Despite being knocked to her hands and knees by a jarring shove from her teammate, Nightmare was back on her feet in seconds flat. She didn't waste any time wiping the forest dirt from herself as she summoned control of the shadows that lay useless after Voltage's sudden attack.

Instead of using them to darken the skies, she now aimed them for Voltage, curling her fingers into her palm as a shadow tightened around the traitor's neck. "What the ? Why would you do that?" Nightmare's face was expressionless as it always was, but the betrayal she felt was clear as day in her dark eyes.

This wasn't supposed to happen like this, Voltage thought, unable to say anything because of the darkness cutting off her air supply. She was being held right above the ground, her legs dangling in the air. She didn't panic, simply gasping out Nightmare's name for a chance to explain herself.

Attached to Voltage's back was a battery attached to her costume by the multiple straps that hang from her top. It wasn't usually a necessity, as she wasn't usually needed to fight with the rest of Mighty. She was used for intel, mostly, as she saved the major extent of her power. Yet in this case, it was needed.

Using the current from the battery, she redirected the energy into her right hand. It wasn't an enormous amount of electricity, but it was more than enough to knock Nightmare back on her when Voltage sent it in her direction.

She fell to her knees as the shadow dissolved without Nightmare's control. Coughing on the lack of breath she'd been given, she was barely able to muster up a quick explanation. "I'm sorry, Night."

Even angrier now that she'd been shocked, Nightmare pulled herself up again. She had nothing to say to Voltage. As far as she was concerned, she was now the enemy. The woman moved her hair out of her face, took a deep breath, and began hurling shadow after shadow to her opponent. Each shadow took the form of a small but dangerous object, like a hammer or a dagger.

Voltage hadn't even finished catching her breath before she had to begin dodging these attacks. "Night, wait! Just to listen to me. I was just trying to stop you because I saw some Ring guys coming our way."

Each woman paused, and each bent forward with their hands on their knees to breathe momentarily. Nightmare never took her eyes from Voltage, glaring at the other woman. "Bull."

"You know I'm not used to fighting, like you guys are. I'm intelligence and training, mostly. You know this." Voltage was sure that Nightmare wasn't entirely sure, but she could see the doubt that her words caused. At the very least, it stopped the attacks. Voltage wasn't prepared for such improvisation, but she continued either way. She knew The Ringmaster needed more information from her before she was able to finally leave The Might. And she couldn't let this keep her from finishing the plan. "I'm sorry, but you were so focused. I had to get your attention somehow."

The truth was that Voltage could see them in the distance, Supernova and Ogong, about to close in on the camp as Nightmare took away their light. And without knowing where Yeo was, Voltage stopped it to give The Ring enough time to flee.

"Whatever." Nightmare didn't press it further, knowing that Voltage's explanation made sense. She had worked hard to be considered for Mighty, and she was almost there. Nightmare wasn't going to let Voltage it up for her. "But don't put your ing hands on me again."

The two turned to the field that The Ring had made their camp in. Mighty's plan had gone to , and chaos ensued. The Ring were trying to quickly pack and flee, but groups of them were being cut off and fought by the heroes.

On the opposite side of the field, Supernova had harnessed the abilities of the Gemini and replicated himself. His twin physically fought several villains off while he turned back to help Ogong. One of the reasons he picked Gemini was for its control of air. Supernova wasn't as versed in the ability as Ogong, especially when half of his energy was being focused in his twin, but he could provide assistance.

Mere seconds passed before Supernova's replica faded into nothing, and he felt the energy leaving his body. It was so crippling he hadn't even noticed the small hand on his shoulder, pressing him down to the ground.

Ogong looked back to see The Ringmaster standing over Supernova's unconscious body, now sprawling out on the ground. His reaction was quick, and his jabs were even faster. Using the air, each time he pulled his elbows back to gain momentum for another punch, it was even harder than the last.

Each was aimed for her chest, and though they didn't all land, it was enough to knock the wind out of her. She'd fallen back on the ground, next to Supernova, coughing as she clutched her chest and wheezed in a few deep breaths.

"Simon says, leave now." The words first fell onto Voltage and Nightmare, who immediately began walking back the way they came upon hearing the words. Faye and Reverb were next, and now Ogong was the last to hear the words. 

When the heroes were out of sight, The Ring moved fast to help up The Ringmaster and get out of there as fast as possible. Supernova laid still on the ground, left behind in dirt and abandoned items.

The heroes walked for fifteen minutes before the effects of the ability wore off, and they regained control of themselves. "I hated that," Nightmare sighed.

"I'm going back to get Nova, but they're probably gone by now," Ogong explained before taking off towards the camp.

Faye set curious eyes on the other two women and asked, "You guys want to explain what happened back there?"

At the same time, Voltage and Nightmare answered, "Nope." Reverb continued staring at Voltage for a few seconds longer, but Faye seemed content to drop it, suggesting they get Zeus and VR Angel before returning to Headquarters.

Just as Ogong predicted, The Ring had already collected the rest of their things and swiftly moved as far from the campsite as possible. They were able to slow their pace once they felt secure in the distance they'd put between themselves and Mighty. It showed in every step the villains took that the constant moving, fighting, and living in fear took a toll on their bodies and their will. 

The Ringmaster lingered in the back, her feet moving slowly through the forest and her arm intertwined with Aisa's. Though the others who surrounded her were among her most loyal, Aisa was a different story. Her eyes were wary when she looked at him and her voice was low when she asked, "When are you planning to leave us again?"

"I haven't planned my leave, yet," he admitted quietly. His unoccupied hand was at his side, fingers tapping at his leg as he tried to calm his nerves. Because of her hold on him, Aisa wasn't able to listen to her thoughts.

"I'm actually surprised you returned after Dove freed you from Headquarters." The Ringmaster's eyes stayed on the man for a moment longer before she finally let her gaze fall. "You don't usually stay this long."

Aisa nodded in agreement. "In a week's time, I found your camp, was then taken by 777 and The Real along with your followers, randomly freed by Dove, and then attacked by Mighty. You could say I haven't had time to process." There was also... "And I wanted to make sure Gravi returned safely."

She smiled softly at the mention of her newest recruit. He had already shown such loyalty to her, finding her as soon as possible after taking the tonic. However, her smile fell quickly into a frown, looking out to her people. "He isn't safe, not like this. None of us are. We need somewhere to stay for a longer time to heal our injured and...process, as you call it."

"I assume you have somewhere in mind?"

There was hesitation, as she wondered whether she was trusting of Aisa enough to him where she planned to take her Ring. "Are you simply curious, or will you be joining us?" Aisa gave her a trying look, to which she chuckled and shrugged. "Fine. I won't be as tight-lipped as you, this time. I'm going to call on Boo."

Siren and La Voix had been hanging on their leader's every word from a few feet ahead, and they exchanged a glance before La Voix slowed his steps to be on the other side of The Ringmaster. "The Ghost? But she lives in Japan, doesn't she?"

Gravikinesis, since meeting Aisa and bonding in their glass prison and in their escape back to The Ring, hadn't strayed far from the man since coming back. He'd been trying to mind his business as his leader and new friend spoke, but his interest had been piqued by La Voix's question. "Who's The Ghost?"

"She's a minimal who hides in Japan after her twin sister died in The Might," Siren explained, feeling confident in speaking up since others were also doing so.

"Key word being Japan. We can't go to Japan, can we, Yeo?" La Voix asked, a deep frown settling onto his face. "I mean, some of us still have family here."

The Ringmaster nodded once. "It will not be forever, Min."

Gravikinesis was still stuck on the person instead of the place. "So, why is she hiding if she's just a minimal?"

Aisa shook his head, knowing better. "She's much more powerful than she lets on."

La Voix stopped walking and crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't want to go to Japan. We can find somewhere here to regroup. And Mori can heal anybody who needs it—"

"Enough!" The Ringmaster snapped. She stopped as well and let go of Aisa to come face to face with La Voix. He stood several centimeters taller than her, but she didn't seem intimidated in the slightest, eyes dark as she stared at him. "You're acting like a ing child, right now. I have already said it will not be forever. Our people are tired. Aisa isn't even fully with us, and this last week has left him weary. Will you take responsibility of the capture or deaths of our people if we stay and get found once again?"

The man said nothing for a few seconds, which felt like forever to those watching on the side. Finally, he shook his head. ", I know you're right, Yeo. I'm just scared that—"

Interrupting him again, she replied, "We're all scared, Min. If you need to stay, then stay. But we will be going to take some time to recover while being securely hidden at Boo's. Then, we will return." The Ringmaster waited for no response, turning away to take Aisa's arm once more. She gestured for the rest of her followers to continue on, letting La Voix make his own decision. 

"," La Voix muttered under his breath before following behind The Ring, trying to stop worrying about leaving his sister alone in the country while he was gone.

During the back and forth, Aisa had come to a silent decision. He wondered with the outburst just now if he should mention it to The Ringmaster, but he was certain that she felt how tense he'd gotten. "Yeo, I will you to the end of the forest, but I will take my leave at that point."

Her eyes filled with modest sadness, but she knew he wouldn't come all of the way with them. He kept his promise, staying with them until there were no more trees to hide them. "You know where to find us," she told him as they parted ways.

Gravikinesis ran up to Aisa and scooped him up into a hug before the older man could resist. "You'll come find us, right?"

The younger boy was endearing, and Aisa had genuinely taken a liking to him. "Maybe, Gravi. But don't worry. I'm sure Yeo was telling the truth about you guys coming back once you're all rested and healed."

Once all of the members of The Ring were out of his sight, Aisa sighed heavily and started in the opposite direction towards his home. It was within the first mile of walking that Aisa came to regret letting Yeo hold onto him for so long. Because he hadn't read anyone's mind for the better part of a few days, the power backfired on him.

It was as if someone turned a radio up to full volume in his head, and he fell to the ground in pain, holding onto his head. Unfortunately, Aisa had been passing through a town, and too many thoughts flooded his mind. Within a few minutes, the sensation was dying down. He could sit himself up at least, leaning back on his hands as he sat on the ground.

Before the voices in his head completely died down, Aisa caught two voices in particular. One was screaming relentlessly, and the other was quieter but much more sinister. The two voices had one thing in common: they were both focused on Aisa.

Turning his head to the side, he saw the two whose thoughts stood out to him. The screaming thoughts belonged to a blonde man, smiling at him with piercing ice blue eyes. The sinister thoughts belonged to the man next to him, dressed in a checkered cardigan that cropped to show his lower abdomen. 

He was also grinning at Aisa, bending down to get a closer look as he balanced his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand. "Hello, Aisa."