Vol. 19 Powder Keg

As the more fuel gets added to the fire in the F.A.L.C.O.N.-Mutant Conflict, will this reformed Circus Performer turned Villain turned Hero step up to save the day, or will she be the one who sets off The Powder Keg?

### Players

Emily Buza as HighwireElsbeth Denman as Sage Rob Harvey as Frequency

## Summary

***Note: Here there be spoilers. Read at your own risk.***

Ben is worried about others getting hurt from the conflict but gets convinced that it must be done. Sage is babysitting in the PCOY, making rice crispy treats disastrously. Striped Eagle Mark II shows up asking for help. Ringleader shows up working with Falcon, giving himself a chance to get a clean slate if he steals files from this geneticist.
Ben goes over the plan, which is to take a radio tower and shut down F.A.L.C.O.N. Communication, and then go escort the PCOY children somewhere safe so they don't suffer the effects of the crackdown. Striped Eagle warns Sage about the attack on PCOY, and Sage decides that she can handle it here herself, despite not finding anything of Lunar Lens bar a note declaring her pride of Sage.
Highwire breaks into the apartment after Ringleader takes down the security, finding the file; a registry on every mutant throughout the city, location, powers, and more. As she browses through these in shock, she gets caught by the scientist, and throws a knife, nicking him to cover her escape.
The Issue Ends with the reveal that Falcon knows that the registr file has been acquired, and that Lunar Lens is working with Falcon.

After a heated exchange, Highwire convinces Ringleader to take the files to Hermosa Vida instead of F.A.L.C.O.N. Two figures are blocking an exit to the subway as they arrive.
Havingcompleted their tasks, Ben shuts down access to the tower completely, but alerts The Director in the process. After debriefing Hermosa, Highwire and Ringleader are sent to PCOY to help defend the mutants. Sage finishes the lock
down proceedings, and settles into mission control over the fully fortified PCOY.
Sage and Frequency try to figure out a defence plan that involves keeping the kids inside PCOY, eventually activating a defence aid to help Sage run the
system. 25 Striped Eagles arrive and begin to chip away at the forcefield fence. Hermosa Vida arrives in a suite of "Mad Max Trucks," bringing Ringleader and Highwire with it. As the trucks fall under attack, Sage's motorcycle helps Frequency escape while Highwire flips out of the way. She vaults up with the help of Highwire, pinning the suit long enough for Highwire to knock him out.
Lens reveals to Sage that she had been trying to work a deal to stop the war, but was being betrayed by Falcon, just before the line cuts. Sage orders Dante to breathe fires through the air ducts to deter the Striped Eagle Suits. Holly tries to hold off the Striped Eagles but is in a losing battle. Ringleader bails despite Highwire’s pleas. Frequency boosts Holly's suit. Highwire takes one down with a tackle.
Sage opens up a chute dropping both down into the basement, but when the fall, the "fake" Striped Eagle loses their helmet, and reveals that they are Holly.

When Ben takes a stand to not move the kids, Hermosa Vida turns on him. Despite Highwire's help, Hermosa Vida busts pass Frequency and charges into PCOY. Highwire and Frequency bond over their desire to do good and protect loved ones.
Frequency uses up the power in PCOY and gives up his hold on the radio tower to mass broadcast a message: Calling Hermosa Vida out on the hypocrisy of her actions. With the help of Sage's final words, Hermosa Vida realizes what is right, and goes to defend the building.
The Director arrives with Ringleader, who has a tense confrontation with Highwire, ending with a near lethal attack on him. Hermosa Vida gives herself up in exchange for everyone's safety and making PCOY off limits. Sage hits the F.A.L.C.O.N. truck with a tracking device as it leaves. The group bonds in the aftermath, trying to decompress.
In the end scenes, Ringleader is talking with Damascus about what happened, but decides he won't be chased away. Theirs a final scene advertising Whelmed: The Young Justice Files podcast.

## Characters

* Highwire
* Sage
* Frequency
* Ringleader
* Hermosa Vida
* Lunar Lens
* The Director
* Jason
* Dante
* Fur Kid
* Upload
* Loadout
* Elias
* Fey

## Locations

* The Bash
* PCOY
* Genetecist's Office

## Trivia

### One Liners:

* "Two heads are better than none." - Elias, 6:58 Issue 1
* "He was a good boyfriend, just made bad choices to be a villain." Highwire, Issue 1
* "This time, instead of a brief case full of money, it's a briefcase full of we're not gonna have to go to jail." Ringleader, 10:42 Issue 2
* " GET. YOUR. ASS. DOWN. HERE. NOW!" - Sage, 25:12 Issue 2
* "It was always supposed to be you and me. Stand by my side, not his." Highwire, 29:42 Issue 3