METROCITY
Office of Commissioner X
“I know I owe you an explanation, Charles…” Invincibelle grimaced as she arrived in the commissioner’s office and tried not to shrink from his gaze.
“For what?” he asked. “The lies? The obsessive need to punch everyone in the ring regardless of whose side they’re on? The…”
Eva held up her hands to stop him, “Charles, in about 30 seconds you’re going to get a call on your private channel from The Tower. There’s someone there you need to talk to before we continue.”
Charles just looked at her without changing expressions and began tapping his finger on his desk at a steady pace of one beat per second. It was a little unnerving to Belle as they sat in silence with him just tapping his desk like a metronome. Somewhere between 15 and 20 seconds later his finger stopped in the air. He showed no other outward signs but obviously his electromagnetic control powers allowed him to detect the incoming transmission.
A holovid sprang up beside his desk and Captain Alpha appeared. “Charles.”
“Sam.” answered the commissioner. “What’s going on here?”
“You trust me, Charles?”
“Doppelganger password.”
“Seriously?”
“Doppleganger password.” he repeated sternly.
“Orphan-Primus-Woodchuck-Rachel is my least favorite friend.” This garnered a slight chuckle from Invincibelle which she lamely tried to disguise as a cough as both men looked at her.
“I trust you with my life, Sam. So, what’s going on in my arena?”
Captain Alpha let out a slow breath. “Charles, I need you to let your guard down for the next ten seconds. Don’t react. Don’t defend. It’s going to be hard, but don’t try to protect yourself or retaliate…”
Commissioner X was confused, he began to say “Protect myself from what?” but Captain Alpha nodded at Invincibelle. She immediately grabbed the commissioner by the throat and dragged him towards her across his desk. Immediately his eyes flared with bright light and Eva could feel the air in the room ionize and electrify. The commissioner was retired from his active days as a hero, a full-fledged member of The Tower, but he was very powerful. Even with her protective forcefield, Invincibelle wasn’t sure he wouldn’t be able to just fry her brain synapses. But the power that reflexively built up was held in check.
Invincibelle wrapped him up in her arms squeezing hard enough that his ribs creaked. He was a little bit stronger than a normal human but only a little bit. “I’m very sorry about this, sir.” she whispered and he seemed to relax slightly. She circled one arm behind his back then gave him several short punches to his stomach. Charles gritted his teeth at each shot and hunched over. The only reason he wasn’t thrown through the back wall was because Eva was holding him in place. Despite the punishment though, he just allowed her to manhandle him and never allowed his power to lash back at her.
Eva sat him down in his chair as he struggled to regain his breath and composure. Captain Alpha’s voice was soft and urgent. “Is that it? Are you sure it’s not in him?”
“Yes. Well, I’m pretty sure.” At Captain Alpha’s dubious look she retorted, “Hey, this isn’t exactly rocket science!”
Charles grimaced and looked up. “I would like some kind of explanation now.”
“Alien parasite, Omega-level extinction event, Invincibelle is the only one that can kill it.” stated Captain Alpha in a deadpan voice.
“Theoretically…” added Invincibelle.
“Alright. What do you need from me?”
(6 hours later…)
Special Announcement from the SBA Authority.
“This Wednesday night will be a sanctioned Fatal Fourway Match in the Superheroine Battle Arena!”
The Deadly Daughter of Dragons, Ninjako.
The Gigantic Green Goliath, Emerald.
The Genuine Greek Goddess, Nike.
And The Indigo Amazon, Invincibelle!