His fist slammed down on the desk, more in annoyance than in anger.

"The hell you mean they won't let me go?"

The hybrid smiled at him. "Gold says we need you!" He chirped. Must be nice, being him. Nothing to worry about.

"Wait, when you say 'Gold', are you talking about-"

Then, the door opened and the other hybrid stepped in. He'd finally given in and agreed, not that it had taken much convincing. He was under the impression that the younger was bored.

"So. When are we going? And, wait a minute, who are we even looking for?" The younger hybrid bristled, voice clipped, wary, and sarcastic like usual.

He gave a small smile. "Her," He saw the young hybrid about to ask another question. "I'll explain who 'her' is... in due time." He turned to the other hybrid who was humming to himself. "Are we ready?"

The hybrid looked back at him. "Yep!"

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Persephone was tired. She was tired of fighting, she was tired of running, and she was tired of hiding. She and Niki had spotted Dream and Sapnap on the rooftops the previous night and hidden – although she was certain Sapnap had spotted them.

Sapnap.

He looked tired too; perhaps even more so than her. It made her wonder. Was he pulled into Dream's plots? Or was he just in too deep to leave? If he wasn't... Why hadn't he left?

It didn't add up; not at all. He could leave. But since he wasn't, he certainly appeared evil. But he didn't seem evil. She didn't understand.

There was no reason for him to stay. Therefore he was there by choice. Therefore he was bad.

She hated not understanding things.

Just like she didn't understand how to help Jack. He was getting worse... and Niki's salve didn't seem to be working. Too bad neither of them had healing powers...

But it was useless staying caught up on things they couldn't change. So Persephone spent most of her time training or flying, finding it hard to look Niki in the eyes.

And it was Dream's fault.

~•~•~•~

Persephone was flying again; above the clouds. It was the only place she could feel free; away from... well, everything. She dove below the cloud cover, feeling the clouds like small wet pinpricks hitting her face.

She spun sideways, gliding so the tip of her wing dipped below the clouds and reappeared dewy and damp. Her feathers fluffed up and the water scattered like mini rainfall. Above the clouds, it was sunset. 

Being above the clouds was an entirely different feeling from anything else in the world. The appearing stars glistened in the darneking sky and up here it was only her, herself, and the large shadowy figure about fifty feet away.

Wait, what.

The figure's wings flapped and their head turned towards her

Corvid.

She stopped dead in the air as a jolt of panic shot through her. Gods, she was going to be arrested... What would Niki think? What if she never saw Jack again? Or Wilbur?

How was she supposed to defend herself?

...

Wait.

She wasn't Hollywood. She was Persephone; a normal avian with normal parents.

Sometimes that was difficult to remember.

"You okay, mate?"

Oh, right, Corvid. "I'm fine," Persephone hissed, attempting to back up in the sky. It was very awkward; backing up. ANd not awkward like 'embarassing', awkward like 'I-can't-fucking-do-this-at-all'.

Corvid didn't look impressed. His jet black wings stirred the cloud cover below them, dark gray tips peeking down. 

"It's not safe to be out alone at night," He warned. "Especially not for young avians like you."

"I'm fine," Persephone said again, refraining from snapping at the hero. "I can fly. The villains don't fly."

Corvid frowned and opened his mouth to day something when a golden hook whirled through the sky, catching on his wing.

Corvid had just enough time to say "Oh, shit-" before he was yanked down below the clouds, wing twisting in what Persephone knew was a very painful way.

She knew who this was.

Grapnel; named appropriately for his signature weapon. He was a mercenary, switching sides depending on who payed him the most. 

Persephone had never seen him in real life, but apparently his outfit dripped with gold.

She dove below the clouds, tense and ready to fight. Grapnel had Corvid attached to a radio tower with the chain of his grapnel and was taunting him. Jeez, how annoying could this guy get?

Three things happened at once. Persephone got ready to dive, Grapnel pulled a knife out, and Corvid was trying to get her attention.

Persephone glanced over and saw that he was shaking his head. Stubborn bastard. She wasn't doing this for him; she was doing it for herself and the vigilantes. No one liked fighting Grapnel. He was a pain and a tease and just generally annoying.

His weapon was also a pain. He used it to swing through the city and unfortunately, he was a master with it. He could flick the metal chain out and it would wrap around his enies, catching them off-guard and allowing them to pull them closer.

Or he could trap them, like he did Corvid. Persephone landed behind him lightly and swept his legs out from under him.

He almost fell but caught himself and did a fancy-looking roll to regain his balance. Corvid sighed in annoyance. 

Grapnel spoke and his voice wasn't quite as unpleasant as his demeanor. "Hmm, is this your backup, Corvid? Not a very good disguise."

Not that Grapnel's was any better. Just a white sweater with gold accents and a white hood that ent up over his face. He also had a gold bandana-looking thing that covered his mouth and nose – Sort of like Sapnap's but more smooth... and gold...

Persephone rolled her eyes. "This is't a disguise, Grapnel, and I'm not a hero." She assumed a fighting position, wings flexing behind her. Corvid made a despairing noise.

"Kid, listen, just get out of here. You'll get hurt; I'm fine." 

Persephone scoffed. "Okay, old man, if you say so-" Grapnel was running at her and she jumped, using her wings to get a boost and floating over his head. Behind him, she kicked him in the back of the leg, making him fall to one knee in front of Corvid.

Damn right he should be kneeling.

Grapnel was up quickly, though, and Persephone had to block one or two of his punches. Grapnel's eyes glinted. That was never, never, a good sign. As his hand moved, Persephone jumped backwards.

The knife that would have dug into her side barely grazed her finger, drawing blood instantly.

That bastard.

She skidded to a stop, still looking at Grapnel, and flung some dirt up from the concrete roof dead into his eyes. Grapnel yelped and dropped the knife, eyes watering. 

Dumb move.

Persephone leaped at him, knocking him to the ground. His head hit the concrete and she winced.

At least she knew for a fact that he was out cold... or maybe more than that. She stepped back with a shiver before remembering Corvid existed. She moved over to him, undoing the grapnel and letting him free. He flexed his wings and took a deep breath before looking down at Grapnel on the ground.

"Well, I guess I underestimated you," He mused, staring down at the white-and-gold clad figure. He picked up the knife sitting a few feet away from the unconscious figure. "Ever considered going through training at the Hero base?"

Persephone rolled her eyes. "Look, Corvid, I don't know if you've noticed, but no one really likes you heroes." She paused. "Also, I don't quite fancy being a target."

Corvid shrugged. "Well, if you change your mind, there's always an open spot... For talented fighters like you, at least."

Persephone didn't bother responding and instead just dropped off the building to start flying away. As she glided, she was sure she could hear Corvid say, "Old man! Jeez, she didn't have to lay it on that thick..." in a very familiar voice.

So this chapter was a bit late; sorry, but I tried my best to get it out on time :> Life's been busy.

I hope y'all are feeling alright, and thanks so much for reading!

Words: 1,336

Have a great day!

-ITCFWI