“Amaranth,” Gallant greeted me as he stopped a few paces away. “Amy, are you two okay?” I glanced back, and Amy shrugged.

  “We're surviving,” I replied, trying to avoid a blatant lie like 'we're fine'. “What about you guys?”

  “Why did you leave?” the other cape, Battery I recognized her voice, demanded. I sighed.

  “Because it was the right call,” I said, holding up my mauled hands. That, at least, made them flinch in surprise. “If any of you had been around, the Siberian wouldn't have stopped with your fingers.”

  “We could have--”

  “Died,” I cut her off. “That's about all anyone can do to the Siberian, without going after her master.”

  “You knew.” It wasn't a question, just a bitter statement from Gallant.

  “I thought everyone did,” I countered with a shrug. “I knew she was a projection, just like I know mine is a projection. Sorry.” The apology was automatic, and I was surprised that I actually meant it.

  “I need to go, Gallant.” He nodded, and Battery glowed briefly as she charged up, then rocketed away.

  “You're not joining them?” Gallant shook his head.

  “Not mobile enough to get out and not strong enough to hold off Crawler.” He sounded unhappy about that. “I'd just be dead weight.”

  “I know the feeling.” There was a beat of silence.

  “Are you joining them?” I balked at the accusation in his voice.

  “Hell no,” I snapped. “I'd be off the team within a week for beating the ever-loving shit out of Tattletale. Besides, I don't think the Protectorate would keep me onboard if I did.”

  “Why did you leave, Lia?” I flinched at my name.

  “I already said,” I replied, heart thumping. “I was a danger to you all, I had to leave. If nothing else, everything since then has just been vindication.” He stared at me, and I could practically feel the disappointed glower.

  “Amy.” She squeaked as Gallant spoke. “How are you?”

  “Fine,” she answered, far too quickly. “Don't want to talk.”

  “Okay.” He sighed.

  “The others?” I asked. “Vista, Flechette?”

  “They're mostly alright,” he said after a moment. “Engaged with Crawler right now, where Battery is going. They'll pin the Nine down long enough for the bombs to hit.” A chill went up my spine.

  “You sent Vista in to fight Crawler?” I couldn't keep the shock from my voice. “And with an imminent bombing run?”

  “Vista volunteered for this.” Gallant didn't sound even remotely happy. “We all did. We knew the risks when we were briefed on the director's plan.”

  “And when's that happening?” A beat.

  “Soon,” was the only answer, followed by a long pause. “You two need to come back.” I narrowed my eyes and heard Amy shuffle back.

  “Not an option,” I replied with a shake of my head. “Once the Nine are dealt with, then we can. Before that...”

  “You're not telling me everything.” I flinched and glared at him.

  “What does he mean?” Amy asked behind me, voice trembling.

  “Gallant,” I said, ignoring her. “We talked about this a while ago. I told you, you don't want to know everything that I do.” He stared at me for a long, silent minute, then looked at Amy behind me.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  “Fuck,” he swore. “Piggot's going to hang you for this, Amaranth.”

  “Yeah well, cost of doing business,” I replied, shrugging. “If I-- if we all make it through this, I'll consider whatever punishment I get as a fucking vacation.”

  “Is Vi-- is Glory Girl...okay?” Amy asked after another, long pause. I glanced back and saw her trembling, staring at the ground. Gallant sighed.

  “It's...no, no she isn't Amy.” He shook his head. “Between the past few days and...and what you did, god. She's trying to manage it and...” He trailed off, staring at the ground.

  “I'm sorry,” she whispered. “I didn't mean to do it, I never wanted to do it, I wanted to fix it as soon as I fucked up but she wouldn't let me and I couldn't make her because--”

  “Amy,” I cut her spiral off before it got too bad. “Are you holding up, Gallant?” He looked up and stared at me for a long time.

  “I'm surviving.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Apologies accepted.” Gallant sighed and looked over his shoulder at the remaining heroes. “You'll understand if forgiveness is going to take a minute.”

  “Yeah.” I followed his gaze and saw Glory Girl rocket off. “I'm not asking for it, if I'm honest. Go be a hero, captain, I'll see you soon...hopefully.” He looked back at me for a moment.

  “Stay safe,” he said. “Both of you.”

  With that, Gallant turned and left, going back to the diminished group of heroes and moving out with them. I looked down and saw Amy staring at a large rhinoceros beetle sitting on her hand. I couldn't tell if she was actually looking at it, using her power, or just dissociating; considering the circumstances, it could be all three. The beetle looked familiar though...

  “Hey.” She flinched as I spoke. “You good to...keep going?”

  “I...” Amy sighed. “What is it?”

  “Had an idea,” I replied. “Grue said they needed mobility, can you make a bug that can carry people, help them evacuate?” She frowned.

  “I mean, it's possible,” she began hesitantly. “But...I don't know, is that too far? Making something like this for someone like her?”

  “You're not making it for her,” I countered. “You're making it because it might save more lives than it hurts. Make it unarmed, limit its life to a couple days, hell give it a weak point so Miss Militia can blow it apart if we need to. Be creative.” Amy stared at me, her eyes wide.

  The beetle began to grow.

  It was strange, watching her work on something that wasn't a person, especially wasn't me. Bugs flowed onto her hands, both of which rested on the insect that was now the size of a miniature poodle. Its shape began to change, horn lengthening and splitting in two over the thing's head and ending near its back, like a pair of handlebars.

  Amy rose as it grew further, now more like a standard poodle. It lengthened as well, bulking up as more bugs flowed into it. Its carapace was smooth, glistening like an oil slick. Its back flexed and opened, letting the wings inside widen and lengthen. They folded and slipped back under its back and it grew again. Amy stepped back, leaving behind a beetle the size of a great poodle.

  “Hey!” A shout accompanied by the thundering footsteps of the dogs. “Skitter needs--”

  “We're on it!” I shouted at Grue as the giant beetle took to the sky.

  “You need to go! Bomber's forty seconds out!” Tattletale screamed. “Not far to go. Run!”

  I didn't think, just grabbed Amy's hand and yanked her along behind me. I chased after the Undersiders and Travelers on their mounts, cursing them in my head just to save my fucking breath. Fuckers. I could hear Amy half-panting, half-crying behind me. Somewhere in the distance, I could swear I heard the moan of a low-speed jet engine. I didn't even try and look, focusing on the road ahead so we wouldn't eat shit and die to friendly fire.

  Violent curses escaped my mouth as my ankle screamed in pain. I did my best to ignore it, my headlong run becoming a limping jog. I had no idea if we were far enough, but didn't want to chance it and limped on. Without warning, my ankle turned on a piece of loose debris, dropping me to the ground. Amy knelt to help me up, but I shoved her hands away.

  “Run!” I screamed. “Keep going, I'll be fine!” She hesitated, taking a step back. “Go!” I shouted.

  The stupid little twit ignored me, slipping her arms under mine and grunting as she helped me back to my feet. Dumbass, I at least stood a chance at surviving being bombed. An arm around my back, and with me leaning on her, we began loping along once more. The roar of the engine was growing louder, and the pain from my ankle sharper. Adrenaline surged and let us pick up the pace, just a little.

  Ahead I saw one of the Undersiders waving their arms, pointing to a building just beside us. I recognized the purple of Tattletale's costume in the gloom and swore, but nudged Amy in the right direction. Shitty, bitchy cunt-face or not, it was usually a bad idea to ignore lifesaving advice from a pseudo-psychic. Amy let me go and fumbled with the door, swearing as the knob rattled. I could feel the rumble from a jet flying low overhead and cursed viciously.

  I stuck my fingers in the crack, then shoved my projection forward violently. The hinges gave up with a loud 'pop' and the doors fell. Without hesitation, I shoved Amy through the frame, then threw myself on top of her. The jet engine was growing quieter now, and I screwed my eyes shut against what I knew what coming.

  The world shook and deafening explosions drowned out every other sound as the PRT turned Brockton Bay into a sea of hell.