Headquarters

Hazel stepped out of her car, quietly closing the door behind her. She waved to the other two-Stefani and Alex- giving them hugs once close enough. The trio stood around for a few moments, chatting about what they had been up to since seeing one another at the diner. Both women informed Alex of their meetup, Hazel turning to Stefani.

"Like I said," she began. "I've made up my mind. I'll stick around and help out. J.A.S.H." she added the moniker on for good measure, fully expecting the annoyed face she received in return. 

"On second thought maybe we don't need you."

"Boo-hoo."

"Hello all," Jason interrupted, causing all of them to stare him down. Shifting uncomfortably, he stepped out of his black sedan, opening the door behind him and gesturing to the others to get in. 

"It's fine. We both drove here, we can just meet you where-"

"Usually I'd agree, but this particular...area is more secluded. I don't think your bright red car will blend in."

"Oi. Don't think that just because you've got a fancy ride doesn't mean we'll listen to you," Stefani said, getting into the passenger side.

"Shut it buster boy. Now get driving, this car reeks of privilege."

"JealouWhy don't you be quiet, mrs. Empty Title." 

"EMPTY TITLE?!" 

Hazel watched in amusement as the two bickered.

"You fight like kids," she commented offhandedly. This earned a death glare from the red comet hero.

"You better not be talking! You're the youngest here! Right, Alex?"  Both turned to him, but were shocked to find him asleep. A trail of drool slid down his chin as he softly snored, using the window for support. 

Groaning and slumping back into her seat, she threw her arm over face. "We're doomed."

"You're such a drama queen."

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"Look alive guys. We're here." 

Jason slowed the car nearly to a full stop, the engine's low hum soothing. 

"The side of a freeway? Incredible." Stefani asked, crossing her arms. He just shook his head and smiled a pitiful smile.

"No, it's what's behind those trees there. Can you see? Or do you need my help, old hag?"

Bringing a hand between them, Hazel stopped the two from tearing each other apart. "Why are we here, exactly? You haven't said a word." She pressed. 

"Just watch," he murmured. He pressed a combination into the car's touchscreen, turning back to the wooded area he pointed out. They all watched in awe as the trees lit up, a thin blue outline of the forestry closest to them buzzed to life. Then they parted, revealing a hidden road that stretched back and into the foot of the mountain. 

"Holograms..?" Stefani murmured, actually impressed. Whirring the car to life, Jason sped down the road without a second thought. They zoomed through the entrance and followed along with the twists of the tunnel, lights flashing on as they passed. He was proud of his work, remembering the many sleepless nights he took to dig out that very drive. 

By their expressions and silence he could tell they were impressed too.

"You guys haven't seen anything yet." He empathized his point by accelerating and drifting into the car's specialized parking zone.  Stefani didn't seem phased by the sudden aggressive handling of the car, as she casually got out and observed their surroundings. 

 Hazel clung to her bag for dear life.

"What is this?" The former asked, glancing around. Jason pointed to the large button behind him. 

"You'll see." He pressed it.

"So you say.."

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"Hazel are you seeing this?"

"I am."

"Woah.."

Alex had never seen such...Class! The living room was huge, since when did they make TV screens so large?! The view from the balcony was incredible! He had an amazing scene of the lush green woods, as well as a good view of Hollow City. 

Jason leaned against the kitchen island, enjoying its smooth marble top texture as his three colleagues inspected their new base. Eyebrows were raised as he watched Stefani rip open the fridge, scanning it's contents with intent.

" How'd you make this all in less than a month?" She questioned, plopping down beside him on the countertop. 

"It wasn't much. Our company specializes in Nanotechnology, so utilizing some of it and easily accessible funds really helped out."

"I see." She cracked open the soda she had taken out, enjoying the satisfying fizz as she took a drink. Her eyes followed after him as Jason opened the fridge to get his own.

"So why the big fancy hideout?" She asked bluntly. 

Pausing, he slowly shut the fridge door. The cool can he held didn't do much to ease the tension he had built up within himself. 

"It's because.." He began. She narrowed her eyes at his sudden change of tone. "On that night- when it was us versus the goat guy- my mind was all over the place. I thought it was going to be simple and then he.." His freehand waved all over the place. "Morphed? I dunno. It was scary. Before that I've only taken down bank robbers, house invaders, hell the scariest thing i've ever faced to that point was some scumbag who kidnapped a child. "

Continuing, he stared at his soda can. "I dunno. I was hardly a hero for myself before all this started. And then when it was dropped and you called for us I got too excited for my own good. I overestimated."

"So this is a form of apology." Stefani said, moreso stating than asking. He nodded solemnly.

"Well geez, if you do all this for us I guess I should guilt trip you from now on!" 

His confused stare nearly sent her into a fit of laughter.

"Look man," she giggled, pointing her can at him. "I get that feeling. At first, I was pretty beat up about it too. I mean c'mon. Me? The number three ranked B-Class Red Comet hero? An unforgivable loss."

He rolled his eyes.

"But you see the thing is, at some point I realized; "So what? The next time I see that guy I'll just beat his ass and make him sorry." That cheered me up. You don't need to apologize for something nobody blames you for- it's all good. Just remember that the next time you see him, knock him six feet under. It'll be a piece of cake my friend." 

The silence that followed afterwards was comfortable as Jason digested her words. He couldn't stop himself from smiling genuinely in what felt like ages.

"Thank you Stefani, really. " He said. "I appreciate it. Now what I don't appreciate is your taste in cars-"

"You're about to be one sorry mother-"

"Not again-" Hazel interjected, rushing to stop the impending fight. 

The ruckus from the kitchen did nothing to disturb the peaceful nap that had Alex in its clutches. He snored quietly, dead to the world on the dull red couch.

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 Edgar Aurora leaned back in his office chair, squeezing his eyes shut. His plan was nearly complete. Glancing over at a small container on his desk, he carefully poked at it. Nothing.

His dimly lit office gave him a sense of comfort as he gently placed the box back into its aluminum handheld case.

Staring at the container, he hovered his finger over the green button that would open it. Before he could make another move he stopped, quickly retracing his hand.

"I-Im sorry. The curiosity is just killing me, you understand?" He stammered, now sweating buckets.

"Of course I would never waste such a valuable product. Forgive me. My dastardly humanity can't be entirely locked away it seems.."

The large figure standing behind him said nothing, only reaching over and closing the metal suitcase quietly, and softly. Edgar watched as the large gloved hand traced the case, then a black talon unsheathed from its index finger. He jumped, another hand landing firmly on his shoulder to steady him.

"No wait! P-Please! I swear I wouldn't ever open it without your permission!"

Silence.

Then his face was grabbed by the other hand, forcing his mouth shut and squeezing his face together. The clawed finger inched closer to his face hauntingly, then sank into the skin beneath his right eye. It dragged to the other eye agonizingly slow, the doctor kicking as his face was cut right across. It only took a few moments but to him it felt like an eternity as hot blood gushed down his face.

Then it was over, the figure gone and Edgar alone. Clenching his face in his hands he fell to the ground, screaming and cursing for assistance.