As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over the dilapidated building, Vivian, Gustav, and Mindy stood outside the foreboding entrance of the Chicago Outfit's headquarters, where the infamous Alphonse Capone was. The air was thick with tension, a blend of anxiety and determination.
"This is the flashlight that will make you two invisible, okay?" Mindy said, her voice steady yet laced with concern as she held up a small device, its metallic surface glinting in the fading light.
Vivian and Gustav exchanged glances, their expressions resolute. They nodded in unison, steeling themselves for what lay ahead.
"Vivian, are you sure about this?" Mindy pressed, her eyes wide with worry. "You were detained by Alphonse before, and he tortured you."
"I know," Vivian replied, her voice firm but tinged with the weight of her past. "I have scars because of him, but I can't let my fear dictate my actions. I need to get to that basement where he holds hostages and conducts his experiments."
"BUT—" Mindy began, but Gustav cut her off.
"You know it's dangerous, but..." he said, looking directly into Vivian's eyes. "When you have something on your mind, you always go through with it. So, I can't argue against it. I have to support you, no matter what."
Vivian's heart warmed at Gustav's words. She smiled at him, grateful for his unwavering support.
She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips, savoring the moment before they plunged into the uncertainty ahead. Gustav returned the kiss, closing his eyes and momentarily losing himself in the connection they shared.
Mindy stood a few steps away, watching them with a sigh. The depth of their bond was palpable, and part of her wished for that kind of certainty in her own life.
"Till the ends of the earth, right?" Vivian said softly, looking into Gustav's eyes, searching for affirmation.
"Right," Gustav replied, his voice strong and confident. He then turned his gaze to Mindy. "Stay here and inform Loe and Mark in case they show up."
"Okay," Mindy said, her voice barely above a whisper as she took a step back, feeling the weight of their mission settle around her. She knew she had to be the anchor, the one who would keep things grounded while they faced the storm ahead.
With a determined look, Mindy activated the flashlight, its beam shimmering with an otherworldly glow. "Here we go.." she announced, pointing the device at Vivian and Gustav. In an instant, they were enveloped in a flickering aura of light, rendering them nearly invisible.
Vivian glanced down, seeing the outline of her body fading into the surroundings. "Woah" she exclaimed, a rush of exhilaration coursing through her veins.
Gustav, tapping into his ant power, felt a sudden rush of energy. As his body began to shrink, he instinctively positioned himself closer to Vivian. With a soft gasp, he minimized himself until he was small enough to nestle against Vivian's chest, the warmth of her heartbeat reassuring him amidst the chaos.
"Perfect, partner." he whispered, his voice barely audible yet filled with anticipation.
Vivian smiled down at him, her heart swelling with both affection and determination. "Let's do this," she said, feeling an overwhelming sense of purpose as they prepared to enter the lair of the infamous mobster.
The anxiousness seemed to swallow them as they stepped forward, ready to confront their past and face whatever lay in their future. The air was electric with tension as they crossed the threshold, determined to rescue those trapped inside and dismantle the darkness that had haunted them for so long.
....
As the sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange hue over the city, the atmosphere buzzed with a sense of impending confrontation. It was just past 5 PM, and the shadows were beginning to stretch longer as evening approached. Loe stood poised in his vigilante attire, the blue spandex clinging to his form, accentuating his muscular build. A flowing cape billowed behind him, while the angel logo emblazoned on his chest symbolized hope and justice, a stark contrast to the darkness they were about to confront.
Next to him, Mark, dressed as Nightwing, exuded a cool confidence. His sleek black and blue suit was tailored for agility and stealth, with gauntlets and boots designed for combat. The spring-loaded pouches in the back of his suit were ready to deploy a pair of polymer escrima sticks at a moment's notice. He adjusted his stance, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
In contrast, Chris Hilton, concealed behind a mask to hide his identity, felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as they going to the Chicago Outfit's headquarters. The usual aura of privilege that surrounded him was replaced by the weight of responsibility that came with partnering up with vigilantes. As they ran through the streets, Chris broke the silence.
"So, Alphonse Capone was your mission to bring down?" he asked, glancing between Loe and Mark. "His evil deeds, and the Chicago Outfit is the main source of that?"
Loe and Mark nodded in unison, their expressions serious.
"Yep, you are right," Mark confirmed, his voice steady.
Chris shook his head in disbelief. "Wow… I can't believe it. The Chicago Outfit—known for their massive clothing brand designs, shoes, and other outfits… I can't believe it's all just a deception for their real works." He paused, the weight of his family's name pressing down on him. "And I can't believe I'll be partnering with them… as a Hilton."
His voice trailed off, a mix of pride and disappointment evident in his tone. The revelation felt heavy on his shoulders, like a dark cloud overshadowing his family's legacy.
Loe stepped closer, sensing Chris's inner turmoil. "Well. We're all here for a reason—to fight against you know..."
Mark added, "And remember, we're a team. We've got each other's backs.
As they made their way toward the Chicago Outfit's headquarters, the atmosphere shifted. A figure loomed ahead, casually blocking their path. He stood with an air of confidence, a smirk playing on his lips as he regarded Loe, Mark, and Chris.
Loe felt an unsettling chill wash over him, a bad omen that sent his instincts into overdrive. Growing up in the slums, he had learned to trust his gut—after all, it had kept him alive through countless dangerous encounters. Now, that intuition screamed at him, urging caution.
Mark, ever the bold one, stepped forward and shouted, "Who are you?" His voice was firm, but the slight quiver betrayed his uncertainty.
The man tilted his head, his smirk widening. "I am Litzo…" he replied, locking his gaze onto Loe. "You must be Angel."
Loe exchanged puzzled looks with Mark and Chris. Confusion danced in their expressions; how did this stranger know his vigilante name?
With a steady resolve, Loe responded, "Who are you, and how did you know my name?"
Litzo shrugged nonchalantly. "Beats me… We finally met, Angel." His tone was laced with a mocking familiarity that set Loe on edge.
Litzo's gaze flickered between them, the smirk never leaving his face. "I'm here to kill you." He pointed his finger directly at Loe, the menace in his voice clear.
Loe felt a surge of anger and disbelief. "Me? What did I do, you fucker?" His heart raced as he prepared himself for a confrontation.
Litzo chuckled softly, unphased by Loe's reaction. "You exist in my way, and that's enough for me."
Mark stepped forward, his hands clenching into fists. "You think you can just walk in here and threaten us?"
Litzo straightened slightly, still smirking. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm dealing with."
Loe steadied his breath, clenching his fists as he faced off against Litzo. His voice came out low, filled with determination.
"Enough. You want to kill me? Fine," Loe said, his eyes locked onto Litzo's smirking face. "If you can, that is."
Litzo's smirk deepened. "Oh..." Without another word, he moved. His body blurred, shooting forward with blinding speed. Loe barely had time to react—his instincts screamed danger as Litzo closed the distance in an instant.
Litzo's fist came flying toward him, and Loe managed to raise his arms just in time to block. The impact was jarring, sending shockwaves through his arms. The force behind the punch was unreal. Though he had blocked it, the blow rattled his bones, and a sharp pain shot through his muscles.
Litzo stepped back, his gaze amused. "Surprised?" he asked mockingly. "I'm not just some ordinary guy."
Loe gritted his teeth, shaking out the numbness in his arms. Litzo's strength was overwhelming. He was no ordinary human. Boosted by the ancient mage Atlas Pendragon Holtwood, Litzo was in a league far beyond anything Loe had faced before.
Loe's thoughts raced as he tried to assess the situation. (He's stronger than me... even with the serum boost coursing through my veins, the one that gives me enhanced strength and agility. But it's not enough. I can barely keep up with him. My instincts are screaming at me—he's on a different level.)
Litzo, seeing Loe hesitate, chuckled softly. "What's wrong, Angel? Your confidence slipping already?" He cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing ominously through the alley.
Loe's mind raced. He knew he couldn't beat Litzo in a head-to-head confrontation, at least not as things stood. His serum-boosted abilities were formidable, but Litzo was something else—something far more dangerous. His strength wasn't just raw power; it was honed, controlled, and amplified by the ancient magic that flowed through him.
Mark and Chris stood behind Loe, watching the encounter with tense expressions. They had seen Loe take down powerful enemies before, but this was different. The sheer speed and power Litzo displayed were unlike anything they had faced.
Loe's inner voice urged caution. "He's too fast, too strong. I need to outthink him, use my surroundings, or distract him somehow." He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he stared down Litzo.
Litzo, on the other hand, seemed completely relaxed, as if toying with his prey. "What's your next move, Angel?" he taunted. "Or are you going to stand there and let me finish this quickly?"
"Not on our watch!" Mark shouted, stepping forward, his voice filled with determination.
Chris, without hesitation, pulled out a sleek pocket knife, twirling it expertly in his hand. He was an Arnis expert, and the precision in his movements showed his deadly skill.
"Whoah..." Litzo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You two think you can stop me?" His smirk widened, eyes gleaming with confidence.
Loe quickly cut in, his voice firm. "Nightwing, Chris, go! You need to find Vivian , Mindy is waiting for you." His gaze remained locked on Litzo, ready for the next attack.
Mark hesitated, looking at Loe. "But... we can't just leave you here to face him alone!"
Loe shot Mark a determined look. "I'll handle him. You need to complete the mission. Trust me."
Mark clenched his fists, his expression conflicted. He knew Loe was strong, but this enemy felt different—stronger, faster. But he also knew the mission came first.
Chris, still flipping his knife in his hand, nodded. "He's right. We have to trust him."
Mark gritted his teeth but finally relented, turning to Chris. "Fine. Let's move."
Before they ran off, Mark looked back at Loe, his voice resolute. "Stay alive, man. We're counting on you."
Loe gave him a sharp nod, his eyes never leaving Litzo. "I'll be fine. Go."
As Mark and Chris dashed off into the shadows, Litzo chuckled darkly, stepping forward. "Sending your friends away, huh? That won't save you, Angel."
Loe braced himself for the fight of his life. "We'll see about that."
Litzo barely glanced at Mark and Chris as they dashed away. His focus remained entirely on Loe. The smirk on his face twisted into something more sinister, knowing full well that his mission was singular: to kill Angel. It wasn't personal, it was fate—something that had been sealed long before this moment.
"Welp. I don't care about them," Litzo said, his voice cold and unwavering. "My mission is you, Angel. Your fate... it's already written."
Loe's eyes narrowed, his heart pounding. "What are you talking about? Fate? Vision?"
Litzo's eyes gleamed with a strange light. "Lord Atlas made me see it all. Your end... your death. I'm just here to make it happen."
Loe's pulse quickened as he tightened his stance, adrenaline flooding his system. His instincts screamed at him, warning of the overwhelming power radiating from Litzo.
"I don't even know what your talking about," Loe growled, his fists clenching, trying to steady his nerves. "But If you think I'll just lay down and die, you've got it all wrong."
But Litzo wasn't listening. He stepped forward slowly, eyes never leaving Loe. "It's pointless to resist. This is how it ends."
Without warning, Litzo surged forward with terrifying speed, a blur of motion as his fist swung toward Loe once again.
To be continue