Nick sighed, and his shoulders slumped a bit. "He isn't a weapon. He's a human."
"Only because Full Monarch saw fit to pity him and change him back."
"Why did you really call? It wasn't to check in on me, I'm guessing."
Silence filled the air as he waited for the woman to respond. He could tell she was thinking of how best to use him. Laps had started at the bottom. Born into a world of gods as just a human, she did what people did best and survived, playing all sides and rising to the top. "I think it is best if Nicholas Alma reappears in the eyes of the public."
He sat up straight and dropped his food as his eyes widened. "What do you mean? You're the one that told me to go into hiding. To pretend that I died alongside Blue in the attack. If the Hero Branch discovered you were keeping me or Jack hidden, then—"
"I'll handle it."
"Why now? What the hell could have happened that would cause you to make this stupid plan?"
"Harrison Avalon has turned on us."
"A—Avalon?" The man was trained by Mr. Sini and is one of the smartest people in the world. He inherited Sini Corp and created Avalon Industries. The only other person who hated the Emperor more than the Victorian and Jack. "What do you mean he's turned on us?"
"I don't have all the information yet, but what I can tell you is that this opens a hell of a lot of issues. The reason we let him stay on the sidelines for so long was because he ran his company right. Avalon Industries has supplied heroes with their tech for years and worked to benefit the public. With him gone, there is a good chance that the Enforcers would like to request the transfer of its resources to the hero, Boy Genius. He already has his own group, which rivals, maybe even surpasses, Avalon Industries on his own. If he were to gain control of Avalon Industries, then the power dynamic between the Branch and the Enforcers would become thinner. That's why I've decided to step in and stop this from happening. I think someone on the side of the Branch should be running the company."
"In other words, you want me to be your puppet."
"You were personally trained by Mr. Sini and worked alongside Avalon, Blue, and Old Dog. On top of that, you even saved the life of Full Monarch once. I wonder if some of your skills have grown rusty. Maybe you could find a cure easier with the backing of the Industries and actually save his life."
"I'll think about it..."
"I'll keep in touch, in that case."
The line went dead, and he slowly pocketed his phone. The moon still hung high above. Soon, the sun would rise, and a new day would begin.
"What do you suggest I do, Jack?"
***
"It's pretty obvious, isn't it?" Fire swirled around Cinder's fist, and she smashed it toward the Emperor's helmet. "I'm picking both! I'll find a way to save my dad and Mr. Larison without you!" She unleashed her fire out of her palm, but the Emperor dodged back.
Her attack soared high into the air, splitting past the clouds and blasting into space.
"You missed."
"Or maybe I was just signaling for help!" She was back on her feet and threw out a punch with her good arm, but he raised the mace and blocked it. The recoil went back into her arm, and she felt the bones in her hand snap and break. She fought through the pain, though, and blasted fire out of her mouth.
The Emperor kicked her away with his foot, sending her smashing back. She tried to stand back up, but he lazily threw the mace, smashing it directly into her face and knocking her over again. "Both your arms are broken. Just stop." Her teeth gripped down onto the mace, and she stood back, upholding it with her mouth. She said something, but it came out as muffled due to the mace she held. The Emperor's eyes traced over her. "You remind me of Jackson."