Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013 – 4:11 PM – Warehouse on the outskirts of Chicago
The smell of rust and old oil clung to the walls of the abandoned warehouse, where the late afternoon light filtered through the cracks in the broken roof. A distant clang echoed from a rusted pipe. The air was stale, thick with dust and heat, wrapping around them like a weighted blanket.
A group of teenagers gathered around an improvised table — a metal slab resting on barrels.
Charlize sat on Bruce's lap, her hands laced around his neck, laughing at something only the two of them understood. Bruce looked way too comfortable, completely ignoring everything around him.
Chris and Scott stood side by side, their eyes sharp as they watched the room. Between them and the others were Tom, David, Robert, and Josy. Behind them, two men in suits stood silently, arms crossed — Russell's bodyguards.
And then he arrived.
Russell walked in with firm steps, his dark blazer spotless. Unlike anyone else in the room, he looked out of place, as if he had just come from an executive board meeting and not from a school drug route.
"Let's get straight to the point," said Russell, placing his hands on the metal table. "This week's shipment arrived in parts. Four batches. Four locations. Four teams will pick them up tomorrow."
Scott crossed his arms and nodded, while Chris raised an eyebrow.
"And what are the drop points?" asked Scott.
Russell glanced at one of the guards, who handed him a folded sheet with coordinates. He tossed it onto the table.
"All in zones off the GDA's radar. If you move fast, there won't be a problem. If you screw it up, you'll be on the news."
Chris frowned, clearly irritated.
"We weren't supposed to pick up the stuff directly from them. We're not mules. We built a system that works precisely because we don't have to do that," said Chris, visibly annoyed.
Russell looked at him, but the others remained silent.
Chris stepped toward the table, voice sharp.
"We're the middle, Russell. Never the start of the chain. That's what made this work — no direct ties, no risks. You break that, you break the system. We pick up the final delivery, hand it to some clueless student, and they make the drop... Now you want us to deal with an absurd number of pickups, and still go get the packages ourselves?"
Russell stared at him for a few seconds before replying, walking slowly around the side of the table.
"You're not wrong. But this is where you stand out. The old system — cartels, intermediaries, junkie runners — it's falling apart. We're losing more than 80% of shipments before they even leave the origin point. The GDA has eyes on every obvious route. The old method doesn't work anymore."
Chris clenched his jaw, holding back the urge to snap.
Russell kept his voice calm, but there was danger in it.
"This is temporary. A workaround. We just need to make sure at least half of the cargo gets through. Even half would be a win."
Scott let out a heavy sigh and stepped forward.
"Then let me make something clear to everyone here." He turned to face the group, locking eyes with each of them. "There are two systems running side by side. One's already broken. The other… is still invisible."
Silence followed for a moment.
"The first is the traditional cartel system. Marked routes. Armed escorts. People with records. The GDA monitors everything. They know exactly where to look."
Russell nodded subtly.
"The second system… is ours." Scott looked back at Chris, then the others. "We created something new. Couriers who don't even know what they're carrying. Students with no powers or any status. Backpacks. Lockers. Parties in upscale neighborhoods. Clean drops. Silent. Invisible."
Chris crossed his arms, his face more serious now.
"And you think I don't know that? We manage every route, every schedule, every blind spot in the city. And you know why it works? Because no one pays attention to half dozen of average kids with average grades heading home after school." Chris said.
Russell smiled, eyes on Chris.
"And that's why you're essential right now. The cartels have the product. But you have the distribution. And if you start controlling that... at the end of the day, the one who delivers calls the shots."
Chris exhaled but didn't respond. His eyes fell to the sheet of coordinates on the table.
"Who's going where?" asked Bruce, holding Charlize as he kissed her neck.
Chris scoffed and looked away.
" If we're doing this stupid shit, then I'm dividing the groups. Less chance of something going wrong." Chris said, not bothering to hide the edge in his tone.
No one contested him. They just waited.
Chris grabbed the paper and started calling out names.
"Scott, Ty, and three from your group. You handle point A, and distribution afterward is on you."
Scott looked at him.
"And?" he asked flatly.
"You'll cover for the lack of anyone with abilities in your group."
Scott paused for a second, then nodded.
"Group two… me and David," Chris continued. "He's got no Ego, so I'll cover, just in case something goes wrong. Three: Bruce and Josy. Josy doesn't have an Ego either, so you're with her, Bruce. Don't try anything funny — forget the idea of going with Charlize."
Bruce let out a mocking whistle, still holding Charlize on his lap.
"Four… Tom, Charlize, and Robert. All three are strong and have Egos. You'll be fine. Go together. No complaints."
Charlize raised an eyebrow but didn't say a word.
"Good," said Russell, lightly tapping the table with his palm.
"It's happening tomorrow night. I'll send you the timing during the day."
Chris turned and looked straight at him.
"You promised us more than crumbs. I don't need money, I'm already fucking rich. We need a seat at the table. If this doesn't lead there..." His voice dropped. "I will hold you to it."
Russell stared back for a moment, then smiled.
"That's right, Chris. And that's exactly why it'll be just this once. Think about what comes after. When this works… the cartels will be in our hands. We won't be pawns anymore. We'll be the entire board."
Scott placed a hand on Chris's shoulder.
"It's part of the process. Every gear starts off rusted."
Chris didn't respond right away. He just stared at the list of names, his jaw tight.
The room fell silent.
For now, they were all playing the same game — and it seemed to be working.
But in a room full of wolves, how long could the leash hold?
Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 – Oakwood High
The mornings at Oakwood followed a predictable rhythm — crowded hallways, slamming lockers, voices ricocheting between classrooms. But that Thursday, nothing seemed out of place. Classes went by without incident, and the teachers were less demanding than usual.
It was almost easy to forget the world outside.
Almost.
When the last class ended, the boxing club members headed straight to the gym. The golden afternoon light streamed through the tall stained-glass windows, painting the floor in orange hues as the students warmed up. Cassie set the pace with her usual firm hand, correcting stances, encouraging sparring, and guiding the rookies with the same practical impatience as always.
Kai had started to stand out among them.
Even without seeking attention, his movements were being observed from a distance — by the same curious and noisy eyes that usually hovered around Cassie and Kiana.
During a break in training, Kai grabbed a towel and walked to the corner of the gym where he'd left his bag. His secondary phone vibrated discreetly in his inner pocket. He took it out carefully, keeping the screen hidden from the others.
Unknown number.
Today. 9:45 PM. District 4, Block 19. Blue warehouse. Pick up the batch. That's all I know. — Seth
Kai's eyes narrowed. Seth. The kid he had scared off in Lonsdale a few weeks back.
So… you're useful after all.
Finally, some new information…
He locked the screen and returned to the arena. There was still training to do.
Cassie called him over to repeat the lateral movement drill and three-hit combo. Kai executed it with precision, adjusting his guard and timing. She simply nodded, satisfied, saying nothing. He was absorbing everything she had taught in previous sessions — stance, energy efficiency, body reading. The kind of discipline that mattered when real chaos hit.
Meanwhile, in the girls' locker room...
The hot steam from the showers was filling the room, and voices echoed between metal lockers. Lana adjusted her hair in front of the mirror while Amy tied her shoes and Nicole slammed her locker shut with a metallic thud.
"Did you see Kai training today?" Lana said casually. "After that fight with Liam, I heard a senior girl tried to confess to him."
Cassie and Kiana, a bit farther back, laughed at the same time.
"He cut her off. Didn't even let her finish," said Cassie with a wry smile at the corner of her lips.
Amy suddenly turned to Kiana, her eyes direct and curious.
"Do you have a thing for him? Like a crush or something?"
Kiana stayed calm, picking up her shirt from the bench and slowly putting it on.
"There's nothing like that between us."
Amy smiled, almost relieved.
"Then I guess it's okay if I ask him out? He's hot."
Kiana froze for a split second. Then quickly nodded, trying to seem indifferent.
"Do what you want."
"Great! I thought that might bother you." Amy laughed, tying her hair into a high bun.
Kiana gave a faint smile, but there was something hard and stuck beneath that forced gesture. Cassie, watching from the side, shook her head and sighed.
As everyone started heading out, Cassie lightly tugged Kiana's arm, making them fall behind.
"If you don't admit you like him and do something," she murmured, "some other girl is going to take him."
Kiana stayed silent, her eyes downcast.
Cassie stood up from the bench in one swift motion.
"Well, I warned you."
"He said he's not looking for that right now, and I want to respect that," Kiana replied from the other side of the lockers.
Cassie turned with an almost skeptical look.
"Kiana… he's a teenager. A year younger than both of us. He doesn't even know what he wants out of life, let alone make the right call about something like this."
Cassie had a point. At least when it came to his body — a year younger than theirs.
What Cassie didn't know was that Kai had already lived more years than any of them — including her.
The two left the locker room shortly after. Across the hall, the groups met again near the campus gates.
Amy, Nicole, and Lana exited almost at the same time as Kai, Samuel, Dex, and Nick. Their conversations were light, full of laughs and casual goodbyes.
Amy stepped forward, weaving through the others until she caught up with Kai, holding a relaxed smile.
"Hey… Kai, got any plans for tomorrow?"
He looked at her with his usual calm, almost bored expression, and let out a soft sigh.
"Actually, yeah. I need to go out with my brother."
"Didn't know you had a brother. All right then. Catch you later." Amy waved lightly and walked back to her friends.
Across the street, Cassie gave Kiana a sharp look.
"Keep not going after what you want. Once again, you got lucky." She crossed her arms. "But for how long?"
Little by little, Kai drifted away from his friends heading home. After all, his destination was somewhere else...
Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 – 6:20 PM – Roosevelt Park, Chicago
Darkness slowly crept over Roosevelt Park with an eerie stillness unusual for that part of the city. The trees swayed gently in the near-night breeze, and the old lamp posts cast long, distorted shadows across the damp grass. Kai walked with measured steps to the spot where he always hid his things — behind a hollow tree trunk, out of sight from the street cameras.
He looked around, crouched down, and changed clothes, leaving the camouflage ring behind in his backpack. The black outfit, the mask, and the hair revealed another identity — Grey.
He pulled out his phone and sent a message.
"Mom, I'll be home late. Don't wait for me for dinner."
Let's see just how dirty this gets.
Time to see who's really pulling the strings.
With his backpack hidden again and his phone turned off, Grey gave a light push and vanished between the buildings — a blur cutting through the air.
21:43 – District 4 – Block 19 – Industrial Zone
The neighborhood seemed forgotten even by the wind. The area slept under heavy shadows, with silent warehouses and flickering lampposts that looked like they were about to give up functioning altogether.
Grey watched everything from the top of a low building, where cracked concrete provided a perfect hiding spot. He had been there for a while now. The night breeze stirred his platinum hair as he kept his eyes fixed on one of the alleys below.
There, partially hidden between dumpsters and stacked containers, ten teenagers were getting ready. They wore balaclavas and bandanas like street bikers, covering their faces. Some exchanged quick words; others just waited, visibly nervous.
Kai recognized three of them right away—Seth and two of the guys who had been with him in Lonsdale.
The others didn't look unfamiliar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen them before.
There was Charlize, leaning against a wall with her arms crossed, chewing gum. Robert was fiddling with something inside a reinforced backpack, while Tom stood motionless like a sentry.
Inside the warehouse ahead, the movement was more discreet. Three men—Mexican, judging by their clothes and accents picked up from a distance—were checking sealed boxes with forged labels. One of them kept glancing around, his hand near a holster. The boxes rested on pallets, covered by a dark tarp.
What's going on here? This isn't one of those deliveries, Kai thought, his glowing blue eyes scanning every detail.
Something feels off...
Kai jumped.
A sharp thud echoed between the buildings as Grey landed in the center of the alley, arms slightly spread, as if the darkness itself had placed him there. His blue eyes pierced through the shadows.
The group of teens turned in shock. Charlize widened her eyes. Robert instinctively raised the backpack. Tom only furrowed his brow.
But it was Seth who reacted first.
"Shit… I told you! I said he might show up!" he yelled, already spinning on his heels. "Run, now!"
Without waiting for the others, Seth bolted, dragging his two friends with him. The three vanished from the alley in seconds, leaving everything behind—including the other four teens, who hesitated just a moment too long.
That moment was all Grey needed.
With one step, he vanished from in front of them—and the sound that followed was the sound of a fall.
CRACK!
The first boy was hurled against the side of a crate, knocked out instantly. The second had his legs swept with such speed that his body spun in the air before crashing to the ground.
The third tried to react, but Grey appeared behind him, knee striking the ribs and sending him flying like a ragdoll.
The fourth had no chance. A hooded fist slammed into his gut before he even registered what was happening.
Four takedowns.
Grey raised his eyes to the three who remained.
Charlize, now with a tense jaw, turned around, lowered his mask for a moment and spat out her gum.
Robert slowly stepped back, removing his gloves and assuming a stance.
Tom took a deep breath. Muscles tensed under his shirt.
"So it's you… the famous Grey," Tom said. "Guess the rumors were true."
Inside the warehouse, one of the Mexicans noticed the commotion and shouted something in Spanish.
"¡Un héroe! ¡Tenemos que mover la carga!"
Within seconds, two of them started pushing a pallet cart toward the back. The third pulled out a gun but hesitated—knowing that gunfire would draw too much attention.
Grey stepped forward twice.
"Last chance," he said, voice muffled but firm. "You can surrender and tell me what's going on here."
Charlize let out a loud laugh.
"Look at this guy, asking for a beating."
Robert stepped in front of her. "I've been dying to hit something. Now I'm not stopping…"
Tom cracked his shoulders.
"And begging won't help you," Tom finished flatly.
Grey tilted his head. The light from the warehouse's broken windows reflected in his eyes, as if the entire void had been compressed inside them.
"Then let's end this."
The tension between the four hung like gunpowder in a sealed room. Grey's shadow wavered under the alley's dim light, and the other three moved slowly, like predators circling something they hadn't decided was prey or hunter.
Robert was the first to break the silence.
His body burst into motion with surprising speed—well above that of any average teen. He dashed forward in a straight line, right fist ready for a direct strike.
Kai was already stepping into a defensive position when he saw—with the precise perception of the Six Eyes—the hidden movement in Robert's left arm.
Behind the punch... something else is coming.
The right fist came as expected, and Kai dodged it with a subtle twist. But what followed turned the night into danger.
CHAKK—!
From Robert's left forearm, a bone spike—thick as a dagger—shot out as if launched by internal pressure. The white blade rose from below with lethal intent—aiming straight for Kai's chest.
He twisted his body at the last second, the Six Eyes predicting every detail… but it had still caught him off guard.
TSCHHH—!
The blade sliced the side of his left arm, leaving a thin but deep gash.
He leapt back, his feet scraping dust across the alley floor, the wound burning with the memory of real danger.
They're not normal.
Kai looked at the blood discreetly dripping from the cut, and for a brief moment, something in his blue eyes gleamed more intensely.
Instead of fear… the same thrill from before called to him.
As if the void begged to be used.
His breathing quickened for a moment—then slowed by force of will.
He would no longer let it take control.
So he resisted.
Tom remained motionless, studying him. Charlize circled slowly, eyes narrowed, breath held, waiting for the right moment.
But Robert didn't pause. With a grunt, he lunged again—this time with both arms—and both forearms extended spikes.
Kai dove to the side, rolling over the cracked asphalt and using the momentum to rise and counterattack with a kick to Robert's abdomen. The blow landed, sending the boy skidding back several meters before crashing hard into a wall, spitting blood...
Kai turned his back on the boy he had struck and looked toward the other two.
But once again, he dodged only thanks to the Six Eyes, which picked up on the movement behind him.
The boy was already on his feet again, and the spikes kept growing—retracting, emerging, molding to his body like monstrous claws.
That power… he shapes his bones at will and still recovered from that?
Robert leapt backward, slamming one of the spikes into the ground to pivot quickly and launch the other like a projectile.
Kai was already airborne, his body twisting like a precision phantom. The spike missed his leg by mere millimeters.
Then came another.
And another.
Robert ripped them from his own arm like disposable spears, hurling them with lethal precision.
Kai dodged with flawless accuracy — short steps, shoulder twists, agile spins. It was as if the world moved in slow motion for him… and even so, the constant barrage and the effort to keep the void in check demanded his full focus.
As Robert lunged forward for another attack, Kai reacted.
He vanished from in front of him with a sharp body shift — and reappeared beside Charlize, who was about to intervene.
Kai's concentration and immersion into the Six Eyes was so deep that he sensed her intention to strike simply from the way she shifted position.
It was a mix of what he'd learned from Cassie and that absurd perception granted by his activated eyes.
She instinctively backed off, but Kai merely extended his arm and pushed her with his shoulder.
A somewhat gentle move, all things considered. But strong enough to send her crashing painfully against the wall.
Tom rushed in right after, his fist heavy and fast — but Kai blocked it with a forearm, twisted his hips, and countered with a diagonal kick to the ribs. The impact made a dull, sharp sound. Tom staggered but didn't fall.
Kai took two steps back, his eyes calculating the terrain.
They're strong… but not that strong
A small, involuntary smile tugged at his lips.
Robert yelled, his face etched with frustration, and hurled three spikes at once.
Kai slid across the ground, one leg extended, his body horizontal for a brief moment as the projectiles zipped above him. The next instant, he sprang up mid-spin and delivered a knee straight to Robert's chin — but the boy shielded with his elbow.
Quick thinking. That might've worked… if not for the strength gap.
Kai's knee was powerful enough to crack Robert's elbow, launching him once again across the alley.
The only dangerous thing about him is the spikes. Not even bullets hurt me, so how did that cut me?
Charlize tried to sneak up behind him.
Again, before she could act, Kai turned — locking eyes with her through the glowing blue intensity of the Six Eyes.
She froze completely upon realizing... he had no blind spots.
Kai took the moment to create distance, breathing for the first time since the fight began.
He wasn't tired. He was only fighting using the Six Eyes and his Viltrumite abilities, not tapping into the void in any other way, he only stopped because he wanted to stay calm, away from the temptation of using it again.
To Kai's surprise, Robert was already back on his feet, with no sign of a broken arm — although clearly winded. The constant use of his spike powers, and maybe the regeneration, were wearing him down.
The three surrounded him again.
But now... they hesitated.
Even with numbers, even with powers active, something in Grey's eyes made their confidence falter.
Even wounded, his grin beneath the mask said it all: he wasn't worried. He was just getting started.
"Try again," Kai murmured.
He exhaled slowly.
The glow of the Six Eyes pulsed.
Time to end this... It's getting harder to stay calm.
No more playing around.
His body vanished in a sharp burst — a silent shot that shattered the air between him and Tom in a fraction of a second. Before the boy could even react, Kai's fist broke through his guard, crushing his chest with brutal force.
BOOOM—!
Tom flew like he'd been hit by a truck, slamming into the wall with a dry thud. Dust, brick fragments, and metal bits fell over him before his body slid to the ground, limp.
Charlize grabbed a piece of metal from the floor and charged at Kai.
He dodged by launching into the air with flight, moving faster than her eyes could follow — appearing right in front of her before she could even take a step back.
Her eyes widened.
"You should've stayed out of this. I tried to go easy on you, but if I keep going, people will say I'm sexist," he said, a mocking smile hidden behind the mask.
She tried to push back, but the next move was even faster.
His punch landed on her stomach with surgical precision. The air escaped her lungs like a trapped gasp. Before a sound could form, his fist rose — straight into her mouth.
CRAACK—!
Charlize spun midair, crashing to the side and rolling twice before stopping, coughing up blood and saliva, her eyes wide with shock.
Robert hesitated, but it was already too late.
Kai was airborne again, right leg raised like a descending spear.
BANG!
The kick struck his left rib cage dead-on, the impact so violent that Robert's body spun sideways. A sharp crack echoed through the night. His arm twisted backward, bent at an impossible angle.
Once again, broken arm.
Kai landed softly, the glow of his eyes still blazing.
Robert screamed and dropped to his knees, panting, staring at his mangled arm in horror and disbelief.
But then...
CRAACK... SNAP... SCHLLK...
The arm began to shift. Bones realigned. Muscles rewove. Skin resealed.
Kai stood still, observing.
That regeneration is insane. Straight out of a movie.
Robert lifted his eyes, trembling.
"But… what are you?"
Kai didn't answer. Only stared. Calm. Unshakable.
It was Charlize who broke the silence, struggling to her feet. Her eyes burning with fury, she screamed...
"Robert! Tom! GET HIM! NOW!"
And then… she activated her Ego.
In that instant, Kai's world flipped.
Literally.
The ground twisted. The ceiling collapsed. The sky descended like an avalanche. The floor pulled away in all directions.
Kai stumbled, his knees giving out. He tried to stabilize... and missed his own step.
What...? Are my senses... reversed? Even with the Six Eyes?
Sight, balance, even touch — he could still perceive everything… but all scrambled. He tried to inhale deeply but felt the air entering through what felt like his stomach. Cold sweat trickled down his neck.
Damn...
Robert staggered back into the fight, eyes wide, arm fully restored though still trembling. With no energy left to summon more spikes, he clenched his fists and charged, shouting.
Kai tried to react, but his body betrayed his commands.
A punch hit his face.
Another on his shoulder.
One more to the gut.
Kai staggered — but not from the hits.
He staggered because he couldn't stay upright.
He dropped to his knees.
Somehow, Tom forced himself upright, staggered but determined. Blood ran down his temple, but his eyes burned with stubborn defiance. He joined the assault.
The two attacked together — arms and fists in a frenzy.
But something was off.
They hit with fury. But the sounds weren't of flesh breaking. Nor bones cracking.
And Kai… didn't flinch. Didn't cry out.
He just took the blows, not a single bruise forming on his Viltrumite body.
Yet he remained unmoving on the ground.
The Six Eyes burned... and a thought whispered in his mind.
I could use Muryu Kusho...
and end this now.
Blood pulsed in his temples, each beat echoing like an alarm through his scrambled senses.
No...
I'm still in control.
Kai deactivated the eyes, and the world still spun erratically — like he was trapped in a warped nightmare.
No point keeping the Six Eyes on like this.
Sky and ground swapped places every second, and Robert and Tom's blows, though harmless, kept his mind locked in a loop of noise and chaos.
Atom-Eve could show up now... Ah, of all people... why did I think of her?
Maybe the Young Team?
No... I'd rather handle this myself.
Then all I can do is wait… until they tire out.
But then…
FWIP!
A sharp sound sliced through the air.
Something — thin, fast, and precise — darted from the alley's shadow and struck Tom in the shoulder. A metallic snap followed as a retractable cord yanked him back, binding him to the ladder post of a fire escape.
"Argh—! What—?!"
A shadow dropped from the top of the building with the grace of a nocturnal predator.
The cape fluttered in the air.
Firm hands held hooks and blades in perfect balance.
A deep, steady voice filled the alley.
"I guess I'm late," said Darkwing.
Charlize, Robert, and Tom froze.
Even Kai, still disoriented, instantly recognized the tone of that familiar voice.
Darkwing.
One of the Guardians of the Globe.
Charlize instinctively stepped back — and in that instant… her control snapped.
CRACK—
Like fractured glass, her Ego shattered in a blink.
Kai's senses began to return like a reverse shockwave.
The ground started aligning back to being the ground. The sky stopped spinning. His body was stabilizing.
Kai smirked.
Finally.
Darkwing, agile and relentless, was already exchanging blows with Robert before Charlize could react.
The hero moved like a living shadow — dodging with precision, using his opponents' strength against them, locking Robert in an armhold before throwing him hard against the alley wall.
"Identify yourself," demanded the Guardian, his eyes fixed on the dark-haired boy now bleeding from the chin.
But Tom shouted, struggling, still tied up.
"We need to get out of here! NOW!"
FWOMP—!
With a bestial roar, Tom transformed.
His body grew larger, muscles swelling, eyes turning red, and his face covered in fur.
His arm doubled in size, tearing through his shirt in shreds.
RAAAAAHH!!
He broke the rope with ease and, with a furious roar, the massive gorilla struck Darkwing with a violent blow.
THWACK—!
The hero was hurled against the opposite wall, crashing into crates and broken chunks of concrete.
Darkwing wasn't expecting such brute strength... or a gorilla appearing out of nowhere.
"Shit! DARKWING!" Kai shouted, still regaining his senses.
Robert and Charlize were already running — until they were grabbed by the massive gorilla and carried off at even greater speed. The three vanished into the alleys before Kai could fully get up — and before Darkwing could recover.
Kai looked in their direction, still panting, his eyes deactivated back to their normal color.
Damn it, this is my fault. I underestimated them and let them escape...
When he turned around, he saw Darkwing already on his feet, one hand gripping his injured shoulder, expression unreadable.
"You're not one of them," Darkwing said.
He scanned Kai from head to toe.
"Based on the outfit and the hair, you're Grey — the one who helped the Young Team during the monster incident."
The voice wasn't suspicious — it was a statement.
Kai nodded silently.
Darkwing stepped closer, assessing the situation, the traces of destruction, and the movement inside the warehouse.
"There are more people in there."
"Mexicans," replied Kai calmly. "they had a shipment of something, probably drugs."
Darkwing nodded.
"I know what it is. I was following a lead."
VROOOM—!
The engine's roar tore through the night from the warehouse's side.
In the darkness, one of the Mexicans trying to escape jumped into the driver's seat and turned the key in panic.
The headlights lit up the overturned crates, and the car screeched forward, tires spinning across the oil-stained pavement.
"Shit!" said Kai.
Before the car could gain speed—
WHAM—!
Kai launched into flight, darting toward the noise.
Seconds later, he landed with both feet on the hood, like a thunderbolt from the sky.
The impact crushed the suspension and shattered the windshield beneath him.
As if he were venting his anger.
The driver barely had time to scream — his head slammed into the steering wheel, knocking him out cold.
Kai glanced inside the car. Sealed crates. Dozens of them.
Darkwing approached silently from the shadows until he was beside the wreck.
He looked over the unconscious man's body, then at the crates inside.
"Looks like... you handled it," he said quietly.
Kai stepped down from the vehicle and landed beside him.
"Yeah, at least this one didn't get away."
Darkwing looked directly at him. For the first time, his eyes revealed something beyond calculation: respect.
"You've got talent, kid. But you need to pick your fights better. You were in trouble when I showed up. There are many ways to be a hero… even in the shadows."
Kai furrowed his brow slightly. But he listened.
Darkwing gave a subtle nod.
"Either way, good job. I'll handle things from here. And you... should get out of here."
They stared at each other for a few seconds. Then Kai replied in a neutral tone, "Alright."
He said nothing more. He looked once more at the car, then at the warehouse — and took off into the sky.
Darkwing watched as he vanished between the buildings. Then, he turned to the car, opened the door, and pulled out one of the packages.
Teenagers with powers, now tied to cartels?
What did I miss?
—
In the sky, as Kai flew back toward the park where he'd left his backpack before acting as Grey, he tried to sort through his thoughts.
Even without Darkwing, he knew he could've handled all three. No strike had truly harmed him… except those spikes. That was weird.
First those spikes, hurt me... One of them turns into a gorilla...
And then that strange powers… I couldn't recover my senses, even with the Six Eyes...
I was too careless.
That won't happen again.
The fact that he underestimated the three and let them escape bothered him.
But what mattered most to him now… was what he managed not to do.
He had held back.
He hadn't lost control.
He hadn't crossed the line.
His spirit was firm.
For the first time in a long while, he truly felt it.
Elsewhere, moments earlier...
Heavy footsteps echoed across the pavement as Tom, still in his monstrous form, ran with his two friends in his arms. His fur-covered body glistened under the yellowish glow of the streetlights. He breathed heavily, eyes scanning every direction alert to every flicker.
Two blocks later, he turned a corner in the industrial zone and, without slowing down, dropped them on the ground before shrinking back into his human form.
The transformation unraveled in waves, slowly revealing the sweaty, panting teen, muscles still tense.
"A three-meter gorilla running through Chicago in the middle of the night wasn't gonna go unnoticed," muttered Tom, breathless.
Charlize wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.
"You did good. We had to get out of there fast."
"Yeah," Tom replied, taking a deep breath. "No one followed us."
After catching their breath, they ran a few more blocks, cutting through dark streets until they reached a busier avenue. They hailed a cab and crossed into another part of the city.
Only after a brief, silent walk did they arrive at the warehouse where it had all started. The structure was old, with a corroded roof and the air thick with the smell of rust.
Charlize pushed open the massive iron door, which groaned loudly.
"We should've brought everything here... and now we're coming back empty-handed."
Robert, already inside, stood from where he'd been sitting and stared at them.
"Damn it… That bastard Grey." He slammed his hand against one of the rusty columns. "And what the hell were those eyes...?"
Tom walked up, still massaging his shoulders.
"Yeah… the guy wasn't just a rumor. And he was strong. That guy hits like Chris. Or worse." He let out a sigh. "At least Darkwing didn't get us. That would've ended badly."
Charlize didn't reply. She simply sat beside a column, rubbing her shoulder. Her face was still swollen, lips throbbing from the hits she'd taken.
Robert kept pacing, muttering curses.
And so... they waited.
Each minute dragged like hours in the stale silence of the warehouse, broken only by shallow breathing and the occasional distant siren.
Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 – 10:58 PM – Grayson Residence
A cool breeze brushed Kai's skin as he landed silently, the soft click of the key turning in the door blended with the digital explosions coming from the living room.
He checked the scratch on his arm, then pulled his hoodie down.
By the time he walked home, the neighborhood had grown quiet. Lights off in most windows. Normal life.
He stepped into the house and gently shut the door behind him, greeted by the smell of sweet popcorn and fresh juice.
Mark was sprawled on the couch, feet on the coffee table, hammering buttons with a focused glare. Nolan sat nearby, eyes on the screen, waiting for Debbie.
"It's late," Nolan said without shifting his gaze.
"Training ran a little long," replied Kai, dropping his backpack near the stairs.
Debbie appeared soon after, handing a glass of juice to her husband and flashing a warm smile when she saw her son.
"Hey, sweetheart. You made it in time to at least say good night."
Kai smiled.
"I'm gonna play a round with Mark."
He sat on the couch next to his brother, who grinned without taking his eyes off the screen.
"Grab the other controller."
As he passed it, Mark noticed a thin, fresh scratch on his brother's arm.
"That from training?"
Kai paused a beat, then answered smoothly, as if the explanation had been waiting.
"After class… nothing serious. Just got distracted and bumped into a locker."
Across the room, a single thought crossed Nolan's mind.
No powers… fragile… Still just human.
It wasn't clear whether the look on his face was relief… or disappointment.
Mark looked at Kai.
"Don't forget, we're hitting the mall with the gang tomorrow," Mark said while button-mashing furiously.
"I won't. " Kai replied. "If I forget, I'll be hearing you nag all year."
Debbie reappeared by the stairs, giving Nolan a gentle nudge on the arm.
"Shall we head up? I think these two can survive on their own now."
Nolan stood up slowly.
"You're leaving without seeing the ending? You're gonna miss the best part."
Nolan answered without looking back, smiling at Debbie.
"Pretty sure this part of the night will be better than winning a video game."
"Oh, come on," Kai complained.
Debbie laughed and tugged Nolan up the stairs.
Mark looked at his brother, frowning.
"What did he mean by that?"
Kai pressed a few buttons on the controller and sighed lightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a smirk.
"Trust me… You don't want to know."
Mark took two seconds to think about it—"Ew, gross!" Mark shouted.
Kai burst out laughing at his brother's delayed reaction.
And the night went on with flickering blue lights on the screen and muffled laughter echoing through the room... as if nothing in the world had changed.
Headquarters of the GDA – Operations Room – Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 – 11:51 PM
Darkwing walked through the silent corridors of the underground base. Even at that hour, the lights were on, and the distant hum of servers filled the air with a constant background buzz. As he passed the tactical analysis room, he saw Donald adjusting monitors and jotting something down on a digital pad. Farther ahead, he found Cecil in his office, leaning back in his chair with an open folder before him, eyes fixed on the pages.
"You asked to see me," said Cecil, without lifting his gaze from the report.
Darkwing stepped in and closed the door behind him with a soft click.
"There was a problem tonight. I was following a lead on the cartels. Ended up running into a group of teenagers on the west side of Chicago."
Cecil looked up, his expression neutral.
"Teenagers? What were they doing?"
"Three adults were unloading crates from a warehouse—likely illegal goods. These kids were with them, but the situation wasn't clear. As soon as I showed up, some ran. Others stayed and tried to hold me off."
"They attacked you?"
"Yeah. They all had their faces covered, and one of them transformed into something... bigger. Some sort of gorilla mutation. Never seen anything like it. The other two had enhanced physical abilities—strength, resilience, maybe more. They knew where to strike."
Cecil stretched out a hand across the desk, and Darkwing placed a small pouch into it: a torn piece of cloth, dirty and marked with cement stains.
"Took it from the scene. It fell off the kid who transformed."
Cecil turned the fabric between his fingers, examining it closely. A crooked label, still clinging by a few threads, bore a stitched name: Oakwood Highschool Academy.
He furrowed his brow and laid the cloth on the desk with a soft thud.
"Oakwood?"
"Yeah."
Cecil sighed, rubbing his temples with one hand while keeping his eyes locked on the cloth, as if willing it to reveal more.
"Maybe Cosmic was right from the start..."
Darkwing narrowed his eyes.
"Cosmic said something about this? It's a school uniform tag. And considering their age, it makes sense. When I arrived, the kid who helped the Young Team fight that creature in Chicago was already there, fighting with them. He got there before I did."
"Grey..." Cecil muttered. He rubbed his eyes and leaned further back in his chair before continuing. "Cosmic trains that boy. He told me the kid was going to investigate that school on his own."
Darkwing crossed his arms, still standing.
"So this isn't new. How did this slip past the GDA?"
Cecil inhaled deeply and leaned on the desk.
"Oakwood… nothing ever leaked from there. Nothing that raised flags. We've looked into it before. But the school's funded by very influential people..."
Cecil averted his gaze, Radcliffe's name surfacing silently in his mind.
"Not sure what you found in those investigations, but a kid turning into a three-meter gorilla seems like a pretty damn big red flag," said Darkwing, his tone firm.
Cecil returned his gaze to the piece of cloth.
"When we investigated, we only found normal kids. Besides, Silver studies there. She's never reported anything suspicious. That sort of thing would've caught her attention."
"Maybe she doesn't know," Darkwing replied. "If the place is backed by powerful people, clearly things are being kept well hidden."
Cecil nodded slowly, his eyes now fixed on some vague point on the table.
Donald appeared at the door, holding a tablet with preliminary intel.
"Donald, check the location Darkwing gave us," Cecil said. "See if we have any history on that area. And send a team to recover the rest of the cargo. The men there are likely tied to something bigger. Let's trace it."
Donald nodded.
"And what about the teens who fought you and Grey?" Cecil asked, turning back to Darkwing.
"They escaped before I could catch anyone. One of them... hit me hard. Harder than expected. If schools are being used as fronts, it's time we started paying closer attention to what's going on inside."
Cecil was silent for a few seconds, then stood and walked to the blacked-out window of the room, where the monitors' glow reflected off the opaque glass.
"I'll ask Silver to stay alert. Might be helpful to have someone else from the Young Team watching with her. Someone unknown to the students. If who I think is behind this, we'll need to proceed carefully."
Darkwing gave a nod and turned without another word. Seconds later, he vanished down the corridor, swallowed by the base's shadows.
Cecil watched the door close, then looked back at Donald, who still stood at the entrance in his usual professional posture.
"One of Nolan's sons goes to Oakwood, doesn't he?"
Donald quickly scrolled through a few files on the tablet and nodded.
"Yes, sir. One of the records confirms it.."
"Call Nolan," said Cecil, slowly pulling his chair back and sitting down again. "Let's see if he knows anything."
Donald nodded again.
"Sir, there's something I think you should see."
Cecil glanced at Donald, who approached with the tablet, pointing to a map with blinking dots.
"These locations. Is this what I think it is, sir?"
"We're talking about locations of wha—" Cecil stopped mid-sentence and pulled the tablet closer.
He stared at it for a few long seconds.
Then pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it.
"Sir, weren't you quitting?" Donald asked quickly. "What should we do about this?"
Cecil took a deep drag before replying.
"Nothing. We do nothing. Forget this ever came up."
"Still want me to call Nolan?"
Cecil nodded.
And Donald left without another word, his footsteps fading into the halls of the base.
Cecil remained there, eyes fixed on the piece of cloth still lying on the desk.
Some of the pieces were finally falling into place.
Others were still missing.
But now… the GDA knew where to start looking.
Meanwhile...
Warehouse on the outskirts of Chicago – Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 – 11:52 PM
The side door creaked open. Scott was the first to step inside, followed by Chris and Bruce. The others came behind, carrying the packages.
They went straight to the warehouse corners, dropping the boxes on the concrete floor. But then they froze—seeing the three already there, heads lowered, bruised and worn out.
Chris dropped his box without care. The thud echoed through the walls.
Bruce frowned and stepped forward.
"What the hell happened to you?"
They told him. The fight. Grey. And then… Darkwing.
When the name came up, Chris exploded.
"Darkwing?! From the fucking Global Guardians?!" He flailed his arms as if trying to shake the absurdity out of his brain. "I told you this was gonna blow up, Scott! I told you!"
"Chill the hell out," Scott snapped, eyes narrowed.
Bruce ignored the argument. He went straight to Charlize and knelt beside her. "Who did this to you? Grey… or Darkwing?"
She took a deep breath, leaning her weight into him, unable to hide her exhaustion. Her face was swollen, already showing purple bruises, and her lip was split.
"It was Grey," she muttered. "He was strong. Took us down in seconds… Like you, remember? That day at Radcliffe's lab."
Bruce clenched his fists. Charlize grabbed his arm tightly.
"But I got him with my Ego. If Darkwing hadn't shown up..."
He tightened his jaw, stood slowly, and stepped toward the center of the warehouse.
Without warning, he punched one of the metal beams with full force. The impact cracked it all the way to the base, and part of the ceiling groaned above them.
"What the hell was that?" Scott turned around. "You out of your mind? Gonna bring the whole place down?! What about the fucking merchandise?!"
Bruce didn't even glance at him.
"I'm gonna kill that bastard." His voice was low. "And I'm killing Darkwing too."
Scott raised his hands, trying to calm the storm.
"Look at her. You got away, didn't you? Are you sure no one followed you?"
Tom answered confidently, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"I'm sure. When I transformed, he didn't expect it. Threw Darkwing far off. And Grey was still dazed from Charlize's Ego. We ran. With my senses—especially my nose—I'd have noticed if anyone was tailing us."
Chris still looked tense, but his breathing slowed. His eyes returned to Scott.
"Fine. The worst is over..." Scott said, trying to stay in control. "Even if we lost one of the four shipments, we're already ahead. Russell said half was enough. We still got three. Now we just distribute—same as always. Only thing that changed is the scale."
Chris glanced at the others, then back at Scott. His eyes still burned with tension.
"We'll see… But if that guy comes around again with this bullshit, trying to drag us into another mess like this, we're out. Got it?" he said, frowning with a firm tone.
Scott raised both hands again, surrendering.
"Alright, man. Chill."
Bruce, still turned away from them, stared at the crushed beam. Charlize stayed seated, her gaze fixed on the floor, silent.
The silence settled for a few seconds. The distant rumble of a train passed by, the metallic sound dragging along like a reminder of the world beyond — the group absorbed everything that had happened that night.
The tension still lingered in the air.
But for now... the operation had succeeded.
Just enough had been delivered to satisfy Russell's demands.
May 24th, 2013 – Morning – Oakwood Academy
Friday began like any other at Oakwood. The hallways buzzed with hushed conversations, hurried footsteps, and books being flipped open in succession. Sunlight streamed through the tall classroom windows, painting golden stripes across the desks. Everything flowed within the routine — and even Kai seemed more relaxed that day.
Sitting at his desk, he kept his usual posture: arms crossed, bored expression, eyes half-closed. But the silence didn't last long.
"You listening or sleeping with your eyes open?" Cassie teased, poking his arm with the tip of her pen.
Kai blinked slowly, gave her a brief glance, then turned to Samuel, who was already smirking playfully.
"Yesterday, Amy tried asking you out. You said you had plans with your brother. Was that true or just a lame excuse?"
Kai shrugged.
"It was true. I had plans with my brother to meet up with some old friends at the mall."
Samuel raised his eyebrows. "You have a brother?"
Kai gave a half-smile. "Yeah. Twin."
The three of them froze for a second. Cassie blinked. Kiana paused mid-bite. Samuel leaned forward, surprised.
It wasn't earth-shattering, but it shifted something in the air — a realization that they didn't know as much about Kai as they thought.
Cassie narrowed her eyes. "Now it all makes sense… those pictures on your phone. But I didn't really notice. Are you two identical? And is he just as grumpy as you?"
"Very funny," Kai replied in his usual lazy tone, then added, "Physically, we're pretty similar, but not identical. Personality-wise… complete opposites. He's too loud. Outgoing. Way too friendly, honestly."
Cassie giggled. "Well, at least your parents got one of the kids right."
Samuel burst into laughter, and even Kiana let out a restrained chuckle.
Cassie exchanged a quick, nearly imperceptible glance with Kiana before turning her attention back to Kai.
"And these friends? Who are they?"
Kai kept his tone even.
"Friends from my previous school. We all studied together until middle school. But the school didn't offer high school, so everyone ended up going somewhere else."
Cassie rested her chin in her hand, intrigued.
"I saw a picture of you with a girl. You two were dressed up. It was when we set up your socials. Is she going?"
Kai let out a long sigh, glancing sideways at her.
"Since when did I become so interesting? I'm already regretting winning that fight. But yeah. My brother said she's going."
"Just curious. You usually talk less than a rock," Cassie shot back.
She glanced at Kiana again — and this time, the look was sharper. Kiana averted her gaze, unsettled, the words from the day before echoing in her mind.
Kai sighed again, already anticipating the next question.
"That picture was from our middle school graduation. Since the school didn't offer high school, they held a farewell event. I went as her date."
Samuel's eyes widened. Cassie raised an eyebrow and looked straight at Kiana, as if to say see? Kiana felt her fingers tense around the fork without realizing.
But then Kai continued, unhurried.
"She actually wanted to go with my brother. Her friend too. But since he couldn't go with both… they dragged me along as a backup."
Cassie burst out laughing. Samuel nearly spat out his juice.
"Now that's so you!" Samuel said, still laughing.
Kiana exhaled the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
The conversation flowed lightly until the end of the break. When the bell rang, Cassie nudged Kiana lightly with her elbow — a wordless go on. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to.
As the group returned to class, Kiana quickened her pace and walked beside Kai.
"Kai…" She hesitated, weighing each word. "You're going to the mall… I was thinking of buying a few things. Can I come with you guys? But if it's a hassle, that's okay, I—"
"You can," Kai replied, his calm tone unchanged.
Kiana looked visibly surprised. A small smile crept up, almost involuntarily.
Kai added, "But just a heads up… knowing them, they'll want to spend hours at the arcade. Not sure how much shopping time we'll actually have."
"That's fine. Just send me the details before class ends, then."
He gave a small nod.
And that was it.Simple. Natural.
But not for everyone.
Behind them, Cassie watched the two of them with a keen eye. And in silence, she simply smirked to herself.
Well… it's a start.
Guess she's finally moving
Later That Day – 1:25 PM – Shopping Mall, Chicago
The mall's main atrium was already crowded when Mark arrived with Derick, Becky, and July. The ceiling lights reflected off the glass-lined corridors, while groups of teenagers passed by laughing, their shopping bags swinging in hand. The smell of food from the food court blended with the sounds of arcade machines and flashing display screens.
"He's late," Becky said, crossing her arms. "Which is typical of him, to be honest."
"He said he was coming," Mark replied, checking his phone for the third time. "He must be on his way."
"Maybe he bailed," July added, scanning the area. "Or maybe he fell asleep on the way — wouldn't be surprising."
"None of that," Derick said with a grin, pointing toward a nearby entrance. "Look."
All four of them turned — and froze.
Kai was walking toward them with his usual calm pace and neutral expression… but beside him was a girl who looked like she'd stepped out of a movie.
Hair nearly white and flowing, flawless skin, and a quiet elegance that somehow radiated even through simple clothes. She didn't just walk beside Kai — she practically orbited him, like the universe had aligned itself around that axis.
"What the…" Mark began, but couldn't finish.
"You've got to be kidding me," Becky blinked a few times, her mouth slightly ajar.
"Whoa, who is that?" July whispered, instinctively straightening her posture.
Kai stopped in front of the group. His eyes passed over them calmly before landing on Mark.
"Hey," Kai said casually, in his usual bored tone.
Silence followed for a few seconds until Mark finally spoke.
"Hey…" Mark mumbled. "This is…?"
"This is Kiana," Kai replied like it was no big deal. "She's in my class at Oakwood."
Kiana gave a soft smile, greeting them with a natural wave and quiet confidence.
"Hi. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Mark forced a smile. Derick blinked repeatedly before extending his hand.
"Hi. I'm Derick. And… wow, you're really pretty."
Kiana laughed, not arrogantly, just amused.
"Thanks."
July subtly stepped to the side, her sharp gaze shifting from Kiana to Kai — then from Kai to Becky, who remained quiet.
"You're in Kai's class?" Becky asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
"Yeah. We also train together at the boxing club," Kiana replied.
Becky raised an eyebrow.
"Really? That's new."
"He's focused, hardworking… and has a great sense of awareness."
Becky blinked. Since when does anyone compliment him like that?
Kai kept his impassive expression, as if everything were perfectly normal.
They began walking through the mall, passing clothing stores, sneaker shops, and even a stand with giant plushies.
July tugged on Mark's sleeve discreetly as they passed their third store without entering.
"Did you know about this? That he's been hanging out with a girl?"
Mark shook his head, surprised.
"Not a clue. He barely tells me when he leaves the house — let alone this."
Derick leaned in, murmuring with a grin.
"Dude… she's stunning. Like… off-the-charts level. And she's glued to him like a shadow."
July looked over her shoulder, analyzing how Kiana walked beside Kai — almost as if protecting him, as if she were part of some invisible force field. The discomfort inside her grew… but it was hard to tell why. Jealousy? Of whom?
Kai stopped in front of a tech store, eyeing a section of gadgets and headphones. Kiana noticed and stepped closer, commenting on a new model she had recently tested. He replied with a short phrase, but she smiled as if he'd just given her a compliment.
Becky couldn't resist, she rolled her eyes, tapping her cup.
"You've gotten used to him being like this, huh? All antisocial, robotic, the type who ignores the world?"
Kiana glanced at her sideways, keeping her tone light.
"Actually, he just doesn't waste energy on things that don't matter. But when something does matter… he notices everything."
The answer made July bite her lip and glance at Becky, who simply crossed her arms and looked away in silence.
Kiana stepped into a store with calm steps, her eyes scanning racks of clothes and accessories with genuine interest. It was the perfect excuse to justify her presence — after all, she had said she wanted to shop. And even if it was just an excuse… it was already worth it.
While she explored, the others wandered off too. July and Becky got lost among oversized hoodies and graphic tees with old band logos, Derick dragged Mark from one rack to another like they were ten years old again.
Kai stayed slightly apart, walking alone to a shelf lined with sunglasses of various styles.
His eyes settled on a specific pair — circular lenses, thin dark frames, a simple design. He stood still for a few seconds, the reflection of the glasses merging with his own face.
If I wore these, with the ring turned off… how much would I look like him?
He got lost in thought long enough not to notice Kiana approach silently. With a soft smirk, she picked up the glasses and, before he could react, slipped them onto his face.
"They look good! You buying them?" she said, tilting her head to get a better view.
Kai blinked, caught off guard. He raised a hand to the glasses and took them off slowly.
"No… just reminded me of something," he replied, meeting her gaze with something almost nostalgic.
Without another word, Kiana turned and walked to the register, adding the sunglasses to her purchases.
"I'll take them. As a thank-you for saving me that day," she murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.
Kai crossed his arms.
"If I say no, you'll insist and buy them anyway, won't you?"
Kiana looked at him and nodded enthusiastically.
"Yup!"
Kai sighed, glancing slightly upward.
Another irony this universe decided to throw in my face.
Across the store, Becky, July, Derick, and Mark watched the scene with growing curiosity.
"I don't know what kind of brainwashing she went through," Becky murmured in disbelief. "But she really seems into Kai. Look at that."
"Like… genuinely into him," July added, still in shock.
The group moved to the arcade, where the colorful lights and buzzing sounds made it impossible not to smile. Mark and Derick jumped into a basketball arcade match, competing to see who scored more. July tried to drag Becky into a virtual kart race, while Kiana and Kai shared a rhythm game, tapping the glowing buttons with surprisingly sharp timing.
Time flew between laughter, teasing, and back-to-back games. Kiana always stayed nearby, but never monopolized Kai — she knew how to balance her attention, which only made her more impressive in the eyes of everyone watching.
4:30 PM – Food Court
The group gathered at a table in the food court, each with a tray. Burgers, fries, sodas. Conversations flowed naturally — until Becky, mid-fry, stared at Kiana for a few seconds.
"You look familiar," she said, frowning. "But I can't place where from."
Kiana smiled.
"Probably just in passing. Chicago's full of coincidences."
July looked at her, measuring her.
"Oh! She's that girl who advertised that girls' clothing brand." she said, sounding surprised.
Kiana was clearly a little embarrassed.
"That was two years ago, before I went abroad." she said, trying to drop the subject.
Becky narrowed her eyes briefly, and looked as if she had made a discovery.
"Oh, that must be it!"
Mark stared at Kiana for a second.
"So... how'd you become friends with Kai?" Mark asked, genuinely curious.
Kiana gave a soft laugh.
"Well, we ended up in the same friend group. And we train together too."
Kai looked at them with his usual bored expression.
"Leave her alone. She just came to buy a few things and happened to tag along."
Becky and July exchanged a subtle glance.
"We were just curious," July said, raising an eyebrow. "Last time we saw you, you said your school was full of stuck-up rich kids."
"Yeah," Derick added. "And you also complained about some crazy student ranking system… And that annoying second-place girl in your class who always pissed you off."
Kiana turned to Kai with a curious look. He closed his eyes and put a hand to his forehead, as if he'd been waiting for this.
"Yeah…" he muttered. "And you just met her."
Silence fell over the table for three seconds.
Then Kiana laughed.
"It's fine. We didn't get along at first anyway."
Relief washed over the group, who burst into laughter along with her.
Kiana looked at Mark.
"You and Kai are close?"
"Yeah. Always have been, and he's always helped me with everything," Mark said with a smile. "It was tough going to a different school without him, but you get used to it. Especially when you've got cool people around."
The conversation stayed light for a few more minutes before the group began wrapping up.
Kiana finished her drink and stood up first, grabbing her shopping bag.
"I should get going. My dad's in town and sent the driver to pick me up outside," she said with a smile. "Thanks for the company. It was fun."
"We should come back when Lord of the Relics finally drops," Derick chimed in, already standing.
"Totally," Mark and July agreed."Count me in," Becky added without hesitation."I'd like that too," Kiana said, her smile softening as she looked at the group one last time.
Everyone turned to Kai.
He let out a long sigh, lifted his gaze slightly, and gave a single nod.
"Fine," he muttered, as if the idea exhausted him already — but his silent agreement was enough.
They said their goodbyes and Kiana walked off.
As soon as she left, Becky raised an eyebrow.
"You guys really gonna let the mysterious girl walk out of the mall alone with a bunch of bags?"
Everyone looked in Kai's direction.
Kai let out a slow sigh and stood up, grabbing his backpack.
"Alright. I'll walk her out." He said it in the same flat tone as always — like it was just an obligation, an acceptable annoyance. But no one believed that act.
The others exchanged knowing looks and quietly stood up, following a few steps behind, pretending they were still just wandering.
As they exited through the main entrance, a sleek black car was already waiting. The driver opened the door for her. Before getting in, Kiana turned to Kai and held his gaze a moment longer than necessary.
"Thanks… for today," she said.
Kai simply nodded.
"You're welcome."
The door shut, and the car glided away into the streets of Chicago.
Minutes later, after everyone else had already left, Mark and Kai were walking side by side.
"So... Kiana, huh?" Mark said with a curious smile. "I guess now I understand why you always stay so late at school after training."
Kai gave him a deadpan stare but didn't respond right away.
"You understand less than you think," Kai muttered.
Mark chuckled.
"Maybe. But I'm glad you came."
Kai glanced up at the sky, the setting sun painting the clouds in warm colors.
"Yeah... me too."
And with that, the two brothers continued on their way home, walking in step, as if there were no secrets between them — no distance between schools or worlds that could ever drive them apart.
Later that night, back at home, Kai unpacked his bag and set the sunglasses on his desk. For a moment, he simply stared at them under the soft glow of the lamp, the dark reflection of the lenses seeming to stare back at him.
He picked them up, put them on, and looked at his reflection in the mirror.
"Ridiculous," Kai muttered.
But he didn't take them off right away.
If I saw someone like this on the street — white hair, eyes hidden behind dark lenses — I would definitely think it's a cosplay.
Kai slowly removed the glasses and set them back down on the desk.
That's enough symbolism and nostalgia for today.
He turned off the light and laid down, allowing the world to spin for a night without his interference.
Maybe a little more at peace than he probably should have been.
Interlude – Part 1: The Unspoken Thread
Friday, May 24th, 2013 – 9:17 PM – GDA Headquarters
The Global Defense Agency headquarters, built of concrete, steel, and cutting-edge tech, hummed with the steady murmur of systems in motion. But that night, what dominated the space was the conversation between two men.
Cecil Stedman leaned against a console, holding a paper cup of lukewarm coffee. The other man remained standing, arms crossed, his gaze as cold as ever.
Omni-Man.Nolan Grayson.
"You probably have no idea why I called you here," Cecil said, twirling the cup between his fingers. His tone was casual, but the weight of the conversation hung in the subtext. He was choosing his words carefully.
"At first, I thought it was about the recent activity in Chicago," Nolan replied, eyes fixed. "But judging by your tone, I'm guessing this isn't about small-time criminals."
Cecil nodded slowly, as if weighing each word before stepping onto dangerous ground.
"There's a school. Oakwood Academy. Private. Very elitist."
Nolan didn't react. He simply waited.
Cecil took a sip of the coffee and continued.
"Darkwing was investigating a cartel. During the operation, he came across a group of powered teenagers. One of them left behind part of a torn outfit, and the tag was from that school. I ran a basic check. Your son, Kai, also goes to Oakwood."
Nolan raised an eyebrow.
"So what?"
"We're investigating this sudden appearance of young people with powers supposedly coming from that school. Your son studies there, so I called you in." Cecil paused, watching Nolan closely before continuing in a calm tone. "Has he ever mentioned anything unusual about the school? People… situations… anything odd?"
Nolan kept his stance, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Kai is reserved. Doesn't talk much. And when he does, it's never about school beyond the basics."
Cecil tilted his head slightly.
"No strange names? Unusual teachers? Students acting strange? Any out-of-place behavior?"
"No," Nolan said firmly. "Nothing."
"You sure?"
"As far as I know, he attends his classes, participates in the activities… and that's it. Nothing out of the ordinary."
Cecil held his gaze for a few seconds before walking over to a smaller monitor, where a low-quality image showed what appeared to be a gorilla sprinting down an alley.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, then…" he murmured. "Just a kid. Fifteen. And still... not a single leak from that place."
"Are you implying something?" Nolan asked.
"No. Of course not." Cecil offered a tight-lipped smile. "We've got a Young Team member who studies there too. They haven't reported anything strange. I'm just trying to find a lead… anything."
"I see. Either way, I can ask Kai directly. If I find anything, I'll let you know."
"Another dead end, then. But thanks for coming, Nolan."
Omni-Man simply nodded and turned. The automatic door opened, allowing him to leave in silence.
As the door closed, Cecil sighed and tapped a button on the panel in front of him. The image on the main screen changed, revealing a photo of the Oakwood Academy's façade. In the background, a black SUV was parked, and Radcliffe was stepping out, opening the door.
"Oakwood…" Cecil murmured. "Every time a clue shows up… there's always another layer buried under it. I should've looked into that place earlier… but I let it slide."
Interlude – Part 2: Secret Agent or Agent of Chaos?
GDA Headquarters – Young Team Training Grounds
The soft hum of holographic projectors and the diffuse glow of floating screens gave the room a cold, almost clinical atmosphere. In the center, a long dark glass table reflected the metallic ceiling above.
Kiana Vance Hayes — Silver — walked in first, frowning when she saw Cecil already inside, standing alongside Donald and Mirage. Right behind her, Vortex entered with his usual lazy steps and nonchalant expression. His hair was slightly messy, the GDA uniform only half worn, and his demeanor fluctuated between uninterested and vaguely curious.
"You called." He pulled out a chair without waiting for an invitation.
"Good morning to you too, Vortex," Mirage muttered, not even lifting his eyes from the floating data.
Cecil, arms crossed, pointed to the center of the projection, where the logo of Oakwood Academy slowly rotated in mid-air.
"We're gathering information… and we have a job for you."
Silver raised an eyebrow.
"A job?"
Cecil gestured toward Donald, signaling him to continue.
Donald nodded and stepped forward.
"Oakwood is on the GDA's radar for multiple reasons. But the school has ties to influential public and private figures. We can't use a traditional approach. We need caution."
Kiana sharp as always, narrowed her eyes, piecing it together.
To be someone important enough for GDA not to want to raise dust, it must be someone who has a connection to GDA itself.
"Believe it or not," Mirage added, "we've reviewed every member of the Young Team. And the conclusion was clear: we need someone on the inside… without anyone noticing."
"I already study there!" Silver said, stepping forward. "I can handle it. Just tell me what to look for."
"That's exactly why we called you," Cecil replied. "But you're already known. Star student. Active in competitions. You're in the official photos. People expect to see you. You already have a role. And that's why we need another pair of eyes — someone no one knows is even watching."
Vortex raised an eyebrow.
"So why me, exactly?"
Cecil didn't respond right away. Mirage took over, rotating a panel showing images of the team.
"Atlas would be the best choice. Strong, fast, x-ray vision, super hearing, works well under pressure… but he's unstable. Inconsistent. This job requires discretion, routine, and balance. He craves attention — he'd be exposed in a week."
"Reflex is at a traditional school run by her family, deeply involved with her parents. Any movement would raise too many red flags," Donald added. "Ghost Girl... her mother barely accepted her joining the team. Transferring her to an elite school for a mission would be practically impossible."
Mirage then pointed at Victor Ramsay's profile.
"You're in a public school. You live with your uncles, who clearly don't care what you do. Your grades are decent but nothing that stands out. You adapt quickly, you're tactically smart, and most importantly… no one would expect to see you in a private elite academy. That's exactly what we need."
Vortex crossed his arms and slouched into the chair.
"So… you want me to become a prep-school boy?"
"Exactly. We'll cover the tuition as if it came from your family," Cecil said. "Everything will be arranged to avoid suspicion."
He stayed silent for a few seconds, then let out a quiet sigh.
"Alright. I'm in."
Silver lifted her head in surprise.
"You're not even going to ask more questions?"
"I've heard enough," he said with a shrug. "If it's important, it's important. And… well, it's not like I'm attached to my current school."
Donald gave a small approving nod.
"There's only one final matter. To make the mission easier, we think it's best that the two of you know who the other is… outside the uniform."
Silver blinked.
"Like… reveal our identities?"
"Yes," Mirage confirmed. "You've worked together before, now you'll be attending the same school and staying close. Keeping the veil between you would be risky while operating in the same field."
She hesitated, glancing at Vortex, who raised an eyebrow, relaxed.
"Fine by me. I've got nothing to hide."
Silver crossed her arms for a moment, then nodded firmly.
"Alright. If it helps the mission, let's do it." She looked toward Vortex. "But if you reveal who I am—"
"Relax, I'm not an idiot," he cut in, raising both hands.
Cecil watched silently, his face nearly unreadable. But something in his eyes suggested the pieces were moving — and they were landing exactly where he wanted them.
"Victor Ramsay," Vortex said, extending his hand as he removed his mask.
"Kiana Vance Hayes," she replied, shaking his hand while taking off her own mask.
Victor stared at her for a moment.
"Damn, you're pretty even without the mask. If I wasn't dating Reflex, I'd hit on you just to see your reaction."
Kiana rolled her eyes.
"Get a grip," she shot back, dryly.
"Come on… it was a compliment," Victor added with a teasing smile.
Donald was taking notes on his tablet.
Mirage stepped forward again, more serious now.
"The mission starts soon, Victor. We've already prepared everything for your transfer. The objective is simple: report any strange activity involving powered students or suspicious packages. No secret agent stunts. Live your school lives normally — just as students. But stay alert and keep us informed of anything unusual. Remember, discretion is critical."
Victor and Kiana exchanged a brief look. No jokes, no sarcasm.
They nodded —And the first threads of the web began to unravel.