Superheroes vs. Supernaturals: A Crossover Between Guardians and Shadow Falls

Chapter 30 | Better than a Perfect Plan Executed Next Week

Blake

Blake left the half-eaten sausage sandwich on the coffee table and darted back into his room to change into his superhero outfit. It was the first thing he'd eaten since last night with Ravone. He checked the phone, hoping for a new text from her. There was nothing.

A mental raincloud of gloom descended upon him.

Turning her down went against every grain in his body.

But he had to believe that it was for the best. He couldn't let his guard down around her. He couldn't stand to hurt her again, the way he'd hurt everyone else when he was still Dark Flame. There was a lot he had to redeem for. He just wished doing the right thing didn't feel like taking a punch in the gut repeatedly like he was some human punching bag. It was a thousand times worse than realizing that he could see dead people.

Putting aside the wrenching feeling, Blake finished dressing up, and headed out the balcony. He telekinetically closed the door, activated the alarm system, and then flew off toward Hangar 227. Director Potter called an hour ago to call everyone in for a brief meeting. According to what he said, Dr. Madison's prototype inventions were ready, and Captain Prett's team had managed to locate La Fuerza with some magical assistance from Agent Sharpe's friend. Blake wasn't too sure if they would still be there, but if it was true, they had to give it a shot.

So now was time for a strategy meeting. He left a text for Quinn to let him know the team was on top of things. Hopefully, the case will be over by the time he came back.

He wanted it to be over for more than one reason.

The soldiers saluted when he came in through the front gate. The others were already in the conference room when he arrived, minus Applegate, Chase, Della, and Ron–who had taken the day to go visit his parents-in-law with his wife and kids. Next to Dr. Madison's seat lay a wheeling table with several of the same prototype devices she showed yesterday. Sharpe sat with an unfamiliar black-haired male in a dark suit. Helion assumed him to be Sharpe's source.

"Good of you to join us, Helion," Potter said.

When they arrived at last, the meeting began. Everyone found their seats, with Potter taking point of the meeting.

"Glad you could all make it today, except for Ron," he added with a hint of annoyance, "who decided to drive up to Boston with his family to visit his in-laws for the next day."

Helion looked away to hide the smile creeping up to his face. Ron had actually taken his advice about spending time with his family. Catamount, who was sitting right next to him, caught his happy expression.

"Anyway, Captain Prett's team has managed to track down La Fuerza. I dispatched two agents to check out the place with discretion, and we got an update this morning. Which is why I called you all to this emergency meeting. They're still there."

"Are you sure?"

Potter waved to the guy sitting next to Agent Sharpe. "This is Franklin Orlando–Sharpe's informant to the Portsmouth... Wiccan community," he sighed out the last words. "I don't even know why I'm surprised anymore. Anyway, Mr. Orlando, if you would please."

The guy–Franklin–turned to the team with a high and confident demeanor. Potter stepped aside to let him take the lead of the conversation.

"Hello, everyone," he greeted. "As Director Potter already mentioned, we've managed to locate La Fuerza gang. Captain Prett used an algorithm to detect energy on the map, and I combined it with a spell to narrow down the search. Specifically, to search for Avelino Espinoza's magical residue from wherever he recently used magic in the vicinity. Kind of like a locator spell. It wasn't easy, since he left magical residue on several locations around Portsmouth and Kittery, but we eventually found one spot that has the strongest reading. Gerrish Island. The abandoned military factory in the center of the isle, to be exact. The agents Director Potter dispatched were magically cloaked, so that no one would be able to see or hear them, and they have confirmed that the gang has been spotted on the premises."