RRR

When you spend everyday living your life like it's a damn comic book, silence becomes a distant memory. And yet, two days have passed since the thunderous destruction of the House of Helixes, and not a single villain has shown their face. And not without good reason; with this one motion, Tactic has been starting to rule Philly like he owns the place, all while using our now tainted reputation to fuel his rhetoric. Worst of all, our team is now broken, physically and mentally. I've had my theories on this Prophet's ability, but I can tell that it was more devilish than even I thought from the other's reaction.

Doubt and hopelessness called out like a phantom in front of me, but those calls were left unanswered at the presence of my newfound acceptance. The past is the past, which means that all I can do is focus on the present. My name is Chelsea Danvers, A.K.A. Prophecy, and at this moment, I intend to do as I've always done and picked up the pieces of what I've started. After filing through another hate-filled comment section on my computer, I decided to do another check up on David. So far, he was taking it the worse, but I decided to give him his space. Yet it seemed for him time stood still, since he was still very much sitting amongst yet another cold tray. From there, I decided to steel myself and become the leader I should've been.

"Take it from someone who's experienced it; you do not want to waste a good meal."

David just decided to ignore me, forcing me to press on silently.

"Kate told me what was in her dreams, but you and Derek haven't said anything. If we talked it maybe we can-."

"There is no point in talking to you, just like there is no point in eating," he said in heartbreak.

Picking up on this, I decided to attack my new creed.

"By that logic, you might as well tell me if what you say has no meaning."

From there, David's rage started to rise, forcing himself out of his rest to meet my 5-foot statue with an unintentional snarl. And in the presence of such power, I decided to sit down in an upright position, not even blinking for a second. Through this newfound acceptance made my aura unmoving. I had spent a dozen years gaining allies and settling disputes, and I can do it again.

"Fine, you want to know what I saw? In that white light, I was back in my old home for the first time in a year. I didn't have to unfurl my wings or watch my tail because they weren't there. All I did was lay in the same bed as the man I loved. That bastard brought me exactly what I wanted! And it felt so real, every second, every embrace. When I was brought back here with you, it just reminded me that it's never going to happen. It reminded me that for the rest of my life, I would have to live with you, and it makes me want to tear you apart, even if it means I'll be alone again. So tell me, Chelsea, why should I even bother fighting for a dream that has no meaning?"

The question weighed heavily on my soul. After all, he was right. In my desperation, I had recruited the men and women just as vulnerable as I. To "win it all" would be to win over this entire world gone mad. If our actions did have any meaning, I doubt that we would ever live long enough to see it. A smart person would've probably given up. But I'm just stupid enough to try anyway.

"People got killed the last time I dealt in absolutes. So, unfortunately, I will have to put the answer in your hand. But whatever path you choose, I promise to support you in any path you choose. If you want to keep me alive, then we can be miserable together. If you want to leave, then I'll lend you as much support as you want. At this point, I honestly don't know if our actions have any objective meaning in the end. As a dead woman walking, all I can respond with is this. Do you think that it has no meaning, do you think that for all of the impossible things that you've seen, can you honestly say that it all means nothing?"

David pondered the question intently, fighting himself with all he had. I almost could see the storm of thoughts running through his head as he decided to walk off silently. Upon reaching the exit of the Trophy Case, he unfurled his wings and said.

"I need some time to think and clear my head."

"I'll be here if you come back," I said wholeheartedly.

And with that, he wordlessly took flight, fully willing to accept the consequences that come with it.

Kate POV

In the past 48 hours. I've been shot, shocked, and drugged, and yet the only person's health I was worried about was Derek. At least David was saddened by everything; there was nothing to hide. Derek, on the other hand, has been treating everything like it's normal. From attending work to addressing us, Derek has been unusually perky. And while he may have the cutest of smiles, it didn't take a theatre student to know something is wrong.

Phil wanted to go along with me, but he's already recovering from his previous wounds, and I honestly felt guilty. From my car, I decided to take a deep breath as I knocked on the door. It didn't take even three knocks before the door opened to reveal an outfit I've never seen before. Derek was wearing an apron and chef's hat, but it was mixed in with jeans and a pajama-like shirt. Combined with his face and bruised skin, he looked worse for wear.

"What a surprise, come in, Kate, take a seat."

By the time I reached the couch, Derek's fiery trail had circled inside the house numerous times. Though from the light, I could see his house in a different light. Oriented trinkets lined up the shelves as I saw that various pictures of Derek's family decorated the walls, along with a high school football jersey that fit his frame. I also saw a tv that was blaring the latest news at a low volume; when I reached the couch properly, Derek zipped back anxiously while waiting in a pulled up chair. From there, he probed first.

"So what brings you to my humble abode?"

"Nothing much; I just wanted to check up on you."

"Oh, I'm doing fine. My skin is still healing but compared to what Ivan did, this is nothing," he says as his mind wanders.

"You sure? It's just that you haven't been answering our calls, and I just wanted to-," I said worryingly.

"Aw, shoot what I'm doing. I haven't even asked you if you wanted some food," he said impatiently.

From there, he retreated into the kitchen as the sounds of appliances and tools started to flick and clatter.

"I don't know how to make much. Do you prefer spaghetti and meatballs or hamburgers?"

"I'm not hungry right-"

"Don't worry, I can just make both," Derek says while doubling his already frantic speed.

"Derek, you don't have to-."

"Ooh, let me change the channel to something else real quick," he says as he already blurred back to the living room.

His fingers clicked the remote like tiny jackhammers as the channels started to flip past. Realizing the deflections, I then started to get up.

"Which channel is your favorite? We've got over 1000, so we are bound to-"

I then grabbed his forearm with superhuman strength as I decided to get to the point.

"Derek, what did you see?"

All at once, Derek's facade cracked faster than he could ever move. His remote then started to crack like a wet cookie as sadness and rage combined.

"I almost thought that I had forgotten their voices, you know, and yet somehow they were exactly how I remembered them. Except for once, they weren't swamped in their work. For once, I didn't have some fucking frat party or bothersome test. All we had was this room, and all they wanted to do was know how much they missed. I gave them everything in full detail, and the only thing they did was hug me and tell me that I was doing okay. Flashback to reality and I realize how pathetic that was," he said as he threw that remote in the wall so hard it cracked!

"All this speed, all this damn power, and yet I can't do anything! I can't beat freaks like Prophet, I can't save anyone, not even myself, and I can't be the champion I know they want to be. And if I can't do anything, then why am I still here?" he said with tears streaming down.

Days of pent up frustration started to pour out. He looked at my worried expression and said.

"You were in the same dream too, so how the hell are you still standing?" he asked in a mix of jealousy and anguish.

"Because the minute I entered that dreamscape, I knew it wasn't real. My father was back, and I was an Oscar-winning actress. My powers were gone, and Genesis never took place. And as much as I enjoyed it, I realized that the world was the living opposition of what you guys taught me. I chose reality a long time ago, so I can tell you that everything you just said was wrong. You've fought this battle longer and harder and won more than any of us. And I can tell you here that you're my champion because if it weren't for you, I would never have gotten the chance to embrace reality."

"But, but I still-."

From there, my body moved on its own, hugging him with care as I said the words he needed to hear.

"You're doing okay, Derek, you are not fighting alone, and I promise you that no matter what happens, I'll be there just like you were for me."

My hug was as heartwarming from my inhuman frame as ever as I felt Derek melt into my arms while sobbing. Through the torrent, Derek managed out a few words as he said.

"Can you please stay a little bit longer?"

"Of course, I'll stay all night if need be, as long as I get those Spaghetti meatball burgers."

"Deal," Derek said in a warm smile that could melt snow.

From there, we just decided to prolong the hug, knowing that we were all together in a world gone mad.