A Second Chance

Part 34 - I was just... hopeless

""It's time we talk."

A cold sensation crept down my spine. I wasn't sensation it was, but it did a good job at keeping me frozen.

I knew this day would come eventually. I just hadn't expected it to be today at this time.

"You must be surprised how I found you, right?"

Surprised wasn't the word.

I took so many precautions. I made sure to erase every trace. And yet, his voice was echoing through the speaker like he was right behind me.

I forced myself to breathe, but my chest felt tight.

"I suggest you answer me. I'm taking valuable minutes out of my day to speak with indecisive trash like you."

Small sparks of lightning crackled along my knuckles as I looked down.

"H... How d-did you f-find me?" I stammered.

It didn't make sense... why was I acting like he was in front of me?

"I don't know your true identity, Power-Punch..."

"But you found my number?"

"Your spies were easy to locate after my organization was drastically reduced. So, in a way, I have you to thank for that."

Oh no... this is bad, very bad! I completely forgot about them!

I can't believe that I didn't think about them even once in my missions. I didn't even give them a thanks for helping me and Mark get our base knowledge of The Vipers. They give the police a lot of information about their planned assaults; something very useful ever since I took charge.

They put their lives on the line everyday just so that the state of the city is balanced, even if barely.

"No... Let them go! It was mainly me. Don't hurt them, please-"

"Too late," Deathstroke interrupted. "Each of them met a very torturous death - exactly what they deserved. All but one, who's managed to survive. But even they won't last long. At least they're proving to be a challenge."

No...

I clenched my fists.

"Damn it... How could you?"

"How could I?" Deathstroke chuckled darkly. "You took down nearly all my thugs and ranked fighters, save for the executives. Since The Purge, there have been no reported deaths caused by The Vipers. Normally, we'd be over 2,000 by now, but now? Zero. That's how much damage you've done. Our organization is, in other words, crumbling. All that's left is the security team, where your spies were stationed. Thanks to you, The Vipers is on its knees."

This guy - he boasts about the number of people he's killed like it's some kind of accomplishment. And his body count is staggering. The only reason this city hasn't completely been eradicated is its sheer population size.

"Not to mention, we didn't get any kills during The Purge," Deathstroke sneered.

"What's wrong with you?!" I yelled. "You're mad because you can't kill people? What... what goes through your heads?! You... no, you're crazier than anyone I've seen in Ninjago! You sent someone like that to Ninjago?! The people who banished me - the reason I suffered this much - I'm starting to feel bad for them now. They... no, nobody should have to put up with people like you!"

"No, Power-Punch, you need to understand something: actions have consequences," Deathstroke replied coldly. "So... take this as a lesson."