meetings

"Nielsen...But you can call me Volt."

Volt looked to be in his early thirties, with brown hair and amber eyes. He gave Alex a kind smile, but he could tell there was something more behind it. Alex could practically feel how tired he was, mixed in with a hint of anxiety. 

"Well...Thank you Volt. I'm A- Livepink. I am Livepink. It's been a pleasure.." 

They nodded to each other and turned to walk away, backs to one another. 

' Huh. That was nice,' Alex thought. He propelled himself onto the nearest roof. Soon he would forget entirely about what had happened, brushing it off as an act of kindness from a stranger.

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' That was him. I can't believe that worked!! ' 

Volt briskly walked through the streets of Hollow City after encountering Livepink, one of his four targets. After the Doctor's warning, he knew he had to do everything in his power to save Vanessa. 

He'd started his hunt for the four by checking the Hero's register, reading over every hero listed in both the A and B-Classes. The biggest threats were Liberty and Jetfade, the former being in the top five for B-Class. Jetfade, despite being ranked lower, would be just as dangerous of a threat, his lightning powers being the biggest issue. 

"Lady Mana isn't much of a fighter type hero, however her powers aren't anything to scoff at…." He murmured to himself. He sat on the ground of his one room apartment, the computer itself being the most expensive thing in the room.

"That just leaves this guy," He said to nobody in particular. He tapped the screen with his index finger, hovering right over Alex's picture. 

"Powers: Stretching and the ability to generate force fields. Not too bad. Probably why he's ranked last…"

Grinning to himself he scribbled down Livepinks powers on a sheet of paper to memorize. He ran his hands through his hair after throwing on his jacket and work boots. 

"I first ran into them around Jes Street..Down by Abby's diner. I'll start there.."

After a week of scouting the area, he memorized Alex's patrol routine. On the day of their encounter, he grabbed some bum from the alleyway by his shirt collar and held him to his face.

"You listen here bub. I've got a job for you," he snarled. The man held up his hands and frantically tried to scramble out of his hold. "Go out there in the plaza and rob someone. Anyone. Actually," dragging the man he pointed at a woman. "Her there. Don't hurt her, just take her bag and make a scene. Go along with everything I do and I'll pay you well." Volt then pushed him into the clearing, quickly leaving after him and rounding to the other side of the area. 

He scanned some shops casually as he waited. Soon Alex appeared, and his plan was in motion. He didn't want to hurt Livepink, it was more so to confirm his theory. It worked.

"Hold out for me Vanessa… I'll save you…"

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"Damn it all!"

Back at headquarters, Lloyd sat in the lobby whilst waiting for the monthly agent meeting. It had been a while since he had spoken to Hazel, and that worried him. He had been working alongside Doctor Aurora secretly, passing on precious information to him in exchange for good money. Despite being a field action for the Coalition he got paid a little over minimum wage, something he couldn't stand. He adored Hazel and her ambitions but the money was so tempting, not to mention his distaste for the coalition to begin with. He knew that if Hazel would hear him out, she'd completely understand. 

If only she'd listen. 

Lloyd and Hazel had been acquainted before he was assigned to her. She was younger, 15, and was his best friend in high school. The two shared so much history it was perfect.

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"Hey! I'm Hazel. Are you new?" 

A 15 year old Hazel excitedly introduced herself to Lloyd, hand outstretched and smiling wide and excited. She wore all yellow he noticed, contrasting harshly to his black themed wardrobe. He nodded nervously and gently shook her hand.

"Lloyd...And yeah...Uh, me and my parents moved here from overseas so...Sorry if my accents… Odd…" He shifted in his place, playing with his hands.

"Why would you apologize? That's pretty cool! Hollow High is pretty diverse so you'll feel right at home! Speaking of home, where ya from? Oh! Do you have powers? Wanna see what I can do?!"

Hooking their arms together she walked him into the cafeteria, and the rest was history.

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"Hey man, are you good?" 

Lloyd looked up from his seat, unaware that he was anxiously gnawing at his thumb. He quickly stood and wiped his hand on his pants, smiling at his fellow agent. 

"It's nothing, I just have a lot on my mind. "

"Huh, okay. Well the meeting's gonna start any minute. Excited to listen to the same old stuff?"