My World, My Justice Ch.15

-Rumi Usagiyama, Mirko-

Rumi was annoyed. No, scratch that - she was fucking pissed.

She’d just wanted to grab some damn groceries. Simple enough task, right? But no, she had to bundle up like some shut-in, hiding her ears and distinctive features under layers of baggy clothes. Sure beat the alternative though - last time she’d tried shopping in her hero costume, some ABB bitch had jumped her to get an easy hit on her and destroyed all her food in the process, which she already paid for. That bitch had learned the hard way why picking a fight with her was a very, very shit idea.

She could’ve paid for delivery, but fuck that noise. Money was tight enough without throwing it away on convenience fees. And knowing Brockton Bay, the delivery guy would either steal it or get mugged on the way.

However, the dull grocery run got a lot more interesting when the store’s TV caught her attention. Live footage showed a massive throw-down happening in South Stratham, aka Empire territory. And her red eyes narrowed as she recognized one particularly chaotic figure in the chaos.

Hookwolf. 

That metal bastard had slipped through her fingers more times than she cared to count, even with Oracle’s help to pinpoint his last known location, even the last address she gave her the bastard was long gone. 

Speaking of which.

Where the hell was that twerp? Usually, she’d get at least a heads-up about this kind of shitstorm. Or did she find another hero to assist with this?

Whatever.

Rumi quickly dropped her shopping basket right there in the middle of the aisle. Screw the groceries - she had some Nazi teeth to kick in. Every chance to fuck up the Empire was a good one, and she wouldn’t dare to miss a free chance.

Bursting out of the store, Rumi hit the street running. The moment she spotted a building with enough grip, she launched herself upward, her legs propelling her in a series of rapid kicks off the rough surface. Within seconds, she was on the roof, shrugging off her baggy clothes to reveal her hero costume underneath. In this cursed city, one would never know when she would need it.

As she kept moving, her long ears perked up as she spotted a familiar hero squad - the Claw Patrol…. 

What a boring name compared to Wild Wild Pussycats, damn the puritans always ruining the good things. Although she’d thought they’d cleared out after that PRT event, but apparently not. She might’ve stopped to catch up if there wasn’t a much more interesting fight calling her name.

The sounds of combat reached her sensitive ears before she saw it. Then - there it was. Her grin widened as she caught sight of Hookwolf’s metallic form being tossed around like some kind of demented hammer throw. Now that was worth running to.

Clearing the final rooftop, Rumi’s eyes widened at the scene below. True Might was in the thick of it, and he wasn’t just handling Hookwolf - he was taking on half the Empire’s roster! Even Purity was down for the count. The big guy was actually winning against the whole Nazi crew.

She wasn’t about to let him have all the fun, especially with stuck-up Armsmaster already there. She spotted Lady Photon too as she launched herself into the fray.

“OI BIG GUY!” she landed with a thunderous impact, her grin turning feral. “You should have told me you wanted to kick supremacist ass!”

“The Claw Patrol strikes!” came the shout behind her.

This was shaping up to be exactly what she needed - a proper all-out brawl. More Empire capes would probably show up too. Even better. 

Nothing like the promise of broken bones and kicked in teeth to lift her mood.

Until Magik’s portal opened and swallowed the Empire's capes whole.

“What the- Get back here, cowards!” Mirko shouted, launching herself forward but a little too late. They were long gone, leaving nothing but destroyed streets and a very pissed off mood as she didn’t get that big all-out fight she’d been craving.

“COWARDS! Running from the light of justice!” True Might declared very loud, like he always does.

Taking a deep breath, she moved to the bigger crater, where she found the bastard lying unconscious. So much for a high-rated brute.

“At least we got the worst one.” She nudged Hookwolf with her foot. “Though I really wanted to kick his sorry ass, he owned me after all.”

However, before she could say something more, she watched as more vehicles from those paper pushers rolled into the broken street, blaring their sirens. The heavy armored transports came to a stop in strategic positions, their doors sliding open as troopers poured out to establish a perimeter.

Lady Photon said something, probably her goodbyes, before she flew away to somewhere.

“Secure the perimeter. I want containment foam ready.” Armsmaster’s voice cut through the chaos as he walked forward, pointing somewhere in the mess where the officers rushed.

But Mirko’s attention was drawn away from the scene almost immediately as she noticed the Claw Patrol hadn’t left yet. More specifically, her ears twitched as she noticed Pixie-Bob and Mandalay making their way toward True Might. 

“My, my! That was quite the impressive display of heroic prowess!” Pixie-Bob practically bounced as she approached True Might. She planted herself right next to him, definitely closer than necessary, her eyes practically sparkling. “Such raw power! And still in your prime, too! You know, it’s rare to see someone handle multiple villains with such... intensity!”

Was she flirting with him?

Mandalay followed at a more measured pace, offering a gentle smile that looked alot more professional unlike her teammate. “What Pixie-Bob means to say is that we’re impressed by how you handled the situation.” She glanced at her overexcited teammate. “Though perhaps we could discuss it at a more appropriate distance?”

“Oh hush, Mandalay!” Pixie-Bob waved off the comment, practically glowing as she looked up at True Might, grinning. “A man with such justice in his heart must be single, right? Right? Someone who fights for righteousness with such passion... it’s just too perfect!”

“FEAR NOT, NOBLE PIXIE-BOB!” True Might’s voice boomed across the street, striking his signature pose with fists raised to the sky. “Your words honor the sacred cause of justice! And indeed, your own timely arrival alongside your valiant companions shows the burning flame of justice that dwells within your hearts!”

He turned, gesturing broadly at the scattered remnants of the fight. “For what greater calling exists than fellow heroes uniting against the forces of evil! Though the villains escaped through foul sorcery, your swift response proves that JUSTICE NEVER SLEEPS!”

Pixie-Bob giggled, clasping her hands together. “Oh, my! Never seen someone this dedicated before! You know, we could discuss more about heroic virtue over dinner sometime-“

“Ooooh, Mirko-chan!” A sing-song voice suddenly came from right beside Rumi, making her jump slightly and notice the green hair. 

Ragdoll.

Ragdoll had somehow appeared next to her, blinking rapidly and practically vibrating with energy. “Your heart rate’s is getting faster, and you’re showing all the classic signs of territorial response! Left ear twitching every 2.3 seconds, jaw tension increasing whenever Pixie-Bob moves closer to-“

“What the- When did you even get here?” Rumi snapped, her ears indeed twitching as described. “And stop analyzing me!”

“Can’t help it!” Ragdoll chirped, bouncing on her toes as she continued.. “Oooh, and your blood pressure just spiked again!”

Okay, enough is enough.

Her hand shot out to cover the very intrusive Ragdoll’s mouth, but the hyperactive hero simply ducked under it with surprising ease, still talking. “And now you’re getting defensive!”

“I will drop-kick you across the street.” Mirko growled, narrowing her eyes at the annoying hero.

A large hand suddenly descended onto Ragdoll’s head, planting her firmly in place.

“Now, now, Ragdoll.” A deep voice rumbled, revealing to be the muscle of team, Tiger. The muscular hero towered over both of them in his brown version of the costume. “What have we discussed about analyzing people without permission?”

“But Tigerrrrr,” Ragdoll whined, though she remained in place under his grip, still blinking rapidly. “This was just so interesting! Did you know that her muscle tension patterns show-“

“That’s enough,” Tiger cut her off gently but firmly. He turned to Rumi, his intimidating presence softened slightly by the apologetic tilt of his head. “Please excuse our teammate. She gets... excited about her observations.”

Rumi crossed her arms, feeling her right eye twitch. “Just keep her and her weird thinker power to herself next time.” She muttered, shooting a glare at Ragdoll, who responded with an unrepentant grin.

She crossed her arms, her ears still twitching irritably. “Just keep her and her analytics to herself,” she muttered, shooting a glare at Ragdoll, who responded with an unrepentant grin.

As Tiger led Ragdoll away, still lecturing her about boundaries, Mirko turned back to see True Might had somehow gotten even more animated. He was now demonstrating another overly dramatic pose while both Mandalay and Pixie-Bob mirrored his movements.

“BEHOLD! THE STANCE OF RIGHTEOUS VICTORY!” His voice boomed as he thrust one fist skyward.

And that’s when something in her snapped.

“Oi, enough with the flirting,” she cut in as she walked up to them, arms crossed beneath her chest as she fixed Pixie-Bob with a sharp look. The blonde hero merely rolled her eyes in response. “We still have work to do here. Besides,” she added with a challenging grin directed at True Might. “You still owe me that rematch, big guy. Can’t have you getting distracted by fangirls when we’ve got scores to settle. And as you know that Eraserhead will raise a fuss if we fight, then I thought we could have a boxing match.”

“AH! A MOST EXCELLENT PROPOSITION, NOBLE MIRKO!” True Might’s voice somehow managed to get even louder as he struck another pose. “Indeed, our fists shall clash in glorious combat! But alas, justice calls me to many duties across this fair city in the coming days.” He thumped his chest rather loudly. “Next week, we shall meet in honorable combat! For now, THE FORCES OF EVIL MUST BE VANQUISHED!”

Rumi’s ear twitched again as Pixie-Bob giggled at his enthusiasm, but she managed a sharp grin as she poked his chest. “Next week then, big guy. Don’t you dare chicken out.”

-----------------------------------------------

-Daniel, True Might-

Of course I quickly return to my pocket apartment, not because I feel tired but just to take a short break from everything. A fight like this, the decisive victory and subsequent capture of one of Brockton Bay’s most infamous villains would have inevitably attracted every media outlet in the vicinity.

And while I know the camera loves me and my crippling speech would have a field day with all the media present and very likely I would have been shouting something along the lines of “BEHOLD, citizens of justice! True Might has vanquished another servant of evil!”, I mentally can’t deal with any of that right now. The thought of subjecting myself to more cringeworthy proclamations in front of news cameras makes me want to hide in this isolated interdimensional apartment forever.

Also, well, because I just met up with another independent hero group. Well, technically met, since I do remember them from my old memories. And I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore about name rebranding - I can definitely see why the Wild Wild Pussycats would change their original name to something more conservative after moving to the United States.

Although this is definitely a first - being flirted right after a big fight, a brutal fight with Hookwolf. Even if I’m completely unscathed.

Yeah, I know that Pixie-Bob was flirting with me, so either she is quite the extrovert and very friendly or she is just thirsty... because some of those lines were just pure cringe. And I’m the current cringelord of heroic speeches, so that’s really saying something. 

Either way, I wouldn’t mind going into a few joint patrols with them or making a few appearances at their own little events. Mandalay was pretty cool, no wonder she is the leader. Having good relations with the heroes and having them on your side is always a good idea, especially in a city as messy as this one.

And Mirko is just being Mirko, I guess I should have seen it coming that she would ask for a rematch. I want that fight too, even if it will be a controlled boxing match - I’ll take what I can get. Martial Talent will definitely take advantage of that match to learn some new tricks.

I finally reach my oversized bed and faceplant into it, bouncing slightly before rolling onto my back to stare at the ceiling.

Today’s victory should shake things up in this cursed city. Losing Hookwolf is a major blow to the Empire’s strength. Even the PRT, slow and bureaucratic as they are, should be able to capitalize on this opportunity. And it sends another clear message that I’m out here doing what needs to be done.

Social media must be exploding right now. I’m still resisting the urge to create an account or browse the forums, though I probably should have some kind of online presence... but dealing with that sounds like a headache waiting to happen.

I should find a manager for that... okay, that sounds pretty dumb. Though maybe not as dumb as trying to handle it myself.

I pull my phone from pocket space and finally check the flood of notifications. All mission rewards, that’s a promising start already.

Mission Complete!

• Defeat Hookwolf

• Defeat Fog

• Defeat Rune

• Defeat Purity

• Defeat Stormtiger

• Defeat Cricket

• Impress the Claw Patrol

• Explode in Social Media

• Reach National News

• Reach International News

• Destroy further Empire’s reputation

• Cause another migraine to Piggot (An esteemed patron really don’t like Enmily Piggot)

• Get the attention from ??????

• Get the attention from ??????

Rewards:

• 22 credits in total

• Fame and Infamy (Good luck figuring it out)

• 500000 dollars

• 3 Mystery boxes

*Additional Note: Sixteen credits of your total reward have been from Hookwolf capture and soon will be sold.

Huh. That’s... actually way more than expected. 

Hold up… I completed all the hidden rewards too? Sweet!

And these credit rewards are seriously good- wait a second. Hookwolf’s been captured and is being sold? How does that even work?

I have the No Bindings condition, and I didn’t even bite him. My dragon bite only works with full consent anyway, so how exactly was he captured? Did the Company somehow use me as a conduit when I had him in my grip?

You know what? 

Better not to question the multiversal organization that probably has reach beyond my comprehension. What matters is the present and these juicy rewards.

I quickly dismiss the notifications and head to the loan tab in the Company app. Another 10% of my debt, gone just like that. I’ve got enough credits left for another payment, but I’ll save that for next month. No need to worry about interest rates for a while.

This is a complete win. The best possible outcome. I’m safe, financially secure, and have a whole month to focus on... right. A month I can’t really enjoy thanks to my crippling hero-speech and powers that won’t turn off.

Maybe I should look into a template that gives me a power switch? Something like Shazam’s... but knowing the Company, it would probably end up being useless or having some twisted catch that would probably leave me in an even worse position.

Fuck.

I never thought I’d miss normal daily life this much. Even the other capes here, heroes and villains alike, get to have that luxury. They can just change clothes and blend in with the crowd. Meanwhile, I’m stuck being True Might 24/7, ready to burst into speeches about justice to little kids at the drop of a hat and help old ladies cross the streets.

Moving on…

I haven’t forgotten about those last rewards - three mystery boxes sitting in my pocket dimension. I switch tabs to check them out, and... seriously?

A metallic box with glowing blue circles and a big red button on top. This isn’t just any mystery box - it’s a straight-up loot-box.

The Company really knows how to be both loved and hated at the same time.

This has to be some kind of twisted joke, and I’m definitely not laughing. Still, might as well check the “surprise mechanics” of this thing. And of course it has rarities - from N for normal all the way up to UR, ultra rare.

And what’s sitting in that last tier with its 0.002% chance? Right there among countless material and intangible rewards is ‘Cure for crippling heroic speech‘.

…What?

Oh, you motherfuckers...

That’s practically impossible to get. These cruel bastards are definitely laughing at me right now, dangling exactly what I want most right in front of my face.

I hurl my phone at the wall in frustration. It doesn’t shatter like a normal phone would - of course not. Just... breathe. Someone out there is trying to get a rise out of me. Well, they won’t get that satisfaction.

Yeah. Okay. I’m better now.

With a clearer head, I think my phone back to my hand and return to the loot-box screen. Might as well press the damn button. 

The box bursts open in an unnecessarily flashy light show, because of course it does that’s what these cursed boxes always do.

And what do I get?

A brown teddy bear. A Normal tier reward.

Before I can even try another box, the bear materializes on my chest without even thinking. I’m surprised for a moment before annoyance sets in. I knew I wouldn’t get anything useful, but the disappointment still stings.

I pick up the plushie - okay, I’ll admit it’s incredibly soft and clearly high quality. Not that it matters. I set it on my nightstand, watching as it leans against the wall. I’ll save it for later. Who knows when I will have to give a teddy bear, because even I know that’s like a universally liked gift.

Huh, now that I think about it. This teddy bear isn’t that bad of a reward.

Might as well open the second box. Another flash of lights, another dramatic show, and... a pack of premium coffee beans. Normal tier again. 

I send it straight to my pocket space without a second thought. Whatever, I do enjoy a nice cup of good coffee once in a while.

The final box better be worth something. I press the button, watching the light show one last time, and-

And I am rewarded with an actual SR reward!

‘One day, power switch off’

I blink at the screen, then burst into laughter. Of course. Of course they’d do this. This is definitely some calculated move with strings attached, but you know what? I’ll take it. One normal day sounds pretty damn good right now.

A small plastic card materializes in my hand with simple instructions: ‘To activate tear in half.’

I send it straight to my pocket space. As tempting as it is to use it right now, to have just one day of being, relatively speaking, normal again... no. Better save it. There might come a day when I really need that break, or maybe I’ll get something else that gives me a proper chance at normalcy.

Still, knowing it’s there? That’s something.

However, my phone starts ringing, breaking my train of thought. 

And it is from Oracle.

Of course, I accepted the call immediately.

“OH MY GOD THAT FIGHT WAS INSANE! You totally destroyed him! And that moment when you caught Purity’s blast and just yeeted Cricket back at her? EPIC! And then Hookwolf tried to do that spinning dash thing but you just- and then- and the way you-“

Huh, I didn’t know that Oracle could be so…. passionate about something. Being a fangirl would be the right slang?

Whatever, I just wait patiently as Oracle rambles at light speed about the fight, she, like many others, clearly enjoyed it. After a few minutes, she finally runs out of steam as she is left panting for a bit before she finally composes herself and gets to the real questions.

“But seriously, how did you even know where Hookwolf was currently hiding? I tracked him a few times and pinpointed his location, but the guy was already gone when I sent somebody after him.”

“AH! A mysterious messenger of justice sent word of the villain’s whereabouts!” I declare, internally sighing. “Through channels unknown, they guided my righteous path!”

There’s a pause on the other end.

“Was this message about South Strahman too?”

Too? 

“INDEED!”

So whoever sent me the address first contacted Oracle? 

That does make sense, in a way. But then again that leaves the glaring doubt, how did that person even get my personal number? Not like I posted it online or gave my card info to anybody.

“Huh…..” She actually goes quiet for a moment. 

“That actually explains a lot.” She pauses before she clears her throat. “Anyway, glad everything worked out! I was kind of busy and forgot my phone in another room, so I missed the whole show. Had to catch up with video clips and news coverage.”

I can practically hear her fingers flying across a keyboard as she talks. 

“But man, the PHO forums are absolutely exploding right now! They are even making memes. Someone even made this amazing edit of you flexing with ‘Justice Gains’ written across it in sparkly text. You should see them.”

Don’t tempt me woman, I do miss shitposting on the internet.

“Oh yeah, speaking of pics - saw you chatting with the Claw Patrol leader. Mandalay, right?” Oracle’s tone shifts to something more casual but I can hear the interest beneath it.

“INDEED! The noble Mandalay and her righteous team of justice arrived just in time to assist against the forces of evil!”

They were the last to arrive and the Empire escaped after that but I do hope somebody took a pic of the standoff, especially with me at the front pointing at the supremacist. It would be a sick picture and hang it on the wall.

Immortalize the cool moment I say.

“Cool, cool... hey, any chance you got their contact info? I’ve been trying to reach them about some stuff but they’re like ghosts online despite how public they are. Can’t really find anything.”

I pause, realizing that in my haste to avoid the media circus, I’d missed an obvious opportunity. “ALAS, fair Oracle! True Might must confess with great regret that such vital communications were not established! The tides of battle and subsequent chaos led to a hasty departure!”

“Aw man, I was hoping... well, whatever. Guess I’ll have to figure something else out.” 

I can hear some sounds from her end, making me wonder what she is doing over there besides being glued to her computer screen.

But I make a mental note to actually get proper contact information next time I run into cat heroes. It’s basic networking, and I completely dropped the ball on that one.

“Fear not, friend! Together, we can go looking for our fellow allies of justice and ask them directly!”

“Yeah, about that - I’m gonna be super busy for a while. The Empire 88 losing Hookwolf? Right after Earthshard getting beaten so badly? That’s gonna cause some major waves. ABB’s definitely gonna try something, or the PRT might finally make a move... gotta keep my eyes on everything. You know how it goes.”

“MOST WISE AND VIGILANT! Your dedication to monitoring the forces of evil brings warmth to my righteous heart!”

Why so dramatic? Brain. Can’t you use shorter replies?

“Also, I finished my investigation of what you asked, you should come pick it up.”

I raise an eyebrow at that. For someone who’s supposedly tech-savvy, asking for an in-person pickup seems... odd. She could easily send me the files attached to a message.

So, why?

“YOUR EFFORTS IN UNCOVERING THE WICKEDNESS PLAGUING OUR INSTITUTES OF EDUCATION ARE MOST APPRECIATED! Together we shall protect the young from such villainy!”

Mostly Taylor and mission, but by helping her and rooting out everything wrong there, will naturally help the situation of the school and improve. So, technically yeah we are uncovering the evil for the sake of a single girl.

“Great! Let’s meet at Fugly Bob’s tomorrow then. Oracle out!”

The call ends abruptly, leaving me staring at my phone. Something feels off about this. Oracle preferring a face-to-face meeting after all this time? That’s actually suspicious.

Still, if she wants to meet in person, she must have her reasons. Though I can’t help but wonder what exactly those reasons might be and only because I asked her help to investigate Winslow High.

Well, whatever happens, I will face it head on.

And after completing that, I will then focus on beating Lung at his most powerful.

There can only be one dragon in this world.

And I won’t accept a fake one taking the title.

------------------------

-Max Anders, Kaiser-

Max Anders sat alone in his subterranean office, his metallic armor gleaming under harsh fluorescent lights, his helmet resting on the polished desk before him. 

This wasn’t his prestigious Medhall office with its floor-to-ceiling windows and carefully curated view of the city. No, this was his underground bunker. Built on paranoia and necessity, because a man in his position couldn’t afford to be naïve about the reach of the many thinkers that have appeared, even with Medhall’s extensive security measures. This bunker, separate from his corporate empire, housed the true heart of his operations, where he could direct his other empire’s resources without scrutiny.

It should have been a place of solitude and control. Instead, he found himself doing something distinctly beneath his dignity: drowning his frustrations in an expensive bottle of rum, its ornate crystal catching the light as he tilted it back for another burning swallow. His chair rotated in slow, pointless circles. The normally composed CEO of Medhall, the calculated leader of Empire Eighty-Eight, reduced to this—staring at nothing while his perfectly ordered world crumbled around him.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, had gone according to plan in the past few weeks.

Every plan he had laid out and tried, exploded right on his face. The Empire’s reputation—built was currently in the gutter. No amount of speeches or direct show of power could repair this damage, he would have to rebuild again. And it all traced back to that steroid-riddled asshole...

No.

He corrected himself, maintaining honesty even in his private thoughts. The problems had been accumulating well before then, control slipping through his fingers like fine sand. But that musclebound catastrophe had been the tipping point, the final push that sent everything spiraling beyond his grasp.

It started when that mindless brute saved those worthless capes, ones Anders had specifically marked for an example. In his position, he couldn’t afford to let such flagrant disrespect go unpunished. Not when his control was already so tenuous, when whispers of doubt had already begun to circulate through his ranks and Lung constantly proving into his territory.

The crystal decanter clinked against his armored gauntlet as he took another swig, grimacing not just at the taste but at the memory of what followed. Terra, one of his strongest assets, reduced to a trembling wreck who couldn’t even leave her room. Her Gesellschaft conditioning, years of careful programming, unraveling like cheap thread. The likelihood of her being recalled to Europe grew with each passing day, and with it, the prospect of a power vacuum while awaiting a replacement.

And he didn’t like that, not one bit.

A simple defeat at True Might hands would have been manageable even with those bold proclamations about his stupid ‘justice’. But no—he’d committed resources to spinning propaganda around that idiot’s perfect Aryan appearance, using it to reinforce the beliefs his followers held so dear. It was what they wanted to believe, after all, and he’d long since mastered the art of using their convictions as tools for his own ends.

But that calculated move had backfired spectacularly when the fool started playing hero to everyone, that vapid smile fixed on his face as he aided people indiscriminately. Doubt spread like a cancer through his ranks, especially among those whose dedication to the Empire’s ideology had always been more pragmatic than zealous. The inevitable desertions followed, although it was nothing but a trickle, but he knew that a trickle could become a flood if left alone.

Only unpowered thugs and easily replaceable, thankfully. A few public examples had stemmed the tide, fear proving once again to be an effective motivator for the weak-minded.

But none of that mattered now, because somehow, True Might had pinpointed Brad’s location with impossible precision, and Brad was in his cape persona so Anders couldn’t even use those stupid unwritten rules in his favor.

And thinking deeper, even if True Might had caught Hookwolf in his civilian identity, no one would have even cared. They would have willfully ignored that fact—Hookwolf was too despised, already bound for the Birdcage after all. The public and the PRT would have happily swept such a breach under the rug, fabricated a thousand excuses for the bastard, and ensured any inconvenient details were properly censored.

It was clear that Brad was being prepared for immediate transport to the Birdcage, and this time the PRT wouldn’t risk another escape attempt, so they might have a heavily armed convoy along with even more capes escorting the convoy. A rescue operation would be prohibitively costly, if not doomed to failure—something he couldn’t afford with Lung or other rivals poised to strike at any sign of weakness.

However...

Magik. 

Her portals seemed to have no real limitations. She could theoretically teleport directly into Brad’s cell and extract him before the PRT could even react.

He’d need an updated layout of the containment facility. This time he savored just a sip of rum, rolling it across his tongue, appreciating its complex notes as his mind worked through the logistics.

Getting the facility plans wouldn’t be difficult—he still had enough contacts on the inside. Perhaps not everything was lost. He could salvage this situation with his remaining resources.

And True Might—yes, even that buffoon could still be turned to advantage. His followers believed in Aryan supremacy, after all. If this idiot was truly the strongest, the best, then his very existence could be spun as an ideological victory. In their minds, only one of pure blood could possess such power.

And while regrettably, he would abandon some territory to the PRT so as his capes won’t be stretched thin anymore.

Yes, this could still work.

A single knock at his door interrupted his thoughts. Before he could grant entry or even compose himself, the door swung open to reveal Krieg—tall, imposing in his trademark trench coat and gas mask.

“What do you need?” Anders frowned. Krieg usually waited for permission after knocking so this was already strange.

But his lieutenant just stood there, rigid in the doorway, staring at him through those expressionless mask lenses, making no move to either enter fully or close the door behind him.

Something was very wrong.

Before Anders could demand an explanation, a figure materialized behind Krieg—tall, imposing, clad in a crimson bodysuit adorned with the unmistakable Nazi eagle across his chest. His purple cape swept behind him as he stepped forward, blue eyes blazing with a familiar fanatical intensity.

“The Fatherland has grown weary of your... questionable leadership.” The newcomer’s voice carried the weight of absolute conviction as he crossed his arms. “A true Reich cannot be built only on compromise and corporate games.”

Max slowly lowered his bottle onto his desk and rose to his full height, making sure that his armor caught the fluorescent light. 

“The Gesellschaft seems to have developed quite an... intense interest in my affairs as of late,” he observed. “More than our usual arrangements would warrant.”

Stormfront’s lips twisted into a frown. “The Fatherland has a singular approach to dealing with a race traitor.” he stated, taking a deliberate step into the office. “And it must be handled... immediately.”

Race traitor?

As in singular, not plural like the true believers would call any white person who mingled with others.

Wasn’t he implying that True Might was somehow related with the Gesellschaft?

Or… was he possibly a bastard son?

------------------------

-Bonus Scene: The Croque-Monsieur

A woman danced around her apartment, humming a strange tune of her own made-up theme song while tossing various essentials into an open suitcase. 

“Finally, someone who gets it! The poses! The one-liners! This is what heroism should be about!” She turns around with flair.

She paused in front of her mirror, holding her iconic mouse-eared helmet. “When destiny calls, you answer! Besides,” she grinned, placing the helmet on her head with an exaggerated flourish, “it would be a crime to not team up! The Great Cheese and The Mighty Ham - we’ll be the most delicious duo Brockton Bay has ever seen!”

Her temporary patrol route could survive without its favorite rodent-themed defender for a few days, since the Commando Team would be coming to her city. Besides, what kind of hero would she be if she didn’t congratulate a kindred spirit?

------------------------------
AN: Sorry for taking longer, got discouraged after the short story got taken down.