WebNovels

Chapter 23 - Chapter 23 - Old Fights, New Encounters

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 — 4:10 PM, Chicago, Illinois

The city of Chicago felt unusually calm. The sun reflected softly against the towering buildings that defined the city's skyline. Downtown traffic was thick, with the sound of honking horns blending into the background hum of cars and the constant murmur of hurried crowds on the sidewalks. But this tranquility was about to shatter under a wave of destruction about to sweep through the streets.

The Mauler Twins were on the move.

Apparently, they had perfected yet another one of their advanced-tech weapons, and this time, the duo was determined to cause massive damage. Armed with high-tech rifles and devices that seemed to be a mix of lasers and explosives, the twins unleashed relentless firepower against nearby buildings. Explosions erupted, sending chunks of concrete and glass raining down onto the streets below. The twins had positioned themselves at different points across downtown Chicago, making any immediate response much harder.

Immortal was the first to arrive.

The hero, known for his unmatched strength and incredible endurance, flew in at blistering speed. His eyes locked onto the twins, already bracing himself for the fight. He knew this wouldn't be easy.

Red Rush, the fastest hero in the world, showed up seconds later, running at a speed no human eye could track. He scanned the environment, ready to neutralize any threat before it could escalate further. War Woman, the battle-hardened warrior with enhanced combat skills and superhuman durability, appeared behind Red Rush, spinning her sharp sword as she assessed the destruction left in the twins' wake. She stood poised for battle, already calculating her attack angles.

Aquarus arrived next, manipulating the water around him with effortless control. Hovering in the air, his hands lifted, ready to unleash torrents if needed—wielding the city's water like a weapon.

The battle began.

Immortal struck first, flying directly toward one of the twins stationed atop a commercial building. With a powerful punch, he shattered part of the building's structure as the twin narrowly dodged. The impact sent a shockwave ripping through the area, shattering nearby windows and raining glass onto the streets below.

The twin fired back with a high-powered laser straight at Immortal's chest. The blast sent Immortal hurtling backward, but he quickly recovered midair, veering left before the beam could fully connect.

"You really think you're gonna tear up this city?" Immortal shouted, clearly pissed.

Red Rush took advantage of the moment, blurring across the street and appearing beside the twin in a blink. He unleashed a barrage of rapid punches, aiming to disable the weapon. But the twin deployed a strange floor mine, sending a jolt of electricity through Red Rush's body. Moments later, a directed explosion rocked the ground, knocking Red Rush back.

War Woman launched herself from the side, slicing a chunk off the rifle the twin was holding. The twin retreated fast, hiding behind an energy barrier generated by one of his devices. The rifle morphed, transforming into a pulse cannon that fired rapid bursts of energy. The blasts barely missed, tearing chunks out of nearby buildings.

Aquarus surged forward, controlling a wave pulled from the Chicago River. He used it as a shield, trying to neutralize the incoming energy attacks, but the twins had planned for that. Their tech countered with more concentrated blasts. The collision between water and energy created a massive chain reaction, sending spiraling waves into the air—but it wasn't enough to fully contain the blasts.

Finally, Omni-Man arrived.

He wasn't there to contain the damage—he was there to end it. Fast.

He flew straight at the twin on top of the building, tearing through the air with sheer force. The twin tried to fire, but Omni-Man dodged with ease. With a single punch, he obliterated the energy barrier and slammed the twin against the side of the building, leaving behind a massive crater.

The chaos spread...

The twins weren't going down that easily, and their devices were just starting to unleash havoc across the city. With their pulse cannons, the Mauler Twins began firing in opposite directions, raining destruction across several blocks. They launched debris, chunks of buildings, and rubble into the streets, leaving devastation in their path.

In one of those chaotic bursts, a prison transport bus got hit directly. The energy blast tore through the vehicle's side, causing it to flip and break open—releasing the criminals inside.

The situation turned from bad to worse.

Now, on top of the twins, there were escaped convicts running wild in the heart of the city—mixing with civilians, turning the area into a full-blown disaster zone.

The Guardians of the Globe wasted no time, continuing their assault on the Mauler Twins, but they couldn't ignore the rising threat posed by the freed criminals. The damage was already extensive, but the risk of more casualties spreading through the city was growing by the second.

Aquarus tried to control the water, attempting to trap the fleeing criminals within flooded streets, but the waves weren't enough. War Woman, while still fending off one of the twins, realized she had to act fast to minimize the escalating damage.

Omni-Man, now visibly furious, charged one of the Maulers, landing a rapid series of devastating blows that left the twin incapacitated.

But there was still one left standing.

And the chaos... was far from over.

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 — 4:32 PM, Chicago, Illinois

Far from the main fight, amidst the chaos left in the wake of destruction...

While the Guardians battled the Mauler Twins, the young team had been called in to help prevent further injuries caused by the ongoing devastation. The situation was spiraling out of control fast, and they needed to act to protect civilians and minimize the rising casualty count.

The damage left behind by the Mauler Twins wasn't just architectural. The chaos spread like a contagion. As the Guardians of the Globe continued their struggle against the twins, the city desperately needed more heroes to ensure no more innocent lives were lost.

On the other side of the city, the young team was already moving, racing to contain the threat of the escaped criminals set loose after the prison transport was attacked. The scene was apocalyptic, but they were ready to act.

Vortex (Viktor), Silver (Kiana), Reflex (Jenny), Ghost Girl (Becky), and Atlas (Andrey) were en route. The mission was clear: protect civilians, neutralize criminals, and handle the fallout while the Guardians dealt with the twins.

Atlas, with his x-ray vision and enhanced hearing, was the first to fully grasp the scale of the situation. He focused, letting his eyes scan through walls and structures ahead. He spotted civilians trapped under the rubble of a building brought down by the blasts. The muffled sound of their screams guided him, and his super hearing locked onto the survivors buried deep beneath the debris.

"Vortex, I've got a location!" Atlas called out, his eyes glowing with power. "Five people trapped under this building! Let's move!"

Vortex, always in motion, was the first to respond. Harnessing his control over the wind, he darted toward the spot, generating a powerful current that lifted chunks of concrete and rubble, clearing a path. With a precise shift in airflow, he moved the debris aside, revealing the terrified civilians beneath.

Atlas rushed in, using his superhuman strength to lift a piece of the building as if it were paper, pulling people free from imminent danger. He reached down, lifting a woman pinned under a stone slab and carrying her to safety.

"You okay?" Atlas asked, his voice steady and reassuring as he looked into the woman's frightened eyes.

"Yes… thank you!" she replied, trembling but grateful.

Vortex quickly turned to help other civilians, creating concentrated gusts to push aside debris and clear escape routes.

While Atlas and Vortex focused on rescuing civilians, Silver, Ghost Girl, and Reflex had already moved on to handle the loose criminals scattered across the streets. Silver, with her cold, determined stare, swept through the streets like a storm. Her movements were sharp, fast, and unrelenting. She looked more focused than ever... but also more aggressive.

Once again, something was off about her.

Her frustration was visible, and her strikes landed with more force than usual. Though still controlled, her rhythm felt off—something Reflex noticed right away.

"Hey, Silver, ease up! You don't need to go that hard," Reflex called out, catching her attention as she took down a criminal with a swift punch to the gut.

Silver didn't stop fighting. She shot Reflex a brief, cold glance—but there was no time for more words. She leapt forward, taking down another thug with a precise blow that left him sprawled unconscious. It was obvious she was venting something… but no one had time to press her about it.

Ghost Girl, watching from nearby, also sensed something was wrong. Silver wasn't acting like herself—but with the fight still ongoing, there was no room to dig deeper. She turned back toward a criminal trying to hide behind a car. Ghost Girl moved like a blur, shifting to invisibility mid-stride, then reappearing behind the man, disarming and flooring him with a swift strike.

Once Atlas and Vortex had finished pulling civilians to safety, they joined the fight against the remaining criminals. Atlas used his super strength to disarm one thug trying to flee, crushing the man's firearm in his hands and throwing him to the ground with enough force to shatter ribs. Brutal, without a sign of mercy.

Vortex glanced at Atlas, frowning.

"Seriously, man? They're criminals, not crash test dummies. Ease up."

Atlas didn't even look at him—just kept smiling and posing for a nearby news camera like it was a photoshoot.

Vortex, manipulating the air with expert control, whipped up a mini cyclone that slammed two more criminals against a nearby building, knocking them out cold.

"It's over for you guys," Vortex said, his tone serious—but with that familiar edge of cocky humor.

With the criminals subdued, the young team regrouped, making sure no further damage would spread.

Thanks to their effort, most of the criminals were now defeated, and they had successfully prevented further civilian casualties. Ghost Girl, Silver, and Reflex stayed alert, handling the last few arrests, while Atlas and Vortex ensured the rescued civilians were moved to a safe area.

Reflex turned toward Silver and Ghost Girl.

"Once we wrap this up… pizza?" she asked.

Silver and Ghost Girl nodded without hesitation, accepting the invite.

Their mission was done for now… but they all knew this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Far above, the fight between the Guardians of the Globe and the Mauler Twins raged on—but down here, for the first time all day… things felt under control.

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 — 4:35 PM, Chicago, Illinois

While the young team was dealing with the criminals and the Guardians continued their battle against the Mauler Twins, somewhere else in the city… Atom Eve was hovering above the scene of destruction, her gaze sharp and focused.

The distant explosion caught her attention instantly. A column of smoke was rising from a small building now engulfed in flames. Eve knew something was wrong and rushed toward the location without hesitation.

As she flew closer, the wave of heat from the flames hit her skin, making it clear that the fire wasn't just dangerous—it was completely out of control. With her matter manipulation powers, she could easily put it out, but first… she had to assess the situation.

Descending toward the burning building, Eve scanned the surrounding structure. The main entrance was already compromised, but she managed to slip in through a broken window on the upper floor. Moving quickly, she braced herself, ready to rescue anyone trapped inside.

Not far from there… Kai had also heard the explosion and was already making his way toward the scene.

Inside the burning building...

Upon entering, Eve found pure chaos. The hallway was thick with smoke, doors smashed, and the staircase partially collapsed. Cries for help echoed from one of the apartments, and without hesitation, she rushed toward the sound.

Inside the apartment… the scene was worse.

Three criminals stood menacingly over a man, clearly defenseless, cornered with no way out. Eve's eyes darted to a photo on the wall—she saw the man wearing a police uniform in the picture. Recognition clicked instantly.

These guys are here for revenge… she thought, reading the situation in seconds.

They were ready to beat the officer to death. Two held crowbars, one had a knife. Eve stepped forward, her powers activating immediately.

With a single motion, she created a wall of glowing pink light between the attackers and their victim, cutting off their advance. She prepared to launch at them next.

A fatal mistake...

While Eve focused on protecting the officer, she didn't notice one of the criminals picking something up—something he'd found earlier, discarded on the street.

It was a small tech device.

One of the electro-mines the Mauler Twins had used against Red Rush.

Before Eve realized the threat… it was already too late.

The thug hurled the mine at her. It detonated in a sharp electric burst, sending thousands of volts through her body. Eve's consciousness wavered. Her knees buckled, her muscles locking up from the surge.

She collapsed, dizzy and disoriented. The world around her spun, her body unable to respond.

The nearest criminal grinned cruelly, raising his crowbar over her limp form, ready to strike.

But before the blow could land… a blur of movement shot into the room.

A figure appeared out of nowhere, faster than anyone could react.

Kai.

With the Six Eyes fully active, he grabbed the crowbar mid-swing with ease, stopping it cold. His dark hair framed his face, and he wore the uniform he'd picked up from Arthur—his mask covering most of his features.

"Made it in time this time..." he muttered to himself, barely audible.

Eve, still fighting the fog in her head, struggled to focus on the voice. Something about it sounded familiar… painfully familiar.

Kai, his tone steady and cold, tightened his grip on the weapon.

"Wouldn't it make more sense… to pick a fight with someone who actually stands a chance against you?" he said, his voice low but carrying a little anger, almost imperceptible.

With one sharp motion, he disarmed the thug and knocked him out with a clean strike.

Without pausing, Kai spun and dropped the second attacker with a heavy punch. The last one tried to run—but Kai caught him like it was nothing, hurling him against the wall hard enough to leave him unconscious.

The room grew quiet.

Kai turned to check on Eve, still dazed on the floor. As he caught his reflection in a broken mirror on the wall, he froze for a second.

His hair was still camouflaged.

He'd forgotten to deactivate the ring.

Without wasting time, Kai slipped off the ring on his finger, letting his natural white hair return.

Not to hide from Eve specifically… but to protect the persona he was building—Grey. The white-haired figure that had started to make waves.

In a way… Kai already knew her. She was a person of action… full of life… the complete opposite of him. Being near her stirred something strange inside—a kind of restless echo from the empty parts of himself.

He stepped toward her.

Eve, now able to see him clearly, blinked in confusion. The voice… it was the same… but the appearance? No. Dark hair, now white. Blue eyes. Masked.

Her mind spun.

This… isn't the same boy I met before… she thought, confused and… disappointed?

"You seem disappointed." Kai said softly, a faint, hidden smile behind the mask, his voice tinged with irony.

Eve steadied herself as he helped her to her feet. His touch was steady but distant—like he wasn't used to helping people up.

She couldn't shake the strange familiarity, but the visual mismatch was too much. The hair. The eyes. Everything told her it wasn't him.

"Thanks… I owe you one," she said, catching her breath and leveling her gaze at him. "Your voice… I thought you were someone I'm looking for. Who are you? What's your hero name?"

Kai gave a faint smile.

"No hero name, I'm not a hero... They just call me Grey."

Eve paused, staring at him—caught between recognition and doubt. There was something about him that gnawed at her memory.

Once the last thug was secured, Kai turned toward her, his expression unreadable.

"That was easier than I expected," he said, sounding almost casual… hollow… like it barely mattered.

Before he could turn to leave, Eve took a small step forward and, almost without thinking, rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Seriously... thanks," she said quietly, her voice softer now—completely genuine, free of ego or expectation.

Kai froze—not visibly—but for a brief second, something shifted inside him. That simple, human contact... It pulled at a part of him he thought he'd buried long ago.

As she pulled her hand away, she added—half to herself, half to him.

"We don't get to choose when we save people… we just do it. Doing nothing… would be worse, wouldn't it?"

Kai blinked, slightly caught off guard by the words.

Doing nothing was a choice, and the choice to do nothing was just a reminder of how broken he was.

No matter how indifferent he was, something like the car accident from years ago would never happen again.

But before the feeling could linger, he slipped back into his usual detachment, stepping away as if nothing had happened.

Eve shook her head, still staring at him, still unsettled. Even with the mask, there was something in his features… something about his build… or the way he carried himself...

The officer they'd saved was now safe.

Together, they flew him out of the burning building, leaving him in a safer location.

As Eve kept watching Kai—Grey—she couldn't stop herself.

"Have we met before?" she asked, her tone cautious, her brow furrowed.

"Of course. You're the hero with pink light powers… been active around Chicago for a while now," Kai replied casually, clearly misunderstanding her real question.

In Kai's mind… there was no reason she would remember him… or be looking for him. After all, he hadn't done anything that meaningful—at least, not to her.

She acted because it was the right thing to do, because she wanted to help everyone and because she wanted to make the world a better place. It was completely different from him, that had lost it all, who acted out of a sense of obligation, out of the guilt he carried.

Someone with that kind of light… that kind of spark… shouldn't be anywhere near someone this broken.

He was underestimating how deeply, having been with her that New Year's Eve, his few words and small actions had already begun to change her world.

Eve lingered there, lost in thought.

Kai noticed, silently guessing she was thinking about something—or someone.

Before they parted ways mid-air… Kai spoke again.

And the words… just came out… naturally.

"Sometimes… you don't find what you're looking for… or what you expect… But maybe… it's about what you discover along the way. Just... keep saving others and don't get lost along the way."

Then, almost smiling under the mask, he added softly,

"Good seeing you in action. You've saved a lot more than just cyclists lately, huh?"

Eve froze mid-air.

Her heart skipped a beat.

That tone… those words…

But... It can't be...

Before she could react… Kai was already gone… disappearing into the sky.

Eve remained there, hovering for several long seconds… staring into the distance.

Impossible. I'm just seeing what I want to see.

But the memory of that voice and those words, would stay with her for a long, long time.

For both of them… that encounter had left a mark neither fully understood… yet.

 

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 — 6:10 PM, Chicago, Illinois

After the intense battle against the Mauler Twins and the scattered criminals, the afternoon finally began to calm. Atlas, basking in the glow of his small victories, made his way home, satisfied with the attention he had received. Vortex did the same, leaving the wreckage behind.

But the three girls—Silver, Reflex, and Ghost Girl—decided to take a break before heading out, still wearing their hero suits. The quiet street and the nearby park seemed like the perfect place to unwind for a few minutes.

Sitting around a stone table in the park, the three of them, identities still protected, took bites of pizza, laughing and chatting about the day's events. Their breathing had steadied, their senses still sharp, but the heavy tension from earlier had lifted.

Ghost Girl, holding a slice in her hand, glanced at Silver with a curious tone.

"Everything okay, Silver? You seemed… impatient again."

Reflex, eyes still on her pizza, lifted her gaze as well, equally curious.

Silver let out a sigh, not bothering to hide the mild irritation in her voice.

"It's nothing…" She paused for a moment, then added in a quieter tone, though still loud enough for both to hear. "It's that guy… Things are… complicated now."

The two exchanged glances, chuckling softly but staying attentive.

Reflex grinned, tilting her head.

"What'd he do this time?"

Silver looked at them, visibly uncomfortable.

"This time… it was me..." Her face flushed red, even with most of it hidden behind her mask. The blush didn't go unnoticed.

Both girls froze, then leaned in, voices rising with curiosity.

"What happened?" they asked in unison.

Silver moved a little closer, lowering her voice but keeping it serious.

"Well… you guys said I overreacted… and yeah… things got messy. I slapped him. Like… hard."

Reflex's eyes widened, her concern immediate.

"Is he okay? Did he end up in the infirmary?"

Silver gave a sheepish smile, though the worry still lingered.

"He's fine… but that's kinda the problem."

Ghost Girl tilted her head.

"If he's fine, then what's the issue?"

Silver took a deep breath, clearly not done.

"So… I decided I should apologize… I asked where he was, and this annoying girl from school—who hates me by the way—told me where to find him… And I went."

Reflex, already sensing where this was headed, raised an eyebrow.

"And…?"

Silver hesitated, a dramatic pause before finally confessing.

"I walked right into… the boys' locker room."

The two girls instantly broke into laughter, their voices filling the park.

Silver, mortified, waved her hands to stop them.

"I'm serious! This is killing me!"

Ghost Girl struggled to catch her breath between laughs.

"Sorry, it's just… you're always so perfect at everything… it's kinda refreshing seeing this side of you."

Silver took another deep breath, staying silent for a few seconds to regain some composure.

"When I walked in… he was just coming out of the shower. I realized I screwed up and was about to bolt, but other guys were entering too… And he pulled me into a stall to hide me. Trying to help."

Both girls tried to hold back more laughter, staring at her like they were watching the best drama of the year.

Silver pressed a hand to her forehead, still flustered.

"Things got worse… I ended up soaked in the shower stall, and… he gave me his shirt… I didn't get to apologize… Now I've still got his shirt… And to make it worse… he's been talking to that girl who told me where to find him."

Another wave of giggles hit them, unable to contain themselves.

"Just give him the shirt back already and get it over with. You're way too worked up over him," Ghost Girl teased, still giggling.

Reflex shot Ghost Girl a look, then turned back to Silver with a mischievous smile.

"I'm just gonna ask… is he hot? And… you kinda saw him… you know… so…?"

A sly grin spread across Reflex's face.

Silver, now giving in just a little to the teasing, let out a reluctant laugh.

"He's not bad… Tall, fit… pretty… big."

The three of them cracked up even more, tossing aside any leftover seriousness.

Silver, trying to compose herself after laughing with them, grimaced.

"But seriously… what's really bothering me… is how he's been talking to that girl constantly these days."

Reflex grinned mischievously, exchanging a look with Ghost Girl before focusing back on Silver.

"You like him, don't you?"

Silver instantly shook her head, wearing a dramatic scowl.

"No way! Of course not! It's just… that girl… she lives to push my buttons."

Ghost Girl leaned in, her grin widening.

"Oh, sure… but honestly? Gotta say… I'm with Reflex on this. I think you're totally starting to fall for him." She paused, lowering her voice just enough to sound conspiratorial. "You even remember the size…"

"Don't you dare," Silver shot back immediately, glaring at her.

But Ghost Girl wasn't stopping.

"Hey, you gave us way too many details for someone who supposedly doesn't care. Bet you took mental pictures."

Silver crossed her arms, visibly annoyed but unable to hide the redness creeping up her neck.

"Why do I even talk to you two…"

Ghost Girl and Reflex wiped their faces, catching their breaths with effort, but still grinning ear to ear.

"Kidding aside… I get it. I remember the first time I saw my crush and his brother changing shirts. Almost knocked the air out of me. And… his brother? Honestly… dude looked like a statue. Completely unreal."

Reflex turned to her with a grin.

"So… you had thoughts about the brother too?"

Ghost Girl struck a confident pose, raising an eyebrow.

"Almost. But then I remembered… my crush had no clue I even had powers… and was still ready to fight two older delinquents for me. That… won me over for real."

Silver glanced at both of them, then shook her head with a faint smile.

"You two… you're hopeless."

Reflex leaned forward, grinning like she was sharing some great secret.

"See? Can't deny it anymore. And let's be real… you saw way more than I ever did. If I were you… I'd still be out of breath."

The light mood lingered as they finished their pizza, their voices and teasing banter fading softly into the night. The chaos of the day felt far away now… even if none of them realized just how complicated things were about to get.

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 — 7:40 PM, Chicago, Illinois — Grayson Residence

The front door creaked softly as it opened, announcing Nolan's arrival. He stepped inside with his usual composed demeanor. Debbie was in the kitchen, stirring ingredients for dinner, and when she heard him, she lifted her eyes and smiled warmly at the sight of him.

"Welcome back, honey. How was it out there?" Debbie asked, her voice as sweet as ever.

Nolan offered a small smile, brushing some of the dust from his uniform as he approached her. With a gentle gesture, he ran his hand through his hair, still streaked with powder from the city's destruction.

"It was chaos… not sure what their goal was. Seemed like they just wanted to break things. Those two were a bit tougher than the Guardians expected, but once I arrived… it ended quickly. A GDA trainee team did a good job keeping the civilians safe while we handled them," Nolan said, his tone calm and commanding.

Mark, sitting at the table with eyes practically glowing with excitement, turned toward Nolan as soon as he finished speaking.

"The young team?! I saw them on TV! Are they new heroes? And that Atlas guy? X-ray vision, flight, super strength… What did he do out there?" Mark leaned forward in his chair, buzzing with curiosity. "I heard he has laser eyes too! And Vortex—he helped a lot too! Social media's going crazy about them!"

Nolan, taking his time, walked over to the counter to remove his jacket. He glanced at Mark with a small, almost fatherly smile.

"Yeah… I don't know much, but it seems Atlas does have quite a bit of strength—and laser eyes. Vortex has his tricks with wind control too. They did a solid job rescuing people and dealing with the escaped criminals. From what I gather, the GDA's training that young team. Haven't looked too deep into it… but they've got potential."

Mark nodded eagerly, but soon his expression shifted to something more hopeful.

"When are my powers gonna show up, Dad?" Mark asked, a hint of nervous anticipation in his voice. "I'm already fifteen… They're around my age, right?"

Nolan leaned over the table, resting his hands near the plate Debbie was preparing, his expression softening. Locking eyes with Mark, he gave a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, Mark. Your time will come. I know you're impatient… but your powers will show when they're meant to. And when they do… you'll more than be ready for it."

Debbie moved closer, her gaze settling on Mark with her usual comforting warmth.

"Mark… I know it seems exciting, but life's not just about powers. You can do amazing things without them too," she said gently, trying to offer comfort in case things didn't go the way Mark hoped.

Kai entered the room right after, the door closing softly behind him. His school uniform was neat, and the ring he wore still masked his hair color. Pulling out his earbuds, he barely had time to say anything before Debbie greeted him with her usual affection.

"How was your day, sweetheart?" Debbie asked as she stepped back toward the kitchen, checking on the nearing dinner.

Kai dropped into the chair beside Mark with a relieved sigh. Slinging his backpack onto the floor, he glanced toward his mom, doing his best to hide how drained he actually felt.

"It was fine. Stayed at school a bit late finishing a project. Guess everyone's been a little worn out with the city going crazy over the whole Mauler Twin situation… but I kept busy." His tone stayed calm and disinterested, as if the day had been just another in a long list.

Debbie shot him a knowing look as she moved closer to the boys.

"Good thing you weren't caught up in all that mess. Knowing you and your brother, it's a miracle neither of you ended up on the news… right there in the middle of that young team's rescue efforts."

Mark immediately jumped to protest.

"That was only in Rock Cliff… And that time with those lab monsters that escaped!" he argued.

Debbie planted her hands on her hips, giving Mark a stern look.

"And you think that's nothing?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

Mark turned toward Kai, hoping for backup… but Kai simply shrugged and nodded in agreement with their mom.

"Oh, come on!" Mark groaned.

Kai chuckled, and by then the smell of dinner had already drawn Nolan over to peek at the pot simmering on the stove.

"And of course… from what I've heard… Dad showed up and saved the day again… as always," Kai added, grinning.

Debbie and Mark exchanged a quick look of amused surprise.

"Did I just hear him say 'Dad'?" Debbie whispered to Mark with a teasing smile.

Mark shrugged, playing it cool.

Nolan, turning slightly, offered a faint, knowing smile but said nothing. Instead, he grabbed a plate and started serving himself as all eyes drifted toward the dinner now ready.

Debbie quickly turned back to finish setting the table, taking her seat beside Nolan.

"Alright, everyone… food's ready! Since we're all here, let's try to keep things peaceful for once. No heavy topics, please!" she said lightly, trying to set a calm tone for the evening.

The mood shifted to something warmer, more relaxed as dinner began. Mark, as usual, wasted no time diving into his food with all the energy he always had. Nolan and Debbie exchanged knowing glances, sharing small smiles of understanding.

"Told you… yesterday's pizza was better," Mark teased mid-bite, grinning through a mouthful of food.

Kai sat back, saying little, but the simple act of being there… surrounded by family… brought him a faint sense of peace. A rare feeling—foreign, but not unwelcome. Growing up in his past life, he'd faced too many things alone in a life too empty for him want to remember… but this… this felt new. Something worth holding onto, even if he hadn't realized it yet.

Debbie, wearing her gentle smile, looked at both her sons with soft eyes.

The night moved on quietly… as the Graysons shared their meal… with no immediate worries… but with the lingering sense that, whatever the future held, they'd face it together.

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 — 7:50 PM, Chicago, Illinois — Radcliffe Research Facility

While the confusion occurred with the Mauler twins, something was happening behind the scenes.

 Inside the underground lab, the air felt sterile and cold, filled with the faint hum of monitoring equipment and fluorescent lights flickering overhead. Brandon lay stretched out on a reinforced examination bed, medical sensors attached to his chest, temples, and arms. An IV line was already in place, connected to a sealed container filled with a pale, luminescent liquid.

Standing beside the observation glass, Radcliffe crossed his arms, giving Russell a calm, almost detached look.

"Just so we're clear…" Radcliffe began, his tone clinical. "There's no guarantee this will work. The most likely outcome? Mild physical enhancement… maybe nothing at all. The odds of developing an actual ability are… statistically low."

Russell raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, casting a glance toward Brandon on the other side of the glass. The boy seemed relaxed—more confident than cautious—as if this was just another step toward something inevitable.

Without waiting for more conversation, the medical team initiated the procedure. The fluid began to flow into Brandon's bloodstream, and the monitors lit up, tracking every fluctuation in real-time.

Heart rate… blood pressure… neurological activity… everything displayed on a digital wall behind the glass.

Brandon closed his eyes as the serum coursed through him. A few muscle spasms started, but he gritted his teeth, staying silent.

In the observation room, Russell broke the quiet first.

"So… what about that little errand you said you were running earlier? The… 'test' you had scheduled for today?"

Radcliffe didn't turn right away. He was reviewing the biometric charts on one of the nearby screens, his face expressionless.

"I traded one of our older tech units. Something the Mauler Twins had been after for a while," he said casually, as if discussing the weather. "In exchange… they stirred up that little mess downtown… and handed over a small fragment we've had our eyes on."

Russell blinked, frowning.

"Fragment? Of what?"

Radcliffe finally turned, standing beside another scientist who was adjusting the data feeds.

"A piece of tech... exposed to the same frequency anomaly we recorded during the -20 dB crisis years ago. It absorbed some… unusual energy," Radcliffe explained, keeping his voice low but steady. "We used it today for a preliminary frequency pulse test."

Russell's expression tightened.

"…Why?"

Before Radcliffe could respond, one of the lab techs answered from across the room, still working on the data feeds.

"Because we've already isolated the chemical activation markers for the serum… and we've cross-referenced that with power emergence patterns from individuals we suspect were exposed to Mikhail's experiments."

The tech gestured toward the screen where a waveform was displayed, overlapping with archived data from the -20 dB event.

"The only remaining factor… was environmental. That crisis was the biggest uncontrolled variable we've ever recorded and nobody knows how it happened."

Russell crossed his arms, looking between the screens and Brandon.

"So… did it work?"

Another scientist, standing just behind the observation monitors, shook his head at first.

"Not… exactly," the man admitted. "The energy output from today's fragment wasn't strong enough to replicate the full conditions of the -20 dB event. But it gave us something... data we needed."

Radcliffe moved to stand beside him, staring at the rising peaks on Brandon's latest readouts.

"That's why…" Radcliffe said softly, "…for the next test, we'll be running synchronized pulses from two other installations. More coverage. More range. We'll recreate the conditions… properly this time."

As if on cue, an alarm beeped from one of the monitors.

"Sir," one of the lead technicians called out, turning sharply. "We've got changes. There's a new signature… emerging in the subject's vitals."

Russell straightened immediately, stepping closer to the glass.

Brandon's heart rate had spiked—but leveled out quickly. His muscle output scores climbed steadily, now far beyond baseline human limits.

The scientist reviewing the data scrolled through the molecular markers.

"Physical amplification… approximately sixty percent of our highest recorded result," he announced. "But there's more… Energy signature analysis shows emerging patterns similar to Subject B-109."

Russell furrowed his brow and Radcliffe looked at the scientist.

"Subject B-109? That's… Bruce, isn't it?" Radcliffe asked.

The scientist nodded.

"Correct. The signature's not identical, but… definitely within the same family. Some overlap in the activation pathways."

Russell turned to Radcliffe, visibly intrigued.

"So? What does this mean? What do we do next?"

Radcliffe, smiling faintly—cold, calculated—answered without hesitation.

"Excellent. Keep him under observation. Full biometric scans every twelve hours. Blood work, cognitive tests… I want a detailed report by the end of the week."

He paused for just a breath, then added in a tone that left no room for debate.

"Schedule follow-ups for two to four weeks. Let's see what this new similarity can teach us."

Russell grinned, already imagining the possibilities.

Behind the glass, Brandon slowly opened his eyes… His gaze sharpened, a slow grin pulling at the corner of his mouth. Eager to test what he could do now.

Interlude — Extra Spicy Pizza

Thursday, March 7th, 2013 — 9:40 PM, Chicago, Illinois

The night in Chicago was quiet. City lights flickered softly as the evening traffic dwindled along the central streets. Rex, now with his mission set and clear, walked through the calm neighborhood where the target scientist lived. He wasn't in his usual suit, but in disguise—wearing a simple jacket and a baseball cap from a local pizza joint. His identity was hidden behind the uniform of a delivery guy.

The mission was simple, but still required precision. The scientist was involved in the illegal sale of highly dangerous equipment to the black market. Military gear, government tech—everything was being traded in secret. For Rex, this kind of job wasn't new… but execution had to be flawless.

He arrived at the building, just another ordinary apartment complex tucked into a quiet residential block. Rex scanned the area carefully before approaching the front entrance. This was a solo job. He was used to working alone, no backup, no safety net—just clean, trace-free results.

Reaching the door of the scientist's third-floor apartment, Rex adjusted the pizza box in his hands. Double-checked the fake pizza inside. He ran his fingers lightly over the plastic topping, charging it with energy… turning it into a perfectly disguised explosive.

With one last glance down the hall to make sure no one was watching, Rex pressed the doorbell. The chime echoed down the silent corridor, and a few seconds later… the door swung open.

The scientist stood there with a surprised expression, clearly caught off guard by the sudden appearance of a pizza delivery this late at night.

"Pizza?" Rex said casually, keeping his voice steady.

The scientist eyed the box, then gave a cynical smile as he reached out to grab it.

"Don't remember ordering pizza…" he muttered, suspicion creeping into his tone. But before he could ask anything else, Rex firmly pushed the box into his hands, leaving no room for further questions.

"Compliments of the house, sir. Have a great night." Rex delivered the line with practiced ease, as if this really was just a routine delivery.

The scientist, still looking skeptical, shut the door without another word. Without wasting a second, Rex slipped away from the doorframe, disappearing into the shadows of the corridor. He didn't linger. Moving quickly, he headed for the fire escape. The building wasn't tall, and he knew the best way to ensure a clean exit was to get out unseen.

Inside the apartment… the pizza box sat innocently on the table. The scientist, still frowning, lifted the lid—only to find a fake pizza… with a folded note sitting right on top.

Curiosity pulled him closer. He leaned in to read the note. The handwritten words, scrawled in big, bold letters:

"KABOOOM."

The last thing the man saw…

Was the flash of light that consumed the room.

The explosion tore through the apartment with violent force. By the time the shockwave rattled the windows of nearby buildings, Rex was already a block away. The muffled but powerful blast reached his ears. He paused for a brief moment, turning to glance toward the source. A short burst of flame lit up the night sky, and Rex knew…

Another job… finished.

Pulling the pizza delivery cap lower over his eyes, Rex kept walking, blending with the dark streets of Chicago. From his pocket, he pulled out his phone, answering an incoming call from Radcliffe—already waiting on the other end of the line.

"Good work, Rex. You're getting sharper with every mission," Radcliffe's cold, professional voice came through.

Rex didn't answer immediately. He kept walking, his gaze focused straight ahead as he slid the phone to his ear.

"I just do my job… and I'm good at it," Rex said, his tone cool and confident.

Radcliffe let out a low chuckle, devoid of real humor.

"That's what I like about you, Rex. Pure efficiency. Until the next mission."

Without another word, Rex ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket. His gaze drifted into the darkness ahead.

For him…

The mission never really ended.

Somewhere far away, back at Radcliffe's office, the man lowered his own phone and turned toward someone else in the room.

"It's done. No leaks. No loose ends."

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