Chapter Text
“It’s over,” Captain Chromium was telling the crowd of journalists, their cameras flashing wildly. “Ace Anarchy is dead.”
Watching him address the crowd, every muscle in Nova’s body stiffened. Soreness wracked her body and Adrian’s efforts to soothe her many wasp stings were wearing off. Her instincts were telling her to run and hide, to leave and regroup and not just stand here in open. She was so absorbed with fighting to stay still that she didn’t notice that one journalist had broken away from the pack and was walking over to them.
“Mr. Everhart! Miss- is that Nightmare’s outfit?” All of the journalists snapped up their attention to them, taking in Nova’s fingerless gloves, tight jumpsuit, and hood that had been plastered onto every wanted poster in the city for weeks. Adrian’s father quickly walked to them, putting a hand on Nova’s shoulder she could tell was supposed to calm her down, but only intensified her panic.
“Er, yes. Nova M-Artino, or Nightmare, was a key part of taking down Ace Anarchy and will be receiving a full pardon from the Council. Now, Miss Artino and my son need to see the healers immediately, so if you will excuse them?” At the mention of her real last name, not the fake name Nova McLain that she used while infiltrating the Renegades, it hit her. She didn’t have to hide anymore.
Adrian took her hand, and she almost collapsed with the relief that this was real, that he had learned her secret and was still here, standing right beside her. While the journalists screamed more questions, Adrian gently lead her and Max, she had forgotten he was with them, to the makeshift tent that had been set up, where they could see a healer treating Danna.
“Hey guys! I came as soon as Oscar told me it was safe!” Nova turned around to see Ruby and Oscar coming up behind them, holding hands. “And guess what? I got my powers back!”
“Oh, yeah! You have Max to thank for that. He did something with Nova’s star and now everyone has powers!” Adrian replied, letting go of her hand to gesture to Max.
“Ye-yeah! I-I did it! Lost my own powers though.” He looked so small and uncomfortable, clinging to Adrian’s hand like it was his last thing in the world. Suddenly, Nova felt an intense feeling of fatigue come over her come over her, the likes of which she has only felt when she had run into Max’s quarantine. Adrian’s concerned face was the last thing she saw before everything went dark.