29.7

The journey down the tunnel was treacherous, reminiscent of an anthill. Cuff, leading the descent, smashed through a dead end into an ambush, followed by Lung and Canary, who were quickly subdued. Weaver, with limited intel, had to strategize quickly, realizing they were up against a group led by figures resembling Contessa.

The ambushers, identical young men in white shirts, expertly subdued Weaver’s team. Alexandria (or a copy controlled by Pretender) pinned Lung and Huntress, while the others were held captive by the Number Man and his clones, alongside Doctor Mother and a Manton clone with Siberian. The scene revealed Cauldron’s cloning experiments and their desperate contingency plans.

Weaver’s attempt to fight back against one of the Number Man’s clones, Harbinger, proved futile, as his analytical abilities allowed him to counter her moves effortlessly. She managed to free Bastard using her pepper spray, but the situation remained dire. Lung, in a rage, nearly torched the Doctor’s group, but was stopped by Siberian. He then tore his own throat to break free from Alexandria, showcasing his monstrous nature.

Imp managed to take the Doctor hostage, but the Number Man quickly disarmed her. Weaver, seizing a brief pause, revealed Scion’s presence, shocking everyone. The Doctor, despite her distrust, decided to believe Weaver, realizing the gravity of the situation. As they prepared to move, the structure shook, indicating Scion’s approach.

The group navigated through a corridor lined with vials, Cauldron’s depleted stock of powers. The Doctor explained they had distributed most formulas, retaining only the volatile ones. Sveta, trapped in a sphere, confronted the Doctor about the horrors inflicted on Case 53s, including herself, demanding acknowledgment and her name. The Doctor remained focused on the immediate threat, dismissing Sveta’s pleas.

Scion appeared, his golden light illuminating the corridor. He examined the vials, seemingly drawn to them. The group retreated, realizing they were trapped. The Doctor revealed her potential for powers and the possibility of taking a vial as a last resort. Lung suggested it was time, but the Doctor explained the risks, including Scion’s potential reaction to a trigger event.

The Siberian was deployed to fight Scion, inflicting significant damage. Scion, however, remained unfazed, destroying the vials. The group reached a dead end, the final room of the complex, but the door was jammed. Alexandria attempted to force it open, risking a cave-in. Weaver, frustrated by their reliance on abstract solutions, realized she had already undergone a second trigger event, leaving her with no further power boost.

The Doctor prepared to take a modified vial, hoping for a weapon or escape. Sveta, in a desperate act, used her tendrils to attack the Doctor, seeking a twisted form of justice. Scion approached, ignoring Weaver’s swarm decoys and her attack with Defiant’s knife. He pushed past the jammed door, causing a cave-in.

The dust settled, revealing Scion’s target: his partner.