The Clean Up

( 3rd POV )

In the desolate wasteland of shattered ice and scorched fire, remnants of the fierce battle that had unfolded not long ago, the Shadow Border sat parked a short distance away from the scene.

Within the Shadow Border, the infirmary room remained still and dimly lit, the hum of machinery the only sound that broke the silence. Robbie Reyes lay motionless on a bed, his expression serene despite the turmoil he had endured.

The ritual Ken had performed to expel Elias Morrow's tainted soul from within him had left Robbie drained, forcing him into a deep and restorative slumber.

For hours, he had been motionless, lost in a deep, dreamless void. Yet, as the night gave way to the first hues of dawn, a subtle movement broke the stillness. His fingers twitched. A sharp intake of breath followed. His eyelids fluttered, then slowly peeled open, revealing dazed brown eyes that squinted against the glow of the room.

"Ugh…" Robbie groaned, his throat dry, his body sluggish. His muscles ached as if he had been through hell—because, in truth, he had.

The ceiling above him was unfamiliar. Clean white panels, a gentle hum from the air filtration system. This wasn't his garage, wasn't some back alley in Los Angeles, and certainly wasn't the highway where his last memory had taken place. Confusion settled in, a hazy wariness gripping his mind as he turned his head, scanning his surroundings.

"Where the hell am I...?"

Just as he attempted to rise, the door to the infirmary slid open with a quiet hiss. A figure entered the room with an air of effortless confidence, a tablet in one hand, a playful yet perceptive glint in her eyes. It was our friendly lovely Caster, Da Vinci-chan.

For a brief moment, Da Vinci froze in place, her gaze locking onto Robbie. A flicker of surprise crossed her face—she hadn't expected him to wake so soon. But she quickly composed herself, her mind already processing the situation. Her lips curled into a small smile as she approached his bedside.

"Ah, good morning, Mr. Reyes," she greeted smoothly, her voice a blend of warmth and amusement. "Or should I say good dawn? It's hard to tell in a place like this."

Robbie frowned, groggy and wary. "Who… who are you?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

The woman didn't answer immediately. Instead, she was staring at him, assessing him carefully. "Before I answer that, let's start with something more important," she said, tilting her head. "Do you remember what happened?"

The sudden question made Robbie pause. His mind reeled as he grasped at fractured memories deep inside his mind—his battles, Elias taking control, the chaos that followed. Then it hit him like a freight train.

"No... Gabe!" His voice turned urgent as he forced his body to move, pushing against the weakness in his limbs. "Where's Gabe? That bastard Eli used him—he used my little brother as bait! I need to—"

A firm yet gentle hand pressed against his shoulder, stopping him before he could struggle any further.

"Easy there, cowboy," DaVinci murmured, applying just enough pressure to keep him from toppling out of the cot. "You're not in any shape to run off just yet."

Robbie shot her a glare, anxiety and frustration burning in his eyes. "I don't have time to sit around. Eli used him as a bait to lure Ivanov out using our parents' connection with him and Ivanov's gang." He murmured in a hurry and a concern tone. "I need to get out of here before it's too late. If something happens to him—"

"Relax," she interjected smoothly. "We're already on it. Ken's team and Johnny Blaze have gone after him. They'll handle it."

Hearing Johnny's name made Robbie halt. His breathing was ragged, his heart pounding as uncertainty gnawed at him. "Mr. Blaze…?"

"Yes, your fellow Rider," she confirmed, her voice carrying an undertone of reassurance. "He left not long ago, along with Ken's team. They're trying to deal with the mess Elias Morrow left behind and making sure your brother is safe."

Robbie exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping. A whirlwind of emotions tore through him—relief, guilt, exhaustion. He had failed Gabe once by letting Elias take control and hurt him. He couldn't afford to fail again.

As Da Vinci said, after they had successfully banished Elias's corrupted soul from Robbie's body, Da Vinci had delved into the network using SHEBA, tirelessly unraveling the remnants of Elias's schemes.

Her findings were chilling. Ivanov, the ruthless head of a Russian gang, had kidnapped Gabe with the intent of forcing Robbie into submission, banking on his love for his brother.

But what he didn't know that it was all Elias plan to lure him out from his hiding place using the Reyes family connection. So, the team accompany by Johnny Blaze immediately set out to deal with the mess that Eli left behind.

Hearing Da Vinci's explanation, Robbie froze mid-movement. Her words sank in, cutting through his lingering panic. Slowly, his panicked eyes steadied, a trace of calm returning as he began to process the situation.

"You're from Chaldea?" he muttered, his voice tinged with hesitation.

Da Vinci chuckled, tapping her temple as if to say, 'Correct!'

"Fufu, smart guess. Now, let's talk about you." She sat on the edge of his cot, crossing her legs as she regarded him with open curiosity. "You're aware of your previous situation, aren't you?"

Robbie hesitated for a moment. Finally, he began to speak, his voice shaky and somber. "Kind of... It's like, whenever Eli takes control of me, my consciousness is pushed into the deepest recesses of my mind. I'm trapped there, forced to helplessly watch the destruction and chaos he unleashes." His hands tightened into fists as he remembered the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness.

"It feels like being caged..." he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. With a sharp intake of breath, Robbie shook his head, forcing himself to focus. "We had a rough start, but we managed to get along fine afterward," he continued, though his tone remained heavy with lingering guilt. "But everything changed a few weeks later. Eli started losing control after discovering Ivanov's whereabouts."

Robbie's voice became steadier as he recounted the events, the memories still raw in his mind. "He took over my body whenever he wanted, even to the point of hurting Gabe..." His expression darkened, the guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders.

"Fast-forward to the day Eli wreaked havoc—he destroyed the Russian gang's hideout without mercy. It was pure chaos. And just when things seemed like they couldn't get worse, another Ghost Rider appeared to stop his madness."

Da Vinci raised an elegant eyebrow, her expression amused yet curious. "Let me guess—it was Mr. Blaze, wasn't it?"

Robbie nodded. "It's him. They fought a few times, but Eli managed to escape each time. That is, until tonight. Just as Eli was preparing to put his plan into motion, Johnny Blaze ambushed him again. They raced across the highway in a high-speed chase until, well... we crossed paths with you guys. And now, here we are."

Robbie's voice trailed off as he finished recounting the sequence of events, a mixture of weariness and relief evident in his tone.

Da Vinci tilted her head thoughtfully, her hand resting on her chin as her expression shifted to one of knowing contemplation. "I see, so that's how it all unfolded," she remarked, showing 'as expected' expression.

With Robbie's side of the story laid out, the oddity of their unexpected encounter began to make sense. The Chaldea had been simply caught in the thick of the chaos purely by chance—a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Da Vinci let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head at the sheer unluckiness of it all.

"Fufu, what a bizarre turn of events," she mused, her tone light but laced with bemusement. She glanced back at Robbie, her expression shifting to one of warmth.

"Mr. Rey—" Da Vinci paused mid-sentence, her eyes twinkling as a playful smile curled her lips. "Well, can I call you Robbie? Alright then, Robbie, just like I mentioned earlier, there's no need for you to worry. They're going to rescue your brother. For now, your priority is to stay here and recuperate."

Da Vinci stood up by Robbie's bedside, holding a tablet that displayed his current condition. Her expression was calm as she explained to him, "Despite your Ghost Rider healing factor aiding your recovery, both your body and mind are utterly exhausted. You're in no condition to fight right now. I strongly advise that you stay here and wait for the others to return. They should be finishing up soon."

Robbie lowered his gaze, a look of contemplation passing over his face as her words sank in. After a moment, he let out a deep sigh, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

"You're right, miss. I was being impulsive earlier, and I'm sorry," he admitted, his tone laden with guilt. With a resigned nod, he eased back onto the bed, surrendering to the much-needed rest.

Da Vinci's lips curled into a gentle chuckle. "Fufu, it's fine," she reassured him, her voice carrying a hint of warmth. "I understand how worried you are about your brother. It's not a big deal."

Seeing that Robbie had calmed down, Da Vinci turned toward the infirmary door, preparing to leave. But before stepping out, she glanced back over her shoulder, offering him a final piece of advice. "Oh, right, I almost forgot," she said with a small, playful smile.

"If you need anything at all, just press the button beside your bed, and someone will come right away. Have a good rest, Robbie."

After everything he had endured, Robbie couldn't help but feel profoundly touched by Chaldea's support. Turning his gaze toward the woman who had been both reassuring and insightful, he spoke with heartfelt gratitude, though his voice faltered slightly.

"Thank you for everything, miss—" he paused, suddenly realizing with a pang of awkwardness that he didn't know her name.

Noticing his hesitation, Da Vinci, who was already halfway to the infirmary door, stopped in her tracks and turned back to him with a mischievous grin spread across her face.

"Da Vinci. My name is Leonardo Da Vinci, fufufu."

With a satisfied look on her face, the mischievous caster exited the infirmary room, her footsteps echoing softly in the hallway.

Robbie remained rooted in bed, stunned into silence by her casual revelation. As a teenager who often surfed the internet, he knew of Chaldea and its reputation well enough.

But never in his wildest imagination had he thought the lively and kind woman who had been speaking to him moments ago could be one of the most famous historical figures in the world.

He stared blankly at the door where Da Vinci leave for a long time before he murmured something.

"Did Eli mess up with my brain...?"

.....

The torn-up space crackled and distorted beside The Shadow Border, like a wound in reality forced to open. From within the torn-up space, Ken and his team stepped out. "Huft, we're finally back."

Behind Ken, Johnny Blaze strode forward, the last embers of hellfire flickering off his skeletal frame before flesh and leather reformed around him, returning him to his human appearance.

Further back, Mordred and Ushiwakamaru dragged their captives, each handling their respective unconscious opponent with an ease that belied their strength. Mordred huffed in disappointment as she adjusted her grip on the blue-skinned giant over two meter tall that was unconscious.

"Tch. What a damn letdown. I was expecting a real fight, but these guys went down like chumps. Even with their high number, they're just a waste. What's the point of throwing hands if your opponents fold after a few hits?" She scowled, kicking the limp leg of her captive. "Seriously, my disappointment is immeasurable, and my night is ruined!"

Ushiwakamaru gave a soft chuckle as she hefted the larger brown-skinned figure onto her shoulder. "You do have a habit of underestimating your opponents, Princess. Perhaps it is not they who are weak, but you who are simply too strong?" Her voice held a playful lilt, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

Mordred groaned. "Oh, come on," she muttered, her voice dripping with disdain. "I thought these guys would be as tough as that flaming stick you smashed to bits, but who would've guessed? These bastards do nothing but show off their oversized bodies with no strength to back it up. Pathetic." Her green eyes glinted with frustration.

"The way Ken hyped up this Yegor Ivanov guy, I actually expected he'd have some real muscle behind him." Mordred snorted, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Turns out him and his gang were just a bunch of oversized punching bags. I barely even broke a sweat! This gang's fight is way below me."

Ken couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he heard his servant slandering him. He decides to argue back. "You're talking nonsense, Mo-Chan. I never hyped them up at all."

"If you'd truly been listening from the beginning," Ken continued, as they are entering the Shadow Border, "I clearly mentioned that this mission was nothing more than a follow-up. Our main objective was to clean up the remnants of the Russian mafia that Elias had been hunting while rescuing Robbie's younger brother. That's it."

"Hmph! Next time, let me take on someone actually worth my time. Maybe Johnny here? He's got some real firepower." Mordred shot back, smirking.

Johnny, who had been listening in silence, simply gave her a sidelong glance. "Spare me with your enthusiasm, Ms. Pendragon." He said while trying to sound polite, avoiding to angering her.

He saw how she battles those blue giants and let just say he rather fight Elias Morrow all over again rather to fight this lioness.

Listening to their conversation, Ken shook his head, but before he could respond, his precious kouhai, Mash, who are walking beside him with the sleeping Gabe cradled securely in her arms, spoke up, her voice soft yet laced with sadness. "I still can't believe this…"

Her lavender eyes flickered toward the unconscious brown skinned giant, her grip unconsciously tightening around Gabe. "To think Daisy's father could turn into something like this. He was supposed to be a scientist, not… a monster like this."

The brown-skinned giant being dragged behind Ushiwakamaru was none other than Calvin Zabo, widely infamous by his moniker, Mr. Hyde. Once a respected scientist, Zabo had long since turned into a dangerous supervillain.

Adding a bitter complexity to the situation was the fact that he also happened to be the father of their friend, Daisy Johnson.

Ken's gaze followed hers, lingering on the slumbering brute. "Sigh, I didn't expect to find him here either. Yegor Ivanov working with Calvin Zabo wasn't in any of our intelligence reports. The last we knew of Zabo, he was active in New York before disappearing into hiding. Even Johnny didn't see this coming."

Johnny exhaled through his nose, folding his arms. "Yeah. Hyde's not the kind of guy you easily forget. He's a freak on his worst days, but with The Russian's resources backing him? That's a whole different problem." His voice darkened slightly.

"Well, you could see them for yourself." Johnny added, his voice steady but grim as he pointed toward the other monstrous blue figure dragged by Mordred.

After a round of beating when they battle him, Ken and his team finally uncovered the reason behind Calvin Zabo's presence in LA. Daisy's father had struck a dangerous alliance with Ivanov's gang.

The partnership served a dual purpose—Zabo had found a lucrative source of funding to fuel his deranged scientific research, allowing him to push the boundaries of his twisted experiments further than ever before.

But this alliance wasn't without its costs. As in exchange for the Russian gang's support, Zabo had been providing them with a modified variant of his serum—a lesser formula designed to transform individuals into monstrous versions of himself, mimicking his infamous Mr. Hyde form.

The blue-skinned giant they had captured was revealed to be one of Zabo's experimental creations. These creatures bore a striking resemblance to Zabo's Mr. Hyde form but with lesser strength, speed, and intelligent.

The only good thing is that they can be mass-produced, and their skin has a colder temperature, which gives them resistance to fire.

Mordred also realized that this matter is more complicated for her new friend in the mansion. "Daisy is not gonna like this..." She murmured while shaking her head. 

"Which is why we're not making any final calls yet," Ken said, his tone even but firm. "She deserves the chance to decide what happens to him. He's still her father, no matter what he's done. The best we could do is to capture him rather than leaving him out there for SHIELD to take advantage of."

Mash nodded solemnly, agreeing with Ken's approach. "Umu, Senpai is right. She should be the one to decide." Mordred and Ushiwakamaru nodded in understanding while Johnny stays silent since he didn't know of this girl name Daisy.

As the group reached a branching corridor, they naturally began to split ways. Mordred and Ushiwakamaru, still bickering, hauled their captives toward the containment cells, their footsteps echoing down the hall. Johnny turned toward the infirmary, after informing Ken.

"I need to talk to Robbie," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "He's gotta know what's going on with his powers now." Ken simply nodded at him, understanding his reason.

Mash adjusted Gabe in her arms, her expression softening as she glanced down at the boy's peaceful face. "Senpai, I'll take Gabe there too. He needs a check-up."

Ken gave her a brief nod. "Hm, go ahead. I'll head to the control room. Da Vinci and the others are waiting for me there."

With that, the group parted ways.

Upon his arrival, his presence was promptly acknowledged by Da Vinci, Kadoc, and Anastasia, who were already gathered there. Meanwhile, Lorna, Domino, and Laura already lay asleep, after they finished watching the previous battle with Eli.

Da Vinci turned in her chair with a wide grin. "Ah, Master! Welcome back. I assume the mission was a success?" Her bright eyes flicked over him, scanning for any injuries.

Kadoc, leaning against the console with his arms crossed, let out a sigh. "You sure took your time with a small fry like them. What, did you stop for snacks on the way back?"

Ken exhaled through his nose, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I swear, every time I come back, I walk straight into an interrogation instead."

Da Vinci chuckled softly. "Fufufu, we only ask because we care, Master!" she teased, feigning a pout to express her mock annoyance with him.

However, her playful demeanor quickly faded as she shifted into a more serious tone. With a sigh, she said, "Alright, enough with the chit-chat. I know you're all exhausted after this chaotic night and deserved a rest, but Director Olga sent us a new order just a couple of hours ago. I think you guys should see it."

"Tch, I hope it's not another suicide mission for me."

"Sigh, we masters are being overworked at this point..."

Despite their reluctance, especially on Kadoc's part, whose mana had already been drained from the previous battle, they resolved to listen to Da Vinci. After all, fulfilling their duties as members of Team A was their mission. Knowing there was no avoiding it, they took a seat, preparing themself for the debriefing, again.

.....

Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Robbie Reyes stirred at the sound of approaching footsteps. His vision was still hazy, but the moment he caught sight of Johnny Blaze, his focus sharpened.

"You're finally here, Johnny. I've got a lot of question for you..." Robbie muttered, his voice hoarse but laced with strong curiosity.

Johnny pulled up a chair, his expression unreadable. "Yeah… we got a lot to talk about, kid."

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A/N: If we reach 150 Power stone, I'll release an additional chapter.

Please throw your power stones and leave more reviews for my story, I appreciate it and thank you for your support!