"Took you so long," Kevin said, pulling Zack close for a noogie, causing Stella to laugh.
"Wh... what's going on?" Zack asked, lightly pushing Kevin away.
"Print closed early because he got an assignment for us," Stella said.
"Assignment?"
"Take a look at this," she continued, showing a video on her laptop.
"Dear Citizens of Empire City," a freakishly large, blond man in a white tuxedo said, standing on a podium in front of City Hall. "Our fair city has fallen under a sea of chaos this past year. Various heroes have fought to maintain order, but it's not enough. That's why I'm here."
"Who's he?"
"Andy Morningstar. Milten's brother," Stella said, prompting a wide-eyed stare from Zack.
"I didn't know he had a brother." "No one did. Hell, no one knew Milten's last name until recently. That guy's life is an enigma."
"Why are you showing me this?"
"Because that douchebag is running for Mayor, and Mr. Print wants everyone to follow his campaign," Kevin explained with a sly smile.
"Didn't we already have a mayor?"
"You haven't been back long, have you?" Kevin asked with a smirk.
"Not more than a few days, to be honest, never reslly asked about what'sbeen going on. Kinda ironic considering my job." Zack said, smiling. Kevin nearly gasped.
"Hmm, I thought you'd take a couple more days to relax, but I guess work waits for no man."
"Can you just fill me in?" Zack said, tapping the dashboard.
"After the Danger Squad was attacked, a citywide funeral was held for them. Sad sight. Mayor was giving his speech and everything. Shit was going fine until someone... no, something attacked."
"Something?"
"The Zone," Stella answered.
"The what?"
"Some kind of monster popped up out of nowhere and attacked the funeral grounds. By the time Amazo and his team showed up to stop it, thirty people were already mauled to death. Including the Mayor."
"Jeez..."
"Soon after, two gangs pulled up looking for more trouble. A new Dragon Clan and some freaks living in the remains of Milten's base called the Circus. For months the city's been a huge battleground for these monsters, and Retribution could barely do anything to stop them. That is... until Target appeared a month ago."
"Who now? Target? How many of these guys are there?"
"He's the newest one. Target's presence alone managed to keep the Dragon Clan and Circus in check. The city was relatively safer thanks to him. What people didn't know was the acting mayor had to pay a fee for his protection."
"And how does this relate to the new mayor?"
"The Vice Mayor had to step up and take over after the old one was killed. He's the one who had to pay Target for his protection. Stress of it all made him kill himself 2 weeks ago."
"What?!"
"That's the official story. It's kind of unspoken info that he was assassinated."
"Really? What makes you say that?"
"Simple. This bastard right here," Stella said, pointing to the blond man on her laptop. "Says he's running for Mayor to protect the city from Target and all the new threats just like his brother did, but I call bullshit. He's plotting something, and the three of us are going to find out what."
"And how are we going to do that?"
"By using your powers, Green Guardian," Kevin said, causing Zack to jolt up and glare at Stella.
Stella just smiled.
"What the fuck? Why are you..."
"Don't try that secret identity crap on me, dude. Stella told me everything. How could you tell her and not me? I know we weren't really close, but still."
Zack sighed, realizing there was no use trying to hide it.
"Why the fuck would you tell him, Stella? Especially right after I told you?!" Zack said, throwing his head back into his seat and covering his face.
He gave out a sigh at how fast things went sideways on his first day.
Too fast.
Kevin started the car, and it took off.
"Kevin is reliable, Zack. He may be just a cameraman, but he's got enough smarts to help us in our operation."
"Operation? Hold up a second here. What are you guys even talking about? You knew my identity through Jake telling you his trauma, and the first thing you do when you see me is tell someone?!"
"I made a smart move, man. You'll see."
Zack tried his best to keep himself composed and decided to focus on something else.
"Where are we even going?" Zack said, realizing they'd just entered Uptown, the richer, more developed side of the city.
"Heading to the Mayor-Elect's house," Kevin said while driving.
"What are we..."
Stella then gave Zack a black suit and put a small communicator in his ear.
"Back up, what are we doing? What's with the equipment? Will you guys even try to answer my questions?" Zack shouted, giving the suit back to Stella and removing the communicator.
"Oh, it's really nothing major. We just need you to use your Green Guardian powers to shrink down, get in Andy's house, and try to find out if he's hiding anything," Stella said innocently.
Zack's jaw dropped in horror.
"It's not that big a deal, man. Just get in. Get out. Simple as that."
"You two planned this for a while, didn't you?" Zack said, the anger apparent in his voice.
"No. Just me. Kevin is just going with the flow. Ever since Jake told me about you guys, I've always been thinking of how to use your powers for good, and I don't mean punching crazed lunatics in costumes. I mean actual good taking down corrupt politicians, protecting people from unfair punishment from the cops, that kind of stuff."
"I protect the city all the time. How is what I already do any different from actual good?"
"All you supers do is prance around in your pretty little tights and banter with a bunch of psychos. This is your chance to really change things for the better."
"I'm literally committing a crime!"
"That's why no one can stand you super types. You all have the power to change the world, but do nothing with it but fight each other," Stella said, rolling her eyes. "Andy is scum, just like Milten. I should know, I've done more research on him than anyone in this city."
"How so?" Zack asked, slowly putting the communicator back in.
Stella smiled. He was actually hearing her out.
"Milten's got a shit ton of criminal connections all over the country. Those connections work for Andy too. If he wanted his political opponents assassinated, all he'd need was a phone call. If he wanted to add in more illegal businesses to the city, no one would stop him. Not you or those fucks in the Super Society. We don't want that kind of guy running the city."
Zack was silent. He looked away and pondered what he should do. On one hand, this would mean taking down someone who could harm the city before he got out of his control.
On the other hand, this was still breaking and entering, and no better than your average criminal. That wasn't the kind of work he wanted to get involved in.
But then again...
When was the last time he did some good?
Not stopping a supervillain or some monster, but stopping a threat that would make life harder for normal people for years to come?
Maybe this was his chance...
Zack took back the black suit and began putting it on.
Kevin smirked.
"I know what you're thinking. Don't say it."
"Wasn't going to. I got something else to say."
"And that is?"
"We're here," Kevin said, pointing at the large gate which led to an even larger mansion.
"Alright, let's get to work," Stella said, giggling like a schoolgirl...
To be continued...