Chapitre 121: Chapter 121: The Aftermath
A/N: So... I kinda do something towards the end of this chapter and the next chapter which kinda ruins the story more than what it's already been ruined... You, uh, you've all been warned so I don't see any comments about it
[Third Person's PoV]
Stars and Stripes finished suiting up in her hotel room and stepped out into the hallway. A few feet away, two guards stood by a large door, watching over it.
She approached them and asked, "Have you seen if those two have left their rooms since they arrived?"
One of the guards closed his eyes briefly, as if concentrating, then shook his head. "They're not inside. It seems like they're still outside."
"Outside?" Star asked, confused.
"The last report said they were seen flying around the hotel. You should probably see for yourself."
Puzzled, Star headed to the elevator and pressed the button to go down to the lobby. When she arrived on the ground floor, she noticed people gathered near the entrance, their faces filled with worry and apprehension.
"What did those two get themselves into now?" she muttered, pushing past the crowd.
As she reached the doors, her eyes widened at the scene unfolding before her.
The street was in ruins—bodies were scattered everywhere, the asphalt scorched, windows shattered, and cars wrecked beyond recognition. Some bodies were even protruding from the wreckage of the vehicles.
Star stood frozen, her mouth agape, as she watched Tony dragging a man by his massive horns. With his other hand, he conjured a throne of silver-blue light, his movements slow and labored.
His breath came in heavy gasps. "I'm just... going to... take a seat..." he rasped, collapsing onto the glowing throne.
As his mask retreated, Tony's face was revealed—streaked with dried blood, a deep cut along his lips, and bruises marring his skin. His eyes were drooping with exhaustion, his chest heaving as he slouched, still gripping the horn in his hand.
Melissa appeared not far behind, her flight unsteady, as though she were drunk. She was dragging a man and a woman by the backs of their capes, her expression strained.
Landing softly next to Tony, she tossed the two villains at his feet, then groaned as she slumped down beside the throne. Leaning her head back, she breathed heavily, her body clearly spent.
Her mask slowly dissolved, revealing that she was in just as bad shape as Tony. Her hair was a mess, blood trickling down her nose, and her face twisted in pain. One hand clutched her side as she winced.
Star walked out slowly, turning in place to take in the destruction. The bodies of villains lay strewn across the street, some piled atop each other. Despite the devastation, the hotel remained untouched—the only structure in the vicinity left in perfect condition.
"Melissa..." Tony called out between labored breaths.
"Yeah?" Melissa groaned, wincing.
"You... alright?"
"Not really. Ugh... pretty sure I've got a broken rib. You?"
"I can feel my heart beating in my ears and head..."
"What... what is going on here!?" Star demanded, her eyes wide with concern as she looked at the two of them.
Tony, who had closed his eyes, opened one lazily. "Oh hey, Star... hope you had a good night's sleep."
"Explain this to me—what is all of this?" Star's expression shifted to serious.
"You should see the other guy—hehe—UGH!" Tony groaned, clutching his side. "Melissa, you're not the only one with a broken something, it seems..."
Melissa gritted her teeth, trying to control her breathing. "There's a bounty on the president..."
Tony's eyes fluttered open and shut as he finished for her. "Every single villain, assassin, and bounty hunter who's ever heard of it came to collect."
"A bounty?" Star asked, stunned.
"Five billion euros," they both replied in unison.
Star's eyes widened as she processed the information. "And you two fought them off alone? No help?"
"The bodyguards wanted to help," Melissa started.
"I told them not to," Tony added, shaking his head, his disheveled hair falling over his eyes. "If we failed to keep the villains back, they'd be the last line of defense for the president."
"The heroes were useless," Melissa muttered bitterly.
"They tried to help but only ended up getting in the way," Tony said, his tone frustrated.
"They were overwhelmed so fast, we had to bust our asses saving them too," Melissa finished, her voice strained.
Star rubbed her forehead, exasperated. "Why didn't you call me for help?"
Tony flashed a tired, mischievous grin. "You were asleep... didn't wanna wake you."
"One of us had to be in good shape for the next day, so we didn't wake you," Melissa added, her eyes now closed.
"Hey, Star..." Tony called softly.
"Yes?"
"Catch us."
"What—" Star was about to ask when she saw both Tony and Melissa close their eyes, losing consciousness simultaneously.
The glowing throne beneath them vanished along with Tony's consciousness. Before their bodies could hit the ground, Star dashed forward, catching them just in time, preventing them from hitting the ground too hard.
Star hoisted Tony and Melissa over her shoulders, her voice soft but determined. "You can rest now. Leave what's left to me," she said as she made her way back into the hotel.
As she walked through the lobby, the crowd parted for her like the sea, heads bowing in respect and gratitude toward Tony and Melissa. Their sacrifice had not gone unnoticed.
An older gentleman hurried toward Star, struggling with a heavy bag of luggage. "Excuse me!" he called out in a thick accent.
Star turned, slightly confused. "Yes?"
"I am a doctor," the small man explained breathlessly. "Those two saved my life. They brought me here to the hotel to keep me safe from the villains. I owe them my life, and I would like to repay it by treating them."
Star, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, smiled and nodded. "Thank you." She then carried Tony and Melissa into the elevator, making her way back to their rooms.
Once there, Star gently laid them side by side on the bed. The doctor approached Tony first and paused, looking at their armor. "Is there a way to remove their suits? I can't properly treat them with those on."
As if responding to his words, both suits retreated, revealing Tony and Melissa, now mostly bare. Star's expression hardened as she took in the sight of their bruised and battered bodies.
The doctor, however, remained professional. He extended his hands over Tony, a soft bluish glow emanating from his palms as he waved them over his body.
"What are you doing?" Star asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I'm using my quirk… uh, what's the American term… Body Scanning, I believe. I'm assessing the extent of their injuries. This is remarkable…" The doctor trailed off, visibly impressed.
"He's quirkless, yet his body is extraordinary," the doctor muttered, astonished. "He possesses peak human physiology—strong, incredibly strong. But he's severely injured: broken bones, ribs, lacerations, and extreme physical and mental exhaustion."
He then moved on to Melissa, performing the same scan. "She's in a similar condition, though her organs are bruised, especially around her stomach. Her physiology mirrors his in nearly every way—both are at the absolute peak of human potential, even without a quirk."
The doctor opened his bag and began pulling out first-aid equipment. "Luckily, I never go anywhere without my supplies. I should be able to treat them," he said as he prepared to tend to their wounds.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone