Prancer was engaged. They were fighting with hit and run tactics, and when the Fallen didn’t take the bait or stopped to pause, Prancer’s group assaulted buildings. There was a shop on fire, and a large garage with a truck in it that now had a chunk missing.

A big part of what let them do that was the heroes at the west end of the settlement, and the presence of the Undersiders. Bitch and her dogs were standing beside Vista. Narwhal was close, and two black stuffed animals reared up at the edge of the camp. Foil was there, but Tattletale was not.

No Valefor, but I could see a core group of Fallen with fancier costumes and that kind of presence.

Nobody that looked like they could be Mama Mathers, either.

The pressure was on, and the Fallen looked to be losing ground. There were world-class capes lined up against them. If the actual groups were even in power, and I wasn’t sure they were, then Prancer’s group was playing it in such a way that even if the Fallen won, they wouldn’t have a town left after.

My phone buzzed.

I pulled it out.

Looksee:
Not peeking am reporting what others saying. Precog with me says Vista says that the hostages you want are toward south end of town. Map attached.

The text had an image attached.

I flew skyward, looking.

A group. Valefor’s group, with Fallen civilians and others. The hostages.

We could figure something out.

White flickers danced in the corner of my vision. I looked away, but they persisted. Like the motes of dust in my eye, but akin to snowflakes.

If that was their anti-thinker measure, which might well be Mama Mathers, then even the thinker-esque advantage of having a bird’s eye view was enough to give them an in.

I grit my teeth.

I’d seen the building Looksee had marked on the map.

Dropping out of the sky, I landed beside the group. “This way. The—”

Turning toward Beast of Burden’s group, I was just in time to see him backhand Damsel across the face. It was a casual swing, but he was strong and he wore a gauntlet. She hit the ground hard.

“Jesus fuck, no wonder your team is mutinying,” Capricorn said. “You can’t play nice with others in a crisis? There’s stuff going on! Be a professional.”

“She didn’t even say anything! This time!” Sidepiece said, bending down beside Damsel. Damsel pushed her away.

Her damaged hand at her face, the other used to get to her feet, Damsel worked her way to a standing position. I didn’t see anything resembling Ashley in her eyes.

“I gave her a final warning,” Beast of Burden said.

“Hey,” Capricorn said.

“Damsel,” I said. “Ashley.”

“Stop,” Beast of Burden said, pointing at Damsel, talking over me.