Sonya stepped through the portal as the call was wrapping up. “...so just keep that in mind, Barry. I should have noticed what was happening to me when it started, but I figured it had something to do with my cybernetic brain.”

“Got it, thanks for the heads up. Shame about naps, though.”

“I think you’ll find that the urge quickly vanishes,” Sonya said. “I’ve been forcing it because I figured I needed it. Seems like it was the opposite.”

”Hahaha! Of course you would. I don’t know why those guys in your head were so surprised; it’s you!” He laughed. 

She rolled her eyes and grinned, shaking her head a little. “I’ll talk to you later, Barry. Get me a status report from Blight too!”

He just kept laughing until she hung up. She sighed and rubbed the side of her head. “I deserved that,” she muttered before snorting out a laugh. At least the backlash is only turning into a skirt-chasing loon. She winced. With a short temper. She shrugged and sat down in the isolated office. It was only about eight doors down from the room where the judges were. Normally, her sudden appearance through a portal would have elicited a reaction.

She leaned over and gently tapped the pale white flower growing out of one of the pots. “Not a problem thanks to you, my little dear.”

She crossed her legs and relaxed, listening to the very distant sounds of combat in distant Dharan. Most of it was explosions and roars, but it was still pleasing to hear that the excitement was ongoing. She held up her hand and created a hard light knife, twirling it between her fingers as she spent a little time thinking. I didn’t get to experiment with my Duality Form, but between it and the lecture I got, I already have some things to consider.

She flipped the knife up into the air, and it dissolved before taking the shape of a ball. She caught it and coated it with the skin of a baseball. Set changed into his Battle Form when he was demonstrating the other day. I didn’t quite understand why he didn’t just stay that way. Now I know. It’s not the first resort unless I want to finish something quickly. She tossed the ball between her hands and tilted her head. The brief flash of instinct from Duality gave me some insight. It adds versatility to my abilities and changes a part of them to reflect my dualistic nature.

She grinned. I wonder if I can make metal trees. That would be cool.

She sensed someone approaching and dissipated the ball. She was about to wrap herself in augmented reality before she realized who it was. Senses are a little muted with the flower here. I can’t differentiate people when it’s blanketing the room like this. Interesting drawback I hadn’t noticed. Her brows furrowed. Is my mind speeding up? I’ve been awake for almost two days now. I was so sharp starting up the job in Australia. Then I started to get a little cranky a few days after it was done with.

She rubbed the bridge of her nose. And there it is. Set was right.

The door opened, and she smiled. “Hey, sis, how’s the show been?”

Ishtar closed the door behind her and crossed her arms. “Your friend Medved is a hugger.”

“I don’t think we’re friends yet,” Sonya laughed.

Ishtar cocked an eyebrow. “Perhaps not, but he seems to think so.” She walked over and sat down on the couch next to Sonya. “I am very ready to tag out, thank you. Your hair is obtrusively long, by the way.”

“I like it,” Sonya chirped.

Ishtar smirked. “As much as you like those awful candied cherries you stocked the bar with?”

“Oh, you found them?” Sonya brightened. “I tried to hide them from Marta.”

Her sister leveled her with a look and then snorted out a small laugh of her own. “I assume you’ll share your recent experiences with me? You feel a bit different from before, again.”

Sonya nodded. “Come on back.”

Ishtar dissolved into twinkles of light, and in a matter of moments Sonya felt her sister’s presence rise back up in the back of her mind. She opened her thoughts up and let everything synchronize. Normally she kept a wall up for her own mischief, but this was more important. Ishtar went through several reactions, mostly contemplative. Sonya, on the other hand, amused herself with Ishtar’s experiences sitting in a room full of top-level heroes and having to hold her tongue.

Oh, and apparently Rift came back. Briefly. Greg said he self-destructed?

Yes, Ishtar said evenly. Also, I just want to say that I told you so. You are too quick to agree with Carla on everything.

I had no idea what would happen if I slept, and cuddles are nice! Sonya complained.

Hmph. I still don’t approve.

Sis, you’re my big sister. I don’t think you’ll approve of anyone I’m seeing, Sonya pointed out.

Ishtar went quiet, and Sonya grinned in victory. She leaned back and closed her eyes, using Technopathy to connect with the database where all the footage was stored from the event. She was planning on using some of it for ads and whatnot. She sifted through until she found what she was looking for and frowned. The scene in the small cluster of houses was blurred and confused. Details were missing, and artifacts of imperfectly broken footage were present. She couldn’t even see the apparently amazing thing Nietz did.

She pulled out her phone and dialed out. “Bluestar, hey!”

”Hey, Sonya. Are you coming back this weekend? Lillian said you two spoke already.”

Sonya had to pause for only a heartbeat to realize what she was talking about. “I’ll be there for the funeral, hun. No worries.”

”Good. It’ll be nice to see you and Marta. Logan’s coming.”

Sonya nodded slowly and exhaled. “The feeling’s mutual. I do have a question for you.”

”Yes?”

“What is Otis up to right now?” she asked. “I know you’ve taken a shine to him, but-”

”He’s on temporary suspension in the Barracks, cooling his heels for another day or so,” Bluestar said, her tone becoming a little sharp. ”My appreciation for his work ethic notwithstanding, there are rules as to how we operate. A Committee Investigator interviewed him about his trip to Australia, and according to what they learned, he went over there, watched the fight, and came back. He didn’t participate.”

“...Still a little odd,” Sonya pressed. “How did he know?”

”That’s what I want to know, but legally I can’t just force him to divulge all the details of his ability. He gives what he’s willing to,” she sighed. ”People around town are split on it. Some are happy that he’s doing a little time to show he’s sorry. Others don’t think he should apologize for investigating something related to Ishtar. It was apparently one of her people.”

“He didn’t participate? I heard the site was a warzone,” Sonya murmured.

”It was, but the footage is all messed up, so it’s not like we can get much. Still, it’s going to take a bit for him to recover from some of the reputation loss this brought, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. I’ll work with him,” Bluestar said before hesitating. ”I know he’d be better off operating as an International, but I just can’t sign off on it yet.”

Good, hold him back as long as you can. Sonya thought. “You’re the boss. I just give you recommendations, hun. Do what you think is best.”

”Thank you, ma’am.”

Sonya sighed. “How are the others?”

Bluestar’s silence stretched out a bit too long before she finally spoke. ”Jessica and Ollie are keeping themselves busy, but I can tell Ollie’s shaken. Alex is angry, of course. Cass didn’t know him very well, but she’s supporting the others…” She trailed off. “...John, though. He’s taking it hard.”

Sonya sighed and nodded. “Just… look after them for me.”

”Of course.”

Sonya hung up and stared at her phone. He’s in New York right now, but that footage showed the same elements that his ability produces. Was that really Rift?

Gravitic was quite insistent. The red lightning was present, and he only self-destructed after recognizing Gravitic himself. Ishtar’s voice chimed in as Sonya thought it over. 

Sonya frowned. Recognized him? With all that blood left behind after the battle. How? She rubbed the bridge of her nose. Wait. She sat up. Craftsman had been there as well; he was working for Liberty at the time. Blackrazor confirmed the kill on my orders, and I didn’t get the notification, which meant he escaped. I know this already. She crossed her arms. What if, somehow, Craftsman snuck back in and retrieved the body?

Ishtar hummed thoughtfully. That’s likely.

Otis was participating in the clean-up. Sonya added.

You think they made contact? Ishtar mused. Unlikely, given how much of a coward Craftsman is.

Sonya rubbed her chin. We’re missing some details here.

She sighed and got to her feet. I’ll dwell on it more later. I think we’re on the right track, though. 

Agreed. Let’s get some air for now.

–

Before Sonya slipped out of the building, she got a text from Marta asking for a portal over. A short time after that, the two of them were walking along the containment wall. From where she was standing, she could see the flashes of light and explosions that came with the fight pushing further and further into the heart of Dharan. It was a curious feeling, standing there. It reminded her of the time she had stood outside the portal for Firestorm's team back in New York.

“I heard Nietz took one for the team,” Marta said quietly.

“I heard that too,” Sonya said, leaning on the rails.

“He’s growing on you,” Marta chuckled.

Sonya scoffed and gave her friend a sidelong look. “Just because we both like snacks, are peppy, and have the same taste in video games doesn't-” She trailed off and coughed, rubbing her neck. “Okay. You got me.”

“Not many heroes would make a deal with you, swear they’ll use what they get for the right reasons, and turn around and actually do it,” Marta said and shook her head. “His arm. I know how much that hurts.”

“His grew back too,” Sonya pointed out lazily.

Marta laughed. “Sonya, he annoyed you once, and you have not been able to let it go.”

Sonya furrowed her brows. “Maybe I was getting too much sleep,” she sighed. “Fine! I’ll be nicer and… maybe…” She struggled for a moment. “I won’t bully him anymore. Okay?”

“Good girl,” Marta chuckled and patted Sonya’s head.

Sonya huffed and swatted her hand away before pouting. “Sorry, never mind, keep doing that.”

“You are such a child sometimes,” her caretaker laughed and reached for her again before hesitating. “You have a visitor, ma’am.”

Sonya rolled her eyes and stood up straight, adjusting her tie as she sensed the darting presence of a certain windy frat boy approach. She turned and brandished her easy smile, leaning back against the railing as First Wind landed in front of her. He was grinning too.

“My boy is really kicking ass out there!” He laughed, walking up to the rail with his hands on his hips. “Been watching.”

“Shouldn’t you be watching me?” Sonya asked him.

“There’s like four Mythics in there!” He snorted. “Please.”

She rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to stab him in the neck and spine, and cut his wrists before shoving him off the side and shouting ‘free food’ to any straggling monster nearby. It was a close call. “He seems to have made a lot of progress under your supervision,” Sonya commented. Why have you been giving him so much attention? Your fixation on him has blunted some of the headaches I’ve caused for you.

“His mentor is First Wind, after all!” he said, putting emphasis on his mentor title. “Damn right he’ll do well. That derro is gonna carve his way right up through this place and win this.”

“You want him to win?” Sonya asked. “I thought this competition annoyed you because you couldn’t participate?”

His lip twitched before he smiled. “Nah, it’s good to see them kids working hard. Nietz has talent too, which is something I actually respect.”

Huh, that didn’t feel like a lie. The latter half anyway, she squinted at him. “So you’re going to watch this whole thing?”

“Sheila, I’ll be there for the grand prize for him and everything. Right to the end,” he announced.

You’re not a relative or representative of his. You can’t be there for the contract- She froze as he continued smirking out towards Dharan. Yes, you can. You’re his mentor. You sneaky son of a bitch. You want the token, you bastard. If you think you’re going to get anything out of that, you are going to be very disappointed.

He turned to her and smiled broadly. “That boy is gonna go far.”

She smiled back at him. “Yes, he is.”

He pushed away from the rail and caught himself up in a wind, fluttering away a few moments later and darting into the sky. She watched him go before chuckling. Braggart. Showed too much of your hand that time. You thought you were dropping hints so I wouldn’t be able to argue when the time came, she turned to Marta. “I do believe we’ll be leaving this place with one less bodyguard.”

A presence crashed into her, and she froze. Marta grabbed her shoulder and pulled her forward as a person who hadn’t been there a moment before landed behind her. Sonya turned and was about to draw a quick flash of power when she saw a tight green cheongsam and a pair of cold eyes. Qilin was staring at her, a mixture of that same intensity and something else warring on her face. Sonya cleared her throat. “Qilin! What are you-”

“So he’s your target.”

Sonya’s expression fell. “Getting right to it, are we? What now?”

Qilin shrugged. “Sexual gratification is fleeting. He means nothing to me personally.”

Sonya patted Marta’s arm and passed her. Her companion straightened a little bit, though, and Sonya could feel that she was one wrong move away from going dragon. “Interesting way of saying that,” Sonya said and tilted her head. “What do you want, Qilin?”

“Our deal expires tomorrow,” Qilin said. “And I have received an order from someone who overrides my Committee orders.”

“Who?”

“My grandmother. She has asked me to utilize my fortune manipulation to upend the competition in favor of the Chinese participants,” Qilin said bluntly. “I am also to leverage misfortune on you as well in order for the entire scenario to appear as a rigged payout to China over your falling out with Ma.”

“If you’re telling me, that means you aren’t-”

“It is still on the table,” Qilin said, and Sonya felt the woman’s genuine presence for the first time in a long time. That same looming might that she had been holding back out of admiration and twisted adoration. “It depends on you, Miss.”

Sonya returned her cold stare with one of her own, restraining the urge to respond with Imperious to shove the weight off. “Go on.”

“My grandmother’s words are pointless drivel in my ears. I would not bat an eye at her corpse,” Qilin droned. “However, she is technically family, and the law of my family is quite clear.” She yawned. “I am growing bored with being a mere observer. I find your abusive words and demeanor invigorating,” she sighed wistfully, actually smiling. “But it isn’t enough anymore.”

She’s completely insane.

Qilin’s expression evened out, and she looked Sonya in the eyes. “I want an active role. Soon. It must be part of our next deal, or we are done. If you want First Wind dead, I will do it if you would just ask. It would be far more entertaining than the languishing of the past few days.”

And show the world two Mythic heroes fighting for no apparent reason? Yeah, that’ll look good. Sonya thought sarcastically. You’re supposed to be used to help me annoy First Wind into snapping. After that, your real power will be wielded against Astaroth and, if you survive, Otis.

Sonya set her jaw as Qilin’’s eyes began to glow. “I am waiting.”

“A moment,” Sonya said. “Let me think of the best way to utilize you.”

Qilin’s eyes went wide. “R-really?”

Sonya repressed a shudder. “Yes, just…” She turned away and hid the disgust on her face. I haven’t entertained her enough. I need to think of a way to take advantage of her eagerness. She’s bored and even willing to fight First Wind, but…

She smiled. Now hold on a second. Maybe this isn’t a bad thing.

Her brain fired on all cylinders, every piece of information rocketing through her cybernetics as she even brought Art of War to bear. Every possibility played itself out quickly as she thought through a possible scheme to turn this from a problem to a golden opportunity. First Wind’s pride and his respect for Talent. He’s always been talented; adding another ability would turn him into a true monster. While he’s at the signing, he’ll make a move to take the token, of course. What if…

Ishtar rose up. The boy?

Yes. He’s proven himself to be honorable. If I can get to him ahead of the signing, if he wins… She trailed off and used Technopathy to check the standing scores. When he wins a spot, she grinned even wider. I might be able to plant the seed of the option not to take a token. If he refuses it ahead of time, and we don’t reveal it until the signing…

First Wind would go ballistic, Ishtar agreed with a chuckle.

Then all I would need is a talented bodyguard.

Sonya turned around and put her hands on her hips, walking up to Qilin with a broad smile on her face. “I’m curious, Qilin. Why is your grandmother moving against me?”

“You’ve made your decision?” Qilin asked.

“Yes. You will play an active and crucial role in my next step, Qilin,” she said pleasantly.

“The Song family operates Orchard Star Dynamics as the primary controlling interest,” Qilin said simply. “They are your primary competitor in China and are quickly catching up with ASTA as far as manufacturing is concerned.”

“She wants to replace me,” Sonya mused, looking up into Qilin’s face with a playful smile.

Qilin blinked and cleared her throat. “Y-yes.”

Sonya held out her hand. “That’s all I needed to hear. Let’s renew our deal, Qilin. I want you to protect me for the next month as your additional payment. Do that, and you’ll get your entertainment.”

Qilin narrowed her eyes. “That’s it?”

“I think you’ll understand when the time comes,” Sonya said with a waggle of her eyebrows.

Qilin stared back at her before her eyes widened with understanding. Sonya wasn’t sure if she actually got it or not, but it didn’t really matter. The woman looked down at her hand with caution and then up into her eyes. “I’ll sign the contract.”

Sonya shrugged with a mischievous smile. “Can’t hurt to try, right?”