Chapter Text
“BEHOLD THE MIGHT OF OMNIPOTUS, THE WORLD SHAPER, AND BEHOLD THE END OF ALL THINGS! TREMBLE BEFORE MY UNLIMITED POWER!”
Willow watched the fight from her phone through Robot’s eyes. She was intrigued by how the 80’s-looking villain was warping reality and absorbed the energy of any hero who came near him. Many of the heroes struggled against him and the monsters he formed from the ground. The only one who appeared to land a hit was none other than Black Samson in his kinetic suit!
“Heck yeah! I mean due to the give and take of energy between the two, there’s no real damage being inflicted, but at least we have a distraction!”
Robot or now commonly known as Rudy informed her through the ear com, “This certainly gives me time to change the coordinates of the warp-key I was able to invent thanks to the efforts of Tech-Jacket stealing the blueprints from his warp-vessel.”
“The best place is a dimension that absorbs energy instead of his own dimension that must be devoid of it. He’s already weakened, so there’s definitely no chance he’ll come back from it.”
“Or perhaps we don’t need to send him to another dimension but to different coordinates in our own universe.”
“A black hole! Of course! Considering the intensity of his energy absorption is equal to Samson’s in his weakened state, there’s no way he could survive the intensity of a black hole!”
Rudy gave the warp key to Tech Jacket who powered it, and Black Samson easily threw the man into the portal. They watched as Omnipotus was thrown into a black hole and those with supernatural eyesight could see his limbs being torn apart and then fully obliterated to nothing before he even entered the black hole.
The portal was closed and everything that was destroyed was restored back to normal as if everything that happened never did.
“It appears that what had been warped in our reality is only as permanent as its host.”
“That’s a relief. It scares me to think of what would have happened if that guy had come to our dimension fully powered. It’s bad enough that we have to deal with the Flaxans and their evolutionary technology, but we now have to watch out for reality shattering godly beings. What would we do if there was a god who can devour realities? How would we even face something like that?”
Rudy looked towards the sky, “I don’t know. But I have confidence that we can solve it.”
“Is that Willow you're talking to?”
Monster girl came onto the phone screen and Rudy allowed Willow’s voice to come through him.
“Amanda, girl! Great job today! How’s the belt working for you?”
Amanda turned back to her human form and modeled for her, “Like a dream! I finally got my period again! Never thought I’d be so happy to get cramps!”
Rudy inquired, “Would you like me to prepare you a basket of goodies and a warm water bottle to help you?”
“Could you? It’d be really helpful. Thanks.”
“I’ll be right on it when we return back to Guardian headquarters.” He already had his vehicle that he had parked outside of range to come over. He hopped on first, and like a gentleman held out his hand to Amanda.
The young woman looked at Rudy with a little sparkle in her eyes as she accepted the hand.
Willow inwardly squealed! The poor man had no idea how to speak to others as human beings and not machines, so Willow worked hard to teach him while they worked together on the belt. All of her efforts were paying off!
She got up from her seat when the Guardians arrived back at their headquarters. As promised by Black Samson, she had become an honorary member; the team’s secondary inventor who mostly worked at the GDA, but had access to pop in every now and then when Robot needed her or when Samson needed a checkup.
For today, Rudy wanted to see her. After he’s done spoiling Amanda, of course.
“I’ll be right with you after I finish preparing everything for Amanda.”
Willow held back a giggle, “I’d be the last person to stop you, Prince Charming. I’ll wait for you.”
“Thank you for understanding.” He walked quickly to the kitchen.
Willow and Amanda looked at each other and began giggling at how adorable Rudy acted.
“What’s so funny?” Rex asked.
Amanda flippantly answered, “It’s just a girl thing.”
“Oh right, girl thing . Y’know there’s been a lot of girl things since Miss Mc-hottie-scientist over here came barging into our lives turning Robot-or-Rudy-or-Whatever of all people to be less…Robot. And only giving the good shit to everyone else but ME!”
Other than Amanda’s belt and Samson’s suit, Willow supplied Kate with bracelets that could duplicate with her and they either emitted stun lasers or created a shield. This way she could become a mid-range fighter with less death counts and do her job of crowd control more efficiently. She supplied Shrinking Rae with a utility belt that shrunk with her. It was filled with different pills and poisons in the event she’s swallowed or trapped.
As for Immortal and Bulletproof, they were given new training regimes to increase their potential against viltrumites, so they were given belts that increased their gravity. Everyone was to be given different types of kinetic suits by the end of the month, which Rex will have too.
He knew that, but couldn’t help being butt hurt and impatient for not getting a new toy yet.
Willow pointed out nicely, “I’m only here to help improve your arsenal. You don’t need my help.”
“Well - pffft! - still would be nice to be given like a jet pack or something.”
“Good idea, but why do I get the feeling you’d use it to prank people by dropping ice cream on civilians and making them think it’s bird poop.”
Rex theatrically gasped, “ I would never! What kind of jackass do you take me for? Clearly I would use it to drop fudge on people while ringing a stupid bell to make them think it’s reindeer droppings! It’s December! Hello!”
Willow snorted, “It’s November!”
“And those toga guys did not stab the bastard enough for putting August in the middle of the damn calendar!”
“I know right!”
Amanda joked, “Hey instead of reindeer droppings, you should wear a grinch costume and have rotten green eggs slip out your asshole!”
Shrinking Rae deadpanned, “You’re nasty.”
They all burst out laughing! Kate, Immortal, Bulletproof and Samson watched them with raised eyebrows.
Immortal decided to cut in on the fun, informing everyone that they did a good job today, especially Robot and Black Samson who dealt with the immediate threat with minimal damages. Willow scanned Black Samson with her tablet, and found no problems at all with him or the suit.
Rudy arrived with all the necessary items to help Amanda through her menstruation in one basket. There was a lot of chocolates, a heated water bottle, pads, medicine, tea in a thermos and more. He even had Amanda’s bed already prepared with an extra comfy blanket, a hug pillow and her favorite show ready on a tablet.
“Wow, thank you.” The twinkle in Amanda’s eyes came back. “I appreciate it. A lot.”
“I only want to make things easier for you.”
“Thanks anyway. So if none of you need me, I’m going to go through the motions of puberty in my bedroom.”
Rex commented, “Uhm, ew.”
Rudy turned to Willow, “There’s something I need to talk to you about. Please follow me.”
“Sure.”
She waved goodbye to the others as they boarded Rudy’s vehicle. Rudy put up a cloaking shield and brought her to a tall building that she recognized belonged to the Conners Family. They were multi-billionaires in the tech industry, but no one has ever seen the family since they had hired someone else to run it for them as their CEO. When they entered, there was no human or android on site. It was practically deserted.
Willow tried to stay quiet, but the words were spilling out of her mouth, “Uhm, are you by any chance about to introduce me to your creator, or…”
“Yes and no. Everything will be explained once we get there.”
They took an elevator that went down further than what could be basement level, and was brought to another hallway, except it had a futuristic alien aesthetic to it. Rudy led her to its only door down the hall, and had them stop.
He turned to her, and he may have not had a human face, but Willow could feel an uneasy tenseness in him.
She asked, “Rudy, is everything okay? I know we’ve only known each other in a short time, but you can tell me anything.”
“That’s just it.” Rudy hesitated for a second before he ultimately continued, “We’ve known each other for exactly 18 days, 16 hours, 31 minutes and 22 seconds while I have been with Teen Team for years and with the Guardians for months. Yet when I am in your company, I understand what it means to have a friend. The value that comes with empathizing with others and to be more comfortable expressing myself in other ways than what I thought should be expected of me.”
Willow wasn’t sure what to say so she let the silence sit between them until Rudy was willing to continue, “I brought you here because I wanted you to know who I truly am.”
The doors slid open and Willow eyes were drawn to the center of the room where another robot stoof but this one was shaped more like a crab with a tank. Inside the tank, it looked to be what seemed to be a blob of pale flesh. She couldn’t see it clearly, so she approached it. When she realized the blob was a living human being, she gasped.
Rudy explained from the tank, “Yes. This is my true form. I-”
“SO YOU ARE HUMAN!” Willow yelled at the person in the tank with a pointed finger! “Oh wow! I always thought you or when I thought you were a robot that you were like a really, really good artificial intelligence but this makes so much more sense! You were way too awkward for a robot with no clear understanding of basic human activities!”
The blob slowly responded, “...Yes. My true name is Rudy Conners. I am the current owner of the Conners Family’s Lycan Industries. I was born with a unique brain deformity that caused the air to become poisonous to me, which has left me in this pitiful state. The only thing life afforded me was my high intelligence. I used that intelligence to further improve my family’s fortune by creating an android to hold the CEO position. But I was not satisfied.”
“Being in a room full of entitled nepo-babies, I can’t imagine it being a fun time.”
“No it was not. That was why I decided to create another android to act as a hero and find vigilantes of great potential to create the Teen Team.”
“That’s amazing. I understand a hive mind being controlled by a computer, but to think you’re doing it all by yourself from this very room. Your wifi connection must be off the roof.”
“Willow.”
She caught herself from rambling, “Right. Right. Sorry. Thank you for being so honest with me, but there’s no way you’re satisfied being in that tank when you’re in love with Amanda. What’s the plan?”
“My plan is to create a duplicate body of Rex.”
Willow tried not to pull a face, but her voice betrayed her, “ Why ?”
“That is because Amanda has shown interest in him. My train of thought is that if I looked like him, she would show interest in me.”
“Except, that is totally untrue. She’s totally into you now. Wel, in a robot body, so let’s try to go for originality. We can get DNA from your parents and create a new body for you.”
“I have considered that since my parents are attractive people, or so I have heard, but I fear that my form may have been a result of mismatch of genetics which had left me in my pitiful state. Perhaps we could create a genetically perfect body for me, but it may have a sudden regression.”
“Okay, then what about my parents? My medical history on both sides of my family have no hereditary issues.” There was a second of silence before Willow added, “And yes, I know that would basically make us siblings which will make you family. And yeah, we only met for like about a month, but it’s not like siblings get to choose each other. And if we have a falling out, that’s like totes typical sibling behavior.” She shrugged to make this suggestion more natural.
But Willow felt like a freak about it anyway since she was originally Robot’s fan, and they were now friends, and now she thought about how all the other thirsty fans would die for a chance like this with their idol. Not that Willow lusted for Robot like they did, but it still felt like she was crossing a line.
However, Robot, who barely had normal social circles, thought it was the most convenient, “It is odd when you think about the length of time, but the quality time we spent together doesn’t make this an awkward suggestion for me.”
“Oh! Great! Great! If it’s totally not awkward for you, then it’s only a little awkward for me cuz I understand the situation a little more, but I won’t make this weird. I promise.” She placed one hand on her chest and the other hand up. “Okay! Now we’re going to have to figure out how to shift you into that new body. Complete with both mind and soul.”
“I have been tracking down the mauler twins. They seemed to have perished after an encounter with Invincible, but if they were a genius like the rest of us, they would have a spare somewhere in the world.”
Willow furrowed her brows, “I mean if you want just a complete copy of your memories embedded into a new body to create a clone, then they’re perfect. But what about your soul? I thought you wanted to be free.”
“I do. But logically, you cannot place a soul into another body. I’m not even sure they truly exist despite the existence of magic and apparitions. I have lived long enough to-”
“Finish those words, and I’ll find a way to reach through that tank and punch you.” Willow threatened and Rudy knew better than to challenge her.
The engineer sighed, wondering if she was smart enough to figure out a machine that could truly warp a soul into another body. Or if she could cure Rudy of his deformity. But she didn’t want to put him through such torture or go down a dark rabbit hole that could kill him and destroy her as a result.
So unlike the first project they had, she needed to call her great grandmother on this one.
She informed Rudy, “I do have a way, and it may come with a sacrifice, but if it means you get your chance in living a normal life for once, then I’ll do it.” She placed her hand on the glass of the tank. This being the closest she could ever be to his original form. “Can you trust me?”
“I could never doubt you.”
._._._.
Mark returned from Thraxa with his new little brother. He intended to go see Willow right after dropping him off to his mother, but she told him that Willow was in the middle of a three-month-long project that would require her full focus. She had gone completely radio silent, having not shared any specifics, even with her own parents.
This news made him wonder if the universe had it out for him since he ditched his girlfriend for two months, and now he couldn’t see his girlfriend for another two months. It got worse when Cecil decided to teleport into his bedroom when all he wanted to do was rest.
Strangely, however, Cecil didn’t seem agitated by Mark’s absence or by how he was leaving a rapidly aging purple humanoid alien with the blood of a viltrumite in his mom’s care. Instead, he was very…understanding.
“We don’t know when his powers may kick in. It might kick in tomorrow and your mother may be accidentally harmed. But I imagine you’re not privy to the idea of us taking custody of him.”
“After listening to the former Teen Team’s backstories, yeah, not a chance.”
“Fair enough. In that case, I will discuss with your mother about the possibility of sending one of my people who have experience in caring for children like your brother to do their work here. Completely under the government’s dime, of course.”
Mark thought he shouldn’t trust Cecil but because of how relaxed the man was, he couldn’t help agreeing, “...I would like that.”
Cecil exited through Mark’s bedroom door to do just that. After everything Mark has experienced, this was strangely one of the more odd ones.
But that wasn’t important. This encounter actually made him really want to talk to someone, so he decided to go see Eve. She was his best friend, having been the one to help him out with this whole superhero thing after his dad left the face of the earth to go have that second family he promised. She wasn’t at her tree house, so he went to her parents’ house, directly to her window where he saw Eve and Rex talking.
That was weird.
But as much as an asshole Rex was, his no-bullshit-but-prefer-to-party personality when it came to anything but dating made him relatable, hence somewhat likeable.
“Mark?!” Eve lit up, getting off her bed.
The two shared a hug that lasted longer than 5 seconds, which Rex noticed, but chose not to comment on. He had no idea that Invincible was Willow’s boyfriend, so he was rooting for the two since they were practically already dating with how often they were together.
Mark asked as they stepped apart, “Hey. What were you two talking about?”
“Rex was asking me for a favor to go on some space mission in his place. Figured I’d hear the details from Cecil to see if I’ll join after all.”
“Have room for one more?”
“Really? Didn’t you just come back from space?”
“Uh yeah, but I’m pretty used to it now, so I don’t mind going back out if the world needs me.”
Rex answered, “The more the merrier, so let’s head to headquarters, shall we!”
He jumped out the window and onto a hover vehicle. The three flew to the mountains and Mark saw all the Guardians there except for Robot. He definitely noticed the upgrades to their suits and accessories. They seemed stronger somehow.
“Nice to see you back, Eve.” Kate welcomed her.
Immortal glared at Invincible, but he also welcomed him. After all, Invincible had done nothing to disprove his loyalty yet.
Mark commented, “Everyone here looks so…cool. Especially you Black Samson. Did Art make new upgrades?”
Monster Girl answered, “We actually have a new engineer on the team! Her and Robot worked together to invent these!”
“A new engineer?” Mark didn’t like how Willow’s project happened to align with these changes. He knew his girlfriend was a genius, but there’s no way it could be her since she’s supposed to be in university. Not a big named scientist already working with the heroes.
But then Cecil entered the room and Mark almost fell over himself when he saw WILLOW right next to him. He looked to Eve who quickly told him that he had no idea about this either.
Cecil started, “Everyone, listen up, before I start today’s meeting, I would like to reintroduce a team member of yours. I would like all of you to meet the true Robot.”
Willow and him stepped aside to reveal a 13-year-old girl with round brown eyes, an aquiline nose and wavy ash brown hair tied with a ribbon scarf bow. She wore a plaid overall jumpsuit over a long sleeve white blouse and mary janes.
“WHAT?!” Rex’s jaw dropped! “YOU’RE A GIRL?! No wonder you knew so much about girl stuff!”
“Researching the female body and understanding its needs isn’t that difficult, Rex.” Robot deadpanned. And then clarified with more heart, “As for who I am, all of you must understand first that the Robot you knew was just an automation. My true form was actually that of a man with a deformity that left me unable to live a normal life, so I was forced to rely on androids to live it. But with Willow’s help, I was able to transfer myself into the body you all see before you.”
Rae asked, “Why a girl?”
Willow explained, “The process of creating a fully formed body capable of handling the transferring process was only manageable with the female sex. We also needed DNA without hereditary issues, and I was a convenient match, so with my parents' permission, we became sisters. So not only are you meeting the true Robot, but I would like you all to meet my new little sister, Ruth.”
Ruth told them, “My former name used to be Rudolph Conners, but now that I have been assimilated into the Clockwell family, I would like to be known as Ruth Clockwell from now on.”
Bulletproof said, “I don’t know how to feel about a grown man in a little girl’s body.”
Ruth defended, “I spent all my life inside a tank due to my deformity, so I have no actual real life experience being a man. I don’t even feel dysphoria in this new form or any attachment either. But I guess that’s because I never was able to live like an actual human being at all. I am a genius so figuring things out is easy for me, but to experience what it means to touch and taste things for the first time in my life made me discover myself in new ways I didn’t think was important at all. Not until Willow taught me. It’s also been embarrassing. I spent the last week learning how to use the restroom and to not touch my eyes after preparing a meal with hot peppers. I still can’t live down the humiliation.”
“Yeah, we can all bond over that once your mission is over.” Cecil went on to expose Shapesmith for being a martian and have him explain the parasite that was coming to invade Earth.
Mark tried to pay attention, but he couldn’t help glancing over to Willow from the corner of his eyes. Despite his initial thoughts earlier, he honestly shouldn’t be surprised his super smart beautiful girlfriend would end up working alongside the Guardians! It’s just he didn’t expect it to be so soon! And for her to turn her favorite superhero into her little sister?! What in the world happened in the two months he was gone?!
He wanted to ask her so badly, but he didn’t want to mess up and reveal his identity! He was such a mess of a superhero compared to how seamlessly she fit in with everyone saving the world.
“Hey, are you okay?” Eve asked him as they flew over to where the spacecraft would be. “I know it must be shocking, but I bet she’s going to tell you all about it once she sees you when you’re Mark.”
Mark sighed, “I know. I guess I’m mostly shocked that she accomplished so much in so little time. Before I left, she just started attending university. I imagined she would’ve done her four years while I was being a superhero. But in less than a year, she’s already working for the GDA, for the guardians and even bonded with her idol. And all I got to show for it is nothing.”
“That’s not true. If her and Robot were able to get along as much as they did, that just means she’s always been different from the rest of us with or without powers. They see a bigger complex picture than any of us could ever understand.”
“Yeah, she’s always been on a lane of her own. Ever since we were kids, she was never indecisive about things. So for her to choose me, I figured I had something in me that she could see. But every time I try to live up to it, I always fall short.”
“You’re being too hard on yourself. Willow doesn’t even know you’re a hero. Heck, she didn’t even recognize me, even though we went to the same highschool. For all she knows, you're a site assistant manager, and she thinks you’re doing great regardless. You gotta stop putting her on a pedestal. She’s your girlfriend. Not your goal post.”
“....You’re right. I already have enough problems on my hands. I shouldn’t turn my girlfriend into one of them.” Mark took a deep breath and let it go. “Here. Hold my hand. This way we can get to the ship faster.”
“Thanks.” Eve took his hand with a smile, but when he looked away, she frowned with a yearning in her eyes.
._._._.
Willow, Monster Girl and Robot already arrived at the station through Cecil’s teleportation devices and handed them back to a staff member. The engineers were to get onto the ship to make sure the coordinates, fuel tank and others were ready for launch.
But Amanda wanted to talk to Ruth, so Willow did it by herself. When she was done, she came out to find Amanda and Ruth laughing among each other. Willow saw that there was still a twinkle in Amanda’s eyes, which relieved her.
The first ones to arrive were Immortal, Bulletproof and Black Samson through his jet shoes. Shape Smith had been holding onto Immortal for dear life in the form of a belt before shifting back to his humanoid form. The last group to arrive was Invincible and Eve.
Willow raised an interested eyebrow at how they were holding hands and didn’t let go despite having landed. She thought they were so cute together.
Now that they were all there, they turned to board the spacecraft. But Invincible spoke up, “H-hold on. Sh- You’re following us.”
Everyone but Eve was surprised by the question, until everyone remembered that Willow was just a civilian in other people’s eyes.
“I am.” She showed her necklace where with just a press of a button, she created a shield around her. “Robot and I work faster together and as much as it's a hero mission. It’s also an interplanetary diplomatic mission. From the reports from the astronauts that you bodyguarded last year, the Martians’ government is a monarchy. So if we succeed and speak with their ruler, they will no doubt ask for Shapesmith’s execution for endangering two planets.”
“Gulp!” Shapesmith exclaimed, almost fainting on the spot.
Ruth continued, “We want to establish a sense of trade and peace. I personally wouldn’t mind trading Shapesmith’s life, but of course, we don’t want to start a relationship through blood.”
“Oh thank the emperor!”
Willow added, “After researching the data the GDA and Ruth had on Shapesmith and Martian Man, we came up with this.” She took out a seed. “The Martians have an incurable genetic disease that skips a few generations, and those who have it are instantly melted off the face of their planet to prevent the spread of it. The public believes Martian Man was exiled, but the truth is that his parents sent him to Earth when they discovered he had this disease. Martian Man stated that although dying by the disease may be worse for him, his parents couldn’t bring themselves to report him. They had sent him away in the hopes he may come across a miracle cure for himself, and he did.”
“What kind of seed is it?”
“It’s a potato seed. Martian Man landed at a potato farm apparently and eating these actually cured him.”
Bulletproof was in disbelief, “Really? A potato is a miracle cure for them?”
Immortal placed a hand on Willow’s shoulder, “I will help you with your diplomatic talks with the emperor. The both of you had done tremendous work once again. I’m very proud of you. I’m sure War Woman would have been, too. Your dedication reminds me of her.”
Ruth told him determinedly, “We won’t let you down.”
Mark thought that this was a mistake. His own father killed War Woman, and he remembered her from his birthday party. He only asked for Darkwing since he was like the coolest member without super powers, but she came along anyway to meet him. At the time, Mark felt frightened by her height and strength. But when she smiled, he knew she was safe and amazing.
“Mark.” Eve placed a comforting hand on his arm. “You okay?”
“Uh…” He looked at Willow in her lab clothes and simple braid, but just the way she stood made her blend in so well with everyone. And soon, she might bring two planetary races together while his time at Thraxa brought devastation and will only bring more devastation.
But he can’t let that hold him back. The only way forward is to do his best, and now part of that was to be there for Willow. “Yes. I’m sure.”
Eve was still concerned, but she didn’t want to upset him. “Okay. If you say so.”
Everyone boarded the ship, and Willow thought about how cute Invincible and Eve looked sitting together and was apparently discussing some heavy stuff. Willow could see the love and yearning in Eve’s eyes when Invincible would look down depressingly. She noted to herself to ask Rex and Kate for the scoop after their mission was over.
For now, she needed to connect an oxygen tank to Samson’s back and helmet. “Your suit should be able to absorb their lasers, and you can use that power to blast us into it. From there, we should try to find the astronaut where Ruth will activate a sonic device that will disrupt their hive mind. Only issue is that we don’t know the correct frequencies since the Martians have strengthened them for hard labor. We don’t want to pull off a powerful sonic boom that could kill the host or those in a close vicinity.”
Immortal said, “In that case, you should trust one of us to deliver the attack.”
“Sounds like you already volunteered yourself, but the person with the right strength and speed to deliver the attack should be Invincible.”
Invincible perked up, “Me?”
“Ruth and I will need everyone else to protect us from all corners. You haven’t worked with this team for a while, so it only makes sense that you are given the solo mission.”
Immortal quickly said, “Miss Clockwell, I don’t think he should handle such an important task.”
“No. He should.” Her gray eyes were bright on Invincible. “He fought against Omniman despite being outmatched on all fronts. Someone so young and reckless but ultimately selfless is perfect for the role.”
Mark felt his heart skip a beat and his cheeks became warm. She just pointed out such a traumatic time in his life, but it was the first time he felt anyone truly acknowledged how strong he was for facing his father. He guessed it was because there was no pity or softness. Where everyone tried to coddle him.
Willow wasn’t like that either when she believed his dad died by an explosion. She would hug him, but the way she spoke still held a lightness that made him feel like everything could be okay.
He awkwardly said, “I won’t let you down.”
Eve tried not to frown and looked away when she couldn’t stop herself.
._._._.
The mission surprisingly went smoothly since everyone kept to the plan. They were able to save the astronaut and prevent Shapesmith’s execution by presenting the potato seed. The Emperor was willing to work with them since the items they presented were renewable, so there would be no unfair reliance on a planet. Hence, they were deemed unhostile.
They agreed to an exchange program where the Emperor had a group of his own scientists and a diplomat travel to Earth to find new renewable sources that could be grown on Mars. And they would send a team of their own to Mars to do the same.
While this was all happening, the Martians went to work destroying all the sequids with the remaining heroes’ help. They were also able to locate a few hiding inside the astronaut and had them removed through vomiting.
All in all, everything was ending on a good note.
That was until they got back to Earth. The lizard league had attacked a nuclear missile base and it resulted in Rae and Rex in critical condition. But as for Kate, she was dead. For some reason she completely forgot to wear her bracelets, and must have figured that since it was the Lizard league, she wouldn’t need them. Rae had her belt on, but she was confident she could just blow the big guy’s head off by changing her size. Only to be crushed as a result.
Willow stood in front of the window where Rex was receiving surgery.
Ruth stood beside her. After a while she commented, “You were right.”
That was such a left field statement that Willow asked, “About what?”
“Rex didn’t need the upgrades. He was able to stop the Lizard League before it became drastic for everyone.”
Willow sighed, hugging herself, “I actually wanted him to learn archery. He didn’t have a super pitching hand, and now that’s even gone. I looked at the cybernetic hand they plan to give him, and they want to install a laser cannon. Talk about a cliche’.”
“What would you propose?”
“I can’t think of any right now since I’m still shocked by Kate’s death.”
The sisters shared a glance, knowing full well that Kate wasn’t dumb enough to not have a spare duplicate somewhere. It just shocked Willow that she hadn’t come back yet. Was she quitting for good? It wasn’t exactly her business, but the audacity was a bit much. She didn’t have to come back as a hero, but she deserved to let Immortal know at least.
This fact had her point out, “The team might be short a leader after this, which might make you team leader again since you have the most experience.”
“I don’t know if I can. As an exchange for a family and this human body, I fear I have become codependent on you. On Amanda. If either of you were to die or become critically injured like them, I’m not sure if I can bear the weight of it. The Guardians deserve a leader who can control their grief and fully dedicate themselves to the role.”
Willow looked to Black Samson who was watching over Rae, most likely also thinking back to how the original Guardians died. Yet his eyes were resolute.
“Perhaps there is someone.”
Just then a familiar jingle came from her compowder. She checked it, and her eyes twinkled at the new message.
🥺Future-hubby-Mark🤵🏻
Hey! I’m back!
I know it’s late, but it's the weekend tomorrow!
So if you’re free
Do you want to eat out tomorrow?
Our go-to restaurant?
🥺
🤭Future-wifey-Willow👰🏼♀️
💜💜💜Yes💜💜💜
🥺Future-hubby-Mark🤵🏻
YES!!! 🥳