Charged Connection

VII

VII. Reckoning

Black Lightning bursts into the chaotic scene outside the Seahorse Hotel, the neon lights casting eerie shadows across the pavement. The members of the 100 are lounging around, but their laughter dies as they spot him, replaced by snarls of anger and confusion. Jefferson charges in, electrifying the air around him with crackling energy, his determination surging as he prepares to fight for his daughters.

Simultaneously, in a darkened corner of the hotel, Milo is pinned against a wall, struggling against Future's relentless onslaught. Future, his voice dripping with contempt, sneers down at Milo. "You dumbass thought it was a bright idea to bring 'em here?" He punctuates his words with a brutal punch to Milo's gut, causing the gang member to double over.

Milo grits his teeth, defiantly meeting Future's gaze. "They're just kids. I had to do somethin'!"

Future's expression darkens. "These ain't just any kids, ya idiot! You think Jefferson just some regular dude? Nah, he's the Black Jesus of Freeland, and you think you can play with fire? You makin' it hot for all of us!"

He swings his gun, smashing the back of it against Milo's face, sending him crashing to the ground. "It's been ages since I had to handle things this way! I thought we were past this mess!" Future's voice rises, a blend of rage and frustration as he kicks Milo, who groans in pain.

Calming himself, Future crouches down, looking Milo dead in the eye, his voice dangerously low. "You're gonna make the girls disappear. Understand?" He presses the barrel of his gun against Milo's forehead, the threat palpable in the air. "You mess this up again, and I swear, you won't live to see another sunrise."

With a final glare, Future strides away, flanked by his loyal gang members, leaving Milo fuming in the dirt. As they disappear into the shadows, Milo's anger turns inward, the realization of his failure settling in.

Meanwhile, Beyoncé and Solange huddle together, silent tears streaming down their faces as they witness the violence erupting around them. Each punch, each shout sends them flinching, their world spiraling into a nightmare they can't escape.

∞∞∞

Black Lightning ascends the staircase of the Seahorse Hotel, each step echoing with the weight of purpose and desperation. The stale air is thick with tension, punctuated by the sound of fists meeting flesh and the yells of gang members as he dispatches them with precision. He navigates the dimly lit corridors, his senses heightened, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he fights his way up.

Finally, he reaches the top floor, bursting through the door to find a scene that sends ice through his veins. There, in the center of the room, Milo stands with a gun pressed firmly against Beyoncé's temple, her eyes wide with fear, the once vibrant spark in her gaze now dulled. Solange stands nearby, a mixture of anger and fear etched across her features, ready to protect her sister at any cost.

"Milo!" Black Lightning's voice booms, a deep resonance altered by the voice changer, preventing any hint of recognition. "Let her go!"

Milo's head snaps around, his laughter ringing out, sharp and derisive. "Look at you, playin' superhero. What's the matter? Thought you could just waltz in here and save the day?" His finger tightens on the trigger, and the glint of the gun catches the light ominously. "You don't even know who you're messin' with."

With a smirk, he fires a shot, the bullet slicing through the air toward Black Lightning. But the suit, designed to withstand impacts, absorbs the blow, the metal vibrating as it deflects the projectile harmlessly to the side. Black Lightning narrows his eyes, the adrenaline heightening his focus.