Chapter Text
The mansion’s hallway stretched out ahead of them, dimly lit by flickering chandeliers, casting long shadows on the walls. Alan led the group; behind him, Jeff stayed close, and two kids followed just steps behind.
Alan’s mind raced. They were so close to getting out - just a few more doors and the mansion’s suffocating grip would loosen. But he couldn’t shake the nagging fear crawling up his spine. Tony wasn’t someone to let loose ends go unnoticed.
As they hurried down the hallway, a figure suddenly stepped into their path, blocking the way forward. Alan's instincts kicked in. Instinctively, he pulled Jeff and the kids behind him, shielding them with his body. His heart raced, muscles tense, ready for whatever threat had appeared.
Wasting no time, Kenta stepped forward, pulling a flash drive from his pocket along with his knife. He quickly handed both to Alan. “Give this to North and Sonic,” Kenta said, his voice low but urgent. “They have to release the evidence. It’ll expose everything.” He didn't have to say more. He was talking about Tony’s crimes, the horrific truth hidden behind his empire. All of it was on that flash drive.
“Get Jeff and the kids out of here,” Alan said, his voice firm. “I’ll handle the rest.”
Kenta’s expression remained mostly composed, but a flicker of worry crossed his dark eyes, just for a moment. He quickly masked it, nodding to Alan. “You sure about this?” His voice was steady, but the slight hesitation betrayed the concern he was trying to hide.
Before Alan could answer, Jeff stepped forward, determined despite the fear that flickered in his dark eyes. “I’ll distract Tony,” Jeff declared, his voice steady, though Alan could hear the underlying tremor.
“No,” Alan snapped, his protective instinct flaring. He turned to face Jeff fully, his broad shoulders stiff as he stood in the way. “I’m not letting you get anywhere near him.”
Jeff's face softened briefly, but his resolve didn’t waver. “I can buy time. You know I can help.” His voice dropped to a whisper, only meant for Alan. “If the team needs a backup or if something goes wrong, I’ll be there to help. You can’t do this alone.”
Alan’s heart pounded in his chest. He hated it - hated the thought of Jeff putting himself in danger. Not after everything Tony had already done to him, to Charlie. But the fire in Jeff’s eyes told Alan there was no point in arguing. No matter what he said, Jeff wouldn’t listen. He couldn’t stand by and do nothing.
“Just... be careful,” Alan muttered, his voice low but filled with emotion.
Without another word, Jeff turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Alan standing there with the weight of the world pressing down on his chest. He took a deep breath, the flash drive cold in his hand. He glanced at Kenta. “Go,” Alan said softly, before turning on his heel and heading deeper into the mansion, ready to face whatever came next.
He moved swiftly, each step heavier as he neared the room where North, Sonic, and Kim were hiding. He pushed the door open, the creak of old wood barely registering in his mind as he stepped inside. North and Sonic immediately looked up, the usual playful spark in North’s eyes dulled by the weight of the situation. Sonic was standing by his side, his expression sharper, more serious than usual. Kim was near the back of the room, his posture tense, arms crossed as if waiting for the storm to hit.
“Take this and release the evidence.” Alan threw the flash drive toward North, not wasting a second. “Once it’s done, get out of here.”
North reacted quickly, catching the drive mid-air. He hesitated for a moment, his dark brown eyes searching Alan’s face. “We can help—”
“No.” Alan cut him off, his tone firm, leaving no room for argument. “You’re not playing heroes today. Jeff is already putting himself at risk to buy us time, and I don’t need to worry about the rest of you too.” His gaze swept over Sonic and Kim, making it clear he wasn’t about to let any of them stay behind to fight. “Just get it done and go.”
There was a pause, the weight of Alan’s words sinking in. He wasn’t just giving orders - he was making sure they understood the gravity of what lay ahead. They couldn’t afford to lose anyone tonight.
Without giving them time to respond, Alan turned on his heel, his footsteps already carrying him toward the door. “Do what I said,” he muttered over his shoulder before slipping back into the dimly lit hallway.
He didn’t stop to listen to their protests. There was no time. The rest of his team were still in danger, and he needed to get them out.
Alan slipped into the hall just seconds before the gunfire erupted. His breath caught, but he didn’t hesitate - there was no time to think, only to act. He spotted Jeff, the closest to him, and without missing a beat, Alan yanked him behind one of the massive artworks that lined the walls. They crouched low, hidden from sight.
“You need to get out of here,” Alan whispered, his voice urgent, almost a plea.
Jeff’s dark brown eyes met his, unwavering. “I’m not leaving you,” he shot back, his voice firm but his grip on Alan’s arm tighter than usual, almost as if he was holding on for dear life. Despite the determination in his eyes, there was a flash of fear that Alan couldn’t ignore.
“I’ll get the others out and meet you outside, okay?” Alan insisted, his tone softening for a brief moment.
Before Jeff could respond, Alan turned, his gaze sweeping across the hall. That’s when he saw it - Babe, crouching behind another artwork, trying to shield someone behind him. Charlie.
For a split second, confusion hit Alan like a punch to the gut. Charlie was dead. Or at least, that’s what he had believed. There was no time for questions, no time to process the shock.
Babe spotted Alan, his eyes wide and frantic, and in an instant, he shoved Charlie toward him and Jeff. Alan understood immediately. He grabbed Charlie by the arm, pulling him behind the artwork where Jeff was still crouched.
“Get Jeff out of here,” Alan whispered to Charlie, his voice low but forceful. “Get everyone out. I’ll distract Tony and the guards.”
“No,” Jeff’s fingers tightened around Alan’s arm again, his voice coming out barely above a whisper. “You can’t go.”
Alan paused for just a second, his gaze softening as he looked at Jeff. He could see the desperation in his eyes, the fear Jeff was trying to hold back. Alan pulled him into a quick, fierce hug. “Everything’s going to be okay,” he promised softly, though it weighed on him to say it. “Go with Charlie. I’ll see you outside.”
But as Alan pulled away, Jeff’s hand lingered on his arm, clinging for a moment longer, as if afraid to let him go. His lips parted to say something, but no words came out. Alan pulled away before Jeff could stop him, his steps quick as he moved toward the center of the room.
The moment Alan stepped into the open, Tony spotted him. The gunfire ceased abruptly as Tony lowered his weapon, and the guards shifted, closing in around the two men, their eyes locking onto Alan.
“Well, well... Alan Chen,” Tony’s voice echoed through the vast hall, dripping with amusement. He let the gun hang loosely at his side, a smug grin tugging at his lips. “I wasn’t expecting to see you back here. Thought you’d run away again.”
Alan’s focus shifted - Tony’s attention was on him, which meant the team had a chance to escape. But none of them were moving.
“Just because I let you run loose for 10 years doesn’t mean I will let you do it forever,” Alan declared, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. His eyes locked on the guards, daring them to defy him. “Drop your guns. I’m taking over!”
There was a tense pause, the room heavy with uncertainty. One of the guards immediately lowered his weapon. The others hesitated, watching his move before slowly following his lead, one after another lowering their guns.
The air crackled with tension, but Alan stood his ground. Tony might have manipulated these men for years, but Alan was an alpha ready to kill or die for his family. Tony... was only ever in it for himself. The guards made their choice.
“Get the reporters out,” Alan ordered his voice firm.
Several guards obeyed, moving swiftly to clear the hall, but a handful stayed, surrounding the two men locked in a silent standoff.
Tony’s grin faded slightly, replaced by something darker. “Why do you think you have any right to take over what I built?” he sneered, his gaze cold and sharp.
Alan didn’t blink. “You wanted me to inherit it, didn’t you?” His voice was steady. “But I won’t let you hurt my children. Not again.”
Tony’s laughter was cold, mocking. “Your children?” he scoffed. “You just picked up a bunch of strays from the streets. You’ll never be their father. The only father they have... is me.”
Alan’s jaw clenched, but his voice remained steady. “You’re not worthy of being called a father - neither mine nor theirs.”
Tony’s smile curled with malice. “And what do you think your precious children will do when they find out the truth? That you’re the heir to all of this? My son?” He tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with sick amusement. “Do you think they’ll still want you in their lives?”
Alan’s chest tightened, but he met Tony’s gaze with unwavering resolve. “If they don’t, that’s okay,” he said softly. “At least I’ll have gotten you out of their lives.”
Tony’s eyes flicked behind Alan, reminding him that the kids were still there, watching. “You brought them back to me,” Tony said, his voice taunting. “You’re just like me, Alan Chen. It’s in your blood.”
“You’re wrong,” Alan said, his voice low. “I’m getting them out.”
Tony’s smile curled with malice as he spoke. “Do you remember how young you were when I started this business?” His voice was low, dripping with cruel amusement. Without warning, his hand moved swiftly, aiming the gun at Alan and before anyone could react he fired.
The bullet hit Alan, but he didn’t even flinch. The guards raised their weapons, ready to shoot, but Alan stopped them. Confused, they lowered their guns again.
Tony’s eyes narrowed. “Did you really think I’d let you ruin everything I’ve built?”
“I told you I won’t let you hurt my kids!” Kenta’s knife, which was hidden in his sleeve, slipped into his hand, and in one swift motion, he slashed across Tony’s wrist, forcing him to drop the gun. Alan didn’t stop there. His movements were precise, driven by years of pent-up fury. He stabbed Tony multiple times, until finally, the blade plunged into his heart.
Tony’s lifeless body crumpled to the floor.
For a moment, the room was frozen in silence. Then, with a quiet clatter, the knife slipped from Alan’s hand, hitting the floor. His vision blurred, and before anyone could reach him, he collapsed. Footsteps pounded toward him, and voices called his name. Everything faded to black before he could hear any of it.