Free-Fall: Vigilante Tommyinnit AU

《CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN》

Niki POV-

I had an image to uphold, especially to the media. It was expected that I demonstrate what was "right and wrong", but what XD considered right was the opposite, so was what he considered good. It was all completely opposite, and I felt sick to my stomach for having kept it going. For spreading a negative image towards vigilantes, who really weren't doing anything wrong. For justifying atrocities caused my Heroes that were aimed at the poorer districts. Wealth shouldn't determine who can live or not. It shouldn't determine your own right to safety.

I had kept the image going out of fear. I didn't want to fear the consequences of doing the right thing though. Not anymore.

I wasn't suspicious of Tommy. Now I realize I was envious. I was envious of him, for being able to work here without the slightest bit of fear towards XD. He didn't even know who XD was, for that, I envied him. Along with his ability to speak so highly of vigilantes in the presence of Heroes without punishment.

I didn't even give him a chance and I hate myself for it. 

I stand here now, seeing Puffy stood in front of me, with the most apologetic expression, like she had done something wrong, and it felt as though water was filling my lungs.

It always felt like water was filling my lungs. I could never breath, ever since I met XD. He suffocated me. I dont want to feel like this anymore.

"I quit", Puffy whispered, "What?", she nodded, "I dont want to be a Hero anymore, not if it means obeying these rules- there not even rules anymore, their just cruel orders. XD is no leader, he is a dictator and I can't let it- I cant let this  keep going! It's horrible Niki, I dont want to live like this anymore, so I quit my position as a Hero. Please dont be upset-", "How did you quit?! How did he let you?!", she stepped back slightly as I practically lunged myself at her, holding her shoulders tightly, she reached a hand out to me, "You seem more exited than I thought you would be, I mean, I know you and Minx have talked about becoming Vigilantes, or at least, I think you both have, but-", "that's not important right now!", I said, "Just please- tell me how you quit, he never let me, he wouldn't let me quit before, he'd just threaten my reputation by threatening to manipulate the media, so how did you?", the words were falling out before I knew it, and Puffy stood frozen. I let go of her shoulders and stepped back, "I- I'm sorry, I just need to know-", "He threatened you?", she whispered, "didn't he threaten you too?", I asked quietly, she nodded slowly, "Yeah, of course, but not- not like that, XD never threatened me like that before-", "Because your more important, sure, the Media and the richer districts like me- but they dont favor me as much as they do you and Minx and Hannah-", "Why would you ever think that?", Puffy asked gently, "well, it's true, I dont take it as a bad thing, it's just- just how it is, y'know?", Puffy frowned, but I could see it in her eyes, she understood. She knew I was right.

"Just stand your ground when quiting, show no care for his threats, if he sees any sign of weakness or hesitation in your requests, then he'll keep going to try and get you where he wants you. Just stand your ground with XD, and you'll be able to get away, alright?", Puffy explained slowly, I nodded, "That...makes sense, thank you Puffy", she smiled comfortingly, "Hey, were family, Niki..and family always has each others backs".

Minx POV-

I didn't expect to switch sides this quickly. Yeah, I had quit working at the Hero tower a long time ago, but It wasn't like anyone realized it yet. I was still able to roam free in the building too. It was almost funny. But before, I was just a vigilante, now I was just a Villain working in the shadows. I was hired often to get rid of people. Sometimes I was just hired by other Villains or organizations to pull a heist and get them illegal goods in exchange for a large amount of money. It was a miracle that Niki hadn't noticed the larger sums of money I was adding into both our bank accounts, but I suppose it wasnt that much of a surprise, seeing how lost shes been lately. Puffy coming to me just proved my suspicions. Seeing as Puffy never really talked to me unless it was important, not after the incident, she didn't talk to me for a long time, now she allows herself to have important, short conversations with me, but we were no longer friends. 

"Niki's being threatened by XD.  She's been trying to quit for a while apparently, but XD has been threatening her by promising to turn the media against her, and we both know how that usually goes, especially when the media just so happens to know your face", "Alright, dont worry about that then, i'll handle it, you told her to stand her ground?", "Of course", "Good", I said, "that's good, you always stand your ground, otherwise you just get walked all over by everybody. Niki's too kind for her own good too, she's strong, yeah, she really is, but when it comes to threats like that, I know, she doesn't feel fear for herself, she fears how the media turning on her can affect her loved ones, XD knows that too,and is using that to his advantage. Dont worry though, like I said, I'll take care of it", Puffy muttered something, "Hm?", "You've changed a lot", I raised an eyebrow, "What? I'm not the 'selfish' and 'inconsiderate' person you thought I was?", I snapped at her, I dont know why, but god did it feel good. The pain she left me feeling from our last argument had grown into a hatred in my gut, and now, I could finally get back at her for it, even if it was just a little remark like that. 

Still, a part of me loved the way Puffy seemed to step back, with that puzzled, hurt look on her face. I sighed, "Sorry, i'm just running on 2 hours of sleep, nothing personal, Puffy", she nodded, "s'fine, just another reason why we dont talk much, right?"

You liar. 

"Yeah", I muttered, "Just another reason", I repeated

"How could you!-", "How could I?! HOW COULD YOU?! I TRUSTED YOU AND YOU THREW THAT AWAY!-", I screamed at her, "I didn't throw anything away! Besides, You betrayed me! Betrayed all of us! Going behind my back and-", "I did it for you! I did it for all of us!", I pushed Puffy off me, as she tried to grab at me, and I punched the wall beside her face, making her freeze in place, "If you would just let me speak goddammit! I'm not a Villain, alright?! I had to go and convince XD that Schlatt was innocent, sure, me and the guy dont exactly get along but he did nothing wrong-", "How do you know that?? What if XD is right?? What if Schlatt is trying to overthrow XD and eliminate the Hero corporation by trying to steal information from the inside! You dont know he's innocent-", "But I do!", I shouted over her before I continued speaking, "do you even hear yourself?! I'm not as stupid as you to fall for XD's games! He's playing with you all, he's manipulating everybody! If you dont want to believe me then fine! Dont come crying to me when you realize I was right. Dont come crying to me when you realize he's manipulating all of you- Sam, George, Philza, Techno, Wilbur, even Niki-", "Minx! Just- Just leave, I dont even want to look at you right now, come talk to me when you start thinking straight. Your only protecting Schlatt for your own selfish benefits-", "Oh, so i'm selfish now, huh?", she looked at me disappointingly, "Inconsiderate too", I dug my nails into my skin, "Inconsiderate?! Schlatt is YOUR brother!-", "Minx! Please just leave already!".

Now your coming to me for help. Just like I knew you would, and still, still you cant apologize. Still I cant turn you away.