Jake woke up expecting to see nothing but darkness flooding his senses.
He got the opposite.
He was greeted by a blinding white light that caught him off guard. Once it dissipated, he found himself in an infirmary—an infirmary in Milten's tower.
He didn't wake up in his mind. He regretted that. He needed to have a word with the Shadow. Or Abyss, as he called himself now.
What was this "agenda" he spoke of? And was it good or bad?
Judging by how he acted—his mannerisms, his actions, and the fact he laughed at Jake's betrayal at the hands of that asshole Milten—Jake wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't anything good.
Suddenly, Jake's thoughts were cut short by the sensation of something pressing against his lips. His mind returned to his surroundings, and he saw her—the girl he had risked it all to save.
"Jake!" she shouted, tears running down her face.
"Ivy?" Jake asked with a smile. She cried even harder and hugged him tightly.
"Oh God! I was so scared! I didn't think you were gonna..."
"Hey. Relax. I'm here now. I could say the same for me. I didn't think I'd ever get you back."
"I know. I also know how much you tried. The others told me you never gave up searching."
"Of course. You mean the world to me."
Ivy hugged him even tighter after hearing that, practically squeezing him by that point. Jake raised his arms and returned the hug, just without the squeezing part. As he watched her, she kept on crying. He realized she'd cover his entire torso with tears if he didn't pull her away.
"Uh... so what happened?"
She pulled her head back and wiped what she could.
"Milten and some of his men pulled up and got us out of there. He got one of his collars on me once we were all back to base."
"So Zack and the others?"
"They're in the briefing room."
"Why? Are they getting ready for a mission?"
"Yes. A big one," Milten said, stepping into the infirmary, Surrey not far behind.
"You," Jake said quietly, trying to get off the bed. Ivy held him down.
"Jake. No. Don't!" she said, holding him by his chest and neck.
"I... Ivy? What are you doing? This man, he betrayed us! Used you for his own selfish goals! He..."
"Taking down that cult of psychopaths wasn't selfish, Jake."
"What he did... he..."
"What Milten did was necessary. I didn't like him using me as bait, but I get the reasoning for it. It's nothing to attack him over."
"But it is something to leave the team over."
"Jake. You don't mean that. He saved your life. Our lives."
"I do. This slimy bastard only saved us for his benefit, so we can be his little army. Pawns in his game. Oh God... is that why you were so chill with letting the kids stay here? So you can use them when the time comes?"
"The kids? You mean Ted, Omniboy, and Rift? He wouldn't do that, Jake. I talked to them. I helped take care of them while you were here. They even said they had a talk with Milten. He's never gonna do that. He promised."
"Promises don't mean shit to a man like him, Ivy."
"Jake?!"
"No, no, Ivy. He's right. I'm scum. Wouldn't you agree, Surge?" Milten said, turning to the shaking android.
"I... I wouldn't say scum, sir."
"Well, I would. That's what I am because that's what is required to save the world. The Super Society is a joke. Fifty years—fifty fucking years—and that band of crazies was still running amok. I had to rid my city of them, and using you was the best way to do it."
"So you admit it?"
"No use in hiding it. Not now, when the stakes are high."
"What do you mean?"
"Take a look," Milten said, turning on a nearby TV with a remote he kept in his pocket.
"After the incident, the Super Society left no comment. It appears the supers responsible for the destruction aren't going to be held responsible..." a news reporter said through the screen.
"I don't get it. What's bad about this?" Jake asked, confused.
Milten simply raised his hand. Then the screen went blank. All they could see was a green "error" message glowing in contrast to the darkness. Then the screen came back to life. Jake's jaw dropped at the sight.
On the screen was Luthor, bound and gagged with scars and burn marks all over his body. Around him were Mumans—a lot of them. One of them spoke.
"Greetings, Empire City!"
It was a large man, roughly eight feet tall. He wore gladiator armor akin to ancient times with a helmet resembling a demonic figure with a permanent laugh. His chest was bare, revealing a multitude of tattoos, and his arms were connected to a set of tubes and wires which all led to a large container on his back.
"I am the Broker. Leader of the Breakers, the Shakers, the Thinkers, and the Tinkers. Granted, you probably aren't familiar with those groups, but you remember the Kobra Clan, right? Well, I'm their boss."
"What the hell is that guy doing with Luthor?" Jake asked.
Ivy stayed silent while Milten put his finger to his lips.
"You're probably wondering why I'm here and who this poor gentleman is?" the Broker said, grabbing Luthor by the neck. "Well, he's a member of your infamous Danger Squad!"
"How did he..." Jake asked, but he stopped himself when the Broker continued.
"You're probably wondering how I know this. Well, it's simple. This fuck-ass and one of his teammates broke into the base of one of my gangs, the Shakers, who came here to gather info on the Danger Squad after they defeated the Kobra Clan. Sad to say, he killed them all. As a result, I have come for vengeance, and he was the first to receive it."
Jake stared into the man's eyes. He had the same look as Mr. E, down to the shape of his pupils and everything. Who the hell was this guy?
"And he won't be the last. One of my Thinkers, GPS, managed to track him down. I killed his family and brought him here for y'all to see. Now, all that remains are the rest."
Jake turned to Milten and saw he was stone-cold, as if the news didn't bother him.
"I don't know how, but these jackasses have some kind of barrier preventing my telepathic and clairvoyant Mumans from finding them. Thus, this fool is gonna be my bait. Hell, not just him, but this whole city. I've got a special surprise for you all, and if the Danger Squad doesn't follow the rules I set for our meeting, I'll unleash it on all of you."
Now that got a reaction out of Milten. He swallowed as a drop of sweat dripped down his left cheek.
"Come alone. No help from the Super Society. All your members. The docks. You have until tomorrow. Don't be late. Or else you'll receive your surprise early," Broker ordered. Milten turned off the TV soon after.
"That was taken yesterday. As it stands, we have only three hours to meet him. Now, you can leave the team. Never look back for all I care—but not now. Anytime but now. The team needs you. The city needs you. Max said you're the only one who could've taken down the Baron, and I want to believe you can take down this Broker as well."
"I see," Jake said quietly.
"You may see it as me using you. I don't care. I've given a lot to keep this city safe, and I'm not letting that bastard destroy it with whatever the fuck he's got in his arsenal."
"Please, Jake," Ivy said, looking deep into his dark blue eyes. Jake looked back and frowned.
This was what he was meant to do. Help people. Save people. Not only did Luthor need his help, but the whole city did as well. He'd be a monster to say no.
"Sure," Jake finally answered with a smile, prompting Ivy to hug him again. Milten smiled and headed for the door.
"Don't tell the others yet," Jake said, pointing at Milten. "I want to do it myself."
Milten shrugged and left the room.
To be continued...