xx49.07.30 | 21:43 | Still Wednesday | [LUS]

shouldn't have taken the pill feel REALLY weird now my stomach is gurgling and I can't feel my knees. I know that sounds just mad but it's true, right now it's like I have no knees at all, it's not just that I can't feel them but running is like ... strange.

And I AM running.

"DAD."

"Now how did I know I'd be seeing you?"

"I know it's kind of bad but I used Malon's power and I heard you guys talking—"

"We just got the messages, from Motoplasm's contact and Mr Falchion. How much did you hear?"

"Just that something's happening, is it Galaxy Tower?"

"It is."

"I KNEW it! I KNEW—"

"And there have been multiple explosions in East Oldtown, near the zoo, and some kind of incendiary chain-reaction in the warehouse district by the docks, and as you predicted there was an attempted break-in at the georod plant that's turned into a firefight on the streets, apparently there are gangs involved. As for Galaxy Tower, it's under heavy siege. We don't have a lot of information right now, there are communication blackouts all over the city, but it looks like an army just appeared in the middle of Powerstone. This is it, Lotte. The supervillains have made their move."

I'm just staring. This is ... this is too much. All I can think of is one thing, one thing that's at the core of everything I know about being a superhero:

"Then we REACT."

"No."

"WHAT?"

"Not 'we'. You're staying here. You took the pill Leroy gave you? So right now you're aura-neutral."

"How do you know—"

"Do you really think I'd let an unknown drug anywhere near you? Dr Tsezch sent a sample to his lab. You're unpowered, Charlotte. You're not in a state to do anything."

"But—"

"Tsunami and ShyFire have already left for the docks, Chimpanzio and Violet for the zoo—Leroy and Malcolm are going to stay here to look after you and the other kids—"

"I am NOT a KID."

"Yes you are, Charlotte," Mum says—she's got her silhouette suit on, I have no idea where she was keeping it, or where she just materialised from for that matter. "Face it, you're useless right now, FAR more of a liability than an asset."

I hate honesty curses with every fibre of my being.

"Forte, we're ready," Envy Death says. She's standing with Dr Tsezch. "We'll leave on your word."

"Lotte, you have to stay here, Malcolm and—"

"No! I have to come with you! I have to help you—"

"You'll help us by staying safe—Envy, did Lightning and Daisy leave yet?"

"Heading for the georod plant. Trigger Harpy took her daughter."

"Jesse?" Dad says. "She's barely ten years old!"

"'I ain't riding into a fight without my partner by my side'," Dr Tsezch says. His imitation of Trigger Harpy is scarily good. "The young Miss Django is blessed with super-strength—"

"How long is it since she promoted, a year? She's barely ... I wish I had time for this," Dad says. "We've got to get to that tower—did you hear anything more? No, it doesn't matter—Tsezch, your 'allies'—"

"Mobilised and ready for battle," Dr Tsezch says. "And yet I fear, not nearly enough—"

"We'll make do. We'll have to. Leroy, your contact—"

"Chass is on his way to the georod plant," Motoplasm says, I didn't even notice him standing there. "He's working on busting this blackout too, says it's a tough one."

"Dad, I—"

"Lotte, you're staying here, I don't have time to argue, if you persist then I'm sorry but your mother is going to slap a stunbug on you."

"What? WHAT? That's so—"

"Charlotte," Mum says. "This is not the time to act childishly. We're at war, and our enemies have just fired the opening salvo. Grow up, shut up, be good, I love you with all of my heart, please stay safe."

"I'm sorry we couldn't talk, Charlotte," Envy Death says. "I had some things I had wanted to share with you. Perhaps later. If any of us are alive."

"Envy—"

"You are an optimist, Forte. But there is no romance in MY heart."

"Lotte, I love you," Dad says, as he and Mum join Envy and Dr Tsezch in the elevator. "Do as Leroy and Malcolm tell you, and please don't be a hero. Not tonight. It's going to be tough enough as it is, just promise me that I won't have to worry about you."

"I ... I..."

"Lotte—"

"I promise, I do, I won't—Dad, Mum, I love you, please be careful, please don't—"

The elevator doors shut.

They're gone.

"One thing about your parents," Motoplasm says. "When they're together, there's not a force on this planet that could tear them apart. They'll get through this, and they'll be back for you, and then we're gonna find the ones behind this nonsense and we're gonna rip them to shreds."

I really wish that made me feel better.