Sky finally stopped crying and looked at the man, still not letting go of Poison.

'But where does it come from? The power?' she asked.

'We will never know for sure. But it's within you two now. And you can use it for things. Big things.'

'Like stopping BLI. That's why you did the experiment in the first place. You bred us. For this one reason, right?' Poison said and the man nodded.

'Yes. That's your purpose. Although I don't know if it's actually feasible but what you just did, gives me hope.'

Stopping BLI? Sky couldn't deny the fact that even though she had no idea how to achieve that, the Stargazer was right. She had just brought Poison back from the dead. There was no greater power than that. Was it really possible to end their gruesome reign after almost 25 years? Without an army, without access to the corporation? Could they just walk into Battery City and destroy everything, by simply focusing their energy on it? It seemed pretty farfetched. Sky had her doubts, rightfully so.

The Stargazer took them both aside.

'I saw the shooting stars. I know you have united. Just like you were supposed to.' he said in a low voice, not wanting the others to hear him. Sky couldn't help but blush and looking at Poison she saw that he did too. 'Don't worry. It was meant to happen. After all, you two are made for each other. I'm glad the witch told you.'

'So you know her?' Poison asked.

'I do. She was the one who told me about the legend. She showed me the cave. Told me what I needed to hear, just like she did for you.'

'I still don't know how we're supposed to go against BLI. We don't even know where their power is coming from.'

'Mind-control. Making people believe that they can either join them or die out here, as outcasts. They've brainwashed everyone into thinking that they can provide a better life for them, protect them, as long as they follow the rules. So the only way to stop them is to take the control away from them.' the man answered.

It made sense. It all made perfect sense. But they still didn't know how. The answer was right in front of them but something was missing, a vital piece of the puzzle.

'Our minds are too exhausted tonight. We all need to rest and get our strength back. Tomorrow, we'll start working on a plan.'

*

Sleep wouldn't come for Sky and Poison. As hard as they tried, it was already dawning and they were still awake. They hadn't talked much, their brains busy processing all this new information and the events of the previous day. But they held on to each other tightly, Sky's restless hands wandering over his body, as if she had to convince herself again and again that he was still alive and here with her. The hole in his chest had healed completely, as if nothing had ever happened, and he couldn't even remember how the pain had felt. All he could feel instead, was love. Unsurpassable, undeniable, ineffable love. Now that they knew there was a way, although they hadn't figured it out yet, to stop BLI, to really live their lives together, without fear, he was hopeful. Hopeful that one day, in the not too far away future, they would make it across the border to find a place where they really belonged. He would build her a house on the beach and they would have children and grandchildren and grow old together. Just like the people in the books from the times before the war. And not only that, they would make it possible for everyone to have their freedom again.

Their sleepless, short night was ended by Jet, knocking on the door.

'You should come and see this.' he just said, leaving Sky and Poison confused. They got up and got dressed, quickly following him into the diner.

He couldn't believe his eyes when he looked out the windows. The whole area in front of the diner was filled with people.

'What the fuck?' Poison muttered, feeling Sky panic next to him. 'Get your guns!'

'There's no need for it, Poison. They're all here to help.' the Stargazer said.

'You did this?!' Sky hissed angrily, Poison sharing her fury.

Was he mad? He had brought people here, to the diner? Their only safe place? Their headquarters?

'How dare you! Do you know what danger you put us all in? Bringing all these people here? One of them could be working for BLI, spying for them!' he yelled, leaping forward to close his hands around the man's throat, shoving him against the wall and no one bothered to stop him.

They had had a plan. A perfectly safe plan. This was crazy and reckless, there were at least a hundred rebels out there and now they all knew about the diner and the Killjoys, before Poison could test their loyalty and trustworthiness. If one of them was an undercover agent or willing to talk for food or weapons, BLI would storm the place, killing them all and burning it to the ground. Why the hell would the Stargazer do something like that when he wanted them to carry out their mission, the vision he had worked for and believed in all his life? Was he playing both sides of the fence? Was he a liar and a traitor? Poison's hand tightened around the man's neck.

'Poison...' he choked. 'Listen...to...me...please.'

'You got nothing to say that I'm interested in you motherfucking piece of shit.' Poison snarled, not letting go.

'Please...I had to. Time...is running out. These people...heard...about...the legend...they...believe...you...can...stop...BLI. And...they...wanna...help.' the man groaned and Sky stepped closer, putting her hand on Poison's arm.

'Let him explain.' she pleaded and he relaxed his grasp, not able to deny her the request.

*

'They're here to help.' the Stargazer coughed, rubbing his throat where Poison's hands had left an imprint. 'I heard Dr D's broadcast and I knew the people wanted to come forward but that they were way too scared to actually do it. They needed something. Something real, to give them hope, something they could believe in. Something worth dying for, just like you do. So I talked to Tommy Chow Mein, shortly after you had visited him. Told him. Not everything but enough to spark his interest and he agreed to spread the word. All these people out there...are willing to do whatever you tell them and all they're asking from you in return is that you give them a chance and try.'

Sky was leery of him. And the group of people in front of the diner. And she knew that Poison and the rest of the Killjoys shared her distrust. From the moment she had joined them she knew how protective they were over this place and their identities. These were the only things which still belonged to them.

'Why should we believe you? Why should we believe them?' Kobra said, his eyes cold.

'Because it's the only chance you got. Either that or running. And I know you don't want to do that.'

His plan had worked. He had presented them with no choice. That realization cleared Sky's mind and suddenly, her anger was gone.

'You're right, we don't. And we also don't have to be scared. Guys, what else is there? We could kill everyone out there and him, in the blink of an eye. He knows it best because he's the one who made sure of it when he created us. So why take the risk?' she said and they all looked at her, stunned.

The Stargazer smiled and Sky shot him another angry look.

'If you or any of them try anything, I'll stab you in the eyes and leave you out there for the vultures. You still betrayed our trust so quit being so fucking smug. You don't own us anymore.' she spat and immediately his smile disappeared as she walked away, towards the door, with Poison following her.

'What do we say to them?' he asked and she shrugged. She had no idea.

'Maybe we don't have to say anything. Not right now anyway. Let's just get them food and water and make sure they have a temporary shelter. This place isn't big enough for all of them.'

The rebels stared at them as they exited the diner, the ones who had been sitting on the floor stood and some stepped closer. Sky smiled at them shyly, grabbing Poison's hand and lacing her fingers through his. Most of the people were around their age, born shortly after the beginning of the war, some younger, some older, men and women. A lot of them carried weapons and they all looked physically fit and eager. Sky could tell they all had respect for them but a few looked at them as if they were from another planet.

'We're gonna get you food and water. There's room for about 20 or 30 people in there but we'll make sure the rest of you is comfortable out here. Your arrival is a surprise to all of us so we need to get organized first.' Poison said and everybody around nodded. This would be interesting.

An hour later, the rebels had been supplied and the Killjoys had worked together to share the comfort of their home with them. They had brought whatever they still owned and it seemed that their journey here had already prepared them enough to build a little camp around the diner. It was an odd sight, the elusive Killjoys in the company of other rebels. Sky was excited and frightened at the same time.

*

The rebels were surprisingly reserved towards the Killjoys and Poison was glad about it. It made the situation a lot easier although it was still hard to get used to. They had all arrived with great expectations and now he didn't even have a plan. Nothing. He didn't feel like a leader anymore. He felt like a little lost boy.

In the afternoon he decided to speak to each one of the rebels individually to find out more about them. He had to know their stories, their skills, what they knew about BLI. Most of them had lived in Zone 4 and were survivors of one or more raids, now living in hiding or as nomads. About 60% had guns but no ammunition, the rest other weapons like knives, sticks, some even self-made bow and arrows and primitive but effective slingshots. Poison was frustrated, these people could maybe defend themselves against one drac but they couldn't fight, let alone take on an army. He was grateful and touched that they had come but he had no idea what to do with them.

'Poison, do you have a minute? It's important.' Sky had also talked to the rebels and was now standing next to his booth, a middle-aged man next to her. Poison got up and nodded, following them to the kitchen.

'Show him. And then tell him what you just told me.' she said to the man and he cleared his throat, opening the big backpack he was carrying.

Poison gasped as he emptied the content onto the table in front of them. Draculoid masks.

'I've been to Battery City.' he said and Poison looked at him in surprise. 'I used to be a draculoid.'

Poison took a step back in shock, not sure how to react. Used to be a draculoid?

'Excuse me?' he just said, waiting for the man to explain.

'I was turned when I was about 30. After agents had killed my wife and child, they took me back to Battery City. I was a prison guard for almost ten years, until one of the prisoners attacked me one day and tore off my mask. At first it felt like someone had woken me up from a coma, I was confused, didn't know what was happening. But the man told me run. Leave Battery City and find the Killjoys. I think he was one of you. His name was Cherri Cola.'