Chapter 20: Knocked Out

Chase's POV:

I force myself to remain silent throughout Douglas' entire confession, and continue to do so several minutes afterwards. I'd love to say his admission is completely out of left field, not to mention preposterous, but the exact same thing could be said about Bree and I's relationship. I know these two things aren't related, pun not intended, but the point still stands. It feels wrong to deny my uncle-father this request, when he's willing to face an angry Mr. Davenport for me. He may not be angry yet, but he will be tonight. He's bad enough when he's crossed with his children, but reaches a whole new level of rage with his brother. I'm essentially sending Douglas off to the firing squad, as the saying goes, as soon as we hit Mission Creek. "You've explained things quite well, I'll commend you on that. You're right about assuming you'll receive some backlash, but not just from Leo. Mr. Davenport seems to be fond of taking things to the extreme lately, at least that's what I've gathered from my brothers' complaints. I'd hide that container really well if I were you. I wouldn't put, raiding your lab to confiscate Marcus' remains, past him. You've done some questionable things in the past, and your judgement's been morally grey at best, but we've all been there. Granted, not nearly to the same degree as you, but that's besides the point. I trust your judgement now, and we do need all the help we can get in Centium City. We're with you on this, I'm sure Bree will agree once you ask. Just tell Adam he'll have a new punching buddy and he'll be on board. You could probably bribe Leo with the promise of bionic upgrades, though they'd have to be something pretty impressive to get him to refrain from interfering. Your best bet with Mr. Davenport would be to use protecting us a reason for resurrecting Marcus, he's apparently all for that at the moment.", I advise him.

Douglas regards me with an apprehensive stare, as if he can't believe I didn't debate him on this. He was clearly expecting as much by the way he prefaced his speech. I wonder how many counter points he thought up. How much time he actually took to prepare for this interaction before coming to fetch me. "You really mean it, you're on my side instead of Donny's?", he softly questions. He looks astounded, I'm sure I mirror his expression but for different reasons. "Have you already spoken to Mr. Davenport about this?", I counter. He immediately shakes his head. "No, but I already know he'll oppose me on this, like he does everything else. He always HAS to be right, and I always HAVE to be wrong. Which can't happen if we're agreeing on something.", Douglas pouts. That sounds about right. I'm surprised he didn't go behind everyone's back already to reassemble Marcus, then worry about how we would react after. "You guys still fight more than Adam and I ever did, I take it.", I comment as I hand Marcus' remains back to him. He delicately takes the capsule from me. "Hey! I'll have you know we- well actually, you're not wrong.", he admits. A smirk forms across my face. "I rarely ever am.", I joke. He laughs wholeheartedly. "Careful, or I'll be forced to think you've taken after my brother instead of me.", Douglas parries back. He's under the belief that I'm more similar to him than I am Mr. Davenport? He's implied as much a few times in the past, but I always assumed it was in an effort to relate to me.

To endear him himself to his estranged children. I figured he found ways to compare himself to Bree and Adam as well. "Well he did raise my siblings and I. It'd only be logical that we adopted some of his personality traits growing up.", I point out. Douglas flinches at the reminder, and I immediately feel remorse for bringing such a thing up. Is it really rubbing salt on the wound when the wound's decades old? "Still a sore subject?", I tentatively ask. He shoots me a withering glare as he tightens his hold on Marcus' capsule. "You try having your kids ripped away from you and see how you like it!", he defensively snaps. I hold my hands up in a sign of peace and surrender. "I'm sure that was an extremely traumatic and painful experience, especially since it involved Mr. Davenport. We're here now though, doesn't that count as something?", I say in an attempt to soothe this temperamental state of his. "Oh yeah, I get to hang around in the background as the 'formerly evil' uncle, getting tossed a few crumbs here and there. While Donny's in the forefront as the 'good and holy' father, enjoying the whole loaf. Counts as a whole lot don't it?", Douglas snarks. I didn't realize he had such a problem with being perceived as an uncle instead of a father figure. You'd think he'd enjoy not having as many responsibilities, being lax with us in opposition to Mr. Davenport's strict nature. "You've never mentioned this before.", I can't help but say. This somehow feels even more out of left field than rebuilding Marcus does.

Has he just kept his feelings bottled up for our sakes, or perhaps his own? His own would be more likely. I think hashing it out with Mr. Davenport would be even more painful, contrary to pretending it doesn't bother him. "Like that would've went over all that well. I got stuck as the uncle the minute HE took the three of you away from me. You've all made it abundantly clear who you see as your father. I'd rather chew on broken glass, than see that self satisfied smirk of his while you all hover around him and put me in my place.", he bitterly remarks. He really wants to be our father, for my siblings and I to call him 'dad'? I remember when Douglas rescued me from that avalanche. I thought he was an evil, creepy monster. Tracking us, using my failure as the opportune time to strike. He told me I could call him dad if I wanted to, after I had referred to him as Mr. Davenport. All in an attempt to lure him back to the lab with me so I could double cross him. I declined the offer, he took it all in stride. I assumed he was using me for his nefarious plans and petty grudge against Mr. Davenport. Was he reaching out and trying to be a father to me, in his own weird evil way, back then? I wouldn't count trapping all of us in his evil lair as him wanting to win his kids over. Get us back, sure. I wonder if the winning over part would've happened sometime later. Was the triton app just ensurance, so we wouldn't run back to Mr. Davenport as soon as the opportunity presented itself? That is, if he had the intention of letting his brother go, alive.

How much did it hurt, when I refused to acknowledge him as my father? Did the pain worsen when I made it clear that I'd never turn my back on family, for him of all people? Should I be viewing all of his previous actions as those of a lonely broken father, desperate to have his children returned to him? "He took us away from you because you were evil. You wanted to use us as mindless bionic soldiers, renting us out to whomever had the most money. You do understand his reasoning behind-", I start explaining before he vehemently cuts me off. "Oh please! You don't seriously buy that load of crap Donny spoon feeds you all about me, do you? I only turned evil to separate myself from that attention whore, get myself out of his egotistical shadow. Believe it or not, Donny was the jerk in the family. We were like you and your brother, except Adam actually loves you. He used to toss you around because he was bigger, and finds enjoyment in throwing things most normal people can't. It's probably second nature for him since his main ability is super strength. Donny on the other hand, was a bully. He knew better, but he just liked being cruel. I was mom's favorite and he hated it. So he made it his mission in life to outshine me in everything while making my life a living Hell. Do you know how many times I had to go to the emergency room after Fisto Roboto got a little too overzealous? Who was really the bad one there? I may have been evil when I created you three, but I never would've put Adam, Bree, and you in harms way. You were all too young for anything bionic soldier related. It would've taken years of training, probably into your mid to late teens, before I would've considered weaponizing you. By then I would've been too attached, I would've loved you all too much, to lease you out to the highest bidders. I might've had you steal parts for my inventions, go undercover, that sort of thing, but that's it. I honestly don't know if Donny whisked you away because he expected the worst from me, thought he could raise you better than I ever could, or just to hurt me in a way I never thought he'd be able to. I'd bet money on it being all three if I had any money to gamble.", Douglas reveals.

I'm once again rendered speechless, and also slack jawed, by Douglas' monologues. Before I can even think about responding, Leo bursts into the lab. Looking quite frantic if his wild eyes and ragged breaths are anything to go by. I'm overwhelmed, and not entirely sure if I should be grateful or frustrated by the interruption. We whip around to face him as Douglas suspiciously hides Marcus' container behind his back. God, does the man lack tact and subtly? Well, he is a Davenport. Though I'm not sure if that's such a good thing anymore... "What's behind your back? Actually nevermind, I don't wanna know. Well actually, I kinda do but-", Leo starts rambling as soon as his breathing's returned to normal. "Leo! Did you need something?", Douglas interrupts. It's a good thing he did, since my brain still feels a bit muddled. For a lack of a better term that is. Leo's eyes widen in what appears to be horror, he looks stricken. It feels like a lead weight's been dropped into my stomach due to dread. Whatever Leo's rushed in here to say, isn't anything we'd like to hear. "It's Rodissius and his evil spawn, they've kidnapped Bree.", he gravely informs us. My mind screeches to a halt, my heart stutters, and I'd swear to every God in existence that time froze for a moment. "WHAT?!", Douglas and I simultaneously exclaim. Leo doesn't answer, choosing to spin around and flee. Motioning for us to follow him, we don't hesitate. HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED, AND WHEN?! SHE WAS WITH OUR BROTHERS WHEN I STEPPED OUT, AND WE'RE ON AN ISLAND FULL OF BIONIC HEROES! YOU CAN'T MOVE FIVE FEET IN ANY GIVEN DIRECTION WITHOUT PASSING BY SEVERAL FORMER STUDENTS! HOW DID THEY MANAGE TO CORNER AND THEN WHISK HER OFF?! This is all my fault, isn't it?.. I brought her here, this was my idea, I'm responsible..

Bree's POV:

Ow, everything's black and my head hurts. I was, asleep? Huh, I don't remember dozing off. Last time I checked I was getting some food from the cafeteria when- OH GOD I WAS WITH KATE! She was acting uber weird. Like she was super paranoid about running into someone, or, was she looking for someone?.. It was a trap! Unless we were ambushed? We must have been. I mean why would she- unless that wasn't Kate? There's no way Roman, Riker, and the rest of them, could've known we'd be at the Bionic Island at that specific time tho. Have they been monitoring the apartment? If they have, why did they wait until just now? Assuming they were gunning for me since I flashlight hands'd their dad, they could've taken Chase and I that night we bummed around the city on our unofficial official 1st date. I guess they wouldn't have had the complete element of surprise and the guarantee of snatching me if they did it that way tho. At least this way Chase is safe and very much not captured right now. He was still off with our uncle doing important sciency stuff, I doubt they would've been able to pull him away. Plus, Uncle Douggie's lab is chalk full of weapons and other misc. stuff he's invented. They wouldn't wanna go near that, and if they did, let's just say it wouldn't end well for them. Seeing as how those boys both have a bone to pick with the shapeshift crew, maybe even more so than the rest of the team, there'd be no holding 'em back. Heads would definitely roll, possibly even literally.

I turn my head to the side, wincing at the throbbing pain the action caused. Okay, I seriously have to get out of here, and get some ibuprofen. Man, whichever one of those mother fuckers cold-cocked me in the back of the skull sure has a helluva swing. Is there a burlap sack over my head? That explains why it's so dark. Tho it's kinda a bit stereotypical for kidnappings, but if it ain't broke don't fix it I guess. I wiggle my shoulders, it feels like I'm tied to a chair. Pffttt, amateurs, I can get outta this no problem. I'll just use the momentum of my super speed to snap these ropes and be on my way. I should be in the clear since I don't hear anyone, but that doesn't really mean much. Chase's super hearing would've really come in handy right about now. Eh, it's probably fine. I should activate my invisibility app as soon as I get free tho, just to be on the safe side. I yank my arms in opposite directions, but the rope doesn't budge. The fuck? I try again, and again, but I can't break free. Okay either I've miraculously gotten slower, and weaker, or these ropes are reinforced with something. Do special ropes that're made to hold superheroes down exist? If they do, it's just my luck that these jerks would have some. "Well it looks like someone's awake.", a female voice taunts. Crap, it looks like I don't have the option of pretending to still be out cold. Wait a minute, I'd recognize that bitchy tone anywhere. "Reese.", I bite out. She's sooo lucky I can't get outta this right now, or I would sooo be kicking her ass.

She should be burnt to a crisp for what she put Chase through, and for what she did to Douglas. No worse, tortured then burnt to a crisp. Well, that's approaching villain territory, but it's probably still morally grey enough to be passable. The burlap sack is ripped from my head, and I'm face to face with Reese's stupid smug face. I shoot her the dirtiest look ever, and I'd totally being flipping her off if I could move my hands right now. "So, how're you feeling? Nice and comfy I hope, cause you're gonna be here for a while.", she sneers. What a cow, I hate her. "I'm feeling well rested and more than capable of kicking your ass.", I snark. She laughs at me, the bitch fucking has the nerve to laugh at me! How dare she, I'm super intimidating! Okay well not SUPER, but definitely more intimidating than like half of the team. "YOU kick MY ass? Ha! It's kinda hard to do that when you're tied to a chair. Don't you think?", she teases. I strain against these dumb ropes, still nothing. Damnit! "I won't be tied to this chair for much longer, and when I get out of this, you're gonna regret messing with my family and me.", I growl. I'm bluffing of course, about the 1st part. I currently have no idea how the Hell I'm supposed to get outta this. I wonder if my thermo nuclear body blast would weaken these ropes enough for me to escape. Even if it could, I can't exactly try it while Reese is standing right in front of me. The charge up time for that isn't the fastest, and I can't risk being knocked out again. With how my day's going so far, I'd probably end up in a cage hanging from the ceiling or something. In addition to STILL being tied to this crumby chair.

"Ooooo, I'm so scared.", Reese snorts before booping my nose. I use my super speed to bite the tip of her grubby finger off. She lets out a yelp as she pulls her hand back. I spit out the bit of skin I managed to get while she cradles her finger. "You should be!", I retort. She moves to lunge at me. "You bitch!", she screeches. Oh no you don't, I may be restricted, but I can still deliver a wicked headbutt if you try it. A loud whistle stops Reese in her tracks. We both whip our heads in the direction of the noise, and I finally notice the rest of my surroundings. Fuck, I was so zeroed in on Reese that I didn't even piece together that we're in some kind of mysterious warehouse. Filled with random and varying sized crates. Suppose that's not the most concerning thing in the room when I realize where the whistling noise came from, Reese's douche bag of a dad, Rodissius. "Damn, I was really hoping I had killed you off.", I comment. Which earns me a punch in the face from Reese. My head snaps back, and it takes all my willpower to not cry out. I refuse to give either of them the satisfaction. I feel a dribble of blood leak out of my nose. Ugh, that tickles. Really wish I could wipe it away right about now. Rodissius lets out a gross little chuckle. "My daughter, as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, we need her to remain conscious and capable of speech.", he warmly chides. Reese fucking beams at him, as if he's said the equivalent of 'I'm so proud of you'. Which he probably just did now that I think about it. Man, and I thought my family was unconventional.

"As you wish, father.", she easily agrees. God that can't be healthy. What is this, a dictatorship? I'd make a sarcastic comment about it if I didn't think it'd earn me another hit to the face. I'll be damned if I have to sit here and let that bitch break my nose. Imagine how gross and discolored my face would look with all that swelling! "Good, now, go fetch your brothers. The nice ones, mind you. We wouldn't want to frighten our guest.", Rodissius tells his daughter. She bows her head before running off to do as she's told. I'm getting Victor Krane and his bionic army vibes from that dynamic, and I don't like it. "So, Bionic Girl, you're probably wondering why you're here.", he starts off. Oh brother, please don't tell me I have to sit through 10 minutes of evil monologue. "Well I'm guessing it either has something to do with The List, or the fact that I knocked you on your ass in front of your kids.", I snark. I see something flash across his face, but it's gone before I can figure out what kind of reaction I just got outta him. Meh, he's probably trying to hold back his anger or something. Give the illusion of being in complete control of the situation and all that junk. He aims a cold grin in my direction, and it immediately makes me regret the decision to wear a skirt. Like he is serving, creepy older dude standing across the street in the middle of the night with a suspicious burlap sack, but maybe that's just me projecting stuff onto him. He limps over to me. Huh, I guess my flashlight hands really did do a number on him. He should really get a cane or something, that can't be good for his legs or wherever else he's injured.

Tho that'd 'make him look weak' or whatever, and everyone knows by now how much he hates that. He reaches out and brushes a stray lock of hair behind my ear. Ewww, creepy older dude vibes intensifies. I jerk my head away, making the chair I'm tied to wobble a little. Rodissius takes the hint and backs up a bit. Wish he'd moonwalk all the way out of the room, but beggars can't be choosers. "Something like that yes. It seems that the list of Superheroes is, no longer up to date, but we'll get to that later. The main reason why you're here is due to the fact that you're something special. It's not every day that one comes across a bionic hero, who has superpowers.", he reveals. Oh crap, crap crap CRAP! Maybe flashlight hands-ing him wasn't the brightest idea? It's not like I have Adam's laser vision or Leo's laser spheres that could've been passed off as a bionic ability, and there was noooo way I was letting this guy get off scot free after what he had Reese do to Chase. I HAD to hit him with something. Hey wait a minute, how would he even know that flashlight hands isn't a bionic ability? "Are you sure you're not mixing up bionics and superpowers? It happens more often than you'd think. The fine line between the 2 is pretty blurry after all.", I suggest. That sounds like a plausible explanation, right? Either way, deny, deny, take it to the grave. Because the statement, Bree The Bionic Hero has superpowers, leads to a certain million dollar question. How the Hell does Bree The BIONIC Hero have superpowers? Nothing good would come out of opening that particular can of worms.

Skylar and I got off lucky when neither of us kicked the bucket after the Arcturion incident. We can't risk tempting fate again by playing Russian roulette with a magic space rock. "Do you take me for a fool? I know REAL superpowers when I see them. Not the cheap manufactured imitations you Davenports are known for.", he snaps. CHEAP? IMITATIONS?! The nerve of this hazbin, what an ass! "Hey! I'll have you know-", I start to object before he steamrolls right over me. "Why do you think we were willing to let you and your brother step away from this fight during that first altercation?", Rodissius brings up. Cause that's 2 less people your brats would've had to square off against? I open my mouth to tell him as much, but apparently he wasn't done ranting yet. "You're just normies playing dress up with fancy gadgets. Without that little computer chip lodged in the back of your neck, you're nothing. If we took that square of technology out of the equation, maybe then you'd understand my pain, how I feel. Be more sympathetic towards my plight. Though I suppose this doesn't exactly apply to you now, does it? No sense in wasting your breath denying it either. Your deceit might have been enough to fool a lesser man, but I wasn't born yesterday.", he mouths off. Well someone has a love hate relationship with their own self worth. Either you're above and better than everyone, or you're nothing. God, and what is it with bad guys being all like, 'oh poor me!'. 'Be all sorry and understanding when it comes to me and my personal problems, while I destroy the world and anyone who tries to stop me.'.

"You definitely weren't born yesterday. In fact, I'm pretty sure you're even older than Mr. Davenport! Having superpowers doesn't make you, or anyone else, automatically better than the bionic heroes that risk their lives to save others. I'd still be of use to my team as a 'normie'. My brother Leo wasn't originally bionic, but he still helped us on missions! Hell, I couldn't tell you how many times he's saved us as a 'NORMIE'. If you feel useless, that's on you. You could've joined the Mighty Med Hospital, when it still existed. You knew about the bionic island right? You could've come to us, offered to help train the students in combat and mission scenarios. We could've given you bionics and sent you back out into the world to do good. You could've even had the option to stay with us and help if you wanted to. At least that's what COULD'VE happened if you weren't so snobby, proud, and bitter!", I snap. Within seconds Rodissius is back inside my personal space bubble. Looming over me like a creep of course. I had hoped that laying out alternate options for 'being of use' would've made him rethink his life decisions for at least a couple of minutes. "ENOUGH OF THIS! I couldn't possibly expect you of all people to comprehend- a hero turned into nothing due to others 'acting on your behalf'! I've been reduced to a normie with no purpose! Even so, I refuse to sully my name by becoming a 'bionic hero'. I mean, what a joke you all are, shameful really.", he bemoans. Okay, clearly he won't listen to reason and has a 1 track mind about this whole thing.

"Oh no, I've got it. I've even went a while without my bionics myself. I was a stupid teenager who wanted normal, and didn't like the responsibilities and sacrifices of being bionic, so I smashed my own chip. I snapped out of it once I realized that my brothers, and the world, needed me. Not to mention that being normal isn't all that I thought it was cracked up to be. In the end I got a replacement chip, and unintentionally brought my family closer together. What's shameful is how you talk about bionics, as if getting bitten by a radioactive spider or something is so much more honorable.", I scoff. Rodissius gives me a once over, before dropping down to his knees. Okay, this is getting weird. Well, WEIRDER. We're at eye level with each other and I don't like it. "So you understand the feeling, yes? Of being powerless, reduced to less than by some incident. Even if you don't understand my mission, you know- how would you have felt? If your family couldn't restore your abilities? You would've been forced to watch from the sidelines as they became the heroes they are today. Would you have still been so insistent that being normal didn't matter, if you thought there was no hope in being restored to your former glory? Being a superhero is all that I ever was, what does that make me now? You see don't you?", he pleads with me. Why is he so hellbent on other people feeling his pain? Is it an 'if I have to hurt so does everyone else' kinda thing? Maybe I can use that appeal to his better nature, or whatever's left of it anyway?

It's worth a shot, bantering back and forth isn't exactly doing me any favors. This dude's mental state is clearly fucked. "You're right about that, I get how you feel, but not why you're doing this. Well, not THIS this, but the thing with the List Of Superheroes. They didn't take your powers away, they're the good guys. If you take them out of commission, who'll stop the bad guys from destroying the world? You do still care about the world, don't you? If you still had your powers, you'd still be a superhero, out there fighting the good fight.", I gently say. He looks pained, I think I'm getting somewhere. Not gonna lie, I am wondering what he'd actually do if he got his powers, or any powers really, back. I'm obviously not gonna risk Skylar's life or, anyone else's, to find out. Suppose that'll just be another what if scenario. "Why, I'd assume your Bionic Heroes would do their very best to pick up any slack. Seeing as you helped ready them for the world, one would think you'd have more faith in them. Every superhero out there is going to pay, just as I did. This is worse than death, which brought me to the realization that dying is a mercy. A mercy I don't think I'll grant my former comrades. I'm going to find a way to strip every hero of their powers, including the rest of your Elite Force. If I have to suffer, then so does everyone else. So if it's any consolation, the only ones who will perish, are the ones who dare to stand in my way.", Rodissius relents. Okay, so that's still very much not of the good. Though it's progress, kind of.

I mean, going from homicide to stripping people of their powers is an improvement if I've ever seen 1. "I have all the faith in the world in my former students, but that's not the point. The point is, you want to make good people suffer. Which in turn's gonna make the whole planet suffer.", I reply. If I can drive home the entire population suffrage part, I might be able to get him to see reason. Rodissius lets out a huff, and looks like he's this close to crossing his arms and pouting. "Good! The world, and everyone in it, deserves to suffer!", he exclaims. I have to hold back the sigh that's trying to claw it's way out of my windpipes. 2 steps forward, 1 step back. Or was it, 1 step forward, 2 steps back? Whatever, it doesn't matter, I know what I mean and that's what counts. "The world didn't take away your powers, and neither did all those innocent superheroes. Taking their powers won't bring yours back you know.", I point out. Please tell me I'm starting to wear him down. Idk how much longer I can placate this dude, and I doubt Reese & Crew'll let me continue to talk him down once they get back from wherever the Hell they are. He stands back up, and a flicker of panic rushes through me. Wait, come back. Did I not lay things on thick enough, or was it too much? "No, it won't, but that was never the goal. Surely you have enough intelligence to see that. YOU, my dear, are going to be the one who restores me.", he says with a rueful smile. Danger danger, wave the red flags, sound the alarms, I'm DEFINITELY not gonna like where this is going.

Before I can ask him to expand upon that, which I'm not sure if that's a blessing or a curse, Reese rolls back up with Roman and Riker in tow. Well, at least these are the siblings I've dealt with before. I sort of know what to expect here. "Ah, children! There you are. I feared you'd gotten lost along the way somewhere with how long it was taking you.", Rodissius laughs out. Reese shoots her brothers a harsh glare over her shoulder, as if they're the problem here. They look apologetic, so I guess they are? Eh, I can only assume, I wasn't there after all. He beckons his kids over. They quickly and happily comply. "We're sorry, Father. SOMEONE misplaced the video camera, and it took us a while to find it.", Roman apologizes while glancing over at his brother. Wow, these siblings sure do like to play the blame game. Wait a minute, video camera? What the Hell do these sicko have planned? Dad of the year here waves his hand in a dismissive gesture. "No matter, you've found it now and that's it. Besides, your delay gave me some extra time to spare in getting to know our guest. You see, children, this girl is very important to us.", Rodissius explains. I'm not sure if 'Girl' is an upgrade or downgrade from 'Bionic Girl'. Considering how he talks about bionics, and the way Reese scoffs in distain, I'd say an upgrade. "You might as well call me Bree if you're gonna talk about me.", I mouth off. Miss Fist Happy takes that personally and moves to hit me again. Crap, I was really hoping being considered important by her dad would've been enough to keep her in check.

She should really get some therapy for those anger issues. Said dad dropping a hand on her shoulder does the trick though. Thank God, cause I'm a lot of things, but being this chick's punching bag isn't on the résumé. "She's right of course. The least we can do is show our guest, Bree, some decency. She is the key to replacing, or perhaps even restoring, my powers. That's worth something in my book.", Rodissius acknowledges. As if he's said the secret code, his kids perk up, and their animosity is replaced with curiosity and shock. Plop some antler headbands on 'em, and they'd give a killer deer in headlights impression. "How is that possible?", Riker wonders. His brother can only give the silent equivalent of, what he said, by nodding along. While Reese on the other hand, who clearly has some vendetta against me specifically, gears up to oppose any suggestion that doesn't involve torturing/murdering yours truly. "Silly Boy, as if the answer to that redundant question isn't sitting right in front of us. Bree here, didn't just miraculously wake up one morning with superpowers. Well, not without a just cause of course. So as long as our darling Bree cooperates, and shares with us how her new existence as a superhero came to be..", Rodissius trails off. Yep, I was right, I DEFINITELY don't like where this is going. Also, I'm not sure I like this guy using my actual name after all. It just feels like he's sprinkling it in wherever he has the chance, mockingly, just to be an ass. "You'll have powers again!", Reese chirps in delight.

"And all will be as it should.", Roman adds on. That's under the awfully bold assumption that I'll actually tell any of you fuckers anything. Superpower Purist over there grins in the most unsettling way I've ever seen, and again, makes me regret this skirt I'm wearing. It's not even that he looks like a perv per say, he's just- I'm very uncomfortable. "What if she doesn't cooperate?", Reese voices her concern. See, I knew it! She's just looking for an excuse to beat me up! What a bitch. "That's what the video camera is for. I'm sure Bree's Elite Force would be more than willing to help fill in the blanks, in exchange for the safe return of their most important member.", Rodissius soothes. Well double crap! Either way I'm fucked six ways from Sunday. My saving grace is if the team's sent some ransom video, they'll be able to track it like we did with Skylar. Okay we get kidnapped wayyyy to often. Occupational hazard of being a hero I guess. I wonder if these ropes would run interference with the ability to track and locate my chip. Chase should be able to get a ping on me no problem if it doesn't. Yeah, and then they'll come pick me up. We can kick these shapeshifters' asses as a team! Everything'll work out, and I'll be fineeee. "Excellent idea, Father!", Riker exclaims. Wow, way to hop on the, blowing smoke up Rodissius' ass train. "So, it's settled then! Why don't you three go ahead and set up the camera? I want to document everything, it'll be a surefire way to keep our facts straight.", Daddy Shapeshifter excitedly suggests.

Well, so much for waiting for the room to clear out so I can attempt to bust outta here. Triple R over here are practically tripping over each other in their haste to follow their father's orders. They're swarming, pun intended, that video camera they've told to set up a few feet from me. A tripod is magically pulled from their asses, seriously, I have no idea where they were hiding that thing. Within minutes the camera is up and running, all while Rodissius is in the corner hyping himself up for this. "I'm surprised you don't have a clipboard full of prewritten out questions. Seems a bit sloppy if you ask me.", I offhandedly mention. Alright so not so much offhandedly, and more like me trying to forestall this interview for as long as possible. "Good thing no one asked you then.", Reese snaps from behind the camera. I let out a huff. Nervy cunt. "It's an even better thing that I wasn't talking to you then isn't it?", I counter. "Both of you be quiet unless you're spoken to.", Roman chides. Man, his cuteness is really wasted on him. What with that kind of personality and all. I wonder what he was like before his dad turned all evil and stuff. He could've been a cool, fun-loving, guy for all I know. It'd make sense, his father IS a Debbie Downer about things. "Let's not argue guys.", Riker pleads. At least he still seems pretty nice. "Okay YOU I like.", I say while nodding to the brother who's ACTUALLY nice. He smiles at me until Roman slaps him upside the head. "Focus, man! Don't let a pretty girl get in your head.", he scolds.

Awww, they think I'm pretty? Where was this kinda commentary weeks ago when I was single and alone? Not that I regret how things have turned out with Chase of course, but still. A girl likes to feel appreciated after all. "Pretty's a bit of a stretch don't you think?", Reese laughs. I narrow my eyes at her. Going for the throat I see, fine, 2 can play it that way. "Funny, I could say the same thing about you. Except in your case, it's more of a giant leap than a stretch.", I retort. Rodissius glides into my personal space, and whatever retort the petty bitch had to say dies on her lips. "That's quite enough, children. Now, for the camera Bree, would you mind stating your full name?", he requests. Eh, fine, that's a harmless enough starter question. I'll indulge him in this at least. "Brianna Michelle Davenport, but I just go by Bree, obviously.", I answer. He nods without commenting. "Age and gender?", he probes. We're breezing right through this then I guess, in a weird clinical way. "This feels like I'm filling out introductory paperwork at the doctor's office.", I joke. He doesn't look amused by it, but at least he doesn't look pissed. So that's always a plus. "Age and gender, Bree.", he tries again. Does he think using my name is gonna earn him some bonus points or something? I mean, it gives him a few, but he already wasted them on the full name question. "20, female.", I sigh. God, I'm almost tempted to tell him to cut to the chase and get to the grilling for information. Almost being the keyword here. I hate this, but I'll suffer through it. I gotta give the team as much time as possible to hopefully notice I'm missing, and track me down.

"Address and occupation?", Rodissius follows up. Actually, is being knocked out again an option? "Oh come on, you know where I live and what my 'occupation' is.", I complain. This is either a smart move by me, aka, stalling. Or me being an idiot and speeding up the preliminary portion of the interview. "We need it stated by you for the records, Bree.", he says like it's obvious. WHAT RECORDS? I thought these douches were just filming this to keep their facts straight, and to possibly get some B-roll for the ransom video. He gives me this pointed look that tells me this isn't up for debate, and I don't wanna test his patience yet. Not so soon. "Davenport Tower Penthouse, Centium City. Bionic Superhero, and a member of the Elite Force.", I drone out. He lets out a hum while lightly nodding. I roll my eyes. Not because he's nodding along, that makes sense, seeing as how EVERYONE HERE ALREADY KNEW THAT. "Which floor?", he asks me to clarify. OH FOR THE LOVE OF- "110th.", I spit out. I glance over at the trio of idiots behind the camera. Riker looks sympathetic, I knew I liked him. Roman looks bored, yeah buddy, you and me both. Reese of course is finding great amusement in my suffering, I can't wait to kick her ass next time I get the chance. "You live with your team yes, this Elite Force?", Rodissius carries on. I swear if I could bang my head against the concrete, I would. "Yes.", I say with much more patience than I'm currently feeling. "How many members are in this team, including yourself?", is his next question. His end goal is to drive me insane, isn't it?