She was too late.
June hovered up where the sword-wielding Legion guy couldn't get her and stared down at them coldly. Amias was splayed out on the ground. If he wasn't already dead, he would be soon. Her attempts to get emergency help had failed.
Then his hand moved, ever so slightly. Good. He wasn't dead yet.
Even though Jase had as much warning as the Legion did, she'd missed her chance to save Amias. The Legion had left earlier than they'd expected, almost like the pair of them were thirsty for blood.
Thirsty like Angela's goons.
June had been aiming for a short, ideal window - one where all the security cameras were disabled and the Legion had yet to arrive. Ideally, their trump card would arrive around the time they did. Said trump card was late. Very late at this point. By the time June had checked the surrounding area for a good escape route, Amias and the Legion were already in a fight and she couldn't do anything to stop it. And still no sign of the trump card.
Red hadn't even been fazed when she grabbed a sharp piece of broken metal and held it to Swordy's neck. Just acted like it was natural he blow her to oblivion.
The only reason June was still alive was because of her Miracle. And for some reason, Swordy could still hit her even when she had it activated.
It was annoying. They were wasting time while Amias struggled with his last breaths. They didn't care if he died. No, that was probably preferable to them.
They were just like Paris.
Maybe the Legion was the one working with the military to kill Phantasma and Meadow? It wouldn't have surprised her. And it would be just another reason Paris and Achilles would never get along.
June ran simulations through her head. Calculations. How to get herself out of here alive - well, that was easy. Getting Rayne out shouldn't be too hard either. The issue would be Amias.
Was there a way for all three to get out alive?
A few fireballs flew at her, but June ignored them. As long as she didn't exist, they couldn't hurt her. And floating up here where Swordy couldn't get her meant she was totally safe.
"What the hell is this?" June came back to reality when the voice echoed in the store - a voice full of cold rage.
Lightning walked into the store, looking livid. She was in costume today, but every muscle in her body screamed that she was ready to punch someone.
"Stay out of this, Lightning," Red spat, throwing two more fireballs at June. Really, was he stupid enough to expect one of them to suddenly hit her?
"What. The. Hell. Happened?"
"That." June pointed at Amias by the wall. Lightning clenched a fist.
"He was robbing the place, so we took him down," Red said. Before he could make up more excuses, though, he let out a small gulp and fell to the ground. Lightning stood behind him, her gloved hand right where the back of his neck had been.
"What was that?" Swordy asked, brandishing his blade.
"He's dead, Knight," Lightning said coldly. "You aren't above the law. If he's dead, then you have to answer for it. Hot Rod will do the same. I'll see to it."
Swordy's hands started shaking, the tip of the rust-coloured blade wavering back and forth. Honestly. He was acting like a toddler. If he didn't want people to die, he shouldn't have done things that could cause that.
In fact, now that he'd killed, June was fine with killing him. Those who killed couldn't complain if they were killed. Wasn't there that old saying "Do to others as you'd have them do to you" or something?
If members of the Legion were June's first kills, she wouldn't mind at all.
But now was not the time. Lightning was here. She'd do what she could for Amias. June had to find Rayne and get her out before anyone realized she was here.
She floated up into the ceiling and across to the rooms where Rayne probably was. As she ducked her head down into the hall, she saw the door opening.
No.
Too late again.
"Ami!"
Rayne screamed in despair as she ran out of the hall. June followed as fast as she could, but she could only watch as Rayne cried next to Amias - or what was left of him.
"What?" Swordy asked, dumbfounded. He'd dropped his sword. June quickly moved between Lightning and Rayne, rematerializing to at least act as a shield. Surely Lightning wouldn't take her out before she could do anything, right?
"Mist?" Lightning asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes. Take your Red and Swordy and leave her alone." June's heart pounded. If Lightning made any moves, she'd turn her Miracle on immediately, but who would be faster? For all June knew, she'd never wake up if she was knocked out here. Not with that prisoner killer on the loose.
"Who is that?" Swordy asked, moving like he was preparing to fight again.
"His partner." June stared at Lightning for a moment, then decided she was probably safe for a few moments. She took a step back to Rayne and leaned down to her ear, keeping Lightning in her peripheral the whole time.
Rayne gently shook Amias, whispering his name, begging him to wake up. June's heart clenched. There was a chance Amias would survive. Not a good one, though.
"Rayne, we have to go," June whispered, making sure no one else could hear her. Rayne whipped her head around to look at her, fear and suspicion in her eyes.
"Who - "
"I'm with Jase Rosales. We want to help you two." June quickly identified herself, then took a step back, turning to Lightning.
"What are you plotting?" Lightning asked, her eyes narrowed.
"Did you call the hospital?" June asked, taking a step forward and activating her Miracle. Lightning took a moment to answer.
"No. I can do that now. The military's already on their way, though."
"Good. Let the two of us go."
"Why should I?"
"You killed him. If you were here sooner, he wouldn't be dead." June almost laughed at the words. They were the exact words she wanted to spit at herself. If she'd been here sooner, Amias wouldn't be dead.
"He's not dead!" Rayne screamed, swinging a fist at June. It just went through her, but she'd let Rayne punch the real her as much as she wanted when they got somewhere safe.
"You'll continue to cause trouble if I let you go, though," Lightning replied.
"And if you lock us up, we'll die. Just like Meadow did. Besides, do you really think you can cage me?" June stared at Lightning, daring her to try something.
Several moments of silence passed between them until they heard footsteps pounding outside. That would be the military.
"Time to disappear," June said. "If you're at all decent, Lightning, you'll do your best to make sure he lives. Let's go." She turned and moved through the door. The fact that it opened and closed meant Rayne was probably with her.
"If this is some game, I won't forgive you," Rayne growled.
"I wish we'd done better," June replied. "You can punch me as much as you want when we get back to base. You can even kill me if you want. But until then, follow me."
The headed for the back door and disappeared into the alley while the military moved in to take care of the rest.
Please. Don't let Amias die.
The wish twisted June's heart so much it hurt.
