Author's note: Things just get worse and worse. But they haven't hit the bottom just yet. So the Champions are an X-Men knock-off. The Protectors are an Avengers knock-off. So apparently, I'm trying to cash in on the AvX event. In my defence, I did plan this out a long time ago. As always, all feedback is appreciated. Ithink: Well, if you like hero vs. hero fights, then I hope you enjoy the one in this chapter. Lurton: The war is definitely on.

April 14, 2012

Sam and Eddie were waiting for them when the exited the jet. "What the Hell was that?" Sam demanded.

"Someone used illusions on us," Alvin explained. "Made us think we were fighting villains instead of each other."

"Well, we've got a major shit-storm on our hands now."

"Yeah," Alvin agreed. "We need to figure out who messed with us, and then take them down."

"You have not yet figured it out?" Savant said, still in costume. "It should be obvious. First, we were attacked by Supreme, who had previously been led here by Boost. Then, we were assaulted by Shock, and Cassi detected Warp's energy signature. Now, we have been tricked with illusions. The General has declared war on us."

"Shit," Alvin said. "You're right. How do we find him?"

"That is something we will need to deal with later. For now, we must pack and leave the school, as quickly as possible."

"Leave the school?" Alvin was startled. "Why the Hell would we need to pack up and leave?"

"We were seen tearing up New York City," Savant explained. Despite the circumstances, she spoke as calmly as if they were discussing the weather. "We then fled from the law. Our secret identities were blown by Supreme and Shock. It is a near-certainty that someone in Lucastown has already contacted the authorities. As superhumans, it will not be the local police who confront us; it will be the National Guard. We are simply no longer safe here."

"So your solution is to flee?" Alvin said angrily.

"Yes. Unless you would rather get into a battle with the National Guard, escape is the only option. Since we do not know when we will be able to return, we must pack some spare clothes and leave. Immediately."

They had left the hangar, and were following Savant as she walked towards her lab. "This just seems a little drastic," Alvin said.

"Why the Hell are we even supposed to listen to her?" Geoff asked. "For all we know, she could be on their side."

"Fuck off," Alvin told him.

"No, he's right," Julienne said. "We've trusted her all this time, but what has she ever done for us?"

"She's saved our lives a few times," Melissa said.

"Oh, what a shock that you're on her side," Julienne snapped.

"Here I thought we were all on the same side," Melissa replied coolly.

"I'm not so sure," Julienne said. "I wonder whose side Janet's really on."

"We can't afford to fight among ourselves," Alvin said.

"Ferme-la!" Julienne spat. "She keeps secrets from us, she steals money, she refuses to help humanity – why should we trust her? She doesn't even have emotions! How can she feel loyalty to us?"

"I have explained before that I do feel emotion," Savant said. "I simply process it differently than others. As for your other points, they are all correct."

"See? She doesn't even try to defend herself!"

"And if she were a traitor," Melissa pointed out, "she would be quick to defend herself."

"Viarge! What does it take to make you see that she is not on our side? You're letting yourself be blinded because you like the attention she gives you!"

"I honestly have no idea what you're even talking about now," Melissa said.

"She's in love with you! And you were so happy to have someone love you after Martin died that you've refused to see that she's not our friend!"

"I am not in love with Melissa," Janet said from behind a desk, where she was picking out the devices she wanted to bring. "Though I do find it interesting that I have gone from utterly lacking emotions to being in love."

"Enough!" Sam shouted. "We're a team. We can't survive if we're stuck at each other's throats. Now, we need to figure out a course of action. Janet's suggested going into hiding. Does anyone else have another suggestion?"

"I say we just cut out and go to Mexico," Geoff said.

"No," Alvin said. "We find the General, and we kick his ass."

"We can't do that if we're thrown in prison," Geoff pointed out.

"I think Janet's plan is our only option right now," Melissa said.

"And I say we can't trust her!" Julienne disagreed. "She's going to lead us right into a trap, telling us all the while that it's our best plan."

"I'm with Julie," Geoff said. "Whatever we do, we should do it without Janet."

"Well, if Geoff wants Janet gone," Alvin said, "then I'm for staying with her."

"Victor, back me up," Melissa said.

Victor rubbed the back of his neck. "I dunno. Julie an' Geoff brought up some good points. I'm not sure just how much we can really trust Janet."

"I do not mean to hurry you," CASSI interrupted, "but troops are drawing close to Lucastown. They will be arriving in approximately ten minutes."

"Thank you, Cassi," Sam said. "All right. Everyone has five minutes to pack. Just a couple changes of clothes. We travel light."

"I would recommend clothes you would not mind losing," Savant added. "If there is anything you do not want to risk being broken or stolen in our absence, bring it here. The force field around my lab will not be breached."

"Good advice," Sam nodded. "Five minutes starts now, people. Cassi, start a countdown, notifications every thirty seconds."

"Understood. Five minutes remain."

"Eddie, a word," Savant stopped him. "I am afraid I can make no guarantees, but I believe Cassi and I can salvage your identity. You were not present in New York, so you should not be in any danger from the law."

"What are you talking about?" Eddie asked.

"You wished to leave. You still may."

Eddie took in a deep breath, and slowly let it out. "Fuck it. I've been with the team this long. I'll stay for this mission. But after this, I'm through."

"Ah. Excellent. I am sure the others will be pleased to hear this, as well. Well, I am sorry to have taken your time."

Three minutes later, CASSI issued another alert. "There is an intruder in the jet tunnel. Moving quickly. Intruder will arrive in hangar in ten seconds."

"Lock exit," Savant said. "Can you get an ID?"

"Exit locked. Intruder is Speedster, one of the Protectors."

"Then our time is up. This is problematic. Tell the others to cease packing, and to simply bring their valuables to the lab. We will only be able to bring the clothes on our backs. Speaking of which, tell them to put on civilian clothes over their costumes." Janet put her own civilian clothes on.

Two minutes later, everyone was gathered again in Janet's lab. They'd brought down their most valuable objects, and put them on a table at the back. "Eddie," Janet said. "There is an intruder in the hangar. Please knock her out." She pulled up a screen showing Speedster's location.

"No problem," he replied. Instants later, he appeared in the hangar, right behind Speedster, and punched her in the back of the head. She went down, and he got on top of her to make sure she didn't get back up.

The rest of the team left the lab, and the force field activated behind them. It was powered by geothermal energy – it would last as long as it had to. They entered the hangar, and Speedster looked up at them. She was an attractive woman in her mid-20s, clad in dark blue, and her brown hair came out the back of her mask. Her costume had a lightning bolt hole in the chest, showing some cleavage, but with her on her stomach, it wasn't visible.

"Ah-ha!" she said. "Now I know you're all here! Prepare to be defeated!"

"Is she serious?" Alvin asked rhetorically.

"You know, while you're here," Melissa said to Speedster, "I need to ask: Why do you have a hole in your costume?"

"Hey, if you got it, flaunt it," Speedster replied. "But now – erg! - you'll all be – dammit! - brought to just – ah! - justice for your – ungh! - crimes!" She tried to wriggle free, but Eddie's grip was too strong. "Oh, sure! Just abuse a poor, defenceless girl!"

"The troops have arrived," CASSI announced. "It is a mix of National Guard and the Army. The Growing Man is with them. The Air Force is also present. He has declared that you have two minutes to show yourselves, and then he will enter."

"I'll go stall them," Will volunteered.

"What?" Julienne said. "No, you can come with us!"

"I won't be any help against the General," he said. "You guys need all the time you can get to get out of here. I didn't break the law, aside from maybe fleeing the scene of a crime, and I wasn't given a choice. They can't hold me for long."

"He's right," Sam said. "Will, we'll come for you as soon as we can."

"Hey, take your time," Will wheeled out of the room and into the elevator. Savant started walking towards the tunnel, leaving the jet where it was.

"Where are you going?" Alvin asked. "The plane-"

"Is no longer an option," Janet interrupted him. "Tranquilize Speedster and come. We shall be walking, it appears."

"Trap," Julienne said to Melissa. Melissa didn't reply as she shot a tranq dart into Speedster's arm.

Will waited until Growing Man's countdown was at 10 seconds before he opened the door and rolled out. He had to admit, Growing Man was impressive. He was currently 20' tall, wearing dark brown kevlar with a symbol of a fist on his chest. Why a man whose power was growing larger had a fist as his symbol, Will couldn't figure out.

"Wow," Will said. "The Girl Scouts are getting really aggressive about selling cookies."

"Who are you?" Growing Man boomed.

"Will Mills, pleased to meet you. What can I do for you?"

"You can tell me where the Champions are."

"Well, they're going to be in England in a couple months. London 2012! I believe!"

"Stop bullshitting me," Growing Man warned. "Where are the Champions? They tore up New York, and now they have to be brought in. So tell me where they are, or I'll have you arrested for obstruction of justice!"

"All right, all right. I'm pretty sure what I'm doing isn't actually called that, but fine. I'll let you in to look for them. But first, I want to see a warrant."

"A warrant?"

"Yes. You do still need a warrant to search a house. So, let's see it."

"How's Will doing?" Julienne asked CASSI nervously.

"Quite well, actually," CASSI said in an amused tone. "I am finding it quite entertaining. Trouble up ahead for you, however."

"I see it," Alvin said. "And yeah, this could really suck."

It took another minute for them to reach the trouble they were warned about. There were four people ahead of them. There was a man who demanded respect, wearing dark red spandex with blue stripes down the side. Another man, moderately attractive with a neat mustache, wearing an assortment of technological devices, including gauntlets, a helmet, heavy boots, and a large chest plate. A third man was wearing brown robes, with long brown hair and a thick beard. And there was a huge woman, 6'6" tall, with long auburn hair, wearing light green spandex with a large hole in the chest to show her cleavage. Justice, Gadgeteer, Mage, and Invincible Girl: The Protectors.

"Champions," Justice greeted them. "Surrender now."

"Does that ever work?" Alvin joked.

"No," Justice admitted. "But hope springs eternal. You started a brawl between yourselves, caused significant property damage, and then fled arrest. Now surrender to the law."

"You know, I'd explain the whole situation," Alvin said, "but you probably wouldn't believe us. So fuck it." He fired a blast at Justice, who easily dodged. Before Alvin could get another blast off, Mage made a hand gesture, and Alvin found himself trapped in a bubble. He fired a blast, but it was absorbed. "Well, this sucks."

Eddie teleported behind Justice to get a punch in, but was immediately blasted in the back by Gadgeteer, and dropped in pain. Julienne charged Invincible Girl, connecting with a hard right, and met with one from Invincible Girl. The pair continued to trade blows. Granite, in stone form, went after Justice, but the smaller man was much quicker, and effortlessly avoided all of Granite's efforts. Justice seemed to flow around him. Sam tried to help Granite out, but Justice avoided Sam's punch and landed a solid shot to his ribs. Even two on one, Justice weaved through his opponents, landing hits where he could.

Meanwhile, Janet simply walked over to Gadgeteer, not to fight, but to talk. "This fight is pointless," she said.

"Your people started it," he pointed out.

"The two of us can finish it."

Gadgeteer surveyed the battle. "My people are winning," he shrugged. "And we've got reinforcements. It'll be over soon."

"The battle in New York was the result of deception. Mirage used an illusion to convince them they were battling villains, rather than each other. They had no way of seeing through it."

"Do you have any proof of this?"

"No, I do not. However, I would think the fact that I have not hacked into your weapons would grant me some small measure of trust."

Gadgeteer sighed. "Look, I know you people are heroes. I know you wouldn't go nuts and start rampaging for no reason. But that doesn't change what happened, and it doesn't change the fact that we need to hold you responsible."

Eddie had recovered enough to rejoin the fight. Sam was down, heavily dazed, and Eddie grew angry at the whole situation. With a shout, he charged at Justice, not caring enough to be tricky. Justice dodged him easily and landed a left hook. Eddie stumbled back, then went at him again. Again, Justice dodged and countered. Eddie only grew angrier at the hits, and kept on the attack. But Justice dodged every single attack, until finally jabbing Eddie in the throat, punching him in the gut, and elbowing him in the back of the head. Eddie collapsed in a heap.

Mage was still holding Alvin in a bubble. Julienne and Invincible Girl continued to pound on each other, neither of them holding back. Invincible Girl was strong, but Julienne took everything she had and gave it right back. Only Geoff and Melissa held back, watching the fight.

"Time's running out for your team," Gadgeteer told Janet.

"It would appear so. Perhaps this battle was not so pointless as I initially believed. It has been quite informative. However, it is time to end it. Let us pass."

"Why should we?" Justice asked.

"We are not villains. No one was injured by our mistake today. Funds have already been forwarded to the city to repair the damage. The villains behind our earlier battle are still out there. They have assaulted us repeatedly of late. The General wants us dead. Possibly out of vengeance, more likely because he believes we pose a threat. We must find him and deal with him."

"We can do that," Justice pointed out.

"No. You cannot. You have no way of finding him, and it is doubtful that you would be able to breach his defences if you could find him. We can get into his base."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I cannot say."

Justice studied her. "All right," he finally said. "We'll give you a chance. Protectors! We're letting them go!"

"What?" Invincible Girl was distracted, and turned her head right as a fist connected with it. "Oh, you bitch!"

"Sorry," Julienne smirked. "I couldn't stop my fist in time."

The Champions picked themselves up and started to walk past the Protectors. "One moment," Justice stopped Eddie. "I've watched footage of you in action. But just now, you let your anger get the better of you. You came at me stupidly. Get that anger in check if you want to be any use to your friends."

"Fuck off," Eddie said and pulled away.

"Are you sure you made the right call?" Mage asked Justice once the Champions were out of sight.

"I trust my gut, and it said to let them go. If I'm wrong, I'll pay the price."

"Well, come on," Gadgeteer said. "Let's go raid their stuff."

"Maybe they've got something good in their fridge," Invincible Girl joked.

Next: They reach their lowest point. On the run, and facing a Betrayal.