Aleen stepped into the room. Qiu Yue kicked him one more time before backing away.
"See?" She cooed, looming over him. "No one rescue is coming."
Jaiden burst into laughter.
Yongqiang glanced around, unnerved. Mr. Spencer braced against the wall.
Qiu Yue turned to Aleen, waiting for an answer.
Aleen watched him, her chest rising and falling.
"What's so funny?" She asked him.
"They're here," he coughed, turning on his side. "But they're not going to rescue me. They're here to complete the mission."
His eyes met hers. "To kill you."
__________
Maya Natsume lay in bed, stroking the photo frame. Her pillow was soaked from crying.
She wore a simple oversized T-shirt, bought by Jaiden from Greece, and white socks.
The photo was Jaiden, holding a Marlin aloft. He was dressed in a white shirt, worn under a blue floral vest and similar shorts. A fisherman's hat was fixed on his head.
His smile was dorky and lively.
Now she felt cold when she stared at it.
"ジェイデン… " she mumbled. " 私はあなたをとても憎んでいますが,あなたが死んだ今,あなたがいなくて寂しいです. "
Wyatt, her loyal camera-man, burst in. He wore a white Tee under a black leather jacket and tight blue jeans with unlaced sneakers.
He cocked his hand back, throwing bedsheets at her.
She rose from her bed, annoyed.
"何なの?今,悲しんでるんだから!" she snapped.
"Don't speak to me in Japanese," he snapped. "I've only watched anime."
"What is it, Wyatt?" She groaned. "I have no interest in your tarts."
"Giant airship," he gestured above. "In the sky. Heading to Times Square. And we're not covering it?"
"Why would I want to cover a plane?" Maya pouted, petting the photo.
"Because Jaiden's been kidnapped," he admitted.
Maya's head snapped up. "Jaiden's been kidnapped? You mean... he's alive?"
"Yeah," Wyatt huffed.
Maya tossed aside the sheets, screaming. She scrambled to her feet, and brushed past him.
She berated him, " どうしてもっと早く起こしてくれなかったの?急いで!急いで! "
"I told you I don't understand you!" he called after her.
Minutes later, the news van sped down the street.
Maya, now dressed in a cream peplum skirt suit, smacked his arm impatiently.
"Drive faster!" She urged.
"Sorry," he retorted. "There's a lot of traffic everywhere."
"I said hurry," she pushed. "I want the airship on camera. Think of it as redemption for not capturing the Amazons at Hexcorp."
"Can you blame me?" Wyatt argued. "Those girls kicked ass."
_____________
In the gym, Ray sipped her smoothie, joining the crowd who amassed around the television.
"What's going on?" Ray asked.
"Some rich dude got kidnapped," Marshall chuckled. "Name's Jaiden I think."
"Oh my," Ray exclaimed. "What's the police doing?"
"Evacuating everyone," Marshall replied. "Something about a bomb, like fifteen thousand-"
Her smoothie smacked his head, spilling the contents on his shoulders, head and back. He spun around, brow raised.
"What?" Ray snapped. "Let's get everyone out, now!"
"But we're not near Times Square," Marshall argued.
"I don't care," Ray grimaced at him. "I don't want to find out whether we're safe when the bombs hit. Get everyone out!"
Marshall nodded and ran off to alert the other men.
Ray took out her phone, and called Laila's number. She prayed that she'd answer.
Nothing.
Ray lowered the phone, sighing.
Where has Laila gone? Ever since their fight, she's never returned.
Chad, who usually enjoyed wailing on the weaker guys, voiced for Laila's return, arguing he simply missed fighting her and making her lose.
Yet his worry hinted more than just strictly platonic feelings.
"Hey," Chad jogged up to Ray. "Any news on Laila? Our spar couldn't have made her quit, right?"
"She's a stubborn girl," Ray smiled. She turned, gazing at Laila's picture nailed to a gym's bulletin board. "She doesn't give up that easily."
"C'mon Laila," Ray whispered.
__________
In the Guytan residence, Mrs. Guytan joined her children — Henry, Connor, Kenny, Catherine, Emmie and John — on the living room couch.
"I've been calling Jada," Mr. Guytan said quickly, sitting down. "Nothing."
"Poor Jada," Mrs. Guytan said. "She must be so worried."
"What if she's been kidnapped," Emmie breathed.
"Now that's ridiculous," Kenny dismissed it. "But not out of the question."
Connor nodded in agreement.
"Jada's fine," John smiled. "She can handle a broken heart. I'm sure she can handle her boss being kidnapped."
"Let's pray," Mrs. Guytan said, offering her hand.
Henry took it firmly, the jokester of the family was quieter than usual. He had no witty comment, or smug rebuttal.
The others joined hands as well. Mr. Guytan took Catherine's hand, his hat hiding his teary eyes.
"That Mr. Maximoff is returned to this soil safely," Mrs. Guytan said solemnly, bowing her head.
___________
"The UFO has been spotted by the Empire State Building," said Hani Bryant, a reporter from the BBC. "The FBI has been unable to slow it down."
Cornelia, dressed in a pink bodycon nightgown, squeezed her handkerchief tightly.
She sat in her living room, a huge mirror tucked behind a teal enclosed TV stand. Teal French curtains hung in front of a closed window, a chandler glinted above.
A glass coffee table separated a sofa from a white armchair
Cornelia sat in a teal armchair, her pink lacy nightgown crinkled as she leaned forward, eyes glued to the screen. Grey hair, tied with chair curlers, was hidden under a bonnet.
"Oh God, Jaiden," Cornelia sobbed. "Just when I came to terms with his death, he calls me. Then he's taken from me, again!"
She wiped her eyes, preventing her mascara to stained her cheeks. Her eyelids painted with purple eyeshadow and her blush was messily applied.
Ophelia, Cornelia's grand-nice, was dressed in a yellow floral tea dress. Her white heels clicked against the floor as she approached with a tray.
"Don't worry," Ophelia smiled, pouring hot, brewing tea into the cup. "He'll be rescued, right?"
Olivia, her grand-daughter sat at her feet. She wore an off shoulder blue peasant dress that reached her knees. White flats fidgeted as she glanced up at her grandmother.
"Who could possibly save him?" Cornelia wept. She blew her nose loudly.
Olivia flinched, covering her head.
"They're doing everything they can," Ophelia assured her, handing her the cup.
Cornelia took it as it quaked in her hand. "They're not doing enough!"
_______
"Are we there yet?" Aleen snapped, pacing the room.
"Times Square is further than you think," Mr. Spencer replied, typing hurriedly. "I have rigged the doors to release the bombs the second we loom over."
Yongqiang sank his fist into Jaiden's abdomen. Jaiden coughed violently. He punched him again and again.
Jaiden's gasps of pain filled the room with every blow.
"That's enough," Aleen said, swinging the revolver in her hand.
Yongqiang stood up, spitting on his face.
"I should change you out of these clothes," she began. "Put you in something funeral-worthy."
"You keep saying you're going to kill me," he panted, biting through the pain. "Just do it."
"It'll be soon Jaiden," Aleen assured him.
"No, do it now," Jaiden urged. "If you don't kill me now, I'll swear I'll kill you later."
The Amazons reeled as the ship banked to the left. They clutched the railing, spotting five men ahead.
As the ship righted, Laila charged. She swung a right hook, knocking the guard to the ground.
She ducked a left and launched an uppercut right under the other's jaw. He fell hard.
Jada drove a roundhouse kick into one guard's chin. Another lunged. She twisted away just as the kick slicked past her ribs.
Laila surged in to assist Jada, blocking the strike and clamping a hand around his throat. With a violent shove, she sent him crashing to the floor, then finished with a brutal punch to the jaw.
Ciema weaved two punches from the fourth guard then back flipped into a kick, knocking him to the ground.
Ciema raised her hands, forgetting she's on an airship and not the spring floor.
She lowered them, noting Laila and Jada's stares.
"I have never seen you do that shit before," Laila commented.
"I did gymnastics in high school," Ciema clarified.
Jada and Laila exchanged looks, nodding in approval.
They moved forward.
Aleen's heel struck his face. Jaiden rolled, groaning. Warm blood sprang from his nose.
Aleen stepped away, twirling the revolver in her hand. "Very well. Qiu Yue finish him."
Jaiden sighed, closing his eyes.
Qiu Yue approached him, like grass in the breeze.
Laila tossed a man over her as Jada kicked another guard's jaw. Ciema swept the third guard's legs under him. He fell hard, grunting.
She checked her device. "That's all of them. We're almost there. Hippolyta. Penthesilea. Go!"
The two abandoned their victim, rushing ahead.
Qiu Yue knelt beside him, her bladed fan pressed to his neck.
"Any last words?" She asked coyly.
" 千祈唔好錯過,秋月," he warned. "因為我啲亞馬遜唔會. "
She drew her hand back.
The door was kicked open.
Aleen looked up, shocked.
Jaiden's breath hitched his throat. Tears sprung to his eyes.
His Amazons had come at last.
Laila whipped out her pistol, the barrel aimed at Qiu Yue. She pulled the trigger, the bullet pierced the air. It hit her right in the scapula.
She screamed as she fell, clutching the wound in pain.
Yongqiang sprang to his feet, running towards Jada. Jada ran to him, launching herself off the ground. Her heels drove in his belly, sending him reeling to the ground.
Mr. Spencer made a mad dash towards the door. Laila sheathed her gun, grabbing his arm.
"Where you going?" She snapped, slamming his weak body against the wall.
He grunted, dropping his laptop.
She drew her combat knife, pressing it to his belly.
"That's right," she hissed. "There's no one to save your sorry ass."
"Enough!" Aleen barked.
The two Amazons turned to see Aleen aiming the revolver at Jaiden.
"Surrender or he dies," she snapped.
Ciema ran in, stopping dead in her tracks.
"Surrender now!" she yelled.
Ciema rushed towards the laptop and knelt. "T.I.F.F.A.N.Y."
The device scanned the laptop, dissecting the code.
"Hey—" Mr. Spencer began.
"Shut up," Laila hissed.
"Didn't you hear what I said?" Aleen chuckled. "He will die!"
Jada didn't answer. She ran, leaping into the air.
"Hi-yah!" She shouted.
Aleen turned as Jada's heel met her jaw.
She crashed to the ground.
Jada whipped around, drawing her knife. She cut the zip ties around his ankles and wrists.
Laila threw Mr. Spencer to the ground. "Move and I'll gut you."
He curled up, shivering.
Aleen groaned, unaware as Laila surged towards her. She was yanked to her feet.
Laila dealt a clean punch to her jaw. Aleen dropped to the ground.
The Amazon picked her up, and threw another blow.
Aleen fell.
Laila clamped her hand around her throat, hoisting her to her feet.
"Put 'em up," she demanded before hitting her again.
"That's for his family," Laila spat.
She hit her right in the face. Blood dripped from her nose.
"That's for Thea and Tiffany," she snapped.
She punched her, hitting her chin. Blood splattered on the floor.
"That's for screwing with Mr. Mace and Chi Chi!"
Laila he gripped her throat tightly— her breath shaky from fury.
"And this," she whispered, eyes burning, "is for Jaiden."
She struck her once more—then let her fall.
Dazed, Aleen blinked her eyes slowly.
"Disarm them," Ciema ordered.
In the storage room, the red lights switched off, plunging the room into darkness.
"Bombs disarmed," T.I.F.F.AN.Y. announced.
"No!" Mr. Spencer screamed.
Ciema flashed him a glare. "Shut it."
Jaiden scrambled to his feet, tearing his shirt off.
He picked up the revolver than staggered towards her.
"Aleen!" He yelled with blood-curling fury.
He leveled the barrel at her head, his finger tight in the trigger.
"Woah," Jada said, rising to her feet. "I thought we're taking her to jail?"
"No," Jaiden snapped. "Today, she dies."
Jada reached for his wrist. "You can't kill her, boss."
"Why not?" Laila snapped. "After what's she done, she deserves it."
"True justice is not like this," Jada argued. "She will pay for what she's done. I promise you."
Jaiden's lip quivered. Tears stung his eyes. "I don't believe you."
"I do," Laila replied quietly. She gripped his bare shoulder. "Don't do it, Jaiden"
Ciema approached him slowly from behind. Her arms wrapped him, her head pressed against his upper back.
"Jaiden, we're here," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You're safe."
The revolver slipped from his fingers. It struck the ground with a thud.
________
Below, chaos erupted in the streets as law enforcement directed teeming crowds to safety.
Bowman watched with bated breath. Miller chewed on his nail.
The airship flew over. No bombs dropped.
Bowman sighed as agents cheered.
But dread filled her. Where was the ship going?
________
The pilot felt a barrel pressed to his neck.
"The East River," Jaiden ordered. "Now."
The ship creaked as it turned.
Laila and Jada grunted as they threw Yongqiang and Qiu Yue into the back.
"Why did we patch her?" Laila glared at the bandage.
"Would you have slept well tonight if she died?" Jada questioned.
"Yes," Laila said flatly.
The ramp hissed as it opened.
Jada turned the truck key. "Autopilot on," T.I.F.F.A.N.Y. announced.
Mr. Spencer dragged Aleen as Ciema clipped on the parachute.
"She dies, we'll find you," she threatened.
The truck lurched forward, sliding down before falling out of the aircraft.
It transformed, its wheels disappeared and jet propellers shot out.
The truck began to fly down to Times Square.
Jada and Laila gasped in unison, "I didn't know it could fly."
The news van skidded to a stop. Maya hopped, Wyatt after her.
"Why the East River?" Wyatt whined.
"Because that's the place they'll crash it," she rebutted. "Think Wyatt!"
Mr. Spencer jumped, Aleen in tow. He pulled the string. The chute launched. Slowly, they began their descent.
"That's all of them," Ciema said, holding aloft the parachute. "But only one's left."
"This will suck in the next few months," Laila groaned.
"We can never operate in secret again," Jada frowned.
"There's only one way out of this," Ciema said.
They nodded.
Jaiden approached them, eyes scanning them. He handed Ciema a radio. "I found this."
Ciema muttered, "Thank you."
He tilted his head. "Are you alright?"
They turned, smiles bloomed across their faces. "Yeah," Ciema smiled.
"I know the tone," Jaiden's eyes narrowed. "What are you planning?"
"Your safety," Laila said, handing him the parachute.
Jaiden slipped it on. Laila grabbed the straps, then pushed towards the ramp.
The wind bristled through his red hair. He glanced behind him, seeing the East River.
He grabbed Laila's wrist. "I won't allow it. Mission accomplished. Please come with me, girls."
"We can't," Laila softly smiled, releasing him. She kissed his cheek. "Goodbye, Jaiden."
Jada kissed his other cheek. "Goodbye Jaiden."
Ciema stood before him. Jaiden shook his head.
She leaned in, her lips inches from his. "Goodbye Jaiden."
She pushed him off.
Jaiden fell, hand stretched towards them.
The Amazons held hands, closing their eyes.
The aircraft descended suddenly, creaking lowly.
Jaiden, inhaling deeply, pulled the string.
Maya gasped as it hit the water. The aircraft groaned as it began to sink.
___________
Bowman's radio cackled. She raised it, pinning it to her ear.
It was a familiar voice. Not Jaiden's. Not Aleen's.
A smug smile tugged at her lips.
She exited the truck just as Maya and Wyatt ran up to her.
"Agent Bowman," Maya greeted. "Is Jaiden Maximoff truly dead?"
"It's mostly likely he survived," she announced.
Cornelia jumped her chair, cheering.
The Guytans leapt, John and Connor dancing happily.
"And the Amazons?" Maya pushed, hiding a relieved smile.
"There's been some confusion," Bowman spoke. "Those were international spies. We don't know what country. The Amazons don't exist. Never have."
She excused herself, marching up the hill.