LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 9: Spotlight
The week went by quickly. There were more days of hero training and sports practices. Today Andy suggests they go out again, it seems like a tradition for Friday’s. Phoenix, Eden, Andy, Vivy and Logan were already on a bus on their way to the beach this time.
After several hot days in the sun along with non-stop physical activities…and unexpected criminal attacks, Andy suggested they go swimming. Of course the camp has a pool but she was hoping something a bit bigger. Soon enough, they stop at nearest beach. It wasn’t jam-packed since it is a Friday.
“Now then, let’s see those swimsuits!” announced Andy.
Phoenix shook nervously. She had to buy a swimsuit and all that were left were bikinis. She usually just wore wet suits but she didn’t think she would need one at camp. Logan just took off her Cubs t-shirt, she wore a crop top and three-quarter shorts. Andy was wearing a sports bra and shorts. Eden, Vivy and Phoenix both went to the change rooms.
“T-t-this is so embarrassing,” Phoenix wore a green two piece that matched the color of her eyes.
"Aww really, I kind of love showing it all off," said Vivy.
She too wore a bikini, it was orange like her hair, she did a swimsuit model pose, for some reason she seemed like a natural. Suddenly, Vivy came up to Phoenix and rubbed her abdomen. The latter squealed.
"Wow! You've got abs for days! You can grate cheese on here."
"S-s-s-stop,” Phoenix giggled. “That tickles."
"I-I'm ready," said the voice of Eden.
Phoenix went silent upon seeing her in her swimsuit. It was a one piece with cartoon animals printed on; she looked like an elementary schooler. Phoenix grabbed her heart in her chest, but Vivy had much greater reaction.
"Ooooh myyyy gooosh!" Vivy glomped Eden with a hug. "Is being this adorable even legal?!"
Eden however observed her roommate's Titanic assets.
“Are you sure you’re 15?”
Phoenix came back to her senses. “Wha?”
She just realized the top piece of her swimsuits is not hooked and slightly dangling off. She slowly turned bright red, steam blew out of her.
Eden rolled her eyes. “I’m going now.”
Eden left the change room, Phoenix and Vivy followed soon after, the latter assisted in properly tying her friend's swimsuit, again, she seems quite used to this. Phoenix is glad there aren’t many people around, mostly kids and adults. The two girls arrive where Andy and Logan set up their spot; Eden was already with them and seemed to make herself comfortable. Andy saw Phoenix and whistled.
“Daaamn! You are stacked, and on top that, you're built like a tank!”
Phoenix kept her arms covering her chest and abdomen, still blushing.
Logan lowered her sunglasses. “If I were a boy I’d be totally be turned on right now.”
“I’m a girl and I am turned on right now!" said Vivy. "But besides that..."
Vivy ran between Eden and Andy.
"Flat is justice!"
"What did you just-"
She ignored Andy and stood with Logan while placing her arm over the latter's shoulder. "Medium is premium!"
Next, Vivy appeared behind Phoenix and from the back, gripped on to her chest. "Oppai is truth!"
"Eep!"
Phoenix turned stark red from embarrassment.
“I’m going in the water,” Eden said nonchalantly.
Soon enough, all of them were having fun swimming. Since Phoenix could breathe underwater, she'll just remain there unseen. On the other hand, Logan demonstrated her whirlpool cyclones and basically made a water park out of the surrounding body of water as all the swimming kids spun around. Meanwhile, Eden was the main attraction, she grew to her giant size and apparently her swimming costume is also developed to withstand the expansion, likely the same material as her spandex suit. She let the kids play around her, whether swinging from her hair or walking on her body, all the parents noticing this didn’t think it was the strangest thing they’ve ever seen. Andy had conversations with the kelp and other marine plants while Vivy ran across the surface of the water before diving right in.
Later on Phoenix re-emerged; she stepped out to get a drink. One little girl took an interest in her.
“Mommy mommy, that girl is pretty!”
A woman in a black bikini was sitting on a mat while reading a book.
“Honey, don’t bother the other…holy mama milky way!”
Upon witnessing Phoenix herself, the woman quickly got up and approached her.
“Excuse me, young lady!”
Phoenix winced in surprise. “Huh?”
“By any chance, are you a model?”
“N-n-no way!”
“Really now?”
"Did somebody say model?!"
Vivy appeared out of nowhere already posing.
"Oh my, a friend of yours?"
"Y-yes," said Phoenix.
"This just got a whole lot better."
“Yo, what’s all the commotion?” Andy came back, along with Eden in her normal size.
“Hi, I’m Paige Rosenthal,” the woman introduced herself. “I’m a photographer of a fashion magazine and you’re outrageously tall, busty friend with the chiselled features caught my attention and too the lively one as well.”
“M-m-me?” said Phoenix.
“Please, may I take some photos?” Paige held up a camera.
“Where was she keeping that?” muttered Eden.
"Go on right ahead!" said Vivy. "Take a many as you'd like!"
"I love this girl's enthusiasm," said Paige.
“You hear that, Lilywhite, you’re popular,” said Andy.
Phoenix put her hands to her face, she blushed profoundly.
“Mommy, can I join her?” said the daughter.
“Not now honey, can’t you see mom is busy?”
Phoenix suddenly changed her mood.
“Aww, who’s this cutie?” said Andy.
“My little girl, Piper.”
“I-if you’d like, I wouldn’t mind taking pictures with her,” said Phoenix all of a sudden.
“Is that so? In that case, sure, just as long as I get some individual shots as well.”
“Come on Piper, care to play?”
“Yay!”
Eden made a pouty face feeling envious.
While Phoenix and Piper had fun in the sand, Paige took photos of them as well as Vivy who somehow possessed a multitude of modelling techniques.
“She could at least let me join them,” said Eden, her arms folded.
“I don’t think Miss Rosenthal's forte is late bloomers such as yourself,” said Andy.
“Hmph!”
Later on, Phoenix would get photos taken just by herself.
“Hmm, did I miss something?”
Logan returned; she was caught off guard by the photo shoot. Paige noticed her as well.
“And who might you be?” she said excitedly.
“Just a friend of the ours.”
“I’ve got to say, your purple hair and blue eyes are a glamorous combination as well as your abs and tomboyish appearance which are lovely to boot. Want to join in?”
“Well…sure.”
Andy did a spit take when she saw Logan getting her shots taken as well. Paige took individual as well as group photos of the three of them. Eden built sand castles with Piper in the meantime.
Eventually, the sun was almost ready to set. After the mini photo shoot, the girls swam some more, Piper joined along with them. Before long it was time to leave but not before a proposal from Paige.
“Thanks to you I was able to collect some wonderful photographs. With that said, how about I invite all of you to dinner.”
That got Andy’s attention.
“Hey, I know we weren’t part of the shoot, but does that include the two of us,” Andy referred to herself and Eden.
“Of course, you’re all friends after all.”
“Sweet!”
“O-oh, uhh, thank you very much,” said Phoenix.
“I would gladly join,” said Logan.
"It sounds exciting!" cheered Vivy.
Eden simply nodded. “Hmm.”
After packing up their stuff, and Phoenix getting dressed, they were all shown to Paige’s car. Andy nearly did a flip take; it was a 2013 Mercedes-Benz A Class A200 D Sport.
“You can afford a car like that working as a Photographer!?!”
Paige clicked her keys. “The fashion industry can be one hell of a juggernaut.”
Everyone took a seat. Since Phoenix was the biggest among all of them, she sat shotgun which left the smaller girls some space at the back, but Piper still sat on Logan's lap.
“Aww, the air conditioning is amazing,” said Andy. “Especially in this summer heat.”
"And these seats are so comfortable," said Vivy who casually sat back and relaxed.
Paige didn’t mention how far the drive is but Logan had her headphones, while Piper and Eden snuggled together fast asleep.
“Hey, I forgot to ask, but are you Heroes in training?” wondered Paige.
“Oh, yeah, that’s right,” said Andy.
"We sure are!" said Vivy.
“I heard about the attack on camp on the news, that’s must have been awful.”
“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” Andy flexed her arm.
"It's all in a day's work," Vivy cracked her fingers.
Paige just realized something.
“Wait, I remember, you girls were at the shopping centre and stopped that villain.”
“Yeah, oh, and Lilywhite over here beat the shit of him!” said Andy.
“I-I-it was nothing, really,” said Phoenix.
"You should have seen her, she was, papow! And wabam!" said Vivy.
“Well, she basically wasn’t herself that day.”
“But anyway, you girls keep at it. I wonder if Piper will develop powers someday and what she’ll choose to do with it. No matter what it is, I’ll support her all the way.”
Before long they came through a street where the houses became less and less until reaching a drive way to a gate. The girls were brought before a luxurious estate. Paige drove into the lot, a chauffeur took over after they all exited the car.
“What a place?” said Andy.
“It’s freaking huge!" cried Vivy.
“We’re not exactly dressed appropriately for a residence like this,” said Eden.
“Never you mind all that, this isn’t some formal gathering, you’re all fine the way you are. I mean I’m not the most decent looking person right now either,” said Paige who was still in her swimsuit. “I should at least put some actual clothes on, so come on in.”
Inside they were greeted by a maid. Paige went to go get dressed while the rest of them were shown to the dining table. The meals had already been prepared beforehand and will be served in no time.
Paige came back, this time wearing casual pants and a turtleneck sweater but still opted to sport a pair of high heels. All the other girls looked okay, then there’s Logan who was literally wearing her swimming outfit with just a t-shirt over. Piper isn’t joining and was carried off to bed. Now that the mistress was at the table, dishes began piling in.
A man in a nice tuxedo popped open a bottle of wine and poured in a glass for Ms Rosenthal. He then offered the girls an assortment of drinks such as soda, Apple cider, juice, milkshake, tea, or simply just water.
“Now that we’re comfortable I’d like to declare an offer,” said Paige. “It would be an honur to be bestowed the privilege to take more photographs in the future. This time however, I’d like to get all of you for your hero work as well.”
“Hold the phone,” said Andy. “Do we get paid?”
“You’ll be generously compensated.”
“All right!”
“W-w-what kind of photos?” asked Phoenix.
“Well, for instance, your heroics at the shopping centre can be a start. The news really didn’t portray you all very well.”
“Honestly, we’re not really in it for the fame,” Logan joined in. “But I do like money and it sounds fun.”
"I'd do for free and butt naked!" said Vivy.
Everyone looked at her as if she’d already stripped to the nude.
“I'm not quite confident in my appearance,” admitted Eden. “I come off as child-like.”
“My dear, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. You wouldn’t be surprised if an actual ten-year-old saved the day.”
Paige sipped her wine, Eden contemplated what she had said with a slight smile.
“You make it sound like you're writer of the headlines,” said Andy
“I assure you I’m not, but, I am the superior to all the authors.”
“Wicked.”
“By the way, I never got any of your names.”
Andy slapped her head. “Our bad, Andromeda Williams but everyone calls me Andy.”
"Hiya! The name's Vivien O'Hara but everyone calls me Vivy!"
“Again, you’re the one who calls yourself that.”
“Logan Mackenzie, at your service.”
“Eden Green.”
“A-and I’m Phoenix Lilywhite.”
“Right, Andromeda, Vivien, Logan, Eden and Phoenix, glad to be acquainted.”
“Since we’re revealing our names, do you want to know our powers, for research purposes?” said Andy.
“Hmm, while I’ve seen Eden and Logan use theirs, I’m not quite sure of the fundamentals nor what the rest of you have.”
"Psychotic Cyclone," said logan. “I just control water and wind or sometimes sand to form spirals."
"Gigantify," said Eden. “I just grow, nothing else."
"Floral Whisperer, " said Andy. “I can talk to plants, BT dubs, those violets over there have quite the potty mouths.”
"High Octane Pulse," said Vivy "I can run fast when I'm happy and gain incredible strength when I'm angry which is just among many other abilities based on what I'm feeling."
“I-I have Octopus powers, ” said Phoenix.
“I see, so you can squirt ink and swim very well, do you grow extra appendages.”
“I don’t know about the ink part but It's a bit cooler than that,” said Andy. “Come on Lilywhite, show her the little suckers.”
Phoenix presume she meant the tentacles. She lifted her shirt and they protruded out of her back.
“Exquisite,” said Paige.
“Show her the other stuff,” urged Logan. Phoenix liked her better when she’s engrossed in her comics.
She stood up, leaned flat against the wall and her body disappeared but her clothing remained.
“Marvelous, do you have to press yourself against objects?”
Phoenix reappeared and nodded. “It's not effective when I’m while I'm clothed ad you can see.”
“She can also heal her wounds, albeit to a lesser extent as those who have exclusively regenerative abilities,” said Andy.
“By that, in theory however,” added Eden. “We're not sure if she can grow back limbs or repair organs, but her healing process is quite slow compared to the aforementioned regeneration ability type users.”
“Interesting, and you Andromeda, are there any unique traits to your powers.”
“There sure are.”
Andy explains how she can get plants to become mobile and how she can send her voice through the fields of grass, wheat, foxtails and the like.
“I've got to ask, how does it feel not having a flashy ability?”
“It doesn’t bother me, mostly because my true power is my slick sense of humor.”
They laughed from her comment, Vivy was basically rolling.
“And what about your backgrounds, what are your families like?”
“If you’re wondering, I may be from West Philadelphia, but there’s certainly no trouble in the neighbourhood,” said Andy. “Anyway, my folks are fine and well, I have an older brother, he goes to college. He studies, you guessed it, astrophysics…just kidding, it's botany.”
“My turn,” said Logan. “I was born and raised a city girl in Chicago, I have three younger brothers, my parents, current status, surviving.”
“I have two younger sisters and two living parents all residing in a farm house in Winterset, Iowa,” said Eden as plain as always. “Interesting fact, it’s the birth place of America's most cherished Western movie Actor, John Wayne. Also, I attend the Field of Dreams game every year at Dyersville, I even have Kevin Costner’s autographed.”
Everyone stared at her, wide-eyed.
"Damn, so lucky!" said Vivy.
"You're just bragging now aren't you?" said Logan while puffing her cheeks.
"Wait, isn't that like 200 miles away from your hometown? So, you really love baseball?" said Andy. "You didn't seem enthusiastic about it when we trained."
"When is she enthusiastic?" said Logan.
"But enough of that, now it's me!" said Vivy.
"Get the popcorn, we're gonna be here all night," said Andy.
"Okay so, I was born in Ireland!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Spooky music stops," said Andy. "What!?"
"That's right, brought to this world in Dublin, The Republic of Ireland!"
"You know, it's kind of strange when you called Cordelia's hometown funny when you were born not too far," said Andy.
"So anyway," she continued without contemplating what Andy said, "Besides me, I have an older sister, Audrey, she's in her final year of University. We only lived in Ireland until I was two then my parents returned to America where we would live in my mom's hometown in Chicago, just like Logan. The two of us have been to the same school since elementary!"
"Since Elementary school? You never told us it's been that long!" said Andy.
"It was the early part of 1st grade."
"And why are you now talking like you're having flashba-"
"There was a girl crying, she had a toad on her shoulder. The tiny critter just rested there without any worries as it croaked away while she just wept. All of a sudden, her saviour arrived.
"Ooh, froggy."
"A girl with bright orange hair comes up to her and just picked up the toad like it was normal thing.
"I-it's not a frog, i-t's a toad."
"What's a toad?"
"That's a toad."
"No, this is a frog!"
"The two of them bantered for a couple of minutes. But the toad jumped from the orange-haired girl's hands and onto the other girl's head She went silent for a moment unti..."
"Waah!"
"The crying girl dropped to her knees and closed her eyes.
"P-p-please get it off."
"You're such a cry-baby."
"She removed the toad again before finally releasing it back into the wild.
"See, it's gone now."
"The girl stood back up but sill had a sad look on her face.
"Th-thank you."
We finally introduced ourselves.
"Hi, I'm Vivien, but you can call me Vivy," I told her.
"I-I-I'm Logan."
"Heeeh, you're a boy!?"
"N-no, I'm a girl."
"If you're a girl then why's your name Logan?"
"I-I don't know...my parents gave it to me."
"Where's your mom?"
"O-over there."
She pointed to the young woman with short purple hair who seemed to have a juvenile outlook. She was wearing sunglasses, a tied up shirt exposing her naval, jeans, and All-Star sneakers. She was just sitting on the bench with her legs crossed, head hanging back, arms spread out and sucking on a lollypop. Psst, it was actually a cigarette."
"I'm going there to get answers right now!”
"W-wait!"
I march over to confront her.
"Mrs Logan's mom!"
"Oh, whats up, cutie pie, got some business with me?" she spoke in such a casual manner, I was probably starting to understand some things.
"How could you give a girl a boy's name?"
"Is that what you want to know? How about you come close so I can whisper it in you ear."
I go over to her and she moves in closer until she was just in whispering range.
Mutter mutter mutter mutter.
My face turned red from what she told me, I jumped back in fear before going down on all fours.
"I promise I won't question it again!"
"That's more like it, so, I see you made a new friend, Logan."
"Y-yes, I think she said her name was Vivien."
"But you can call me Vivy."
I sprang up as my usual self again.
"Hey hey, how old are you, Logan's mom? You must be 15 or something, I don't know, I can't count higher than that."
"Well, if you think I look 15 then I'm flattered, but no, I'm actually 28."
I placed my hands on my face in shock.
"What huge number is that!? I-is it like that big building over there?"
I pointed at a random tall structure.
"I don't know what you mean, but no, it's not that big of a number. It's actually 15 plus 13."
"15 plus 13! I've never plussed two 2 teens before!"
"M-mommy," Logan joined in. "T-there was a toad on me and Vivien helped me get it off."
"Is that so, I guess that makes you a hero, as a reward want me to buy you an ice-cream?"
"Are you serious?!"
I instantly moved past all the math stuff. Logan's mom got me a double scoop cone.
"Vi-vi-eeeen!"
There was a shout from a distance and the next thing I know I get bashed on the head with fist.
"I'm so sorry for the trouble my sister has caused."
It was Audrey. She didn't see what happened but just assumed I was being a nuisance again.
"Not at all," said Logan's mom as she handed me the ice-cream. "In fact, she'd helped my little girl when she was in trouble."
"Really? That's a relief."
"You seem highly responsible, how old are you?"
"I'm 13."
"Wow, so young, I can already see what type of woman you'll turn out to be. Certainly not like myself I'll tell you that."
"Oh, don't say that, I'm sure you are quite amendable, it looks like your daughter turned out great."
Logan was picking up the litter in the surrounding area and placing them in to the correct recycle trash cans.
"That's one thing, but what about this? "
Logan's mom showed her cigarette.
"Well, yes, those are very bad for you, but as long as it doesn't control your life you should be well out."
"Darn, you're responsible and mature for your age. If the two of you didn't look alike I'd wonder if you were ever related."
She said that after I stuck the ice cream on my forehead and announce that I'm now a unicorn.
"No matter how it looks, I love my sister dearly. I'd be broken if anything were to happen to her."
"Awww, sis!"
Vivien were you-"
I pounced on her with a big hug, I got ice-cream on her clothes and face, she tried pushing me away.
"Logan."
"Y-yes, mommy?"
"Stay close to this one."
After that day I found out we happen to go to the same school. I'd join her during lunch breaks everyday and would play with her in the park often. I never got to visit her house though. We've been on the baseball team ever since then."
Everyone were silent as they stared at Vivy.
"Okay, it's hard to believe that story, I mean this girl." Andy pointed her thumb at Logan. "Used to be a scaredy cat? Come on."
"No, it's all true," it was Logan who spoke.
"Wait...what?"
"I was afraid of small animals. Birds, insects and reptiles, but I got over it at some point."
"That's... a lot to take in."
"Other than that, my mom was a hero herself, she went to the same camp as us back in the day, while my dad was in the military who was stationed in Ireland which is where my grandparents, his parents, were born as well."
Vivy popped out of her seat and grabbed Eden's shoulders.
"That makes the two of us fellow clover pickers!"
"Fellow...what?" said Eden. "Wait, how did you know I have Irish ancestry?"
"I could just tell, your name's also seemed fitting."
"By fitting, do you mean because the national colour of Ireland is green?"
"Heh heh heh," Vivy rubbed the back of her head.
“My family originate from Scotland,” said Logan.
“Really? Those two countries are basically siblings!”
“If we’re on the topic of ancestry,” said Andy. “I know my African roots originate from South Africa, possibly Zulu, and Ethiopia while I’m not sure when we inherited the name Williams.”
"So, Vivien, your mom is a hero, is she well-known?" said Paige.
"Not really, she's called Skip Beat."
"Oh, I have heard of her," said Paige. “Lovely, I guess that leaves my backstory."
“Uhh…” said Phoenix.
“Oh dear, my apologies Phoenix, you go on.”
“N-no it’s okay, I’ll go last.”
“All right then,” said Paige. “My parents are also still kicking, I have an older sister and younger brother. My paternal grandparents are French and there are Italian origins from my mother’s side.
“Buenos dias, mi ombre!” said Vivy.
“That’s Spanish,” said Andy.
“Uhh, yes, so I work as the head photographer of a popular fashion magazine and live alone with my daughter.”
“Hold up, you ain’t ending things there, what is the story with Mr. Rosenthal.”
Paige took a breath. “I was hoping not to bring him up, but to get straight to the point, he’s had an affair with another woman leading us to being divorced. He got nothing, and I’m living the dream.”
“I was about to say sorry for asking, but daaamn!”
“Hang on, a sexy milf like yourself got cheated on, either the side bitch must have truly been a knock out, or the bastard dog had to have been schizophrenic,” said Logan.
Paige nearly spat out her drink. She’s never heard anyone say something that funny about her ex. Wait…sexy milf?
“You kept his name?” said Eden.
“Well, if I’m being honest, my maiden name isn't as cool,” said Paige. “Since my daughter is already a Rosenthal, I decided to stay with that last name.
"Maybe Holly Gennero from Die Hard, the ex-wife of John, should take some pointers because who'd pass on the surname McClane?" said Andy.
"Anyway, how about you, Phoenix?”
“W-well, I was born in Star City, West Virginia,” began Phoenix. “My dad, who’s originally from Dallas, Texas, works as a blacksmith while my mom is a psychologist. Umm, I have English, Nordic and Greek ancestry.”
“So, who’s the tall one?”
“My mom, I’m already taller than her but she's 6 foot 1.”
“And which one did you inherent your octopus traits from.”
“Uhh, well, you see, neither of them.”
“Come again.”
She tells Paige that her parent have flame type abilities.
“Whoa, talk about the irony.”
Not long after, Andy diverted from the conversations to go to town on the food. She never spoke a single word for a while.
“Phoenix?” said Paige.
“Y-yes?”
“I’m not sure what you think of all this, but from what I can tell, you’ll be a formidable hero. I look forward to our future affiliations.”
Paige raised her glass. After having her umpteenth drink she began talking drunkenly while hiccupping in between.
“I think, hiyup, Walter gave me the stronger wine. I guess that’s it for me, hiyup, enjoy the rest of your meals, hiyup, my driver will see you home, hiyup.”
Paige stood up, pulled something from her pocket and slammed it on the table, it was her business card. She trudged away from the dinner table, she likely went to bed, hopefully. Soon enough, Andy had her fill, the maid escorted them to a black SUV that had more seats than the Mercedes. The chauffeur from earlier was in the driver's seat. The girls took their seats and they were off.
They arrive back at camp safe and sound just before nightfall. They bid farewell to the driver before he took off. The girls headed towards their dorm. They’re surprisingly welcomed by Ms. Nightshade at the entrance, she was accompanied by, Phoenix tensed, the white-haired woman.
“Ah, you ladies have returned. Thank you Miss Lightrose, we'll see each other again.”
"It's been a pleasure conversing," she said before walking off.
She gave a last look at Phoenix when she moved past, Phoenix shuddered by her ever so devious stare.
"Who was that?" wondered Andy.
"Artemis Lightrose."
"Hey, that's just like my ability class!" said Vivy.
"Indeed, but enough of that. I need to speak with you urgently, Miss Lilywhite."
“Good luck,” Andy saluted.
"We'll be waiting!" chanted Vivy.
"You don't even go here," muttered Eden.
Logan patted her shoulder and Vivy gave two enthusiastic thumbs up. Phoenix just stood there shaking.
“W-w-what is it, ma’am?”
“Come with me.”
Phoenix had been brought to Ms. Nightshade's room. It was much more luxurious and bigger than the regular dorms. The two of them sat on the carpeted floor, one on each end of a coffee table, shoes removed. Tea had also been prepared.
“Now then my dear, before I start, how are things at camp?”
“W-well, it’s been quite an adventure, always keeping me on my feet. The people here are at least pleasant and kind while being hard working heroes in training.”
“Glad to hear, now on to the discussion.”
Ms. Nightshade placed her elbows on the table, her chin on her intertwined hands and stared at Phoenix.
“From your little venture with Miss Archer, I’m sure you encountered a certain metallic winged maiden, am I correct?”
“Y-yes! I think she called herself Nike.”
“Hmm, so that’s what she goes by these days.”
“Huh?”
Ms. Nightshade makes it seems like she knew her.
“Her real name is Cameron Connor and we used to be in the same classes in school and attended this very camp.”
Phoenix was speechless.
“She went missing back in our teenage years, she never once lived a day as a hero. Now, I see what she’s really been up to.”
Ms. Nightshade sighed.
“Tell me, what is she like, is she still as gorgeous as she was all those years ago?”
“W-well, she was a very beautiful woman, same with her brother.”
Ms. Nightshade's eyes widened. “James was there too?”
“O-oh, he’s name is James, though he was the guy we fought at the shopping center.”
“He was always a troublemaker back then some people just don’t change their ways. Anyway, that’s all I wanted to talk about and it seems I have a mission.”
“M-mission.”
“Yes, a mission to get my best friend back.”