(4 years ago, Panther's POV)
Pierce's rebel forces were still small. A group of fewer than 50, including his adopted son, Fenix.
I was with him in Alpha, removed from school early and trained in combat because of my power's unique stealth abilities.
I hated it.
I hated the intense training. I hated having to kill people on the orders of a government that despised me.
I hated being pulled away from the few friends I had in school.
But... I truly respected Commander Pierce, so when he defected and formed a rebellion, I joined him without question.
I rarely had to hurt anyone under Pierce's orders. He usually sent me on missions to gather intel, get copies of maps, deactivate cameras or eavesdrop on the conversations of important officials. Fenix came along as backup in case I got found out.
He didn't talk much, but when I looked at him, he'd always smile. His face was so stunning that people would willingly line up and pay money just to get a glimpse of it. I felt tongue-tied whenever I thought of speaking to him during the first few missions together. So... I didn't talk much either.
He smiled easily with everyone in the group, but there was a wall up. He wouldn't let anyone touch him outside of combat training and he never spent time with the others during breaks.
It took me a whole year to start casual conversations with him on missions.
"It's so hot, I don't feel like doing this," I groaned through my headset to Fenix, who was watching through binoculars a hundred yards away.
"Then hurry up so we can go home," he replied playfully.
It felt like we'd become friends, so I was moved.
My mission this time was to retrieve a detailed map of Maledictus Academy's layout. The school had cameras set up in the hallways, but as I moved through the shadows I could see there wasn't much supervision over the students, outside of class.
The school was also outfitted with the latest ability detectors, but because my ability was of the non-lethal variety, it didn't trigger any alarms.
I found the information I needed in the dean's office. It was locked away in a safe. All I had to do was move my hand into the shadows of that safe to retrieve the USB and documents hidden inside.
"Got it," I whispered to Fenix, while being sure to stay concealed.
"Good. It looks like they haven't noticed you, so hurry back."
I drifted through the shadows, moving at lightning speed and emerging from the one cast by Fenix.
We put on our disguises and headed down the stairs from the rooftop. The silence was deafening so I destroyed it.
"Got any plans for when we get back?"
Even though the building was filled with people, this conversation should be vague enough that no one will pay us any attention.
"I don't," Fenix replied indifferently. This is my chance... but it's taking all my willpower to push through my nerves.
"Why don't we do something together then? I've recently learned to fish and-"
"No."
He cut me off. His reply was blunt and cold. It hurt because I thought we had gotten close.
"... There's this movie that I wanted to see," I began again.
"Then watch it with someone else."
His response cut me deeply. I could no longer say a word.
We walked for miles. When we made it to the vehicle hidden for us deep in the forest, I sat in the passenger seat, relieved to finally rest.
Fenix said nothing as he cranked up the car, but my eyes were drawn to him.
"... What do you like to do in your free time?" I asked.
He kept his eyes ahead and at first, it seemed like he was going to ignore me, but then he replied,
"I train... and after that I reflect on my day."
His answer didn't sound interesting... yet I was intrigued regardless.
"What kinds of things do you reflect on?" I pressed.
"... Everything... each experience I have," he explained. I listened to the roar of the engine, with my gaze still on him.
"... Why?"
He glanced at me after this question and I felt embarrassed to be caught staring.
"Sometimes things are overlooked in the moment, but... when I reflect, I notice more and... I become more aware in the future."
He looked so serious, in that moment. It felt like he had truly opened up to me.
It was the next day that we finally regrouped with the others.
"Welcome back guys!" Our teammates greeted. Fenix smiled but headed straight for Pierce's tent without a word.
"Did everything go smoothly?" Winter asked. I tore my eyes from Fenix's back and looked at her.
"Of course it did. I never fail a mission," I replied.
My cockiness made her laugh and shove my shoulder.
"Show off," she muttered and the others joined in, hurling teasing insults my way.
I didn't have another mission with Fenix over the next two years and without that, it was hard to find an excuse to interact. That must have been when I realized that our friendship was just my own delusion.
I had pretty much given up when word of his infiltration mission was spread.
Pierce planned to send Fenix to Maledictus Academy as a student to figure out the best time to liberate the school. He'd use Fenix's intel to determine the time and the information gathered from our last mission to invade without being detected.
I knew Fenix would be away for months, but he'd return and it's not like we ever spoke anyway. So, I didn't make a fuss.
I was playing Old Maid with Coal when Fenix's first report arrived. Tinka had designed a pair of books that would update automatically with messages written in the other. It was the easiest way to relay messages without getting detected and no one but the owners could open the books.
Coal skimmed over what was sent and he chuckled under his breath.
"What is it?" I asked, curiously. Coal waved me over and said,
"Come read this."
I walked over and glanced over his shoulder. Fenix had written:
"Day 1: It's my first day, everything is going well. I met a girl named Aura. She went all out on me in combat class, it was exhilarating. In a few months there will be a tournament, all the students will be in one location at that time. I think that would be the best time for us to move.
Day 2: I spoke to Aura again, my presence seems to unsettle her, but I can't seem to stay away. I asked her to be friends, but I won't let it get in the way of our mission. I'm sure I can get her on our side; she'll be a great asset. This is a real friendship; I'm not acting or putting up a front with her. So be sure to give her special consideration when she comes to the island.
Day 3: I need help. I am experiencing so many new emotions with this friendship. It's getting in the way of my thoughts. Can a drug be prepared to help me focus? This is driving me insane."
Panther's heart quivered as she read the sentences, over and over.
"It's only been three days, and he's already made his first friend." Coal noted coolly, "Or perhaps it's his first crush."
I was devastated but I'm smart enough not to let it show. So, I masked my feelings with a giggle,
"Wow you might be right," I agreed, but I felt queasy. I don't like this reality.
Time passed and Aura popped up in almost every report, it's almost as if he couldn't think about anything but her. He never described how she looked but I got curious, so I hacked into the student database. I found a copy of her ID there. The picture quality was bad, and it was taken from an unflattering angle, even so, she was absolutely gorgeous. The perfect match for someone like Fenix.
I never felt lacking before that, but after seeing her, I felt like if I had been prettier... maybe he'd have wanted to be my friend too.
About two months before liberation day, Fenix delivered another troubling message. Coal was willing to let me read everything and like a glutton for punishment, I did.
"Day 72: I proposed to Aura. I know it seems sudden, we were just friends yesterday, but things happened to escalate the situation, and I couldn't hold back anymore. I crafted a pair of rings for us, so when she boards the Thunderbird, treat her as if she's already my wife."
It was... one of the most heartbreaking things I'd ever read.
I decided to spare myself after that. The next time I heard anything from Fenix was the day after the Academy's liberation.
He couldn't even muster a smile when he looked at me... or anyone else for that matter. He was put in charge of a mission to free the prisoners of the Prison of the Bedeviled. I was shocked that it came so soon after freeing the academy students but happy to be travelling with Fenix again.
One evening, I caught him alone, staring out the window of the aircraft. He looked haggard... his eyes were slightly red... as if he'd been crying not too long ago, but that's ridiculous.
"I heard you were the one who advocated for this expedition," I said, being sure to keep my voice as easy going as possible. He glanced at me and I sat down next to him.
"That's true." His reply was short and disinterested.
"... That's admirable... you're so dedicated to freeing our people... and now you're even freeing the people who were incarcerated on our behalf." I commented, hoping to ease his mood. He sighed, then his neutral expression faltered. The sadness on his face was too much to bear; my heart ached.
"It wasn't me... The only reason I ever thought about the people imprisoned there was because of my fiancée."
My anxiety spiked so suddenly, I almost vomited.
"Her family has been trapped there for years, and I hadn't even considered them, because they're just regular people. I'm not admirable at all... I'm a bastard."
His voice cracked as he spoke, and a shadow fell over his face.
"I'm returning to my quarters," he announced, not bothering to hear a reply from me before he left.
During the whole mission, he was quieter than usual, more distant than usual and sad. Especially at night. I knew it was her fault, but I also knew there was nothing I could do to make him feel better.
He seemed irritated if I spoke to him about anything that wasn't about work, so I gave up trying.
It took us about a week to complete everything.
When we returned to Talitha, I expected him to stay away from Aura as much as possible, but they reunited almost immediately.
She came to him.
Their initial interaction was brief, but I witnessed color return to his face, and... he started smiling again as soon as they spoke.
So of course, I knew she was his fiancée when we met later, aboard the Thunderbird... but I pretended Fenix had told me.
Why?...
Because I wanted to stir up just a tiny bit of trouble between them.
Aura took the bait, but her suspicions towards him didn't last long at all. Next thing I know they were back to being lovey-dovey as if nothing had happened at all.