The Tale of Greenwing and Silverstrike

Part 4

Greenwing faded back into consciousness to find herself laying on a bed in a small room. She propped herself up on arm with a groan, her body feeling battered and bruised.

"How you feeling?" Spoke a voice from the corner.

Turning her aching head and squinting, she saw Silverstrike sitting on a chair, watching her.

"Been worse." Her mouth tasted of ash. As she became more aware of her surroundings, she glanced down with a perplexed look at the bandages and clean, comfy clothes that were on her body.

"Don't worry, Lexi did all that. It had to be done, you were pretty burnt and banged up, and your supersuit reeked of smoke - it's just drying now. We left your mask on though."

"How did you...?" She said, reaching a hand to her face and drawing comfort from the familiar fabric.

"Get your civilian clothes? Easy, just sent Charlie by your apartment. You forget I know your identity."

"But you don't-"

"Have a key? Yeah about that... you might need to get a new lock. Lock picking can be a tricky business."

"You don't say." She cast her eyes around the room again before asking, "Where are we?"

"My safe house."

"Firefist?"

"Securely locked up by police, for now at least. Oh," as though suddenly remembering, he stood and made the single stride it took to reach the bed, before picking up a glass from the bedside table and handing it to her, "Here."

Greenwing grasped the glass, looking at the water inside and then at the figure beside her, meeting his eyes. A tense moment passed, then she gulped the water, draining the cup in a matter of seconds.

"You drank it." He sounded so surprised.

"Well, you did save my life after all, and did all" she gestured at the clothes and bandages, "this. I think we're a bit past drugging and suspicion now."

"Suppose so." Was that a shimmer of a smile she detected?

"Also please say thanks for me to... Lexi and Charlie was it? And an apology for knocking them out last time."

"Come on, Tell them yourself." He extended a hand and helped her up, leading her to the living room, which she recognised.

The two bodyguards had been sitting at a small table doing something or other, but they both stood the moment Silverstrike entered.

"At ease." The two remained standing, but their postures relaxed. "Greenwing just had something she wanted to say to you two."

Geez, he makes it sounds like I'm a naughty child about to apologise for trampling Old Mrs McFarlane's roses.
She gave a little self-conscious wave, "Um, hi. Just wanted to say thanks for," she gestured to herself before immediately cringing as she inwardly asked why on Earth she did that, "all this, Lexi and Charlie. And I, uh, really am sorry about knocking you out last time."

Both evidently hadn't expected her to say that, but recovered quickly.
Lexi gave her a small smile, "Oh. You're welcome."
"Don't worry about it lass, part of the job." Responded Charlie with a shrug.

Silverstrike raised his eyebrows.
"Right, with whatever that was all done, can you two please go watch the hallway now?"

With a nod of acknowledgement, the two bodyguards gathered up whatever they had been at work on and carried it with them out the other door.

Watching them go, the heroine turned to him, her tone almost, almost teasing,
"Please, huh?"

"I'm a villain, not a savage. Besides, those two have worked for me long enough to earn some manners from me. Don't tell anyone though, or I will vehemently deny it."

"Naturally." She responded as they both sat on the sofa, before changing the subject, "How long was I out for, anyways?"

"Just under a day-"

"A day? Wait, but that means..."

"Yup, today's Wednesday. You were out for the rest of the afternoon, the night, and then this morning. You were absolutely exhausted, I think it just all caught up with you. Haven't you been getting any rest at all?"

"I guess you're right, I was feeling pretty," she searched for a suitable word, before settling on, "tired."

"'Pretty tired'?" He scoffed, "That's an understatement, I think 'worn-out' nd 'bone weary' is a more accurate description."

"Maybe," Greenwing shrugged, before changing topic again as she suddenly remembered, "The civilians! Are they all okay?"

"Yeah, here." He picked up a tablet from nearby, unlocking it before handing her the already-open news article to read, though not before scrolling away from the heading. She scanned the highlighted paragraph quickly, quietly reading aloud, "'Forty six trapped civilians', 'nine injured'," she gave a sigh of relief, "'No fatalities'. 'Thanks to the tireless efforts of firefighters at the scene'."

Silverstrike moved to take back the tablet, but the superheroine stopped him as her brow furrowed, "Wait, what's this?" She scrolled down, reading aloud part of the next paragraph, "'Greenwing's efforts to defeat Firefist were poor, with much damage occurring to the surrounding buildings. She almost met her demise but videos taken by observers show that she was saved by who appeared to be the notorious villain, Silverstrike, causing much speculation. Are the two working together? Has she turned to the villain's side? Who knows. No sighting of Greenwing has been recorded since this scene, her mysterious disappearance causing concern among the public. Firefist was apprehended by our brave policemen shortly after she abandoned the fight'..."

Her cheeks were wet, and she slowly took off her mask with trembling fingers, laying it on her lap before wiping the tears from her face. She silently passed the tablet back to Silverstrike, who in turn produced and handed her a tissue which she took gratefully.

"How many are like that?" Annalise asked, her voice raw.

"Most, I'm afraid, but the others aren't as bad. You know the Daily Crow, always exaggerating."

"I just..." she lapsed into silence.

"They're not all bad. One or two actually speculate that maybe you've managed to convince me to turn good or something like that." He smirked, the notion obviously amusing him.

"One or two?"

"Well, just one, actually." He replied apologetically.

"I don't." She swallowed as more tears welled up in her eyes, "I don't understand. How can they even say that? I tried my best to fight him, I tried to save all the people, I-" here she broke off, her face contorted by anguish.

"I'm sorry. Really. It's not fair. Like I said, people can be so... fickle sometimes."

She sharply turned to him, her words suddenly laced with anger
"You must be so happy, being proved right like this."

"Not at all. Believe it or not, I deeply wish it hadn't come to this, that you wouldn't be forced to realise in this hurtful way. I'm sorry, I was watching the fight from nearby and I just. When that fireball headed your way, I couldn't stop myself. I had to save you."

Just as suddenly as it arose, all the fight went out of her, and she responded quietly,
"No, I know. Thank you, by the way, for saving me."

A second of silence, and then he took his chance,
"But don't you see? Maybe this is for the better. I know it hurts, deeply, but you see them clearly as they are now, don't you? People are selfish, that's the reality. They are parasites, leeches, taking all your sacrifices and tireless, unending defence, all you do for granted. No matter how many lives you've rescued and the uncountable number of times you've saved the city, what do they do? Turn their backs on you the moment it suits them! Besides, they're already think that you're villain now," Annalise was already shaking her head even as he added, "so why not prove them right?"

"No. I can't, I won't do that. It doesn't..." her voice trailed off for a moment as she battled down her immense emotion, "It doesn't matter how they view me. I won't abandon the city. I won't stop my fight for justice just because of- of a few words in a news article."

"What will it take?!" The heroine shrank back as the villain gave way to anger, "What will it take for you to realise that they. Don't. Deserve. It?" He hissed, "Don't you understand? They've abandoned you! It doesn't matter how much time, how many relationships, or what amount of energy you've sacrificed for them. It will never be good enough for them. Dozens, dozens of lives you've saved, hundreds of fights you've fought for them. But at the first inkling of some link between us, what do they do? Turn on you, call you a traitor, berate you."

In his fury, he seemed to tower over her, his intense eyes boring into her own scared ones. But still, Annalise mustered her courage, trying to keep her voice steady even as she inwardly shook,
"Everything, and nothing. I know. Know they don't deserve it. But that's the reality, no one deserves grace. As for it never being good enough for them, I realised that quite recently. But I've made my peace with it. And hopefully one day it'll sink in." She gave a small sigh, "Honestly, I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt, but here's how I look at it: they are just lost. Confused. You're right, in today's world, people can be selfish, and almost everyone does stuff for some degree of self-gain. And they can't understand why someone would be willing to do something that doesn't benefit themself. And to be frank, I think... it scares them, seeing someone doing stuff genuinely out of the goodness of their heart."

Silverstrike's breathing slowed, becoming more even, and the flaring of his nostrils decreased as he listened to this unexpectedly profound speech, his eyes intently fixed on the face of the compassionate figure. Seeing the concern in her eyes as she watched him cautiously, he reduced his wrathful manner, slouching back into his side of the sofa before reluctantly conceding,
"I... suppose."

They sat in silence together, allowing a moment for all of it to sink it, then the villain gathered himself, before speaking in a carefully calm tone,
"Lost, confused, whatever, that doesn't change the fact that defending these people is poisoning you. You are literally killing yourself. How much sleep have you gotten in the past few days, not including the unconscious slumber you've just been in from over-exhaustion? Barely any at all, you've been up battling villains at all places and all times. When was the last time you saw your nephews? Had a cup of coffee with a friend? Spent time with your family? Day in and day out, all you do is fight for this city, it's your whole life, and you may have made your peace with no one appreciating it, appreciating you, but I haven't." There it was again, that tone she didn't understand. "Dying for people who care, that's one thing. But sacrificing your life for people who are more likely to criticise you for being 'too weak' than to have any real appreciation at your funeral, if they bother to come at all? It's madness." She went to say something but he held up a hand, "Let me finish. If you keep on this way, you're going to burnout and make a mistake that will get you killed." His voice wavered and he took a second to maintain his composure, "And that's a fact. Your life is more valuable than this, it shouldn't be thrown away on some ill-fated battle fought for undeserving people."

It so very almost sounded like he cared, but Annalise knew this was probably just some trick and different tact to get her to join his cause. After all, she knew it was impossible for anyone to truly care about her.
"Well if that's my fate, then so be it. I don't care what you say, no matter what I will never stop fighting for justice. Cause the moment I stop, I let everyone down. Sometimes... sacrifices have to be made."

She could feel his frustration simmering as he said,
"So you really won't change your mind?"

"No." The superheroine replied firmly.

He gave a sigh, shaking his head,
"Very well, then you give me no choice."

There was an undercurrent to his words that made her skin prickle, but she could only sit and stare in morbid fascination.
"What are you going to do?"

"Use a power that I almost never do. Some things cross lines not even a villain like me is willing to." He clenched his jaw, "But you've left me no other option. You may not care about your life, but I do."

"What is it?" She asked, knowing that she probably should be trying to escape right now, but some force seemed to keep her bound to the sofa.

"Tell me," he activated his power, "have you heard of silverspeak?"

There was a sudden gravity to his words that Annalise could not explain. The impact of his power was obvious, for as he spoke the last part she involuntarily leant towards him and fixed her eyes on his face, even as she quickly countered her movements and pulled herself back, tearing her gaze away and looking at the floor.
"Yes, I've heard of it."

"Then you'll know it's only a matter of time before you give in."

She resisted the urge to look at him but couldn't stop her lips from trembling,
"How could you do this to me?"

"I'm sorry, but I have to. Trust me, I take no joy in using this, but it's the only way to get you to listen. Now this'll be much easier and less painful for both of us if you just relax."

His words were now so very persuasive, but she defiantly tensed her muscles and set her jaw determinedly. She couldn't give in. She wouldn't give in.
"No."

"Don't be that way. if you've heard about silver speech you know it can't be resisted for long, so why waste energy fighting the inevitable?"

She tried to stand, to run away, cover her ears, just do something, anything, but her limbs wouldn't listen to her, and she felt a wave of panic threaten to overwhelm her.

"Come on, I can tell that you are so very tired. Mentally, emotionally, physically. So tired of all the responsibility and the stress. Wouldn't it just feel so good to let that all go? To rest?"

She battled the increasing heaviness of her eyelids, even as she tried to prevent the words seeping into her. She was tired, she couldn't deny that. But no, he knew that, he was using that against her. But it would feel so good to not be burdened by it all. No, stop it! This is what he wants!

Silverstrike watched Annalise struggle against the power of his words. He hated doing this, it felt so violating, but he had to, if he was to keep her from being killed. He hardened his heart. It was too late, he'd started now, and she'd probably hate him for the rest of her life, but it would be worth it if only to ensure she still had a life to hate him with.

"Think of how very good it would feel to just rest and let me carry that burden for a bit," he crooned.

Her breathing, which had begun to slow, became rapid as she hyperventilated, attempting to resist all notion of relaxation.
"No!"

"How about you just look at me for a bit?" She stubbornly turned her head further away, "Wouldn't it be nice to just look into my eyes?"

The prolonged exposure to the silverspeak was making her struggle even more, slowly eroding away any resistance.

A moment's pause, then he repeated insistently, "Look at me."

This time, her head moved against her will, despite her best attempts to stop it, and she found herself gazing at his handsome eyes.

"There you go, that's better."

Being unsuccessful in trying to turn her head away, she squeezed her eyes shut.

He snorted, "Fine, keep them closed if you want, it'll only make it easier for you to relax."

They shot open again and glared at him.

"My, my, so angry. Well, eyes shut or closed, it won't make a difference, not really. Not even the strongest can resist a silver tongue forever."

She knew deep down that it was only a matter of time, he hadn't been lying about that, but she was still going to resist as long as she could.

"Come on, just feel your muscles loosen and breathing slow. So very tired. Stop resisting, just let me take away your burdens for you. You don't need to worry, you don't need to stress, I'll do all the worrisome thinking for you."

He could see his words truly sinking in and settling now, as they usually did this far in to silverspeak exposure, though he was impressed by how she still fought so deeply, even as her breathing deepened and muscles relaxed against her will, now-hazy eyes blinking slow,
"Nope!"

The physical had taken effect, that he could see, but the mental... with her eyes still locked on his, he could see her head still working furiously.

"Just let go, give your burdens to me, no worries, no stress, just give in." He said soothingly.

The mind, that was the most difficult part. But she was on the verge and soon, very soon, she'd be under his control, thinking whatever he told her to, or not thinking at all if he decreed it.

But was it really up to him, he wondered uncomfortably, to determine another being's thoughts? He knew other villains who used mind control with no such qualms, but it had never sat right with him. After all, even a villain has a moral code. Using his silverspeak had always made him feel itchy, though some small, dark part of him, a part he shoved deep down, found some sadistic pleasure in it, and right now his skin was crawling.

What am I doing? He asked himself, This isn't right!

You're doing it to protect her. That shadowy part of him responded.

But there surely must be other ways. The villain pleaded.

No! This is the only way. It hissed.

Power and control, they are dangerous, wildly tempting things. Ancient presences, with a mind and gravity of their own.

It's almost done anyways, may as well finish it. That part of him added dismissively.

It's not too late, I can still pull her out of it. He countered.

But do you really want to do that?
The tone of the voice made him pause.

What do you mean?

If you pull her out of it now, she'll remember what you did, she'll hate you, forever.

Re-focusing his eyes in front of him, he saw the heroine slightly swaying as she sat there, her eyes beginning to glaze as she weakened against the suggestions that had continued to worm their way inside even during the interlude of silence.

Her eyes, framed by wisps of hair and bare skin. Her mask was still off, resting in her lap, she hadn't put it back on after removing it to wipe her tears. She had trusted him enough with her exposed, vulnerable, civilian self, and he had betrayed that trust. If Greenwing, Annalise was pulled back to her senses now, she would be shattered, never would she forgive him. His heart ached deeply, and for a moment the temptation to just complete the process and bury it all was overpowering.

Just finish it now and make her forget, then she'll be happy, she'll be made to understand and forgive you.

Making his choice, he shut his eyes tightly, She might, but I would never forgive myself.

He turned his attention back to the waiting figure, her eyes still expectantly watching him. He thought carefully for a moment before speaking again, this was a delicate process, he couldn't just rip her out of it,
"Feel your thoughts and awareness returning to you."

Her eyes slowly became focused and the glazed sheen faded.

"Your eyelids getting lighter, you are feeling more awake, your limbs no longer feel weighed down."

He could see her muscles and fingers subconsciously twitching. He paused a moment, monitoring her response and some part of him still battling, before finishing,
"You are released from my control, and in command of your body and mind once more."

Then having uttered his final command, his voice returned to normal, no longer imbued with silver speak, "I couldn't go through with it, it's wrong, and I'm more sorry than you'll know."

For a few moments nothing else seemed to happen.