some inhaler he��d been hiding in his pocket.

    ��Medicine,�� Izime explained, not turning to look at Psyis as he struggled with overcoming the effect her body was having on him. Taking a second so he could calmly exhale Izime put the inhaler to his lips and took a deep puff, the cooling sensation tempering the flaring oxytocin in his blood.

    Halting the chain effect that would cloud him with a burst of testosterone, the desire to rip her clothes off faded. The idea of taking Psyis here on the counter fell back down several ranks in his list of possibilities for how the day would go.

    ��For?�� Psyis pulled at Izime as she asked, turning him to face her. Red eyes checked him over, watching as his flushed face quickly became splotchy and then finally cleared.

    ��I��m having some issues as you can probably tell.�� Izime waved off Psyis�� concern not wanting to get into the conversation about the ideas he was trying not to have at all.

    Just the way she was pulling at him had his hands clenching in frustration at wanting to return the favor to her, instead, he took another dose of the inhaler.

    ��You��re burning up�� sorry.�� Reaching out Psyis felt Izime��s head, the AI flinching a bit. Pulling her hand back a bit she apologized, realizing she��d stopped him from taking a second dose. The thessian asked a question about the alleged medication she suspected wasn��t for any real medical problem. ��Should you be taking it on an empty stomach,��

    Nothing she couldn��t solve on her own, Psyis knew. Now reaching out and stopping him from taking a third dose, pulling the inhaler from his hands and tossing it onto the opposing counter as she said. ��That''s enough.��

    ��No idea actually, probably not,�� Izime answered Psyis looking into her eyes before breaking and glancing down. His next question came out weakly as he almost begged to get them both in a public setting, ��Do you want to grab lunch?��

    Trying to find a reason to leave the apartment and escape the half-naked woman who was pressing into him before they crossed a line they couldn��t uncross.

    Thats not a no.

    Psyis smiled as she kept working away at Izime��s almost church-like resolve. Almost happily pointing out that leaving would be a bad idea, ��The media would love that, a public outing with you when I��ve got the public asking me to step down.��

    Leaning her head against his she shook it, asking Izime to consider her job even as she tried to push the same thought as far from her mind as she could. ��Do you want me to get fired?��

    ��Don��t worry about it.�� Izime tried to sound confident and keep his breathing steady as Psyis pressed him back into the counter. ��If they can��t afford to pay you what you''re worth I��ll hire you.��

    Leaning back forward into her he tried to give himself a bit of breathing room, not wanting her to feel just how effective her attack was. The slightly awkward tilt of his hips put him even closer to her face, her red eyes separating in slivers of rubies, scarlet, and rich wine tones were like a blitzkrieg to his lines of resistance.

    ��I thought you didn��t do work relationships.�� Psyis breathed out as Izime��s change in posture put her at his disposal, his eyes falling into hers clearly under her powers. Not even her mental ones, the AI obviously only able to think as far as she was just because she��d exposed her own desire for him.

    Now faced with denying it to her directly, Psyis imagined he couldn''t, not when he could see it in her eyes. The interplay of their breathing only highlighted the fact that all he��d need to do was close that bit of distance. The thessian already unconsciously wetting her lips, nervously watching as he worried his bottom lip with his teeth in similar anticipation.

    ��HR cleared it after a brief discussion. Just warning you if we do bond there will be a step-child of sorts, its about two and a half feet tall and eats cellphones.�� Izime said, informing Psyis of the child he had with him who shared the same connection he was about to create with her. His thoughts of leaving vanished as he felt her arms wrap around his neck, muffling the warning sirens of sense that were still blaring in his skull.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ��Are you sure you want that, it''s not a part of our deal.�� Psyis closed her eyes letting Izime lead her in, his intentions clear in how he was caressing her cheek and adjusting her angle to meet his lips.

    ��It''s not but I��m also not going to half-ass this thing with you... you were already crawling wherever you wanted in my head anyway.�� Izime shook his head, etching how Psyis looked in his memory.

    Making sure that the way she was flushed near pink in anticipation of his kiss was caught forever and remained so with him alone. It was a simple kiss but one she''d already technically stolen from him, now something he''d use to his advantage to give her the first real gift of their relationship.

    ��Izime that was one ti-�� Psyis opened her eyes a bit terse at the accusation her voice faltering and lips pouting a bit when she realized what Izime meant. The level of unspoken communication between them was deep enough to grasp the inside joke turned flirt The AI explained even as it was clear she understood the compliment now for what it��d been.

    ��I meant I can��t stop thinking about you.�� Izime said, leaning in as quick as he dared, to press his lips to Psyis�� and activate the lingering bits of tech she��d stolen from him.Sending the nanites she��d acquired while giving him CPR a pairing request before pulling back and sending her a test message over their new line.

    Kicking the imaginary you out of my head is getting old.

    Psyis felt Izime��s thoughts push through even though her entire being was focused on her lips seared for that split second when she��d thought he��d caved. Opening her eyes as the moment of affection she��d intended to deepen had already vanished from her with far too fast to satisfy.

    Closing her eyes as a different and unexpected wave took her. The thessian was a bit confused as even though Izime had separated from her she could still feel his presence like a neighbor to her own mind. A strange kind of intimacy that paralleled the kiss she��d been left wanting over, the alien tried to confirm the new connection.

    Izime?

    The thessian sent the thought as she normally did, unaware of the emotional flow that was included with her subscription to Izime��s mental communications. Stepping forward as she tried to pick back up that unspoken communication, her lips finding a finger instead as the AI stopped her as if he was shushing a child muffling her and the line he''d just turned on.

    ��So do we go and make the news some more or?�� Izime asked as he stopped whatever Psyis had intended to do with her foggy eyes. Smiling brightly as he heard Psyis message come back through crystal clear, that clarity now returning to her red eyes as well.

    The various minds on the server between the three of them playing nicely for now with little to no cross-talk between his line with Psyis and the pre-existing line with Cradle.

    The AI unaware Psyis was leaking her own intentions as she tried to insinuate that she��d rather finish the thought his kiss had brought to mind. The bond excited the thessian on a level she''d never felt, now testing her new psychic partner''s defenses accidentally.

    ��We should probably stay inside, I��m going to order something just tell me what you want.�� Psyis pulled at Izime��s jacket not wanting to ask directly as she tried to drop another hint for the AI, ��Besides I don��t want to put on more clothes Izime.��

    If he was hungry they could eat, if not she wanted to stay in her apartment and at least do what she��d been accused of. Psyis decided to stop playing with her words, using a tactic that��d always worked on Steven. She pressed into Izime trying to spark the same simple responses she expected from a human man, ��I promise the dessert is worth it.��

    ��What if I wanted to make the news some more?�� Izime nodded stiffly reason slipping away as he verbally countered her offer, with one of his own. ��Throw gasoline on the fire to blaze it out.��

    The AI knowing the thessian was agreeing to do something similar, watching as Psyis walked away shaking her head either refusing to listen or giving him a no.

    The air around him was tinged with the fruit body wash and the darker notes of Psyis. A smell he��d not known until he��d wound up with a crying naked thessian in his arms after barging into the bathroom. That scent coming across pointedly now, clear and naturally enticing under the chemical smell of strawberries and kiwi. The chemically sweet scent hung over but not masking a note of something else underneath that begged him to chase her.

    The AI moved across the room to stop Psyis from making the call, glad he��d taken that medicine as it gave him the willpower to stop her. The inhibitor doing its job quite literally and keeping him reasonable enough to say he didn''t want to stay alone with her when they were both so emotionally charged.

    Izime��s voice came out a bit hoarse as he asked her to stop tempting him, ��Psyis please?��

    Psyis turned as she held the phone behind her back, forcing Izime to pin her against the counter if he wanted to keep her from calling the sub-shop. ��You��re not saying no Izime, just say it. Turn me down or stop me from calling.��

    Izime faltered, his focus drawn from the phone towards the woman he was trying to take it from as she no longer had anywhere to go beyond through him or onto the counter for him.

    ��I��m going to show you off this time, we can��t just hide from this.�� Izime heard the phone hit the counter as she spun his grip around Psyis taking arm instead now that her hand was free. Trying to convince himself that they were going to get lunch even as he was being guided away from the phone to do her bidding.

    ��You know I��m not hiding Izime,�� Psyis shook her head, pressing smooth cotton against rough denim she made it clear how she intended to make her own waves with the press. Feeling Izime��s grip weaken as she directed his attention elsewhere, Psyis guided his hand down the hollow of her neck to where she could fill it with the same treats that��d drawn his eyes.

    Breathing out with a needy tone she��d not used since first discovering such pleasures in her youth Psyis finally asked directly, ��Come on, let''s make one part of that article true.��

    ��If we don��t get out of this apartment I��m going to break at least one intergalactic law.�� Izime warned Psyis as instinct took over. One hand kneading unconsciously as his eyes watched her grinding against him. The AI��s complaints had all the effect of a prerecorded message as Psyis guided him along, his voice weak as he complained. ��I care about my career too.��

    ��Your medicine doesn��t work long does it���� Psyis said tauntingly, feeling Izime slowly OKing everything she wanted his hands to do. The thessian moved his hand down lower granting him clothing-free access to fondle under her shirt as she asked, ��What law?��

    Condoning her slight manipulations as she tried to distract him further. Her other hand started to work on Izime''s clothing now, mottled fingers pulling at his belt loops.

    ��There''s some paperwork that we need to fill out before starting a physical relationship.�� Izime heard the words come robotically out of his mouth. His voice coming out as a tense growl, his hand feeling Psyis'' taunt muscles under her shirt.

    The AI let her hands guide him further off course even as he warned her about the consequences. ��The galactic government does care about the off-chance of a new species popping up.��

    ��I�� bought some protection, we��ll be safe.�� Psyis knew Izime could feel her words were a lie but she wasn��t just going to say Steven had left them at her house. The connection likely went both ways, as she could feel how superficial his complaints were aside from that one possibility about children.

    Pulling on him mentally and tempting him physically now. Psyis wrapped his fear in her desire opening Izime up further to her psychic insinuations, intentionally using her powers for the first time. The AI took to her desires like a fish to water, lifting her onto the counter where she could open to him, tempting him with access that was only hindered by the bits of fabric they��d yet to remove.

    That need slamming the connection between them as it over-pressured them both. Blowing out the newly made line and triggering a similar effect to the last time she��d held Izime��s thoughts in her hand. The two were far too love drunk to realize their slowly switching senses as they rushed onwards regardless of the consequences until the backlash hit them.

    Psyis tried to think clearly enough to get her hand under Izime��s belt, the chill of her shirt rising contrasting the heat of fingers well past her mid-rift. His hand brushed past her gills to hold her fully just as she managed to get her own handful of him. The expected pleasure came from somewhere lower as sensations passed from a body not her own, the thessian clenched her legs closed and laid back on the counter gasping in surprise.

    Your hand.

    Your hand.

    Izimes mind was too fogged to voice the words aloud as mottled fingers finally worked under his belt. Teal eyes hazing over as he watched her hand slip underneath, a soft groan escaped him as she grabbed him brazenly. Need flared on the right side of his chest instead of where it should have been. A shocking sensation of pleasure sent from nerves his body didn��t have that had him almost collapsing uncomfortably onto Psyis.

    Both of them collapsed like used wet rags, panting in shock and excitement at the sensations. Each had a bit of a different take on the feedback their petting had created after Psyis had crossed their powers up joining in with her own connection. She lay there still panting a bit, her body coming back down from the peak it��d nearly crested. Flushed but still wanting more, red eyes on the AI that shared the counter with her.

    Izime weakly took another one of those pills, inserting it into the inhaler with a shakey hand before taking two deep puffs; the AI clearly more confused than excited.

    ��Will that affect me, or I guess us?�� The thessian narrowed her eyes as she asked, feeling Izime��s side of the bond numbing a bit. The boiling of his emotions having a lid capped on it as soon as he��d taken his medication, Psyis warned him she was aware of its effects. ��Izime�� I can feel it.��

    ��It shouldn��t, it''s specifically for humans, and it''s only an inhibitor.�� Izime shook his head as he answered Psyis question, not feeling the same discomfort she did at having the sensation so halted. The AI briefly considered making an oxytocin inhaler as well, his words betraying how opposed he was to the feeling compared to Psyis, ��I may need something stronger.��

    Izime reeling still as he tried to sort out just what addresses on his connection had allowed Psyis to become the admin, she��d clearly directed which synapses would fire in his brain. Forwarding everything they were supposed to feel to the wrong users, the confusion shocking any momentary desire right of the AI.

    ��Take a couple with you, I��ll get dressed and we��ll go out, get some food and... some air.�� Psyis said motioning towards the mediation a bit embarrassed at why Izime was taking it at all.

    Her breathing slowly calmed, still trying to swim back ashore, lost in the sea that shared pleasure had tossed her into. Eyes drawn to the part of him she��d woken up at last, the effect still visibly obvious as buckling his belt was clearly too difficult to bother with at the moment.

    He��d just be re-tenting the problem she��d just discovered, Psyis taking a quick estimate before it��d completely gone back down.

    ��Really weird.�� Izime nodded unaware he was slightly kink-shaming the thessian who had enjoyed the loop immensely. The AI more than a bit embarrassed as he asked her to not gawk at him so openly, ��Pi could you not stare?��

    ��I��m going to go change.�� Psyis excused her eyes as she scurried down the hallway toward her room and slammed the door shut. Her mind was more focused on remembering how he��d felt than how he looked standing embarrassed, not that she hadn��t been ogling a bit.

    Throwing open her closet door, trying to focus on picking out an outfit quickly, the sooner she got Izime fed the sooner she could drag him back to explore her new bond. Red eyes drawn back to her bedside time and time again, finally breaking down and opening her nightstand drawer.

    Psyis nervously pulled out the box Steven had left and unrolled a strip of the foil packages to look at them a bit closer to inspect the labels. Reading over the information they offered before searching on her phone to confirm her suspicions about men��s contraceptives. Her web search was inconclusive beyond men bragging and comments about being irritated with certain brands.

    She looked back towards her bedroom door before shaking her head and putting the box back; they couldn��t be that different right?

    Izime watched Psyis as she disappeared down the hall before rubbing at his chest. The way his shirt dragged across as he tried to massage away the sensation of Psyis�� nervous system; he��d no idea they were that sensitive.

    The AI loaded his inhaler one more, taking another dose of the inhibitor that was calming his own body back down. Though in the tug of war, he felt like the drug was doing little to stop his lizard brain from submitting to Psyis.

    The woman was clearly able to get the responses she wanted from him as long as he couldn��t say no. Something Izime just couldn��t seem to say when it came to her. Shoving his lack of willpower aside he called to his bond.

    ��I guess we should get dressed too,�� Izime said with a nod to the raven, holding out his arm so Cradle could work its technological magic on his current outfit. The AI not wanting to even waste time finding some of his nicer clothes as Psyis probably would use the chance as an excuse to do other things instead. Things he wasn''t confident he could say no to right now.

    He stood still, watching as the reality-altering powers of the Father Hexagon were used to transform his cheap field-work attire into something for fine dining.

    Cradle giving a flap of its wings and showering Izime with nanites.

    The cheap cotton and denim folded over as their molecular structures were altered into materials Izime and Cradle considered to be more ��modern�� as galactic-faring individuals.

    Crafting a suit suited for the upper class from less backwater systems The black cashmere and woven microfibers used on earth paling in comparison to poly-carbon weaves a nano-thread fabrics. Black matte nearly appeared glossy just because of the almost liquid weave.

    The raven tilted its head before deciding to adjust its bond''s plumage to something more fitting for their intentions for drawing attention.

    ��Hey!�� Izime cried out as he heard a snip near his ear, turning to see his ponytail coming undone. Giving Cradle a warning glance he allowed a trim, ��Just a bit to even it out.��

    Pulling at his new suit a bit nervously, Izime allowed his bond to give him his first haircut since coming to this reality. The AI turned as he heard Psyis behind him.

    ��I suddenly feel underdressed all over again.�� Psyis complimented Izime��s new appearance watching as bits of his hair fell down, vanishing with a glow before they hit the ground. About to mention the potential smell assuming magic was involved until she realized there was none.

    Watching as bits of Izime��s void swallowed them up as she felt them moving about cleaning his mess.

    ��You look perfect,�� Izime shook his head as he considered the first steps in his plans to turn public opinion on its head about him.

    Walking over he playfully brushed a few strands of her mohawk so they fell in front of her face, Psyis looking every bit the frumpy alien in jeans and a hoodie once more.

    To slow to stop Izime just in case he was going in for a kiss she''d caught his hand too late, Psyis blew a puff of frustrated air at the hair that was now in the way instead as she asked, ��What''s the game plan.��

    Her gut twisted a bit as she risked a downward glance to check on Izime��s situation. The alien briefly cursed the burdens of being a woman and the AI��s technological advantage. Confirming that Izime was clearly relying on that inhaler.

    His hard-on would leave nothing too noticeable and even pass quicker than normal men''s would thanks to that drug. Meanwhile, she��d have to purchase a liner to hide her reactions from the public if they got heated all over again.

    Psyis kept her irritation to herself, making more plans for when they returned instead.

    ��Biggest, priciest restaurant I know of, a bit of me being a bad human, and you just being the celebrity you already are.�� Izime tapped at his chin, Psyis'' look making it clear that this trip had better be worth her while. The thessian��s mind was clearly on something besides food or wanting to listen to his request that they slow down.

    Hoping he could bring a bit of a smile to her face Izime revealed his intention to make a splash in Earth''s gossip magazines in another fashion, ��The King of Knickknacks is taking Psyis on a date.��

    ��Your dare dawn your alter-ego for me,�� Psyis raised her brows pretending to be shocked as Izime tried to weasel in a work-date with her. Looking back towards her bedroom with a bit of sarcasm as she asked, ��Should I wear my suit instead?��

    ��Lux usually likes people to dress a bit nicer when they dine at the SkyCafe but no,�� Izime felt his shoulders drop a bit as Psyis was clearly a bit miffed about being turned down. Though she did at least have the self-awareness to realize how snippy she��d gotten, now looking at the shoes instead.

    Both standing a bit awkwardly, Izime knew Psyis really did need to de-stress, though maybe not like she was used to in her relationships. All the while he stood feeling pressured by both his own body and her, and feeling like he was losing the fight with both.

    He just didn��t want to miss the chance they had right now either but still wanted to enjoy the moments that were supposed to come in between and before that especially. Sorting through the emotional slag to find the core of the issue he tried to convey his emotions through the still-sore bond between them.

    If they were going to jump head-first into something he��d at least like to take her on something a bit more proper than the noodle date. Show in some fashion that he had genuine intentions of doing something more lasting and real than privately bedding her, even if it was at her request.

    He wanted to make it clear no one was taking advantage and everyone was willing, the easiest way to do that was getting caught with both their personas. Psyis already caught off the clock but in League Orbital with him, now it was time he got caught with her. Then they could move on to making good on those claims and prove that it was just something that happened, not a power dynamic being advantaged.

    Izime explained to Psyis how he planned to play off his naive nature the tabloids had tried to underline to his advantage as she knocked her head on his chest, ��It might feel like you''re out with Steven though. Tonight you''re the sweet earth girl, I��m the too-rich intergalactic entrepreneur who��s trying to impress her with his money and connections.��

    The AI relaxing against her as they settled their emotional conversation outside of the logistical one they were also having.

    ��You actually know the Lux Winthor?�� Psyis asked as she stepped forward a bit regretful in the way she��d snapped at Izime, able to feel his emotional flinching at her words underneath the stoic reservation he held on his face.

    Resting her head on his chest instead of apologizing, hoping her apology could be just as felt as his desire to take her out and enjoy the same moments Steven had with her. Izime��s intentions clouded with something else, likely another one of his plans she sifted through it.

    She was a bit sad at finding his jealousy wrapping up his actual intentions. Izime clearly used how Steven had something with her he didn��t; time; to hide his plans for something else deeper.

    ��I do, Constantinople��s not the only person I sell to, or rather buy from in this case,�� Izime admitted as he looked away for a moment a bit ashamed at how easily the psychic was sorting through the bundle he��d sent. Hoping to stop her before she asked about what she��d found Izime changed the topic to her family, ��I may have funded some trouble for your family honestly, but Zexxianite has better purposes around the galaxy beyond turning your cousin mortal so I like to buy Lux out every so often.��

    ��What about the Vidaan?�� Psyis asked, a bit more worried about the things Izime never discussed than the things he did and the thing he was dancing around seemed to involve Lux. If he was about to spend a noticeable amount of money that would draw attention to him from off-world, Psyis knew she��d hit the nail on the head when Izime looked away.

    Smiling as she quickly sorted through Izime''s depth this time to find his little side plots and intentions outside of just postponing her tonight.

    ��Whatever happens, happens.�� Izime shrugged away Psyis worry, being accused of doing anything inappropriate with her would be far worse than inflating Earth''s economy with off-world funds. The AI reiterated that he just wanted to make it known they were an item, ��I��ve got enough money to buy my way out of any financial issues with them, I just want to draw a different kind of attention to us as a couple.��

    He knew galactic news travelled fast but not that fast when it was just Earth gossip. However, there were a lot of eyes on the planet right now, so going out with her should garner a bit of attention.

    Looking up to find Psyis looking at him a mix of doubt and confusion, Izime quickly changed his answer thinking he��d gotten the question wrong, ��Did you mean Lux? I pay in repairs to his stuff, that suit would take him decades to fix otherwise.��

    ��Izime what aren��t you telling me about this plan?�� Psyis put her hands on her hips not believing that Izime had revealed even the tiniest bit of the trouble his plan would cause. The anti-social man didn��t even like going out let alone to a high-end socialite restaurant.

    Now all of a sudden he had dawned a designer suit and insisted on attending one of the poshest villain-owned restaurants in the USA? There was something else going on that she just couldn''t quite grasp under it all.

    ��It might end up with me being taken in for questioning.�� Izime gave a side-ways answer not wanting to exactly tell the very independent thessian why. The entire concept and idea behind it would likely clash with her sensibilities, earth''s culture being a couple of thousand years behind the rest of the wider galactic community.

    ��So instead of staying home and���� Psyis rolled her eyes and glanced back down her hall hoping she was clear enough for the dense AI to understand. The entire plan not making sense to her as being a safer alternative if he��d just wind up in lock up, ��You��d rather risk spending the night in jail?��

    ��If we���� Izime nodded down the same hall as Psyis, laying out how his night would go if they decided to just let their biology lead the way, ��Jail is a risk anyway, and not even a nice Earth one. I��ll explain a bit over appetizers OK?��

    ��Are we really going to SkyCafe?�� Psyis asked, not sure she wanted to discuss their lack of intimacy while sitting alongside America��s rich and famous. Glancing outside and looking at the lack of shadows to guesstimate the time. The cafe was likely full of patrons who were the most gossipy elites, those not busy ensuring their empires were being maintained.

    Reminding Izime of another risk that came to mind as soon as she thought of those who suffered from affluenza, ��That''s close to Voltham Iz are you sure?.��

    Psyis immediately worried that someone else might come crashing into Lux��s cafe if he heard that Izime was intentionally showing her off so close. Izime would be giving Steven the excuse to show in a cowl, seeing as he was once again breaking the League''s rules on using his magic.

    ��It is, I��m banned from Voltham, not its two better-behaved sister cities,�� Izime smirked a bit, Psyis narrowing her eyes as she started to suspect him of more than just showing her off. Holding out his hand he looked at Psyis expectantly, ��Not scared of the fire a few sparks might are you?��

    Psyis took Izime��s hand rolling her eyes as he teased her with his magic.

    The thessian did not even have a chance to close her eyes before the world around them blurred away with a snap. The comparative silence of her apartment was replaced with the sounds of surprised chatter and gasps as Izime got the scene he wanted to cause.

    The Skycafe''s terrace surrounded them already, it was far too late for her to change her mind; swallowing back her fears she stepped along side Izime.

    If Steven showed she��d handle him, if anyone else showed�� well Izime seemed to have a plan already.

 Causing a Scene at SkyCafe

    Psyis felt a slight chill around her as she opened her eyes and found that Izime had taken them to an area technically inside the cafe proper.

    Psyis was surprised to find herself on the Skycafe��s outdoor terrace, surrounded by tables with guests paused mid-bite and servers frozen mid-step watching the two of them.

    Turning to Izime a bit worried, he just gave her a calm look and guided her forward. Walking inside and heading towards the proper entrance to the restaurant as patrons whispered and pointed toward him and his bird. Those dining clearly more drawn to the obvious display of magic than her as whispered words about the raven being a familiar came from around them.

    A hostess came walking up, nervously watching the bird as well even as she approached. Apparently having heard the commotion came and found them halfway, two menus in her hand as she stammered nervously, ��H-how can I help you Mr?��

    Izime smiled brightly as everything was going according to plan, clarifying things for the hostess he said, ��I��ve been here with Lux before though I��m afraid I don��t remember which name I used at the time. A table for two please."

    Feeling a bit of Psyis�� discomfort at the showy entrance he��d even taken that chance to loop his arm through hers and pull her a bit closer.

    Having Psyis dress accordingly would have drawn all the eyes towards her instead. Now it looked exactly how he intended with him as the mysterious but obviously in charge person leading around the under-dressed nobody. Her natural reaction gave her the perfect vibe, he could only write ��I��m taking advantage of this girl�� larger if he purchased a billboard outside and wrote it.

    Patting the air between them, the AI tried to calm the hostess with a disarming smile, at the same moment he went ahead and acknowledged the security that had flanked the room, ��Go ahead and call, its fine I��m a business associate of Mr. Winthor��s just returning here with my date.��

    ��Certainly just let me find a table for you and���� Her shoulders dropped as the unexpected guest''s words didn��t put her at ease the hostess decided to ask for at least one name before seating the two very unusual guests. Now turning towards the woman beside him, trying to prompt some kind of response outside of the older man''s control the hostess tried to smile encouragingly.

    ��Psyis,�� Pulling down her hood the thessian clarified who she was for the hostess. Brushing out her hair that had been mussed by her hood with one hand, Psyis watched the poor girl''s eyes going wide as dinner plates. The entire establishment was tense as they realized a family member of Radiation Man was dining with them, the room collectively held their breath until Izime spoke up breaking the air of suspense.

    ��Is there a problem?�� Leaning down Izime acted ignorant about the reason behind the tense atmosphere. Looking around the room feigning naivetety about earths social circles as he assured the room, ��Sorry Lux assured me I would visit at anytime so I didn��t bother with a reservation. Communications a bit more difficult off-world.��

    The hostess stood a bit awkwardly until she received a nod from the head of security who had just returned from contacting the owner of the Skycafe. Waving for the very well-dressed magician and his very unexpected company to follow her back into the establishment.

    The go-ahead to welcome their unexpected guests came with a stern nod the hostess hurriedly went ahead and led them to the VIP section of the cafe where a private table was still being set, ��Not at all, a table for the gentleman and the madam as requested.��

    Giving a few final pulls to the freshly laid tablecloth she sit out a few rolls of actual silver craft utensils, ��Your waiter will be with you in just a moment.��

    ��Thank you.�� Izime nodded toward the hostess before she left, taking the menus and sliding them both toward Psyis.

    The alien picked on up out of human-istilled habit looking it over before finally speaking about the restaurant itself. Clearly a bit shocked at the unexpected treatment Izime was glad she was overlooking it.

    The special service clearly a sign of how much business respect Lux had for him and was not a good thing in any Cent��s eyes.

    Psyis glanced over the prices, not even bothering to read the descriptions that were written only to highlight the expense of the ingredients. Only saying a few words about the selection it offered, ��I��ve never been here.��

    Glancing up towards Izime ignoring the way she was clearly having a casual Friday in comparison to the rest of the room where every other couple had sat in formal attire. Giving him a bit of a look as he was indeed showing her off, just in an entirely different fashion.

    Even taking her to a private room within the cafe, something obviously reserved for those Winthor considered elites. The thessian smirked a bit as Izime sneered at the menu along with her.

    ��And I don��t like restaurants where I can��t see the food being prepared,�� Izime took one of the menus glancing over the overly advant garde food. The AI sat back and explained a bit about what he��d discovered in his own preferences through the years. ��You develop weird preferences after traveling the galaxy for a bit, personally I think street food is the best. Filling and it builds a healthy immune system.��

    Glancing over the menu Psyis tried to find something, maybe not reasonably priced at least without edible gold or truffles or foie gras. Finally settling on an imported Japanese staple turned American fad Psyis pointed at a section on the menu asking Izime��s opinion, ��How do you feel about sushi.��

    ��I like the shape and the sauces.�� Glancing up Izime smiled agreeing with Psyis�� choice, pointing at the picture of black goo Lux had insisted he try last time, ��I had fish eggs when I was here before.��

    ��Caviar?�� Psyis made a face, recalling the times she��d had to eat it alongside Steven. ��That''s�� sushi it is then.��

    Her disgust broke out as a giggle as Izime copied her reaction, Psyis nodding along as she tried to stem her flirtatious laughter. The Voltham elite often preferred dollar amount spent over actually good-tasting food.

    The man across from her admitted to having a taste for any greasy bowl he could find in an alley instead, Psyis smiling fondly remembering that was technically their first date; eating greasy noodles in a back alley.

    ��Not very good, but it was interesting, and its incredibly easy to farm in zero-g.�� Izime agreed to share in Psyis'' distaste for the salt-cured roe. Explaining in a sideways fashion what he��d been purchasing from Lux that day, the fish made for an affordable food source and easily maintained hatcheries in zero-g.

    The rather pungent earth delicacy was now quickly becoming a staple protein for the rest of the galaxy in other forms.

    Glancing away from Psyis, Izime explained a bit of his home reality��s mirrored time period. ��By this time in my reality, the sales of caviar were limited to select farmable fish to conserve populations. The sturgeons in the black sea were dwindling far enough that caviar substitutes were far cheaper than the actual thing.��

    The AI quietly celebrated the fact comic authors hadn��t carried over all the detrimental effects caused in their reality.

    Only a few instances of such taking place such as global warming and various forms of ��isms�� both specism and sexism. The most dire of those were already solved by fantastical solutions here, the rest remained as reminders of faux imperfection.

    The several waiters making their way out only reminded Izime of another; classism.

    If Steven thought he was going to flex his adoptive father''s money and name then the AI was just going to remind him why exactly the name Blane rarely left Voltham. Comparing the wealth of a local Voltham aristocrat against the resources of a galactic salesman was a bit unfair. Still, Izime washed his hands free of any guilt, Steven was the one who��d picked this fight after all.

    Walking over a bit nervously, Lux��s words still fresh in her mind, the young waitress intending to follow through on her boss''s orders. Unsure of what else the strange magician might ask for, Lux only told her the man��s name and that he had to be impressed with their service or else.

    Ready to satisfy whatever demands the man made regardless of cost she introduced herself, ��Hello I��m Halie I��ll be your server this afternoon Mr. Izime.��

    Stepping aside she made room for the two assistants with her to place the large platter on the table, ��Here��s a sampler on the house, it consists of Earth''s current seasonal delicacies we��ve selected that you might find tempting. Mr. Wintor will be here in a bit to welcome you back to his restaurant personally, until then could have your orders?��

    Sitting back towards the younger woman Psyis let some more of the pieces of who Izime was click into place. Digging deeper through the layers of who he was as Lux sent a team of staff to welcome him, the villainous tycoon was apparently coming personally as well.

    The sampler in front of them while seasonal certainly wasn��t any kind of appetizer for a meal. It was more than a meal for the two of them already. The entire thing was made from decent-sized portions of the offered specials and top-end entrees she��d seen pictured on the menu.

    Tilting her head a bit Psyis considered the difference in Izime��s almost panicked shame that he was internalizing as he tried to act like this was all expected.

    The tremor of emotions between them clearly coming across like she had often felt, uncomfortably polite at the overt expenses taken. The platter before them clearly not the appetizers he��d expected to talk to his date over. Psyis smiled as he awkwardly pointed at only a few lower-end items on the menu and tried to wave the food away uselessly.

    ��Two rolls please, a tiger roll for my date and something heavy in nori for me.�� Izime pointed towards the sushi section, tapping dumbly at the roll Psyis had selected for herself while asking for the chef to pick for him. The AI asked for a bottle of chilled rice wine before turning to his date to ask, ��Chilled sake, and you?��

    Pointing down the massive silver platter that was on the table already Izime almost bowed in apology to the waitress as he said, ��That''s far too much give it to the other guest,s please. I��m only here on a date not to browse Earth��s produce thank you.��

    ��Of course,�� Hallie nodded, though the platter remained where it was. She certainly wasn��t going to remove the evidence she��d done as her boss asked, she liked her paycheck after all. Turning towards the Centropolis-based celebrity she asked for her preferences in a drink now, ��For Miss Psyis?��

    ��I��ll have the raspberry iced tea with a shot of clear rum in it.�� Psyis looked over at the waitress sending a quick message making sure she knew to grab the smallest bottle of sake they had available.

    Price had no concern for Izime obviously, still, his ability to consent to anything later tonight was a worry for her. The woman was not quite as concerned over the issues of some galactic police coming to snatch him away as he was.

    It was their choice after all; despite what any media or law said they were consenting adults and they could just butt out of it.

    ��Could I see some ID for the drinks?�� Hallie smiled apologetically while she asked the floor for proof of age, unsure of where she really stood on the right and wrong of it. One of the two was confirmed to be old enough, and even if the man did it was still her job.

    Despite what Lux said she wasn��t going to slack off and sell alcohol to anyone the tabloids claimed was ten and lose the cafe��s liquor license.

    ��Of course,�� Psyis pulled out her driver''s license handing it over, their waitress only taking half a second to pretend like she��d confirmed the thessian��s age. The small scanner on her electronic ordering pad made a pleasing confirmation tone as Hallie scanned it before handing it back.

    ��My Sol permit please Cradle,�� Izime looked over at the raven that still sat politely on his shoulder. The raven hopping down to the table and making a little show of checking its wings before pulling out a similarly sized card with its beak.

    The only differences was the translucent nature and slight shimmer, the entire ID set in holographic display cast on frosted glass surrounded by a black metal frame.

    Hallie took a second longer to examine the high-tech identification screen and the age it displayed. Her pad repeated the same confirmation tone before she��d even scanned it, the ID communicating with the lower-end device all on its own.

    ��I��ll let the chef know your preferences, both of them.�� The young woman said handing the ID back unsure of what the 2.8<sup>e</sup><sup>3</sup><sup>079</sup> on his age meant but clearly it was old enough to have a drink.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Walking away she went to place their orders with the cooks not bothering to glance back, let pad inform her that her boss had arrived to take over.

    ��I don��t have an Earth ID but I figured that would work,�� Izime took the card giving Cradle a little scratch as he put it into his jacket pocket. The AI a bit curious if using his work ID would get him flagged as Earth wasn��t actually a part of the federation of planets that��d issued it.

    ��It certainly clears me to have a drink, she looked at me like I was ten.�� Looking over at the psychic Izime snorted a bit as he asked if Psyis had noticed as well, ��Did you see that?��

    ��You��re not a kid, I know that but she didn��t, or at least didn��t believe it.�� Psyis rolled her eyes already knowing why their waitress had checked Izime��s ID. Making things clear for him now pointing out the cause, ��That headline really just took both of us in the worst context, your words and my actions.��

    Giving a glance to the door Izime decided to bring up one of the reasons he thought Psyis kept throwing herself at him, one she might not realize herself, ��I think we��ve been dancing around that for a bit, the ��what if FazzPazz hadn��t showed up�� guilt you��re carrying.��

    Watching Psyis flounder for a moment he gave her time to find the words she needed.

    ��I wouldn��t have Izime, I lost my mind for a minute but it was just talk.�� Psyis felt her mouth move a couple of times before the sound finally came out. Consciously unable to excuse the person she��d been in that moment while still forgiving herself for the growing attachment she held for the AI, ��I��m not going to turn back into that Psyis.��

    ��I might have, I definitely wasn��t leaning towards no at the time, just scared of how fast everything was happening. If I didn��t have that inhaler we probably would have already, which would be a mistake.�� Izime looked down, a bit embarrassed about his admittance about that day he��d been ��helpless�� under her.

    The AI took a moment to let those words settle before glancing back up far more seriously in his second warning, ��It''s helping me keep some control, but I��m honestly scared of hurting you at moments. Like earlier you wanted something and�� I wanted to tear that shirt off you in a not-nice way, and that��s not right.��

    ��You��ve had enough of controlling domineering people in your life, I don��t want that to be me.�� Izime gestured weakly at Psyis before rubbing his thumbs together feeling like he��d failed her somehow as he admitted, ��If we jump into a physical relationship too quick I think it will be.��

    ��Iz�� I don��t know what to say to that.�� Psyis sat up a bit straighter, finally taking Izime��s warning about wanting space seriously for once. Looking around the table a bit uncomfortably, not sure how to feel now about how aggressive she��d been with Izime earlier in her apartment.

    It was clear he��d been resistant, she��d assumed it was against her. Believing it was because she was just not trying hard enough or in the right way to tempt the AI.

    All his other no��s had been worked through in some fashion after all. Talking the issue through, arguing, or compromising as they did so. Now it sounded more like he knew what he felt and was fighting himself over it, while she repeatedly shoved him into the ring with those urges.

    ��That makes it a good time to bring up my next point.�� Izime said while he literally did so, leveling a finger at Psyis to get her attention, ��One of the forms we need to sign is a consent form for safety. Outside of Earth, the galaxy monitors people like you very closely and very differently than others.��

    ��Why only outside of Earth?�� Psyis asked ignoring bringing up what the consent form was for more curious about who was issuing it. Clearly, Izime was talking about what might have happened if she��d managed to keep using her powers on him like she had earlier.

    Hiding her guilt as curiosity, wondering if Constantinople was right and if she was the wrong person to be in charge of his toaster right now. Able to see a bit of what the exorcist had been trying to keep from happening as she got the outcome of her wish to snatch Izime away.

    Her clear inhibitions with his boundaries and his lack of clearly explaining things could quickly become very toxic.

    ��That isolationism keeps you insulated from a lot of the policies across the galaxy. The concept of your cape doesn��t extend far outside of Earth.�� The AI tried to think of a good way to concisely explain the difference between heroes on Earth and the way the rest of the galaxy saw them.

    Izime hoped his analogy would clarify the differences she could expect, ��A good example is the Zythomian Tribunal and their Ring Bearers. On any other planet, they''re not considered a hero so much as a minor policing force or glorified neighborhood watch.��

    ��Here Hank''s authority is damned near unquestioned once he��s outside of Sol��s magnetosphere and in interstellar space he��s just another Zythomian peace-keeper.�� Gesturing to the room Izime made things a bit clearer on why the Green Ring caught the flak he did, ��Zythomia has power on the planets they support but across the wider spread of players? Their like a 3<sup>rd</sup> <sup> </sup>world country with a slightly more impressive military, they can��t even take on Armageddon and that��s one planet.��

    Psyis leaned back brushing at her hair, looking at Izime, listening as he finally drew a distinction between heroes and what he was. His explanation didn��t exactly clear up what he was so much as explain why he��d gotten such a loud response for just selling his batteries.

    She��d always known it was something more than a simple salesman. Though being important enough to have the galaxy worried about who he hopped into bed with seemed a bit of a stretch.

    ��Then there��s me, as a recognizable public figure I can��t just integrate with a protected species, this is already a big move privately socializing.�� Scratching at his head Izime, took another glance at the door well aware that the privacy it offered was also a curtain of accusations that could be dropped on them. Used to make whatever accusations people wanted unlike the photos from the Station, unverifiable accusations were just as damning as his accidental jokes.

    Finally looking up he copied Psyis�� pose leaning back in his chair as well admitting to his own come-to moment, ��So that article was a good reminder for me to not just follow your mother��s advice as soon as I got to Centropolis. As much as I would like to I have to at least look like I can keep my head around you.��

    ��Why am I a protected species?�� Leaning forward Psyis asked another question while she unrolled a set of cutlery. Picking up one of the smaller forks she waved it trying to tempt Cradle from Izime��s side of the table to snack on the fine silver.

    Feeling a bit on a pedestal as even outside her cape she was placed above Izime once again in some fashion. Rubbing at her own neck feeling like there was always something more important than what she wanted, first being her cape, now it was the stripes on her skin.

    The answer was already obvious considering her species was extinct, she��d only asked to confirm her suspicions.

    ��Technically we both are but they��ll throw a bigger fit about you. I��m only a one-off of the human species, unique but classified as a mutation. You��re the last thessian in existence Psyis, just touching you is a galactic controversy.�� Izime confirmed Psyis'' suspicions while giving a nod towards Cradle, granting his approval to go have an appetizer of high-quality silver.

    Hoping that Psyis stayed entertained and didn��t point out that he was as usual hiding the truth; he was much more than a human mock-up. Even that definition was clearly hiding quite a bit of where and when that mock-up had come from.

    Watching as Cradle hopped over to nibble the tongs off the dessert fork Psyis had offered before moving on to the next bit. Izime detailed the paperwork that would let them legally celebrate their new relationship physically, ��We need to have certain tests run on us for compatibility and safety. If there are any issues we can sign consent forms that wave any galactic guilt, but that��s something I have to do to keep my job.��

    ��You need a consent form to..keep selling batteries?�� Psyis asked sarcastically dropping the tiny bit of silver handle left in her hand that��d once been a spoon and changing her choice in words as the door opened.

    The thessian had wanted to make sure she��d heard the AI correctly, that a night in bed with her would keep him from hocking his little trinkets but it seemed Lux Winthor had come. The man stood physically imposing both bulk and tall, bald with his bushy but trimmed salt and pepper beard. Well dressed, as usual, tastefully but excessively wealthy in a suit.

    The villainous philanthropist personally brought their drinks without even bothering to knock, while behind him came two actual waiters with their dishes. Psyis glanced at Izime wondering how or if he��d even keep their discussion going with an acquaintance from the other side in the room.

    ��That''s part of it, James wasn��t joking around when he said I��m the welfare system of the galaxy. I was involved with politics at one point as an advisor of sorts,�� Izime leaned across the table, taking one of the other forks that remained, tempting Cradle back to his side as he answered wanting to make room on the table.

    The AI looked over unbothered to see the business tycoon in the room, a platter bearing a chilled bowl holding a couple bottles of sake and a tall glass of rosy colored tea. Lux��s suit of equally high quality for his earth based residence, a few very tastefully placed rare off-earth gems adorning things like his tie clip and cuff links.

    Scooping the bird up and letting the raven snack in his lap, Izime cleared things up for Psyis both verbally and through their connection as he said, ��I decided to resign once Cradle came around, I needed to focus on raising my kid.��

    Making it clear as he opened himself up to the flow of her emotions that he wasn��t going to hide no matter who was around, so as long as he chose to open the topic to her first.

    ��It had nothing to do with Vhainos threatening you during the Senate hearings?�� Lux said as he looked between the two who had come to dine at his small establishment.

    Standing aside as their dishes were placed on the small table, Winthor kept both the drinks and his thoughts safe. One he��d hoped would have returned sooner and in better company, the other he��d never expected to visit at all but both were very important figures he could manipulate in different fashions.

    Leaning towards the latter the silver-tongued villain did what he could to try and stir up something less romantic between the two, revealing a bit of the star-bound salesman��s history, ��Ruining a stellar titan��s image across the galaxy was going to have some consequences, but he seems to have fared quite well. What is a Titan to a King after all?��

    Sitting the bowl of ice that held the small but extremely potent bottles of still chilling sake down he slid it towards the very very rich man who��d once stopped by to purchase fish of all things. ��Knickknack, I��m glad to see you finally decided to try Earth��s culinary delights once more.��

    ��Winthor you know I hate that name,�� Izime smiled and took the bowl, standing he held out his hand to give a friendly handshake. The AI said, unafraid of the microscopically sized businessman. The amoeba that Lux was could be a loud creature but as far as the man��s actual power? It was nothing, even compared to some of the tycoons the AI had blackmailed into submission during its first life.

    Cocking his brow Izime made sure that his position on not letting everyone die was very clear for the room, ��You can rest assured. If an army decides to march across the galaxy in search of the scraps to any mid-tier kardeshev equation, I��ll be the first in their way once again.��

    Giving Psyis a bit of a nod Izime hoped he wasn��t actually blushing from patting himself on the back for once. She��d been the one to start saying hero this and hero that after all so it shouldn��t come as a huge surprise and it was deserved.

    ��Glad to hear it, I��d hate to leave a threat of that magnitude in the hands of anyone less capable. Miss Psyis I think this is yours?�� Lux to a sideways shot at the other person who was seated at the table. The oddly irritating relative of his rival, thankfully she didn��t cause nearly as much trouble as her cousin the Kansas farm owner.

    The thessian being here was only half as shocking as discovering that she was truly involved with Izime, the two sitting quite comfortably despite the fact his arrival had been announced beforehand.

    Lux sat down the woman��s drink as he mocked her openly for her return to the tabloids, poking the Cent on sight as if on instinct, ��Quite the surprise to see you here in person, and not just pictured on some supermarket ra-��

    ��Lux.�� Psyis kept her warning short, not nearly as willing to entertain his verbal jabs like her boyfriend was.

    Lux was clearly about to bring up any number of times Steven had plastered her on untold headlines across the country in front of Izime. Not something she would stand for, though she didn��t think the AI would really care. The thessian kept glaring at the thickly bearded man who was still holding the tea she��d yet to reach for.

    Psyis refused to back down until she saw a hint of something less antagonistic cross the older villain��s face.

    ��Is it something your cousin is aware of, I know the tabloids don��t sell as well out in the sticks.�� Lux tried to bring up the woman��s actual problem, finally letting the drink go, and his tone eased. The villain stepping down, Lux tried to offer a hand in help and not another reason for her to hate him as he said. ��It is quite the mess for something so simple, should I hold the press off until you can call Kansas?��

    Reaching out Psyis took the tea, looking at Izime not sure exactly what to say about Lux��s unexpected offer now hoping he��d take the lead so she��d not misstep and put them in Winthor��s debt.

    It wasn��t unheard of for new couples to announce themselves to a gathering of questioning TV vans outside, but that was usually after a more celebratory headline had featured them, unlike her particular tabloid spreads.

    The thessian feeling and accepting the offer of support she felt from Izime she took a sip of her drink knowing he��d handle Lux for her.

    ��Kansas is actually quite nice, even if James is a bit of a boy scout, no offense Psyis.�� Izime leaned forward and dragged the bowl of iced sake toward him as he both answered and gave Lux something else to think about, ��I think I can handle something as simple as clearing my own image Lux, unless you want to start playing in my circles and hand galactic extinctions I��ll handle my press?��

    Taking the one of the porcelain cups from the ice he slid it across the table. With a quick twist of the brass wire that held the ashed cork stopper Izime opened the high end sake and unceremoniously poured a drink for the alien to take.

    ��He has his moments, but he did get you cleared for getting your citizenship.�� Psyis smile appreciatively agreeing with Izime as she took the cup Izime had poured for her and took a sip.

    The almost icy porcelain sticking to her lips slightly as she tried the expensive drink, the hint of dried fruit chasing the almost bitter refreshing taste of the rice alcohol. The alien blinking in surprise for a moment as a sweet aftertaste crept over her tongue cleaning her pallet after the stronger grain note cleared away.

    Psyis glanced nervously at the two bottles sitting on the ice, admitting she quite liked the taste even as she blushed from the proof. ��Oh, I like that, it''s clean.��

    ��Right I do still need to thank him for that.�� Izime nodded confirming that he was firmly entrenched with the Cent��s family even outside of the relationship with the woman across from him.

    Taking the other cup that was still on ice he filled it to the rim and stopped the sake back. With a nod towards Lux Izime tipped the entire cup back, the entire thing taking several swallows before he placed it back on the table. Treating the billionaire as if he was just another one of the waiters that were still holding their meal hostage.

    Smacking his lips once Izime looked at Psyis and picked the conversation over the liquor back up as he said, ��A bit of apricot maybe, yeah it doesn��t stick around very clean.��

    ��I had no idea you were interested in moving to Earth, living inside your race''s stellar sphere��tsk..tsk, all that work with the IGC just to step down early?�� Lux felt his business smile finally twitch a bit as the two started to enjoy their drinks treating him like air.

    Though he was rather useless in the room beyond holding the now empty tray and talking about things he shouldn��t. The latter of which Lux decided to keep doing, running his mouth a bit more as he handed to tray to one of the still waiting servers. Winthor taking a shot at Izime this time over his failing career potential,

    ��Would you rather just take a seat Lux, it��d be easier to discuss my past that way.�� Izime spoke up a bit aggravated this time as the villain not looking up as he rearranged the sauces that��d come with his nori wrapped aged salmon roll, ��You know I gave up my chance at politics long ago. I am not fit for leading anyone, it��s outside my scope of things.��

    ��No, No I��d hate to interrupt your lovely evening.�� Lux shook his head refusing the faux offer of hospitality not needing to feel Psyis�� growing irritation at his presence. Waving the servers out of the room before waving at the simple dishes the two had ordered as if permitting them to finally enjoy their meal in peace. Lux took a final shot at the two before he turned to leave the room, ��Just dropping in, some rumors need to be confirmed in person after all.��

    The billionaire flinched slightly as a raven��s call came out before he��d managed to open the door.

    ��Lex, could you inform your staff I��ll be paying in credits.�� Izime called out toward the owner of the establishment his tone making it clear that his words weren��t a question. Pinching a piece of sushi he dipped both it and his fingers into the soy continuing to talk not caring about the price or his manners, ��I��m a bit short on pocket cash, but you know I always have Sol credits to spare so charge extra if you want.��

    The AI glancing up just at he took his bit, Lux walking over and pulling a bank card out of his suit jacket and placing it on the table. Izime gave an appreciative humphf as Cradle approached, giving a scan that relayed the information on it and its worth.

    ��I could always exchange them for you. There��s easily a couple hundred million on this card, feel free to help yourself.�� Lux at least made it sound like was doing Izime a favor and not just being used as a bank teller.

    Keeping his face from reacting as his funds were being handled by a bird, the man who asked for them not even bothering to take the card personally.

    ��Wonderful, Cradle send Lux a tip as well. Have a good day Winthor.�� Izime finished licking the soy sauce from his fingers while he directed his bond to throw a little salt into Lux��s wounded ego.

    The AI glanced over calculating just how much the night would actually cost him as the villain who��d come to wait on them finally left the room before turning back to give his date the attention she deserved.

    The conversation carried on much easier now that the Villain had left and their food had arrived.

 Too Hot for the Press?

    Watching Lux walk out of the room Psyis turned back towards her date, glad to once again be spending a bit more peaceful evening with him than being pressed by the Villain.

    ��You realize that money is going to be used to cause trouble for my cousins right?�� Scooting forward a bit Psyis complained about where Izime was spending his money, as she reached out for the wasabi that would pair perfectly with her shrimp tempura tiger roll.

    ��No, it''s not, those credits are going to be used to buy Zexxianite. Something I control the price of,�� Izime shook his head confident that those credits would quickly be cycled back into his pockets. Those credits would all be exchanged for some powdered space rock or for a bit of Cradle''s help with repairing his equipment.

    The AI gave the wasabi a bit of a sniff before he put it back down, laying Psyis question to rest. ��That or another upgrade that��s just going to get ripped apart.��

    ��Psyis I told you I��m not a hero, I hope you believe me now.�� Izime hoped Psyis would forgive his dealings with Lux, not wanting his past to start tainting the start of whatever it was they were trying to make.

    Trying to distract himself from how worried he was about having been so coincidentally involved with her family and how differently he wanted to involve himself now. Taking the soy which he enjoyed far better Izime set a few of his wrapped rolls on the side and poured the sauce into the tiny rice rolls.

    Quickly and nervously glancing up to see Psyis reaction, her white brows arching sweetly as she sipped her tea he said, ��Didn��t expect that to get a smile.��

    ��This is nice despite the fact you just gave Lux more money than I��ve ever seen.�� Psyis nodded having just realized the pleasantry of Izime��s impromptu idea to go out even though it had ruined her plans.

    The thessian enjoyed the slow interplay she could feel through the gentle emotional tremors Izime was letting out or she was finding her way into. The fact he was actually worried about how she felt in a way she could feel was enlightening to find in their bond.

    The years she��d spent slowly learning her own powers made it incredibly easy to read the AI��s less muddled emotions when it came to her or the things between them.

    Psyis took another one of her own pieces and added some more of the spicey ground root, looking over towards the door Lux had shut just a moment ago as she said, ��It just feels like a second date or our real first one, I��m learning about what you actually do beyond something as bland as ��I work retail�� or something. I knew you were more than some toxin dealer�� Knickknack��

    ��Stick with Iz please���� Holding his hand up Izime barred the shortened version of his on-the-clock title before cocking his eyebrow and asking Psyis a question in turn. The answer popped into the AI��s head just as he��d finished asking it, ��What do you usually tell people? Stupid question I guess.��

    He already knew everything about Psyis beforehand and what she would have become before he��d been unknowingly introduced into her life. The entire thought had just been stupid date-talk that Psyis thankfully played into enough to answer.

    ��Yeah, as an open superhero, it doesn��t really come up.�� Psyis nodded thinking Izime had only connected that she couldn��t exactly have a hidden identity. Whatever a smurf was she was clearly identifiable just being the striped blue and purple alien, if she was dating anyone they knew it was Miss Psyis.

    The known celebrity asked the more galactically recognizable man what his plans were for making do on the spinning rock, ��What about you, your time being a nobody on earth��s quickly coming to a close I imagine.��

    ��I��ll probably lose any chance of being elected to the IGC, Inter-Galactic Congress that��s what Lux was hinting at. Living on earth is going to cause a bit of a scandal among the stars because of that appeal.�� Izime felt a bit of his casual date attitude drop as Psyis brought up issues they��d likely need to tackle in the future. An immediate response for releasing him wasn��t unexpected, a longer and more formally debated response to Earth being his residence would be just as likely to arrive at some point.

    The AI took Psyis'' longer-term wants into consideration as he clarified that he still didn��t want to remain earth-bound permanently, ��As for being on earth I still would like to keep it to stints I love space I was born there.��

    ��But your citizenship and the paper they signed?�� Psyis shot the question across the table, not noticing the bit of wasabi that fell off her sushi.

    Red eyes looked at Izime��s teals trying to find a satisfying answer to why exactly Izime staying on Earth wasn��t settled. Psyis was not used to anyone so easily vetoing her cousin though it didn��t sound like her cousin had all the respect Earth offered him off of it which wasn��t entirely surprising.

    If you had him around a star that had stopped or lowered its fission rate he would be similarly underpowered. Even with something as simple as liquid shielding James really was just another alien once you took a look at the wider spectrum of species.

    ��They signed a paper that said they didn��t want Earth locking me up because they got caught up arguing with each other about my citizenship. I imagine they��re going to be just as testy when they hear I��ve decided to move here instead,�� Izime explained just what the legalese of the paper amounted to before taking another bite of his sushi. Pouring another much smaller cup full of sake Izime at least had enough manners to finish chewing before he spilled the details about his own bad press, ��Losing me to the planet that screams and enforces its isolationist ideas in blood isn��t going to orbit well in the stellar spheres.��

    ��So when you said you''re worried about your career is it batteries or politics?�� Psyis asked the question while sliding her own cup back over, smiling politely as he poured her another drink.

    Taking a sip she let the light fruity notes of the sake wash away the tastes of fried tempura, the strong alcohol leaving nothing behind. It would keep Izime from overindulging and the slightly astringent drink made for a better palate cleanser than her own heavily flavored tea.

    Izime unrolled his own cutlery now so Cradle could have something else to eat as well, the extras he��d asked for apparently taking a bit to find. The AI gave a slight chuckle as the raven snipped its own bite and went to dunk the bits of handle it had in the soy sauce as well, looking up at the thessian who was smiling along at the bird''s imitation of its parent as the only bit that remained was her own.

    ��Batteries, politics has no interest for me aside from making sure people have their freedoms,�� Sitting back for a moment Izime answered Psyis�� question explaining just where his future lay. Watching as Psyis both listened and tried to get the raven to try the other condiments as well, he gave a bit of a hopeful spin on those coming days.

    The AI clearly hinting at such with his words and through their bond, ��I want those forms so we can go outside the local bubble together. I don��t think either one of us wants to quit our jobs and seeing as we have similar lines of work I thought you might like to help. O-only when I needed it, not the stupid stuff the Caulders forced you to do.��

    ��You don��t want help, you��ve never needed help with doing your little Save the Galaxy hobby.�� Psyis verbally denied Izime��s request for help, her face and shared excitement through the bond made it very clear that she wasn��t saying no, however.

    ��No, I don��t but it would be nice sometimes and yeah, I want to show off.�� With a slight roll of his eyes, Izime agreed with her, she really wouldn��t need to do much unless she wanted to. Instead with a point towards the ceiling,g he made it clear what he intended to do with their time off of the earth, ��Both what I do and you, I have a two-person family here and a drinking buddy, but my life is up there. I would like to show it to you.��

    Tempering her own excitement Psyis pointed out just one of the other roadblocks in their way, ��I��d love to come but what about my job?��

    She knew Izime had to spend months away from Earth at a stretch, possibly portions of the entire year. The AI almost migratory, the switch between that and her established position as a cape on Earth would obviously clash.

    ��Magic, anything happens in Centropolis I can just snap us back.�� Izime waved his hand not snapping but rubbing his fingers together, the runes in them singing and sparking as they contacted.

    ��If they block your spells? It won��t take long for them to start adding magic to the list of counters for me.�� Psyis gave a slightly sideways nod, that trick would work for a bit. Still, the villains she dealt with weren��t idiots nor did they like to play the same games the insane evil-doers in Voltham did, so it would only work for that bit.

    With a bit of regret, Psyis went back to grab another piece of shrimp tempura, her hand pausing as the seaweed it was supposed to be wrapped in was actively changing back and forth between ocean plant and gold foil. None of Izime��s void was present and the patterns were becoming just as varied as her own.

    ��I��ll use something more powerful than magic and that''s damned near unstoppable.�� Izime scratched at his chin and stopped playing around with the state of his date''s food. Explaining the whys but not the hows behind his nonchalant way of life considering he was a walking risk, ��There��s a reason I��m the person Lux trusts to stop Atluer from making Earth the last free planet and I��m not scared to walk around with Cradle.��

    ��I��d like that but just to be clear, is this you asking if I would do a long-distance relationship?�� Psyis asked as she picked up one of the remaining bites of her tiger roll, giving the seaweed a little poke to confirm its return to normalcy.

    More concerned with the answers she��d not been able to feel in her bond with Izime than just how he��d been changing what her food was made of right in front of her with no magic at play. Already feeling like he��d relate it to his abilities to simulate reality, the powers to alter it were already familiar to the superhero.

    ��More me hinting that I don��t want one of those. My ships got more square footage and we can land it wherever once that paperwork has cleared?�� Shaking his head Izime made another invitation to the alien he was now dating. Feeling a bit of trepidation at the idea of filling out crew documents for a protected species once more but excited all the same.

    Looking down to take another bite just as Psyis slid her cup back over for another refill. Izime glanced up to see half her roll already gone, looking at him and the cup a bit expectantly.

    ��Good, me either.�� Psyis nodded in thanks as she took the cup back, letting Izime catch up with his eating a bit while she wasted his liquor.

    Glad her own biology could process the liquor as fast as she willed it to. Literally just needed to think some sobering thoughts to wash away the effects and think as clearly as she needed to. The only one she��d ever had difficulty with was that space-shine''s temporary blindness that seemed to bind the effects to her.

    Psyis easily downing and this time not rinsing the effects of the alcohol away as she continued talking, ��I think I��d like to go with you, and if you can promise to get me back so I can do my job when needed I don��t see a problem with it.��

    ��Seeing as we are talking about things we expect in a relationship and our careers,�� Clearing the table of the previous discussion Psyis took the floor, making it clear for Izime that she appreciated him. ��I know I��m a thessian and I really and I can��t stress this enough, I love that you are trying to work on that side of things.��

    ��But?�� Izime nodded along with Psyis, already feeling the hitch through their emotional connection. The thessian worried she was beating a dead horse of a conversation, he invited her to once again clear her grievances.

    ��But I was raised by humans and that affected me too. I like to express myself physically Izime, it��s the love language I was taught.�� Psyis rolled a piece of her sushi around for a moment while she talked, idly turning the little roll of rice over with her chopsticks.

    ��I already liked you and now that everything else is piled on top of that�� I want that physical touch, specifically from you.�� Finally pinching the piece carefully Psyis looked up at Izime, explaining that she knew there had to be a limit to his giving and her pushing, ��I understand you have your own issues so I won��t blame you for the mixed signals, that��s my fault as well. I keep trying to ford that river for all the wrong reasons which isn��t good either.��

    Taking the bite Psyis covered her mouth while she chewed feeling a bit embarrassed to have taken the bite at all when it was clear she wasn��t done talking.

    Washing it down with a sip of her tea Psyis let the sweet raspberry flavors wash away the bits of heat from her wasabi before speaking once more. ��I don��t want to rush you, but it becoming a stresser in our relationship already. How fast can we get that paperwork and is there any way I can consent outside of those documents so we have at least that out of the way?��If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Sitting the tea down the thessian made her request a bit clearer. ��You��re the best at bending rules to get what you want, help me get you.��

    Smiling in appreciation as Izime took her question seriously, giving an honest answer over the drama the issue might cause.

    ��Pretty quick. If anyone with an agenda against me spills it outside of Sol that I��m dating a thessian there��s going to be someone coming to take us away to give us a talk about the birds, the bees, and the birdy-bees they can sometimes make.�� Replying to the first part of her question the AI tried to skirt around the kinds of authorities they��d eventually be speaking to before leaning forward a bit conspiratorially.

    His girlfriend trying to get him to break galactic law Izime revealed the little he dared, ��I��m hoping we can have a valid reason to leave earth and submit ourselves. As for you��re other question�� possibly, but the last place I want to do something is your apartment.��

    ��Why?�� The question came out a bit harsher than she��d intended, Psyis only asking because they��d almost done something there.

    Only being stopped by her own self, accidentally twat-swatting her own chances by tampering with the connection too brazenly. Freaking Izime out and as such cock-blocking herself from the AI as it��d literally slipped out of her hand.

    ��It��s bugged, Steven��s had to have broken in at some point and rigged the place to record you.�� Izime tried to make it sound less invasive than it was not bothering to look at the thessian''s purely purple face. The idea would never have occurred to her thanks to the influence of comic artists keeping her locked into the toxicity of her previous relationship.

    The AI tried to ease the topic away as quickly as he could, ��So we can clean those up and�� then I can think on those other ways.��

    ��How?�� Psyis asked excitedly about the idea of removing Steven from her life completely and the celebration that she could have afterward, though her excitement dwindled as she realized Izime was thinking of ways to cheat her out of that reward, edging on the side of the legal system with his offer.

    ��First we��ve got our new connection,�� Izime said as he gestured between Psyis and himself. Explaining a bit of what he could offer her outside of his physical presence in her bedroom, ��Second I was the internet in my reality, as uncomfortable as I am with my own excitement if we use the bond I can provide any experience you wanted so simulating it comes to mind first off.��

    ��With you?�� Psyis asked, flushing deeply as she was actually considering the offer as a stand-in so she could get satisfy her curiosity over the AI��s supposedly perfect body without making him uncomfortable.

    She certainly wouldn��t go through with it as it wasn��t actually him, but she could give him something like a check-up and satisfy her own questions about his body. The thessian felt a bit dirty as she considered playing the researcher in his ��little�� experiment.

    ��It wouldn��t be me, but I have access to a library of other virtual partners.�� Izime tried to sound comfortable with the idea of letting his girlfriend have a virtual romp with some of the far better lovers that had existed in his reality.

    The AI offered a chance at simulated humans whose cheap renditions could and would understand her physical wants better than he did now even as its human side seethed at the idea. Scratching at his head a bit ashamed Izime continued to explain, ��You could be with any kind of man you wanted or woman? I have a few different setti-��

    ��Lets not, that�� isn��t what I want.�� Psyis cut Izime off, feeling his discomfort building even as he tried to hide it through their bond. Psyis chased him through it emotionally as she verbally made things clear, ��I��m not that horny Izime, or just horny. I want you, even if you''re very excited I��m a big girl who can throw Radiation Lad around. You won��t hurt me I promise, I just want you to feel comfortable too so I��ll let it go until you are.��

    ��I can go jogging, fly a few laps of the planet, workout with Jack, or just have a few more and not worry about it,�� Psyis said as she reached out and held Izime��s hand comforting him as she tossed aside the insecurity she��d felt in him. Motioning towards the drinks they had on the table to make things clear even as she finally flushed her own mind clean of the intoxicating effects.

    ��Thanks, I just don��t think we��re there or I am yet, otherwise it needs to be verifiable that it was detrimental to you otherwise. Thankfully I have medication to handle my cycles, so I��m not flooding our bond.�� Izime patted the inhaler he��d yet to actually use that night only with half a mind on his own state.

    ��I like it.�� Psyis rubbed at Izime��s hand letting the flutter she felt pass through the connection fully. Sending the butterflies she felt at his touch and presence to him, the sensation a little ball they could roll back and forth that slowly grew and accrued with their deepening connection. Their emotions passing back and forth further shaping the mental line, and making the passage easier each time.

    ��Me too, its just a lot stronger for me because I��m not as experienced,�� Izime said letting out a slow exhale as the emotional package flowed through to him once more. The sensations it brought bringing the world around the woman who��d sent it into clearer focus, sharpening the contrast and depth of her colors only making her even more stunning as she sat in her simple clothes.

    ��It''s your connection though?�� Psyis asked, wondering why Izime was saying he was unfamiliar with the feelings. He��d already had a bond far longer than she ever had even if his was based on her species'' techniques, she was still the novice here.

    The thessian licked her lips as she playfully gripped Izime��s pointer finger giving it a squeeze to remind him, ��You meant with what we were doing earlier?��

    Releasing him with a bit of a giggle as he immediately had to adjust himself, that little reminder apparently causing some big issues with how he was sitting.

    ��I��m still new to having a body and when that''s involved, I didn��t realize how much that would change things.�� Izime tried to explain the difficulty he was having, the interplay of multiple things and emotions that made the entire process a jumble he couldn��t sort through.

    ��What was different?�� Psyis asked genuinely curious what Izime found so jarring outside of simulating the experience, which by the sounds of it was something he��d done before.

    ��More limbs for one, and a uh, a lot stronger emotions that I was ready for.�� Izime lowered his head a bit as he recalled just how complicated the thoughts in his head had gotten the closer they got. All while his lower brain had only demanded such simple things as shoving it in regardless of how comfortable his partner was or complicit.

    That lack of empathy marked everything that��d come after with a big red check, flagging his desires as system errors. The AI blushed as he admitted that Psyis was slowly taking possession of his data like a virus, ��Like is said, I��ve never had a partner so I��m still adjusting to the loss of control over what I��m feeling and when. Someone else controlling the data my body is sending me and kicking off all kinds of impulses.��

    ��How you felt�� I had more power when you had me by the throat than by with your hand on that. Maybe the loss in power dynamic is what''s making me aggressive?�� Izime mentioned the way he��d felt off-handedly but Psyis next words certainly highlighted the fact that the struggle extended to other facets of their relationship beforehand or possibly from them instead.

    ��What are we going to do if Constantinople was right and we need to bang one out before we feel like we can get along.�� Psyis had only mentioned it as a joke but with each word, she felt that bit of tension pull tighter.

    By the end, she had to pull her hand from Izime��s the bond soaking in that sexual tension even as their faces remained playful. ��Each of us feels like the other is too in charge and needs bent over or ridden down because of it?��

    ��Well, my first time will be memorable then.�� With a shrug Izime took one of the remaining pieces of sushi he had left, tilting his head back just so Psyis could see the bite she��d left from their last attempt at settling the tension she��d just welcomed into the room.

    ��Maybe there is a reason for those consent forms,�� Psyis sat up a bit straighter, giving a look towards the door as she did so. The thessian was able to feel that brief moment in Izime��s imagination, not having the willpower to play into such a risky thing that was only a thought to him.

    Psyis reached out tilting her still-cold glass of tea, the ice tumbling a bit as her words chilled both her and the tension in the room. ��There is more room here than my counter, and the rooms is private but I think they��d hear it.��

    ��We��ve got safer things to discuss than our growing fetishes anyway.�� With an appreciative smile Izime let Psyis chill the connection, the thessian naturally able to cool their feelings. Looking over towards the platter that was still warm the AI gave a bit of a sad chuckle, ��A lot of food to work on too.��

    The sushi was already gone, some parts of the platter Lux had ordered they sent as an appetizer slowly disappeared instead as the conversations carried on. The way Izime was leaning into her certainly made it clear he felt comfortable but the flush on his face screamed that he��d drunk too quickly.

    The alcohol vanishing much faster than the food, though Psyis wasn��t sure where her tea had gone too by the end of it.

    The thessian suspected he��d managed to down a good portion of her glass when she��d been distracted by the food or the raven; she suspected the latter. Though she wasn��t upset as making headway with Cradle was just like making progress with her relationship with Izime.

    Now they were headed towards the exit of the SkyCafe arm in arm if you could call it that. Psyis watched as Cradle��s head kept stead even as its bond wobbled a bit into her, his suit jacket having come un-buttoned. The thessian smiled a bit as she wondered if Izime had a similar if slower way to manage alcohol as he didn��t really smell drunk even if he looked it.

    ��I��m glad we gave that food away, I hate waste.�� Izime looked over at the woman who��d helped him hand out the entrees they hadn��t nibbled on to the point it was offensive. Several of the patrons nodded with thanks as the more expensive offering from the menu showed up on their table unannounced and already paid for.

    The AI��s eyes drifted away from the subtle blue lines under her eyes, following them as they moved. Tracing the bends in the thessian��s mottling until he reached the hollow of her neck. Feeling something fog his mind beyond the high-dollar sake and tea he��d stolen a few sips of he quickly looked back toward the two etched and frosted glass doors.

    ��There should be some paparazzi by now,�� Izime said, gripping Psyis�� waist a bit closer. Twisting his hand in the comforting soft of her hoodie, hoping he��d made the right decision in letting Lux in on his new relationship.

    The flash of cameras and microphones shoved towards the thessian made it clear someone had leaked her whereabouts though the AI was still a bit more concerned about when and if Lux would move.

    The heroine should be able to handle a bit of the press right?

    ��Miss Psyis could we get a statement on the recent allegations by Jamestone?�� One of the reporters stepped forward shoving a mic in Psyis face just as another shoved their camera forward to snap a picture. Making the most of the opportune moment, they��d learned that crowding the psychic and blitzkrieging her provided a more visceral response.

    The thessian cracked far easier than her cousin who almost seemed media trained sometimes.

    ��Cradle her camera please.�� Izime suddenly changed his mind waving for his bond to act. Psyis stumbling back into him, her mottling swapping to mostly blue making the slightly tipsy but very hormone-drunk AI��s anger flare; they��d scared his girlfriend. The AI not realizing he��d forgotten to take a single dose of his inhaler, was now in full protective mode as the female he was interested in only had the most minor of shocks.

    ��Sir tha-�� The reporters started to complain, right until Lux��s premium security came out and created a barrier protecting both the strange man and the stolen camera.

    ��Now let us see, that is a terrible shot, the marks on the other side of my neck you can even see it...�� Tapping the screen Izime pointed out the flaws to the reporter before drawing out the conclusion for Psyis.

    The thessian pressed against Izime trying to calm him down, the attitude he was coping clearly not that of a drunk there was something off about his anger. The AI knew who she was and should have expected this response from her, even if it was a bit ashamed to be scared of the loud crowds and cameras.

    They��d even discussed her dislike of the paparazzi before and now it seemed this one reporter had just earned the ire of the lazy salesman.

    ��Here��s a statement for your article, I��m older than your whole backwater little planet, not ten and if Steven Caulder is upset I��m dating his ex he should say something directly instead of spending the afternoon with Bellany York after paying for a front-page slot on Jamestones pre-colored litter-liner.�� Izime felt Psyis take a step back after he��d shown her the photos he was having Cradle upload onto the camera instead. The thessian''s brows furrowed further as she gave him a slight nod, to which the AI smiled proceeding to continue his data pilfering.

    The network of devices in Centropolis not nearly as interconnected as her easter seaboard sisters Izime complained as he sorted the different street CCTV out, ��Cameras are easy but why is your city''s systems so shit Pi�� there we go. Just in case you''re worried about printing libel. This Earth��s concept of news is god awful so here''s some real newsworthy photography with absolute live leaks energy.��

    ��Questions?�� Izime held the camera out, several other reports crowding the woman who��d caused the issue in the first place. Those vying for a flash-less shot of the scene on its display quickly swallowed the woman up in their throng.

    ��Who are you?�� This time a mic came forward much more slowly reaching between Lux��s security, cautious of losing their own device to the man though willing to risk it for a bit of whatever might be leaked next.

    ��Izime, I currently run an off-world retail-focused business. I happened to run into Miss Psyis while being held up in League Orbital as everyone already knows,�� Izime let his frown fall on the group, those who��d shown up specifically to feed into the rumors standing a bit abashedly at his tone.

    The AI clarified things for the crowd as he reached back to help Psyis down the few steps, ��We��ve met before then, even had noodles together in Voltham. Though it now seems our relationship will be a bit more public.��

    ��Are the Jamestone articles true, not the age but the other information such as that you��re an alien?�� A man stepped forward this time holding his hand up towards the security placatingly as he only had a notepad.

    The newspaper writer wanted to clarify and build on the alternative narrative the man was handing them. Dollar signs and exclusive interviews were already imagined in the man''s head, wanting to instill his channel as the mouthpiece for this new voice on earth.

    ��In a fashion yes, the one thing the article did get right is I am artificial and not a human not from Earth; alien suffices for both those,�� Izime nodded watching as the man scribbled furiously. The notepad was filled with information and details about the two��s dress and assumptions about the evening along with his words.

    The AI glad that he had started baiting out the mid-range media on earth, extended an invitation to something a bit more personal about them as he brought the questions to a close. Holding out his hands as he gave Lux��s security a nod, the broad-shouldered wall of black suits clearing a path for them.

    Izime turned back, throwing a bone toward the reporters who expected them to be getting inside of one of the waiting limos ��But I think that is enough time wasted on this little interview. If you want to actually have a sit-down talk with us over those allegations I��m sure you can contact Miss Psyis�� PR team.��

    ��Our date really isn��t the time to bring up any of that, I apologize but we��ll be leaving. Do you want to go anywhere else while we��re out or just head back to your apartment so I can unpack?�� The AI intentionally ended the conversation with the reporters, picking up one with Psyis all in the same breath and volume.

    Only leaning in and pretending to be a bit conspiratorial as he loud-whispered for the reaching mics, ��Your moms kind of tired of having me out on the farm, and officially gave me the OK after all.��

    ��Miss Psyis any com-�� One of the reporters broke at that, rushing forward to only find a mottled hand held up. Several cameras took a shot of the empty ring finger, the flashes doubling as the raven that had been on the man''s shoulder landed on her extended limb. Clearly marking the woman as taken in another fashion, Cradle nesting down comfortably as Psyis smiled at the crowd.

    ��No, I��m sorry, like my boyfriend said this really isn��t the time. We do have to get some his stuff unpacked so if you��ll excuse us we��ll be going to head back to Centropolis.�� Psyis shook her head refusing to comment directly, instead pulling the same trick her date had. Spilling a few details intentionally while providing ample photo-worthy scenes as she leaned into him intimately wrapping an arm around his middle.

    Leaning in to pointedly saying for the crowd''s sake alone, ��Izime I don��t think we had a car?��

    Psyis words felt like an agreement to bring their little play to a close, the AI took his cue saying. ��Right you are, I��ll take us back then.��

    Pulling Psyis closer even though he only needed to be barely touching her for the spell to work. Izime held her by the small of her back as she adjusted how she was holding the raven. Grinning mischievously at the scene they��d stirred up even as Psyis played into it further. Carefully cupping Cradle between them while she coyly clutched onto his waist.

    Their posture looking more like a family photo than any preparations for travel driving the photographers present into a frenzy. Those with video cameras fought against the flashes trying to get a better angle of the new couple''s departure each wanting to ensure they��d captured the most intimate angle for the late-night broadcast.

    With a snap, the crowd was left looking at the lined-up limos, some of the onlookers more than a bit confused wondering just who had snatched away the Centropolis Angel. Those few reporters who��d heard Izime��s invitation already pulling out smartphones to contact the couple��s PR agent to schedule an interview.