Team Leader kept their weapon up, not giving ground. Their team laid behind them, all knocked out by Villain standing behind Mentor.
"You will be the villain of this story, no matter what you do," Mentor talked for the first time, with a frustratingly flat tone. Like they hadn't abandoned the team for Villain, leaving Team Leader to explain why Mentor didn't come out of the base. Like they didn't try to kill Team Leader after the team went down. Like they didn't use their familiarity with Team Leader's tactics to lure them into this trap. Like—
"Your team will wake up, see you, standing against me, and Villain, who is seeking redemption by exposing Agency's corrupt Headmaster."
"You're sacrificing whole agency for one person," They tried to keep their voice normal or angry, but it was more like a cry. Team Leader had formed the agency, from scratch to one that rivals the top ones. They had formed the first team, and they had appointed their former second to the agency's head. They were aware that Headmaster was betraying them since the last months, but exposing them to public would only do everything worse. They were trying to take them down, and if Mentor had waited one more month, just one more, they would have enough materials on their hand to do that silently. Without destroying their years of efforts, without giving the enemy something to feed on.
But now, Team Leader stood uncertain and felt lost, just like when they had a team and an ideal but no backup, waiting at Mentor's door, their last chance for a sponsor.
They knew the team was suspicious since they came back without Mentor at their side. Team Leader knew they also began to realise what Headmaster was doing, and they knew no matter what they did, how they acted, the team would choose Mentor over them any given time.
"So do I, seeking the majority's wellbeing were never going to save them. The public will turn on your agency, and I will be there to pick up the pieces. Agencies will work as they always did before your one, caring their own members rather than an ungrateful public."
Team Leader stared at them and saw none of the kindness Mentor carried before. The determination in their eyes were so clear, burning for victory, so real. The act was when they were dear to Team Leader.
"But I can't have you running around even with a crushed pride. Villain will look after you well," As it was their sign, Villain and Mentor began striking. Team Leader went down easily, rage burning by betrayal and torn between taking down both of them and trying to protect the team that was going to betray them.
You can have this since there isn't much Team Leader whump around. Im no writer, but I hope you enjoy it~
ANON THIS IS AMAZING AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I dont even have any words to say, really, there's nothing I can add, it's so perfect.
I think a lot of media has these spunky heroes who are super active openly and very publicly and outwardly defying what they disagree with, and whilst I have nothing against that, I think more credit should be given to the ones who don't. The ones who, like your wonderful Team Leader, bide their time- try to do what they can without tearing everything to the ground in doing so. A lot of heroes are very radical in their actions- and, again, though I have nothing against that, there's also something to be said for the ones who fight for peace and harmony- who want to salvage what they can, what they've fought so hard for. Some people think it's cowardly, even, but I dont think that's fair. There's merit in fighting for something, and there's courage in defending something of value to you, that you know is worth it, worth trying to keep alive, even when you know you stand alone.
One thing I both adore and loathe about Team Leaders is just how much they sacrifice that goes unseen. So much of Leadership is a sacrifice. Even now- as you said- they're standing against those who oppose them, fighting for people who they know won't be on their side. To me, that's the mark of someone worth backing. Team Leaders are like the nervous system of whump, the ones who keep everything together, connected, and yet- also the ones who feel the most.
Team Leaders are often the unsung heroes of whump. The ones trying to keep everything together, the ones pushing down their own feelings and wants and needs, the ones looking out for others, the ones who suffer, time and time again, and the ones who endure. Who get back up, and do it all over again.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this anon, it's amazing and I'll no doubt be thinking about it for days. I LOVE the "whumper turns everybody against whumpee" when said whumpee is a hero/team leader, ESPECIALLY when said whumper is also a villain/traitor. It makes my blood boil- but in a good way! I love the idea of Team Leader being aware their team will pick their (I suppose former) Mentor over them, too- that hurt :"). It's a super painful realisation, and pushing forward and still protecting someone(s) despite knowing they'd betray you is... oooohhgh it gives me whumperflies!
Great job anon, I really liked this <3
