Blackheart and Nimona infiltrate the Institution’s lab and unexpectedly run into Goldenloin. Blackheart introduces his new sidekick to the hero, who appears perplexed by her spunkiness. A group of guards coming to Goldenloin’s aid interrupts them. Nimona takes the opportunity to shift into different forms (a wolf, then a child) and dispatch them. When the last guard runs in fear, Blackheart unsuccessfully tries to stop Nimona from going after him. Blackheart and Goldenloin then engage in a sword fight, with Goldenloin taunting Blackheart almost playfully, until an alarm sounds off, starting a countdown to self-destruction. Blackheart is worried about Nimona, but Goldenloin, who laments that “this isn’t how things are supposed to go” (13), leads him out to safety. They watch the building explode. Blackheart appears heartbroken while Goldenloin tells him to leave before the guards arrive.

Later, Blackheart gets a video call from the Director of the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroes, who turns out to be Nimona in disguise. Relieved, Blackheart asks her to come home, and she tells him she is bringing back a file of top-secret plans she discovered.