Chapter 45: Meeting

As David, now known as "Nox," weaved through the city's bustling streets, the ping of his communicator cut through the ambient noise. Opening it, a projection of Billy burst forth, eyes alight with excitement.

"David! Man, you're nearly famous now!" Billy crowed, a broad smile on his face.

David smirked, "Nearly is the operative word. What's up, Billy?"

Billy gestured grandly behind him, revealing the opulent backdrop of one of his many penthouses. The room was the epitome of luxury, with state-of-the-art tech seamlessly woven into its elegant design. Wide glass panels offered a breathtaking view of the sprawling city below, lights shimmering like stars against the night sky.

"I thought we could chat in person, and maybe celebrate your newfound almost-fame," Billy suggested, his tone light. "Come on over."

Minutes later, David found himself taking a cruiser into the lavish penthouse. Billy, already pouring drinks, handed one to David.

"So, Nox," Billy began, leaning against a plush sofa, "How would you feel about taking on the Genesis Serum Distributors?"

David sighed, taking a sip of his drink. "I have a lead on them, but they're... formidable, to say the least."

Billy's gaze sharpened, his playful demeanor shifting to one of determination. "With my resources and your skillset, we can take them on. Don't forget, I have this." He gestured to his portal device.

David frowned, "Against such odds, I'm not sure your ability will work as effectively."

Billy chuckled, swirling the drink in his hand. "Come on, David. I managed to escape Arcane with the skin on my back. And you know how the matriarchy over there is run; men are practically slaves. I'd say my ability has been working pretty well."

Billy leaned in, lowering his voice. "I have a lead... What if we take down 'Kiss of Death'? I've heard they're fronting the Genesis Serum to these organizations, like Dog Pound."

David paused, mulling over the information. "What if we find out that the person fronting the drugs is actually one of us?"

Billy raised an eyebrow, intrigue evident in his gaze. "What do you know that I don't?"

"The Fondets." David said, Surprising Billy with the news.

Billy's face drained of color. "The Fondets? That's impossible. They're one of the major shareholders and founding families of Omega 6!"

David leaned back, his gaze unwavering. "Think about it, Billy. Savio Fondet and his brother Roland? Neither of them possess any superpowers. Doesn't that strike you as a bit... convenient?"

Billy's eyes darted around, connecting imaginary dots in the air before him as his mind raced.

"It all makes sense if that's the case," he whispered, more to himself than David. He began pacing around the luxurious Fairhaven penthouse, each step matched with a piece of the puzzle.

"They've always been too clean. No controversies, no scandals. And Roland... he's been acting strange lately. I've seen him at Omega 6 events, making hushed deals in corners. It's unlike him."

Billy fixed David with a hard stare, his brow furrowing. "How solid is this intel? Where did you get this from?"

David took a deep breath, the weight of his knowledge pressing on him.

"You might find it hard to believe, but I trust my sources. Roland... or should I say Magnus, as he likes to call himself, was never a real hero. He's been abusing the Genesis Serum to activate dormant genes. The truth is, without it, he's just... powerless. A junkie, really."

Billy's eyes widened, absorbing the gravity of David's words. He looked out over Fairhaven from their high perch in the penthouse. "So, you're telling me, one of the city's so-called heroes is just a fake, pumped up by some drug? If this gets out... it would be a scandal of epic proportions."

David nodded solemnly. "Which is why we need to be strategic. The Fondets have deep pockets and even deeper connections. Exposing them won't be easy."

Billy pondered for a moment, looking contemplative. "Starting from the bottom might be our best bet. We turn the low-level villains against the higher-ups, let them do the talking. But, as we both know, it's easier said than done."

David, taking a deep breath, said, "Look, I'm telling you this because I trust you. A month ago, I was just getting a handle on my powers. I've grown, but I need more time to hone my skills. We need an edge against them."

Pausing for effect, David continued, "What about Overlord? Isn't he your... well, 'sidekick'?"

Billy grumbled, clearly irritated by the reminder. "He might be more powerful than me, but if it weren't for my intervention, he'd be history by now." He added, a hint of pride in his voice, "The guy's a Dimensional Traveler, sure, but he's not infallible."

David smirked, "I've heard the stories. The Dimensional Traveler with skills that could be very useful right now."

Billy sighed, "Fine, I'll get in touch with him. But we have to be careful. We're about to poke a hornet's nest, and we better be ready for the swarm."