4.x (Apology Interlude; Purity)

Kayden, also known as the hero Purity, watches over her baby, Aster, finding solace in her innocence amidst a world she deems chaotic and evil. She struggles to leave Aster’s side but eventually does, feeling a pang of guilt for neglecting Theo, her fifteen-year-old babysitter. Kayden apologizes for not feeding him and arranges for him to order food or buy something from the convenience store. She asks Theo to stay the night, offering to pay him for a full night’s babysitting, which he happily accepts. Kayden leaves the apartment, takes the stairs to the roof, removes her bathrobe, and jumps off the building.

As she falls, Kayden thinks of Aster, a ritual she performs every time before activating her powers. The sky lights up, and she flies over Brockton Bay, a white trail of light following her. Purity’s appearance changes when her powers are active: her hair and eyes glow white, and her costume radiates a soft light.

Tonight, Purity is frustrated. She had been targeting the Azn Bad Boys (ABB) gang, conducting surgical strikes against their operations and gathering information. She had even confronted their leaders, Lung and Oni Lee, on multiple occasions, successfully forcing them to retreat. However, she’d also faced setbacks, including a severe injury from a trap set by Lung and a growing sense of futility in her efforts to make a difference.

Recently, Lung’s apprehension had presented an opportunity to dismantle the ABB while they were leaderless. Purity had taken vacation days to focus on this goal, but five days had passed with no progress. The ABB was more organized than ever, and her interrogations of captured members yielded nothing.

Purity’s attempts to seek help from old allies and informants had also been fruitless. Many of them were former members of Empire Eighty-Eight, a team led by her ex-husband, Max, also known as Kaiser. Max’s manipulative tactics had left many of them broken and unwilling to join her cause, fearing his disapproval or doubting their ability to succeed.

Desperate, Purity decides to seek Max’s help. She finds him in his office, still working late. He’s as handsome as ever, despite being five years older than her. He waits for her to ask to come inside, a power play she recognizes. She knocks, and he opens the window, letting her in. The lights in the office adjust, recharging her powers.

Max greets her, subtly criticizing her for not visiting sooner. He mentions Aster and Theo, making it clear he’s aware of their plans and reminding her of his power over her. Kayden explains her desire to dismantle the ABB and asks for his help in reuniting their old team. Max refuses, stating he sees no benefit in it.

Purity argues that only a word from him would bring several capable individuals to her side. Max asks what he would gain from this. Kayden offers the elimination of the ABB, but Max claims they’ll fall eventually. He then makes a counteroffer: he wants her back on his team as his second-in-command, leading a subgroup of their old members.

Purity refuses, citing her disapproval of his methods. Max laughs, pointing out that they are already associated in the public eye. He argues that they share the same goal of cleaning up the world, despite their differing approaches. Purity criticizes his methods of putting drugs on the street, stealing, and extorting, but Max defends them as necessary evils that give him leverage to effect real change.

Max changes tactics, asking if she’d rather fail on her own or succeed under him. He then accuses her of targeting minority criminals, a subtle implication of racism she can’t deny. Max offers a final deal: join his team for one year, and if she’s not satisfied, Empire Eighty-Eight becomes hers to do with as she pleases.

Purity is intrigued but cautious. She questions if the business is failing, but Max assures her it’s thriving. He explains she’d be his enforcer, making examples when needed, but with a larger and more effective organization. Purity hesitates, knowing it means more bloodshed. She recognizes Max’s manipulative tactics but also sees the effectiveness of their partnership.

She transforms into Purity, her powers activating. In response, Max creates a suit of armor from a letter opener, finishing with a crown of blades. He extends a gauntlet, offering her a choice. Purity thinks of Aster, believing she’s doing this for her daughter’s future.