As all the previous pieces, this is done by Unknowing. (3 It's fantastic isn't it? Just like them!

There was so much blood. So much smoke. And just so so much damage to both hero and villain, as well as the surrounding area around them.

Nick had vowed to avoid a repeat of last week, or any of the other failures he had suffered the humiliation of by The Savior's hand. So every day for the last month he had been at his facility, he studied every bit of footage he could find on her fights.

The news may have been annoying and infuriating, but for once he had to thank it for broadcasting his failures. Because in his endless studies, in his countless workouts to prepare, in his constant rewatches put on in the background..

He found a weakness.

It was ridiculous how long it had taken him to find it, but once the villain did, he knew the tables would finally turn in his favor. He'd finally have a leverage that could win him the war even with all the battles he had lost.

The match between the two opponents only proving that as for once, she finally was as wounded and bloody as him.

What was this grand plan? This weakness that would change everything? The thing that made all of the damage he himself was taking worth it?

It was a little something he liked to call... distractions.

Before, the common variable of every loss was his way of fighting the woman. It wasn't like he used the same technique or method every time, oh no, he tried every combination possible. Even taking reinforcements to try to give some backup in fights! But they were always beaten and his chance squandered by her annoying persistence and immeasurable strength.

However there was one thing he never thought of.... weakness could go passed physical limitations.

In the current clash, rather than face her with brute strength or fancy gadgets, he attacked around her. Because after all, SHE may have been invisible...

But the people in surrounding buildings weren't.

It had started with one blast feigned at her, but instead aimed at a tall office structure a few blocks away. Something she rushed to go keep from falling with pure strength alone.

That was where his first opportunity to strike came. 

He hit hard, ruthlessly, and fast, using blast after enhanced blast to knock the wind out of her. It was what drew the first drop of blood. And although he was surprised by it..

Damien was right. 

He felt a shiver of elation run through his very veins at seeing her wounded arm and hearing her cries of pain.

It was almost like being a little boy again playing a video game and finally getting somewhere with the impossible boss challenging your progress.

It gave him the boost of adrenaline he needed to keep going, his mind as sharp as his blades thrown at random pedestrians, all of which she was fast enough to allow hit her, but not to stop with her hands like she always had in the past.

One lodged itself in her shoulder, and another in the side of her hip, all while hisses of pain left her.

Oh this was wonderful. It was actually working.

That was the thought running through his brain as he watched her yank the one weapon pinning her arm in an odd position out. She had never looked so worn down before to him. He liked seeing her like this.

"I... I thought you said... you did this to protect the people! I...If your goal is such a benevolent one, why are you harming innocent people just to... get to... m-me!"

Her voice was weakening and shaking from pain and likely blood loss as well, barely holding on to the powerful, sure, canorous tone it usually contained.

Oh how he revelled in seeing her feel the sting and humiliation of wounds he had been given countless times by her one punch or kick.

"A commander doesn't value one soldier's life over the countless others he watches over. If a few fall to allow true peace and equality among men to happen with the wretched souls of monsters extinguished? So be it. They'll go towards a good cause. Besides, as long as you're fast enough, there shouldn't be a single casualty. Isn't that right? Isn't that what you strive for? Huh, Savior...?"

His tone was low, cool, and calm; only turning mocking at the last word. The rush of his near victory was giving him quite the buzz, and he wanted to savor this moment as much as he could. Especially since by now, the poison coating his weapons should've begun taking affect.

"I know the cameras are on us, which means you won't let a single soul get killed while your precious fans are watching. Isn't that right?"

He threw another blade at a woman trapped under debris without even blinking, a satisfied smirk on his face while he watched his point get proven by the bloodied hero allowing her hand to catch it in an unconventional way as it sliced it open and remained in her palm.

Just like the rest... You'll do anything to keep the illusion of your pure intentions. It's what gets you royalties and fame after all. If only your precious little fanclub saw the true selfish nature of how you supposed heroes actually function.

She lifted the chunk of debris to allow the hysterical woman to run to safety, while a pleased smirk was still on The Reaper's face. Things were going well, and they only seemed to get better as the little Savior started having trouble standing with her legs buckling a few times and the rest of her swaying with it.

"Oh? Starting to lose that idiotic confidence already?"

He was getting his range weapon ready to blast another building as only one hit would be necessary. It was one of Damien's inventions that stored all of the kinetic energy built up from the owner's movement before releasing it all at once as it previously was blocked from any disperse.

It was charged well now after all of his hits and precise dodges, but he didn't get a chance to fire the ball of force as he was punched in the face by none other than the girl who should've been able to barely stand at this point.

It hurt like hell and was a surprising attack, but even so it was clear it lacked its normal power.

His hand went up to cover the wound as blood continued to gush passed his finger tips. Well, it seemed she hadn't lost all her strength.

"Heh, I'm surprised you managed to hit me like that after three loads of venom was pumped through you. Although I suppose this kind of perseverance would make better for the television, wouldn't it."

A bitterness came into his tone at that, amusement replaced by anger and hatred that reminded him again of why he was fighting.

To end the definition of heroes that most has come to know. To end the commercialized, fame driven, money rewarded, career many turned to for the most selfish of reasons. He'd be the only hero people would need, and he'd do all of his work without any of the motivations the phonies had.

Wiping away the blood that began to dry, he changed the direction of his weapon to shoot at her, knowing that any further delays weren't necessary.

"Looks like our little back and forth is over now. Say goodnight, Savior. Don't worry, I'll make it quick. Although... I'm not sure I can promise painlessness to go with it."

Oh absolutely not. A direct hit from his weapon? Well.. it would guarantee a painful, agonizing last minute before death finally took the city's beloved "hero."

Before he could fire at the girl dropped to her knees however, something was dropped next to her that filled the air with some sort of pink... fume? Powder? He couldn't tell.

"W-What the hel-"

He cut himself off as he started coughing violently, exhaling more accidently every time his lungs tried to search for air.

After a minute, he regained enough sense to put on a specially made mask created by Damien. Although, unbeknownst to The Reaper...

It was already too late as his eyes settled back on the girl he had previous coveted to end. This time, seeing her in a much different light as emotions he had never experienced before began overwhelming him.

I hope it was a good chapter guys! I didn't edit so some spelling errors are likely, however I have been planning out this chapter quite a bit, so hopefully it lives up to the hype I had for it in my mind! 😅