Astrid Stronghold, cousin to Will Stronghold, lost her father to a Sidekick turned Villain and yet she still chose to become a Sidekick. Lash Livingston, Hero turned Villain turned Hero, would do whatever it takes to save Astrid, if she was ever in...
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Taking a step back, the larger Hero slammed into the door as fast as he could and busted it down. Clambering into the room, the trio waited for the dust to clear before their eyes landed on the broken heap on the ground.
"Astrid." Lash's voice wavered as he ran over to the girl he loved, clutching her to his chest regardless of the dirt and blood coating her.
Taking in her numerous injuries, he felt his rage return when she shrieked in pain as his body pressed against her ribs. However, it quickly evaporated when her body shook with her tears after he had shifted her so that she was on her back, arms still around her tenderly.
"You found me," she whispered, staring up at her Hero with watery blue eyes.
"I'll always find you." Lash promised, gently running a finger over the large bruise on her cheekbone. "I'm sorry it took me so long."
Trying to reassure him that it had only been a few days, Astrid spluttered into a coughing fit, throat dry and scratchy from dehydration. Pulling the water bottle out of her bag, Natalia handed the girl the drink before returning to Speed's side in the doorway. Neither the speedster nor the telepath wished to impose on the reunion between Lash and Astrid. Both watched the scene with watery eyes when they took in the state of their friend, grateful that they had found her before her condition got worse.
Confused as to why his Sidekick wasn't healing, Lash noticed the manacles tied around her wrist and ankles. They were the same ones that had been used on him after Homecoming. Reform camp had used them during the night to ensure none of the Villains escaped. They were evil things that drained not only your power but also your strength. Making quick work of them, Lash tossed them across the room in disgust. Relief washed through her when she felt her powers return.
"I'm so sorry she did this to you. It's all my fault. You were hurt because of me."
Blocking out the world around her, Astrid focused the limited energy she had left into searching the injured parts of her body. Using sheer willpower, she forced her body to fix itself. Staring in amazement, they watched as she managed to make her own bones pop back into place, her split skin knit itself back together and the bruises fade to nothing. For the first time, she had healed herself and serious injuries. Wincing at the crack of her ribs, Natalia tried not to gag. Shocked that she had healed her internal bleeding, Astrid didn't have time to revel in the fact that she had finally healed a serious injury because she was throwing her arms around Lash.
"Don't you dare blame yourself for this." Astrid said, forcefully shaking his shoulders. "You saved me. You all did."
Opening her arms, she smiled when the other two joined the hug and the four of them all collapsed to the floor. Each of them was coated in dirt and stale sweat. All of them were tired and weary, hungry and cold but they had each other.
"I'm alive because you three saved me as a team. I can never thank you enough."
"Of course we'd rescue you. You're family." Speed stated, squeezing her tightly. "Now, let's get out of here. We could all do with a shower and some rest."
