"Leon! Ashley! Combined Protocol!" Adrien's voice echoed through the chamber.
Leon grabbed Ashley's hand, pulling her up. They didn't need words. They ran toward Thorne as a single unit. As Thorne swung blindly, Leon dropped to one knee, providing a platform with his interlaced fingers.
Ashley stepped into his hands, and Leon launched her upward with all the strength of his enhanced muscles.
She soared through the air, her red hair trailing like a comet. In mid-air, she pulled a collapsible spear from her back—a prototype from the Apex labs.
"For my parents," she whispered.
She slammed the spear directly into the center of Thorne's chest, right where the glowing "Catalyst" core sat. At the same moment, Adrien triggered the drone swarm. A dozen small, glowing drones dived from the ceiling, latching onto Thorne like metallic leeches and self-destructing.
The explosion was blinding. A shockwave of green and white light threw everyone back against the walls.