Kenzo approached the Vigil's entraaking in the sight of the old, rundown police station. The building itself had seeer days, with its paint faded and chipped, and its windows boarded up. The walls were covered in graffiti, and the -link fence surrounding the property sagged with rust.

  He hesitated as he reached the gate, pting turning back. But he was already here.

  After seeing the silhouette of an old acquaintance back at the Rusted , he felt pelled to seek him out. It had been years sihey st spoke, but Kenzo khat he would be at the Vigil, just as he had always been.

  As Kenzo drew closer, he could make out the faint outline of a figure standing in the doorway.

  "Didn't think you'd still be active, Backfire," Kenzo greeted as he he entrance.

  Virgil Maddox's expression remained unged as he gazed impassively at Kenzo. He wore the same frayed trench coat and battered Stetson hat as he had nearly a decade ago, although Kenzo hat his face had grown more weathered and stern. Still, his hazel eyes gleamed with the same keen intelligence.

  "Shall we speak inside, Samurai?" Virgil asked in a low, hoarse voice.

  Kenzo nodded. "Sure, why not?"

  The pair ehe building, walking down a hallway dimly lit with fluorest lights. The interior smelled of damp wood and musty cloth. Old furniture and dusty equipment y scattered around the corridor. They passed by an open door, revealing an office filled with file ets and stacks of folders, their bels faded and worn.

  Virgil led Kenzo into a feren and motioned for him to sit. Ohey both settled around the table, he finally spoke, "Been a while, hasn't it, Kenzo? I would offer you something to drink, but, as you see, I am woefully ill-equipped." He gestured at the empty surroundings.

  Kenzo waved a hand, chug. "Or you've already drunk 'em all. Nah, it's all right. I don't pn to stay long. I saw you at the Rusted Coliseum earlier, figured I'd pay you a visit." He crossed his arms, giving Virgil a serious look. "So, why were you snooping around there, of all pces? Does it have anything to do with Axion?"

  Virgil tapped his fingers oable, his lips twitg in a smile. "I've taken the role as her mentor, of sorts. And I have a responsibility to ensure she doesn't nd herself in any unnecessary trouble."

  Kenzo raised an eyebrow.

  Her mentor? Virgil? Huh, e surprised. I ook him to be the babysitting type.

  "Really, now? Kukuku, sounds iing. Must've piqued your i enough for you to leave your little hole-in-the-wall. I haven't seen you this motivated in a long time." Kenzo grinned wryly. "Does this mean you're making a eback, too?"

  Virgil chuckled lightly. "Now, now, that is for the future to decide, hmm?"

  Kenzed, leaning ba his seat. "Fair enough. Guess we'll find out, one way or another. But back to business. Spill. What's with you and Axion? Something tells me that's not the only reason you've e out of hiding."

  Virgil furrowed his brow, folding his hands together. "Well, as for Axion, you may have seen a little of it yourself. She's quite the promising talent. A rare kind, born in the slums. Yet, unlike you, she aspires to bee a hero."

  Still with his not-so-subtle jabs. Asshole.

  "I remember the st words that came out of your mouth before you disappeared was 'This ain't no pce for no hero'..." Kenzo reminded with a teasing tone. "How the tables have turned, eh?"

  Virgil gave a tired sigh. "And I still stand by it. But fate seems to have a pent for irony."

  "Huh, suppose so. Still, wouldn't have thought you'd be the oo jump on that train." Kenzo rested his on a closed fist, his expression growing somber. "All this talk of heroes...it brings back memories. Good and bad. Especially when you showed up. So, this is a courtesy question: are you gon your old mistakes with Axion?"

  Virgil winced slightly. "No, I won't. This time will be different."

  Kenzo studied the finte, searg for any hint of deception. Virgil returned his stare, meeting his eyes with calm assurance. After a moment, Kenzo broke the silence.

  "Okay. I believe you. So, what's yame pn?"

  Virgil's posture rexed. "At the moment, it involves w with her. Trainieag her, guiding her...whatever she requires. From there, it depends on what dire she chooses to take, and where she intends to lead it."

  "In other words, yoing to teach her to dao your tune?" Kenzo asked dryly.

  Virgil scowled, gring at him. "Not my tune. Hers."

  Kenzo leaned back, giving Virgil an appraising look. "Hmm, that's a big promise ing from you. Make sure you keep it this time."

  Virgil held Kenzo's gaze. "I io."

  The two sat in silence for a moment, her bag down from the other's inteare.

  This wasly the reunion Kenzo expected, but he uood Virgil's retice. The two of them shared a history—ohat wasn't necessarily pleasant, especially towards the end. Trust o be re-established; their old wounds weren't fotten. Still, he wao believe that Virgil was sincere. Maybe, after all this time, he'd found a new purpose in Axion.

  But old habits die hard.

  One of the main reasons Virgil failed to make a sting impa the slums was due to his inflexibility and unwillio bend to the whims of circumstance. His principles were absolute, regardless of the situation. His idealized vision of justice cshed too greatly with the realities of the slums. But the biggest issue was his draiahods.

  When dealing with gangs, he wasn't shy about usihal force. But in a pce where the liween 'vilin' and 'victim' often blurred, Virgil ruly uood where to draw that line. As a result, he alienated everyone, including people who had joined him from the start, believing that they, too, could ge the slums for the better.

  People like Kenzo.

  It also didn't help that Virgil's preferred method of interrogation involved torture. Some of the things he did...no amount of justification could excuse. That was when their retionship began to sour, and the cracks in their partnership began to show.

  The slums operated by its unwritten ws, and the rules within had to be bent and twisted in order to survive. Virgil simply refused to do so, insisting on upholding his rigid code. Eventually, he became disillusioned and abandoned his crusade, choosing io seclude himself and fade into the background, slowly disappearing from the memory of the slums.

  The pair exged a long, wordless gnce, with Keually breaking the stalemate with a ugh.

  "Aaah, too heavy for me. I 't stand the dramatic pauses, man. Say what you o say, a's get over it. No point in stewing in the past. Been there, dohat." He spped his palm oable. ", old timer. Chop-chop. No sense iing around the bush."

  Virgil pursed his lips and nodded. "Alright. Straight to the point, then. There are two things I want to ask of you. First, I need your help in finding out who put the bounty on her. If I remove the root of the problem, the rest should follow suit."

  Kenzo whistled lowly. "The bounty on Axion? I don't mind, but that's gonough o could be from one of the syndicates, or from an outsider. Whoever it is, they're two million ChitCreds or the ce to get into the Metropolis as a citizen. The rewards themselves are high enough to stir the pot. Every gang in the slums is cm for a shot at it."

  Virgil frowned. "I had a hunch, but I wasn't sure. heless, I need you to gather more information a to me. Even the smallest detail help with trag them down."

  Kenzo clicked his tosk, fine. I'll see what I do. For old-time's sake, I guess. What's the sed thing you wao ask?"

  Virgil's features darkened. "It's about the Shiver drug that's retly been cirg through the slums. Have you heard about it?"

  Kenzo grimaced.

  Shiver. It hadn't been too long since he heard about that stuff. A nasty bit of work. Packs a stronger punch than the usual narcotid psychotropics floating around the slums. It caused users to go berserk after a while, not to mention it es with some nasty withdrawal symptoms.

  A real pain in the ass.

  Kenzo rubbed the nape of his neeasily. "Yeah, I have. It's gotten to be a real issue tely. Why?"

  "Me and Axion stopped a drug trade not too long ago. The Neon Vipers were getting their supply from a guy called 'The Mad Chemist'—an alias for Salvatore. He's a mastermind who deals with experimental drugs, most of them desigo do god knows what. If you've ever heard of Adrenomancers, that's his handiwork."

  Oi, oi, oi! What the hell is all that? Adreno-what-now? Never heard of those types before. Sounds like a bunch of nonsehen again, if Virgil's talking about them, there's gotta be some truth to it.

  "Huh, ning any bells, I'm afraid. But this Mad Chemist...he's the one dealing the Shiver, huh?"

  "The Neon Vipers are the ones dealing it, but Salvatore is providing the product. We've stopped one shipment, but there's likely to be more."

  So, the Neon Vipers were the ones who—shit, that means…

  He ruffled his hair in frustration.

  Damn. Not looking forward to that talk. Oh well, that's a problem for another day. Best not let Virgil notice…

  Kenzo arched an eyebrow. "So, you think this Mad Chemist is up to something big here?"

  Virgil gave a slow nod. "Yes. Based on what I've uncovered, the drug trade is just the tip of the iceberg. He has his eyes set on the slums. Whatever his real pn is, it o be stopped."

  "What are you proposing, then?"

  "Cooperation. Meaning I need your help, Kenzo. Like before, only this time, without the flict. Just mutual assistance." Virgil held his gaze steadily, waiting for his reply.

  Helping to find out who put a bounty on Axion was ohing. Now, this? W together, with Virgil? Again?

  There wasn't a simple ao give. A part of him resehe idea, given their history. Another part of him—a smaller voice buried beh his icism and bitterness—felt nostalgic at the thought. Regardless, his skepticism won out in the end.

  "Oi, this isn't a good joke. You really expect me to just agree, after everything? And now, after ten years? Your timing couldn't be worse, old man. This is something you should try with your new protege, if you trust her with that kind of weight on her shoulders."

  Virgil shook his head. "Not yet. Axion is still o all this, and she has a lot to learn. Besides, this s her as well, so her involvement goes without saying. However, I also feel that, given your extensive experien the slums, you'll be a valuable asset to our cause. There's no one else I turn to with this. And you're familiar with how the gangs operate. Better than me, in fact."

  Kenzo gritted his teeth.

  There he goes with his maniputive bullshit. He's ying on the guilt-tripping thick, with a side of praise. Typical Backfire. Ugh, that damn silver tongue of his. Gets me every time.

  "You know I don't agree with your way of doing things," Kenzo reminded. "Even if I agree to help, there'll be ditions. Just so you're aware. Better to y things out clearly from the beginning."

  "Such as?"

  Kenzo exhaled slowly. "I don't want you killing anyone unnecessarily. Or interrogating anyone, for that matter. If you 't promise that, then fet about me being a part of this whole thing. My way or the highway, as they say." He narrowed his eyes at the viginte, crossing his arms stubbornly. "You got that, Virg?"

  Virgil's nostrils fred at the niame, but he grudgingly ined his head. "I agree to that, but if circumstances call for it, I make no promises as to what as I may choose to take. And wheime es, I'm not above allowing myself to bee a...necessary evil."

  "The ends justify the means, right?" Kenzo muttered with a humorless smirk. "Well, I guess that's the best I get out of you. Fine, I'm in. You win. But you owe me big. We clear?"

  He jabbed a finger in the dire of the viginte's face. "Don't screw this up, Virgil. Last thing I want is another repeat of the past. Once was enough for a lifetime, for me, anyway. If I find you crossing that li won't end with just me walking away. Got that?"

  Kenzo tapped the hilt of his sword pointedly, making his meaning clear.

  Virgil's mouth twitched into a rare smile. "Crystal. Well, now that we're allies agai me fill you in on what I've discovered so far..."

  "What do you think Virgil wants?" Quinn asked, nudging Fii with his elbow.

  Fii shrugged, scratg the back of her neervously. "Beats me. I hope he isn't mad at me or anything. I don't think I messed up on anythily."

  She fiddled with the zipper of her jacket. "Maybe it's something to do with the bounty on my head. He said he would help me deal with that, right? Hopefully, that's it."

  Quinn sucked in air between his teeth. "I dunno, Fii, something tells me that's not all of it. If he also asked you t me along, then he probably has something bigger in mind. Something that requires all of us."

  That's a good point. But what else could it be? The only thing Fii could think of was the bounty on her head or the Shiver drug. That was what occupied Virgil's attention tely.

  Wait...

  Maybe he found out about yesterday's i at the Rusted Coliseum? Uh-oh.

  The pair made their way through the winding alleys and shanty towns, heading towards the derelict police station. As they approached the entrance, Fii felt her ightening iomach. She tried to suppress the feeling, but it lingered in the back of her mind.

  Fii go her side and spotted a familiar face strolling leisurely towards the Vigil's entrance Walking from a different dire.

  "Edith?" Fii called out.

  The blonde quack doctor perked up as Fii jogged over to meet her, with Quinn following closely behind.

  "Fii? Did Virgil ask you to e too?" Edith inquired, eyebrow lifting in surprise.

  Fii blinked. "Uh, yeah. Same with you?"

  The three stood awkwardly in front of the Vigil's entrance, shifting g each other.

  Edith looked at Quinn. "And you are...?"

  "My name's Quinn. Fii and I are, uh, friends," Quinn expined sheepishly, gng at Fii for approval. Fii gave him a thumbs up, smiling.

  Edith examined him, and then her eyes widened. "Ah, you. Now I remember. You're the one who found out her secret after she saved you." She stuck a hand out towards him. "I'm Edith. Doctor Edith, but just Edith is fine."

  Quinn took Edith's offered hand and gave it a firm shake. "o meet you, Edith. Are you a friend of Fii's too?"

  "In a way, yes. I'm her doctor and beor."

  Quinn's eyes flickered betweeh and Fii, his fusion evident. "Oh, really? So you guys also met each other through...ce?" He shifted his eyes over at Fii. "Like you and I did?"

  Fii avoided Quinn's impl stare, choosing to feign nonstead. "Yeah, kinda. Sorta. She's the ohat enced me to be a Superhero in the first pce." She scratched the side of her head self-sciously. "I wouldn't have gotten this far without her, to be ho."

  Edith coughed softly. "Moving on from idle chatter, shouldn't we get in there? Virgil is waiting."

  The trio shuffled together aered through the gate, walking along the gravel path leading to the building. Onside, they followed the sound of voices eg through the corridors.

  Fii pushed open the door til's offid stepped inside, greeted by an ued sight. Seated fortably in his chair, legs propped up on the desk, was her than Kenzo himself.

  "Yo," he waved zily.

  "Kenzo?! Why's he here?" Fii blurted, startled.

  Edith narrowed her eyes, gring at Virgil who was standing off to the side, leaning against a wall. "I don't like where this is going, Virgil." She walked over to ay chair and sat down, her expression darkening. "e sit, Fii. Seems like we're in for a long, unfortable discussion."

  Fii cast a puzzled look at Edith, before turning towards Quinn and motioning him to join her.

  Virgil cleared his throat loudly. "If I could have your undivided attention for a moment, that would be much appreciated." His cool, almost bored drawl betrayed a hint of annoyance. "I'll get straight to the point. I decided to have Kenzo join us. As of today, he'll be cooperating with us."

  No way! Woah! This is the best day ever!—Wait, does that mean he knows that I'm Axion?

  Fii stole a quick peek at Kenzo. He seemed uurbed, rexed as ever, with the same zy grin pstered across his face. But the light reflected in his eyes veyed a different message entirely. He was watg her closely, appraising her, and her rea.

  Edith pihe bridge of her nose and sighed. "First you did this with Quinn, and now him? Virgil, I thought we discussed this. You 't just add new members whenever you like." She threw him a gre. "Especially without sulting us first! Just how many more people will you reveal her identity to?!"

  The room fell silent.

  Fii's eyes darted betweewo, uain as to whom she should address her questions to. Meanwhile, Quinn sank deeper into his chair, shrinking under Edith's harsh scrutiny.

  After a moment, Kenzo spoke. "I don't think we've met before, dy. Not that I recall, at least. Lemme introduce myself. The name's Kenzo. Me and Virgil go way back. Had a falling out after...well, that doesn't matter anymore. Point is, we've agreed to set the past aside for now and work together, just like before. 't say I like the old coot too much, but we have the same goals, more or less."

  The er of Edith's left eye twitched as she tio level her heated gre at Virgil. "And you haven't told us about this, why exactly?"

  Virgil merely shrugged in response, a gesture that seemed to set Edith's temper even more afme.

  Fii inched her chair closer to the increasingly frazzled doctor. "I think what Edith's trying to say is, uh, I'd like an expnation too. He did admit that he was inally thinking of fightio get the bounty money."

  Edith snapped her head over to Fii. "He what?!"

  Even Virgil raised an eyebrow at this. "Is this true, Kenzo?"

  Kenzo quickly shook his head, throwing his hands in the air in mock surrender. "Hey, I ain't gonna lie. Yeah, that was the pn at first. But she won me over, alright? Call it a ge of heart. I had doubts about her before, but after speaking with her and sparring, I ged my mind. So here I am."

  Quinn tilted his head to the side, staring ily at Kenzo. "Sparring? What do you mean by sparring?"

  Fii leaned over and whispered into his ear, expining, "I had a sort of duel with him at the Rusted Colosseum. I barely won, by the way, but he's crazy good with a sword."

  "I heard that," Kenzo murmured, before fshing a crooked smirk. "But yeah, she beat me fair and square. I was quite impressed."

  Quinn whispered back to Fii, "Why would a normal guy want to fight you?"

  "He's actually a metahuman like me," Fii answered.

  "Wait, what?!" Quinn jumped to his feet. "He's also a metahuman?"

  Edith, still gring at Virgil, was too distracted by her ao aowledge Quinn's sudden outburst. Instead, she folded her arms together a out a long, drawn-out sigh. "Virgil, just tell me what's going on in that whiskey-filled head of yours. I'm starting to have some serious s here. Where is this headed?"

  Virgil pushed himself away from the wall, pag over to the ter of the room. He paused to sweep his gaze around the group. "Something big is happening in the slums, and the pieces are already moving into pce. We need more people on our side. Trustworthy people, who be depended upon. The two of you"—he motioo Quinn and Kenzo—"are among those few."

  He turned his attention to Edith. "Since Salvatore is involved in this, we only assume his involvement with the Shiver drug is likely a precursor to something rger. Something involving those Adrenomancer elites of his. We need all the help we get."

  Edith visibly defted at his words, shoulders drooping in resignation.

  Fii leaned over to whisper into Quinn's ear once again. "Who's Salvatore?"