Phantom nodded, staring into the light-polluted sky.
No stars were about because there was so much light was blocking its moment to shine.
The world would be a better place without all this shit.
He swore to himself he will allow the stars to shine once more, no matter what he'll have to do.
Even if it was to blow up a city.
----
Tommy was simply loitering around in the café, unsure what to do.
Niki was chatting with him too, but Tommy felt like something was off today.
"How's Jack, Niki?" Tommy asked, smiling through his strange thoughts.
"Jack's fallen ill. I'm honestly struggling in trying to help." She sighed, the atmosphere changing dramatically.
"He's ill? No, the big man Jack Manifold would never get ill."
Niki huffed, "Just seemed so that he suddenly did. Strange, right? It's as if it was forced."
Tommy nodded, suspicion creeping up on him.
He decided to shrug it away, and proceeded to continue talking to Niki.
"You want anything, Niki?"
Niki hummed, "A marochino." She smiled.
Tommy chuckled, nodding.
"Of course. You became addicted to ordering those ever since." He said, whipping up a quick beverage.
Niki giggled, "It's just really good! I can't help myself. Why don't you make another for Jack to go?"
Tommy smiled.
"Was planning on it. He'll love it."
Tommy then handed both drinks to Niki, chatting a bit more.
Their talk was interrupted when the TV flashed to a broadcast.
"Explosion found near a Glatt building, Many had died and multiple injured. The heroes stated that a villain was behind this." A female news reporter stated.
Niki's eyes softened while her eyebrows raised in interest.
"It wasn't any old villain you'd usually come across. It was a new one that had just risen. Quite dangerous, too. We think the villain would rank #2, just under the Blade. We yet to have a name." Dream informed, shaking his head slightly.
He was looking straight at the camera, sure that the villain was watching.
Tommy was mentally sweating.
He turned to Niki, seeing her eyes widen at the footage of the destroyed buildings.
He could hear her mutter something, yet he couldn't hear it.
Something like, "Never knew the damage he caused was that bad."
"Did you know about this Niki?" Tommy asked, raising an eyebrow.
Niki turned to him.
"What?"
Tommy sighed, "What I meant was did you hear about this before? I never knew this happened."
Niki nervously smiled.
"I heard about it on the streets. It went by quite fast."
Tommy nodded.
He had to be careful.
"Right then, I'm going up to Jack. See you, Tommy." She smiled, embracing Tommy in a hug.
Tommy's checks flustered in embarrassment.
She waved goodbye, then heading up to disappear from sight.
He sighed shakily, and sat in his chair.
That was close.
If Tommy showed any signs of knowing this Niki may have been suspicious of him.
Or he could have said what she told him.
He decided to wipe the coffee counters and tables once more, making sure they gleamed.
Once he was quite proud of his work, he decided to head to the alley and get some fresh air.
However, who was there surprised him.
Familiar inky wings, jade shrouds.
"Wh-"
The figure then motioned for him to be quiet, and Tommy walked to the side to allow them in.
It was alright.
This was the avian he had saved.
He then closed the door outside, then closing the door at the front.
"How did you find me?" Tommy asked, unsure on how the avian located him.
"Avians are easily able to locate eachother."
Tommy's eyes slightly widened as he stared at the figure.
"I- including other people of course. We are able to track people easily?"
Tommy mentally sighed in relief as he exhaled.
"Why did you come here? I'm pretty sure you already gave thanks in that weird letter you sent."
"So you recognise it was me, hmm." The avian hummed.
Tommy simply nodded.
"Say, do you know who I am? Why did you even want to heal me?"
"You were avian. Avians are endangered, and I don't want to take part in endangering them more." Tommy shrugged.
The avian burst in a cackle.
Tommy was confused.
"You don't know who I am, don't you?" He said between laughs.
Tommy sweated.
"Is it bad to know you?" He winced.
"No, mate, I'm a villain. Well, #3 villain. I'm Angel, never heard of me?" He replied, choking back another laugh.
Tommy's eyes widened.
"What the shit?"
"You don't seem to be screaming?" Angel tilted his head.
"Yeah, this is common. I met other villains, Phantom and Blade." Tommy sighed.
Angel immediately froze.
"Who visited you again?"
"Phantom and Blade?" Tommy repeated.
Angel hummed.
"What's your name kid?"
"Not a kid," Tommy warned, "I'm Tommy. Tommy Innit."
Angel nodded.
"Keep safe. This district is uh, not the best place to own a coffee shop."
Tommy chuckled, "I know that, big man. But what is life without risks?"
Suddenly Tommy heard a bang in the distance.
"I'm guessing it's your friends' doing?" Tommy deadpanned.
Angel winced.
"Yeah, that's my cue. I just decided to drop by." He said, walking towards the door by the alleyway.
Tommy was walking infront of him, unlocking the door.
As The Angel left, he couldn't help but notice how long his wings were.
They practically brushed the ground, and the primaries were quite long.
He couldn't help but stay mesmerised at avians.
He was proud to be one, yet afraid to show it.
Next thing he'll know he may be thrown back into the lab again.