[color=LimeGreen]“Sure thing,”[/color] Teddy replied with a smirk when Billy mentioned staying with him. He then turned to America. [color=LimeGreen]“I agree, we won’t back down from a fight, no matter the odds.”[/color]

She listened for a moment to what Billy, Teddy, and Martin had to say, then sighed. [color=LightSteelBlue]“While I appreciate the help, you might want to consider fleeing with everyone else. [i]I’m[/i] the one the Beyonder wants. I am at no risk of being seriously harmed in the short term because he wants to use my powers. Can’t very well do that if I’m dead or incapacitated, now can he? He won’t hurt me before he gets what he wants. The same can’t be said for you all. Once I reveal myself as the ‘Cosmic Traveler,’ as he calls me, they will ferry me straight to him.”[/color]

[color=YellowGreen]“Has it occured to you that he will be a bigger threat to us all if he gets your powers?”[/color] Loki inquired, crossing his arms. [color=YellowGreen]“Do you even have a plan?”[/color]

[color=LightSteelBlue]“I do,”[/color] she replied. [color=LightSteelBlue]“He will deactivate all power dampeners in our vicinity when he attempts to either steal my powers or force me to use them for his bidding. And that is when I’ll open a portal straight back to his [i]‘Beyond-Realm’[/i] and chuck him in.”[/color]

[color=LimeGreen]“One thing I still don’t understand,”[/color] Teddy began, [color=LimeGreen]“is why he even needs your powers if he’s already escaped.”[/color]

[color=LightSteelBlue]“Look, you guys are running out of time to escape. Enough questions. Just go!”[/color] America insisted. 

Teddy shook his head. [color=LimeGreen]“Sorry, but I’m not leaving you to face this threat alone.”[/color]

[color=YellowGreen]“Me either,”[/color] agreed Loki. [color=YellowGreen]“If you mess this up, we’re all bloody [i]fucked[/i], so I’m tagging along as well.”[/color]

Just then, they heard the sound of metal footsteps rushing through a nearby corridor, growing rapidly closer…