Later that day, Sparrow decided to tell the entire team the truth. By the time she was finished there was a lot of anger, pain, and feelings of betrayal running wild through everyone's heart and mind.
Owl was so distraught by what she told him that he let off a sonic scream, blasting a hole through the roof. Static became so emotional that she began to glow, sending out arcs of electricity that nearly melted her chair. Hawk and Falcon began to argue over who could breakdance the best, splitting off from the matter at hand and causing more unnecessary drama.
Sparrow and James tried to keep things under control the best they could but had trouble focusing. Both of them kept sneaking furtive looks at one another, turning away in a blush when they caught the other staring.
After everyone had calmed down and had a chance to process everything Sparrow began to relay her bold new idea.
"I know this was a lot to take in," she announced from the head of the table. "But this is not the end. We don't have to live with this sad reality if we choose not to."
"What other choice do we have?" Static pleaded through tears and snot. "The Heroes Guild is the only thing we have ever known!"
Sparrow looked out at everyone, a clever smile growing on her face. "You're right, the Heroes Guild is the only organization most of us have ever known. They are powerful, established, and very influential. But there is one thing they are not...honest."
"So what do you purpose we do?" Owl asked, unsure of the point she was trying to make. "You don't intend for us to fight against the guild do you?"
She shook her head. "No, what I'm purposing is we start our own."
Everyone became silent. Puzzled and anxious looks were plastered on the faces of people unable to contemplate a life without the organization they had looked to as the source of freedom and light.
Sparrow remained silent too, giving everyone the time to think things over and make a decision.
James decided to jumpstart things with a stirring declaration. "I know this is scary, and you must be confused as to whom you can trust but I trust Sparrow with every ounce of my being. She turned down the opportunity to become a world-renown hero because she stood up for truth and integrity. If that's not what makes someone a hero then I don't know what does."
He stood up and looked her in the eyes. "I'm with you, Sparrow."
One by one the other heroes stood up and took their side.
"Me too," Static chirped.
Hawk and Falcon nodded their heads and left their chairs. "You can count us in."
Owl put down the comic book he was engrossed in and faced Sparrow. "To the grave and beyond, you have my allegiance."
Looking on at the loyalty of her team was overwhelming. She felt like her heart could burst from the love and support that each of them was willing to offer. The rest of the day was a mix of talking details and providing emotional support. By nightfall, the team was drained and spent. The second their heads hit their pillows everyone was out for the night.
James on the other hand was finding it impossible to close his eye's as the images of him and Sparrow replayed in his head. He was so glad he took that risk, so glad he manned up and kissed her. Everything felt like it was coming together like his life finally had a real purpose.
Then, breaking the silence of his dark bedroom, Kazav began to speak. "That was, a very interesting day."
James' flinched at the sound of his voice. For a moment he had almost forgotten all about him.
"You know those big corporations your planet seems to be fond of James?"
"Yeah, what about them?"
Kazav began to snicker. His voice was taking on an increasingly demeaning tone. "The Heroes Guild was no different. I mean, they had a corporate HQ! No place that has something called HQ is ever going to be anything more than a soul-sucking money pit. All organizations are destined to fail, not to cast doubts on your new and improved heroes guild idea."
James was starting to get upset. He could handle Kazav's snarky comments and sarcastic attitude but now he felt he was crossing a line. "What makes you so sure?" James challenged.
"I'm glad you asked kid. You see, eventually your new guild will devolve into the old guild. Just like a corporation, as things grow the process becomes more streamlined and people begin to join for the wrong reasons. Eventually, things will fall apart for your guild the same way it did for this one."
"Well, I think you're wrong," James stated defensively. "If you ask me the only reason the current heroes guild failed was that they aligned themselves with the villains instead of keeping themselves pure and undefiled."
There was a pause as Kazav thought about what James was saying. Then, in a serious and no-nonsense tone, he stated, "I think we need to break into HQ."
James fought back a restrained snort as he tried not to laugh. "Break into HQ? Oh, so no biggie. I'll just bust into the most sacred and secure location on the planet."
"Hold on kid just hear me out."
James settle down and gave him a chance to justify his insane suggestion.
"Look, what you just said got me thinking, what if the Heroes Guild and the Cleansers are working together?"
"Uh, that seems like a bit of a stretch Kazav. What motive could they possibly have for working together?"
"Just think about it for a second. The Heroes Guild has deals with all the major crime syndicates and allows them to operate unimpeded so long as they don't make too much trouble right?"
James nodded his head. "Right..."
"Well then doesn't it seem likely that they would be extending the same offer to this new threat?"
"I guess I could see that but, what would they gain? The Cleansers want to bring everything down not just the Heroes Guild. Do you think they would be willing to be bought off?"
"That's just it kid. I don't think they are a separate organization. I think they are one and the same."
"That sounds crazy! What makes you think there is such a strong connection?"
Kazav sighed. "I don't know yet but I think the proof is in HQ."
James was strongly opposed to the idea of breaking into HQ. Not only did he have his doubts about what Kazav was saying but he doubted it was even possible to do such a thing. However, the more he thought about it the more it began to make a tiny sliver of sense. Curiosity was starting to take the reins and was gradually outweighing reason.
"Ok Kazav, let's say that there is something to what you are saying. How would we even go about breaking in? We don't even know where HQ is!"
Kazav let out a naughty chuckle. "Your right kid, you don't know where it is, but I do."
"Seriously? How do you know that?"
"Remember when we all got teleported to its secret location? A normal human would never have been able to see what's beyond the walls of that cold metal prison. But I'm not human, remember?"
"Okay fine, let's say I'm on board with this crazy idea. How would we not get caught? We can't exactly go trapesing around out in the open."
Kazav began to chuckle wickedly. "Let me show you how."
Right after Kazav finished speaking James began to glow, his skin turning a vibrant mix of red and black as he became enveloped in a cocoon of dark oozing energy. A loud crack thundered out through the room as a massive flash of light singed the bedding James was resting on.
No sooner did the light flash out than did James completely disappear.
"What, the..." James remarked as he looked down at where his feet used to be.
"Pretty cool right?" Kazav barked out excitedly.
"Am I invisible?"
"You sure are kiddo."
He tried to find his hands and began feeling around on the bed. All he could see was the impression his fingers made against the mattress. "How did you do this Kazav?"
"Ah ah ah," He teased. "A magician never reveals his secrets."
James let out a bewildered laugh and began moving around the room. He learned it was very difficult to move around without being able to see your arms and legs as he knocked over much of his furniture.
"Uh, Kazav? Is there any way you could make it so I can still see myself?
"Hmm, Let me see what I can do."
Slowly James began to phase into sight. It was still not crystal clear but he could at least determine where his feet and arms were at.
"So kid, you ready to break into HQ?"
James grinned. The very thought of it was both terrifying and exhilarating.
"Yeah, Let's break into HQ!"
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