The scene opened back in the slums as Johnson walked through the familiar, uneven streets, his ring glowing faintly on his finger.
"What is it, Jake?" Johnson asked.
"I'm updating your stats from your first save and other stuff," Jake replied.
"Hmmm… um, Jake?"
"Yes, master?"
"Can you upgrade… like change it to something else instead of a ring?"
Jerry chimed in. "Yes. The ring can change to other objects to suit the taste of the user. But sir, you can only change its appearance to three objects."
"I see. Okay, change it to a super watch. It would be nice to carry to school."
"Yes, sir." Immediately, energy surrounded Johnson as the ring glowed and transformed into a super watch.
Johnson looked at it with awe. "Wow… it's beautiful, so nice, and more complex. It's going to take some time to learn about you, Jake."
"You can learn about me. What do you want to know?"
Continuing down the road with the remaining boxes of pizza balanced in his hands, Johnson asked, "What am I? How do I have these powers? Where do you come from? What exactly are you, Jake?"
"Hmmmm… that's a list of questions," Jake replied. "I need to answer, but I will tell you everything in due time. Just know that I am not human, nor am I from this world. I was sent from time to help you with your tasks or with anything."
Johnson sighed. "Fair point. Just don't forget to tell me."
"Yes, master. I forgot to tell you."
"What's that?" Johnson asked as he reached a small stream leading to his home.
"You got some new advanced upgrades to your suit, and your abilities have been enhanced," Jake said.
"How? I don't understand," Johnson muttered.
"Okay, how about you test it on water?"
"How?"
"Run on the water."
Johnson froze. "How? I can't run. The last time I ran on water fighting Evolve was because I was copying his abilities, and I used 100% of my strength. I was hospitalized for weeks. I'm actually not ready for that. And the pizza in my backpack… I really—"
Jake electrocuted him lightly. "Whatever. Just run. You won't go forward until I take control…"
"Ugh, fine. If anything bad happens, I'll blame you."
"Yes, do so," Jake replied.
Johnson positioned himself, nervous, his hair beginning to glow.
"User is nervous. Releasing charges to stimulate user. Status: User can now use up to 10% of his full abilities effortlessly, without stress or strain. Energy level: 70%. Potential: infinite. Strength level: 60%. Now releasing charges to stimulate user."
"You said I should do what?" Johnson exclaimed.
"Take the first step! Now, run, Johnny, run!" Jake ordered.
Johnson began to sprint toward the water. His hair glowed, and lightning wrapped around him. He took off on the water at hyper speed. His clothes caught fire.
"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh, yeah! I'm running on water! Oh, hot! Hot! Hot!" he yelled, losing focus and falling into the water.
Jake immediately activated safety protocols, bouncing Johnson out of the water. He was thrown into the sky, and his clothes transformed into a blue top with a pair of trousers while his backpack was fixed.
"Are you okay, master?" Jake asked.
Thrown into the air as time slowed, Johnson looked down at the city. He saw the walls separating the slums from the city, the stream running between them, and he was struck by the contrast.
"It's… overwhelming," he whispered.
"Alert! Gravitational pull in 0 seconds," Jake warned.
"Oh, damn it!" Johnson screamed. "Ahhh! I'm going to die! I'm going to die! If I spin my body in a circular motion, can I create a whirlpool to land safely?"
"That's a smart idea, but you will have to wait for one second. Let me calculate your survival rate."
"Am I going to die?" Johnson asked, getting closer to the ground.
"Yes, but you need to land on your feet, not face down," Jake instructed.
Johnson landed on the ground, lightning covering him. "Whew… I didn't die after all. Thank you, Jake. But why didn't you ask me to spin?"
"Because it was a dumb move. Spinning could help your survival rate, but it would only be 15%," Jake explained.
"Oh, I see."
Johnson used a pen cutter to slice his finger. "REVIDE!" The finger regenerated immediately. "Well, I will survive, so?"
"You're not getting the point. You could have died. I had to help you by increasing your body weight and slowing time. If not, you would have died," Jake said.
Johnson reached his house. "Thanks, Jake. I really appreciate it."
"It's okay. Hey, one more thing," Jake said, slowing down time.
"What is it?" Johnson asked.
"Don't trust Lucian Stark."
"Wait… what?"
Jake went into power-saving mode and reverted into a normal ring. Johnson's abilities reduced.
"Why can't I run? You better explain next time," Johnson said, sighing as he knocked on the door.
Mary opened it. "Well, well, Johnny. It's been years since you left."
Johnson dropped the bag of pizzas in the kitchen. "I'm sorry, Miss Mary."
"It's okay. I heard about the train. Hope you're not hurt anywhere?"
"It's fine, thank you," Johnson replied.
"You don't seem too good," Mary said, removing his headphones and touching his head.
"Hey! Give that back!" Johnson protested.
"Let me just see if you have broken it." She checked his headset, touching his wet hair. "What happened to this headset?"
Johnson looked down. "It fell while I was running. I'm sorry it got wet."
"It's okay. Just don't run unnecessarily," Mary said, patting his head.
Johnson's stomach growled. He looked away, embarrassed.
"Hahaha, you're funny, kid. Let's go in and eat the pizza you bought and some food."
"Food? Who cooked?" Johnson asked, surprised.
Mary pouted as she entered. "I'm not telling you."
"Hey, come back! Tell me who cooked!" Johnson called, playfully running after her.
Angela watched them. "Is she always playful like this?"
Rose laughed. "She's fun to be with sometimes. But I definitely will not lose to you today." She blasted ice crystals.
Jerry opened his shadow space, storing the attack. "Stop! Don't go around blasting people with ice magic."
"You can't stop me, Jerry!" Rose said, facing him.
"How about we find out?" Jerry replied, standing tall.
Rose removed one of her bangles. Her hair glowed.
Angela went between them. "Hey, I think you both need to chill."
"Shut your mouth!" Rose and Jerry yelled together.
Jerry's shadow opened.
Rose stood on guard, gathering mana in her hand and projecting a bigger table knife imbued with energy.
Jerry appeared behind her. "Boo!"
"You fool!" Rose shouted, turning and slicing him.
"Turn to soot," Jerry said, transforming into smoke. "You are weak against me, Rose. I advise you to give up and apologize."
"I've just started," Rose replied, laughing. "And you're already begging. How low for the self-proclaimed Demon King you are."
Johnson sat down, watching while eating popcorn.
Angela approached him. "Aren't you going to stop them?"
"Um… hi. Hey, wassup? How are you doing? Hope you didn't miss me. Care for some popcorn?" Johnson offered.
Angela took some. "Don't mind if I do. But it's strange…"
"What is?" Johnson asked.
"How are you all using these unknown abilities and you're not even registered Betas?"
Johnson shrugged. "Let's discuss it tonight."
Angela nodded, continuing to eat popcorn.
Jerry appeared behind Rose. She grabbed his neck.
Jerry, confused, asked, "How?"
"Your thoughts are too loud. Next time, shut off your aura when moving about." Rose said.
"I don't know how," Jerry replied.
Angela swung her sword at him.
Jerry called, "Clone!" His shadow returned, bringing out a shadow blade, swinging at her from behind.
Rose cut down his shadow clone. "He shouldn't be dead…" She blocked another attack with her palm, breaking the blade.
Jerry brought out another sword, swinging at her vitals. Rose blocked it with her hair and used her energy blade to clash with him.
Mary entered angrily. "What is all this racket?"
Jerry looked at Johnson. "Please. I'll owe you 2000 dollars."
"You're definitely going to pay more than 3000," Johnson replied.
"Fine, 50,000," Jerry said.
"Now that's a deal," Johnson smiled. He stepped in between them, using 1% of his strength to grab Rose's arm.
Rose looked scared. "Johnny? I did not know you'd be here so soon."
Johnson ignored her, taking her to a chair, cleaning the living room while drinking soda, eating popcorn, and recording himself. He took Jerry to the sofa and returned to Angela.
Mary entered again. "What is all this racket?"
Johnson shrugged. "Can you believe this? He claims Ray Ford wagons are better than TESLA Cybertrucks."
Rose said, "I think Honda is cool."
Angela said, "Nah, Testarossa is better."
Mary patted Johnson's head. "I must have imagined the swords clanging a few minutes ago."
Jerry showed her the TV. "We were watching Solo Leveling live-action."
Mary gasped. "So as I came in, you switched off the TV and pretended to argue?"
Rose nodded. "Yes, that's what happened."
Mary placed her hands on her waist. "Well, next time, if you argue, don't be so loud."
Rose floated into the air. "Alrighty."
Johnson sighed while observing.
Angela, surprised, asked, "How can she do that?"
Johnson shook his head. "Just your imagination. Rose, stop sitting on the couch."
Rose frowned. "But I'm—"
Johnson winked at her.
Rose relented. "Fine. But you'll owe me something."
Johnson asked, "What?"
Rose telepathically took the bowl of popcorn and began eating mid-air.
"Hey! Give that back!" Johnson yelled.
Rose turned invincible.
Mary returned from the kitchen. "Y'all should be in the dining area."
"All: Yes, Mrs. Mary."
Rose laughed and floated away. "Catch me if you can."
Angela patted Johnson. "It's okay. You don't need to hide yourself or stress around me. I can keep a secret."
Jerry appeared behind her. "Are you sure?"
Johnson nodded. "I'll trust you on one condition."
"What is it? Ask me anything," Angela said.
"Hmmm… you will have to tell us about yourself then," Johnson replied.
Angela shrugged. "I don't mind."
Jerry asked, "Y'all eating or what?"
Johnson picked up a spoon to eat.
Mary knocked his head. "You have to say Grace before you eat."
Johnson looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry. Um… Ahem. Let's say Grace."
They placed their hands together.
"Dear God, I thank you for everything you have done for us today, and everything you are going to do and are doing. I also thank you for this meal and pray that you nourish our bodies from it. Amen."
"All: Amen."
They began to eat.
Jerry said, "Hmmm, nice. We are having steak, noodles, and burgers."
Rose asked, "Where is the pizza?"
Mary smiled. "I heated it up for dessert."
Angela said, "I haven't had steak in a long while. It's delicious."
Johnson said, "You should, but too much isn't good."
Rose pouted. "That's not fair. Why is Johnson's steak bigger than mine?"
Johnson shrugged. "I'm lucky, I guess."
Rose took his steak. "Hey! Give that back!"
"No, I won't," Rose said.
Mary scolded, "Rose, stop acting childish and respect your brother!"
Rose sadly hugged Mary's chest.
Jerry laughed. "I never knew Rose was a crybaby. I'm done here!" He snapped his fingers, and two entities emerged from the shadows.
Johnson asked, "Who…?"
The first entity cleared and took Jerry's dish off the table, washing it.
Jerry leaned back. "Well, it's one of my many tricks."
Angela asked, "Can I touch it?"
"Yes, you can," Jerry said.
Johnson smiled. "You always amaze me, Jerry."
Jerry replied, "Could say the same about you, Johnny."
Rose asked, "Well, I'm done eating. What are we going to do next?"
Mary said, "Let me go bring the dessert."
Angela belched loudly, covering her mouth. "I'm sorry."
Rose laughed. "You're funny, you know."
Angela touched the clone. "So what are these things?"
Rose's eyes glowed. "I can't get any thoughts from them."
Mary returned with a mug of iced Coke. "Are those your shadow clones?"
Jerry looked shocked. "How did you know that?"
Mary said, "Don't look at me like that. I always knew your abilities, same with John and Rose. But I don't know Angela's yet. If she wishes to know, I hope you're ready to bear the cost."
Johnson nodded. "Yeah, just get on with it. It's getting late."
The first clone returned with pizza.
Angela began. "Well, it started like this"