Elias wondered how his day could get any worse as he limped through the rain-soaked streets, holding his side and feeling the uncomfortable stickiness of his blood. He wasn't quite sure what he had been thinking when he decided to try and sneak back into the good graces of the Villain's Syndicate, but it was all he could do to escape with his life. Unfortunately, he had nowhere he would frequent where he would be totally safe, but he did have one idea. He was, however, loathe to admit that he had no better idea than her....
He hammered on the great front door of the manor, impatiently waiting as he knew he couldn't be any more soaked yet wanted to get inside as soon as possible. When the door finally opened, he was met with an unpleasantly familiar face who seemed both surprised and furious that he was the there.
"Why the hell...?" She began.
"Nowhere else to turn to." That was all Elias could manage before his vision faded and he felt his knees give way. He couldn't remember the last time he had truly, properly collapsed and his humiliation was only made worse by collapsing in front of a former nemesis. However, he also couldn't remember the last time he had truly rested.
His body felt weightless as he slowly returned to consciousness, a curious feeling to which the answer was revealed by opening his eyes. He was floating in one of the curious tubes which both heroes and villains used to recover faster, but the room outside the glass was almost foreign to him. It had been a while since the single time he had done been in this particular room.
"You've got a few questions to answer." He looked at the woman who had spoken, finding her leaning against a wall. Bubbles emanated from his face mask, but he knew they had technology to understand him.
"I wouldn't be here if I had another choice, Jessica," he sneered, leering at her through the thick glass.
"Then you must be desperate," she snapped.
"I am. My hideouts are most likely compromised, no thanks to our brief alliance against the Elix. An alliance you so graciously blackmailed me into...." She held his glare with her own which was partially what had drawn him to her. It was rare that he found one who could go toe-to-toe with him both physically and mentally.
"Sounds like you tried to make good on your promise," Jessica smirked. "You went back to the Syndicate despite the fact that I told you not to...." Her smirk only served to increase his hatred of her. "You know, for a telekinetic who boasts his impressive intellect, you be a massive moron." Elias weakly slammed his fist into the glass, slowed down due to his weakened state and the fluid surrounding him. A torrent of bubbles flew from his mouthpiece, but no translation followed.
He had forgotten about the censors within the system as, so far as he knew, he was the only person who triggered their puritan settings. "You really should learn to watch that mouth of yours. Very unbecoming of a gentleman like yourself...."
"Don't patronize me," he sneered. "Just let me go, and I shall be on my way...."
"I'm sorry, but that's not possible. You see, the injuries you sustained, from Toron I'm sure, are quite extensive. If they were surface level, we would be willing." HIs eyes grew wide at her words.
"So, you're just going to keep me here?" he inquired, incredulously. "And what, view me like a fish in a tank?" Her smirk broadened at his words, seeming to enjoy his discomfort. It had always been strange to him that she had turned to heroics with some of her slightly sadistic tendencies.
"I'm sure you'll adjust as the weeks drag on," she chuckled, leaving the room. His screams of rage came out muffled and as more bubbles as she left. Yet again, the universe had deemed it fit to humiliate him by allowing him to make his own choices. Fewer things in this world infuriated Elias more than allowing himself to be made a fool of...and here he was again with the final indignity.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt07StVIhJ
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