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The elevator hums as it descends into the Man Cave, the metallic doors sliding open with a soft chime. Henry, Charlotte, and Jasper look up from the console, expecting to see Ray—or maybe Schwoz—but instead, a stranger steps out like she owns the place.
Henry blinks, halfway through unwrapping a sandwich. "Uh… okay. Either we've got a new intern I didn't hear about, or I'm hallucinating."
Charlotte's brow furrows as she eyes her. "Who are you? How did you even get in here? This place is supposed to be locked down tighter than a government vault."
Jasper looks thrilled, not alarmed. "Oh my gosh, did we just get hacked by an actual person? That's… terrifying—but cool!"
Henry sets his sandwich aside, stepping forward cautiously. "Seriously. This area's off-limits. So unless you're Schwoz in disguise, you're gonna have to start explaining before Ray comes back."
The girl tilts her head, smirking. "Schwoz in disguise? Yeah… he's smart enough to do that. I wonder where he is."
Henry shoots Jasper a look before focusing back on her. "He's off running errands. But you still haven't told us who you are and why you're here. This place is top-secret."
Charlotte steps closer, arms crossed. "You look way too calm right now. Lost? Or up to something?"
"Do I look dangerous?" she asks, voice casual.
Charlotte huffs. "Oh, no, you look totally harmless. I mean… not counting the fact that you just waltzed in here, no clue or concern how you did."
Jasper chimes in, fascinated. "I don't know… she kind of looks like a badass."
Henry glares at Jasper—'not the time'—but secretly, he can't deny it. She's cool, confident in a way that's both intriguing and unnerving.
She smiles.
Jasper blinks, charmed and flustered. Henry rolls his eyes at his sidekick's obvious reaction. "Yeah, you've got Jasper under your spell, that's for sure," he mutters, part humor, part wariness.
Charlotte rolls her eyes, though a hint of curiosity tugs at her expression. "So, wanna tell us your name at least? Or are you just here to bat your eyelashes at the guys?"
"Where is Captain Man?" the girl asks instead.
Henry stiffens. "Captain Man's out on a mission. Should be back in a few hours."
Charlotte's gaze flicks between her and Henry, suspicion sharpening.
She grins, tilting her head. "Jasper, you're my best friend now."
Jasper beams. "New best friend? Awesome!" He even shoots Henry and Charlotte a smug look.
Henry leans against the console, arms crossed, expression hardening slightly. "Yeah… how exactly did you get in here? Because unless Ray gave you access—and trust me, I'd know—there's no way you strolled in without hacking or superpowers or something."
Charlotte nods sharply. "And don't say 'Schwoz let me in,' because he wouldn't."
"Schwoz did let me in," she says casually.
Henry's jaw drops. Charlotte looks ready to strangle Schwoz. Jasper gasps, clutching his chest dramatically.
"Schwoz WHAT—" Henry starts.
"That man is dead when he gets back—" Charlotte hisses.
"Ohhhh man, this is spicy," Jasper sighs in delight.
Henry pinches the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath. "Of course he did. Why am I even surprised?"
She smirks. "Anyway. I'm heading out." And before anyone can stop her, she zips toward the speed tubes.
Henry yells. "WAIT—NO—THOSE ARE NOT PUBLIC TRANSPORT—"
Charlotte lunges, too late—she's gone, launched upward with a whoosh. Silence falls.
Jasper turns to Henry. "So… new favorite person?"
Henry groans. "Schwoz is so fired."
The speed tube drops her in a busy alley miles away. The city is alive—kids playing, tourists snapping pictures, the sun casting a warm orange glow. She steps out, taking in the sights. So this is where Captain Man and Kid Danger patrol? Interesting.
She wanders, sunglasses perched on her nose, mind replaying the Man Cave chaos and Jasper's dumb grin. A soft laugh escapes her, drawing curious stares from passing kids.
One steps forward. "What's so funny, lady?"
"Hey, little kid. You know what's funny? I saw Kid Danger rubbing his ass against the wall…"
The kids stare, wide-eyed.
"No way! Kid Danger did what?"
"Yes. And one girl named Charlotte is dating him!"
Their excitement escalates. "No way! Really?!"
"Yes. Captain Man is so proud of them."
"Wait… how do you know all this?" one demands.
From behind comes a dry, familiar voice: "Yeah. How do you know all this?"
She turns. Henry stands in full Kid Danger gear, gloved hands on hips, eyes narrowed behind his mask. Charlotte is right beside him, arms crossed, looking ready to strangle her. Ray looms behind them, face unreadable.
The kids freeze. Then, in unison: "KID DANGER! CAPTAIN MAN!"
Henry pinches the bridge of his nose. "Great. Just great."
Charlotte glares. "You're dead."
Ray sighs. "Get her back to the Man Cave. Now."
She laughs. Henry grabs her wrist, firmly but not roughly, dragging her toward the nearest alley. Chaos trails them.
Back in the Man Cave, Schwoz is nervously cleaning a workbench. Ray rounds on him.
"Schwoz. Explain. Now."
"Uh… yes, Captain Man?"
"What were you thinking, letting this girl in here?"
"She… had credentials," Schwoz stammers.
"Credentials?" Ray raises an eyebrow.
"She… had your old family photo from the divorce papers. Said she was your—"
Ray cuts him off sharply. The room falls silent.
Ray mutters, flat: "…You're grounded, Schwoz."
Jasper breaks the tension, fake-coughing. "Soooo… she gets to stay then?"
Ray rubs his temples like he's getting a migraine.
And Christina? She just smiles, chaos fully intact.