33 - Byzantine Menace//Lea

The wind whipped around them, carrying with it an overcomplicated piano piece laid over a thumping drum machine noise. Somewhere in the background, a nondescript voice was yelling out 'YEAH's as a purple light enveloped the undeniably old Mr. Foley.

When the light receded, his sensible outfit was replaced by a pair of purple leather pants and a sleeveless, sparkling purple shirt with an attached cape. His arms, previously scrawny under his tailored shirt, were now undeniably muscular, as if he'd just spent an aeon in the gym.

His leg muscles bulged in his silver polythene pants, and he'd gained a few inches in height thanks to a pair of platform black boots. The large platforms holding him up were translucent and filled with water.

Completing the look were two leather straps on each of his arms fitted with grommets, a pair of purple finglerless gloves, and a purple and silver mask that was curved around the edges; exchanging the pomp of the Phantom's masks for an already outdated modern twist.

"That's... new," Nora managed to say.

"It's vintage, actually," Mr. Foley said, the rattle in his voice gone. It made him sound like he was even more in charge.

"New wave," Lea said, recalling it from her study of the history of Europop. "Rave music."

"Exactly!" Mr. Foley agreed, taking the moment to flex his now oversized muscles. "Magic is real! I feel alive!"

"I can see city hall from here!"

Paxton didn't seem too impressed. He'd managed to crawl away from Navy, Mr. Foley and Deanney whilst everybody was busy watching the light show. Even though his face was barely two inches off the ground his eyes were full of fire.

"Navy," he yelled, still trying to crawl back into a standing position. "You! Betrayed! Me!"

"I believed everything you said, even the butler story!" he said. "I trusted you."

"Oh no," Navy said confidently. "That part was true, it was just what came after that I might have misstated."

"And what are you going to do about it, son?" Mr. Foley asked. "I hold more power than you ever will again!"

"Shut up!" was all Paxton shouted, raising his right hand high; in it was his Noiz. His blue eyes turned an even more vivid blue. A moment later, bright blue light was pouring out of his eyes.

"How did he get that?" Mr. Foley asked Navy, who shook his head worriedly whilst checking his pockets.

"What's going on?" Lea asked.

"Don't forget Lea," Nora said. "We're the Heist Phantoms."

Navy suddenly screamed as he turned out his pockets. But it was too late; Lea finally understood.

"How did he get that?" Mr. Foley repeated angrily.

"He stole it off your bumbling butler," Deanney chimed in with a start.

Paxton floated into the air, his entire body overcome with a blinding blue light as they were all hit by the tell-tale sounds of EDM.

He shouted angrily, the light getting even brighter.

"Come on," Nora said, grabbing Lea's hand. "I have a feeling it's our time to shine."

"Navy, Deanney, stand back," Mr. Foley said. "I, Ultraviolet, will protect you!"

"Ha!" he shouted, stepping forward and flexing his muscles. "Is this you, life? Where have you been hiding all these years?"

"Hear that, Navy?" Paxton voice shouted, echoing all around them. Lea couldn't believe how glad she was to see the monochromatic blue outfit, complete with hoodie, again. "Your precious Sir isn't even creative to come up with a name better than Ultraviolet Phantom. How lazy."

Even as his volume spiked, he was still the same Paxton, Lea thought. He'd finally come down, and she and Nora stood either side of him.

"Okay then!" Mr. Foley conceded. "From this moment on, I, the finest specimen of humanity, am the Byzantine Phantom!"

"Because of how ridiculously complex this whole thing has?" Deanney asked as they backed away.

"This is clearly not the time for jokes, Ms. Queen," Navy said, his eyes still trained on Paxton. Lea could understand his fear; she was equally as mad at his plan to trick Paxton into bringing them here.

She'd have to settle for taking it out on his boss.

The Mayor.

Her first fight ever and it was against the Mayor of Paradox City.