After the manager comes out to take the orders and gets The Crush a cup of coffee, The Crush looks much more at ease.
"Now, we don't have much time, so let us cut to the chase," he says. "I'm sure you have many questions for me, so let's begin there."
"Why are you on The Hero Project?" Travis ask.
"I was released into The Hero Project with the help of Mayor Victon, Rebellion, and Rexford to prove that the Powered rehabilitation in The Devoid really works. I want to show that, because of the help I have received, I am not the man I once was. And it is a great joy that I am also able to provide insight into Phobus's potential thought process—Phobus and the old Crush have a lot in common, I'm afraid."
The Crush crosses his legs, causing his starched white costume to crinkle at the folds.
Travis glances over at one of the filming cameras, wondering why The Crush has chosen to reveal this information here and now. He must have some kind of approval from Mayor Victon—though a very large part of he hopes that he doesn't.
Whatever the case, this might be his chance to deal Mayor Victon some damage and help Jenny's investigation at the same time.
"Why would Mayor Victon release you when he stands for Powered Regulation, especially concerning Infini Powereds?" Travis ask.
"I believe his reason would be to prove that his Powered Regulation Platform works with the biggest success story there is," The Crush explains.
"Then why didn't Mayor Victon give my parents the same treatment as you?" Travis asks, unable to hide the anger in his voice.
"That I cannot answer, I'm afraid," The Crush offers. "But Mayor Victon aside, I know what people must expect of me and my placement here—I cannot blame them. This is why I recently submitted myself to a full psychic exploration, one that is about to become available to the public. I want to show people that this new me has nothing to hide."
Travis wants to say more about Mayor Victon, but doing so would only prove crass, after The Crush's admission. Besides, if what The Crush just said is true about the public psychic report, that changes Jenny's investigation quite a bit….
"What has your experience been with your Unique Powers?" Travis ask.
"I don't dare to blame anything other than myself for what I've done, but my Unique Powers certainly played a large part. I envy you young heroes, being raised in a time when there's now a dialogue about such things. But for me, I found myself with all this Power, far more than anyone else I had ever met. I could literally move mountains, if I wanted to."
"So for a long time, I thought I was a god among men. That I was meant to remake things in my own image, to use my Powers to their fullest extent. I now see that I was wrong."
The Crush takes a sip of his coffee, then forces himself to go on.
"Today, I see that my Powers are a privilege, and a dangerous one at that. The urge to cut loose, to make myself superior, it always lingers. I have to be constantly careful to keep my abilities in check. I can never let my guard down, otherwise I might destroy everything."
"Most people can't imagine what it's like to have that much power. How can they possibly know what it's like to have so much influence over others? Very few people experience how lonely it can be, how hard it can be to relate to others."
"But you know, don't you, Gravitate?"
Travis looks at The Crush, his jaw clenched.
But then he nod. Because whether he's ready to admit it or not, he knows exactly what The Crush is talking about.
"That kind of loneliness can drive a person to do dark things," The Crush continues. "For me, it's a constant struggle to stay grounded—and I'm so thankful for the treatment I've received and for this opportunity to make amends."
Travis nodded once again, taking a sip of water. But all he can think is that this is a very real reminder of what he can become, if he makes the wrong choices.
Though he doesn't think he's quite ready to open up about these fears, especially not in front of a national audience, so he moves on to his next question.
"Do you think you'll continue to act alone in the competition?" Travis ask.
"I've already decided that my place is with the Underdog heroes. That is, if you'll have me."
"That decision isn't up to just me," Travis says.
Whether to trust The Crush or not will have to be a group decision. Though after losing Shula, he could definitely use the extra numbers going into the vote….
Travis looks down at his plate, trying to process everything that The Crush has just told him. And all he can think is that The Crush seems genuine.
"I…," Travis tried to start. "I have something I have been really wanting to ask you, but I don't know—"
The Crush waves his hand to silence Travis and he stops speaking immediately—though he has no idea why. It just seems like a very smart thing to listen to The Crush, whether he wants to or not.
"I have been deciding how to broach this topic, but the time has finally come," The Crush says. "I can't say much about The Devoid for many reasons. And your parents and I were in very…different places. But they did get this message to me when word spread about the terms of my release…"
The Crush pauses and Travis feels all of the air drain from his lungs—he's about to hear the first words from his parents in years. Could it really be true?
"They asked me to share this message… We're watching, Travis. And we're too proud for words."
Travis blinks, trying to hold himself together.
But all he can feel is happiness.
Hearing something—anything—from his parents means the world to him.
But before he can finish processing that thought, The Crush moves on.
"While we still have a chance, I feel I must ask you this. How are you doing with the development of your Unique Power?" The Crush asks this with a loaded look—after all, he knows how much he helped him at the end of the last Mission.
"Trust me, I know a thing or two about what it's like to be thought of as a 'Gene Hazard,'" he adds.
Travis looks at The Crush, deciding how he wants to respond. And knowing that Jenny would want him to stay on good terms for the investigation, no matter what.
"I'm being very careful to keep my new Powers under control." Travis say.
"I'm glad to hear that," The Crush says. "But if that ever changes, I want you to feel you can come speak to me. About anything, for that matter."
The Crush smiles at Travis. And despite everything, he feels some genuine warmth radiating from him.
He might just take him up on that offer….
"Well then, I'm afraid that's all we have time for, at the moment," The Crush says, already standing up. "But I do hope we have the opportunity to chat again."
Travis stands to shake The Crush's hand, but his mind has already gone elsewhere.
Because he have quite a bit to think about, after this.
Hours later....
Back at the Contestant Mansion, Travis sit in one of the backyard gardens, secluded from the rest of the Finalists. He needed some time alone, because he's not even sure where to begin—
"We only have a few minutes."
Travis jumps up, energy rippling across his skin. At first he can only see a bluish haze, but then he make out Null across the garden. Which actually doesn't do much to ease his nerves—she looks as terrifying as ever.
"I activated my anti-surveillance tech to take out the cameras, but we'll only have a few minutes before someone checks up on us," Null says. "We can't be seen together, especially not talking about this."
"Null, I've already decided to side with the Underdogs." Travis say.
"I'm not here to talk about the vote," Null says. "We should be all set, anyway."
"Then I assume you want to talk about my brunch with The Crush?" Travis ask.
"Bingo."
"But first, this Scoundel mess has changed everything."
Travis kept picturing that turkey-vs-sloth fight in the first Mission, which was super short from what he saw of the episode footage. Was that planned? Could Speedy's capture have been a trap? And if so, how long has Scoundel been a mole for The NewOrder? Or did she decide to switch after getting eliminated? He has no idea, but he do know that Jenny probably has the answers….
"To make it all more complicated, I'm sure you've heard that The Crush submitted to a full psychic workup—if he has any ill intentions, we can't find them," Jenny explains.
"Yep, I was pretty much going to say the same thing—he told me all of this at the brunch," Travis say. "He seemed oddly…centered."
"Well, he really is, as far as our best experts can tell," Jenny sighs. "And now that it appears Scoundel was probably the terrorist mole from The NewOrder all along, The DRPR has called off my investigation in any official capacity."
Travis stare at Jenny—that was quick.
But you can tell from Jenny's tone that she's not done yet.
"What's your next move, then?"
"Exactly the right question," Jenny answers. "I'm going to stick around as long as I can. The Unique intel still doesn't quite pan out and just because we can't find something wrong with The Crush, it doesn't mean he should be trusted. So something could still be brewing here. I just have no idea what, now."
"Well, I'll help you with whatever you need."
"That means a lot, Travis," Jenny says. "I'll be sure to keep you posted."
"Listen, before we run out of time, I have to ask," Jenny starts, "did The Crush tell you anything you think I should know?"
"He…" Travis start, not really sure how to finish that sentence. "He gave me a message from my parents."
At that, Jenny sits down on the bench next to Travis and activates another anti-camera pulse.
"Shouldn't you be saving those for—"
"This is more important," Jenny says, putting a hand on Travis's knee. "Now, spill."
Three hours later....
"And what am I supposed to do with this?"
Travis twirls the rose between his fingers, not sure whether it's real or fake.
"We've got a special date night all set up for you," GG says. "So you're taking that rose to your boo."
After he talked at length with Jenny, GG called to tell him to get into evening formal wear for the night. Now he know why—obviously the show wants to push the showmance angle here pretty hard.
"So? Make a move, what you gonna do? I ain't got no time for no looky-loo, boo!" GG sing-songs, flapping his single-lady hand in front of his face.
Since Black Magic made it clear that things with him are over, GG must be talking about Lucky.
"I can't... I just broke up with Black Magic, I don't want to get into a relationship now." Travis hand GG the rose instead.
"As disappointing as this is, I accept your ravishing rose," GG says, taking a sniff. "I suppose it's true, you can lead a horse to water…"
As he walked back towards his room alone, he couldn't help but think that it was better to be single for now, He got enough to focus on right now and he doesn't want to get a relationship to complicate everything.