A Mockingbird In The Crows Nest

The Return

"Get geared up." Techno cuts in, adjusting his stance before taking off in that direction. He doesn't know why Tommy would be tearing the city apart to get to a villain; but it can't be for anything good. Maybe he's in danger and Techno's not there to protect him-

"And bring Tommy's staff."

There's smoke pouring out of Flatline's mouth from her rage as she cusses Tommy out. There are nasty, angry red marks on her face from where Tommy threw her a little harder than he meant to. And normally, he'd feel bad about that. And he does feel a little guilty at first. But when she promises to use her powers against him once they're back; it all fades away and he stalks away from the street.

His hands hurt from using his powers so much in such a short amount of time. But he's more worried about his head.

His brain is in a frenzy. Everything is too much and not enough all at once. He wants to hit something. Wants to hide in a dark corner and never come back out. Wants to make the League fear him and see it in their eyes as they realize they can't win. Wants to break down in his brothers arms and beg them for forgiveness.

It's all just so confusing. It feels like his mind is warring with itself. All because it can't figure out what it wants.

But what really kicks his anxiety up a notch is the eyes he can feel on him. Can see civilians peeking out of windows when they think he isn't looking. But what's more obvious are the cameras following him. Watching him as he curls hands made of cement to keep Flatline down and in place for someone else to find.

He knows it's Static watching him from the safety of the electricity- like a coward. But he doesn't understand why he's watching him. Doesn't understand why he won't just fucking come out and take him head on instead of hiding.

He probably doesn't think Tommy's worth the effort to fight; and man does that sting to think. He came back and did all this just to capture all of them- has beaten his own mentor 3 times and Static still doesn't think he's worth the effort it would take to fight.

It's not fair. Static never cared. Never gave him anything more than a calculating look or a dismissive wave. Then Pyro stumbles into his line of sight with flames weakly dancing along his frame- and everything else drops away in favor of anger. And he rushes forward while calling his powers up.

The villain manages to dodge Tommy's first attack by some miracle; and he summons up a feeble wall of fire to protect himself as he runs. But Tommy doesn't blink twice at the barrier. He just rips the street in two to split apart the wall of fire and follows after him.

Pyro yelps when he checks behind him and sees Tommy on his tail- but Tommy doesn't care. He just pushes himself to run faster as he chases Pyro into the edges of the shopping district.

Pyro throws flames behind him as they run; and Tommy starts stumbling in his steps as his lungs burn. He's not used to running this much- especially when he hasn't properly trained in a little while. But he can't let him get away. Won't let him escape when he's the one who beat Tommy to the point he could barely breathe.