Solace Ch.21

— Samantha Eve Wilkins (Atom Eve) —

Eve let out a deep sigh as she sunk into her steamy, hot bubble bath, unwinding from all the stress that school and hero work had built up. With nothing but the sound of the slight splashes of water from her movement, she was left to her thoughts, a place she rarely ever wanted to go. 

She thought about the fairly normal day…or at least normal recently. Her life didn’t have any real problems beyond the normal teenage girl/hero would, much to her happiness…and confusion. 

Ever since the dinner with her family and Darius a few months ago, her parents, more specifically her father, have been acting strange. They’ve been nicer, and a bit more distant, allowing her to do as she pleased with little restrictions.

Normally Eve would be absolutely ecstatic about the development, she had a feeling that there had been some foul play that must have occurred. 

Eve’s mind flashed back to Mr. Johnson taking her father out back for a talk. 

She knew better. It wasn’t Mr. Johnson going out back with her father, it was Nocturnus, and knowing how…violent the man is, she wouldn’t be surprised if he threatened him in some way. 

Eve brought her knees to her chest as she sat, staring at the bubbles. She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t like that Nocturnus had messed with her family, even if her father deserved a little lecture. Her mind flashed back to the moment the powerful hero killed her siblings.

She knew they were a threat, she knew they were on the verge of death—but he killed them. Not only that, but he didn’t even show an ounce of remorse. 

How was she supposed to feel about that?! 

Eve exhaled with her face under the water, causing bubbles to rise to the top of the water. Her life had gotten better, but she didn’t think it happened in a way she wanted. 

She looked over at her phone, laying on the sink. 

Once she was done with her bath, she’d need to make a phone call.

— Darius Johnson (Solace) —

I frowned while standing atop the roof of a massive building, looking over the bright lights of Chicago City. Tonight was the night it changed for the better if I could invoke such a change. 

Machine Head, the man who practically runs this city, is going down tonight if things go well. I honestly hoped Battle Beast wasn’t here yet, otherwise, Titan and I weren’t getting shit done tonight. If I saw that furry fuck for even half a second, I was flying out and leaving Titan to his fate. The world can call me a bitch for all I care, just don’t call me dead.

“This ain’t gonna be easy.” Titan said, walking up behind me. 

“Depends on who he’s hired.” I shrugged my shoulders, never taking my eyes off of the city beneath me. “Could be a breeze.”

“Is that what you really believe?” Titan side-eyed me.

“I do.” 

If Battle Beast wasn’t present, then I could take the rest of the hired help myself. I knew for a fact I wasn’t strong enough to take the powerful feline yet. 

“Well, if you’re that confident, let’s stop waiting around.” Titan walked closer behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. 

“Yeah, let’s-” 

RING

I blinked at the sudden ringing of my phone. Who the hell could be calling me at this hour? It’s around midnight right now. Eve and I already finished our patrol and she went home, Mark should be sleeping, the same goes for my mom, and my dad should be patrolling right now. 

“You gonna take that now?” Titan asked with a bit of impatience in his voice. I waved my hand at him and used the other to pull my phone out of my breast pocket. 

Eve

“Yeah, I think I will.” I let out a quiet sigh, giving the larger man a shoo motion, and he took the hint and walked away to the other side of the roof. Once I saw he was far enough away, I answered the call.

“Hey Eve, what’s up?” 

“[...]” 

Silence met me on the other side, and my heart began to quicken a bit. 

“Eve, are you alright?” I asked, weirded out by her silence. 

“[Darius, can we talk…face to face?]” 

I paused, surprised at how serious her voice was. 

“Yeah, we can…what happened, Eve? Is everything alright?”

“[Please, let’s just talk…]”

Something was definitely up with her. I looked back at Titan who was watching me from afar, and clenched my empty fist. I really wanted to clean things up tonight, but I couldn’t leave Eve alone when she was down like this. 

“Yeah, I’m on my way.” 

Eve didn’t say anymore, instead she hung up, which only deepened my curiosity as to what has bothered her. She had been fine for months, maybe a bit tired from all the school and hero work, but besides that, she’s been her normal self. So when and where did things change? 

I started making my way over to Titan. 

“You done?” He asked as I approached him. 

“I am, but unfortunately something came up.” 

“You’re kidding.” He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “I thought you were a “Man of the City”” 

“I am.” I nodded slowly. “But something came up that requires my attention. Whether Machine Head goes down tonight, or tomorrow, nothing changes.” 

“You saying that tells me that you ain’t from the streets.” Titan shook his head. “A day with him in charge is a day where this city gets worse. People die, buildings burn, kids starve. Are you okay with walking away knowing more people are gonna die tonight and tomorrow?” 

I frowned at his words. He was right and I had no way to refute him. Eve being upset was a problem, that much is true, but leaving people to die…that was just plain careless. I’m sure Eve would understand if I came a bit later than intended, Machine Head has to go down, tonight.

“Alright, you’ve convinced me.” I nodded, outstretching my hand. “But we do this fast, I got somewhere to be.” 

“Fine by me.” Titan grasped my hand and shook it firmly. “Let’s bring order to this fucked up city.” 

“Let’s do it.” 

— Later —

We landed atop Machine Head’s penthouse, and I put Titan down from the princess carry I had him in.

“I wish I could fly.” He groaned in annoyance as he planted his feet on solid ground. 

“Well, being a living tank has its own perks, I’m sure.” I chuckled, earning a glare from him. 

“Tch.” He kissed his teeth and began walking toward the edge. 

“We’re going through the window?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“No, there’s no way we can get through it. The thing is so damn reinforced that a missle couldn’t shatter it.” 

I raised an eyebrow at the man. Does he know know who I am? 

“So, we’re going through the window.” I nodded, floating in the air. 

“You got cotton in your ears? I said we aint-”

SHATTER

“Who the fuck are you~” 

I smiled underneath my mask as I looked at Machine Head mask to mask. He was sitting in his chair, and as I entered, he spun around to face me, but didn’t panic. 

The fact that he was this calm gave me a horrible feeling about what was to come, but I was this deep already. 

“Why the fuck are you in my-” Machine Head shouted/harmonized before he spotted Titan enter the building by climbing down the roof and into the hole I made. “Oh, heya Titan, did daddies bitch want more work~” 

Oh wow…

“...Fuck you, Machine Head.” 

“I don’t know; I’m busy now, maybe later~.” 

…I didn’t know this guy was a quick-witted savage. Holy shit, almost makes me feel like sparing him now. 

“Let me just interject for a moment.” I stepped between Titan and Machine Head. “Before Titan gets cooked any further.” 

I could hear Titan grinding his teeth behind me, but let's be honest, that was all he could do in this situation. Never in my life have I seen someone get so thoroughly fucked by words alone. I was saving this man! 

“Machine Head you’ve brought this city nothing but-”

“Oh, you’re that new guy, Solace right~?” Machine Head asked/sang, I honestly can’t tell which to call it with that clean autotune of a voice he has. 

“I am.” I nodded slowly.

“Oh, great! I have some guys that I’ve been dying to get on payroll, can you help me see if they’re worth it~?” 

Before I could answer, four guys with various powers appeared in the room. I guess they were already here but cloaked or something. 

I looked at each of them. A guy made of lava…I think? A giant robot, a guy with…pink bands coming out of his body—are those muscles?! The last guy was wearing some yellow ugly costume.

A wicked grin consumed my face.

“So, what do you say~” Machine Head asked, backing up.

“You…”

“Speak up, fresh meat; I can’t hear you~” 

“You…You’re so fucked!” I grinned underneath my mask and outstretched my hands. No Battle Beast, no problem! “Let's do it, a battle to change the fate of this city! Try not to bore me. I have somewhere to be, so make this worth my time!” 

— Chapter End —

Beta reader: @Dragonboy1