"He what?"
Achilles held back a sigh as Lightning put her head in one hand, an exasperated expression on her face. She hadn't been in since yesterday's fiasco with the Phalanx and Whiplash, so the Legion (sans Prime and Rose who were on patrol) was giving her a rundown of what had happened. Lightning already knew about Scattershot's arrest, probably because of her military connections, but she'd asked for more details.
"That's why we have Scattershot and not Whiplash," Barrier Maiden said. "I ended up protecting her and Whiplash used the opportunity to slip away."
"Useless fish bastard," Hot Rod muttered. "We coulda had two of them, but no, Maiden had to panic and change targets."
"She did the right thing," Lightning said firmly, glaring at Hot Rod. "We don't kill. No one deserves to die, no matter what they've done."
"I do what I want. I was given this power for a reason, Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes," Hot Rod spat.
"That aside," Achilles said, trying to get the conversation back on track. "I don't disagree with Hot Rod here. We had a chance to take out two villains, perhaps more if Knight and Light Master had succeeded with Twinblade."
Twinblade - the name they'd given the newcomer to the last fight. He fought with two scythes that turned into a shield according to Knight's report. They'd added his description to the list of villains to watch out for.
Honestly, why were there so many? It was fine when it was just Paris and the Phalanx, but now villains were crawling out of the woodwork practically. What was Angel? Where were they all hiding?
The answers eluded him. For now, they had to focus on calming everyone down so the Legion didn't fracture. Without them, the citizens would be helpless.
"Sorry," Light Master muttered, glowering in the corner.
"We did our best," Knight said, patting him on the shoulder. "He seemed well-suited to fighting the two of us. Never mind the shield, those scythes were enough to parry my sword and your beams."
"The evil Miracle Granter is growing bolder," Achilles muttered.
"Are we sure it's not the same one who gave us our Miracles?" Lightning asked, frowning.
"Of course it's not!" Achilles replied. How could she even think that? Light Master, Knight and Hot Rod added their protests to his. Only Barrier Maiden stayed silent.
"How can we be certain? It's been bugging me," Lightning said firmly. "What exactly did they say to you when you got your Miracle?"
"What exactly?" Achilles asked. "What does it matter? They told me to use my power well. They smiled when I promised to use it to defend the innocent. I knew what they wanted without them having to say anything!"
"They said they'd give me a Miracle to protect the weak," Knight added. "To be like a knight errant from ancient stories."
"I was told to join Achilles," Light Master said firmly. "That my power would work well with his."
"What does it even matter at all?" Hot Rod asked, glaring at Lightning.
"When I received my Miracle," Lightning began slowly, "they said I'd get something special. I asked who they were and they said they had a present for me. They knew exactly who I was, and they said they'd give me the power to make the military take me back. Then they said I could help or destroy anyone I wanted. I was told I could tear the military to dust." She looked at them solemnly. "Does that sound like a good Miracle-giver to you?"
"The military's evil, so yeah," Hot Rod said, rolling his eyes.
"They also said I could tear the Legion to dust."
Achilles' eyes widened. Had Lightning...been visited by the Evil Miracle-Giver? Then, she really was an enemy. Wasn't she? If the Evil Miracle-Giver had chosen her, then...
He refocused his mind as the rest of the Legion took in the information.
"What you're basically saying," Light Master said, finally voicing what they were all thinking, "is that you received an evil Miracle?"
"Not at all," Lightning replied coldly. "I'm just saying that we don't actually know the motives of whoever's handing these things out. How do we know Paris and the others weren't given Miracles by the same person who gave us ours?"
"Because the Good Miracle-Giver wouldn't do that," Achilles said firmly. There was no way. No way that kind person would do something so nasty. No way he and Paris were given Miracles by the same person.
And yet...Dustin. A pang went through his heart as he thought of his former friend. Was Dustin really evil?
No! Of course not. The fact that he was even doubting it sickened him. The Evil Miracle-Giver had corrupted his soul, forcing him to play the part of a villain. And Lightning had to be twisted by the very same Evil Miracle-Giver, sent to the Legion to destroy them.
He'd doubted it many times before now, but this conversation proved it. He could no longer deny what had to be done.
Lightning needed to be expelled.
"Why are you so fixated on the innate goodness and rightness of your precious Miracle-Giver?" Lightning asked, pulling him out of his thoughts. "How do you know they don't have some kind of selfish motive for all this?"
"Did you sense any selfishness when you received your Miracle?" Knight asked, saving Achilles from answering for a moment longer.
"First impressions don't mean much," Lightning replied. "Especially if they're good ones. Trust me. I know from my military work that the worst of human scum often wear a kind face."
"I sensed their very soul," Achilles said sharply. Sharper than he intended. Why was he sounding so defensive?
"Yeah," Knight added. "I can't explain it, but...there was no deceit in them. They said what they meant."
"The Good Miracle-Giver's soul is pure and kind." Achilles glared at Lightning, daring her to challenge them.
Instead, she shook her head and stood up.
"I see I won't be convincing you. It's been bothering me, but I guess you're all stuck in your convictions. I'll head out for the day. I'll see you all when I come in to patrol on Thursday." As she spoke, she walked toward the door.
Good. Thursday. That'd give them today, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to change locations. Ben had everything set up for them. It was just a matter of moving the truly loyal. The non-loyal could stay here and use this base as a scapegoat.
He looked around. Everyone here was good. They wouldn't betray him or the Legion. Jo and Rose, on the other hand, might be a bit trickier. Jo seemed loyal, but she was loyal to her lab space, not the Legion as a group. Rose was too close to Lightning. He might betray them.
Prime would have to be looked at a bit more closely. Achilles wasn't sure if he'd side with the Legion or Lightning if push came to shove.
Probably best to start moving the people here.
"I have another thing to discuss," Achilles said, beckoning everyone closer.
When they were all close enough that he could whisper, Achilles spoke again, making sure he was quiet enough that no one would overhear.
"We're moving the Legion this week."
