How to Defeat a Hero

by J Bennett

  Betty’s unicorn horn is gone, leaving behind a jagged hole in her forehead that shows her carbon fiber plating. Her lifeless eyes shine in the sunlight. She’s been powered down or allowed to run out of juice. The older models like Betty need to be recharged every few weeks.

  “What is that?” Sequoia asks in my ear. He can see the robo through the cam drone floating next to me.

  “Nothing for you to worry about,” I reply. It is, however, something for me to worry about. I know exactly what this means. Matthew isn’t spiraling anymore. He’s fully immersed in the black waters of his depression. Using time I don’t have, I search the penthouse. In the master bedroom, Matthew’s bed is unmade. Another bad sign. My bestie is always fastidiously clean.

  The penthouse is empty. No surprise. Matthew doesn’t actually like living here. But where would he go? Not out. When he gets like this, he prefers to hole up. He’d go to someplace small, dark, and familiar.

  And then I know where he is.

  I take the elevator to the second floor and walk down the hall to my apartment. I can’t help looking at Leo’s gray door.

  Have they been treating him well? Is he scared? I try to imagine Leo scared of anything but I can’t. He always seems so unflappable, so removed from the push and pull of emotions all around him. I admire that about him even though it drives me crazy. Usually, because it’s my emotions he’s manipulating.

  I face my yellow door.

  Would Adan think to lay a trap here? Lysee could have easily told him where I live. There’s no way he could be sure I’d come back, but it might be worth the chance that I would need supplies. It’s a risk to go inside, but my plan requires me to, and so does my friendship with Matthew.

  “I think a friend of mine might be in my apartment,” I tell Sequoia so that he doesn’t come barreling down from the roof to protect me if I confront someone inside. “This friend, he knows my identity and he’s kind of in a bad place, so just… just let me deal with him.”

  After a short pause, Sequoia responds. “K.” Just that one word, but I know there’s a lot behind it. I’ll have to finally tell him about Matthew later. I pull in a deep breath and step close enough to my door for my Band to sync with the lock. The door swishes open.

  Matthew sits on our old, sagging couch, watching facts scroll down a holo-screen in front of him. He doesn’t look up as I cross the room and sit down next to him.

  “Ta,” I say.

  After a moment, he blinks. “You hate that word.”

  “So do you.”

  His face looks pale, sickly, but it’s probably only the wash of the light from the screen.

  “I found Betty upstairs,” I tell him.

  “She ran out of power,” Matthew says carefully. He’s on something. Mels? He usually doesn’t like how those make his mind fuzzy. My throat tightens.

  “Betty didn’t have an arm.”

  Matthew finally turns to look at me. His neck seems so thin for that big head, for all the chaotic thoughts and worries that weigh him down. “She’s not real,” he says.

  The words are a blow. I can almost feel the darkness inside of him, a darkness I recognize all too well. If only I could lance those old wounds, drain away his pain, but how do you heal something you can’t see or touch, something that bleeds invisible blood?

  “Of course Betty is real,” I insist. “Not human, but she’s real. She’s been adapting to your feedback for over 15 years. Her programming is unique.” Matthew loves Betty, but he also enjoys hurting the things he loves when he gets like this.

  “Are you real?” He smiles but it’s a wounding expression. “I think not. There’s a part of you that’s real, but it’s shrinking.” He tilts his head. “Can you feel it? The shrinking?”

  I bite my lip. Matthew is further gone than I imagined. He needs help. My help, but I’m also running out of time. Shine could arrive at any moment.

  “When was the last time you’ve eaten?” I ask. “I think I’ve got some nutra-packs around here somewhere.”

  Matthew laughs. His black hair is greasy and unkempt. “Shrinking, shrinking.”

  I stand up and move into the kitchen. My thoughts race as I fill a glass with filtered water and grab a handful of nutra-packs from the cabinet. Lysee’s metabolism turbocharge shakes are in there too. I feel a sudden stab of regret, seeing her fancy shakes lined up side-by-side with my nutra-packs in quiet harmony.

  The shakes make me realize that Lysee probs abandoned the apartment, too, after she sprung Shine from our cell. That means Matthew’s been alone in the house for days. And then Betty ran out of power. Even she abandoned him.

  My heart cracks for my friend, for the darkness that grips his mind and his soul. I will help. As soon as I get through this drooling day, I’ll come back here. We’ll talk for hours, throw an all-night dance party, paint each other’s fingernails. Whatever it takes to get Matthew to smile again.

  I bring the food and water into the living room and resume my place on the couch. The facts continue to scroll. There’s something about food production in Argentina, the score of the World Series in 1969, the name of the first baby genetically modified to be immune to the flu.

  “Matthew, you need to charge Betty and boot up her therapeutic protocols,” I tell him. “I’ll help you with that as soon as I can.”

  “But you’re busy now,” he says. “Lysee’s busy too.” He laughs. “You two were friends. The real you. The real her. And now you’re both shrinking.” He ignores the nutra-pack I hold out to him. “We were friends too.”

  “We’re still friends,” I insist. “And this thing between me and Lysee, it’s just… it’s just the Fame Game.” Even as the words come out of my mouth, I realize how weak they sound.

  “You’re turning into something else,” he says. “Someone else. From Alice to Iron.”

  “What are you on?”

  He laughs again. “You don’t have to kidnap a mayor to be a villain.”

  “Stop it.” I stand up. This is what happens when Matthew gives up. He gets mean. He wields his broken heart like a weapon.

  “You’ve been ignoring your friends,” he accuses in a soft, dangerous tone. “Me. Lysee.”

  Alby, I add silently. He’s finally been reaching out, and I’ve only responded to each of his messages with short replies. We haven’t spoken in two weeks. Even Ollie. I’d promised to study with him and had forgotten. I’ve been losing my grip on school too.

  What if Matthew is right? What if my real life has been shrinking?

  “This is how it goes,” Matthew says. “It switches. You begin to believe the unreality and distrust the truth.”

  He needs to stop talking. His words are twisting my soul, and I can’t afford to be distracted. Not now when I need all my wits about me.

  “That was you,” I hiss. “You’re the one who lost touch with reality. I’m fine.” I storm to Lysee’s room. The little cam drone follows me.

  “You’re not a villain,” Sequoia says softly in my ear. I can’t imagine what he’s made of this conversation.

  “I know,” I whisper, but the truth is I’m not so sure. I suck in a deep breath and shove all my doubts away. I’m still on a mission. I glance around Lysee’s room. It looks like someone triggered a miniature tornado in here. Clothes lay splayed across her bed and floor as if she packed in a hurry. Bottles of makeup, jars of shimmery powders, and stick-on jewels litter the top of her dresser. I hunt around her possessions and finally find something that will work for my plan. I snatch it and sit on Lysee’s bed, atop her rumpled pink comforter. As I prepare to prep my new talisman for action, my hands pause.

  Am I really doing this? I stare at the object in my hand. A week ago, I would have never even considered doing something so devious… so villainous. But Lysee betrayed me first, I remind myself. The thought is cold comfort. I hesitate, teetering on the brink.

  But we’re running out of time. This is the plan. This is what I need to do to play the game. If you’re not pl
aying the game, then you’re losing. Mermaid’s words echo in my mind. Hastily, I prepare the item.

  When I return to the living room, Matthew hasn’t moved. Black bangs fall into his eyes. His well-cut blue-and-rose jacket is creased with wrinkles. Even the black polish on his nails shows flakes.

  “I have to go now,” I tell him, “but I’ll be in touch soon. There’s a couple of things going down, but once that’s over, we’ll talk. I’ll help you get through this.”

  “Are you sure I’m the one who needs help?” Matthew asks.

  “Please power Betty up, and whatever you’re taking… stop taking it.”

  I hate to leave him like this, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say a part of me is angry, too. Matthew is too fragile. Too weak. We’ve all been through hardship, but some of us don’t have the luxury of melting down. Some of us have to push our emotions away and fight.

  “Give my father my best,” Matthew says. “I’m sure he’ll finally defeat Beacon this time. I mean, the villain has to win eventually, right?”

  I walk out the door, followed by Matthew’s soft, cracking laughter.

  Chapter 24

  No one can ever truly replace our fallen comrades, but evil doesn’t rest and neither can we. That’s why, and an extensive and exciting tryout process, we’re honored to reveal the new Fire and the new Seed. The Elementals are whole again! ~ Rain, Elementals S4, E6

  ~

  I rush down the stairs putting distance between myself and the seething anger behind the yellow door of my apartment.

  A soft, quivering voice speaks into my ear. “That was Energy,” Sequoia says.

  “Yes.” I make it down the stairs and into the lobby. “We can’t use any of the footage of him, but Leo already knows that. He’ll edit it out.” If we save him.

  Sequoia says nothing else, but the quiet feels heavy between us. I never told him that I knew his childhood hero. Sequoia dreamed of being Energy, The Professor’s confidant, sidekick, and son. And this whole time I’ve known that Energy grew up into a wounded and bitter adult. Matthew is kind, too, I remind myself. His heart seems to swing between love and hatred with equal ferocity and little in between.

  I’ll help him, I vow to myself again. Later.

  In the sitting room, I pull aside the fake bookshelf and tap Matthew’s birthday into the panel. The elevator doors open. As soon as the elevator brings me down to the lair, Sequoia speaks again.

  “I see movement. A car coming down the road.”

  “Understood.” My heart begins to clobber in my chest.

  What are they planning? I’ve asked that question endlessly trying to figure out every possible angle and strategy. Stop, I tell myself. The only thing I can do now is deploy my own plan and hope it’s enough. I stalk across the padded mats where Mermaid and I sparred just a few days ago. I remember her words of encouragement. She said my combat skills were getting better, but I’m still nowhere near good enough to take on Adan one-on-one. That’s what Sequoia’s for, I remind myself. If I can take Lysee out of the equation and Sequoia surprises Shine, maybe the two of us can take him out, or at least distract him long enough to let Leo escape. It’s a shaky plan at best, foolhardy at worst.

  I sigh and stare at the old chalkboard in the corner that still holds the convoluted plans for the bank heist that never happened.

  “Dreamer just got out of the car. She has Leo,” Sequoia says.

  I glance at my Band. She’s an hour early. Probably hoping to catch me off guard.

  “Where’s Shine?” I ask.

  “I don’t see him.”

  Buddha’s gizzard! “Keep your eyes sharp,” I tell him. “They’re up to something.”

  Will they think to glance at the roof? Lysee probably won’t, but I bet Adan will. Sequoia can stay out of sight as long as he lays flat against the roof on the side opposite the entrance. Although, if Adan circles the whole property, will Sequoia be able to move fast enough to remain hidden?

  My hands are slick as I set down the Pod and turn it on with a voice command. “Play vid file Ash Anders One on loop.”

  A 3D hologram of Chicago’s mayor appears, hands tied behind his back, blindfold knotted around his eyes, and tape over his mouth. Ash Anders hadn’t been amused at my request to record him in this state, especially when I demanded 20 mins of footage, but he complied. Now the figure grimaces, turns his head, and sways a little. I study the hologram carefully. No flickers. The lighting matches well enough.

  Still, it seems glaringly false to me.

  Will it fool them? Probably not, but I won’t make it obvious. I step sideways, putting distance between myself and the hologram so there’s no risk of me accidentally chopping through Ash Anders’s arm with an enthusiastic hand gesture.

  The elevator opens. I take a deep breath readying myself. Once I cross this line, I know I’ll never be able to go back. My heart quakes.

  Can I really do this?

  Leo shuffles out first, his steps restricted by ankle cuffs. His wrists are cuffed too, but this state hasn’t dampened the touch of amusement in his amber eyes. His brown hair is lank, his shirt wrinkled, but otherwise, he looks undamaged.

  Relief washes through me, but I keep my expression tight and measured.

  “You’ve struck a poor deal,” Leo says. “I don’t suppose I can talk you out of it?”

  “Clap it,” Lysee snaps and gives him a little shove, which makes him stumble. She clomps forward in her tall boots. The jewels in her hair wink in the lights. Truly, she looks stunning in her glittering purple-and-white costume, with its plunging neckline and throbbing LED lights.

  “You’re early,” she snaps. Her purple lips purse under her mask.

  “So are you,” I point out.

  “Well, I guess… I guess we should get this over with, then.”

  “Where’s Shine?” I ask.

  “Don’t worry about that.” Lysee holds a laz pistol in her hand and points it at me. Three cam drones buzz around us. Two of hers. One of mine.

  “We agreed no guns,” I say, though I’m not surprised she brought one.

  “This is just insurance, in case you try any of your little tricks,” Lysee says waving the gun with her words. I pray the safety is on. My roommate looks nervous.

  “No tricks,” I say. “I’ve brought what you asked.”

  Leo’s eyes flick to the mayor then to me. He doesn’t say anything.

  “Yeah, that was good. Canny,” Lysee says. “Mr. Anders, have no fear. It is Dreamer. I’m here to rescue you. All will be well shortly.”

  Ash Anders doesn’t respond.

  “I told him not to move,” I say quickly. “Isn’t that right, Mr. Mayor?”

  Again, no response. “See? He’s a good little friend,” I say and put acid in my voice. “Unlike someone else I might mention.”

  Here we go.

  Lysee purses her lips. “It… it wasn’t personal,” she sputters. “I had an opportunity and I took it. You should be happy for me.”

  “Happy for you?” I explode. “You stole my hostage! That was the only damn reason The Professor let me on his team. If anyone found out my roommate released Shine and stole our producer, I would be swiped!”

  The cams are drinking this in. Leo arches an eyebrow. I guess Lysee never mentioned we were roommates, but soon the whole world will know.

  “Well, that was your own fault,” Lysee snaps. “You could have gotten me a henchman spot anytime you wanted, but you didn’t…. cause, cause, I bet you didn’t want to share the spotlight.”

  I pause.

  Just a moment.

  I have to do this. For Leo. For our show. For my future.

  And then, with hands clenched so hard my fingernails dig into my palms, I cross the line of our friendship, never to return.

  “I couldn’t have gotten you in with The Professor even if I tried,” I sneer at her. “You have no talent. No skills. No lens presence. The only reason Shine took you on as his sidekick is because you were his o
nly ticket to escape.” I let out a small breath and then add in a poisoned whisper, “And I assume you slept with him too.”

  Lysee gasps. Her Band sends up a shocked giraffe emoji, its jaw dropping the entire length of its long neck. Even through the layers of makeup, I can see her cheeks flush with anger.

  “You’re… you’re just jealous!” she splutters. “You’ve always been jel, and the only reason you ever made it as a henchman is because you stole my lasso and my goggles, and… and… my necklace!”

  “What, this?” I touch the golden chain dangling around my neck that holds a large, gaudy butterfly charm. Its electronic wings shiver to life at my touch, beating softly against the collar of my lab coat.

  “That’s mine!” Lysee shouts. She points her gun at me again.

  “Fine, have it, you bitch!” I pull the necklace over my head and hurl it at her.

  She makes to catch it, then wisely rethinks and lets the necklace hit her in the knee before bouncing on the floor.

  “It’s hideous anyway,” I add, “just like that ridic costume!”

  “It IS NOT!” Lysee bends down, grabs the necklace, and puts it over her head, taking an extra moment to adjust it so the charm lays fetchingly against her cleavage.

  “You know what, I don’t even want to talk to you,” I say. “Let’s just do the prisoner swap.”

  For one tiny moment, Lysee’s lips tremble. “I was hoping you’d understand,” she says quietly.

  I look at her. I know I should say something cruel, something biting to further fuel the rivalry I’m building between us, but I can’t. My heart aches too much. I drop my posturing. “I do understand,” I say. And I hope you’ll understand what I’ve done, too.

  Lysee points the gun at me. “Maybe it’s better this way,” she says. “I have to stun you anyway.”

  “What? We had a deal.”

  “Yeah, but I can’t have you following me.” Lysee offers a weak smile. “Shine was… was… said that was important.” She laughs abruptly and sways. “You know, Shine said you wouldn’t be drooling enough to trade the mayor for Leo. Not after Beacon offered herself on a sli… slipser platter, but here you are.”