The glass shattered. Cornelia screamed, ducking.
Jaiden turned, stunned.
Ciema met his gaze.
She mouthed, "They're coming."
Ciema turned, seeing some men advanced towards her.
Swallowing, she ran to the entrance. Elites running in the same direction.
Yongqiang staggered before slashing at her cheek. Laila dodged the strike and her fist imprinted into his face.
He fell, rolled to his feet. Catching his breath, he charged into her. She grunted as he slammed her into the table.
She kneed him in the stomach, and shoves him off.
He rolled to his feet, clutching the dagger.
"Oh you think you're something?" Laila taunted. She kicks off her heels. Her fingers find her earring, gently pulling it free. "I got something for yo ass!"
She takes off the other one, tossing it towards a woman in line.
"Hold that shit!" she ordered.
The woman nodded.
Laila rolled her shoulders. Hurriedly lifted her skirt and pulled out a combat dagger. She flipped it in her hand, and mirrors his stance.
"Come on, goofy," she urged.
She flinched towards him. He didn't budge.
"Come on, asshole!" She taunted. "I don't know Cantonese but I know the universal language of whoop yo ass!"
With a roar, he charged at her.
_________
Jada strolled to the sink, twisting the faucet. The toilet behind her flushed. It synchronized as she washed her hands.
The woman exited the stall and headed for the door.
Qiu Yue pushed it open, striding towards Jada. She paused, glaring.
The door closed shut.
Qiu Yue slowly drew out her black tai chi fan. Fluidly, she struck the pose: one hand tightly clutching the fan while her leg was bent upward.
"Tai chi?" Jada smiled, trying her hand. " 可愛."
With a yell, Qiu Yue rushed forward, swiping her fan at her.
Jada twirled out of the way. Qiu Yue thrusted it forward, blades spring out.
Jada dodged and cartwheeled out of range.
Qiu Yue took her stance.
Jada gripped her train tightly as she mirrored her.
"Blades?" Jada grinned. "Are they dripping in say aconite? One tiny cut, and I'm dead."
Qiu Yue smiled. "You're a smart one."
"Thank you," Jada smiled, nodding. "I was afraid I was going to have to translate."
"I know English," Qiu Yue said.
"Good. So you know you're gonna die here," Jada said sternly with a smile.
She surged towards her, her leg aimed for her face. Qiu Yue grabbed it and pushed her to the ground.
Jada grunted and Qiu Yue loomed over her.
With a yell, she aimed for her throat.
Jada grabbed her wrist, twisting it. Eliciting a cry of pain from the assassin, she pulled her the ground.
Qiu Yue kept the momentum, pulling Jada with her.
Jada managed to get on her feet, tugging Qiu Yue up with the momentum.
Qiu Yue pushed her into an empty stall.
Jada grunted as she was shoved on the closed toilet. Qiu Yue broke from her grip, bringing her weapon down.
Jada dodged both slashes before her heel swiftly kicked her in the abdomen.
She tumbled on the ground, hissing as she struggled to her feet.
Jada stepped out, sweeping her train behind her.
" 衰婆 ," Qiu Yue spat.
" 呢個婊子踢緊你個屁股," Jada smiled.
___________
The daggers clashed. Laila gritted her teeth as Yongqiang pushed forward.
Laila headbutts him. He stumbled back. Shaking it off, he swings at her.
Screams intercut the battle as she catches his wrist, twisting the knife out of his hand.
Laila aims for his throat. He grabs her wrist tightly.
The dagger falls to the ground. He shoves her back and Laila raises her balled fists.
Seeing this, Yongqiang smirks. He casts off his jacket, tossing it aside.
Yongqiang then pulls off his tie, wrapping it around his hand and pulls it taut.
Laila lunges forward, kicking her leg towards his face. He swiftly blocks the blow with the tie, wrapping it around her ankle.
He pulls her to the ground. Laila kicks with her other leg, hitting him right in the face.
He releases her ankle, wiping the blood from his nose.
Laila spits on the ground, and puts her hands up. She charges, aiming for a punch.
He intercepts, tying his tie around her wrist.
Gritting her teeth, Laila stumbled a bit when he headbutts her in revenge. He pulls her close and delivers a devious knee to the gut.
Laila grunts, then struggles to break free. Her struggle sends them tumbling to the ground. They roll around, amidst the panicking crowd.
Laila feet find his abdomen. She kicks him off, sending him rolling. Laila staggered to her feet, glaring.
"What the Jackie Chan are you doing?" Laila snapped, rubbing her bruised abdomen.
Yongqiang merely smirked as a reply.
Aleen got up from her seat, heading for the exit. Henry ran towards her, huffing.
"What the hell?" Henry snapped.
"You'd better hurry," she whispered. "Time for this place to blow."
Henry's eyes blow wide. "No! You can't!"
Aleen only laughed as she shoved past him.
______________
Jaiden helped a shivering Cornelia up to her feet.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"What's going on?" She asked in a daze. Then she shook his shoulder, terrified. "Behind you!"
Turning around, he saw three armed men running towards him. Dressed in black suits, their lounge coats were unbuttoned.
Their nationality were Greek. Brown curly hair and a trimmed beard.
"The Papadopoulos Brothers?" Jaiden announced with recognition.
Yiannis, the secondborn, swung a punch at him. Jaiden blocked the blow with his cane. Cornelia screamed, stumbling backwards.
"Get your grand-niece and grand-daughter now!" Jaiden orders, pushing him back.
Cornelia nodded. "Ophelia! Olivia!" She yelled. "We must leave now, my darlings!"
The two girls ran towards her, taking hold of her arms.
"Jaiden?" Olivia called. "What about you?"
"Never mind me," Jaiden shouted. "Go!"
Nodding, the two girls led their grand-mother and grand-aunt out the door.
Jaiden fixed his tie. "Gentlemen. Here to finish me off?"
Basil, the eldest, stepped forward, fixing his sleeve cuff.
"You hear that, Yiannis? Nikolaos? Mr. Maximoff thinks we're here to finish him."
Yiannis and Nikolaos, the youngest, chuckled.
"You're wrong, Mr. Maximoff," Basil said, his smile fading. "We're Plan B. In case the poisoning failed."
"Lovely," Jaiden stated sarcastically.
Nikolaos charged. Jaiden suavely reeled out of the way. He hits the back of his knee with his cane.
Nikolaos buckles. Jaiden hits him under the jaw.
He falls to the ground.
Yiannis and Basil lunged in. Jaiden blocked Basil's kick. Yiannis pulled out a silver xiphos from behind him, swinging at Jaiden.
Jaiden unsheathed the sword from his cane, clashing with Yiannis' blade. Yiannis' eyes blew wide in shock.
Jaiden pushed him back.
"You're not the only one with a weapon," Jaiden smiled.
Bowman rushed towards him. She threw a kick at Basil who effortlessly dodged it. She the turned to Jaiden, handcuffs clenched tightly.
Before he could react, cold metal clinks around his wrist.
"Jaiden Maximoff," she declared. "You're under arrest."
Jaiden merely stared at it. His gaze a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.
The Papadopoulos Brothers turned to each other, eyebrows raised.
"I'm being attacked," Jaiden said flatly. "And your priority is to put me in custody?"
"You and your Amazons are going to prison," Bowman snapped.
"You're like your father alright," Jaiden growled. "A self-righteous fool."
Yiannis lunges with a yell.
Jaiden swung towards him, but Bowman yanked him off balance.
Basil threw a kick. Jaiden blocked with his leg. He tried a sweep, but Bowman pushed him to his knees.
Yiannis brings his Xiphos down. Jaiden blocks the blow with his cane sword.
Jaiden surges forward and knees him in the abdomen, sending him to the ground.
He turned and casts Bowman a glare.
"You're not getting out of this," she hissed.
"Neither are you," Jaiden answered quietly. "Because we're both going to die."
Bowman smirked slyly. "You won't allow it."
Jaiden frowned at the sentiment.
_______
Ciema stopped on the stairs. She took a stance.
People, rich and workers, poured out. Some glance her way, wondering what on God's green earth she's doing.
Others ignore her as the head for the cars.
The men chased her head right towards her. She stood her ground, proving she wasn't going anywhere.
Ciema caught the first by the wrist, kneed him in the gut, and used the momentum to hurl him over. He tumbled down the stairs in a tangle of limbs.
Maya and Wyatt spotted the fight and ran over.
Ciema ducked a left hook and lunged, hooking her arm around her opponent's neck. She drove her heel in another goon's face—the blow sent him tumbling.
She hopped down behind the man she used and kicked him square in the back. He went down hard, reaching the base of the stairs
"Oh my God," Maya breathed. "You got that?"
Wyatt turned slowly, grinning. "I forgot to."
Maya blinked then swung at him, her fists hitting his arm. "ばか ! ばか !"
Jaiden headed towards the dining tables. He evaded Nikolaos' kick, rolling across the table top.
Bowman follows him, throwing a kick as Basil blocks.
"Amazons!" Jaiden said into his earpiece. "I'm in a situation."
__________
Qiu Yue grabs Jada's arms, pinning them to her chest. She pushed her towards the sink.
"Penthesilea!" Jaiden's voice echoed in her ear. "Come in. Do you here me?"
Jada grunted as Qiu Yue shoves her head under the tap and turned it on, turning on the tap. Cold water flooded her mouth and nose.
The blades were pressed to her throat.
Holding her breath, Jada swallows the water, then spat right at her face.
Qiu Yue shrieks, and stumbled back.
Jada sits up, coughing
"Yes, Boss?" Jada caught her breath.
"Finish your fight," Jaiden ordered. "And get Aleen. No matter the cost. You must apprehend her now!"
Jada nodded understandably before wiping her mouth. She blinked away the dripping water from her eyelashes. "You ruined my makeup."
She charged, tossing her train to her. Qiu Yue sliced it in two. Jada's leg followed, hitting her in the face.
Qiu Yue spun, hitting the sink counter. Jada grabbed her face, smashing it into the mirror. Qiu Yue fell to the ground, her fan abandoned.
Jada quickly heads for the bathroom exit. Opening the door, she blows a kiss, and disappeared into the chaos.
_________
Jada emerged from the door, her gaze landing on Laila.
"Hippolyta!" Jada said, pressing her earpiece. "Hurry up and finish your fight."
Laila leaned out of striking range from Yongqiang. "What?" She hollered.
"Hippolyta, finish your fight!" Jada yelled. "Boss' orders."
"I know what he said," Laila snapped. "I chose to ignore it."
"What about you?" Ciema asked, rushing down the stairs. "You're in danger, Jaiden. Aleen's trying to kill you."
"Forget about me!" Jaiden yelled, dodging a stab. "Finish the mission!"
Jada ran towards Laila.
Laila ducked another punch from him, then grinned. She swung her leg, hitting him right in the groin.
Yongqiang coughed, stunned. Laila went behind him.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and lifted him, only to slam him on the ground.
Groaning, Laila got up, shaking it off.
"Are you okay?" Jada knelt, worried.
"Yeah," Laila grunted, rising to her feet.
_______
Jaiden was slammed against a table. The vase was knocked over, breaking. Among the pieces was a decahedron-shaped bomb.
Jaiden shoved Yiannis off. Yiannis dropped his Xiphos.
Bowman spotted it, letting out a gasp. Jaiden turned, his gaze unwavering.
"Amazons," Jaiden announced, "who's closest to Aleen?"
Ciema reached the bottom, panting. "Me, Boss."
"Good," Jaiden sighed.
"Good?" Bowman shouted, tugging him to his feet. "There are bombs here!"
"Bombs?" Laila and Jada exclaimed in unison.
In her limo, Aleen pressed the button. A sly smile spread across her face.
A high pitched whistle rang out throughout the empty building.
"Remember your mission," Jaiden reminded them. "Get Aleen."
Ciema stared as the limo drove off. Her hand trembled. "Antiope!" Jaiden yelled.
Taking a deep breath, she turned around.
"You two," she pointed at Maya and Wyatt. "Get out of here. This place is gonna blow."
Maya and Wyatt exchanged glances, then began running down the steps.
Ciema continued, "Amazons. Grab Jaiden."
30... 29... 28...
Jada and Laila ran towards the tables. Jada pulled out her gun, pulling the trigger.
The bullet hit the chain, freeing them both.
Laila slid across the table, tackling Yiannis to the ground.
Jada struck Bowman cleanly, then caught Jaiden as he staggered.
"Sorry," she muttered, fingers pressing his carotid sinus. He went limp.
Laila scrambled to her feet, and stood off against them.
"Listen," she began. "We can kill each other. Or get out before it blows."
Papadopoulos Brothers looked at each other. Yiannis got to his feet.
18... 17... 16...
"Qiu Yue's in the bathroom," Jada revealed.
The men ran across the floor. Basil ran towards Yongqiang.
Yiannis ran to the women's restroom. Nikolaos ran towards Bowman.
"Laila!" Jada called.
Laila rushed over, helping her hoist up Jaiden.
"Grab his cane," Jada reminded her.
"I got it," Laila snapped.
Carefully, they carried him towards the door. Yiannis, and Basil joined them.
12... 11... 10...
They exited the building, running down the steps.
Nikolaos reached the bottom first, resting Bowman on the ground. The other two brushed past an anxious Ciema.
"We got him!" Jada called.
"Not a moment too soon," Laila joked.
8... 6... 7...
They reached the bottom.
3...2... 1—
BOOM!
The Amazons flew to the ground as the building exploded. Glass flew, doors were rendered to ash. The building was soon engulfed in flames.
They sat up slowly, groaning.
"Ow," Jada hissed.
The limo pulled up. Hastily, the girls hoisted Jaiden inside.
"Oh no," Jada gasped. "Our purses!"
Another explosion answered her realization.
"Forget the damn purses," Laila snapped, shoving her inside. "Let's go!"
Slamming the doors shut, the limo drove off.
Bowman awoke, groaning. She looked around, the burning building a somber reminder of what happened.
"Oh my God," she breathed.
_________
Jada snapped one of the smelling salts, placing it under Jaiden's nose.
He sat up, dazed. Groaning, he rubbed his forehead.
"Jaiden?" Ciema asked softly.
He turned to them, eyebrow raised.
Jada questioned, "Jaiden, are you okay?"
He turned to his wrist, spotting the cuff. The pieces slowly came together.
"No..." he muttered.
"Jaiden?" Laila called.
Jaiden turned to them, his gaze filled with rising anger.
"Jaiden..." Ciema reached towards his hand. "We weren't able to catch Aleen. But we saved you."
He pulled his hand away.
Ciema leaned back.
"You had one job," he pronounced every word. "And you abandoned the mission to save me? Your mission continues whether I'm alive or not."
"But..." Jada whispered.
"No," he cut in.
The girls jolted.
"Aleen was to be captured," he affirmed flatly. "That was your objective. Those were my orders. And you failed."