Chapter 16

Author's Note:

Hello, Author-san here. Let's just say that for me to bust up this chapter off my ass has left me panting and my brain smoking, but let's do hope y'all enjoy this chapter either way.

P.S. Be sure to read the Author's Note below though as it concerns the flow of the story.

Anywho Enjoy 😁

---

**Hughie's POV**

'No, no, no... why did this happen? It's not possible. A-Train?' The thoughts spiraled through my mind, refusing to settle as I sat in the back of the ambulance.

The siren blared, a constant, jarring reminder of the chaos we'd just escaped. Robin lay on the stretcher next to me, unconscious, a bandage hastily wrapped around her head where the debris had struck her.

Her breathing was steady, but each rise and fall of her chest felt like a fragile promise that everything would be okay.

We were supposed to be on a date, just enjoying a day out. The sun was shining, and we were laughing about something—what was it? The memory felt distant, overshadowed by the horror that followed.

One minute, we were walking through the crowded street, the next, we were on the ground, surrounded by screams and destruction.

People were running, panicked, and for a moment, I couldn't comprehend why. Then I saw the bodies, the blood, and my mind went blank.

Robin was hit by a piece of concrete. It happened so fast; one second, she was there, and the next, she was on the ground, blood trickling from her head.

I panicked, but somehow managed to tear off a piece of my shirt to press against her wound, hoping it would be enough until help arrived.

The sight of her like that, so still, was terrifying. The paramedics arrived quickly, but those moments of waiting felt like an eternity.

Now, as the ambulance sped towards the hospital, the paramedics assured me she would be fine. But their words were hollow; the sight of her lying there, so vulnerable, was too much to bear. I could only hold her hand and hope they were right.

When we arrived at the hospital, they whisked Robin away to the emergency room. I was left pacing in the hallway, my mind racing.

It wasn't long before my dad and Robin's parents arrived, their faces pale and eyes wide with worry. "She's safe for now," I managed to tell them, though I wasn't sure I believed it myself.

Linda, Robin's mom, broke down in tears, clinging to her husband, Jeff. My dad put a hand on my shoulder, looking at me with concern. "How are you holding up, son?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with worry. I just shook my head, unable to form a coherent response.

Jeff stepped closer, his hand clutching my shoulder. "We'll do okay, son. Go take some time outside for a breather... you need it," he urged. Linda, after calming down, added, "Don't worry, Hughie. We'll let you know if anything changes. Go on, sonny." Their concern was genuine, but I felt detached, like I was watching everything from a distance.

I nodded and made my way outside, needing to clear my head. My shoulder throbbed where the nurses had popped it back into place, and the bruised ribs ached with every breath.

But the physical pain was nothing compared to the turmoil inside me. I headed to a vending machine and fumbled with the coins, barely noticing as it spat out a cup of coffee. I took it and found a bench, sinking down and staring into the dark liquid.

The hospital was bustling with activity—people rushing in and out, some crying, others shouting. It was chaos, and all I could think about was how it was my fault.

If I hadn't been so afraid, if I had taken Butcher's offer, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe the Supes wouldn't have the power to cause so much destruction.

I remember Butcher's intensity, his conviction that the Supes needed to be stopped, and I remember turning him down, scared of what he was asking me to do.

But now, after seeing such carnage? I couldn't help but wonder: what if Butcher was right? What if we had acted sooner? Would Robin be safe right now? Would those people who lost their lives be home with their families instead?

The guilt was overwhelming. It felt like it was crushing me, making it hard to breathe. I couldn't shake the image of Robin, lying unconscious, the blood on her face.

And then, the faces of the others—the strangers who were caught in the chaos, their lives just ended or unrepairably changed.

My hands shook as I lifted the cup to my lips, the coffee's bitterness grounding me momentarily. But the guilt was relentless. Every life lost felt like a personal failure, a consequence of my inaction.

I could hear Butcher's voice in my head, calling me a coward, and for the first time, I couldn't argue with him. My chest tightened with a mix of fear and regret. Fear for Robin, and regret that I hadn't done something—anything—when I had the chance.

The thoughts were suffocating, each one a reminder of how I'd failed not just Robin, but everyone affected by this tragedy. I glanced up, watching the hospital doors swing open and close, hoping for some news, some miracle, that everything was just a nightmare I could wake up from.

But deep down, I knew that no matter what happened next, nothing could change the fact that I hadn't been brave enough to stand up when it mattered.

As I sat there, the sun beginning to rise, I realized how much everything had changed. I felt disconnected from the world around me, as if I was watching from the outside. My mind was a mess of what-ifs and should-haves.

I was haunted by the thought that I could have done something to prevent this. Now, all I could do was wait and hope for the best, but the weight of my regrets would be something I'd have to carry forever.

---

**Butcher's POV**

---

'Poor Lad,' was my thought as I saw that the boy seemingly broken sat on a cold, hard bench outside the hospital, his right arm in a cast and a cup of coffee cradled in his left hand.

The bitterness of the drink Hughie sipped cut through the numbness that seemed settled over him. As he stared blankly at the ground, I approached and took a seat beside him. Hughie glanced up, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something—hope, maybe—before it was swallowed by despair.

I didn't speak immediately, I didn't need to. I simply sat, staring ahead at the chaotic scene unfolding before us. Ambulances continued to arrive, the wails of sirens piercing the night air.

Medics rushed in and out, tending to the injured and ushering grieving families through the sliding doors. The sheer scale of the tragedy was overwhelming, even for someone like me who had seen more than my fair share of horrors.

After a long silence, I finally spoke, my voice low and edged showing my frustration. "Didn't have to be this way, you know?" I gestured toward the hospital entrance, where stretchers were being wheeled in, some bearing motionless bodies covered in sheets.

"Look at 'em, boy. The ones who got hurt, the ones who lost someone. This... this is just a taste of what those bloody Supes and Vought are capable of."

Hughie clenched his jaw, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. He felt an unbearable weight pressing down on him, a crushing sense of guilt and helplessness.

The images of the injured and dead flashed in his mind, each one a testament to his failure to act when I had first approached him.

I turned to face him, my expression softer than usual, though my eyes still held my steely determination. "This isn't just about you or me, mate. It's about all of them,"

I nodded toward the hospital. "You saw what A-Train—if it was even him—did out there. They don't care about collateral damage, 'cause they're the ones who decide who counts as collateral."

Hughie took a shaky breath, the scent of antiseptic and despair hanging in the air. "I just... I didn't think it would be this bad," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought if I stayed out of it, things wouldn't get worse."

I sighed, a mixture of pity and frustration crossing my face. "Staying out of it doesn't make you safe, Hughie. It just makes you a bystander while they keep doing whatever the fuck they want."

I paused, looking out at the hospital, my jaw tightening. "This isn't the first time something like this has happened, and it sure won't be the last unless someone actually stops them."

The words hung in the air, heavy with truth. Hughie felt the weight of his earlier decisions pressing down on him. He had been so focused on his own fear and desire for a normal life that he hadn't fully grasped the consequences of inaction.

I stood up, looking down at Hughie with a grim expression. "Think about it, Hughie. You can't save everyone, but you can damn well try to stop the ones who think they're untouchable. Think about it." With that, putting my contact card on the bench, I turned and walked away, leaving Hughie to sit with his thoughts and the unbearable truth of my words.

(3rd Pov)

As the day wore on, Hughie remained on the bench, watching the hospital's revolving doors open and close. He knew he couldn't change the past, but the events of the day had made one thing clear: he couldn't stay on the sidelines any longer. Card in hand with him finally deciding, the time for indecision was over. No more, this time he would step up and fight back he will no longer continue to live with the regret of his inaction.

---

**Elsewhere, 3rd POV**

---

Starlight stood frozen, her eyes glued to the TV screen as the horrific news unfolded. A-Train, the one Supe she believed in, was being accused of mass murder and public endangerment. The images of the destruction and carnage flashed before her eyes, each scene more gruesome than the last.

Her hands trembled, and she felt a wave of nausea rise in her throat. She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it.

Her mind raced, trying to piece together how this could have happened. A-Train had always been reckless, but this... this was beyond anything she could have imagined. The accusations were serious, and the evidence seemed damning.

But something didn't sit right with her. A-Train was many things—arrogant, competitive, and often irresponsible—but a mass murderer? It didn't make sense. There had to be more to the story.

Unable to bear it any longer, Starlight turned off the TV and grabbed her phone. She needed answers, and there was only one person who could help her get them.

She scrolled through her contacts and found Queen Maeve's number. Maeve had been in the game longer than any of them; if anyone knew what was really going on, it was her.

Starlight hesitated for a moment before pressing the call button. The phone rang twice before Maeve's voice came through, sounding tired and wary. "Annie? What's going on?"

"Maeve, did you see the news?" Starlight blurted out, unable to hide the urgency in her voice.

There was a pause on the other end before Maeve sighed. "Yeah, I saw it. It's all over the place. A-Train's in deep shit."

Starlight bit her lip, struggling to find the right words. "Do you think... do you think it's true? That he could do something like this?"

Maeve was silent for a moment, and Starlight could almost hear the gears turning in her head. "No,I don't , Annie..... I've known A-Train long enough for him to do such messed up stuff, whatever this is.... this is on a whole other level." She paused, her tone thoughtful.

"You know about Vought. They can spin anything. If they wanted to, they could make it look like A-Train did this, whether he did or not."

Starlight felt a glimmer of hope. "So, you think there's a chance he's being set up?"

Maeve sighed again, the sound heavy with exhaustion. "Maybe. But if he is, we're not going to find out by sitting around. We need to dig deeper, find out what's really going on."

Starlight nodded, even though Maeve couldn't see her. "Right. I can't just sit here and do nothing. There are too many questions, and not enough answers."

Maeve's voice softened, a rare note of empathy creeping in. "Look, Annie, I know this is hard. But be careful, okay? Vought doesn't like it when people start poking around where they shouldn't. And if its A-Train we're talking about, if he really is involved... well, things could get ugly."

Starlight swallowed, her resolve hardening. "I understand. But I have to do this. I can't just turn a blind eye."

There was a brief silence before Maeve spoke again, her voice firmer. "Alright, then. I'll see what I can find out on my end. But remember, Annie, be careful. Vought plays dirty, and they don't care who gets caught in the crossfire."

Starlight thanked Maeve and ended the call, feeling a strange mix of fear and determination. She knew the risks, but she couldn't just stand by and do nothing. If A-Train was innocent, she had to find out the truth. And if he was guilty... well, then he'd have to face the consequences. But she needed to be sure. She couldn't let herself believe the worst without proof.

As she prepared to leave, her mind was already racing with questions. Why would A-Train do something like this? Was it an accident, a mistake, or something more sinister? And if he was innocent, who was behind this setup? The stakes were high, and the truth was buried under layers of lies and deceit. But Starlight was determined to uncover it, no matter the cost.

---

**Elsewhere, at Vought Tower**

---

Queen Maeve watched as Starlight's number disappeared from her phone screen. She leaned back in her chair, feeling a mix of frustration and concern.

The situation with A-Train was a powder keg waiting to explode, and she knew that if they weren't careful, the fallout could be catastrophic.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. It wasn't like she was too close to A-Train; their relationship was more professional yet friendly.

But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Vought had a history of covering up their Supes' messes, but this felt different. It was too big, too public. And if A-Train really had gone rogue, which again she won't believe then there was no telling what he'd do next.

Maeve stood up and walked to the window, looking out over the city. The lights below flickered like stars, oblivious to the chaos brewing above them. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

She'd seen too much, been complicit in too many lies. But this... this was something else. If A-Train was innocent, then someone was pulling the strings, and she had a sinking feeling she knew who it was.

She turned away from the window, her jaw set in determination. She couldn't just sit back and watch this unfold. She had to do something, even if it meant going against Vought.

For the first time in a long while, Maeve felt a spark of defiance. She was tired of playing by their rules, tired of being their puppet. It was time to take a stand, to fight back.

Maeve grabbed her phone and started dialing, determined to get to the bottom of this mess. She knew it wouldn't be easy, and it sure as hell wouldn't be safe. But she had to try.

For Starlight, for A-Train, and for all the people who had been caught in the crossfire. The truth was out there, buried under layers of lies and manipulation. And she was going to dig it up, no matter what it cost her.

---

**Starlight's POV**

---

The air was crisp as Starlight stepped out of the elevator, her breath coming out in visible puffs. The weight of the recent events was heavy on her shoulders, but her resolve was stronger than ever.

She had to get to the bottom of this, to find out the truth behind the accusations against A-Train. The media frenzy was in full swing, with reporters camped outside Vought Tower, eager for any scraps of information.

Starlight pulled her hood up, trying to avoid their attention as she made her way through the crowd.

Once she was clear of the reporters, she made her way to a secluded alleyway and quickly changed into her costume. She needed to be discreet, and her civilian identity wouldn't get her the answers she needed.

As she flew over the city, she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her stomach. The questions swirled in her mind, each one more unsettling than the last.

Why would A-Train do something like this? What could have driven him to such an extreme act of violence? And if he was being framed, who would go to such lengths to set him up? The pieces of the puzzle were scattered, and the picture they formed was still unclear.

But Starlight knew one thing for certain: she couldn't trust Vought to give her the answers. They were too invested in their own image, too willing to cover up their Supes' misdeeds to protect their brand.

As she landed on a rooftop, Starlight took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She needed to be smart about this, to gather as much information as she could without drawing too much attention.

She had already contacted Queen Maeve, and they had agreed to work together to find out the truth. It was a risky move, but Starlight couldn't shake the feeling that Maeve was the only one she could trust in this mess.

Starlight scanned the city below, her eyes sharp and focused. She knew that A-Train's usual haunts would be crawling with Vought's security, and she didn't want to risk a confrontation.

Instead, she decided to start with the people who knew him best, the ones who might have seen something suspicious. She thought about reaching out to Shockwave, A-Train's closest rival, but quickly dismissed the idea. Shockwave had always been eager to take A-Train's spot in The Seven, and Starlight doubted he would be willing to help.

Her thoughts turned to the other members of The Seven. Homelander was out of the question; he was too unpredictable, too dangerous. The Deep was too wrapped up in his own issues to be of any use not to mention with what that filthy man nearly did to her regardless of his apologies, and Black Noir... well, Black Noir was a mystery to everyone.

That left her with only one option: Translucent. He was sneaky and had a habit of eavesdropping on everyone. If anyone had heard something, it would be him.

Starlight took off, heading towards Translucent's last known location. As she flew, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She had joined The Seven to make a difference, to be a hero.

But now, she felt like she was swimming in a sea of lies and corruption, struggling to keep her head above water. The lines between right and wrong were blurring, and she was terrified of what she might find if she dug too deep.

But she couldn't back down now. Too much was at stake, and she owed it to the people who had been hurt to find the truth. As she landed outside Translucent's apartment, Starlight took a deep breath and steeled herself for what was to come.

She didn't know what she would find, but she was determined to see this through. For A-Train, for the victims, for the truth.