Omega: An Unexpected Tip

Omega Magnus races to the Valley shopping district on the MagnusCycle. The criminal activity had been reported in the retail section, with several masked men causing a disturbance.

"Magnus!" EJ chimes in on the radio, "There's some activity been spotted on the rooftops above the food district!"

"What about the masked men being reported?" Magnus asks,

"They've gone dark." answers EJ, "Maybe they've lost interest, or maybe they've been called off by Ariel."

"Keep me posted on any updates, I think Toni's friend Harry works in that area."

Reaching the food district, Magnus fires his cable launcher from his left gauntlet and flies off the MagnusCycle into the air. The MagnusCycle has an autopilot along with security countermeasures, so Magnus doesn't have to worry too much about it, given there are more pressing issues at hand.

Magnus reaches the rooftop overlooking the food and retail districts. He walks around for a bit, observing for any situational occurrence.

"Hey Steven..." a voice comes from the corner of the rooftop next to the one Magnus is on.

He turns to look where the source of the voice came from.

It's Ariel Magnus.

No weapons drawn, no fighting stance taken, no angry enraged look on her face.

Magnus proceeds to go closer, but only stops a few feet away, being fully prepared for whatever Ariel may have planned.

"What is it you're planning to do this time?" Magnus asks with a serious look on his face,

"Just feel like talking to someone." Ariel answers, "Turns out the people working under me aren't interested in deep meaningful conversations."

"You expect us to have that kind of conversation after everything that's happened?"

"But you're not saying no, are you?"

Magnus looks away as if to conceal his reaction.

"Well, what do you want to talk about?" Magnus asks, "Your vision and dream again?"

"No, I guess that's not what the grand scheme is right now." Ariel answers,

"You work under someone?!!"

"You can say that. Not like I can get an entire Benefactor operation off the ground by myself."

"The person approached you?"

"Yes, I was at a low point. You may not know it, but I suffer from bipolar and schizophrenia. Sometimes I have outburst of anger and rage like at the City Hall. Even when we fought, mostly because I can't get my way. I just get frazzled, and I end up doing some terrible things. I met him, we got to talking. He said I could truly achieve something and be able to change the world. I told him about my dreams and my vision. We basically shared the same goals."

Magnus could not believe what he was hearing.

"Is Alexander Stephenson involved in your operation?" Magnus asks,

"Yes." Ariel replies, "He has his own vision as well. It appears he's taken centre stage over me. I'm just the stooge helping him to succeed."

"And you don't want him to get his way?" Magnus asks.

Ariel smiles.

"You were always good at figuring things out."

"Is that why you're coming to me?" Magnus asks,

"I don't expect you to trust me or even take my word. We're basically enemies now. But..." Ariel says as she looks away, as if she is getting slightly emotional.

"I still think about you. Even if I want to kill you sometimes."

"Right back at you." Magnus softly replies,

Magnus' radio comes alive.

"Magnus!" Shouts EJ, "Toni's gone!"

"What?" Magnus replies,

"She's not here! The assault bike you gave your dad isn't here!" Says EJ,

Magnus turns to Ariel.

"What's going on Ariel?!!" Magnus shouts at Ariel,

"Ariel?" EJ replies on the radio, "What are you doing talking to Ariel?!"

"That's what I've come to tell you". Ariel begins to speak, "Alexander Stephenson is planning a trap for Toni at the retail district. Apparently he wants her out of the way, something about her being a blockade towards his vision."

"Does he know about us?" Magnus asks,

"As far as you being a super vigilante? No." Ariel answers, "But he knows about Toni being your aunt's daughter. Apparently my superior and Alexander really have a grudge against Stefani."

Magnus turns to head towards the retail district.

"No thank you?" Ariel shouts out,

"Thank you." Magnus grudgingly replies, "But don't expect anything to change between us."

Magnus starts to head off.

"I still love you." Ariel softly replies,

Magnus doesn't answer, and flies off with his cable launchers.

"Can you trust what she just told you?" EJ asks Magnus via radio,

"Toni might be walking into a trap, and Alexander is now supposedly involved." Magnus replies, "Right now, we've got to worry about Toni."

"What about Ariel?" asks EJ, "What's the plan?"

"I don't know..." Magnus answers, completely unsure about Ariel's true intentions. "Just… Leave it for now…"