"Alright, guys, wish me luck," Hannah said, pulling her hood up.
"Don't you think it's practically impossible for you to pull this off?" Duncan asked. "Your scent alone is gonna be a dead giveaway!"
"She won't be sneaking in from the outside, Duncan," John replied.
Duncan looked shocked. "W-What? That's... I don't even know what to say. How the hell are you gonna pull that off?"
Hannah shrugged. "Like I said, dude… wish me luck."
Duncan chuckled nervously. "You're gonna need all the luck in the world."
Hannah took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly before walking out the door.
---
"Let's do this, Knox. Let's kill this bitch," Nixon said, slapping Knox on the shoulder.
Knox grinned.
They entered the sewers and hovered slowly instead of flying, careful not to make too much noise.
Knox spotted a poor family cowering in fear as his gaze passed over them. He instinctively reached for his gun, but Nixon grabbed his wrist.
"Too loud."
Knox holstered the weapon, and they continued hovering forward.
Knox licked his lips. "I taste something odd."
Nixon raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Metal… The taste is significantly stronger than anything else down here."
Nixon scoffed. "Funny how you can smell and taste everything down here, but not up there."
"What?" Knox chuckled. "You think I wanna smell sweaty balls or taste boogers every time? That'd be torture!"
"True," Nixon nodded. "Now lead the way."
Knox sniffed more rapidly as they drew closer to the source of the scent.
They eventually found a door.
Nixon's smile widened. "The den at last, my brother."
They kicked the door open and walked in slowly, menacingly.
Benjamin jumped up in alarm and immediately reached for the stolen gear. The rest of the group followed suit.
"Come on, you really think that's going to do anything?" Knox said with a smug grin.
Benjamin charged at Nixon in a fury. Knox stepped in front and effortlessly tanked the blow.
"The gear you're using is only effective against average people," Nixon explained.
"Against executives? It's just as useless as y'all."
Benjamin glanced at their badges and realized only Knox was an executive. The way Knox had stepped in to protect Nixon made it clear how much he cared for his brother.
"Lads, go for the cunt behind him!" Benjamin shouted.
The group charged at Nixon, but not mindlessly. They knew they couldn't take Knox even if they all attacked at once.
Mitch, Emma, Aya, and Benjamin acted as distractions while the others swarmed Nixon.
"Over here, prick!"
Nixon's head snapped toward Milo, who landed a solid punch to his face.
Just as Nixon was about to counter, Diego grabbed his arm, and Milo punched him again.
"Do something, dumbass!" Milo shouted at the Alfies.
Nixon dodged Milo's next punch and kicked him into the wall. Diego landed a gut punch followed by an uppercut.
Diego threw a left hook, but Nixon blocked it and countered with a brutal liver shot.
Milo hit Nixon with a clean right-left-uppercut combo. Diego got back up and slammed Nixon to the ground.
Knox watched his brother getting beaten, but every time he tried to help, one of the Maggots threw themselves in the way.
Knox threw Benjamin across the room, smashed Mitch into the ground, and backhanded both Emma and Aya.
Diego and Milo continued pounding on Nixon's face. Knox shot toward them, but just before impact, an electric baton was pressed against his back.
Knox screamed in agony as his muscles locked up.
Benjamin went all out on Knox's head, but the gear on his fist shattered on impact against Knox's skin.
Benjamin realized they had no way to kill Knox.
"Get the fuck out of here or we'll kill your brother!" Benjamin shouted.
"You can't… hold me… much longer…" Knox growled through the pain as he slowly regained control of his muscles.
"Stay the fuck down!" Alfie Sr. shouted, pressing the baton harder.
Knox watched in horror as Nixon's body grew limp and his face became unrecognizable.
"NIXOOOON!!!" Knox roared in pure fury.
He broke free from the baton's grasp and blasted toward those attacking his brother. Diego and Milo were slammed hard into the wall as Knox's body collided with them.
Knox lifted Nixon's head. "You okay? Answer me!"
Nixon weakly grabbed his hand. "Don't worry about me…"
Knox stood up slowly and turned to face the group. His eyes burned with rage.
"Come on then, mate." Benjamin spread his arms wide. "Have a go."
"You think you're funny?!" Knox roared and slammed into Benjamin.
Benjamin smashed against the wall, eyes rolling back as his vision blurred. Then fell unconscious.
"Ben!" Diego shouted.
Knox choked Diego and hurled him into the wall.
"Run!" Junior screamed.
"No," Milo stood his ground. "This is my life. If they die, I die too."
Suddenly, two arms wrapped around Knox's waist and slammed him into the ground.
"What the fuck?!" Knox got up furiously, then froze in shock.
He smiled darkly. "There you are…"
"What do you want, Knox?! Leave these people alone!" Hannah shouted.
"I was actually going to once I killed you, but…" He glanced at Nixon. "There's no turning back now."
Hannah laughed. "Good. I hope he's dead."
She raised her fists. Knox let out a loud laugh.
"What do you think you're gonna do? —"
Hannah punched him straight in the face. Knox actually felt it. He stared in disbelief at Hannah's sudden surge in strength and power.
"What did you do…?"
"A little bit of enhancement," Hannah said with a smug look.
The rest of the Maggots ran off, leaving Hannah and Knox to fight alone.
Knox flew straight into her and slammed her into a wall. He backed off and punched her in the gut, followed by a brutal uppercut.
He threw a right hook, but Hannah ducked and punched him in the groin.
"Fuck!" Knox shouted in pain, clutching himself.
Hannah grabbed him, flew through the tunnel, and dragged his face against the wall at superspeed.
She threw his body into the air and slammed into him before he could hit the ground.
She sent a punch toward him, but he caught it and hurled her away.
Knox panted heavily. He suddenly felt something wet dripping from his nose. He touched it — blood.
His heart started beating faster. He began sweating. His breathing grew rapid and heavy. He was scared.
But he covered it all with pure rage.
Hannah and Knox flew straight at each other, both roaring with all the might and courage they had.