One Year Ago.

The first snow drifted in the air, dusting an industrial city. Atop the roof of an apartment building, two villains observed their surroundings. In the distance, blue and red lights flashed at the bridge's entrance. A warning was blaring over and over again on radio frequencies. Civilians were to stay indoors due to weather conditions. Anyone with half a brain knew better. A little snow like this was no reason for law enforcement to close off city exists.

"This doesn't fair well for you and your partner, warlock." Beau said, "You'd fair much better if you accepted my offer."

"We don't mind doing work for you when you need it. You pay well, but you'd only weigh us down." Ryan replied.

"And how exactly do you plan to deal with this?" He responded, "They've locked down the entire city to find you."

Ryan glanced over his shoulder at the dark angel. "Hm, if you think one or two police barricades will stop us, you don't know us at all. I have to go. My ride's here."

He leaped off the building, landing in the middle of the deserted street below. Ryan stood still, unfazed by the roar of an engine zeroing in on his location. The front wheel of a motorcycle stopped an inch before his foot and he didn't bother to flinch. He placed his hand between the handlebars, leaning forward to steal a kiss from the driver.

"I hope you're in the mood." Ricky stated as they parted ways, "I was followed."

His partner smirked, "Hm, I could go for a threesome." Ryan took a step back. He cast a quick spell, calling forth a gaggle of glowing sprites. They shot out in every direction, searching around for their tag along. He groaned when he received their intel, "Deviant. Better off losing him before he calls in the other boy scouts."

Ryan jumped on the back of Ricky's bike. He took off like a speeding bullet. Shaking off their tailing hero was easier said than done. The sprites had continued to follow him. When he was within sight, Ryan snapped his fingers, causing the sprites to explode in a blinding burst of light. The hero slammed on his brakes, nearly swerving off. It wouldn't be enough to stop him, but it gave them a head start.

Ricky turned off towards the bridge. As quickly as he was able, Ryan cast a spell that created a ramp over the police cars. Bullets began showering down on them well before they even reached the barricade. Ricky retrieved a grenade from his belt, yanking the pin out with his teeth. He tossed it down to the boys in blue as they launched over the ramp. Through the smoke, a second motorcycle emerged, crashing down behind them.

Ryan sent out the same spell he'd just cast to help them over the other barricade. Instead of forming a ramp, his magic displaced in a hundred different directions, dissipating into the snowflakes. As they came closer, they saw another hero in front of them. Ricky screeched to a halt. He retrieved his staff, preparing to enter into combat with the two.

The shadow of an angel fell upon them. They glanced up to see Beau landing on one of the bridge's pillars. The two heroes who had boxed them in suddenly lost their concentration and grasped at their heads.

Beau's voice intruded on their minds, "I scrambled their thoughts. You should get out of here before they remember they were chasing you."

Ricky scoffed as he kicked the engine on. "Great. We're in Angel's debt now."

Ryan wrapped his arms around his partner's torso. "Yippee."

Present Day

Vinny was beginning to get the feeling that his new friend, Piggy, didn't like being in cell block four. When they were inside the cell block or even just discussing it, he was cold and short. Otherwise, he was a very kind and happy man. Vinny could only hope that this place doesn't drain him of his joy like that.

He spent the morning studying the files he'd been given. Part of him felt as if he shouldn't have been handed such sensitive information so freely. They were trusting him with ease, all because he was the only guard with powers? It was suspicious, but in efforts to not let the telepath pick up on his distrust in his employer, he pushed the thought away.

At 11AM, his shifts would begin. They would be ten hour shifts. It was explained to him that his presence was needed surrounding meal times and nightfall in particular. They were to be fed a late breakfast and dinner, no lunch. The food trays delivered to the cell block every morning and evening had a sensor that allowed the trays to pass through the force fields that sealed the cells. It was considered the safest way to feed them.

He began with the girl who scared him the least. Yeah, he may have been given a lot of warnings about Friday, but she looked so precious. It was hard for Vinny to be intimidated by her. Out of curiosity, he observed the meals prepared. They were as unique as the inmates. For her, a severing of fruit, a yogurt cup, and a carton of milk. He placed it upon the ground, pushing it through the field to her.

Friday leaned over, picking up the tray. "Thank you."

"Welcome. It's not much." He replied.

"How else do you think I keep a figure like this?" She giggled. "Oh, I didn't catch your name. Obviously, you already know mine." She pointed to the patch on her prison clothes with her last name sewn in.

"It's Vinny. You seem way too pleasant for a super villain. No offense."

She shrugged as she plopped down on her bed. "Just because I'm apart of a secret society of mercenaries, doesn't mean I have to be a bitch."

"Uhm... I'm gonna go finish giving everyone their breakfast now." Vinny awkwardly walked away, unsure of how he should be feeling. Friday was the type of girl he'd pick up on if he just saw her walking down the street. It's hard to imagine she's done things that validate her imprisonment.

The next two meals he had to deliver were far hardier, more of what he expected; Coffee, eggs, toast, bacon. He didn't expect that the scary blood magic man was going to say anything to him, and frankly he was hoping mister no-powers-death-glare wouldn't. Ricky was reading a book when Vinny approached his cell. He muttered a quiet "thanks" without bothering to look up.

As he walked downstairs, he was able to catch a very quick glance of Asher before the demon turned invisible. All Vinny caught was a thin frame and long hair. Much like Friday, he was surprised by Asher's behavior. Bipolar or not, what did he have to fear? He was a super villain. What reason would he have to hide like this?

Like Friday, he seemed to eat light. All that was on his tray was a bowl of oatmeal and a carton of milk. As Vinny walked away, he saw the demon reappear out of the corner of his eye. He thought it best not to stare. When he came to the man with the Hannibal muzzle, he was curious as to how he would eat. It looks like the kitchen staff had provided him with a straw stuck in a smoothie. The man probably hadn't had a solid meal as long as he'd been here.

"Um, are you able to find your food... Since, you know?" Vinny asked.

"Yes. Thank you for the concern." Chris responded quietly. He traced his hand along the wall, walking slowly as if he was counting his steps. Despite Vinny's doubt, Chris seemed very capable of finding where he'd left his meal. It didn't stop Vinny for hating himself for giving an inmate sympathy.

He saved Beau for last, having special instructions for his treatment. Vinny was granted permission to enter his cell for meals. His key card allowed him to pass through the force field, having a sensor no different than the ones embedded in the trays. However, that didn't mean he particularly wanted to waltz right into small quarters with a powerful, evil being like this.

"I won't hurt you. You have my word." The Irishman said.

Vinny slowly stepped inside, placing down a breakfast of grilled tomatoes, baked beans, hash, eggs, and black coffee. He looked around at the room briefly. Beau was chained to the wall with little room to move.

"You can't reach your bed, can you?" He asked.

"Unfortunately not. I've slept on the hard floor every night. At least the food is good, though." He smiled optimistically.

Vinny laughed awkwardly, "Yeah, I noticed, it looks pretty good for prison food."

"The cook is a very good man. His name is Ryder. He used to be a prisoner here. I imagine that's why he takes such pity on us. This is a traditional breakfast in Ireland. It's very kind of him to make it for me every morning. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yeah..." Vinny sat down across from him, getting a true sense of how uncomfortable the floor really was. "When did you leave Ireland?"

"I never really did. About twenty years ago, I started traveling to other countries, spending weeks or months there, but I always returned home eventually." He explained, "And, yes, twenty years. I stopped aging about thirty-five years ago. That's when my mutant gene became active."

"Thank you for elaborating. I should probably get back to my job, and let you eat." Vinny said.

In all honesty, he wanted to ask more, but spending quality time with a super villain probably wasn't a good idea. A telepath, nonetheless. It was only his first full day, and he was already feeling bad for these people. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.