A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing?

"Michael, I need to have a conversation with you," James calmly called out to the young man, gesturing for him to walk alongside him.

Michael felt a tinge of skepticism, but he had no reason to suspect any ill intentions from James, prompting him to comply and join him.

The urgency in James' expression indicated that this was likely an important matter, something Michael had never witnessed before, as James was typically composed and collected.

Upon reaching James' office, the older man motioned for Michael to take a seat. As Michael settled in, he noticed James' hesitancy, and curiosity got the better of him.

"What is it, James?" Michael inquired, attentively waiting for James to gather his thoughts.

With a moment of contemplation, James began the conversation, fully aware of its significance.

"I have to share something crucial with you, Michael..." James muttered.

Curiosity piqued, Michael eagerly awaited the revelation, recognizing that it must be significant to have James so visibly tensed up.

"It's about Edward," James uttered cautiously, immediately sensing the shift in Michael's body language, signaling his heightened attention. James understood the gravity of the situation and knew he had to tread carefully, for fear of upsetting Michael.

"What the hell did you do!?" Michael's words erupted with anger, displaying the deep-seated mistrust he harbored towards James—and who could blame him? James had already deceived him once before.

"I didn't do anything. It's what I failed to do..." James paused, carefully assessing Michael's emotional state, unsure if he could handle the forthcoming revelation.

"Edward has been taken by Razor Riddler," James disclosed, and the moment the words left his mouth, Michael unleashed a powerful blast, using his body as a catalyst. The force obliterated the table in front of him, yet James remained unharmed, seemingly unperturbed by the debris that flew around them.

Despite the chaos, James maintained his composure, recognizing the enormity of the revelation and the emotional turmoil it brought upon Michael. He knew that handling this delicate situation was critical if he wanted to retain Michael's trust and cooperation.

"What on earth do you mean? Are you fucking with me!?" Michael demanded, though deep down, he already knew the dreadful truth.

"I wish I could say it was a joke, but there's more I need to tell you," James replied, observing the reaction he had elicited from Michael. It was crucial to have Michael emotionally engaged, as it increased the likelihood of him accepting the forthcoming information.

Michael's emotions were palpable, yet he managed to maintain a degree of control, channeling his anger away from James. himself. James found this display of emotional restraint impressive—it demonstrated Michael's ability to keep his emotions in check.

"We've detected a ping on his location. The Razor Riddler appears to have made a mistake. It seems your friend may have left a trail, but we can't be certain if it's a genuine lead or a trap set up by the enemy," James disclosed, noticing Michael's body language relaxing slightly.

As James anticipated, the tension began to ease. He knew that leading with the alarming news was necessary to evoke a reaction from Michael, making him more receptive to the lifeline James would now offer—a chance to work together in resolving this situation.

James was a master manipulator, adept at weaving webs of deception to enhance his control over Michael. No one could be certain if his words held any truth or if they were merely another ploy to solidify his influence over the young man.

"I'll do whatever it takes to rescue Edward!" Michael declared firmly. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation, Michael was unwilling to risk Edward's safety, even if it meant pursuing a mere say-so by James.

Unknown to the public, the news about the Wanted List had been suppressed by Percepta, with their tight grip on media outlets. They strategically withheld the information, deeming it ill-timed for release, but their purpose was not to conceal the list indefinitely. Instead, they aimed to leverage it as a catalyst to expose Razor Riddler once they had neutralized the threat he posed.

James relished having Michael under his thumb, and he had no intention of relinquishing this advantage. A concealed smirk soon contorted his lips as he muttered,

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

-

Fred was unharmed, and Damon understood the urgency of their mission. Without delay, he teleported back to headquarters with Fred, ready to resume their work.

Samuel had been in contact with the police, and their cooperation proved invaluable as they provided the evidence collected from the crime scenes.

Though it might appear insignificant, Fred's unique ability to see the memories of objects made this information crucial.

While Fred's power wasn't useful in of itself in combat, it was perfect for gathering intelligence, uncovering hidden details that no one else could fathom. His passion and emotional depth were evident, and Samuel and Alessia empathized with him. Even when he held them accountable for the death of one of their own, they understood his heartfelt reactions would have been the same if it was one of them that fell.

The team had been briefed about Edward's situation, and the mere thought of the ruthless Razor Riddler sent shivers down Alessia's spine. They couldn't begin to understand the torment Edward might be enduring, but they knew the longer he remained in the villain's grasp, the worse it would become.

Armed with materials from the police, they had a lifeline—an opportunity to act. Fred was the linchpin in this operation, and Damon sought confirmation from him about his readiness to proceed. Fred reassured his leader, determined to play his vital role in this critical moment.

With equal determination to locate Edward, Fred reached out to touch the object, hoping for valuable information. However, the moment his hand made contact, he beheld a face he should never have encountered—Thanatos' face, and nothing else.

Startled and unsettled, Fred instinctively withdrew his hand from the object, taken aback by what he had just witnessed. Concerned for his comrade.

"Are you okay, Fred?" Damon inquired. But rather than showing distress, a mischievous smirk appeared on Fred's face, and his demeanor underwent a swift transformation.

"Okay? I'm feeling splendid!" Fred replied with something ominous lingering in his eyes.