It Started With a Ransom

Insanity

You stared up at the Mad King, who had a smirk on his face.  Your heart was beating so fast you thought it would burst out of your chest. Suddenly he bust out laughing, which freaked you out even more. "You have to be the bravest person I've ever met. No one has ever stood up to me like that before." He grinned. "I admire bravery." You didn't feel brave. You were shaking and you heart was still beating fast and was it hot in here? He chuckled. "Well there is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. Though I think you're more brave than you give yourself credit for." He raised an eyebrow. "Just don't make this a daily occurrence. Then you'll be in danger of crossing that line." You nodded. He grinned and caressed your cheek with the back of his hand. You stiffened. "You're cute when you're nervous." He chuckled. You didn't move. Mad King was touching your face... he had just called you cute... for a second time... You stepped back. "I... Uh..." You stammered. The grin left his face and he put his hand down. "Right." He said, straightening his crown. "I have business to attend to. When I return I'll give you your lunch. And we can talk about you getting a room that's a bit more comfortable. Since you're going to be here for a while." He explained when he saw the confused look you gave him. He turned around and headed to the door. "Wait!" You called. He turned to look at you curiously. "Yes?" "What business do you have to attend to?" You asked. He smiled. "I have a job when I'm not the big bad Mad King." "You have a secret identity?" You questioned. "I suppose." He chuckled."That's all I can tell you, I'm afraid. Don't want my secret identity to stop being secret. I shouldn't be long."  He closed the door behind him.

It was just a small slip up, but it annoyed him that it happened at all. Calling you cute once? Toying with you. Calling you cute twice, and without the subject being brought up before hand? The Mad King groaned in annoyance. He was making a rookie's mistake. He was letting the hostage get to him. He walked into his bedroom and placed his crown on his dresser. "She means nothing." He muttered to himself. "She's a means to an end. She's just here to rid X-Ray, Vav and Mogar of their powers. There is no room in my plan for feelings." Sighing, he walked to his wardrobe and picked out a suit. "She's nothing. I could kill her after this is over if I wanted to. She's a pawn." He sighed as he changed his clothes. He went back to the dresser and grabbed his glasses. He put them on and looked in the mirror above his dresser. He never gave Superman enough credit; a pair of glasses worked great as a disguise.

Ryan walked out of his room and out of the house. He got into his car and headed to Monarch Labs. He had a meeting to hold.

Hilda was working on some new tech for the Lads when the trio ran in. "Hilda!" X-Ray exclaimed. "What do you morons want?" Hilda growled. "I'm busy making your-" "Y/N's kidnapped!" X-Ray interrupted her. Hilda turned to them and blinked. "What?" "The Mad King kidnapped her yesterday." Vav explained. Hilda's mouth fell open. "Yesterday?! And you're telling me now?!" She snapped. "We had to meet up with them earlier today!" X-Ray defended himself. "And it was late last night when we found out she was missing!" Hilda rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Well I can't help you right now. I was just tinkering with this stuff. I only have ten minutes until a meeting." "Negative!" Orf chirped. "Your meeting  is in... three minutes!" "WHAT!?" Hilda exclaimed. She tore off her lab  coat to reveal a suit. "Look, we'll talk later! I have to go!" "Can we come?" Vav asked. Hilda narrowed her eyes. "No! This is a very serious meeting, and two idiots in tights and a shirtless guy kinda ruins that!" "But we're superheroes!" X-Ray complained.. "We've saved this city at least a billion times! Those business men should be grateful to be in the same room as us!" Before Hilda could retort, Orf's cheery voice said, "Your business meeting is in... two minutes!" Hilda groaned. "You know what, fine. Fine! As long as you're quiet and don't say anything! We have to go!" Hilda ran out of her lab, followed closely by the Lads.

Ryan was just about to start the meeting when Hilda ran in, followed by three unexpected guests. "I'm sorry, Mr. Haywood!" Hilda apologized. "I was making some tech for the supermorons and I lost track of time." She turned and glared at the Lads. "And then they decided to join me." Ryan stared at the heroes with an amused look. He knew Hilda was friends with the Lads. And with as smart as she was, he was surprised she hadn't figured out his secret yet. That's why he kept interaction with her to a minimum. "That's quite alright, Miss Hilda." He grinned at the trio. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the city's greatest heroes." Vav smiled at the compliment. X-Ray rolled his eyes. Mogar narrowed his, studying the CEO. Ryan noticed the vigilante's stare and turned away. "Anyway. Our latest line of inventions have sold quite well. We've made up for the failure of last month. However, we have had some safety concerns..."