When he had accepted Lady Ada's offer to become one of her Royal Knights, Johnathan did not expect to inadvertently join her plans to destroy the dome surrounding New Miami, which would bring an end to the Lord Ruler's control. The same Lord Ruler who happened to be her twin brother. That revelation had shocked Johnathan a lot more than the idea of losing his ability when the dome's gone. He was not too keen on losing his ability, not when the sole reason he had moved in to New Miami was to keep it. He even joined the Royals just so that he could have the freedom to live as he wanted.
But now, after watching Lady Ada and Claudia Dia, one of Spectre's leaders, shake hands, it didn't matter what Johnathan thought. The decision had been made for him, betraying these women now to the Lord Ruler will both, go against his ethics, and earn him a severe punishment from the high ranking Royals.
While all of these thoughts, worries, and to a lesser extent, fears, he stood quite by the corner of Spectre's H.Q. Their base cleverly hidden beneath a common Liquor Store. If their other bases were kept similarly hidden, then no wonder the Royals could never find them.
"You're ability, if you don't mind me asking. " Claudia said to Lady Ada after they finished shaking their hands, solidifying their alliance, which now meant it was official; Spectre and Lady Ada, along with her Royals Knights, were now working together behind the Lord Ruler's back. Johnathan would normally doubt the possibility of their success in bringing the Lord Ruler down from his throne, but after having met these women in person, and knowing all they had accomplished so far, like kidnaping Beodulf, Johnathan was starting to believe.
Claudia in particular seemed like a competent strategist, having planned everything out. Johnathan was impressed by her, she was even stunning, with black hair and brown eyes. She was much younger than Lady Ada, yet showed the same passion Lady showed in her eyes when it came to talking about what they wanted.
"Its like an amplifier, isn't it." Jake said, in reference to what Claudia had said a moment ago. Johnathan had come to the same conclusion after what had happened at Imperial Square, after having witnessed first hand the power of Lady Ada's ability.
Lady Ada nodded. "You felt it's effect already. Amplification of abilities, and like your brother, William," She looked to Claudia. "I can sense Aura. Unlike him, however, I don't need to see it first."
Basically, no ability user could hide from her, Johnathan thought. Which also meant that the superheroes that haven't been caught by the Royals were in a way, being protected by Lady Ada.
"You were how the Royals were able to find the superheroes that quickly." Claudia said, then she paused for moment before continuing. "And probably why they haven't been able to track me..."
Johnathan always found it odd how Wren would find out the superheroes' identity so quickly, yet somehow couldn't find the Time Witch's. It had been Lady Ada doing.
"Since that wasn't a question," Lady Ada said. "How about we talk about how you plan to destroy the dome."
"Sure. Jake," Claudia gestured at Jake, a young looking man who seem to be very adept with computers. "show her."
Jake began typing on the keyboard, his fingers a blurr, and files upon files opened up on the computer screen. Pictures of Imperium, blueprints and details about its infrastructure, security levels, and informations of important high ranking Royals. Spectre had more information about Imperium than Johnathan did, and he worked there himself. Impressive.
Claudia started explaining her plan, Jake opening page by page like a slideshow, about an operation with distinct phases, carefully thought out, that led to the end of Royal society. She called it Operation Overthrow, aptly named, leading to the Lord Ruler's downfall.
How long had they been planning this? Johnathan wondered, curiously watching and listening to Claudia's explanation. She was explaining each step of the operation, what they intended to do during each of the phases. Johnathan paid close attention when Claudia mentioned Arlong. Apparently this man had the ability of true invisibility, able to remain undetected by any type of known scanner, except of course Lady Ada's innate ability to sense Aura, but Johnathan doubted that would be an issue. This Arlong fellow, after infiltrating Imperium with help from another of Spectre's leader, a man named Hendrick, and the Guardian of High Tier, who would take the fall in hopes of diverting the Lord Ruler's suspicions. Once inside, Arlong would then explore the top floors of Imperium for a way to destroy the dome. It was a sound plan, Johnathan found little wrong with it, aside from the unknown that was the Lord Ruler's ability.
The last phase of this Operation Overthrow was an all out assault on Imperium, in an attempt to use what Arlong had learned about the dome to destroy. They were even prepared to fight the Lord Ruler's own Royal Knights, Heimdal included. That would be a battle to behold.
Claudia turned to Lady Ada, after finishing her presentation. "But now that you're with us, and we know who you are, perhaps you could help us skip the Arlong's infiltration phase. Care to share how to destroy your brother's dome?"
Lady Ada stared at the computer screen for a couple of seconds, one hand across his chest, while the other rubbed her chin. "I... can not. Apologies." She said.
"What? Why?"
"I cannot say." Lady Ada repeated. "Believe me I would tell you all of my brother's secret if I could, but... I can't help you. Not on this."
"You literally can't, can you." Johnathan thought, though didn't realized he had also said it out loud. Everyone in the room turned to him. "I... sorry. Just thinking out loud."
"You know why our Lady can't speak about this?" Klaus said. "If you know something, tell us newbe."
"It's only an educated guess." Johnathan said. "I have no concrete proof."
"Still," Claudia said, her arms crossed about her chest. "we'd like to hear it."
Johnathan shrugged, then nodded. "I just thought, how hard can it be to keep one's identity truly secret inside a building where abilities like 'walking and seeing through walls' exist. Add that to the amount of gossipers creating rumors, then it makes you wonder. Someone by now would've at least glimpse the Lord Ruler's face, or seen or heard what he's doing on those upper floors. Granted, they wouldn't go talking about it so openly in fear of retribution, but someone, specifically someone with a high enough rank, would've let it slip by now."
"And..." Klaus said, a smile on his face.
"The Lord Ruler could be a demigod," Johnathan continued. "At least most high ranking Royals refer to him as such. But he can't work alone, can he? Excluding his Royal Knights, I'm sure he has underlings working on his projects. Taking all that into account, I simply made the assumption he must be using someone with either some sort of compeling ability, or mind wiping ability. But, that's just me speculating."
Lady Ade smiled, then nodded. "I always trusted my guts when choosing my knights. You are cunning, John. I can not speak of it, but you are at least thinking along the right path."
Johnathan couldn't help but feel a bit of pride swell within him upon hearing praise from one such as Lady Ada. Sister to the most powerful man in New Miami, perhaps even the in the world.
"Can you at least talk about his ability?" Jake said. "Tell us what it is? How to counter it, in case... you know..."
Lady Ada frowned, but she looked like she understood the implications. At some point, Spectre will have to fight the Lord Ruler, even she had to know there was no way around it.
"I can only tell you this," She said. "No matter how powerful your ability is, it will be useless against him."
Silence.
Johnathan was sure everyone in the room was thinking the same thing. Could the Copycat superhero, Johnathan learned the man's name was William, not copy the Lord Ruler's ability and use it against him? It was at least a thought to entertain.
"Your main concern should be Heimdal," Lady Ada added, when no one spoke. "He will prove... difficult to deal with. Here." She pulled out a vial filled with a golden liquid from her pocket and handed it to Claudia. "I'm sure you're already familiar with Ability Serums. This one contains mine. It will amplify your ability for a time when used."
Claudia held the vial up, Jake and Maya coming for a closer look. Johnathan had it explained to him by Elek like such; the golden liquid was liquified Aura, modified to activate its effect when you activate your own ability, in this particular case, it was Lady Ada's, and when injected into your system, it would amplify your ability by a vast amount.
"Seems our Ambassador Jiang's people aren't the only one with the secret to making these serums." Maya said, Johnathan observed she was the young woman who seem to never leave Jake's side.
"I can only give you one vial for now." Lady Ada told Claudia. "Use it wisely."
"...Thanks." Claudia told her, then, after handing the vial to the Jake fellow and telling him to hide it, she added; "Can you meet my brother?"
Lady Ada nodded, then smiled. "Certainly. I also would like to know if he can copy my ability."
"What?" Johnathan said, the word escaping his mouth. At this point, learning that the Time Witch and Copycat Superhero were siblings shouldn't have surprised. Yet it did. Now, Wren's and Elek's encounter with him during the night they tried kidnap Time Witch made sense.
"Learning a lot today, eh" Klaus said, walking over and nudging Johnathan on the shoulder. "New recruit. There'll be more secrets to unfold, just be patient."
Johnathan nodded, slightly embarrassed.
"Well then," Lady Ada said, after setting up a time and date for a meeting between the Copycat Superhero with his sister, the Time Witch, something that Johnathan would also love to take part in.
"Before I go," Lady Ada continued. "there's one last gift I'd like to give you. A generosity in hopes that you see that I mean well, for everyone. Follow me."
Claudia nodded, gesturing for Jake and Maya to stay, then followed Lady Ada to the elevator in the back of the room.
"Good luck, newbe." Klaus told Johnathan.
Johnathan nodded, then followed his Lady, the elevator closed behind and began its ascend, Lady Ada calling the limousine driver and telling him to bring 'him' into the store.
"I hope we become close friends, Miss Dia." Lady Ada said to Claudia. "You and I are alike in many ways."
Couldn't agree more, Johnathan thought, and no just because they both were sisters to powerful brothers. One with an ability with limitless potential, and the other, a god-king who ability was probably capable of leveling New Miami as whole.
The elevator door opened and they walking out, Johnathan last.
When they stepped out of the Liquor Store office, the limousine driver was entering, followed by a Commoner wearing a black suit. Whoever he was, Claudia seemed to recognize him, and also care for him. Her eyes were watering.
"Zale..." She said, tears running down her cheek.
"Hey, you." The Commoner, Zale, said back, hugging her like they haven't seen each other in years. There was clearly history there, though Johnathan didn't know the story.
"It's time we take our leave." Lady Ada said, gesturing Johnathan to follow, then walking out the store.
Johnathan followed her, passing Claudia as he headed for the exit, hearing her say; "I'm glad you're ok." to which the Zale guy replied; "Me too, love."
"Where to now, my Lady?" The limousine driver ask Lady Ada, opening the vehicle's door for her. Johnathan walked around to take a seat on the other side.
"Back to Imperium." Lady Ada replied. "It's been awhile since I've had a chat with my brother."