CHAPTER TWENTY - BATTERY

The air shimmered with fractured light as Shatterbird floated above the wreckage, her glass-laden robes catching the pale sunlight and refracting it into dancing rainbows. Beneath her mask, she smirked, surveying the devastation with an artist’s satisfaction.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she called out, her voice amplified and resonant. She raised her hand, and a storm of glass fragments hovered menacingly around her. “The way the sun catches the shards, the way it cuts through everything. Poetic.”

Battery’s jaw clenched as she crouched behind the twisted wreck of a car, her breathing shallow as glass fragments rained down like glittering knives. Shatterbird’s attack was relentless, her maelstrom of destruction leaving the air humming with sharp-edged menace. A few paces away, Armsmaster stood steadfast, his halberd humming with energy as he blocked a volley of razor-sharp shards aimed in their direction.

“We need to split her focus,” Armsmaster barked, his eyes locked on their enemy. “You hit her from the right. I’ll take the left.”

Battery nodded, her jaw tightening. The cobalt blue lines on her suit glowed faintly as she began charging her power, the familiar buzz of energy filling her veins. But the note tucked into the hidden compartment of her belt felt heavier than any load she ever carried.

The words haunted her, echoing louder than Shatterbird’s piercing shrieks. Cauldron’s directive had been clear, its implications unbearable.

Let Siberian and Shatterbird escape the city alive.

Armsmaster lunged first, his halberd slicing through the air. The sound drew Shatterbird’s attention, and she unleashed a wave of glass shards in his direction. 

“Battery, now!” Armsmaster shouted, his tone sharp enough to cut through her spiraling thoughts as he dodged the attack.

Battery did as instructed, darting out from her cover, her speed leaving her a blur as she closed the distance. She aimed for Shatterbird’s flank, a burst of energy surging through her limbs as she charged. Shatterbird turned, her glass mask reflecting Battery’s glowing figure, and sent a swirling storm of shards to intercept her. Battery skidded to a halt, pivoting to avoid the worst of the barrage. But even with her enhanced speed, several pieces tore through her armor, drawing thin lines of blood across her arms and legs.

“You’re hesitating,” Armsmaster snapped as Battery retreated to his side. His voice was low, but she could hear the frustration in it. “We can’t afford mistakes, not against her.”

“I’m not,” she lied, the guilt twisting her stomach. She avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the shards of glass swirling protectively around Shatterbird like a crystalline hurricane. But her mind raced, torn between her duty as a hero and the impossible weight of her deal with Cauldron.

Shatterbird smiled cruelly, her voice carrying a mocking edge. “Is that all you’ve got? I expected more from Brockton Bay’s finest.” She raised her arms, and the shards around her vibrated with deadly intent.

Battery clenched her fists, forcing herself to concentrate. The city was depending on them. Armsmaster was depending on her. But how could she reconcile her obligation to protect with the monstrous command she’d been given?

“Battery!” Armsmaster called again, his tone now edged with urgency.

“I’ve got it,” she muttered, her voice tight. Charging up again, she darted forward, aiming to catch Shatterbird off guard. This time, she managed to grab hold of one of the villain’s arms, her enhanced strength crushing the glass gauntlet around Shatterbird’s wrist. For a fleeting moment, Battery felt a surge of triumph.

Then she hesitated.

Let them escape.

The command froze her muscles, her grip faltering. Shatterbird wrenched free with an almost languid motion, laughing as she sent a swarm of glass shards spinning toward Battery. Armsmaster stepped in, his halberd’s blade glowing as it cut through the assault.

“What’s wrong with you?” he demanded, his tone colder now. “You had her.”

Battery didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her, but she kept her eyes on the ground. How could she explain? How could she admit to her teammate, her leader, the truth? That she was compromised? That she’d sold a piece of her soul for power—and now the debt was being called in?

“You don’t look convinced of your own heroism,” Shatterbird purred, her voice dripping with mockery. “Tell me, what does it feel like to carry their leash? Heavy, I imagine.”

Battery froze, her heart pounding. Shatterbird’s words cut deeper than the glass. Did she know? No, she couldn’t possibly—but the guilt that coiled in Battery’s gut made her feel exposed, like Shatterbird had peeled back her skin and seen the truth underneath.

“Focus!” Armsmaster shouted, and she could feel Armsmaster’s frustration mounting as his attacks grew more desperate, his precision faltering.

Forcing herself to move, to charge again, the fight continued, a chaotic dance of glass and powers, but Battery felt like she was moving through water, her actions sluggish and uncertain. Shatterbird seemed to notice, her attacks growing bolder, her mocking laughter cutting deeper.

“You’re not all there, are you?” Shatterbird taunted, seizing the opportunity to send a wall of glass hurtling toward Armsmaster. He raised his halberd, but he was too slow to fully block the assault. The shards tore through his armor, leaving him staggering. “I can see it in your eyes. That flicker of doubt. Delicious.”

“Battery!” he barked, his tone sharp with anger. “What are you doing? Move!”

She hesitated for one heartbeat too long. Shatterbird’s laughter rang out as she raised her hands, summoning another deadly swarm. 

“Shut up!” Battery shouted as she charged, her body a blur as she intercepted the attack, using her enhanced body to shield Armsmaster. The shards slammed into her, but her momentum carried her forward, her strength amplified by the charge. Her fist slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling toward Shatterbird. The villain darted back with an elegant leap, retreating mid-air. 

The fight ended in a stalemate, Shatterbird disappearing into the sky on a gust of wind, her laughter echoing in her wake. Battery stood in the wreckage, her chest heaving as the glow of her power faded. Armsmaster was already scanning the area with his visor, muttering about pursuit and recalibration.

“What happened back there?” he asked finally, his voice measured.

Battery couldn’t meet his gaze, turning away, her hands clenched into fists. “I—” She hesitated, the words choking her. “I’m sorry.”

“Get it together,” Armsmaster added, his voice softening slightly. “We don’t have room for mistakes, Battery. Not now.”

As he moved to assess the damage, Battery pulled the note from her belt, unfolding it with shaking hands. The words stared back at her, unyielding and cold.

Let Siberian and Shatterbird escape the city alive.

She had followed the order, let Shatterbird escape, but at what cost?

Battery crushed the paper in her fist, swallowing the lump in her throat. She wanted to scream, to tear the guilt from her chest, but all she could do was stand there, paralyzed by the weight of her choices.

When Armsmaster called her name again, she shoved the note back into her belt and turned to follow him, her face a mask of determination. But inside, the war between her conscience and her duty raged on, threatening to consume her entirely.