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[sub]Hawthorn Residential Center
Elmore Island
Kingsdale (Off-Shore), Castleburg[/sub]

Elmore Island is an island located northeast off the coast of Kingsdale, far enough from the coast to be hard to see on a foggy day but close enough to be definitively located within city bounds. The island is one of many teeny islands like Savior Island that dot the two main islands that make up Castleburg. The island was discovered by wealthy explorer and New World conqueror John J. Elmore, who very heroically enslaved and conquered the small indigenous tribe that was living there before building his massive estate on the island. Karma would end up striking John J. Elmore, who was killed in an Inkanyamba attack only days after the manor was finished. The island remained mostly untouched for years until Seraph purchased the entirety of the island and built up the manor into a large "residential center." The Hawthorn Residential Center is a private prison owned by Seraph's WINGS Corporation™. The detention facility is small and suited for moderate-level superpowered inmates that do not meet the level of atrocity that denotes a Coldwater sentence, or is used as a temporary holding facility until a cell can be prepared at Coldwater. Hawthorn abruptly closed for business the day after Seraph's retirement from HERO, and the inmates were transferred elsewhere. This was not an activity viewed with great suspicion- after all, if Seraph was really retiring, he would probably want to distance himself from hero work to enjoy his retirement! This assumption, along with the facility's relatively small size, led to the event not being covered at all on the news, and as of yet no potential buyers have approached Seraph for the real estate. This left Seraph with an abandoned, unwanted, unscrutinized, empty fortified prison to use at his discretion. Perfect.

The building looks similar to a medieval castle or fort. John Elmore's original building was just a large stone manor in a Romanesque style, both comforting but also threatening from a distance. Seraph decided to capitalize on the latter feature, expanding outwards to cover the entire island in three floors of hard stone and metal. The facility resembles an island fort, with walls lined with barbed wire enclosing the entire facility. Elmore Island was rather small, so Seraph had decided that the best plan was to build upwards, adding in two thick, tall towers of stone rising from the bulk of the building, with a metal helipad attached to one of the large towers. The towers were reserved for more dangerous inmates, while the ground floors were reserved for longer-term, lower-threat prisoners. Despite its almost archaic appearance, Hawthorn Residential Center is anything but archaic in its security. The one entrance to the facility that isn't electrified and surrounded by turrets is the main gate, a hulking steel door that had not opened in the last week. The only other way into the facility was to fly in and land on the helipad. 

Blake would unknowingly awaken inside one of the towers in this facility, inside a cold, sterile room. He moaned as he clutched his head, feeling a sensation that Blake did not often feel- coldness. Blake's power normally kept him heated up, well above that of an average human, a very useful side perk that allowed Blake to withstand the cold much longer than your average Joe. Now, however, Blake felt the chill of the room grasping his body, which meant that either Blake had gotten sick (for whatever reason, even the least threatening of diseases shut his powers down pretty hard) or that something else was blocking his powers. Blake found the answer moments later in the form of a thick steel bangle clamped around his wrists. The bracelets were sturdy and tough, and had a ring of blue light pulsing from its core- isolene. Blake groaned as he scratched at his wrists. Whatever these cuffs were, they were clamped on tight, which meant no luck on just man-handling them off. Blake would need some sort of gadget to remove them, and he did not have access to any sort of gadget in this room. He didn't have any access to much of anything. Three thick stone walls surrounded him, a tattered mattress and equally tattered pillow sitting in the corner of the room. A fluorescent bulb that was attracting a couple moths hung above. The remaining wall was covered in what appeared to be black glass, a heavy-duty metal door next to it. Blake ran over and pounded on the glass, but his thuds did not so much as scratch the glass. Clearly, the Wings had prepared for this.

Blake's attack on the window did seem to stir some attention, and the glass suddenly turned translucent like normal glass, revealing three figures. One of them, Blake recognized all too well. Seraph, standing there in his stupid cream-colored suit, an eagle pin on his lapel, a smug grin on his face. Next to Seraph was a taller man, with tanned almond skin and an Indian look. Blake recognized this fellow as Mystiko, a longtime Wing of Law and a master telekinetic. He was one of the few Wings of Law that Blake had not come to hate, though the fact that he was allying with Seraph now, working with these EAGLES bastards, that instantly put him on his shit list. The last figure was the tallest of the three (which was saying something). The man's large body was covered in a thick black cloak that was tattered at the edges, and his head and face was covered by a black hood and a glittering platinum mask, respectively. The only thing visible on this man was his eyes, which were glowing with a sickly red color. Blake was not familiar with this fellow, and was glad that this was the case- he gave him bad vibes. 

Seraph clasped his hand together with a triumphant grin. [color=#FFFF66]"Ah, Firebird, I see you've finally come to. Welcome to your new home! Isn't it lovely?”[/color]

Blake elected not to answer that question, instead electing to press both his hands against the glass angrily, baring his teeth. [color=CC5500]"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Seraph? I knew you were a prick, sure, but this...this is ridiculous!"[/color] Blake shouted, which sprouted a good-natured laugh from Seraph, while the other two stood by, almost emotionless. [color=#FFFF66]"Ridiculous is a word you could use, though I will take it as a compliment, an expression of admiration for the new empire I'm building.”[/color] Before Blake could speak again, Seraph quickly continued. [color=#FFFF66]"Now, as much as I would love a chat with you, Mr. von Brandt, we have business to get to. I'm sure you're thinking that I'm going to ask about Ms. Donnelly, but you would be incorrect. I have no need for any of that information. You'll be happy to learn that Aria will soon be joining you here. No, I have a different question.”[/color] He paused, before staring at Blake through the mirror, his whimsical nature of speech being suddenly replaced by a cold and calculating manner. [color=#FFFF66]"I know that during your escapades at the mafia manor, Hugo Powers told you about the organization known as Zero. Hugo Powers, however, is now dead. I killed him myself. I watched him fall from the top of HERO One. He is gone."[/color] Ignoring Blake's mortified look, Seraph continued emotionlessly. [color=#FFFF66]"However, his secrets have died with him, and Division X has mysteriously vanished. You, however, may have the answers I need. Tell me everything you know about Zero, or everything that HERO knows about him. Be forewarned that if you do not cooperate and give me the answer I want, I will extract it from you, and it will not be pleasant.”[/color]

Blake stared up at Seraph defiantly, trying to ignore the blossoming sadness in his chest. [color=CC5500]"Never,"[/color] he said firmly. [color=CC5500]"I'll never tell you, you evil bastard...and you'll never get it out of me! There's nothing you can do to me that'll make me give in! Nothing!"[/color] he spat.

[color=#FFFF66]"My dear Firebird, I'm sorry you chose that option, and I must disagree."[/color] Seraph turned to the hulking Grim Reaper man. [color=#FFFF66]"Nemesis, you may go ahead."[/color]

[color=DimGray]"If is necessary,"[/color] the reaper man said, raising a gloved hand, as what appeared to be actual darkness danced around his hand. He then snapped his fingers crisply. [i][color=DimGray]"Rabbit hole."[/color][/i]

For a few seconds, nothing happened, Blake just stared forwards at Nemesis, wondering what was going on. A few seconds later, still nothing. Blake, realizing nothing was going to happen, began to chuckle. All this build-up, for nothing. Blake laughed a few seconds more before he heard somebody call his name. Blake wheeled around to see a teenage girl, with pale skin and white-blonde hair, talking to high-school age Blake, wearing a Letterman jacket, backpack swung over his shoulder, a cocky but measured grin on his face. The smile fell as the girl spoke. [color=DCDCDC]"Blake, you're a really nice guy, and I'm going to miss you, but...I'm leaving,"[/color] she said bluntly, looking up at the younger Blake, who quickly became crestfallen. [color=DCDCDC]"I'm going back home."[/color]

Blake remembered this scene of his younger years. His first break-up. Not his last. It wasn't exactly a memory he remembered fondly. As Blake watched the memory play out in his little cell, though, he was caught off-guard as the girl suddenly shouted, [color=DCDCDC]"It's because you're [i]worthless![/i] You're a terrible person and a terrible boyfriend! I'm going back to Norway and I hope I never see you again!"[/color] the girl hissed. Blake jumped back in shock. This was definitely not the memory that he had once had.

Suddenly, he was flying forwards in time, as he saw visions of girls he had once dated and broke up with fly past, flickering through his memories like a dated movie. He saw Rosa walk off, Jade board her flight, and then he saw Angie walk away, giving him the cold shoulder as she brushed past him. Blake tried to run after her, tried to talk, but it was clear he wasn't in control here. He looked around, confused and dazed, as he heard another voice chime in behind him. The honeyed, slightly Southern tone of his mother, Karen. [color=A0522D]"Why haven't you been able to hold onto a girlfriend, Blakey?"[/color] Blake could hear her voice echo throughout the cell, before her voice, just like all the others, turned cold. [color=A0522D]"I think I know why. It's because you're worthless. Worthless as a son, worthless as a boyfriend, worthless as a hero. You've never saved anybody. You've only hurt people. You might as well quit while you're ahead,"[/color] his mother scolded. Blake wheeled around, feeling the pain sink into his chest like a knife, as he looked around. Standing in a circle around him now was all the people he had known. Tom, Will, Joseph, Brie, Jamie, Patricia, Eliza, her parents, Angie, his exes, even his own parents, all standing around him, repeating the same word like some sort of chant- "worthless." The word burrowed into his skull, each letter searing into his brain, as the sound only increased in his head. "Worthless." "Worthless." "Worthless."

Blake was a fairly resilient person, but he keeled over quickly, falling to his knees as he felt his mind betray him. He [i]was[/i] worthless, wasn't he? Useless. That was why he never could hang onto a relationship, because he was just worthless. As these negative thoughts began to fester in his brain, the pounding and voices only increased, causing Blake to grab onto his head as he tried to fight it off. [color=CC5500]"I...no..."[/color] Blake managed as the voices increased. He looked around to see swarms of what appeared to be bats fly around him, though these "bats" were blue and red in color and were strange, one-eyed monsters, Leftovers of some kind. They fluttered around him in a swarm, circling him as the noise in his brain only got louder, and louder, and then they dove in, mouths wide open, rows of razor-sharp teeth ready to bite as they flew towards Blake, and the noise was only getting louder...

[color=CC5500]"Stop! Stop! I'll tell you everything! Just stop!"[/color] Blake yelled, resting on his hands and knees, panting and shaking his head like he had just run a few marathons consecutively. He then did something he never thought he could've done- he blabbed. He told Seraph and Nemesis everything Powers had told them a few months earlier. About what they knew about Zero, about how Zero liked to use puppets, and their cutthroat ways...it wasn't much, but it was still information that Powers had trusted them, and information he had just spilled to Seraph. As soon as he finished talking. Blake looked away, ashamed. [color=CC5500]"I [i]am[/i] worthless,"[/color] he whispered, mortified at himself, as Seraph and Nemesis faced each other. [color=DimGray]"Less than I thought, but still useful,"[/color] Nemesis surmised. [color=DimGray]"I'll be off now."[/color] The cloaked figure turned on heel and walked away, disappearing into the shadows, as Seraph turned to face Mystiko. [color=#FFFF66]"Man the cameras and keep an eye on him. I have something to take care of,"[/color] Seraph said, before walking off to the elevator, leaving Blake alone with his own "worthless" thoughts. 

[hr][hr]
As soon as Tom gave affirmation, Priestess gave a wide smile and girlish shriek (of approval), before she quickly wrapped Tom in a hug. [color=#fff44f]"I knew you would come around! Seraph said you wouldn't, but I knew you would!"[/color] she said, giving Tom a dazzling smile. The second part of the question seemed to lower the smile's brightness a few clicks, but she still kept a wide grin as she responded. [color=#fff44f]"If you join us, I will make him,"[/color] she said confidently, grabbing Tom's arm and pulling him to the edge of the rooftop. [color=#fff44f]"We have to go, we're already late...let's fly together! Oh, we haven't done this in forever, I missed this..."[/color] she said, standing at the rooftop's edge and looking out across Kingsdale. She then, swift as a hawk finding its prey, leaned in, planting a full kiss on Tom's left cheek, and leaving a fresh lipstick mark like a bullseye in the center, before pulling Tom off the roof and beginning to fly.

Priestess may not have been the strongest superheroine, but she was an excellent flyer, and she guided Tom through the afternoon sky effortlessly, her wings flapping gracefully as she soared through the air, guiding Tom across Kingsdale to the bay. [color=#fff44f]"This way!"[/color] she chirped, not unlike a bird, as she soared over the water, giving a couple midair twists as she flew towards Elmore Island, the fortress and tall towers becoming visible as the two zoomed towards it. Priestess guided Tom towards the helipad, soaring in and landing effortlessly on it with grace (not Grace). Standing on the pad, hands in his pockets, was Seraph, who had a very annoying sneer on his face. Priestess gestured towards Tom elaborately. [color=#fff44f]"Tommy said he would love to join us, on the conditions you agreed to,"[/color] she said, giving Seraph a puppy dog eyes look. Seraph gave a nod, looking at Tom with a cool, suspicious look. [color=FFFF66]"If that's the case, follow me. And don't try anything. Emily, wait her,"[/color] he commanded, guiding Tom towards the tower, to the elevator. Priestess waved good-bye and blew Tom a kiss as the elevator doors closed.

Seraph rode the lift down a few floors in silence, before the doors parted on a level that was labelled not with a number, but with a red triangle. Seraph stepped out, walking down the empty hallway. [color=FFFF66]"I'm glad you've discovered your logic,"[/color] Seraph said, stopping in front of the cell area. The glass was returned to black again, leaving the contents of the cell obscured. [color=FFFF66]"I'll level with you now- I don't fully trust you. Yet. Your talents are admirable, no doubt, but your loyalty may lie elsewhere. So I'll offer you a deal,"[/color] Seraph said, pressing a long finger against the black glass. The glass, as if by magic, glowed for a second before turning transparent again, revealing the cell's contents, including Blake, who was currently curled up on his mattress. [color=FFFF66]"If you do exactly what I say, and don't attempt to undermine or double-cross me, I will release your friend. If you do so, I will force the poor fool to undergo some more...personalized therapy,"[/color] Seraph said cruelly, looking over at Blake, who was almost quivering. It was a sorry sight. [color=FFFF66]"Understood? Good. I'll give you two a moment, but be warned- I am watching, and any attempt to escape or do anything will be recorded and dealt with. Severely."[/color] With that, Seraph turned and walked over to the elevator, vanishing into the lift with a ding. 

[hr][hr]

Meanwhile, across the city, near Rumi's lab, a strange vehicle pulled up behind the crowd. "Strange" was the only word that could describe the vehicle, which literally looked like an alligator. The hood of the car was stylized like an alligator's jaw, a long tail hung from the trunk, posing a severe traffic hazard, and the car was painted with an elaborate scale pattern. Stepping out of the car was a man dressed in a thick green suit, with purple highlights, and some gadgetry strapped to the suit. He was Caucasian, probably in his mid-40s, and bald, with green reptile eyes (or more likely, fancy contacts) and light stubble. The man, who those who were well-versed with crime would recognize as Snake Pit, a reptile-themed villain that had been arrested just over a week ago for trying to rob a bank with an acid gun, rushed through the crowd, pushing his way through, before popping out the front like a Jack-in-the-box. 

Not wasting a second, he pulled a device from his back and activated it, releasing a wave of blue energy through the area, and disabling any pesky nanobots that were within a 50-meter radius. He then pulled a large blaster from his back, aiming it at Rumi. "Agent Snake Pit from EAGLES. New recruit. You are hereby under arrest. You have the right to remain silent, or else..." He thought for a moment, having forgotten the line. "You have the right to remain silent, or else get melted by an acid blast. Now put your hands up now or you get vaporized, nerd!"

He pumped his gun. This hero thing was actually pretty fun.
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