The Leauge Of Fail

[a_time_slip]

Janie had been back for a few days now, but was nervous about Snake Steele showing up again. She had weapons but feared she wouldn't be fast enough.

His attack came as a complete surprise, and one of her fears came true. All of the bad guys were working together, which would make winning a lot harder. Today, she was at a mostly empty diner, drowning her sorrows in a plate of pie and a glass of chocolate milkshake.

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[lostinthefog]

Julian's smile turned into a more incredulous expression.

"A baby? You mean, you're ... huh. Wow. I mean ... congratulations, Janie." He was genuinely happy for her, but couldn't help thinking about the complications that probably meant.

[a_time_slip]

"That's the look I was worried about." she sighed "And it's why I've been hiding it. Look, I'll be fine, I'm not a delicate flower and I've been holding my own all this time, haven't I?"

[lostinthefog]

"Of course you have, but ..."

He interrupted himself, thinking again about what he wanted to say.
"I'm not going to tell you to stop fighting. I just wish you wouldn't have to."

[a_time_slip]

"I want to fight, I'm used to fighting. There's no way I could step back while this is happening to my friend."

[lostinthefog]

"Thank you. I appreciate that, you know." Both -- Janie's determination and being called a friend.

"Just ... don't put yourself in danger because of me."

[a_time_slip]

"I don't want any special treatment! I'll decide what and how much danger and what for. This doesn't change anything"

Except it did. It's why she wasn't fighting in the war at home. When they found out about her baby, people went into protective mode.

"The baby will be fine, I know at least that much about the future."

[lostinthefog]

"I'm not going to treat you differently. And I would have said the same if I hadn't known. But how can you be sure? You don't know what's going to happen, do you?"

[a_time_slip]

"No, but I know he's a time traveler because he stopped by and asked my favorite color."

[lostinthefog]

"Who did ... you mean your kid?"

[a_time_slip]

"Yes. It couldn't have been anyone else... That means this is all going to work out, doesn't it?"

[lostinthefog]

"I don't know. I mean, I hope that's what it means, but ..."

He shrugged. This time traveling business was certainly confusing to him, and despite knowing people like Janie, he still found it difficult to assume that you could know how things were going to turn out.

[a_time_slip]

"That's what it means". She wasn't sure either, but needed that small glimmer of hope.

[lostinthefog]

"If you say so ... you surely know better than I do."

He wished he could believe it as well -- as it meant that Janie would survive, too.

[a_time_slip]

"It does. We're going to make it and the league of fail is going to lose and wish they'd never crossed us. You'll see, Julian."

[lostinthefog]

Julian nodded half-heartedly, and then he realized what Janie just had said.

"The ... league of fail?"

He couldn't help but break into a laugh.

[a_time_slip]

"They're not superheroes, and they're going to fail because they're terrible."

She rather liked her nickname for their foes.

[lostinthefog]

"Alright, then! League of fail it is."

So did he, and somehow, surprisingly to him, that lightened his mood a little. It was silly, but it made their enemies appear less invincible.

[a_time_slip]

Janie happily sipped from her milkshake, thinking of ways to defeat them. "I've got a device that'll stop them from teleporting. It's a little dangerous, but mostly for them."

[lostinthefog]

"Mh. Since we're obviously not concerned with their safety, that's a start. But ... would it stop us from teleporting as well?"

Glancing at Janie's shake and pie, Julian decided he had found his appetite again and finally ordered a hamburger with fries.

[a_time_slip]

"Yes, but I'm working on something that will change that, hopefully... or I can shrink the device"

Janie copied Julians order, feeling hungrier than she thought she was.

"I'll shrink it! If it sticks to clothing, then it might just be what we need"

[lostinthefog]

"Alright. Even if you can't change it in a way that'll still leave us capable of teleporting, I'd take it. Maybe it'll buy us some time for a good strike until they realize what's wrong."

He wasn't particularly fond of this method of traveling anyway, especially not after having accidentally led Snake to Phoenix by using it.

[a_time_slip]

"We're going to have to team up on them individually". She realized. "But we'll win. I just know it. "

Janie was so reliant on teleporting, she wasn't sure how well she'd do without it.

[lostinthefog]

"You're right. Separating them is our only chance. We need a decoy. Something to lure them out, one by one."

The food was served and Julian started eating immediately, using only his good hand. Thinking of a plan was certainly easier with a full stomach.

[a_time_slip]

"What do you think would work as a decoy?" she asked, in between bites.

"How long will it take for your arm to heal?"

[lostinthefog]

"I wish I knew. I'm not even sure what they want. As for Snake, I know he's been after the reward on Phoenix' head. So maybe something similar might work."

He shrugged, if this had been his only injury, he would have healed faster.
"I guess I'll be alright in another day or two."