~Firelight Hideout~
"Well, well, well… look at what the ChemCat dragged back in."
"Long time no see," Atlas waved as some people recognized him and began to gather around.
"What the fuck?" Ray snapped, flying down and catching his hoverboard into a brisk walk. "Why the fuck are you back here?"
Atlas lowered his shirt slightly to show the bandages still wrapped tightly around his frame.
"Oh," Ray's aggressiveness slowed before reigniting. "Then why the fuck did it take you so long to come back?!"
"Knock it off, Ray," Scar growled as he and Ekko walked toward him. Ekko continued, "We do need an explanation though."
Sucking in a breath, Atlas began to explain what happened including what he told Jinx about Vi. By the end, Ekko looked stunned, running a hand through his white bundled locks.
"You told Jinx her sister is alive," Ekko breathed, shaking his head. "Are you nuts?! The moment she finds out you lied, she'll be hunting you down like a dog!"
"I'm not lying," Atlas shook his head, eyeing the others giving him doubtful looks. "Anyway, I came back, didn't I?"
"Bullshit. Don't change the subject," Ekko scowled. "The fact you even brought up her name is pissing me off." He pointed aggressively at him. "I don't want her name coming out of a coward's mouth. It's disrespectful."
"Coming back wasn't enough?" Atlas asked, arching a brow.
"Hell no! Not anymore! You spent years hiding while she went down fighting, same as my old man! Tagging along and coming back was supposed to prove you were in!"
"And if what you said is true," Ekko clenched his fists, "the fact that you knew and did nothing pisses me off."
A silence fell as everyone's temper began to rise with Ekko's anger. They glared at him, arms crossed, bodies shifting forward. Some even took a step closer.
Their leader is angry, Atlas observed, not giving ground. And so they mimic and follow because they trust him.
But I'm not in the mood to beg for forgiveness. It sucks, I wish I could make amends right now, but begging to be believed won't do anything except make me look desperate and pathetic.
I won't be welcomed as it is even if they let me stay.
"I don't have anything I want to say," Atlas finally said.
Ekko's eyes widened in shock before twisting back into disgust and anger.
"Other than I'll prove it by breaking her out. Is my stuff still here?"
"You?" Ray snorted. "Really? And who is honestly— OW!"
Scar smacked him across the back of the head and glared sharply, forcing Ray to shrink back sheepishly. Ekko, watching, crossed his arms again, still visibly agitated.
"It is. Same spot."
After pointing, Atlas walked back toward the treehouse and a few parted for him. The glares didn't fade, though some had already begun to disperse.
Ekko tossed him two orbs with yellow glowing bands running along their surface.
"We don't have a name for them yet," Ekko said as Atlas turned them in his hand. "But they—"
"Immobilize and restrict for a bit of time," Atlas finished.
Ekko blinked. "...Yeah. Five minutes. Were you talking to Kay before we left or were you sneaking around?"
Atlas sighed, slipping them into his satchel alongside his Chemflashes. Again, he realized telling the truth might not always be the best option.
"I had a look around."
"You snuck in," Ekko countered, irritation growing again. "There's only one entrance to her workshop and we always guard it."
That's what I get for trying to be a smartass.
Atlas sighed again, shrugging before turning and walking away, deciding it was best to just remain silent.
Once he left, Ekko muttered to Scar, "I didn't realize he was so sneaky. Must've learned it from Jinx."
"I don't like it," Scar grumbled. "I don't like him. We gave two tools to a liar. What if he sells them? Or gives them to Silco or Jinx?"
"I don't think he would do that. He might be a coward but I don't think he would do something like that. He snuck past you," Ekko replied, glancing up and forcing Scar to look away in quiet frustration.
"He has a chance to pull it off if he snuck past you. And if he gets caught then he gets what he deserves for bullshitting."
Scar's disgruntled gaze returned to him. "And if he runs back to our enemy to make amends?"
"He won't. Silco's goons would've attacked by now if he wanted to take us down."
"...Fine."
------
~Night - Sump Docks~
Tossing one of the yellow crystal bombs Ekko gave him in his palm, Atlas stared from outside the barbed fencing at the Enforcer-guarded loading dock. There wasn't a moon out so the only lighting came from nearby Chemtech and the well-maintained lamps lining the center path leading to the aerial tramways.
It was honestly a shit design.
The Enforcer fencing was surrounded by cargo from other vessels on the dock, allowing for easy hiding and maneuvering to scout the perimeter.
No wonder Jinx and Sevika practically waltzed in here in Arcane, Atlas thought from behind a crate, eyeing the handful of Enforcers walking the perimeter.
They're arrogant and clearly doubt any Undercity rat would be brave enough to attempt a prison break. The problem, however, will be the same. I need to steal an Enforcer's uniform. Preferably two...
Atlas's vision suddenly went dark and a dainty hand muffled his surprised noise as he was pulled back into someone.
"Missed me, Mr. Fritter?" a mischievous voice giggled behind him. "EW!"
She flicked her hands away immediately, shaking them with a disgusted look. Atlas slowly turned his head, his tongue still partially stuck out.
"Bleh."
"Yuck!" Jinx complained, wiping her hand on her shirt. "Weirdo!"
Wearing her typical circus pants and crop-top with gloved hands and forearms, she also had a satchel slung around her shoulder similar to Atlas.
"Look at us," she suddenly whispered excitedly, arms spreading wide before pointing up at the dark sky. "No moon, dead of night, two love-bugs with evil plans to break into the biggest prison for a prison break!"
"Whatcha got in there?" Atlas asked curiously, nodding toward her satchel.
"I can ask the same to you," Jinx said, peering at his as her fingers made twiddling motions forward. "WhatCHU got?"
"Stuff for my evil plan."
"Well I got stuff for an evil plan too, and you can't look."
"Since when was breaking your sister out evil?"
Jinx shrugged. "Sounds better than a 'good' prison break. A prison break for good... sister break?"
She frowned, rubbing her chin as she tried to think of a better name. Atlas, meanwhile, glanced back at the perimeter making sure no one heard them before continuing.
"I'm not going to cause a scene," Atlas whispered. "The plan is to get in and get out without being seen."
"Otherwise I'll have an army of Enforcers waiting for me on this side. What about you? What's your..."
When Atlas looked back at Jinx, she was holding the fluttering Firelights in her hands at eye level, biting her lip as she stared at them with an adoring expression.
"Kaboom?" Jinx asked, looking up at him sweetly.
"No."
"Yes!"
"No!"
"I will stuff your mouth—!"
A floodlight swept over the crate they were hiding behind and both of them froze mid-motion until it passed. Atlas gripped Jinx's wrist as she tried to shove the angrily buzzing Firelights into his mouth, his other hand braced against her shoulder.
"If you want to help me then stop any unusually large amount of Enforcers after I get to Stillwater!" Atlas hissed, still wrestling with her.
"I was here first! My plan is better and more flashy! Yours is boring and lame!"
"Lame and boring is better! There are too many!"
"She's my sister! I'm going to do it my way!"
"Let me try first! If I get caught then you can blow me up too!"
She paused, looking up in thought as her body began to relax. "…That would be nice," she murmured, her eyes flicking back down at him. "And a good payback for lying to me…"
Her hand closed around the Firelights, her eyes widening with a smile.
"Okay!" she said, eerily innocent and with an equally eerie pleasant smile as she sat back onto her legs.
Jinx raised a finger warningly.
"But if you die, I'll kill you."
"Right," Atlas replied flatly, sitting up. He paused before looking her straight in the eyes.
"Thanks..."
"Don't thank me, thank god. Who is also me."
"Pfft," Atlas chuckled, shaking his head before gesturing back around the crate. "Want to help me nab some uniforms?"
"Ew… sure…?"