CHAPTER FOUR: A NEW LIFE
IVAN'S POV
CURRENT DAY: SIX MONTHS AFTER INCIDENT
"Remember, blend in and be absolutely boring."
Sighing heavily, Ivan glanced from his shoes in annoyance. He watched as his sister stood before him, fidgeting with her fingers anxiously as she gnawed at a strand of her auburn hair. He smiled as she paced back and forth, "so be like you."
"I'm serious!" she cried out in irritation, "you need to blend in so-"
She removed the strand of her hair with a spat and shot a despising look, "not one word about this."
Brushing his palms against the edges of his black dress pants, Ivan stands. "Sasha, I got this."
Pushing her aside, Ivan steps forward to look in the mirror. Heavy dark circles rested under his eyes. And lately, that was the only thing on his body that got rest nowadays. Ivan and Sasha hardly slept since they had to patrol the city vigorously. After the fiasco at Times Square, their father was pissed at them.
Correction; is. Ivan grumbled to himself.
Six months later, the two tried to make up for their failure. Respect and power are valuable assets, and their image was on the line. Since then, rogue mutants have begun to host turf wars throughout the city as a way to claim new territory. That was until a new tyrant ascended.
The media and outlets have given the mutant numerous names, but lately, she goes by Rave. And because of the embarrassing episode, Rave's uprising was alarming to father. But, this new mutant is rumored to have unlimited abilities and no sense of morality. It's said that she's heartless and has a craving for flesh and blood.
Some part of it has to be true because, within less than six months, she could recruit the Goons to be her men. Something father couldn't do for years.
Ivan runs his fingers into his dark hair as he reaches into his pockets, "I have to correct our mistake. Once I know our identity isn't at stake, I'll have dad transfer your studies too. We must lay low and let the heroes think they're making a damn in this world." He sneers in anger at the thoughts of their mistakes, "all thanks to that winged brat."
"Her name is Bindi." Sasha says diligently as she marches to him, "and we wouldn't be in this mess if you didn't hire that rockhead. Literally."
"Leon said he-"
"And that's why we're on dad's bad side!" she pouts, crossing her arms over, "if you would've listened to me, I would've never told you to hire that fool." Then, she hissed before jabbing her finger at his chest, "now we're the laughingstock of New York!"
Ivan shoots her a disapproving look as he buttons his shirt and grabs a black tie, "help me with this or leave. I don't want to be late."
She gave an exaggerated huff as she closed the gap between them, reaching for his tie. Sasha may be young to be the feared terrorist Phoenix, but she wasn't a dupe. She was right. Sasha could spot weakness before it ever prodded the surface.
That was one of her best attributes and what made her a priceless asset. Nico and Phoenix were a trademark for terrorists and anti-heroes because that's what America labeled mutants. The sole purpose of their mission that evening was to invoke fear as a propaganda pull.
And it worked until that airhead started to go off.
Ivan gnawed at his thoughts, and resentment rose in him like bile. I hired Talus against my better judgment. Millions of mutants will pay for my mistake with their blood.
Nico and Phoenix were engaged in a political stunt to sell fear and hope into the image of the mayor of New York, by the mayor. Everything was going according to plan until Talus gave their position up to Leap and Shade. The amateur 'heroes' then launched an attack.
To avoid being captured or followed, Phoenix created a diversion by using the people of New York as tools. Throw a couple of fireballs near people and escape while the heroes evacuate the citizens. That was the course of diversion. Except, that isn't what happened. Ivan and Sasha never considered that the heroes would neglect their sole purpose of protecting New York citizens or Talus going awol.
"I'm sorry for underestimating you, sis."
She nods quietly as she quickly fixes his tie, "you really need to learn to do it yourself. Remember, pass the wide end through the knot-"
"Yeah," Ivan signals her back as he glares at his reflection, "I won't need to keep this facade going that long, sis."
"Yeah," she says softly, lowering her head, "just stay in long enough so I can go for a semester, please."
Brushing past her, Ivan reached for his coat hanging on the door rack. "Sure," a small smile escapes him as he pats her head, "it's still snowing, so if you go out, don't fly for long."
She disapproved as she huffed, "I'm not five!"
"Wouldn't want your wings to get frostbite," Ivan replied calmly as he slipped his arms into the bulky sleeves of his coat. Then, he turns to Sasha as he zips his jacket to see her smiling proudly, "what?"
"Maybe you'll meet a girl there that you like-" she says before pausing. She clasps her hands together and jumps joyfully, squealing before pulling on his shoulder, "what if you meet the one?"
A dry laugh departs from Ivan as he slung his satchel over his shoulder, "Sasha, we're the most wanted mutants in America. The last thing on my mind is making time for a girl or 'the one."
She sulks back, crossing her arms in vexation at the sarcastic tone, "what girl would want you anyways."
"Well," he replies sheepishly, running his fingers through his hair as he opens the bedroom door, "I hear school girls love bad boys."
She groans, flopping backward on his bed as he gives a slight wave to her, "have a fun dwelling with mediocrity."
"Get some rest. I'll save you the lecture," Ivan laughs as he closes the door.
"Good luck!" she shouts behind the door, "You're gonna need it!"