Chapter 24

It was a few years ago as Steiner was sitting at his computer, typing and focus on his work. His eyes were dead on the screen as he remembered glimpses of Jane's death, experimenting on the people and kids and inflicted pain onto others. He even remembers how Russo made him work constantly and even got him beaten up and left on the floor. Steiner then stopped typing as he looked to the side and saw a picture that he, Russo and Jane took a picture together when they were younger. Steiner takes off his glasses and leans his head down and started break down into tears. And on the screen was a file called Project Fox Hunt. Suddenly, flashing to the present, Steiner is sitting in his lab on a chair. Meanwhile, the others were listening at the circus.

"You want him dead?" Emilia asked.

"Yes, I do." Steiner replied.

"Then why haven't you killed him?" Said Ghigau asked.

"Russo knew of my feelings towards him. He knew better to break me down and force me to be loyal to him. And it worked. Until it was thanks to Stacy. She reminded me of what Russo took away and how he was become just like this family heads who wrong him. An endless cycle of hate that he wanted to stop. Yet ironically. He continued it. So, I started planning. I need to let you all escape. I knew one of you were going to try to stop Russo. No matter the cost. And my prediction was right, since it was Stacy who took that role." Said Steiner.

"But I mean, why not kill him when you have the chance?" Allen asked.

"Do you think Russo is an idiot? He made sure that I wasn't scheming anything against him. I couldn't get near him unless he wanted me to. I almost was able to kill him during his operation of changing bodies. But one of his men held a gun to my head the whole time and another man was my assistance who was well educated in surgery. One wrong move and I would've been given away. So there were very little room of opportunity. But I bided my time and the only time I knew he was going to let his guard down is if he won a victory towards you all." Said Steiner.

"Makes some sense." Said Mary.

"But how do you plan on doing that?" Irons asked.

"I made Russo's new body by cloning his body from cells I had when he was young. But I placed a device in him that helps him use his abilities. Since those abilities are not his. That's why I made the gun D has. It can be used on anyone as long as the round attaches itself to its target. But it's mostly affective on those who I implanted abilities to." Said Steiner.

"Like the Capos." Said Beverly.

"Precisely. Emilia, why do you think Ursula has the same ability as you? Her ability came from you. The Capos are artificial enhanced. Abilities that I took from other enhances." Said Steiner.

"That would make since. Those guys randomly got their abilities out of nowhere." Said Mary.

"But why is it more affective?" Albert asked.

"Because I specifically made it that way. I plan on making more for my Letters. Since making the rounds take time. So they only have 5 chances." Said Steiner.

"But why attacks right now? Is that counterintuitive?" Beverly asked.

"I planned this to make it look like I was getting rid of you with 2 of my Letters. Russo and his men will grow suspicious if I randomly sent my Letters to the enemy." Said Steiner.

"Smart move. But some of got hurt." Said Beverly.

"If it means anything to any of you. I do apologize. But the attack need to look real." Said Steiner.

"So what is the plan?" Allen asked.

"Russo is planning to have a meeting with all of his Capos. I am also invited. I plan on betraying Russo during the meeting as all of my Letters shot him and his Capos. There, they all will force him and his capos out of the tower. As that happens, they all will land in specific areas where you all will aid my letters in fighting. I was going to talk to Stacy in private about who will fight who. But that depends on who will fight." Said Steiner.

"Can you give us a minute?" Stacy asked.

"Of course. Take your time. I don't have much to do right now." Said Steiner.

Stacy turned off the device as she looked at everyone as they all were quiet.

"So…will you guys fight with me?" Stacy asked.

"Hell yeah! I'm with you, Stacy!" Said Mina.

"You want to work with that man?" Emilia asked.

"I don't care. Things have gotten…really bad. And I know what this guy has done. But Russo needs to be stop once and for all! And I won't stop after what he and his stupid goons did to my parents! And if that dumb doctor double crosses us! I'll show him my new move called the pain train, can do!" Said Mina.

"I'd love to see that. And as long as you fight, Watson. Me and the other families will fight as well." Said Mary.

"You know my answer." Said Irons.

"If you're saying yes, Irons. I'm in. We have to have to original team together, right?" Said Allen.

"Guys?" Stacy asked Emilia, Jean-Pierre and Ghigau.

"I don't know." Said Ghigau.

"I'm with her." Said Emilia.

"I'm with you, Stacy." Said Jean-Pierre.

"Jean…" Said Emilia.

"Steiner is the lesser of two evils. It does make since how we were able to escape that day. I thought it was lucky, but it was him. I won't forget what he did. But holding onto that, will only causes us to cling to our hate. But I don't want that. I want to move and live my life with you all as a family." Said Jean-Pierre as he held Emilia and Ghigau's hands.

"You had to say family." Said Ghigau as she and Emilia smiled.

"Okay, let's do this together. As a family." Said Emilia.

Stacy walked over and hugged them as Stacy turned towards Beverly, Kimberly, Carlos and Ray.

"I won't ask you to fight. I only want to say that I'm truly grateful for everything you've done for our team. I'd prefer it if you stayed here, until things got calmed down." Said Stacy.

"I want to—!" Said Kimberly.

"Wait…" Said Beverly as she stood up.

"Bev, don't try and—" Said Kimberly.

"I said wait! I'm the older sister! So overruled!" Said Beverly.

"That's not fa…hmph! I hate when she uses that." Said Kimberly with a pouty face.

"What did she use?" Carlos asked.

"It's probably a sibling thing." Said Ray.

"Stacy, I appreciate that. But who the hell do you think I am? Just because I don't an ability like you all. Doesn't mean I won't fight. After what I learned about my father. Yeah, I'm still pissed as all hell. But he did it for a good reason. I'm going to make sure that I fix his stupid mistake. So you better get rid of Russo. If not, I will." Said Beverly.

Stacy smiled in admiration as Kimberly was happy to see Beverly back to normal.

"Alright. Use this time rest up. The meeting is soon. So do what you need to do! Because it's all or nothing!" Said Stacy.

They all yelled in agreement as Lie Yan was still sitting as she had not idea what was going on. It would be later as Stacy was sitting down in Mr. Welch's office, while speaking to Steiner. They just wrapped up talking about the plan as everything was ready to go.

"This should work." Said Stacy.

"It will. The odds are high. But there may be casualties. Will you be able to handle that, Stacy?" Steiner asked.

"Why ask that? You make it sound like you're worried." Said Stacy.

"Having a strong or stable mentality during battle ensures focus. If you lose focus, our odds lessen. You should know that well." Said Steiner.

"You do have a point. But I will not let any of them die. I'll give my life for them." Said Stacy.

"I see. Well, if that is all. I think we should end this conversation now." Said Steiner.

"Wait…I've been always curious about this. And this might be the only time I'll ever find out. But how does our abilities manifest? Why does everyone have different abilities?" Stacy asked.

"I have not figured that out yet." Said Steiner.

"Oh. Well, bye." Said Stacy, quick to turn off the device.

"Wait. I do not have an answer that can be proven. But I do have theory. I noticed that everyone's abilities comes something they cherish, love or care about. The young man, Allen J. West. He was a track runner as he was in school. His ability is speed. Kimberly Dewitt, she loves to sing, no? Her ability is similar to a sirens scream, like a mermaid. Enhance vocals. The little girl, Mina Barrett. Her parents worked at the train station. I guess she loves train. I do not see how that happened." Said Steiner.

"You're not the only." Stacy replied.

"Even my letters had similar with them. B spent most of his childhood working along with his grandfather who was doctor who studied blood. C loved being near the warmth of fire as it reminded her of home. E lived in out in the country and would hear the roar of thunder and watch the flashes of lightning. F lived in a city in the north that was next to a shore. Fog was a very common weather for her." Said Steiner.

"And D?" Stacy asked.

"He was made artificially in my lab. My most successful creation of cloning. But he was born blind. Luckily, his eyes were able to recover. But he told me that his first memory was seeing all darkness. Nothingness. But he didn't mind it." Said Steiner.

"Hmm, makes me wonder why I got my ability?" Stacy asked.

"Isn't it obvious? You were your mother's little angel. Her light." Said Steiner.

"You really cared about her, didn't you, Steiner?" Stacy asked.

"Get some rest. We have a lot to do." Said Steiner.

He turned off his radio as Stacy sighed and let out a smile.

"Were you trying to scare me? And when were you going to tell me that he wasn't mind controlling you?" Stacy asked.

Across from her was D as he took off his helmet and approach Stacy.

"He told me to keep it a secret and it was the only way you all could've lived. I'm sorry that I worried you." Said D.

"Well, you did. And here I thought I lost you." Said Stacy as she glanced to her side, crossing her arms.

"Same here." Said D.

D approached her and hugged her as Stacy hugged him back. They both then look at each other and then kissed on the lips passionate. D held her close from her waist as Stacy moved away from D for a second.

"Um, is this the best time for this? It is Mr. Welch's offices?" Stacy asked.

"Oh, y-you're right. Though, it might be our last time together." Said D

"Ah, screw it." Said Stacy as she thew herself at D.

Meanwhile, we see Beverly lying down on her bed with Mina in her lap as she was sleep. She was snoring as Beverly turned her on her side. But Mina turned on her back and snored louder.

"I can see why she has train power." Said Stacy.

"She's a loud one, huh?" Said Carlos.

"Yep. Carlos, I want to say thank you. For everything you've done." Said Beverly.

"You don't have to thank me." Said Carlos.

"No, I have to. You've…always been kind and supportive to me. It always makes me think if I deserve you…I-I mean as a friend. Y-You know?" Said Beverly, flustered and blushing.

"Y-Yeah, I-I know what you mean. And you shouldn't question yourself. I do this because I want to. And you do deserve me. A-As a friend." Said Carlos, playfully.

"Don't make me get her on you." Said Beverly.

"Easy, Bev. But…I won't mind if you saw me more than a friend." Said Carlos, shyly blushing.

Beverly looked at Carlos as she quickly became flustered and blushed red. Until she looked down and saw Mina looking at her with a smirk and making a heart with her hands.

"Don't deny it." Said Mina.

Beverly then screamed out of embarrassment as everyone heard it, while Mina ran out. Beverly walked out as she had a pillow in her hand.

"I'm going to destroy you, train girl!" Beverly yelled.

"Maybe I should wait to confess." Said Carlos, rubbing the back of his head.