As the elevator doors opened in the opulent lobby of the Jonas Plaza Suites, Salmon was already waiting, his small EV parked neatly by the curb. He was dressed in his usual tweed suit, his bow tie perfectly knotted, his fish-like features betraying none of the concern he felt.

"Ah, Professor Greene," Dr. Jonas Richmond greeted warmly, extending his hand with a wave of his fingers. "Always a pleasure."

Salmon took his hand, giving it a firm shake. "Doc, the pleasure is all mine."

"I hear GG has you helping him run his fool investigations again," Jonas said, nodding towards Geoff as he stepped out of the elevator, his voice laced with amusement.

Salmon chuckled, adjusting his bow tie. "Indeed, he does. Though I must admit, I find it quite stimulating. Keeps the old brain cells firing, you know."

Geoff rolled his eyes as he joined them, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Salmon. And yes, Jonas, he's helping me because he's my friend, and I asked for his help."

Jonas raised an eyebrow, "And what riveting cases would these be? Lover's quarrel, missing cat, or perhaps a corporate espionage gone awry?"

Geoff smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know? Client confidentiality, Jonas. You know how it is."

Jonas chuckled, "Indeed, I do. Well, I won't keep you any longer. Salmon, it was good to see you again." He extended his hand once more, and Salmon shook it firmly.

"Doc, until next time," Salmon replied, tipping his imaginary hat.

As Salmon and Geoff walked towards the EV, Jonas called out, "Oh, and Professor Greene, would you please remind this one that we won the war against villainy five years ago. There's no need to keep fighting the same battles."

Salmon glanced back at Jonas, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I'll do that, Doctor Richmond. But you know Geoff, he's nothing if not persistent."

Geoff scoffed, "I heard that, you know. And for the record, if we won the 'war,' then why was I just attacked in my own home by a woman, wearing one of his powered suits, the third to betray him by the way?" he asked, pointing at Jonas.

Jonas sighed, running a hand through his white sideburns. "Professor Greene, please remove this jackass from my sight before I'm forced to use my powers to do so myself."

Salmon chuckled, patting Geoff on the back. "Come on GG, let's leave the good doctor to his... repairs." He led Geoff towards the mini-EV, his movements brisk and efficient.

As they quickly drove away, Jonas realized the insult that had landed without his knowledge and quickly called out, "And it wasn't three!" but Geoff and Salmon were already gone, leaving Jonas alone in the lobby.

---

Back in the EV, Salmon turned to Geoff, "So, where too?" he asked, his voice casual despite the tension in the air.

Geoff paused, distracted by his tablet which held the notes on the most recent case. "Hmm? Oh right, the Queensland Thornery, I already sent the address to your car's GPS." he said while making a twirling motion with his finger to the car's center console. "It's um, ahem, a lover's quarrel gone awry, I guess you could say."

Salmon raised an eyebrow, "A lover's quarrel, GG? Really?"

Geoff shrugged, "Hey, I never claimed to be a relationship counselor. But the client's paying, and it's better than chasing down stolen tech or lost pets."

Salmon chuckled, "Fair enough. So, what was all that back there with Jonas about? Salmon asked, his eyes flicking briefly to the rearview mirror, watching the towering skyscraper recede into the distance.

Geoff sighed, rubbing his temples. "Reggie, Jonas' protégé, attacked me. In my penthouse. With a powered suit, that he gave her."

Salmon's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. "What? Why?"

Geoff shrugged, "No idea. Jonas seemed just as surprised as I was. He's going to look into it."

Salmon was quiet for a moment, processing the information. "And you think there's something bigger at play here?" he finally asked, his voice thoughtful.

Geoff fidgeted in his seat; his frame clearly too large to be comfortable in such a small vehicle. "Yeah." he said, his gaze distant.

"Look, GG, Jonas was right about one thing," Salmon mused, navigating the EV through the bustling city street, "We did win the war. There hasn't been any organized supernatural villainy since the fall of C.H.A.O.S."

Geoff grunted, "Doesn't mean there aren't still bad guys out there, Salmon. And besides, what about the ones who slipped through the cracks? The ones who didn't get caught up in the big showdown?"

Salmon nodded, "True enough. While the members of her crew are all locked up, Gale is still at large... But even so, it's been relatively quiet. Until now, it seems. Nothing to suggest a larger conspiracy, though. Just a disgruntled protégé lashing out," Salmon said, his voice measured, trying to keep Geoff grounded.

Geoff sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe you're right. I just... I have a feeling, Salmon. Like there's something more going on here."

Salmon glanced at Geoff; concern etched on his fish-like features. "Feelings are all well and good, GG, but we need evidence. Hard facts. Until then, let's focus on the case at hand, hmm?"

Geoff nodded, leaning back in his seat. "Do you remember that one villain: Gomez Chicken?" Geoff suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

Salmon blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in topic. "Of course, I do. How could I forget such a horribly offensive character? The Were-Chicken. One of the most dangerous and unpredictable villains we faced during our time as active heroes. He fell into a 'micro' blackhole over a decade ago. Why do ask?"

Geoff nodded; his gaze fixed on the passing cityscape. "Reggie mentioned him, well, sort of. Said 'Senorita Gomez sends her regards.'"

As the traffic light ahead of them turned yellow, Salmon slammed on the brakes, the EV screeching to a halt.

Almost losing his tablet, Geoff grabbed onto the dashboard, "Whoa! What gives, Salmon? The light was still yellow!"

"I did it for effect, GG. No! Just, no! I won't accept it!" Salmon exclaimed, pointing angrily at Geoff. "Gomez Chicken? That's who we're dealing with now?"

Geoff shrugged, "I didn't say we were dealing with him. I just said Reggie mentioned him."

"But he's dead, Geoff. Or at least, as good as. He fell into a micro-black hole. The fool was spaghettified by a machination of his own creation. Villains aren't supposed to come back from that," Salmon insisted, his voice edged with worry. "If they can, then what's the point?"

Salmon was still so incensed that he didn't notice the white van pulling up in front of them until it was almost too late. The sliding door flew open, revealing a man clad in tactical gear, his automatic rifle pointed at them.

"No-no-no! Not the car!" Salmon yelled, throwing himself sideways onto his seat.

Geoff simply muttered, "Swell."

The car received a series of loud thuds as bullets ricocheted off its reinforced hull. Salmon, now sprawled across the seat, instinctively asked, "Are you alright, GG?" Only to notice as he looked up, that Geoff was already out of the car.

The gunman deftly changed out magazines, his movements practiced and efficient. However, he was caught off guard by a shrill whistle that pierced the air. He looked behind and above him, seeing Art-Man® on the roof of the van, still in his normal attire, but brandishing his paintbrush.

Before the gunman could even react, a 200-pound anvil materialized out of thin air, dropping directly onto his head. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Art-Man® was pleased with himself. However, the others in the van quickly shot through its roof, their guns blazing.

Magazines empty, the three waited for the smoke to clear, only for the end of the paintbrush to poke through one of the bullet holes. A torrent of water burst forth, flooding the interior of the van, short-circuiting the electronics, and sending the remaining gunmen in different directions.

The driver's head slammed against the windshield, knocking him out cold.

The other two, disoriented and soaked, stumbled out of the van, only to be met by Salmon, who had climbed onto the hood of the EV. He delivered a swift kick to the first one's chin, sending him sprawling onto the pavement. The second one, seeing his comrade go down, turned to flee but Salmon caught the rifle strap around his neck, yanking him backwards. The man stumbled, falling onto his back, the air knocked out of him.

Meanwhile, Geoff had leaped off the van, landing gracefully on the ground. He approached the unconscious gunman, kicking the rifle away from his reach. He then turned his attention to the van, his paintbrush dancing in his hand as he inspected the damage.

Salmon, elated, gave Geoff a silent thumbs up, which was returned, only for Salmon to quickly lower his thumb. "Oh, you're hit." Salmon exclaimed, noticing a red stain spreading across Geoff's shoulder. "I've told you before, GG. You should paint on bullet resistant clothing."

Geoff waved him off, "It's just a scratch, Salmon. I've had worse paper cuts." he said as he flicked the brush over his shoulder, a bullet popping out and clattering to the ground. His shoulder now healed. His shirt once more pristine.

"Besides, it'll take more than a little old evaporating bullet... to finish me," he paused, looking confused. "Evaporating bullet?" Geoff questioned, staring at the bullet on the ground, dissolving into a rose-colored steam.

"Uh, GG? It's not just the bullet." Salmon stated, gesturing to the weapons, the van, even the fallen gunmen. All of them slowly dissolving into a rose-colored mist, much like the bullet.

Geoff and Salmon exchanged bewildered glances, both equally confused by the phenomenon unfolding before them.

"Where are we? I thought we were at the intersection just before the Queensland Thornery," Geoff asked, looking around at the unfamiliar streetscape.

Salmon checked the GPS on the dash, his brow furrowing. "That's strange. According to this, we should be right on track. Maybe it's just a glitch. Let me try to recalibrate it."

As Salmon fiddled with the GPS, Geoff noticed something peculiar. Parts of the building itself began to dissolve, including the welcome sign that now read, 'We hope you enjoyed your visit... from... The Queen... of Thorns..."

The words sent a chill down Geoff's spine. He knew that name, that moniker. It was a name he hadn't heard in years, a name he'd hoped to never hear again. Rose, the Queen of Thorns, a mind-bending, reality-warping villainess who had once given him and Salmon the fight of their lives. She was supposed to be locked away, contained in an S2, a Super-Max Prison for the Supernatural. Yet here they were, standing in the middle of a street that was dissolving around them, with her name literally written on the wall.

"Swell," Geoff protested with a sigh. "The Queen of Thorns." he stated, his hands now pressing against his back, his expression grave.

"The Queen of Thorns, AND Gomez Chicken." Salmon added, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Are they working together?" he asked thoughtfully. "If so, how? The Chicken is dead, and her majesty is supposed to be safely tucked away in an S2," Salmon mused, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Geoff, still looking up, replied, "At this point, maybe the better question is, who's next?"