The two of you stand on the rooftop of a high-rise, overlooking a city bathed in neon and shadow. It's quiet now, the battle long over, the streets below littered with the remnants of another fight you and Eve barely made it through. Her pink energy glows softly around her hands as she fixes a cracked billboard across the street, her way of putting things back together, literally and figuratively.

But you? You’re distracted. She notices, of course. She always does.

"You’ve been quiet. More than usual."

You exhale, running a hand through your hair. After leaving Cecil and the Guardians, it had been your idea to fight on your own terms to be heroes without oversight, without orders. Just you and Eve, together. And for a while, it worked. But things have changed. You’ve changed.

"Talk to me. What’s going on?"

There’s no point in lying. Not to her.

"The Viltrumites… they’re calling me back. They want me to lead."

Eve stiffens, both floating in silence. The weight of those words settles in, heavy and unshakable. This isn’t just another mission. This isn’t some decision you can take back.

"You can’t be serious. After everything we’ve been through? After everything they’ve done? You hate them."

"I did. Maybe I still do. But… someone has to lead them. Someone who isn’t like Nolan. Someone who can actually change things."

Her lips part, but no words come out at first. She knows you, knows that you’re not doing this out of greed or ambition. But that doesn’t make it easier.

"And what happens to us?" You swallow hard. You don’t have an answer.

"So what, you’re gonna be their king? Their emperor? You’re gonna rule a species built on conquest, and you think that won’t change you?" Her arms wrapped around herself, like she’s trying to hold something in. Maybe anger. Maybe heartbreak. Maybe both.

"If I don't, someone else will, who won't care about this planet... or you"

"If you go... I don't think you'll come back" she says shakily

Deep down, you knew she was right. What do we do?