New York, Marvel…
And here I am again, back in the epicenter of trouble and disaster. Even the air here smells different — like adventure with just a hint of danger. Normally I'd welcome it, but this time our agenda is already planned, and stumbling into unforeseen escapades would be… inconvenient.
So, without wasting time, we headed straight for the White Rabbit's residence — she'd promised to host us for the next few days.
The address she'd given led to a luxurious villa with a sprawling facade, the sort that could make an unprepared jaw hit the pavement.
But this wasn't my first rodeo; it takes more than size and polish to impress me. And frankly, Wayne Manor could swallow this place whole. Still… I had to admit, it was cozy in its own way.
"Villains live well these days," Tatsu remarked, taking in the property with a measured gaze.
"No comment," I said, though a smirk tugged at my lips.
Lorina Dodson had inherited her late husband's entire multi‑million dollar fortune, which instantly turned her into a very rich woman. But why, I often wondered, would someone with that kind of wealth choose to rob banks and dabble in other dirty schemes?
The answer was simple — she was absolutely, unapologetically insane. Villainy was not a career path for her; it was her raison d'être.
Once, she had been a nobody: insecure, lonely, insignificant. And now? In her mind, she was something greater — infamous, dangerous, important.
That mindset was the White Rabbit in a nutshell.
I pressed the doorbell.
It was answered by a woman in her forties, who greeted us with a warm smile and stepped aside to let us in.
"Miss asked me to tell you to make yourselves at home. She's in the training room at the moment — I'll go let her know you've arrived."
"No need," I said, raising a hand to halt her. "I'll go to her myself, so as not to trouble you."
"But—"
"Don't worry," I cut her off again with a grin. "I'll find the way."
She opened her mouth to object, but I was already moving down the hall, gesturing for Katana to remain where she was. My so‑called "navigator" — otherwise known as intuition — had no trouble guiding me to the training room.
I pushed open the correct door and stepped inside.
There she was — dressed in short white sports shorts and a matching cropped top, rhythmically skipping rope. Blonde hair tied in a ponytail bounced with each effortless jump. Her movements were supple and weightless, her body perfectly balanced.
The moment our eyes met, Lorina slowed, then stopped entirely, letting the rope fall. Her bright blue eyes locked on me with almost playful intensity.
So this was the White Rabbit without her mask. Last time, I'd never seen her face, but I'd guessed she would be beautiful. Turns out I'd underestimated — she wasn't just beautiful; she was glorious.
And strangely… she reminded me of someone.
It hit me. Lola Bunny. Yes — Bugs Bunny's animated girlfriend, only made human. Don't judge me — I call it as I see it.
"Alex? You came?!" she exclaimed, bounding toward me.
Before I could reply, she threw her arms around me, hugging tight.
Since when were we this close? We'd met only once before — and under less than pleasant circumstances. The answer, of course, was my inescapable charm.
Lorina Dodson had grown up in a loveless home full of orders and criticism from unkind parents. Later, she'd been pushed into marriage with an aging millionaire. Her life until then had been filled with pain, threats, and belittlement — so when someone finally treated her kindly and helped her in a moment of need, it left a mark.
That someone, apparently, was me. And after I'd helped her slip from the police's grasp, her fragile, impressionable heart had latched on. Just a little.
"Lorina — you're going to strangle me," I said, trying to extricate myself. And truthfully, if she'd held on much longer, I might not have been able to guarantee… restraint.
"I'm so glad to see you again. When you said you'd come, I started training — had to get in shape. I think I put on a little weight," she added, patting her perfectly flat stomach.
"If other women heard you say that, they'd lynch you on the spot. You look incredible. Remember — you've got a stunning figure." I reached out and tousled her fringe.
"He‑he… do you really mean that?" she asked shyly, turning her head to hide the pink in her ears. "All right — I'll believe you."
We chatted a bit longer, then made our way back to the living room.
"Oh? Who's this?" Rabbit asked, pointing straight at Katana, who sat calmly in an armchair.
"She's my bodyguard," I explained.
"Hmm… funny, last time you had a different one. Why do you need these women? Hire me instead! I'll protect you."
"I'm afraid that's not ideal. Imagine the reaction if a respectable citizen like me was guarded by a wanted criminal."
"Hmm, yeah… hadn't thought of that," Dodson said, her mouth twisting in mock disappointment.
"Come on, I'll give you the grand tour. Stay here as long as you like… Even you," she added, looking Tatsu over.
"Much obliged," Yamashiro replied with dry sarcasm.
By now, the sun had dipped below the skyline. It was time to prepare for our meeting with Ulysses Klaue — and to negotiate for the contraband vibranium.
"Tatsu, I've prepared something special for you." I pulled a neatly folded garment from my inventory, setting it in her hands. "Wear this so no one recognizes you. Tonight, you're not just my bodyguard — you're my right hand. At the meeting, you'll be introduced by your villain name: Katana."
It was the same costume she'd worn during her time in the Suicide Squad, complete with a white mask marked by a red circle on the forehead. In this world she'd never donned it before. In a way, I was responsible for the beginning of her signature look.
"So… we're villains now?" she asked, studying the mask.
"Hey — good villains," I corrected.
"Good villains… do you hear how absurd that sounds?"
"What do you know?" the White Rabbit cut in, already dressed in her bunny outfit. "I'm a good villain. I gave you shelter and hooked you up with an illegal merchandise sale. Tell me that's not a good deed!"
"And one can't exactly argue with that," Katana sighed.
"Everyone has their own ideas of good and evil," I said, laying a hand on Tatsu's shoulder. "To some, we'll be villains; to others, arbiters of justice. It's not for us to decide who's right."
"But now…" Rabbit's grin widened, "…I feel like Alex and I are getting closer. We'll both be villains! Maybe you and I aren't so different after all."
"Stop right there — that train of thought is going places it shouldn't," I said quickly. "Don't start imagining things. Ready?" I glanced between the two masked women.
They nodded.
"Good. Then let's go."
The moment had come — my second act. The intellectual who had risen as a hero in this world… was about to let a new villain walk onto the stage.
.
.
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Word of today: "Sophisticated"
New week, new chapters, but old us. So keep the power stones coming. And one thing, I want to travel but I can't because of many things, so I ask you all, don't miss the chance.
The world is beautiful.
You all can read extra chapters on [email protected]/annihilator009
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