Igniting a darkened flame. // SBI

No tears to be shed.

tw: violence, yelling, swearing

Tommy still hadn't cried since Purpled died.

But he had spent his days doing something.

Planning.

Apart from his phone calls with Wilbur he had spent all his waking hours planning the downfall of the heroes.

And he wasn't proud to say he hadn't gotten anywhere.

Monarch was an open book, he regularly made public appearances his patrol routes were easy to track because of his methods. Monarch's power was simple. Traitor as the hero had called it in a news report, the ability to make a group of people immediately not trust each other. But Tommy knew that that was easy what wasn't easy was Mask.

He wanted Mask to suffer. 

He wanted Mask to feel his pain for what he did to his brother.

Mask wasn't as simple as Monarch, he was the number one hero it was in his nature to be mysterious. He never made public appearances his powers aren't disclosed to the public, The last time he went out for an interview was well..

The day before the Smajor Incident.

The day before 404 died.

And that was year ago the information could be outdated. Back then Mask was known to be more humorous in his work whilst 404 was more serious. The only description of Mask's power came from 404 actually in that same interview.

"The Syndicate has been growing number recently, What do you plan on doing about it?"
                                                                                                                                                                                                         "Well Madeline the Agency had plans I cannot reveal but I'm sure 404 can comment on this ain't that right goggles?" Mask's tone was light and joking, something he would never do nowadays.

404 scoffed in fake annoyance at his partners antics but his face betrayed him as slight smile could be seen.

"Well Mask I guess you could say your powers might be useful after all your good a persuading people."

Tommy groaned. It had been over fifty times he had watched that interview and it gave away basically nothing. 404 refused to touch on the subject any further and no more implications were made.

He hadn't left his bedroom since visiting Niki two days ago, but much to his disappointment that would change today.

Wilbur had invited him to hang out again. This time to go to a park, Tommy hadn't wanted to put a pause on his planning but he couldn't say no to the man..

And if he had learned anything these past few months its that he needs to visit people more.

You never know when those people leave you.

So as he finished up the clip for what seemed the hundredth time and begrudgingly dragged himself out of bed and moved to get some clothes. Wilbur was taking him too his district so he had to find some Second appropriate clothing so some Karen wouldn't glare at him across the street.

As he rummaged through his draws he came across a hoodie, It wasn't fancy looking, it looked old, cheap and well considerable not Second appropriate. He wore it anyway he knew who the hoodie had belonged to.

And it still smelled like Purpled. 

He didn't cry.

He didn't let himself.