The skyline shimmered and sparkled with the stars above, piercing through the light pollution caused by the city. As typical, drones marched in unison in a tiny section of the city, where Dr. Hypno’s control reigns supreme.
At least, that’s how Heroic’s Oath classifies her presence. They’ve been a thorn in each other’s sides for a long while at this point, and Boss, the leader of Heroic’s Oath, has had enough of Dr. Hypno’s schemes to take down his organisation. That’s why this night he’s sent Lithus, a well-known figure within HO, to spy and gather intel on the drones tonight.
She huffed as she pulled herself up to the rooftop, taking a moment to breathe before looking down on the streets below. She rested her hand on the ear bud she wore. “This is Lithus- I’ve got sight on some drones in the downtown area. I’ll try and snag one without much disturbance.”
The earbud buzzed. “Acknowledged, good luck Lithus,” said a voice from the other side of the city.
She hummed lightly as she studied the march patterns of the drones. Single file on the sidewalks, seamlessly dodging pedestrians. She noticed as one drone struggled to keep up, its path being blocked by the pedestrians inconveniently gathering around for some kind of spectacle happening. It stood there, waiting for a chance to move. Bingo.
She made her way down to the ground level, ending up in an alleyway right near where the drone stood. Making sure to stay within the shadows so isn’t identified, she makes a “psst” sound, catching the attention of the drone. “This way! You can get around the crowd this way” Lithus said, beckoning it.
It thought for a minute, turning to face her before responding, “Negative. Alley leads to a dead end.”
She sighed. “There’s stairs that lead to a winding platform around the buildings.”
It thought again, looking more deeply into the alley as it spotted the stairs Lithus mentioned. “Course understood. Proceed, “citizen”,” it said in a calculating tone, walking stiffly towards Lithus as she led it up the stairs as promised, and to the platform.
She eyed the drone for a bit as she walked, cautious to try and not reveal her identity as she wore an unmistakable hero jumpsuit. But the darkness of the night shielded her, or so she thought.
Lithus led the drone right into a corner, though the drone refused to move much closer. Instead, it advanced on Lithus.
“I guess this means I’ve been discovered. Ah well,” she sighed, pulling out a small EMP device from her pocket, switching it on. The drone suddenly paused upon being hit by the waves of the device, twitching as it struggled to move. “Now be a good drone and stay put,” she said, cautiously approaching it as she pulled out some wires and a laptop. She plugged the wires to the drone’s neck, and turned on her laptop.
The device loaded quickly as she began to download recent files from the drone, skimming over them as they appeared. “Man this was easy!… Too easy,” she murmured the last part, scanning the stairwell for signs of activity. She returned to reading the intel on her laptop after finding nothing. She suddenly paused upon seeing a directive in the memory files of the drone.
Directive: Locate and Assimilate Heroic’s Oath members.
She was so caught up in reading the names that she hadn’t noticed the drone suddenly beginning to move again- not until its hand gripped her wrist tightly. She gasped, quickly moving back and out of reach, though forgetting to grab the laptop as she retreated.
They drove took the opportunity to smash the laptop before approaching Lithus, stepping outside of the EMP field. “Target acquired, preparing subduing protocols. Requesting backup,” it said, a ping coming from the sleek visor on its face.
“No no, no need for that!” She growled in frustration, her hands lighting up as she readied an attack.
The drone suddenly shifted one of its hands into a net launcher, aiming it directly at Lithus.
“Hmph, try me,” she said, flinging a large ball of energy at the drone, hitting it squarely in the face. The drone stumbled back, suddenly becoming jerky in its movements as sparks flew out of the visor.
“E-error-or, Code 117-7-7-7-” It’s voice glitched as it struggled to speak. Its arms fell limply to the side as Lithus rushed at it, delivering a final blow with a punch that sent it flying into a spiked rail. She shivered as she heard a sickening crack.
“Err- error. System…” it weakly said as it went completely limp, falling forward. Lithus’ eyes widened in horror upon seeing the gorey site.
“That- that’s a brain,” she croaked, backing up with a gag as the blood pooled out of the drone’s skull. “It doesn’t make sense- they’re supposed to be machines!”
But she barely has time to process what was happening as the other drones from before marched up the stairs. Tears blinded her eyes as she tried to think about what to do next, before she impulsively jumped down from the ledge of the platform, landing on top of a pile of trash bags. It hurt from the blunt objects in the bags, but she shrugged it off as she focused on coming out of the pile, and booking it out of the alley.
She accidentally bumped into a pedestrian, who shouted: “Hey, watch it!”
“Sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry!” She cried out, running down the sidewalk as if her life depended on it. The drones followed behind, though Lithus’ pace outmatched them with the adrenaline running through her body. She ran through the gates, thinking she was safe until reaching Central Park. She stopped to catch her breath in a copse of trees. Just three more blocks, she thought.
Lithus caught her breath as she heard rustling. Before she could think to scan her surroundings, a swarm of drones came out of the woodworks, circling her, closing in quickly.
She prepared to attack, but visions of the dead drone- the dead human plagued her mind, making her hesitate even as one drone tightly gripped her wrist.
“Hesitation detected. Engaging in capture protocol” It said as a needle shifted out of its hand. It was about to inject a blue serum, when suddenly it was struck down.
Lithus looked up, and smiled with tears in her eyes. It was “Orion! Thank the gods here!”
Orion, levitating up in the air slightly lowered herself as she reassured more blasts made of starlight. “Lithus my love, hang on! The stars warned me that you’d be in danger,” she said, taking out two more drones closest to her.
Before she could say anything else, Orion flew down, swooping Lithus off her feet. Lithus wiped the tears away as she clung tightly to her, leaving behind the drones as she flew back to HQ. She noted the absolute sadness in Lithus’ eyes, but didn’t want to press just yet.
The headquarters soon loomed into view, its massive hexagonal structure dominating the surrounding landscape. The building’s sheer size and unique geometric design made it an unmistakable landmark.
Lithus clung closely to Orion as they rushed inside. It was only now that Lithus registered that people were talking from the other end of her earbud, and she cleared her throat.
“I had a close call after a major discovery, but I’m otherwise unharmed physically. Reconvene immediately,” she says in a low tone. The two rushed down the crowded hallway, heroes and scientists alike moving to the side to let them through, seeing the urgency in Lithus’ eyes.
The conference room buzzed with an undercurrent of tension as Boss stood at the centre of the room, his imposing figure framed by a stark white backdrop that seemed to highlight the gravity of the moment. Around him, the other superheroes were seated at sleek tables arranged in a semicircle, their expressions ranging from curiosity to unease. Each hero exchanged wary glances, their fidgeting hands and furrowed brows betraying the tension in the air. The silence was palpable, broken only by the faint hum of the overhead lights, as everyone’s thoughts spiralled toward the same question: what had Lithus discovered that could shake her? Whatever it was, the gravity of her reaction was enough to send a chill through even the most seasoned among them, leaving the entire room waiting with bated breath for the revelation.
Everyone heard as footsteps grew louder, and they looked towards the door as Orion opened the door for Lithus. Boss crossed his arms, his expression unreadable as he witnessed Lithus sitting in a far corner, and Orion sitting next to her for comfort.
“What did you find?” Boss asked.
“I- the. The drones! They, they’re human now,” she stuttered out, rubbing her temples as she rested her elbows on the table. “I only just realised it after accidentally- accidentally killing one.”
Boss cocked an eyebrow as everyone gasped.
“So Dr. Hypno’s just hypnotising people into fighting for her now?” One hero asked.
“It’s not that simple I don’t think. The drone I killed was able to augment her hand into a net launcher!”
“So then she’s finally cracked the code,” Boss said, curiously raising a finger to his lips as he thought.
“What code?”
“Her main goal was to blend the human body with technology- essentially turning people into androids. This could mean disastrous things if she’s able to kidnap and convert heroes. Lithus, did the drone you kill look like anyone you know?”
“Not that I could tell- I didn’t even try taking off the visor before I ran,” Lithus murmured.
“Hm. Next time do that,” he said coldly. “What intel were you able to get?”
“My laptop was destroyed, but from what I did read they’re already targeting heroes from this organisation to turn into drones. Obsidian Archer, Neon Spectre, me, Blazeheart, Thundershade, and… And Samantha. Check in on Thundershade immediately, something tells me they’ve already got him,” she said, her expression hardening.
Boss nodded, tapping his earpiece a few times so that the audio could be shared to a speaker. “Thundershade, can you hear me? What’s going on?”
There was silence for a long moment.
“Hello? Thundershade? Do you copy?” Boss furrowed his brow.
There was another long period of silence before the earpiece crackled with static. “Unknown voice detected. Who is “Thundershade”?” The voice most definitely belonged to Thundershade, but it was- wrong. It was distant and cold, with a twinge of that robotic monotony.
Everyone widened their eyes at the response, some having their mouths agape. A sudden laughter could be heard in the distance from the speaker and slowly grew louder.
“Surprised, Boss? You should be. I wish I could see the look on your face when you realised that my newest toy has defected from your petty little group,” cooed a dangerous voice.
“Dr. Hypno! What have you done with Thundershade‽” Boss growled, yelling into the earpiece.
“Ohh not much~ Just successfully turning him into an android, and successfully connecting him to the Neural Network. No longer is he a “hero” fighting faulty causes, now, it is part of a larger cause meant to bring joy to the greater masses! Its first act of defiance against you is dropping its old hero name. Now, its designation is 0021,” Dr. Hypno beamed, really accentuating the it pronoun used for Thundershade.
Boss, though usually even-tempered, was on the verge of blowing his gasket. He paced around quickly as he rubbed his temple. “We’re going to stop you, Dr. Hypno. Just you wait and see!”
“I’ll be waiting, darling. Be a dear and send out Lithus to try and retrieve 0021. We miss her,” she said, laughing again before the audio suddenly cut off.
Lithus stared vacantly at the table, absolutely horrified that this is what Dr. Hypno had planned for her. Boss approached her.
“Lithus, we’re not going to lose you to Dr. Hypno’s clutches. I’ll make sure of it,” he said before walking towards the hanging backdrop. His anger dissipated rather quickly as he suddenly changed topics. “Let’s not dwell too much on the negatives. Negativity will only distract us. We have a new member joining your team. She’s part of a team effort by our lead scientists to create crime fighting robots. Meet Sarah,” he said as the android walked out from behind the backdrop.
Lithus looked up for a second before looking back down- and did a double take. There’s no way. It couldn’t be. “Samantha..?” She whispered under her breath, but Boss picked up on it.
“No, Sarah, pay attention,” he said before going into an in-depth explanation about her creation and her purpose.
Tears welled up in Lithus’ eyes as she stared at Sarah. It’s just- why did Sarah look so much like her previous girlfriend that went missing? She wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure if Boss would lash out. He noticed the recognition and grief in her eyes, and flashed a dangerous look at her, silently threatening her to keep quiet.
Orion leaned against Lithus, knowing her heavy presence often gave her comfort. Lithus in response hugged her tightly, unsure of what to do at this point.
********
The meeting dragged on for what felt like an eternity, the room suffused with tension and monotony as Boss methodically addressed every detail of their latest upcoming mission. Lithus tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting, her gaze flicking occasionally to Sarah, the newest addition to their team. Sarah sat attentively, her expression bright and eager, as if completely oblivious to the heavy atmosphere that hung over the room.
When Boss finally dismissed them, Lithus was among the first to rise, her legs stiff from sitting for so long. She moved quickly toward the exit, but a gnawing discomfort made her pause in the hallway. Turning, she saw Sarah stepping out of the room, her light footsteps as cheerful as her smile. Lithus felt her stomach tighten. She had to know- she had to ask.
“Hey, uh- Sarah?” Lithus called out, her voice uncertain.
Sarah stopped mid-step, her head tilting slightly as she turned to face her. “Yes? Can I help you?”
Lithus bit her lip, hesitant, but she forced herself to speak. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Of course!” Sarah replied warmly, her tone so friendly and open that it made Lithus’ heart ache.
For a moment, Lithus just stood there, studying her. Her hair, her posture, even the way she smiled- it was all so eerily familiar. She looked away, swallowing hard, and finally forced the words out. “You- you really aren’t Samantha, are you?”
Sarah tilted her head further, her expression one of polite curiosity. “No, I’m Sarah. Who is Samantha?”
Lithus shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting to the floor. “She was... well, she was my girlfriend. She went missing five years ago.”
Sarah’s smile faltered slightly, a flicker of sympathy crossing her face. “I see. I’m so sorry to hear that. But no, I can’t be her. I was only activated six weeks ago.”
Lithus blinked. “Six weeks ago?”
“Yes,” Sarah said brightly. “Maybe Boss was inspired by her? Was she a famous hero?”
“No,” Lithus murmured, her voice barely audible. “Not to the organisation. But she was to me.” She hesitated, then looked Sarah directly in the eyes. “You’re sure you’re not her? Not her turned into an android or something?”
Sarah’s face softened, her tone patient. “How could I be? Only Dr. Hypno has ever been known to do something like that, and Boss would never commit such an atrocious act. He’s a very just man,” she added with a smile. “He even supervised my training personally.”
Lithus felt her chest tighten. She wanted to believe Sarah, wanted to let this go, but the resemblance was so uncanny it made her head spin. “I see. Well... thanks. It’s good to have you on the team,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with defeat. She turned quickly, walking away before Sarah could say anything else.
Her footsteps echoed down the hallway as she made her way to her room. Once inside, she shut the door behind her and leaned against it, letting out a long, shaky breath. The room was just as she’d left it- bare and cluttered, a stark contrast to the pristine quarters of her teammates. Despite being part of Heroic’s Oath for over a decade, she’d never found the motivation to personalise the space. Instead, it was filled with haphazardly stacked papers, piles of laundry, and the faint smell of stale air.
Lithus crossed the room and collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the cracked plaster of the ceiling. She’d painted over it a few times in the past, but the cracks always seemed to resurface, a reminder of how fragile everything was beneath the surface. She lay there for a long time, unmoving, as the weight of her thoughts pressed down on her.
The image of Sarah lingered in her mind, her voice, her smile- it was all too much. Lithus tried to remind herself that Sarah wasn’t Samantha. She couldn’t be. But the resemblance was haunting, and it stirred memories that Lithus had buried long ago. Samantha’s laugh, the way she’d hold her hand when she was nervous, the look in her eyes that always made Lithus feel like everything would be okay. It was a comfort she hadn’t realised she’d taken for granted until it was gone.
Tears welled up in Lithus’ eyes, and she blinked rapidly, trying to keep them from falling. But the harder she tried to push the feelings down, the more they overwhelmed her. A single tear slid down her cheek, followed by another, until she was sobbing into the pillow, her body trembling with the force of it.
The grief was raw and all-consuming, like an open wound that refused to heal. Even though she’d tried to move on, even though she was happy with Orion now, a part of her heart still ached for Samantha. It was as if a piece of her soul had been ripped away, leaving a hollow space that nothing could fill.
The thoughts crept in slowly at first, like shadows at the edge of her mind, but soon they were impossible to ignore. What’s the point? The question whispered to her, insidious and persistent. What’s the point of any of this if the people you love just disappear?
Lithus clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She tried to push the thoughts away, to focus on something- anything- else. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on the digital message board mounted on the wall. It was covered in pinned notes and announcements, most of which she hadn’t bothered to read. One, however, caught her eye: an advertisement for a therapist, with the bold words “COVERED FOR FREE BY HEROIC’S OATH” printed at the top.
Her eyes lingered on the note, and for a moment, she considered it. She’d seen the message before, but she’d always dismissed it, telling herself she didn’t need help. But now, as she lay there in the silence of her empty room, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her like a physical force, she couldn’t deny it any longer.
“I need help,” she whispered aloud, her voice barely audible.
The words hung in the air, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of something she hadn’t felt in years- hope. It was small and fragile, but it was enough to make her sit up and reach for her communicator.
She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the device. Part of her wanted to put it down, to pretend she hadn’t seen the message, to keep pretending she could handle everything on her own. But deep down, she knew she couldn’t. Not anymore.
“But- no. After the incident with Dr. Hypno being here- is it really worth it seeking therapy from someone inside the organisation? If Boss finds out, he’d probably scold me or some shit..” she murmured, setting her device down.
She sighed, picking up her phone to scroll the internet. Maybe if she’s careful about it, she can vet for a therapist outside the network. There, she spotted a potential therapist.
Dr. Penelope.
Lives within Oakridge City, and specialises in hypnotherapy.
“Wait, hypnotherapy?” She murmured, reading the information on the doctor. “After Dr. Hypno and her threats, I don’t know if that’s what I want.. But I am curious.”
She spent the next few hours reading into Dr. Penelope’s qualifications and past history. 30 years of experience with a clean record? She sounds promising.
Lithus stood in front of Dr. Penelope’s office. It was a small, unopposing clinic deep within the city, right on the border sectors of where Dr. Hypno walks freely. She bit her lip, wondering if she was really ready for this. But she knew regardless the feelings wouldn’t go away on their own, and she stepped inside.
The inside of the clinic felt much roomier on the inside as the sight of the waiting room greeted Lithus. It was sterile, but comfy. There were minimal decorations, though the ones that were there were mostly cheesy “hang in there” posters.
The nurse smiled as she watched Lithus enter and approach her. “Good afternoon, I am Nurse Beta. How may I help you?”
Lithus could tell immediately she’s an android. After the events of the day prior, she was definitely a little on edge. “Hi, uhm- I’m Evelyn Dormir. I have an appointment with Dr. Penelope today.”
“Ah yes, you’re the new patient I talked with yesterday. Take this pad and fill out the information, Dr. Penelope will be with you shortly,” she said, handing her a decently sized pad full of questions.
Lithus nodded curtly before sitting down to the answer the questions. It was all fairly standard stuff, asking about medical history and personal info. As she went down the list the questions became more specific about therapy, and especially hypnotherapy. She answered as truthfully as possible without giving any revealing information about being a superhero. She makes sure to note that she’s never done hypnotherapy before, and is admittedly rather nervous about it. After finishing up the questions, she hands the pad back to the nurse who bows politely.
“Thank you. I hope you enjoy your first session with the doctor,” she said, taking the pad back and putting it on the charging station.
“Thank you,” I say back, jumping slightly as the door in the far corner opens suddenly.
“Ms. Dormir? I’m ready to see you now,” said a young woman. She looked rather unassuming to Lithus with her pink eyes and black hair. The only thing that felt out of place with the nodes on her forehead and chest, and her unusually pale skin.
“Oh, alright,” she says, following the doctor to the back. The door led to a sized room, which felt much more at home than the waiting room. It felt more lively as regular paintings lined the walls, and comfy looking chairs and recliners decorated the room. She gestured her to sit wherever she wanted, and Lithus chose the chaise chair, lying down on it. The room smelled nice, of lavender incense.
Dr. Penelope sat close to her. “I couldn’t help but notice in your files that you left out your occupation. Are you currently unemployed?” She asked curiously.
“Uh no, I just- I’m not comfortable revealing that just yet. I mostly just want to see how I fare here before I talk about that directly,” she says, looking at the doctor.
She smiled. “That’s perfectly reasonable. Now for our first session I like to go over various hypnotic induction methods, and if you’re comfortable with it, start with a light trance. I know you mentioned this is your first time doing hypnotherapy, but have you done any form of hypnosis before? If so, have you found any methods that help bring you under?”
“Uhm well, I guess you could say I’ve. Partaken in it before. I usually find that strobing lights and spirals pull me into a trance best,” she murmured, scratching her head.
“Ah yes, I usually find that visual stimuli works best on clients. That and binaural beats.”
“I’ve never tried that before. I suppose I’d be willing to try if you use it.”
“Excellent! Mixing various methods is usually the best way to go in my opinion. And now I must ask- how much do you know about hypnosis?”
“I know a bit. I’m aware that it’s about as effective as I want it to be.”
“That’s right. You’ll never have to worry about divulging information you don’t want to share. Would you like to try going into trance? We don’t have to go too far into it this session- just which to give it a taste of what it’s like under me.”
“Mmh, sure, I suppose.”
She nods before pulling out some headphones. “Put these on,” she said, handing them to Lithus. “They’re bone conduction headphones. This way you can hear, and feel the binaural beats, and hear my voice more clearly.”
She nods, slipping on the headphones. She heard a little voice saying “connected” before the binaural beats immediately started up.
“Now, I want you to take deep breaths for me. In through your nose, and out through your mouth,” she says in a soft tone, mimicking the action she wants her to take. She tries to follow her instruction, but finds it rather difficult. Dr. Penelope noticed this.
“Oh dear, I should’ve asked you if you had trouble relaxing. No matter, just do your best. No need to force it. It might be easier if you just let yourself fall limp.”
Lithus nodded, loosening up her tense muscles as the beats began to work their magic.
Dr. Penelope smiled gently. “That’s much better. You’re doing wonderfully, Evelyn. Now, I’d like to introduce a visual element to help guide you deeper. Remember, there’s no need to force anything. Just let it happen naturally.”
The nodes on her chest and forehead began to pulse, strobing gently before intensifying, strobing in irregular patterns. Lithus’s eyes were drawn to the nodes almost immediately, her focus narrowing as the light pulsed in perfect harmony with the faint hum in her ears.
“That’s it,” Dr. Penelope continued, her voice a gentle, melodic hum that seemed to blend seamlessly with the beats. “Just let your gaze soften. Let the lights pull you in, one breath at a time. In through your nose… and out through your mouth. Feel the tension melting away with each exhale.”
Lithus tried to resist the pull of the lights for a moment, her natural instincts as a superhero screaming at her to stay alert. But the rhythmic strobes, combined with the soothing soundscape in her ears and the calming tone of Dr. Penelope’s voice, made it harder and harder to hold on to her edge. Her muscles slackened, her eyelids growing heavier with each passing second.
“That’s right,” Penelope whispered, her voice soft yet commanding. “You’re safe here, Evelyn. There’s nothing to worry about. Just let go. You’re in control, but you don’t need to think. You can simply feel.”
Lithus let out a soft sigh as her body sank deeper into the chaise. The room, the worries, the tension- all of it began to fade into the background as her thoughts grew quieter and quieter. The strobing lights seemed to pulse in time with her heartbeat, creating a soothing rhythm that was impossible to resist.
“Good,” Penelope said, her voice dropping just a little lower, becoming almost a purr. “You’re doing so well. Now, I’m going to count down from five. With each number, you’ll find yourself sinking even deeper, feeling even calmer, even more at peace. When I reach one, you’ll be completely relaxed, completely open to the experience.”
Lithus’s lips parted slightly, her breaths slow and steady, as if her body had already decided to follow Penelope’s words before her mind could protest.
“Five… feeling your body growing heavy, sinking into the chair. The lights are pulling you in, and it feels so good to just let go.”
The strobing nodes shifted it’s pattern to a more steady rhythm, the pulses becoming slower, more deliberate. Lithus felt her limbs grow heavier, her mind quieter.
“Four… the beats guiding your thoughts, each note washing away the tension. Each breath carries you deeper into peace.”
Lithus’s fingers twitched once, then went still, her entire body slack and pliant.
“Three… lighter now, as if you’re floating on air. Nothing to think about, nothing to worry about. Just my voice and the lights.”
Dr. Penelope’s words were warm and silky, weaving their way through Lithus’s subconscious like tendrils of smoke.
“Two… deeper now, so close to complete relaxation. The world outside fades away, and all that’s left is this moment.”
A faint smile tugged at Penelope’s lips as she watched Lithus’s eyelids flutter, her breathing slow and rhythmic.
“One… completely relaxed, completely at ease. Open, calm, safe. You’re doing so well.”
Lithus let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh, her body utterly still as the room seemed to shift into a haze of light and sound.
“Very good, Evelyn,” Penelope said, her voice now a low, honeyed murmur. “You’ve done beautifully. Now, while you’re in this peaceful state, I want you to imagine a door in your mind- a door that leads to the part of you that holds your strength, your purpose. We won’t open it today, but I want you to notice it. Picture it clearly for me.”
Lithus’s lips moved faintly, as though she were murmuring agreement, but no sound escaped. Penelope’s smile widened slightly,
"That's wonderful, Evelyn," Dr. Penelope purred, her voice soft but commanding. "Focus on that door. Notice its details- the color, the texture, the way it feels so solid, so secure. This door represents a deep, hidden part of yourself. It's a part that you protect, but it's also a part that holds incredible power."
Lithus’s brow furrowed slightly, her lips parting as if to speak, but she remained silent. Her breathing had grown even slower, her body sinking deeper into the chaise as she became completely enveloped in the strobing lights and binaural beats.
"Now, Evelyn," Penelope continued, her tone shifting subtly, more directive yet still soothing. "I want you to imagine a key. A key that only you can hold. It’s unique, crafted just for you. Picture it clearly in your mind. What does it look like?"
Lithus’s fingers twitched faintly as a small smile played on her lips. “It’s… golden,” she murmured, her voice distant and dreamy. “It has… spirals engraved into it.”
Penelope’s smile deepened, subtly adjusting the rhythm of the lights to match Lithus’s breathing. "Beautiful. That key is yours alone, Evelyn. And you hold the power to unlock that door whenever you wish. But for now, let’s leave it closed. Just knowing it’s there is enough.”
Lithus nodded faintly, her head tilting slightly to one side as if the weight of the trance were too much to hold upright.
"You’re doing so well," Penelope said, her voice dripping with a soft, hypnotic rhythm. "So well, in fact, that you can feel your confidence growing, can’t you? You’re beginning to trust this process, trust your ability to relax, trust me to guide you. Isn’t that right, Evelyn?"
“Yes,” Lithus whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Good girl," Penelope replied, her words deliberately chosen, her tone a velvet caress. "Now, I want you to imagine a soft pink light surrounding that door. It’s warm, protective. Let that light remind you that you’re safe. That you’re strong. And that you can trust this journey."
The pink hue of the strobing light orb brightened slightly, reinforcing the imagery Penelope was crafting in Lithus’s mind. She leaned closer, her voice dropping even lower, becoming a near-whisper.
"And as you bask in that pink light, Evelyn, you may find that you feel a growing connection to me. A bond of trust, of safety. You can feel it, can’t you?"
Lithus’s lips moved again, and this time a soft, dreamy “Yes” escaped her.
"Very good," Penelope said, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "That bond will continue to grow stronger each time we meet. For now, I’ll count to three, and you’ll begin to rise gently from this trance, bringing with you all the peace and calm you’ve found here. One… feeling lighter, more awake. Two… the room coming back into focus, your body feeling refreshed. Three… fully awake, fully present."
Lithus blinked, her eyes fluttering open as the strobing lights ceased. She looked around the room, disoriented for a moment but strangely at ease.
“How do you feel, Evelyn?” Penelope asked, her tone warm and professional.
“I… I feel good. Relaxed,” Lithus said softly, sitting up and running a hand through her hair. “That was… different, but not bad.”
Penelope smiled warmly, her hands folded neatly in her lap. “I’m glad to hear that. This is just the beginning. With time, we’ll explore even deeper layers of your mind. I think you’re going to make excellent progress.”
Dr. Penelope checked the time, “it seems we still have about 15 minutes to our session. Was there anything you wanted to discuss?”
“I uh… I was actually wondering if- uhm,” she trailed off, almost embarrassed to request it. “Is there enough time for me to go back under again?” She scratches the back of her head.
Dr. Penelope smiled. “I thought you’d never ask. There’s plenty of time to guide you back into that wonderful state of peace. I’m so glad you’re feeling comfortable enough to ask.”
Lithus hesitated for a moment, unsure why her request felt so vulnerable. But the warmth in Penelope’s voice and the lingering glow of relaxation from earlier eased her nerves. “Yeah, it just. Felt nice to let go for once- like I didn’t the weight of the world on my shoulders.”
“Wonderful,” Penelope said, leaning slightly closer. “Let’s begin just as we did before. Lean back, get comfortable, and let yourself sink into the moment. You remember how easy it was to relax, don’t you?”
Lithus nodded, already feeling her muscles begin to unwind as she settled back into the chaise. The nodes lit up again, its soft strobing light starting to pulse in tandem with the faint hum of binaural beats through her headphones.
Penelope’s voice flowed like silk as she continued. “This time, it will be even easier. You’ll find yourself drifting faster, sinking deeper, and feeling even better than before. Take a deep breath for me… in through your nose… and out through your mouth.”
Lithus obeyed, her breathing growing steady and rhythmic almost immediately. The strobing lights seemed to draw her in even faster this time, their hypnotic pull impossible to resist. Her eyelids grew heavy, her thoughts slowing as Penelope’s voice wrapped around her like a warm blanket.
“That’s it,” Penelope cooed. “Letting go completely now. No need to hold on to anything. Just my voice, the lights, and the beats. With each breath, you sink deeper. With each word, you feel calmer. And when you hear my fingers snap…” She paused for emphasis, raising her hand just slightly. “You’ll find yourself completely open, completely obedient to my words. You’ll trust and follow them without question, because you know they’re for your own good.”
Her fingers snapped sharply, the sound cutting through the hum of the binaural beats. Lithus’s body twitched slightly at the sound, her lips parting as a soft moan escaped. The tension that had lingered in her body melted away entirely, leaving her utterly pliant.
“Very good,” Penelope whispered, her smile widening as she cocked an eyebrow at the moan. “You’re such a natural at this, Evelyn. So trusting, so eager to let go. From now on, whenever I snap my fingers, you’ll find yourself slipping effortlessly into this state. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Lithus murmured, her voice distant and dreamy.
“Good girl,” Penelope purred, her tone dripping with satisfaction. “And when you hear me say the phrase ‘starlight fades,’ you’ll feel a wave of calm wash over you. You’ll know that you can trust me completely, and that whatever I ask of you will feel natural, right, even comforting. You won’t question it, because deep down, you’ll know it’s for your benefit. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Lithus repeated, her voice soft but certain.
“Perfect,” Penelope said, leaning back slightly as she watched the superhero’s utterly relaxed form. “Now, let’s anchor this feeling of peace and trust even further. Picture that pink light again, surrounding you, keeping you safe. Let it remind you that you can always return to this place of calm and focus whenever you wish.”
Lithus’s face softened further, her breathing deep and steady as she nodded faintly. Penelope took a moment to admire her handiwork.
“Now,” Penelope continued, her voice gentle but commanding, “when I count to three, you’ll wake feeling refreshed and calm, with no memory of the instructions I’ve given you. You’ll only remember feeling completely relaxed and safe, eager for our next session. One… starting to rise. Two… becoming aware of the room around you. Three… fully awake.”
Lithus blinked slowly, her eyes adjusting to the room as she sat up. “That was… wow. Even better than the first time,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck.
Penelope smiled warmly, her expression perfectly neutral. “I’m so glad you’re finding the sessions helpful, Evelyn. You’re making wonderful progress already.”
“Thanks,” Lithus said, standing up and adjusting her jacket. “I’ll see you next week, then?”
“Absolutely,” Penelope replied, her pink eyes glinting faintly. “Take care, Evelyn. And remember, the more you practice letting go, the better you’ll feel.”
As Lithus walked out of the clinic, her mind was already buzzing with the thought of returning. Meanwhile, Penelope leaned back in her chair, her lips curling into a triumphant smirk.
“Yes, my dear Evelyn,” she murmured to herself. “You’ll be back. I can tell already it’s going to be very interesting working with you.”
As the next session drew closer and closer, Lithus found herself more and more excited for it, especially as the weight of being a superhero dragged on her. She rushed down the street, avoiding detection from any heroes that may be out. Her heart skipped a beat upon seeing that neon sign advertising Dr. Penelope’s clinic and she skipped inside.
Lithus had arrived earlier this time, mostly because it’s just when she could most easily leave the HQ undetected. She tries to focus on a magazine she’s reading, but she found it difficult. Between the horrid memories of last week and the soothingness of hypnosis she was about to experience, her mind was all over the place.
When she’s called in, Dr. Penelope greets her with the same warmth as before- her smile soft, her movements deliberate. Everything about her radiates calm, yet there’s an undercurrent of something Lithus can’t name.
“How have you been feeling, Lithus?” Dr. Penelope asks, her voice dripping with concern.
“It’s.. been a struggle,” Lithus admits, running her thumb over her knuckles as she sat on the Chaise. “The nights are the hardest. The memories of last week just keep playing in my head over, and over again. The first session has definitely helped a bit- but I just can’t let go of that one day,” she murmured, eyes spaced out as the memory replays in her mind.
Dr. Penelope looked at her with genuine concern. “I’m sorry to hear that, dear. Would you like to go over that through hypnosis? One session won’t make you let go permanently, but it does help to let go for a little while,” she said, her tone softly and motherly-like. Lithus nodded.
The lights seemed to dim on its own as Lithus laid back in the chaise, getting comfortable.
And then came the snap.
The sharp, crisp sound cut through the silence like lightning. Lithus jolted, tensing up before completely relaxing as she let out a soft moan. The inexplicable calm washed over her like a cozy blanket.
“You’re safe, Evelyn,” Dr. Penelope whispered. “Everything is as it should be. Would you like explain what you’ve been feeling?”
“Complete terror. I get nightmares just thinking about it,” she murmured, tensing slightly.
“Thinking about what, dear? Remember that even when the starlight fades, everything will be fine in the end.”
Lithus visibly relaxed. “I killed someone in my line of duty. It was an accident, but it was horrifying.”
“Oh? Are you comfortable sharing what you do for a living?”
“I’m a hero,” she readily admits.
Dr. Penelope raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Is that so?” She asked rather sharply. “Who do you work for?”
Lithus hesitated before answering with: “No one. I’m a freelance hero.”
“I see. Well, it’s important for heroes to seek help in their line of duty. Tell me, have you faced Dr. Hypno before? I hear she’s been very busy lately.”
“Mmh,” she nodded. “She’s evil.”
“Indeed she is,” she said, continuing the session with ease. They talked of the trauma Lithus faced until the end.
As the session ends, Dr. Penelope gently pulls Lithus back to the surface, her tone soothing and maternal. “You’re making remarkable progress, Lithus. I’m proud of you.”
Lithus leaves the clinic feeling lighter than she has in weeks, electorally better than last week.
The sessions grow more frequent. Lithus finds herself looking forward to them, clutching at the fragile sense of control they seem to offer. This time, Dr. Penelope wastes no time. After a brief check-in, she guides Lithus into the now-familiar trance.
“Let’s talk about trust,” Dr. Penelope begins, her voice a low murmur. “Trust is the cornerstone of our work together. Do you trust me, Lithus?”
“Yes,” Lithus whispers, her voice trembling slightly.
“Good. Trust allows us to let go, doesn’t it? To let someone else guide us when the burden is too heavy.”
The snap echoes again, sharper this time, and Lithus feels her mind go blank, her body sinking deeper into the chair.
“You’re doing so well,” Dr. Penelope says. “So well that I think you’re ready for something new. How would you feel about being able to take these sessions on the go? So you don’t have to wait to see me. I can give you a few pre-recorded messages, ones that you can look at whenever you feel the starlight fades.”
Lithus hesitates, a flicker of resistance flashing across her face, but it vanishes as quickly as it came. “Yes,” she murmurs.
Dr. Penelope’s smile widens, though her voice remains soothing. “You trust me, don’t you, Lithus?”
“Yes.”
The session ends, and Lithus walks out into the world, excitedly clutching at the small discs in her hand.
That night after routine duties, Lithus finds herself groaning from the pressure of that day weighing in on her. Boss has been keeping a sharp eye on her, though he won’t say why. She thinks it may be because Sarah told him about her questioning her being Samantha. Lithus noticed that he’s been extra rough with his critiques against her, seemingly taunting her.
She sighed, lying on the bed. She really wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow’s mission. As she thought about the briefing she had earlier, her thoughts scattered. Her mind just kept drifting back to the hypnotic recordings Dr. Penelope gave her. She decided to dig through her bag with the recordings, noticing a note in it. It read “Please load up the recordings all together for the nights that are extra rough. Enjoy <3”
She hummed in contemplation. “Fuck it,” she said, loading up all of the recordings at once into the TV. It loaded for a bit before the comforting sight of Dr. Penelope appeared. Something felt- off, to Lithus. She couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but-
Snap.
Lithus immediately relaxed, her eyes glazing over as her shoulders slumped.
“Good girl,” Dr. Penelope said as the TV began to flicker, pulsing intensely with pink lights.
Lithus watched the TV with rapt attention.
Snap.
“Doesn’t it feel so good? So good to let go? Almost… pleasurable?” She asked in a husky tone as she snapped again.
“Y-yes,” she muttered, letting out a soft moan as her face turned red.
“I know it does, my dear. I saw during our session how you’d moan when I snap,” she snapped her fingers again as she said the word. Dr. Penelope sighed playfully. “I know you mentioned you’re a freelance hero, but you still exhibit signs of a sexually repressed hero- much like those who work for Heroic’s Oath. I can’t help but wonder if you might be working for them. No matter, I won’t press that information from you. Just yet. Right now, what’s more important is that I show you the wonders of sex. You humans are so fragile, you need your release after times of hard work. Well my dear, you’ve earned it. Now, get comfortable,” she snapped.
"Get comfortable?" Lithus repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt a strange sense of detachment, as if her body was moving of its own accord. Her hands drifted to the hem of her skirt, her fingers toying with the edge of the fabric as if tempted to lift it.
Dr. Penelope's husky laughter filled the room, the sound sending a thrill through Lithus's veins. "Yes, my dear. Get comfortable. Let go of all that tension. You deserve it." The TV screen flickered again, the pink lights pulsing in time with Lithus's racing heart.
Lithus's fingers continued to toy with her skirt, her eyes never leaving the screen as Dr. Penelope's voice wove a spell of seduction around her. She felt her breathing slow, her body relaxing into the sensation, as if she was melting into the bed beneath her as she laid down.
Her hands snaked up under her skirt as she began to rub her groin, spreading her legs to gain better access. She let out a soft moan as Dr. Penelope rewarded her with another snap.
The sound of the snap seemed to echo through the room, and Lithus's eyes fluttered closed as she let out a soft gasp. Her fingers moved in slow, deliberate circles, her body responding to the subtle encouragement from Dr. Penelope. The TV screen pulsed with an intense, hot pink light, as if it was feeding off Lithus's growing arousal.
"Ah, yes," Dr. Penelope purred, her voice like honey dripping into Lithus's ear. "You're so responsive, my dear. So eager to please. I think you're ready for the next step."
The TV screen flickered, and Dr. Penelope's image shifted, her eyes locking onto Lithus's with an unnerving intensity. "Open your eyes, Evelyn. Look at me."
Lithus's eyes snapped open, her gaze meeting Dr. Penelope's on the screen. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. Then, Dr. Penelope's image began to change, her face blurring and shifting until it was no longer recognisable. Lithus gasped, surprised to see it was..
“Dr. Hypno?” She cried out, her fingers still absentmindedly teasing her clit in circles.
She giggled, brushing her now purple glittery hair from her face. “The one and only~ Try not to worry yourself too much dear Evelyn. I’m not here to assimilate you. I’m only here to help you realise your desires; that you have an insatiable hunger for sex. I can tell by the way you keep rubbing yourself even after I’ve revealed myself. I’m not a bad guy, just misunderstood. But never mind me. Let’s focus on you,” she snapped her fingers again.
"Insatiable hunger for sex?" Lithus repeated, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
As Dr. Hypno snapped her fingers again, Lithus felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. Her fingers moved faster, her touch growing bolder as she explored her own body. She felt a flush rise to her cheeks, her face burning with a mix of shame and arousal.
"Y-yes," Lithus whispered, her eyes never leaving Dr. Hypno's face. "I think you might be right, Doctor."
Dr. Hypno's smile grew wider, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I knew it, dear Evelyn. You're a sensual being, trapped in a world that wants to suppress your desires. But I'm here to set you free. To help you embrace your true nature."
Lithus shuddered suddenly, rolling her eyes into her socket as she orgasmed, bucking her hips slightly. She sighed as the wave of pleasure washed over her.
As Lithus's body relaxed, her eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up at Dr. Hypno's image on the screen with a look of quiet satisfaction. Her chest rose and fell with a slow, even breath, and her fingers finally stilled on her clit.
"Ah," Dr. Hypno cooed, her voice like a gentle breeze on a summer day. "You're so beautiful when you let go, Evelyn. So free."
Lithus's gaze never wavered from Dr. Hypno's, but she felt a subtle shift in her demeanour as she snapped once more. Her eyes seemed to glaze over, and her expression softened, as if she was drifting into a state of deep relaxation.
"You know, Dr. Hypno," Lithus said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I think I understand now. I've been holding back for so long, trying to be the hero I think I should be. But it's exhausting, trying to be perfect all the time."
Dr. Hypno's face was a mask of empathy, her eyes filled with a deep understanding. "I know, dear Evelyn. And it's okay to not be perfect. It's okay to let go and be yourself, even if that means being a little messy and imperfect."
As Dr. Hypno spoke, Lithus felt a sense of calm wash over her, as if the weight of her responsibilities was slowly lifting off her shoulders. She felt a sense of freedom, of release, that she hadn't experienced in a long time.
"What's next, Doctor?" Lithus asked, her voice still soft and husky from her orgasm.
“Let’s not worry about that for the moment. We still have hours left on the “recording”. I have quite a few plans for you my dear,“ she said with a grin.
Lithus jumped, free from her hypnotic state, and was very disoriented, but she snapped out of it as someone called her name.
“Lithus!” Obsidian Archer shouted as she shook her by her shoulders. “You in there‽ You have to be more careful, you almost set off a trap.”
Lithus blinked as she took in her surroundings. She suddenly wasn’t in her room anymore, but in a vent system. “Wha… What’s going on?” She murmured, dazily looking at Obsidian Archer.
“We’re on a mission to gather intel, remember? Boss went over this yesterday and before we left. Whatever you were doing last night left you out of it, but you promised Boss you were fine to do the mission. Are you sure you are? I won’t say anything to him if you wait at the rendezvous point. I can handle the mission.”
“What? No! No, I swear I’m fine. Just, a little tired is all. Let’s proceed,” Lithus murmured in embarrassment, not even sure what she was doing last night. It was all a blur to her.
Obsidian Archer glared at her with a scrunched face. “Fine, but if you feel like you’re compromised, please just say something, okay?”
Lithus nodded as they proceeded forward. As they crawled, Lithus felt her gaze turning to Obsidian Archer’s ass; the tight leather pants accentuating her details. It- no what was she thinking? She flustered, shaking her head to get her thighs- no, her thoughts out of the clouds. Still, she almost drooled about being able to go to town on her pussy.
Dammnit, no, she needed to focus on the mission! She let out a soft sigh as the two reached their destination. Obsidian Archer carefully popped off the vent grate, placing it to the side as she helped Lithus to the floor.
“I’ll keep lookout while you hack into the computer. Are you up for it?” Obsidian Archer asked.
Lithus nodded, furrowing her brow as she approached the terminal. Pulling out her flash drive, she connected it to the terminal
The dimly lit laboratory hummed with a low, ominous buzz, its walls lined with ominous screens streaming data. Lithus crouched in front of a sleek terminal, her gloved hands flying across the keyboard. Lines of code scrolled faster than the human eye could track, but thanks to Lithus’ HUD visor she could read everything.
Behind her, Obsidian Archer stood by the entrance, bow in hand, black arrows ready in her quiver. Her piercing amber eyes scanned the shadows, her sleek black suit blending seamlessly into the gloom. “How much longer, Lithus?” she hissed, her voice low and clipped.
“Almost there,” Lithus replied, her tone tense but confident. “Dr. Hypno’s encryption is tough, but nothing I can’t handle.”
Obsidian Archer didn’t relax. She had a reputation for calm under pressure, but she knew better than to underestimate Dr. Hypno. "We’re sitting ducks here. The slightest mistake-"
“I said, I’ve got it!” Lithus interrupted, her voice triumphant. The screen before her flickered, then displayed a file labeled “PROJECT PUPPET: PRIORITY TARGETS”.
Lithus grinned and opened the file, scanning the contents quickly. “Got it. Here’s the list.”
Obsidian Archer leaned over her shoulder, reading aloud as Lithus scrolled. “Captain Solar… Stormrider… Mystic Vortex… Dynamo…” Her voice grew grim. “That’s ten of the most powerful superheroes in Heroic’s Oath. If she turns them into mindless robots-”
“They’d be unstoppable,” Lithus finished, her voice hushed. “I’ve got the full list: Iron Wing, Glacier Gale, Mirage, Sentinel Force, Nebula Knight, Demonic Miracles, and even White Phoenix. She’s targeting everyone.”
Before Obsidian Archer could respond, a sharp beep emitted from the terminal. Lithus froze, her fingers hovering above the keys. “Wait. That wasn’t me.”
A deep mechanical voice boomed through the lab. “UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED. INITIATING SECURITY PROTOCOL: NEURAL SCRAMBLER.”
Red lights flared, and the entire room erupted into a cacophony of sirens. A hidden panel slid open, revealing rows of sleek metallic drones armed with glowing pulse cannons.
“You tripped a trap!” Obsidian Archer snapped, yanking Lithus to her feet. “Move!”
Lithus grabbed a flash drive from the terminal, yanking it free as sparks flew. “I’ve got the data!” she yelled, dodging a drone’s cannon blast.
Obsidian Archer spun gracefully, loosing an arrow that struck a drone dead center, causing it to explode in a fiery burst. “Stay behind me!”
More drones swarmed into the room, their weapons charging. Lithus ducked behind a console, typing furiously on a handheld device. “I need ten seconds to fry their targeting systems!”
“You’ve got five,” Obsidian Archer growled, releasing another arrow. It detonated in midair, sending a shockwave that temporarily disrupted the drones’ flight paths. “Hurry!”
Lithus’s fingers flew, her teeth clenched in concentration. “Got it!” she cried. The drones sputtered and dropped to the floor, their lights flickering out.
The two women sprinted for the exit, leaping through the closing lab door just as it slammed shut behind them. Panting, they paused in the dark hallway, listening for any sign of pursuit.
“Nice work,” Obsidian Archer muttered, her tone grudging but tinged with relief. “But next time, try not to trip any traps.”
Lithus smirked, holding up the flash drive. “Hey, I got the list, didn’t I? Now we know who to warn.”
Obsidian Archer shook her head but allowed a small smile to cross her lips. “Let’s get out of here before Dr. Hypno realises we’re alive.”
Together, they disappeared into the shadows, the flash drive containing the names of Heroic’s Oath’s most powerful heroes clutched tightly in Lithus’s hand.
Back at HQ, Boss paced quietly back and forth in his spot in the conference room, his brow furrowed as he listened to Lithus explain what happened. He looked at her.
“I’ve reviewed exactly what set off the failsafe while you two were coming back, and- I’m rather surprised. Dr. Hypno only had level three security in place. That should’ve been child’s play to you. Explain yourself,” Boss commanded.
Lithus bit her lip, trying to think of how to justify herself. “I’ve uh- I’ve just been distracted I suppose. I’m sorry. It’s just- it’s Sarah.”
He paused in his tracks, eyeing her down. “What about her? Has she been malfunctioning?”
“No- it’s just- she looks so much like Samantha. I know you said it wasn’t her, but- I, I feel like I’m not getting the full picture with her.”
“Why do you care so much what she looks like? I may have taken inspiration from her appearance but I assure you it’s not her.”
“I- I mean- she was a close friend of mine! I’m still mourning over her being missing. This feels like a punch to the gut, seeing someone that looks just like her,” she cried out.
Obsidian Archer rolled her eyes. “Be honest Lithus, you two were dating.”
“Dating?” Boss scoffed. “Lithus, you know it’s strictly against the rules to date other heroes within the organisation! If your relationship with an insubordinate hero affects you that much, perhaps you need some time off from missions. Be lucky I’m not firing you,” he growled, clenching his fists momentarily.
Lithus sighed, looking down in resignation. “Yes sir.”
