Nightwing arrived some time after Lucian. Seeing that the situation had been resolved, he asked if he and Maxie would want to return to the Batcave and work with the family in the future. When they both agreed, he specifically asked Lucian to come back on as the Manticore for a while, as his particular skillset would accelerate progress on their current case.
Before they left, Lucian did Orphan a favor by healing her injuries. Then, he and Maxie were given a ride home. They made a quick stop for food along the way as well. Apart from vigilantism being hungry work, Maxie worked up an appetite after being tested by the girls. Add to that the resources that her body used up as her hand was healed.
Luckily for both of them, dinner that night was Nightwing's treat, so neither had to spend anything at all.
...
Once home, they settled into their improvised couch-bed. Maxie faced the backrest, curled up into a little ball with Lucian spooning her. He stayed with her like that, making sure she was as comfortable as could be until she was sound asleep. Once he was sure that she wouldn't be waking up any time soon, he carefully got up to do some of his own training.
His current physique was about thrice as good as that of Olympians. Specifically, he was as if one took the champion of every category in the Olympics, lumped them all together into a single vessel, and multiplied their combined prowess by three. That was where Lucian was at in base form, and well over twice as much with Full Cowling.
With that in mind, he went out to scavenge the surrounding buildings for supplies to make a sort of 'home gym.' Rusty chains, lengths of rebar, chunks of concrete, and many others. There were also a few rusty metal barrels and a lot of gravel to fill them with.
The first thing he built was an improvised barbell. He used a pair of barrels as the weights, filled with as much gravel as he could handle. The bar was made of rebar—several of them to support the weight. All in all, it was effective—just heavy enough to push himself without risk of injury.
His bench for weight training using that new barbell was a low wall. By no means was it comfortable, but it was functional for his purposes. Stability was no issue, either. Blackwhip just kept increasing in value.
Once the barbell was done, he speed-crafted his way through the rest of his equipment. Small dumbbells, weights to hang onto himself during runs, and targets for repetitive striking training.
That said, just building and testing everything that night was enough of a physical workout for the time being. He'd worked up a major sweat on top of the work he'd already done that night, and an even bigger appetite to match, even after he'd already eaten. It was honestly quite worrisome.
'Okay... note to self: mind food consumption. I'll have to cash in some favors from food vendors I've saved... if anyone wants to thank me for anything, I'll ask for food. Thank fuck I got a Utility Belt. I'll dedicate one of them to on-the-go meals.'
For now, he satisfied his cravings with some snacks he'd stockpiled—crackers, protein bars, as well as instant noodles that he cooked over driftwood fire. As far as pots went? He used some old ones that he found lying around after giving them a real good scrubbing. Regarding the fire, he started one by rubbing two pieces of wood against each other really, really fast.
...
"Phew..." With his stomach now filled, Lucian laid down on the roof of his building, staring up at the starless sky. With deep breaths, he slowly circulated lifeforce around his body to help it recover stronger than before.
'Alright. Training can't stop at raw power. I need techniques, too.'
While passively channeling his ki, he also willed a ball of it to form in his outstretched hand. To aid in its formation, he reached upward as if clutching at an actual ball. Violet light swirled within his grasp, coalescing into a vague approximation of what he pictured.
'Not quite enough.'
Indeed, what he managed to form was more like a wispy ball of translucent smoke, rather than a sphere of concentrated destructive energy.
'Hm... compression. Let's try that. From mist to water to ice.'
He curled his fingers, tightening his grasp. The lifeforce in his hand responded, swirling faster and faster, condensing into a tighter form. With a lot of concentration, the lifeforce he gathered 'solidified' into a tiny bead about the size of his thumbnail.
'Using real world mechanics for what is basically magic. I'm a guckin' fenius.'
Unlike its previous form, the ki ball in Lucian's hand glowed brightly, almost like a tiny purple sun. It hummed with faint noise like a refrigerator hard at work, and it felt fleeting like a firecracker in flight. Inspired by the imagery, Lucian threw it high into the air, watching it sail up, then fall back down with a narrow arc.
That was one new thing to note: ki apparently had weight. With supporting evidence from the way it acted like flames when being manifested outside of the body, it made sense.
When the tiny ball of ki finally landed somewhere nearby, it burst with a loud pop, like a whip being cracked. Lucian felt the air being displaced, and this gave him confidence that he could, in fact, use ki blasts as weapons. Though the process was slow, he was sure he'd be able to spam them with enough practice.
Standing up, he walked over to the ki blast's impact zone. None of the floor was blackened like if a physical burning had happened. Ki was like an ashless flame, after all.
...
Lucian moved to a different building to experiment more with his ki techniques. A tiny blast carried about as much force as jab of his fist—just that the transfer of energy was omnidirectional rather than strictly forward. This naturally reduced immediate impact damage, but when coupled with a throw, a ki blast technically hit stronger than a punch.
He did try to make larger blasts at some point, which were as strong as a full-on haymaker. When thrown, the force was enough to shake a room and disturb the dust that clung to the walls and ceiling. Additionally, larger ki blasts were less stable. They stayed reliable up to the point of reaching the size of his fist. Any larger and they became harder to maintain, often blowing up before they could hit their targets.
Lastly for the ki blasts, he also tested how much they weighed, since that would affect how he could use them in combat. In the end, their arcs were very shallow, even for the heavier ones. At short to mid-range, it was negligible. However, the further they had to go, the more apparent their range's limits became.
'Good enough for now. At least I have something.'
The last thing that he wanted to test, in line with his desire for ranged combat options, were the iconic beam attacks.
His results were painfully unimpressive. Every time he attempted one, they either blew up in a purple shockwave or spewed forward in a spraying gust, just barely strong enough to knock someone over. He did manage to make a proper stream towards the end, but... it was more like a particularly strong water hose than anything.
'Maybe it's the amount of ki I need for it to work... definitely more on the 'finisher' side of things, rather than spam. I can't practice it here, not yet. I'll find a good place at some point...'
Because his ki was purple, Lucian gravitated towards mimicking Vegeta's techniques as a reference to Ultra Ego. His first order of business as far as ultimates went were a purple version of Final Flash, and trying to supersize his regular ki blasts for a Big Bang.
By the time that he was done experimenting with his ki, he was properly exhausted, more mentally than physically. With his head heavy and eyes drooping, he cleaned himself up before rejoining Maxie in bed. He buried his face in her hair as he spooned her, letting her scent caress his mind gently into a restful slumber.
...
In the morning, the two of them awoke to strings of messages from Bailey. They were sent in the early morning while the couple was asleep, asking them to meet up somewhere as soon as they were up. Both knew what it was long before they arrived, neither saying anything until they met up with their siblings.
Bailey was waiting for them in a large parking lot, the smell of alcohol clinging to her. Her eyes were bloodshot, bags heavy under them. She tried to smile despite the news she carried, but it only made her look more miserable.
She broke the news to them as they sat with her.
"I uh... got the hospital's message, really late last night. Mom's gone. I was out drinking with the crew when the hospital tried calling me, but my phone was dead... I didn't know until Brodie came and told me himself after they tried his number. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner."
Maxie bumped shoulders with her, while Lucian stayed silent. "Where is he right now?" she asked.
"In there," Bailey replied, tilting her coffee can to the building. "Job interview. Said mom would kill him again in the afterlife if he didn't follow through with it."
"That does sound like her," Maxie agreed.
...
Brodie ended up getting the job. Bailey followed his decision to just keep on working as per their mother's wishes, and Maxie did as well. Lucian felt out of place at first, but as the day went on, his inclusion felt more natural.
They returned to the hospital soon after Brodie was dismissed from his interview—he would start his job the day after. Bailey handled legal processing as the eldest, with Lucian there to assist her, having had experience with it in his past life. While that happened, Maxie separated to make a few calls—work, university, and some friends.
Once everything had been processed, they opted for a cremation instead of a burial. Just to stay on the safe side, they had the cremators place their mother's ashes in a steel canister rather than a ceramic urn. They all separated after that.
Bailey went right back to her job site. Brodie left to go around the city and cut off business ties with the people he's been pushing light substances with, or to. Adelaine's ashes were entrusted to Lucian and Maxie to take home.
They settled back in after placing the ashes on a windowsill—the one that got the most light. Both laid wordless on the couch, unmoving. It was as if the world had gone still.
"How are we feeling?" Lucian asked.
Maxie rolled over, half-laying on top of him. "I'm... okay," she answered.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded into his chest. "I mean, I'm still really sad that mom's gone... but I kinda saw it coming. Couldn't tell you how, but... somehow, knowing this would happen made the news easier to take."
A pause. Silence. Maxie listened to Lucian's heartbeat, and he, her small breaths.
"Still wanna come along again tonight?" he offered.
She thought about it. Her mother's passing would have been a good reason to stay home. "Yeah," she eventually replied. "Training with the girls should help me process things..."
...
Nightwing visited them later at sunset, driving the Nightbird. It was unexpected, but Lucian was glad for the pickup. The trip to the Batcave would have been a literal walk to the park for him, but with Maxie to worry about, the convenience was a godsend.
'I'll teach her ki stuff once she has a better grasp of martial arts. Hopefully, with that, she can catch up with my base form over time.'
The Robinson Batcave was just as it was the night prior. Overhead lights lit up walkways from high above. Water dripped down from the ceiling and into a shallow pool, which spanned the entire cave. The walkways and platforms above the water were as pristine as ever. Then, just as he thought that, Lucian caught the deep claw gouges he'd made in one section of the base.
"Oof..." he winced at the sight, and Maxie did as well when she followed his gaze.
"You did that, didn't you?" she whispered.
"Unfortunately..."
"I mean... it's kinda nice to know just how worried you were, though..."
For his little mishap, Lucian was rewarded instead of told off. However, as they were both masked, Maxie opted to bop her mask on his jawbrace instead kissing him.
As they followed Nightwing deeper into the cave, Spoiler dashed towards them from the far back. She stopped just in time to avoid toppling Maxie over with a tackling hug, and instead gave her a normal one.
"One day's been too long!" She exclaimed while pulling away. "Are you okay? How's your hand?"
As her shoulders were held, Maxie was stunned. That sort of energetic affection was... well, she only ever had one source of it in her entire life. "I'm perfectly fine," she replied.
With Spoiler assured, they met up with the rest by the massive computer in the back. Once everyone was gathered, Batman connected to them through a conference call with the rest of the team. Robin was with him in the primary Batcave, and Red Robin was with Red Hood out in the streets, already raring to go.
"Manticore," Batman greeted.
Lucian flashed a peace sign. "Yo."
"And you're his partner," Batman continued, addressing Maxie. He somehow appeared to look directly at her through the screen. "Have you come up with an alias yet? It's not ideal to use your real name, or just be relegated to being 'someone's partner.'"
"I... haven't been thinking about it," she replied, then tugged at Lucian's purple sleeve. "Any ideas?"
"How about 'Wraith'? We'll keep the matching themes consistent that way."
"Ooo! I like that one!" Spoiler chimed, and Nightwing agreed with her. Maxie was of the same thought.
Batman grunted. "Then it's settled. Until you change your mind—if ever—we'll call you Wraith. Now, it's time to assign everyone's jobs."
Nightwing, Red Robin, and Red Hood were each assigned to investigate their own areas first. One by one, they left, wishing everyone luck as they disconnected. Only Lucian and Maxie were left towards the end, alongside Orphan and Spoiler.
"Now, before everything else," said Batman. "Are you two absolutely sure that you want to keep doing this?" He paused, then directly addressed Lucian first. "You've already seen what happens out there, Manticore. If you believe you've seen enough, then you're free to back out at any point."
"I'm doing this," he replied. "I'd feel like shit if I didn't."
Something shifted in Batman's expression, but Lucian couldn't read it at all. It was then Maxie's turn to be addressed.
"This life isn't an easy one," he said. "You can keep training with the girls for as long as you wish, and they'll give you everything they can. But, if you ever decide at any point to leave, you should do so. Am I clear?"
Maxie gulped, then nodded grimly.
"Then, that's all for that. As for your assignments, Manticore... we're in the final stretch of severing Donovan as Black Mask's limb. We're removing as many of his assets as we can, in as little time as possible. Afterwards, we go for the head."
৹ ◎ ◉ ◎ ৹
Tammy was restless. Despite her warnings, her Sweet Sundae still insisted on sticking by that Lucian prick. She did confront him, of course. Tammy was really happy when Maxie called about it while she was away from him, and she also said that he denied the accusation when confronted. Standard. All that was left to do was insist on it and leave him, but nooooo. She believed that son of a bitch.
Like, seriously. It grated on Tammy's nerves that Maxie was so stupidly smitten with that cartel trash. To think that she helped those two get together thinking that her bestest friend could finally find her own happiness...
What a load of crap.
Maxie should've just accepted Aleck's advances years ago. At least he was already really rich. Not that there was anything wrong with penniless people, but... come on. Her boyfriend and master would never stoop so low that he'd get in bed with an entire drug enterprise.
It was such a shame, too. Lucian was almost as pretty as Aleck, and he seemed so sweet. His and Maxie's boss, Iñigo? He was such a nice man as well. Shame it was just a front, like his stupid restaurant business. She bet they were both terrible behind the scenes, and she detested the thought of her bestie receiving any less than she deserved.
Biting down on her painted nails, she called her boyfie. The phone rang slowly, agonizingly, for three or four seconds.
"Hello, Miss Watson. Trouble sleeping?"
"H-hey... master..." Her breathing grew heavy right away, but she checked herself. "I'm really, really worried about my bestie after what you said... can— could you please help her?"
Aleck chuckled, and the sound of his voice made her spine tingle. "I'm already in the process of arranging that. You're my favorite, after all. My cotton candy. Rest assured, I'll rescue her from that street wretch and bring you two back together."
"Thank you so much!" she squealed, and the line cut off.
She could already see it. Maxie would be on her knees with her, at her master's feet where they both belonged. Where anyone belonged, really—they'd just be the super lucky ones who actually got to be there. They'd both be really, super mega happy with the rest of her master's girls.
"Just sit tight, babe... You'll be safe soon."
—=—=—=—=—=—=—=—
[A/N]: Shorter chapter today, so have a second one as well. Anyway, expect this part of the story to end by chapter 50, if not sooner. I'm actually aiming for 48, but whatever happens, happens.
Black Mask will be the primary antagonist for the first portion of the next volume, and I plan to settle his arc in 12 chapters, and the rest in 20 for a total of 32. Lucian will be recruiting some friends to his cause throughout the entirety of the volume.
Anyway, see you's!