The villain's face still glows on the screen.
Ray hasn't moved.
Christina watches him carefully.
"…You know him."
Ray exhales slowly.
"…I did."
Henry leans forward.
"Used to be your partner?"
Ray nods once.
"Before you."
Henry blinks.
"…Oh."
Schwoz mutters nervously.
"Yes… the pre-Kid Danger era."
Piper whispers—
"…This is insane."
Christina steps closer to the screen.
"…What happened."
Ray's jaw tightens.
"He was called Titan."
The name lands heavily.
Ray continues quietly.
"He was strong. Faster than most villains. Smarter than most heroes."
Henry frowns.
"…So why isn't he still your partner?"
Ray doesn't answer immediately.
Christina studies him.
"…Ray."
He finally looks at her.
"…Because I failed him."
Silence fills the cave.
Charlotte folds her arms.
"What does that mean?"
Ray looks back at the screen.
"There was an accident during a mission. A chemical explosion."
Schwoz nods sadly.
"It changed him."
Ray's voice lowers.
"He survived. But he blamed me."
The screen flickers again.
Titan's distorted voice echoes.
"You didn't just fail me, Ray."
The team stiffens.
"He's hacking the feed," Schwoz whispers.
Titan continues.
"You chose the city over your partner."
Ray's voice turns cold.
"You tried to destroy half the waterfront."
Titan laughs.
"You made me a monster."
Christina watches Ray's face carefully.
Then—
She steps away.
Henry notices.
"…Christina?"
She shakes her head.
"…This is my fault."
Ray turns instantly.
"No."
She gestures at the screen.
"He's doing this because of me."
Ray steps forward.
"He's doing this because he's broken."
Christina's voice rises.
"If I wasn't here—"
Henry cuts in.
"Stop."
She looks at him.
He steps closer.
"You saved my sister today."
Christina hesitates.
Henry continues.
"You saved people."
Her voice is quieter now.
"…And now they're in danger."
Henry shakes his head.
"You're not the problem."
Ray nods firmly.
"You're the reason I'm fighting."
Christina swallows hard.
But the guilt doesn't leave her eyes.
Later — Training Room
Christina punches the bag again.
And again.
Harder than before.
Henry leans against the wall.
Watching.
"You're doing the angry punching thing again."
She doesn't stop.
"…Go away."
Henry walks closer.
"No."
Punch.
Punch.
Punch.
Christina's breathing grows uneven.
"…If I wasn't here—"
Henry grabs the bag suddenly.
Stopping it.
"For the last time—"
He steps closer.
"You are not the villain."
Christina looks up.
Eyes shining.
"…What if I am his weakness?"
Henry shakes his head.
"Then I'll just become his problem."
She laughs weakly.
"…You're stupid."
Henry grins.
"Correct."
They're standing close again.
Too close.
Christina whispers—
"…You could get hurt."
Henry shrugs.
"Already happens every week."
She studies his face.
"…Why do you keep helping me?"
Henry hesitates.
For the first time—
He doesn't joke.
"…Because I care about you."
Christina's breath catches.
Henry's voice is quiet.
"Like… a lot."
The room goes still.
Christina looks like she doesn't know what to do with that.
So she does the only thing she knows.
She kisses him again.
Softer this time.
Not desperate.
Real.
Henry melts instantly.
For a moment—
Everything else disappears.
Then—
The alarm blares.
They jump apart.
Schwoz's voice echoes from upstairs.
"EMERGENCY ALERT!"
Henry groans.
"…Of course."
Man Cave
The monitors show chaos downtown.
Titan standing on a rooftop.
Holding something.
Ray's stomach drops.
"…No."
Charlotte zooms in the camera.
Piper gasps.
"…That's the mayor."
Titan smiles on screen.
"Captain Man."
Ray steps forward.
"What do you want."
Titan's voice turns colder.
"You."
Christina whispers—
"…He's baiting you."
Titan continues.
"But if you don't come…"
He lifts the mayor higher.
"…I start with the people you love."
Ray's fists clench.
Christina steps beside him.
"We go together."
Ray shakes his head instantly.
"No."
Christina's eyes flash.
"I'm not hiding again."
Ray turns to her.
"…You're not bait."
She whispers—
"I'm your daughter."
Ray freezes.
Christina continues softly.
"…Let me help."
Ray stares at her.
At the determination.
The anger.
The courage.
Everything he recognizes.
Finally—
He nods slowly.
"…Okay."
Henry grins.
"Team effort."
Charlotte sighs.
"Here we go."
Piper mutters—
"…I cannot believe this is my life."
Ray looks at Christina one more time.
"…Stay close."
She smirks.
"No promises."
Ray almost smiles.
Across the City
Titan watches the skyline.
Waiting.
His voice low.
"…Come on, Ray."
He smiles darkly.
"…Bring your daughter."