Leftover Levels Up - Part III: Multiverse Showdown! Anti-Hero vs Janet

   As Leftover ran through the castle corridors alongside Anti-Hero and Hypnorc, he was taken by how far the dark gray hallways seemed to stretch. He had explored the castle in his own dimension numerous times since he was a child, and the hallways were never this long. Maybe something to do with the multiverse, or maybe a different trick the enemy was pulling altogether?  Before he could think any more about it, his party found themselves in a large room entirely made up of bright red. The hallway they had just passed through was suddenly blocked off by another red wall that closed in like an elevator door behind them. The east and west sides of the room stretched for what seemed like miles, red walls being the only thing ahead on each side. Miles also stretched in front of them, but there was at least a silver wooden door ahead. The door swung open, and a familar looking young woman in a black dress and expressionless face entered the room with a sword drawn.

   "Janet...." Leftover uttered.

   "You know of her, boss?" Hypnorc asked. "Is there a version of her in your world too?"

   "Indeed. Where I come from, she is one of Hugh's top pawns. She isn't very powerful though. I nearly defeated her in a dream world. She was only rescued because of interference from her friends (in the story "Team Janet vs Team Sic" - https://blog.reedsy.com/short-story/67s0eb/). Is your Janet also a pushover by any chance?"

   "No, she is one of Hugh's top assassins." Anti-Hero said while trembling. "A far cry from the version you described Leftover."

   "Is that so?" Leftover grinned. "In my world she relies on a helmet that provides armor, weapons and enhanced strength. Although to be fair, I also utilize such a tool, despite having some fighting skill without it. I take it this Janet doesn't need a helmet like that?"

   "We did have helmets like that before, but Hugh's fellow aliens found a way to put those very abilities from the helmets into the bodies of their test subjects. Janet was one such test subject, and even in just a dress, just about nothing can pierce her skin."

   "Just about nothing you say? So there is something that can take her down?"

   "Yes, another human who has gone through the same experiments." Anti-Hero said as she made a sword appear in her hand by thought. "Someone like me!"

   "Anti-Hero!" Leftover cried out in shock. "You used to work for Hugh?"

   "I did, but no more. Unlike the mindless killing machine standing in front of us, I left his organization after Hugh became greedy for world domination. He purposely designed us with the weakness of each other's weapons in case we were ever to turn against him. So while Janet would be able to cut through me, I can also do the same to her."

   "Anti-Hero, are you implying what I think you are?" Hypnorc asked in awe.

   "Yes, you two proceed through the door. I will fight Janet. You two handle Nostrel and final boss Hugh. Janet and I are overdue for a little girl talk."

   "Thank you Anti-Hero. Strike true, and meet us up ahead once you're done here. We'll be counting on you, just like we are counting on Willy." Leftover said with a reverent nod, as he and Hypnorc rushed through the silver door.

   "It's been a long time Janet. You remember me, don't you?"

   Janet gave no reaction as she slowly walked towards Anti-Hero with her sword at the ready.

   "Janet come on, it's me, Kari! We used to fight for the peace of this world, together! We were inseparable, and you were my maid of honor at my wedding! Have you truly abandoned all of your memories of us we've shared in our lives?"

   Janet continued to approach Anti-Hero stoically.

   "Eddie Jacques. Your fiancé. Hugh threatened to kill him if you didn't partake in the experiments. He gave me the same threat, using my husband's life as leverage. We agreed to let Hugh's fellow aliens alter our bodies to have the same power as the helmets, all for the sake of our loves. Once it was all over, Hugh murdered your fiancé and my husband anyway. That was when I turned against him and became Anti-Hero, because I am opposed to his brand of heroes.  But you, you became an emotionless shell and performed multiple kills for him. It's like you shut down your emotions permanently and became his pawn."

   Janet was almost up to Anti-Hero, still not showing a sliver of feeling.

   "Janet, I don't want to fight you!" Anti-Hero shouted as tears filled her eyes. "I don't blame you for what you've done! I get why you became what you are, it was how you processed your heartbreak! But you don't have to hide your feelings anymore! Let it all out with me, then we can make Hugh pay, together!"

   Anti-Hero's words fell on deaf ears as Janet charged at her swinging. Anti-Hero made her sword appear just in time to fend off Janet's strikes. The pair clashed swords, with Janet attacking much more than Anti-Hero. Anti-Hero leapt back and made her laser gun appear, firing several shots at Janet. Janet deflected each blast, then pulled her own laser gun and shot at Anti-Hero. Anti-Hero deflected the blasts aimed at her, leaving them both at a standstill.

   "Janet, we can stop this anytime! We don't have to be enemies!"

   Janet remained expressionless, and marched towards Anti-Hero with her sword drawn.  

   Anti-Hero then remembered something else her powers allowed her to summon by thought, something that would give her the best chance to turn the tides of their showdown, and it wasn't even a weapon. She used her thoughts and made a 5×10 photo appear in her hand.

   "Look Janet, this is from my wedding! It's me and my husband, with you and Eddie by our sides! I know you miss Eddie, just like I miss my love. Please Janet, you need to stop shelving your feelings and face them! I'll be here for you, every step of the way!"

   Janet gasped when she was close enough to see the photo. Tears began flowing down her cheeks, and then uncontrollable sobs escaped her as she dropped her sword. Anti-Hero approached Janet and embraced her. As Janet cried uncontrollably on Anti-Hero's shoulder, she allowed her own sobbing to join her hurting rival.

   "I missed you so much Janet." Anti-Hero said sweetly once she regained her own composure. "Join our cause honey, and we will stop Hugh from ever doing this to anyone else ever again."

   "Okay." Janet finally spoke, taking a moment longer to calm down before releasing herself from Anti-Hero's embrace. She then rapidly summoned a knife and stabbed Anti-Hero in the chest. Anti-Hero fell to the floor and quickly rolled onto her back, staring at her old friend in horror.

   "I'm sorry Kari, I loved you like a sister, and I always will!" Janet cried out. "But I've done so many horrible things, and Hugh would never let me walk away without taking someone else I care about. You have to kill me, it's the only way!"

   Janet picked up her sword from the ground and began lunging at Anti-Hero. Anti-Hero made her laser gun appear in her hand, then fired a point blank shot into Janet's chest. Janet gasped in pain before falling to the floor as well.

  Working through intense agony, Anti-Hero crawled beside Janet and laid next to her. She then summoned a blue healing grenade into her hand and smiled.

   "You said death was the only way, but you didn't aim for my vitals when you stabbed me. Well I didn't aim for your vitals with my shot either. I am going to heal our injuries, and then we're going to have a chat. Any objections?"

  "No objections sis." Janet replied with a sheepish smile. 

To be continued....