Neo-Lumina's streets were quiet… too quiet. The citizens, still shaken by the last city-wide portal battle, peeked from behind glowing storefronts. Hovercars floated cautiously, and neon signs flickered like nervous eyes.
Kael adjusted his quantum glove, which hummed with new, unpredictable energy. "Team… I don't like the calm. Calm usually means trouble. Big trouble."
Lira hovered on her hoverboard, scanning the skyline. "You're right. And judging by the ripple in the last portal… trouble is on its way. And it looks organized this time."
Juno sneezed. Sparks shot out, short-circuiting a nearby drone. "Organized trouble? Can sneezing fix that?"
Before they could react further, multiple portals opened simultaneously across the city. Shadow creatures poured out, but this time they moved in coordinated formations—blocking escape routes, herding citizens away from safe zones, and converging on the plaza like a calculated wave.
From the largest portal, the villain appeared, stepping forward with a confident grin. "Ah… my little chaos enthusiasts. I've learned from our previous encounters. This time, you won't get lucky."
Kael clenched his glove. "Lucky? Lira, we need a plan. And maybe a backup plan. And a backup for the backup plan."
Lira smirked. "Finally… something that's exciting." She quickly created giant holographic traps, layering them like a digital maze to slow the advancing shadow creatures.
Juno sneezed mid-sentence. A mini tornado of sparks and lightning swept through the plaza, sending groups of shadow creatures tumbling. "Tactical sneezes, activate!"
Kael's glove vibrated violently. He slapped it against the ground, producing dozens of mini holographic Kaels, each performing martial arts moves in chaotic synchronization. Shadow creatures got tangled in dojo walls, impaled by Lira's holographic spears, or electrocuted by Juno's sneezes.
Despite their efforts, the villains' forces were smarter. Shadow creatures started adapting—dodging holograms, coordinating attacks, and even splitting up to flank the heroes.
Kael gritted his teeth. "Alright… time for improvisation. Lira, combine your holograms with my glove. Juno… aim carefully this time!"
Lira nodded. The digital constructs merged with Kael's glove, creating a spinning, energy-infused dojo fortress in the plaza. Juno sneezed one perfectly aimed lightning bolt, zapping the leading shadows into the fortress.
The villain's eyes widened. "Impressive… but you're still outmatched!" They raised their hand, attempting to expand the portals further—but Kael's spinning dojo projected a barrier that absorbed portal energy, causing a mini explosion that pushed the villain back.
The city shook, neon lights flickered, and the trio stood panting but victorious… for now.
Kael muttered, "Okay… coordinated chaos. Survived. Barely."
Lira laughed. "Mostly survived. But we got style points."
Juno sneezed gently. "Mostly counts."
From the shadows, the villain's silhouette disappeared with a promise:
"This city is just the beginning… next, I'll take the entire dimension!"
Neo-Lumina was safe… temporarily—but the stakes had never been higher.