Go.

As in... Leave Robin here alone...

With Him.

That... was a plan to rival my stair-climbing adventure in stupidity.

No doubt about it. Leaving Robin here was incredibly risky... Even careless.

And I wasn't the only one bulking at the thought.

Despite still being angry, even wary of the petite girl, Alex looked about ready to drag her out of here himself... And upset even more so because he couldn't.

I could easily recognise the grumpy grimace on the small child's face...and finally realised how much Frustration had always played a part in Alex's perpetual foul mood.

He hated being helpless.

Nigel, despite being the strongest person in the room right now, was completely indecisive. The Joker shifted anxiously, obviously not liking this turn of events, but chose not to voice his own trepidation.

Instead, Nigel searched our faces for an answer... And when I stayed grimly silent... He looked to Vain.

Who actually seemed to be considering the option, facing the problem with calm calculation.

Of course.

Unlike us, Vain wasn't emotional... Or stubbornly moral... Or completely irresponsible.

Yea, the three of us weren't exactly kept around for our... decision-making skills.

But Vain was my childhood friend.

When it comes to bossing idiots around so that they don't get themselves killed...

He is a Master.

Vain wasn't looking at Robin.

He was looking the sword at her side.

He saw the threat she held.

The grim fact that this was our best option.

Shooting Jack or forcing her would only turn Robin against us.

The only question was... Would it be worth it?

Would the security and satisfaction from killing Jack be worth Robin's ire? All the backlash that came with the terrible deed of killing someone in cold blood?

Vain's gaze went from studying Robin's back... to Jack.

Vain was undeniably tempted.

Even as a kid, it was obvious Vain was never really a fan of people. He had a way of seeing flaws and was harshly judgemental at the best of times. Despite this, I rarely had the feeling that he hated anyone...

In the same way, you don't hate a cockroach... Just tolerate its way of life and decide not to befriend it.

Vain hated Jack. Wanted to hurt him.

It was scary, ugly almost... But it was real.

Which made his restraint all the more impressive.

Vain was a leader. Strong enough to make the tough decisions.

He wouldn't risk pissing Robin off... Not if he didn't have to.

He wouldn't choose her safety over our lives.

He wouldn't let his hatred for Jack blind him to what had changed.

Vain glared down at the creature who had hurt him years ago, had killed me so recently that the blood still stained my dress.

Experiment 3181523 stared back.

Watching.

Tired. Wary...

And Curious.

Vain was good at understanding motivations. Even as my friend, he called me out on my need to be the hero. My desire to be seen as someone who could be counted on.

I'm sure he could see it too.

Jack's missing smile.

Even as I learned more about him, I could never really understand why Jack was so adamant on causing harm...

At first, I thought he just enjoyed being cruel. After what he had said at the Shrink Program, I thought maybe he was afraid to be anything else.

From Cassandra, I had learned Jack didn't really have a reason. He fulfilled his purpose because that was all he had.

Jack was cruel. Jack was a monster. Jack would always choose the darkest path.

That was Jack.

To be Jack... That was how he had to act.

But Jack hadn't done anything since Robin revealed their past. Had barely shown emotion at all.

The Jack we knew would have used the confusion to gain the upper hand. Would have taken the chance to turn us against Robin.

Not to save himself, not to gain anything, but for amusement. To screw with us to the very end.

The fact that he hadn't done what Jack was supposed to do...

He had been telling us all along.

The monster we all hated, all feared...

Never existed.

Jack didn't exist. Was just a role to be played. It came with memories. Came with guidelines on how to act.

Jack could never change.

Would never seek redemption.

But... There was a chance... Experiment 3181523... Could be different.

There was a thin line between Jack.... and the person who had been forced to be Jack for so long.

Robin was right. If left alone, he would turn back into Jack.

But with her there to anchor him to his real memories...

A risk Robin was willing to take.

Finally, Vain glanced over at me.

Despite never seeming to agree with my opinion... Vain always considered it... Often plotting to use it against me...

It may have been why he had ignored me before... When he was faced with the choice to kill Jack.

If he had listened to me, then, acknowledged my reaction to his murderous intentions.

He would have lost his nerve.

A small spark of relief came with the realisation.

Vain hadn't stopped caring about my feelings.

He had been afraid to face them...

.... Every good leader needs a conscience.

And I was even the right size to sit on his shoulder.

All I needed now... are wings and a toga.

Under Vain's questioning gaze, I grimaced disapprovingly, tapping my foot against the floor of my cage.

My stance on this was clear from the beginning.

I didn't want anyone to die.

And I sure as Hell didn't want Cassandra to have the satisfaction of turning Vain into a ruthless killer.

Even if it meant dying at Jack's hand a million times over.

With a sigh, Vain lowered his weapon, clicking on the safety with practised ease.

"Do what you want." He said to Robin, lifting his white jacket to tuck the gun back into his hiding place...

Presumably... Can't really say, since I found myself suddenly very interested in my shoes the moment jackets started failing their purpose.

Protecting innocent maidens such as myself against the sight of smooth white skin...

"Just don't let him escape before we're done... Or kill you." Vain added as an afterthought.

What a softy.

"Thank you," Robin said gently.

Jack pulled an irritated face.

Sure a sudden change of heart isn't really realistic. He'll probably always be a creepy Jerk...

But we can maybe hope for a less murdery one, right?

If Robin was willing to try...

"Oi! Experiment 3181523. "

Purple eyes flickered to me, and I stiffened instinctively, glaring back to hide my fear.

"Don't expect everyone to be like Robin Birdbrain. There's no way I'm going to remember all those fricking numbers." I crossed my arms, chin held high. "You better use this time to come up with a nickname or something... Or I'll just resort to calling you Asshole from now on."

Experiment 3181523 stared at me.

"Piss off. I still hate your guts."

I grinned.

"I know. And I'll never let you forget it."

He grimaced... Looking at me like I was the most annoying, embarrassing thing on the planet.

Still an improvement from creepy smiles and perverted sadism!

Baby steps.

"No." Suddenly Vain was right there, taking the cage from Alex's hands and raising me up to eye level. "No getting friendly with the science Experiment. I forbid it."

Crap. Stay cool. Vain's finally acting normal again....just don't focus on how close his face is.

I glared into narrowed red eyes, feeling my cheeks puff up with outrage.

"But Alan and Alex are science Experiments!"

He didn't bat an eyelid.

"I don't like them either."

Fair enough.

"But-! "

"No associating with anyone creepy, homicidal or perverted Maddison, and that's final."

"But that rules out all my friends!"

Nigel made a hurt sound.

"Perverted." Vain and I both answered before he could ask.

Since when did Vain start thinking he could tell me what to do....? Well, since always really... It's not like I ever actually listened though...

Still, I stomped a frustrated foot, throwing an accusing finger at Vain.

"You just want to keep me to yourself!"

His eyes twisted dangerously.

"Correct."

"Then-wait what?!"

If the universe wouldn't mind rewinding, I think I need that run by me again... Maybe a couple of times even... Purely for research purposes.

Vain tucked my cage under his arm, ignoring my sputtering as he started walking from the room.

Sharing a glance, Alex and Nigel followed without a word, ensuring that my own indignant squawking would be the loudest sound in the room.

Save my life? Sure, any day, Maddison. Stop me from making a fool out of myself?

Nah.

"Let me out Damn it!" I demanded when my brain finally remembered how to use words good. "I'm going to rip your eyelashes out one by one!"

Why was I still even in this thing?

"Can't," Vain said simply.

Oh. Can't.

"Why. Not?"

Behind us, Nigel blanched.... guiltily

I felt a familiar chill.

Ah...

Deja vu.

My old foe.

"Locked."

Oh. Locked.

Well.

I slowly turned my head to look, Alex.

That's news to me.

The small boy gave a sheepish shrug.

"I knew you would freak out if I told you."

My glare intensified.

"... I was waiting for back up."

Oh, That's right! All my friends are Jerks.

Now it's official. I'm a horrible judge of character.

Snarling under my breath, I ran to the door of my cage, peering over the side.

Yep. Padlock.

"Get the key off him before we leave then!" I clawed through the bars towards Experiment 3181523.

Vain peered down at me as we drew close to the threshold.

"What makes you think he has the key?" Vain grimaced. "Or that I'm willing to waste my time trying to coax it out of him?"

Yea... When he put it like that... Even I would rather just wait for the bolt cutters.

There was still a small ray of hope in my heart, though.

I looked back at where Robin and Experiment 3181523 sat together.

Purple eyes met my own, saw my desperation.

Jack smiled.

Waving bye-bye as we left the room.

All I could do is scream promises of revenge as I was carried off down the hall.