Jessie floated in the Blue Void.
Not moving. Not talking. Just… thinking. For the first time since waking up in this strange half-existence, he wasn't cracking jokes. No sarcasm. No distractions. Just silence—and the endless, shimmering expanse stretching in every direction.
"…So this is real," he muttered.
The void reacted instantly. His voice rippled through the space like a pebble dropped into still water. Waves of blue light pulsed outward, fading into infinity. Jessie exhaled slowly, eyes tracing the movement. Then he tilted his head slightly.
"Yo… P."
A brief pause. Then— "What up."
Jessie blinked… then smirked. "You really just said 'what up.' That's progress."
"I am adapting to your communication style," Prime replied, calm as ever.
"…Yeah, don't do that too much," Jessie said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's weird."
"Noted."
Jessie leaned back in midair, folding his hands behind his head. For a moment, he just stared up into nothing. "…So…" he said slowly. "…what powers will I get?"
Silence. Not normal silence—heavy silence. The kind that presses against your chest. Then Prime spoke again. But this time, the voice changed. Deeper. Stronger. It didn't just echo around Jessie. It echoed through him.
"Well," Prime said, "I'm glad you asked."
The Shift
Gravity hit.
"WOAH—!" Jessie dropped. Out of nowhere, the endless void vanished beneath his feet, replaced by solid ground. He slammed down hard, stumbling forward—and a chair slid perfectly into place behind him. He dropped into it with a heavy thud.
Jessie grabbed the armrests, catching himself. "…Okay," he said, looking around. "You're doing that on purpose now."
"Yes."
The void began to fold. Space bent inward like paper, reshaping itself in real time. Walls rose from nothing, stretching upward into a massive hall. Rows upon rows of glowing fragments filled the space—symbols, energy constructs, and pulsing shapes that hummed with power.
Jessie slowly stood up. "…Yo…" he whispered. "What is this?"
"This," Prime said, "is a simplified interface. A wardrobe for powers."
The Avatar
A presence formed behind him. The temperature dropped. The air tightened. He turned—and froze.
A tall humanoid figure stood there. It wasn't human; it was made of liquid blue energy, its form shifting slightly with every movement. Thin geometric lines traced across its body like glowing circuitry. At the center of its chest—the Octagon pulsed. Bright. Alive.
"…That's you?" Jessie whispered.
"Yes."
Jessie slowly walked around it. "…You had a whole body this whole time… and didn't say anything?"
"You did not ask."
"Nah, that's crazy. I've been talking to a disembodied voice when you look like this?"
Prime tilted its head slightly. "Does this form make communication easier for you?"
Jessie shrugged. "I mean… yeah. It's less creepy."
"Noted. Still a little creepy, though."
"Also noted."
The Blueprint
Prime stepped forward, the light in the hall intensifying. "Before we select your skills, you must understand your new biology. Because of me, you are no longer limited by human frailty. We have merged. You are the Blue now."
A holographic mirror appeared in front of Jessie. Faint blue veins traced across his skin—not normal veins, but glowing, pulsing lines of lightning trapped beneath the surface.
"Your physical stats are optimized," Prime continued. "Strength, speed, durability—superhuman baselines. But there is a primary offensive system derived from your subconscious desire for precision."
Jessie leaned closer. "Wait… is that—?"
"Look into your eyes, Jessie."
Jessie did. His pupils darkened, then a spark ignited. Bright blue. The air in front of his face began to ripple with heat.
"Blue Laser Projection," Prime said. "A concentrated energy beam emitted from your ocular nerves. Heat-based. Destructive. Focus-dependent. If you can see it, you can burn it."
"…Whoa," Jessie whispered. A slow grin spread across his face. "I have… laser eyes?"
"The strongest in your arsenal."
The Sanctuary Rule
Prime stepped closer, towering now. "There is one more capability. One that requires mastery. In time, you will bring others here. Into the Blue Void. Into me."
Jessie's eyes widened. "I can bring people into my head? Like—my mom? Leo?"
"Yes. You can anchor their consciousness here. They will be protected."
Jessie looked down at his hands. "I could hide them…"
"Correct." A pause. Then Prime's voice lowered. "But if your concentration breaks, the consequences for their minds would be severe. This is a power of absolute trust."
The Selection
Prime raised a hand. To Jessie's left, a dark city skyline appeared. To his right, a living city in the daytime.
"To operate in darkness... or in the open," Prime said.
Jessie looked between them. He thought of the hospital. The chaos. The Metal Hunter. He stepped forward and pointed directly between both.
"…Both. I'm not picking a time slot. If something's happening—night, day, doesn't matter—I'm there. I need powers that let me do both."
Prime nodded. "Understood."
Four fragments lit up:
• Combat Adaptability: Close-range combat. Scalable.
• Energy Projection: Hand-based output. Non-lethal capable.
• Afterimage: Speed-based misdirection.
• Invisibility: Thermal and visual distortion.
Jessie cracked his knuckles. "…Alright. So when do I get all this?"
"You already have them. They are Level One. Like a muscle, they must be stressed to grow. Failure is part of optimization."
Jessie felt the energy in his veins and the heat behind his eyes. He smiled. "…Alright, P. Let's get to work."
The blue light and power in his chest pulsed. It was ready.