Element

40: Meet the Parents (Gone Wrong)

A/N

Sorry for the horrendously late update, you guys. I've been super busy, and also I poured my blood sweat and tears (no pun intended) into this chapter.

Unfortunately school's going to be starting up again soon, so I probably won't be able to post as regularly, but thank you all for your support, votes, and comments. Love you all :)

---------------

Third Person POV

Y/N had never wanted to get started on something so badly. Her guilt regarding her father had grown to an excruciating extent, and the sooner his bases were eradicated, the better — for both the safety of the world and also her sanity.

"Yes, sir," she replied.

"Glad to hear it. Go change into your costume and meet me back here in five minutes," Edgeshot responded.

Y/N bowed before walking to the right where she had seen a sign for the changing rooms.

Inside was just as dark as the rest of the agency, and Y/N wondered if Edgeshot had an actual reason for restricting light, or just felt obliged to go along with his "ninja" title.

Even as she changed into her uniform, a feeling of dread settled on her shoulders. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and she twitched at every small sound she heard — from the flicker of the lights to the muffled murmurs of Edgeshot's sidekicks from deeper inside the building.

Snap out of it. What's the deal with you today?

The girl finished dressing and stepped back out into the hallway. Edgeshot came from around the corner at the same time, his signature red scarf flowing behind him.

"Ready?" He asked.

Y/N nodded.

"Good. We have recently received intel about a possible Grime base location. It's supposedly in a more secluded area out in the countryside, and we'll be heading there shortly. The goal today is just to confirm there is a base, and not to infiltrate it. If all goes well, we'll be back tomorrow with a full team of sidekicks and police. Understood?"

"Yes. I understand. And how are we getting there?"

Edgeshot dangled a car keychain in front of her.

"Like anybody else."

---------------

If you told Y/N a week ago that she would be sitting in the passenger seat of Edgeshot's sleek black sports car while the hero himself drove, adjusting the stereo to blast smooth jazz, she might have believed you. If you told her Edgeshot was also the worst driver she had ever seen, and being in his car would make her fear for her life, she would have laughed at you.

But as Edgeshot nearly hit the second telephone pole of the drive, Y/N was contemplating leaping out of the car to save herself.

"Sorry. I'm a bit out of practice." Edgeshot said, swerving back into the correct lane. "Typically I don't take a car anywhere, but I figured you should conserve your power — as if a fight does ensue, we will both need to be at our best."

"It's fine," Y/N forced a smile, her grip on the seat tightening.

Frankly, she thought the stress of the car ride was probably sapping her energy much more than flying would have, but she wasn't about to tell him that.

And she had never been more relieved when he finally pulled over into some tall grass after they reached the countryside.

As Y/N got out of the car, her lips parted in amazement. She had never been to the rural part of the country before, but she had always wanted to. And it definitely didn't disappoint.