The X-gene is the special genetic mutation that surfaced on earth at a point in time.
The bearers of this mutant gene were unique and special, they were able to display superhuman feats.
Gaining abilities to command natural forces… and bending laws of reality to their will.
The bearers of these genes consisted of 13% of the total planet population, but the thing was that this number ticked up every decade or so… it was like a virus slowly consuming earth.
And the weird thing about this mutation was that it didn't affect any other species apart from homo-sapians for reasons unknown.
So this was what led to the rising of both heroes and villains.
Because the moment one acquired such powers, it was only natural for them to reveal their true nature, whether it be a villain or a hero…
Who said villains weren't born?
No, they were all that way since birth!
The advent of power, that was what revealed their true nature…
Fascinated by this genetic mutation a band of scientists got together to explore more on the infinite possibilities this gene could provide.
And this was what led to the accidental creation of Compound X; a unique substance that could boost the abilities of a mutant beyond their normal capabilities, and also grant the X-gene to normal humans!
At first this discovery was celebrated, and welcomed across the world… but that was until the side effects were made known.
Using Compound X to enhance abilities shaved off a portion of one's life span, and it was even worse for a regular human not only do they lose a portion of their life span, they also gain a physical mutation.
For example some immediately grew reptile like tails, with some having their skin turning into an unnatural color.
This particular distinct effect didn't occur on mutants; unless they overdosed…
…
This was why Warp's figure looked so grotesque; from the way he even looked, one could tell he had barely a week left to live.
Gazing at the heroes and villains present, Warp felt reluctant; he didn't want to do this, and he didn't even know why he was told to do this.
All he knew was that if he wanted his wife and child to live, he had to get rid of the bunch.
A resolute expression dawned on his sunken face, then his gruff voice rang out, "Have I made myself clear? If you lot so much as twitch the wrong way, things go boom!"
Looking at the uncomfortable silence among them, he nodded; it seemed they understood… Now it's time to get to work.
Warp's ability was one that defied the law of space and time; he could open portals as well as teleport on a whim… but this ability of his had a limit.
His limit of bypassing spacetime was 100,000 Km, though it was much, he couldn't surpass this number; well, that was before he overdosed on Compound X.
With such frightening boosts, only God knew which random, isolated island he could teleport them to.
Which was why Adamant exclaimed as so. If they were teleported too far from Void City, then no matter how fast they were, whoever cooked up this scheme would have long finished his objective before they found their way back.
'Whoever you are! You are good' Adamant couldn't help but exclaim inwardly. It is said that the best type of scheme was one where the opponent knew it was a trap but didn't have a choice but to enter it.
And this?
This plan was executed well!
In the meantime, Sparks' eyes flickered as he trained his gaze on Warp, observing him closely.
Since he became a hero, he had long learnt the art of reading his prey through their micro expressions and subtle movements.
And he had been in this game long enough to know!
Warp wasn't prey!
Sparks' nose scrunched up in disgust… looking at Warp, he could feel it.
This was a rotten carcass of a fully devoured prey, which was now used as bait.
It seemed there was another predator in town; his eyes roamed the surroundings before he rested his gaze on the government agents.
Unlike the others, he didn't believe they were going to be transported to a random location on Earth…
If his hunch was correct, they would be thrown outside the Planet.
Heck! they might even be thrown into the heart of a black hole or something worse… not that he cared, though.
If whoever was pulling the strings thought they could get rid of him this easily.
Then they were sorely mistaken!
An amusing smile crept up his lip, "interesting".
Back on Warp's end…
An eerie glow flickered on his fingertips as it began to spread, coating his entire arm. And the temperature of the surroundings rapidly began to drop.
As he lifted his arms in a simple motion, and as though with a spear, he thrust his arm forward.
But unlike one would expect, his arms didn't pass through space as it was meant to. Instead, it tore its way out of reality, puncturing the very essence of space itself.
He then proceeded to grab the edge, as one would grab a curtain, and he pulled…
Riiip!
A Gastly fissure appeared in front of him, the surrounding wind was sucked into the fissure, and the atmosphere thrummed with an unknown energy.
Looking at the tear in space that was massive enough to allow three humans to pass through at once, the edges were coated with an unknown purplish energy.
Looking through it, one would be met with a misty colorful view that obstructed one from seeing what secrets the fissure held within.
"Alright now you all get in, Now!" Warp gestured with his head.
His body was soaked with sweat as his chest expanded and contracted heavily.
It was obvious this feat took its toll on him.
Looking at the portal in apprehension, even he didn't know where it led to, all he knew was he had done his end of the bargain, so now those bastards had to let his family be.
The leaders of both parties, both Rebel and Adamant, felt the ominous vibes the maws of the spatial fissure radiated, and they knew instantly that things weren't going to be as easy as they hoped…
Now they were conflicted, Warp letting go of that button though it would have catastrophic consequences, at least they would still be alive… but this?
Even adamant the undying could smell the dreadful aura leaking from the fissure… whatever was on the other end, didn't look promising.