I'M YOUR PUPPET; invincible

chapter 5

    But he did not cease his writing. He simply continued his task, remaining where he was behind his desk, pen in hand.

    Mark slammed his fists on the desk. "Hey!" He said, "It's over. You're way out of your league."

    "Carry the two..." Machine Head murmured. Looking up, his volume grew. "Oh, hello, Invincible. Titan. Lightwalker."

    Titan briefly nodded his head. "Boss."

    Machine Head looked between the three, gesturing a hand. "You're right," he said. "You're so strong and tough, and you..." he pointed at Invincible and Lightwalker. "You fly all over the goddamn place. It's amazing."

    Mark's brows furrowed. "Uh...thanks? You know a lot about us."

    "I also know when you and this giant pile of shit would walk in here and ruin my doors. Also, Italian maple, by the way!"

    Titan shook his head. "No way you saw this coming—"

    "Aw, is that what you think? See, this is what happens when your head's a fuckin' rock." Isotope, suddenly, appeared over Machine Head's shoulder.

    Jaw clenched, Loren glanced between Mark and Titan. "He was supposed to be gone."

    The rock-man's voice was quiet. "I know."

   Machine Head pointed to his head. "This little upgrade shows me all kinds of possibilities, which is how I know it's not worth explaining to you two morons what quantum probabilities are, but it doesn't matter—"

    "Many potential outcomes that can occur across the universe."

    Machine Head's attention snapped away from Invincible and Titan. To the individual that he, in that moment, of all people, had underestimated. The one he had carelessly pushed aside as something not of a worry. All because she was a woman.

    "What?" His voice was high-pitched and wobbling. As if he couldn't believe his words.

    Lightwalker shrugged. "Quantum possibilities. They're supported by quantum physics and theory. They're a field of infinite possibilities."

    "Well," Machine Head hummed. "Like Invincible said, I'm out of my league. Except...I've got money!"

    All around them, then, villain's appeared. Those that they had fought, as well as those that they had not. They formed at every side, swarming them; forcing them into the center of the room.

    "Oh, shit," Mark murmured.

    Machine Head, with a laugh, lay back in his chair. "You have no idea, kid."

    She ducks to avoid the first punch, pressing her body forward to wrap her arms around the legs of the person before her. She does not know their name, she realizes, with lava crackling and flowing. She cares not for the heat against her skin or how it dares to singe her hair.

    She has a job, she thinks. She must complete it.

    But as Titan is thrown to the side, she stands alone before Battle Beast. Heartbeat in her ears, echoing hopelessly through her mind. She can fight, yes. She is strong, yes. But she has never fought someone like this before. Not other than her mother.

    "Hm," Battle Beast hums, staring down at her as if she were his next meal. "You might be a battle partner of value."

    She hoped so. Maybe then, she might leave this place alive.

    His hammer swings before his fists do. She raises her hands, catching it in her palms. It cracks against it, jamming her bones together. Rattling her body. But she grasps it, glancing over her shoulder only for a moment to see where Mark was. That was her first and only mistake.