Vanessa returned after the team changed, smiling at the young heroes before her.
The four sidekicks all stood idly by, completely geared up in their uniforms.
Arthur was standing with Duke as they both practiced punching each other's palms. Annie was hovering cross-legged while on her phone. Bruce was playing on his gaming table.
Their uniforms, though sharing the same sleek design, were given different features exclusive to each person.
They wore form-fitting black spandex with golden circuit-like patterns running along their limbs. Each had five small star patterns on their shoulders.
Arthur had his signature trench coat draped over it.
Duke's version was sleeveless, but his massive arms were wrapped in white combat tape.
Annie's suit hugged her lithe frame perfectly, no alterations needed.
Bruce stood out with his flowing black cape.
Vanessa watched them with a critical eye before nodding, "Remember—Donfather's not the type to fight fair. If he's waiting for us, he will most likely plant an ambush. Talk through thoughts for easier communication. I will be watching your vital signs, and if I notice you guys are in danger, I will come and take over."
Cassie came by with Vanessa's tea in hand, "Master Vanessa, I believe it's time for them to depart."
All four of them heard the signal and looked completely ready.
Arthur placed his hand on Duke's shoulder; Duke did the same for Annie, and Annie held Bruce's hand, "Let's move," Bruce said before teleporting out of the room.
Stonewall Island's abandoned resort was eerily silent. Moonlight filtered through broken windows, casting jagged shadows across the ruined lobby.
"Okay, guys, communication through our thoughts should be good to go," Annie said telepathically.
As the team split up and investigated the area, Arthur stumbled upon burnt clothes from a receptionist, "It's hard to believe that someone was working here trying to provide for their family, then became terminated on a very unlucky day," Arthur said telepathically.
"Trust me, we all felt the same way. I remember this was the most talked-about place in the city. Now look at it," Duke said telepathically.
"They did a number on this place. Any ideas where we should start looking?" Arthur said telepathically.
Annie giggled and replied through thoughts, "This is where I come in—" but then they immediately heard someone approaching the lobby entrance.
Immediately, Annie used her psychic power to lift everyone to the ceiling toward the dark corners of the room and placing them on a ledge.
"Give me a second," Annie said telepathically as she closed her eyes, her psychic aura flaring green as she reached into the guard's memories.
Rewinding through different days until she found a pattern that Donfather was always in his study, "Donfather must be in his study. I'm sending it your way, Bruce," she spoke.
After receiving the location, Bruce teleported outside of the study. Annie noticed a guard covered in web and attached to the ceiling, "Red Widow," she thought.
She looked through the memories of the guard and heard an argument between her and Donfather, "There seems to be a disagreement between the two. The first discussion was Arthur being released," she thought.
Arthur smirked, "Look at that, I'm famous," he thought.
"Not in her eyes. They agreed that you are a threat and immediate course of action was needed. She wanted to kill you for switching sides, but Donfather wanted you to join his crime family. It was a back-and-forth debate between the two," Annie replied telepathically.
"What was the second reason?" Bruce asked telepathically.
"The split share of the Silex cores. She wanted a bigger haul since she did most of the work, but Donfather refused because it was his heist. Which led to her storming out of the study. Seconds later, this guy's vision went dark," Annie replied telepathically.
"At the moment, we don't know where she is," Duke replied telepathically.
"Think about it: bad deal, professional thief, and mad woman. She will most likely go and steal the stuff and sell it herself," Arthur replied telepathically.
Bruce took off his glasses and put them away, "Which means he isn't protected, but we don't know whether—"
Without warning, Arthur and Duke charged the door and simultaneously kicked it off the hinges, "Let's not waste any more time," said Arthur as everyone walked inside.
Donfather's study screamed luxury. Leather-bound books lined mahogany shelves, a chandelier dripping crystal shards above a polished oak desk with a black cat sleeping peacefully.
And there he sat, swirling a glass of red wine, completely unfazed by their sudden arrival.
"Ah," Donfather said, his black eye glinting. "The Keepers. Was wondering when you'd show up. Arthur, I'm honored that you are here but disappointed with the circumstances we are in."
Bruce spoke to him directly, "Donfather, we can avoid a fight if you surrender peacefully."
Donfather chuckled, setting his glass down, "Now why would I abandon all this work to go live the rest of my life in a s*** show?" He leaned back, "Tell me—can you answer me this question? Answer right, and I might turn myself in," said Donfather.
"What is it?" asked Annie.
Donfather stared at them with his rolled-back eyes and a wide grin, "Have you fought a man who has nothing left to lose?!"
Then Arthur realized that his Trigger wasn't disabled.
Donfather's grin widened. He flicked his finger.
The room, including the building, exploded.
At the last second, Bruce was able to teleport everyone outside where they watched the smoke and debris fill the air.
The study was gone—reduced to smoldering wreckage, "That psycho," said Annie, but they all turned their attention to uncontrollable laughing toward the study.
Donfather stood there above the wreckage, untouched, his black suit pristine, explosions dancing around his palms.
"So many heroes have tried their best to stop my empire," he said, stepping forward, "I built this family from the ground up, and I won't allow any of you to destroy what I worked on." Mini-explosions set off on his palms.
Then—two new figures emerged from the smoke.
The first man's skin hardened into diamond, refracting the moonlight into blinding shards. The second was shrouded in smoke, his form shifting like a living shadow.
Donfather spread his arms, "Meet my left-hand Diamondback and right-hand Haze."
Arthur's right eye pulsed a sapphire glow, "Galahad."
The spectral knight materialized, sword blazing.
The real fight had just begun. Arthur's pulse quickened as the smoke cleared, revealing Donfather's unyielding resolve and the looming threat of his lieutenants.