They hadn't kept him in the hospital long. He made sure that they would want to get rid of him as soon as possible to ensure that. More important thouh, he had a lot to do and no time to be stuck in a hospital. Billy'd been lucky to have an aquaintence's number handy whiel he was stuck there so that Sammy could be seen to.

The moment he was back at his apartment, Billy got to work - somewhere between school work and returning to 'duty' anyway. It had been some number of weeks since the battle, and Destiny City had not seen hide nor hair of him. Usually the Negaverse captain would leave some mark behind - on bodies or smeared on dark ally walls - that would at least let them know that the 'lone ranger' was around and working. But there hadn't been a single smudge since then...

He wondered if anyone was worried?

No. Was Ladon worried?

Billy hadn't even been by to drop off his quota. He was treading dangerous ground. No one but Ladon even knew he'd been injured... Maybe he'd been presumed dead? Well, either way, it just made his plans easier if a certain someone did think such...

Those plans were to now be put in to the first phase of action. He'd completed Ladon's outfit for the Fatesville Valtentines Day Masquerade. It was boxed up and a enveloped with an invitation inside was taped to the top of the box, then the entire thing was left at Ladon's apartment just outside the door. The boy would either stumble upon it coming home from patrol - as Billy was making the drop off rather late at night - or the next time he left the apartment. Either way, Billy doubted any of the neighbors would bother with it. If they did, well then, a youma he'd recruited for guard duty would see to it that they were quickly dispatched.

With the task complete Billy hopped a bus back to Fatesville. Still recovering, he didn't feel much like energy gathering or encountering any senshi. He didn't want to risk his injuries not being fully healed by the time the masquerade rolled around.

Billy could only hope that Ladon would accept the invitation. He'd put a lot of work into the black wolf mask with the green gem over one eye, and green ribbon..and the rest of the outfit - classy with a few decorative frills, something he could certainly imagine Ladon wearing. Everything down to the shoes. Ladon would certainly not be able to used the 'but I have nothing to wear!' excuse. All Billy could do for now, however, was hope.

In just a little over a week it would either be the start of a new beginning, or the final chapter of a horror story.