Los Angeles, WAL HQ
Zoe sat in the medical ward of what was left of the WAL HQ. After the Registration Act was put into effect the team head quarters were attacked by the government Blood still stained the parking lot grounds and shattered glass could still be seen along the tile floor. They were attacked at the foundation of their team... and yet... they still managed to survive. The team was still a bit roughed up, Zoe was lucky, only getting a few stitches and deep bruises.
"You need to take these antibiotics for at least ten days." Dr. Hope's voice caught the attention of hte young hero. "Your wounds should heal over just fine, but this is just for insurance."
Zoe nod her head, as she gave a small grin. "Thanks Doctor Hope." she stood up and walked out the door only to be met by her Aunt, Heather Johnsen, a former Feral Nova.
"Come with me." was in her newest motorized wheelchair, her last one getting demolished from the onslaught of the government. "I think Jason and I found a lead on who exactly began the Registration Act frenzy."
"Well yeah... it was those damn Knightfalls over in New York, one of them killed the Congressmen." Zoe used to have respect for the Knightfalls, they were like her, basically street level heroes making a difference, but after that... what were they thinking? "They say it wasn't them but-"
"It wasn't the Knightfalls." Heather spoke as the two entered the mission room as the mantel holder closed the door behind them. "Jason, Abigail and I have been looking into exactly who began the push for the registration act." She slid an manila envelope over to her niece.
Hesitant, the young teen opened it, what was she about to get herself into?
"The group we think is responsible are called 'The Cardinals'." she paused for a moment to allow the hero to read up a bit. "We believe the woman who runs the group goes by the name of 'La Malaguena'."
"Wait wait..." Zoe shook her head, quickly putting the papers back in the envelope and shoving it back across the table. "Why haven't you sent this information out to prove that it WASN'T the Knightfalls and get this whole Registration Act nullified!?"
"Zoe, it's not that simple, we need to make sure the information we've been stumbling on is not false... it... seemed a bit too easy to gather this information, even with the reliable contacts it came from."
"...so... what you want me to try and find these Cardinals?"
"Yes, find out what you can about them and get evidence that they are one's who killed the Congressmen and why they did so, there has to be a reason behind it other than wanting to start the Registration Act."
The teen stood silent for a moment. "I want Gio to come with me." she always felt protected by Gio, she knew if he was with her, she would have the confidence she needed to be able to go through with this and maybe even come out alive.
"No, you're going to have to go on this mission alone. If something else happens here, I'm going to need to the team in full force." she could see the worry in her niece's eyes, the fear of not just being injured but of death, the same look she had when she became paralyzed all those years ago. "You'll be fine Zoe."
"Phh yeah, just because your not putting your neck on the line." she leaned over the desk, grasping the envelope again. She didn't want to do this... but if it meant they can prove the Knightfalls innocents and get this stupid Registration Act away... "So... where am I going?"
The next day: City of Malaga, Spain
"I can't believe I'm in freaken Spain." The blond teen spoke as she walked down the busy streets of the city. Dressed in her civilian cloths, the hero began her investigation, walking around, asking questions about the Cardinals, pretending to be a college student doing research on the legendary group. But everyone she spoke to simply shook their head, walking away from her. It was as if speaking about them was dangerous... great... "Draw attention to yourself she said... it'll be easier she said..."
Walking into a bar, eyes instantly were shifted over to her. People were already talking about her, they knew why she was there. Seemed like word traveled fast in Spain, this was good. Walking up to the bartender she smiled, dropping some Euro's on the table. She began speaking, her thick American accent butchering a few words as she spoke."Perdón, estoy haciendo la investigación sobre los Cardenales para la universidad-"
"I know who are you little girl." The bartender stopped her, his thick Spanish accent was making it a bit hard for her to understand. "What I don't know is why you have a death wish."
"Thank god you speak English, I was getting tired of using my English-Spanish dictionary." she placed her hand over the money that was on the table. "Look," she looked down at her hand. "This can be yours, I just need information, these people are probably responsible for hundreds of people's deaths in the United States." she pushed her hand towards his end. "I NEED to find them."
The man looked down at her hand, seeing the ring with the 'L' on it, he knew what it meant. "You are one of those heroes, the Legends." She didn't do anything but look back at him. Nodding his head, he began walking over to the back door he nudged his head, telling her to follow. Grasping the money she walked through the door as the man stood, lighting a cigar that was being held between his lips. "The Cardinals are here in Malaga, but they are not from here, this is only one Countries where they reside in." he took a puff of his cigar, holding the smoke in his lungs for a few seconds before slowly letting it out. "You have a lot of balls coming here alone little girl, even for a Leyenda."
"Where can I find them?" Zoe didn't want to hear about how dangerous they were, she just wanted to get her mission over and done with. Go home, be with the team and watch American Idol.
"You won't find them." he chuckled. "They find you, that's how they work, when they find out that you are poking your nose around, depending on how dangerous you are to them, they'll send someone after you, to kill... capture... that I don't know." he inhaled deeply. "I suggest you stay away from my bar when we are done here, I don't need the Cardinals breathing down my neck."
"Thanks..." Zoe handed over the money to the man, but he shook his head.
"I cannot take your money, this will be blood money as soon as you walk out my doors." with that he began walking towards the front of the door that entered his bar. "Take the back door out, and good luck Leyenda."
Later that day
Zoe was in her hotel room standing by the window and looking out into the city, the sun beginning to set behind the water's of the ocean. Seemed so peaceful... beautiful actually, it was almost too crazy to believe that such a powerful terrorist group could be residing within it. Now was just the waiting game...
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