Getting Out

"How do we get it to work without Sebastian," Aarti asked, staring at the hat in Lucy's hands.

"I thought you knew," Lucy replied, startled. She eyed the cowboy hat. "It doesn't really feel like felt, though. It's probably some weird sort of material."

"It opens interdimensional doorways. I doubt felt could do that," Court said, taking the hat from Lucy. He peered inside. "Still, it doesn't look like it does anything, but it keeps saying it does."

"How did they make it work," Jebediah asked. He leaned back against a nearby cylinder, bouncing Niles Jr. on one leg, making the baby happily gurgle.

"They used my blood," the Amazon that was trailing silently after Aarti said. She looked away when Aarti turned towards her. "I think my blood and the outsider's blood mingled during the fight. That's why it works. It doesn't work for long, though. I'm not its real owner, after all."

"That's true," Court muttered, his attention still on the hat. "We can do this if we do it fast, perhaps?"

They glanced over at the hubbub in the distance. Kuro and Don were fighting, but that was to be expected if they were in the same place for longer than a few hours. Sol stood to one side with half the girls while the two adults in the room were trying to separate the two.

"That looks like it hurts," Court said with a wince, finally looking up.

"It's smoke and mirrors." Lucy waved a dismissive hand. "Keep an eye on the kid," she told Jebediah as they circled around another cylinder. She peeped over the top through the broken glass. "How many are ours and how many outsiders?"

"Most, and the majority of outsiders are in no shape to protest being moved," Aarti replied. "We bleeding her?" Euphemis shot her a sharp look that was disregarded by them.

"Cassidy says that she has an empty spot just outside the creche. We can't go too far because too many people know that we're here," Lucy said, consulting her communicator.

"Then let's make it fast. The communicators are slipping from my control," Court warned. He held the hat towards Aarti. "It's set for Cassidy's choice."

"The honors?" Aarti said, taking the hat. She glanced at Euphemis who sulkily held out her arm. Aarti took out a small knife and nicked one of Euphemis' fingers. "Did you think we'd take a gallon?" She muttered to Euphemis as she squeezed a drop onto the hat.

The hat gleamed. Aarti flung a few feet away as Lucy and Court quickly beckoned the younger kids. A glowing dot appeared and elongated. It opened to a square that showed Cassidy standing amidst a patch of grass, withered and dry in spots. The metallic curve of the creche loomed beside her.

"Hurry," Cassidy said, scanning the portal with gleaming eyes.

"Tell her no," Lucy told Leilani as she shepherded her through the portal.

"Yes, boss," Leilani said, her hand tight on Sabrina's hand.

"I'll go last," Ella said, ducking back around the cylinder forest. "I'll go with you, Lucy."

Lucy glanced after her, distracted as the first group from the fight's bystanders streamed by. Court shrugged before heading after Ella. Aarti nudged Euphemis through the gate as well.

"You have to protect them," Aarti ordered, her tone steely. Euphemis looked shocked before nodding her head decisively and following after the last of the bystanders.

"Tired, Lucy," Sol said, leaning against Lucy's shoulder.

Lucy patted her head. In the distance, it still looked as if there was a crowd watching the fight which was winding down. If you looked closely enough, you'd notice a faint flicker whenever anyone in the crowd moved.

"You did good," Lucy assured Sol. Sol sighed happily, snuggling closer.

"And another one we need to shove underground," Jebediah said, walking up with Niles Jr. balanced in his arms. "What about this one? And his parents who are where, exactly?"

"It's Niles. Who knows," Lucy responded. She massaged the bridge of her nose. "Sol, drop the illusion."

Sol nodded and straightened up. Even as she stretched a hand towards the illusory crowd, the portal sputtered and closed, leaving just the hat.

"Now, we get ourselves out," Lucy said, scooping it up. "Could someone go catch Ella? We need to move before someone finds Cassidy's little daycare."

"And Niles? And his baby mama?" Jebediah prodded as Niles Jr. gurgled and held out his chubby arms towards his aunt.

"And him," Lucy reluctantly said, approaching Jebediah. "Who's a handsome young man? Is that you?" She cooed at the baby, taking him from Jebediah who rolled his eyes. "We're going to go on a little trip. Okay, little one?"

Sol bounced up, cooing as well. Little sparkles of light trailed from her fingertips just over Niles Jr.'s head. The baby laughed, trying to catch the lights.

"That is so adorable," Kathryn said as she approached. "Were we this small once?"

"Everyone was this small, once," Lucy said, looking up at her.

"My mom wasn't," Aarti piped up, watching as her mother and Batman approached. "What? She wasn't. I'll tell you the story later."

"Aside from Aarti who's a special girl," Lucy said in a level tone, "everyone knows that you start out this small. Then you grow up." She bounced the baby in her arms a couple of times. "It's our current job to eliminate these creches and free all the subjects so that they can live normal lives."

"A normal life?" Kathryn asked, her eyes shadowy.

"As normal as we can make it," Lucy replied firmly. She glanced around. "Oh, look, your mommy and daddy are coming back," she told the baby.

"Where did the rest of the kids go?" Aarti's mom asked when she got into earshot.

"Cassidy found an alternative exit. They went that way. We're the distraction," Lucy immediately lied.

"With a baby?" Batman asked. Niles Jr. gurgled at him, waving a chubby fist.

"Best bait ever," Lucy said. She shrugged bonelessly. "Now, let's go provide a distraction."