Chi Chi stood up as the door opened. She snarled, teeth barred.
Chen Qiu Yue chuckled, clutching her folded fan. She wore a maxi black floral cheongsam, the flowers patterning the fabric were a rich pink. A slit rose to her thigh.
Her straight black hair styled in a bun, held by ji.
She spoke, " 割狗. "
Hwang Yongqiang nodded, glaring at the Pomchi. He bent down, grabbing the barking animal. He pet her gently, even as she bit at his fingers.
A smug smile came to his face.
"You cannot tame it, dear," Qiu Yue commented.
Yongqiang shrugged, ignoring her snap.
"Remember your mission," Aleen's voice echoed in their earpiece. "Capture Jaiden."
Jaiden slammed the phone down, teeth gritted. "T.I.F.F.A.N.Y.!"
T.I.F.F.A.N.Y popped in, eyes glued to the desk. Her face glitched prematurely. "I didn't sense them, Jaiden. I've been hacked somehow—"
"Who did it?" Jaiden hissed.
"I don't know," T.I.F.F.A.N.Y. confessed. "They're keeping their identity hidden — "
Jaiden growled in frustration.
Afar, Mr. Spencer loomed over his laptop. "That was the hardest hacking job I've ever done," he admitted. "That firewall was one tough cookie."
"Doesn't matter," Aleen smiled. "We're in."
She whispered. "Scorched Earth."
Mr. Spencer nodded. "Yes, scorched Earth."
He pressed a key, the layouts of the house bloomed onto the screen. A red dot in the study area gave way to his location.
"He's in the study," Mr. Spencer told Aleen.
"Qiu Yue. Yongqiang," Aleen voice's boomed in their ears. "Jaiden's in his study."
"What about the Amazons?" Qiu Yue spoke. "Won't they be a problem. "
"No," Aleen assured her. "Basil did he job. Sent Bowman on a wild hunt for the truth. And the best part is, they don't know this is happening!"
Her wild cackle made her rock in her seat.
Qiu Yue moved towards the study.
" 你去殺任何你遇到嘅人. " she ordered him.
Yongqiang bowed, " 好嘅."
He stuffed his hand in his pocket, producing a pill. He shoved it down the dog's snout. He forced it closed, giving Chi Chi no choice but to swallow.
Her whimpers dimmed until she went still in his hand. Yongqiang set her in her bed, then stood.
He walked towards the hallway, searching for his next prey.
________
The door squeaked open. Qiu Yue stepped inside, scanning the empty room.
Nothing.
She noted empty bottles either smashed or thrown.
Someone's been having a mental breakdown.
She smirked at the thought.
"If he is inebriated," Qiu Yue pondered. "This is an easy kill."
She failed to notice him sneaking up behind her.
Jaiden wrapped his waist around her. She yelped, struggling to break free. He tossed her into a bookcase.
Qiu Yue grunted as she hit the shelf. Books toppled on her. She braced from them then glared at Jaiden.
"You're not drunk," she observed.
"Your life was saved from being blow up at Hexcorp," Jaiden narrowed his gaze. "And you repay that kindness by attempting to kill me."
"I'm not obligated to spare your life, Jaiden," she smiled. "Not all assassins care about honor. Only about the kill."
Her fan snapped open, blades shooting out. Jaiden stuffed his hands in his pockets, pulling out brass knuckles with spikes on the end.
He beckoned, " 帶嚟啦,秋月 ."
Qiu Yue smiled then lunged for him.
Jaiden reeled out of the way of her blades, before swinging overhead.
Qiu Yue swung a right heel kick, which hit Jaiden. He stumbled back and Qiu Yue immediately swept a leg under him.
Jaiden fell hard, the breath torn from his lungs.
She climbed on top of him, ready to deal the final blow. Jaiden spat in her face. She reeled, stumbling off him.
Jaiden stood slowly, almost casually.
Qiu Yue snapped her head to him, shaking with rage. " 你同嗰個彭塞西利亞亞馬遜!" she yelled, recalling her fight with Jada. " 你同佢 — — 都好鍾意吐喺人哋塊面度!"
Jaiden couldn't help but smile despite the insult.
She charged, her steps less like flowing waters and more like a raging hurricane.
Jaiden took a breath, bringing his arms taut, his fists clenched tight.
He turned to her, and his palm struck her sternum.
She gasped, blood burst from her pink lips.
She collapsed to the ground, coughing.
"And that's the difference between you and me," He spat. "I fight to win."
He slowly moved towards the door—
Yongqiang barged in, Mr. Mace tucked under his arm. Jaiden stumbled backward, his eyes widened in shock.
His gaze met Yongqiang who merely smirked.
No, not again.
Not like then, he can't be helpless now.
"No..." he breathed, backing away from him.
It was a warm sunny day in 1997. Jaiden, only nine, chased his twelve year old sister, Yelena, in the garden.
Daisies, Tulips, and Violets swayed in the summer breeze.
Maxwell, the eldest who'd turned fourteen, joined in. The children ran into the house, their laughter ringing with them.
Jaiden searched for something—anything—to throw. Yongqiang threw Mr. Mace to the ground.
Jaiden's cry caught in his throat.
Jaiden tackled Yelena into the foyer, the pair tumbling to the ground.
They laughed joyously.
He looked up, his smile falling as several men entered the building.
One of them held a cane with a brass snake handle. He wore a red suit. Grey hair hidden under his red hat. A cigar was tightly held in his mouth. Rings dotted his knuckles.
His father, Harrison Maximoff, ran towards his son. His white suit crinkled as he yanked him off Yelena. His words were muffled, warning him to leave.
Maede Maximoff entered the foyer. Her green floral tea dress accented her feminine shape.
Lucius Esposito, the man with the cane, drew his gun from his jacket.
Jaiden, failing to find anything to toss, turned to run. To hide, somewhere.
Yongqiang reached out, grabbing his arm.
Jaiden stiffened, eyes quivering in fear.
Harrison fell dead. Jaiden slowly turned, unable to process. Blood pooled around his head.
"Run!" Maede screamed. Maxwell turned for the hallway. Yelena grabbed a stunned Jaiden.
The first bullet hit Maede in the abdomen. Then her shoulders and chest. Blood bloomed on her green dress. She fell on her knees then on her side.
Maxwell was hit in the knees. He fell to the ground hard. Yelena squeezed her eyes. Jaiden watched as the man loomed over Maxwell pulled the trigger on his crying brother.
Yongqiang hooked his elbow around Jaiden's neck. He palmed his head, refusing to let go.
Qiu Yue stumbled to her feet, her knees buckling. She slowly turned to Mr. Mace, limp on the floor.
"No!" Jaiden choked out.
He hated this feeling of helplessness. He reached out. A part of him hoped Mr. Mace would recover and save him.
Yelena shoved her brother into Mr. Mace's arms. "Run Jaiden," she begged, tearfully.
"Yelena? No," he refused as Mr. Mace gently gripped his arm. He twisted the handle of the kitchen side door. "I'm sorry," his whisper fell on deaf ears.
"No!" Jaiden screamed. Mr. Mace covered his mouth. The men advanced on Yelena.
"Losers!" She yelled, blowing a raspberry. The man raised his gun and pulled the trigger.
Blood splattered on the floor. Yelena dropped dead.
Hope slipped away like sand. The cold reality setting in like the dark abyss.
Jaiden tried to thrash himself free. His eyes frantically locked on Mr. Mace's unconscious body.
But it was futile.
His hands dropped to his side. His eyes closed.
He fell into unwanted rest.
_________
A ping alerted Ciema to her jacket pocket. She pulled it out and was greeted by T.I.F.FA.N.Y.'s glitching face.
Animated tears ran down her cheeks.
"C-Ciema," she stammered.
"What's wrong?" Ciema asked, brows furrowed.
"Jaiden's been captured."
Ciema stiffened. The device slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor.
"And h-he was a-alone," she sobbed bitterly. "A-and you three w-weren't there —I-I couldn't save him!"
"Ciema?" Jada shook her but she didn't flinch. She just stared into the distance, mouth agape.
Laila knelt to the ground. "The hell you're talking about? What are you saying, T.I.F.F.A.N.Y.?"
"Jaiden's gone," Ciema murmured.
Bowman's phone rang. She pulled it out and answered, "Hello? This is Bowman."
"Thank you Detective," Aleen's voice spoke. "For being my decoy."
"What?" Bowman whispered. "Aleen?"
"I have Jaiden and there's nothing you can do about it!"
Her manic cackle filled the speaker before ending.
Bowman lowered her phone. "Oh no..."
"They have Jai-Jaiden!" T.I.F.F.AN.Y. shouted. "Aleen has him!"
Ciema's knees buckled. Jada grabbed her before she hit the ground.
"Ciema!" Jada called.
"Shit!" Laila snapped. She got up, grabbing the device.
Bowman turned, calling Miller. He answered, "Where are you, Bowman? You'd better have a good reason—"
"Listen it's a Code Blue," she spoke.
"What?" He snapped.
"Jaiden's been kidnapped by Aleen Leon," Bowman explained. "Get all units—"
"Why should we waste units on such a man?" Miller cut in. "We're supposed to apprehend Aleen—"
"Jaiden is a civilian," she gritted out, "his past is irrelevant now. Assemble all units. All efforts are now redirected to saving him."
Miller chuckled, pacing the observation room.
"You really are like your father," Miller spat venomously. "An indecisive, manic —"
"I am my father's daughter, Miller," she cut in on his end. "And nothing can change that. Now assemble the units!"
"How dare you..." Miller growled on the line. "I am your superior!"
"And that can be easily stripped by a phone call."
Miller stilled in the room.
"What's your call, Miller?" She taunted.
He swallowed.
Bowman waited, arm propped by her hand.
"I'll assemble the units."
Bowman smiled. "A pleasure working with you, Miller."
Call ended.
__________
Valentina entered the living room. She froze when she spotted her daughter who rose to her feet, smiling.
"Mother," Aleen sighed.
Mr. Spencer sat in her chair, sipping on the wine. He grimaced but kept drinking. "Gross."
Qiu Yue and Yonqiang stood together beside the curtain. A man sat in the second chair, slumped. His head covered in a brown bag.
Valentina strolled towards her. "What's this?"
Aleen grabbed the bag, tearing it off. Jaiden groaned, the room tilting as he tried to shake off the vertigo.
Valentina turned to her daughter, her pale blue eyes widened in surprise.
"You've captured Jaiden?" she smiled.
Aleen nodded.
"Excellent," Valentina clapped. "Is he dead?"
"Not yet," Aleen admitted.
Valentina cracked her hand across her face. Aleen stumbled back, rubbing her sore cheek.
"Idiot!" She yelled. "Do I have to do everything myself? Hand me the knife!"
Aleen reached for a poker, pulling the hidden knife from the stylized sheath.
Valentina snatched it from her, and slowly advanced towards Jaiden.
"Watch closely, Aleen," she smiled. "This is how it's done."
"No!" Aleen snapped. "Qiu Yue."
Qiu Yue popped her fan open. The blades shot out.
Valentina sighed, her hand dropping to her side. "You're ruining this for me, Aleen."
"No," Aleen shouted. "You are ruining this for me. He's mine, mother. You will not offer him a way out!"
Valentina turned to her daughter, her lips twisted into a confused grimace. "How is gutting him like a fish an easy way out?"
"He'll bleed out," Aleen explained. "He'll be in pain and then he'll die. It'd be mercy. No, mother—he will suffer."
Valentina eyed her daughter. She tossed the knife to the ground.
"Finally, you sound like a true Esposito," she replied flatly.
" 呢個女人有個殘酷嘅火. " Yongqiang commented, smirking.
Valentina turned to him. "What did he just say? Why did you hire Mandarin-speaking assassins?"
"That's Cantonese, Ms. Leon er Ms. Esposito," Mr. Spencer clarified.
"Whatever," Valentina rolled her eyes. "What did he say?"
"You're a bitter woman," Jaiden croaked, his gaze locked on Valentina. "You haven't changed."
Valentina laughed. "Oh Jaiden, you're too much. Just like your father. He didn't pay his debts. So his death paid them."
"He didn't deserve to die," Jaiden spat. "My siblings, and my mother were innocent."
"Boo-hoo," Aleen mocked. "They were weak, Jaiden. They were weak."
"Exactly," Valentina chuckled. "My father did your family a favor. And then you killed him. Gen III did the deed if I recall..."
"I don't regret it," Jaiden replied.
Aleen grabbed his chin. "I don't know what's sadder. You clinging to the past that never was, or your love for Thea."
"They drive me to kill you," Jaiden gritted out.
"We would've been a great item," Aleen pushed him back. "But you chose that boring Thea."
"Even if by some lack of judgement, I married you," Jaiden hissed. "Love wouldn't be enough to forget the pain.
Aleen scoffed, before kicking him under his chin. The chair fell over. Jaiden spat blood.
"Good, Aleen, but not quite," Valentina brushed her aside. Her heel met his chin.
Blood splattered on the carpet. Mr. Spencer winced from the blow.
"Of course we wouldn't want to damage those pearls," she smiled before laughing.
Aleen joined in, rocking.
Jaiden glared up at them, teeth gritted as blood dribbled from his lip.
_______
Ciema sat on the bench in the back. Jada and Laila in the front seats.
"This is all my fault," she whispered.
"C-Ciema?" Mr. Mace's voice crackled in the earpiece.
Ciema pressed it. "Mr. Mace? Are you alright?"
Laila pressed hers, Is Jaiden safe?"
"He's gone," he replied sorrowfully. "Yongqiang and Qiu Yue have taken him."
Ciema squeezed her eyes shut. She bit her lip, fighting the urge to cry.
Laila punched the glove compartment of the BearCat. Jada bowed her head.
"I'm wounded," he revealed. "I've called an ambulance, they'll be here shortly. Listen, you must get him back. He's not afraid but I know he's scared."
His grunts came through. His voice broke, "He's just a boy...please Ms. Frederick."
Ciema swallowed. "This is all my fault. We should've stayed—"
"Don't focus on the past," Mr. Mace spoke gently. "Just the now. You must rescue him."
"What about capturing Aleen?" Laila suggested. "It's what he would want."
Ciema took a breath. "We'll find Jaiden."
"Thank you..." Mr. Mace breathed.
It went dead.
"Girls," Ciema spoke into her earpiece. "Amazons. We have a mission. T.I.F.F.A.N.Y., could you track Jaiden's location?"
T.I.F.F.A.N.Y. popped on infotainment screen. She blinked back animated tears.
"Why should I help you?" She sobbed. "You didn't listen. I warned you."
"We're sorry," Jada smiled. "We're gonna fix it, T.I.F.F."
"Sorry, but an Ai isn't capable of forgiveness," she shot a glare at Laila.
"I'm sorry," Laila apologized. "I shouldn't have said that. I was being an ass. I apologize."
T.I.F.F.A.N.Y. sniffed. "I f-forgive you."
Her face was replaced by 'Incoming call.'
It connected.
"Hello," Jada said dryly. Welcome to the We messed up big time express. How may we help you?"
"Amazons," Bowman spoke. "Despite our differences... we need to work together."
Laila and Jada exchanged looks.
Bowman's voice hardened. "Are you in?"