January 10, 2012 — MicroComic-ON Geek Gathering — 9:45 a.m.
It was a hot day for that time of year, one of those that unexpectedly made everyone leave home early. The geek gathering near Illinois was lively, with booths, art panels, video games, anime, figures, and comics being fought over by young pop culture enthusiasts.
Mark was thrilled, his eyes gleaming as he admired the action figure collections and T-shirts of his favorite characters. Kai, on the other hand, was quieter, still moving at a slower pace due to a poorly slept night, but he stayed close to his brother. Becky, July, and Derick were with them, and the looks exchanged between Becky and Mark didn't go unnoticed — though no one mentioned anything.
July, always the shy one, was also enchanted by the event, but her eyes often turned to Mark. She smiled when he approached but quickly looked away, feeling unsure about her own emotions. Becky, in contrast, was more at ease, chatting and laughing with Mark about their favorite anime, always trying to grab a bit more of his attention.
Kai observed everything quietly, paying attention to details no one else seemed to notice. As usual, he acted like he was outside the scene, yet his closeness to Mark was undeniable. He felt a sort of responsibility for his brother. It wasn't just the instinct to protect him — it was something more, maybe even something he didn't want to fully understand yet.
After some time, Becky noticed a slightly more decorated booth. Her eyes widened.
"Mark! I can't believe it! It's the Velocity Run 2 announcement!" she said, grabbing Mark's arm and pulling him toward the booth.
Behind them, Kai, Derick, and July looked clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
"They look like a couple," Derick said mockingly.
Kai rolled his eyes and instinctively brought a hand to his forehead.
"Don't start, Derick," Kai said, turning his face toward him with a bored but firm tone, trying to keep things light.
They stayed quiet for a few seconds, until July broke the silence.
"Hey… Where are you guys going to high school next year?" she asked timidly, hugging her own arm.
Derick brought his hands to his chin, thinking out loud in a casual tone:
"Well, our school ends at middle school… and my mom hasn't said anything, so I don't know yet."
"Same here," Kai added.
July was quiet for a few more seconds, then turned to them.
"My mom wants to put me in an all-girls school. I guess we won't study together anymore," she said, clearly sad.
"What? But why?" Derick asked, surprised.
The conversation continued, but Kai stopped listening. That scene lingered in his mind. How unaware Mark was of the things around him, completely carefree — even with Becky and July vying for his attention, he didn't notice a thing.
The words their mother had said while scolding Mark last year echoed in his mind.
"...there's a difference between helping and stopping someone from growing. You need to learn to deal with your own mistakes..."
Looking at Mark, so immersed in the event, Kai thought, "I shouldn't be part of this world… Maybe being too close and helping him all the time is actually stopping him from maturing."
It was clear that, even while trying to stay distant, his bond with his brother was growing stronger. A bond he never had in his past life.
For someone who never intended to be part of this world, who didn't want a new life or to reincarnate… this was too close.
Meanwhile, Becky and Mark returned to the group. Becky glanced at July, who was still subtly watching Mark, and spoke with slight tension in her voice:
"Did you see there's a cosplay competition over there? I was thinking of entering, maybe even winning a prize."
July gave a slightly forced smile, trying to mask the tension in the air.
"Yeah, sounds fun."
In the middle of the conversation, something caught everyone's attention. A panel about current superheroes and how young people were starting to emerge to take on important roles in the hero world. The event was full of information about hero teams and young talents, including images of Vortex, Reflex, and others — and a rising murmur spread.
"The world's changing too fast," Kai thought. "I need to have more control over myself, over what I am. But with that comes the responsibility of dealing with others, too. I need to give Mark space… going to a different school from him next year might be a good idea to help him grow."
At that moment, he had a glimpse of what he needed to do.
And that marked the beginning of the end of a cycle.
The following months were filled with quiet days at school, even though July and Becky still spent much of their time trying to get Mark's attention. Kai continued his secret training with Cosmic, pushing for limits he still didn't understand. And Mark? He played his new video game frantically with Derick — and sometimes with Kai.
The Encounter with the Unknown
June 18, 2012 — 1:35 AM, Chicago, Illinois
Eve's room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the fan and the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the windows. Her bed was made, but the space around it was scattered with books, clothes, and notes. Still, none of it mattered now. Tonight, she had made a decision—she was going to test her powers in a new way.
Wearing a hood and her signature pink outfit, Eve approached the window, excitement gleaming in her eyes. She knew her powers were growing, but she still didn't fully understand them. Tonight would be about discovery.
With a simple gesture, she created a circular pink platform beneath her feet—solid yet ethereal, formed from her energy. Eve smiled in satisfaction, still fascinated by the growing control she had over her abilities. She stepped onto the board, placing her hands at the center.
"I'll see what I can really do," she murmured to herself, eyes narrowing in focus.
With a lift, she soared out the window and into the sky. At first, she relied on the board, but soon she realized something new—she no longer needed it. The energy pulsed through her hands, more responsive than ever.
With a flick of her fingers, she dismissed the board and hovered freely, adjusting her speed and direction with graceful, effortless gestures. Her touch left trails of pink energy in the air, and she weaved through the city's skyline, rising higher and higher. Below her, the streets of Chicago twinkled, but from up here, everything looked different. It felt like freedom—pure and unrestrained.
"I really can do this," she said to herself, laughing lightly in triumph. "I don't need anything. Just my energy."
She floated for a while, lost in the feeling of power and control. But then something caught her eye—a van parked beside a rundown pet shop. Two hooded men were dragging dogs out of the store and tossing them into the van like cargo.
"Who the hell steals dogs?" Eve thought, disgusted by the sight. She angled herself toward them, more curious than confrontational.
As she neared, she overheard the men talking. The taller one chuckled darkly.
"No one gives a damn about strays like these. The lab pays good money for them. You want cash or not?"
The second man, clearly more focused, grumbled impatiently.
"I just wanna grab the rest. Let's get this over with."
Eve stopped midair just a few meters away, glowing softly in her radiant pink light.
"What exactly are you doing?" she asked, voice calm but firm.
The first man looked up, startled, then burst into mocking laughter.
"What's this? A flying girl? Some kind of pink Power Ranger?" he scoffed.
The second man rolled his eyes.
"Shut up."
Eve's patience was thin. She raised her voice.
"Shut up, both of you!" she said, landing in front of them. "What are you doing with these dogs?"
The taller man shrugged dismissively.
"None of your business, little girl. Go home."
"Well, it doesn't seem like your business either," she shot back, her tone sharp and challenging.
She shifted into a combat stance, radiating confidence.
"Buzz off, princess," the second man muttered. "Let's just grab the rest."
Eve didn't wait. She summoned a solid pink wall in front of him. When he tried to push through, the wall didn't budge. The impact sent him stumbling back in pain.
Without missing a beat, Eve smirked.
"If I can do that, imagine what I could do to those ridiculous masks."
She focused her energy and transmuted the material of their masks into heavy metal, which instantly dragged both men to the ground, pinned flat and helpless.
They groaned, unable to move, their faces pressed to the concrete. Eve stood over them, hands on her hips, victorious.
"Now stop trying to kidnap puppies."
That's when a noise from deeper in the alley caught her attention. She turned to see a figure approaching—a man who looked like a vagrant, with long gray hair, a filthy beard, and tattered clothes. She'd seen him before wandering the streets.
He stopped in front of her, eyeing her with a strange mix of curiosity and insight.
"So… you're just gonna leave them there like flipped-over turtles?" he asked with mild amusement.
Still in her combat stance, Eve narrowed her eyes.
"Who are you?" she asked warily.
The man gave a knowing smile and stepped forward.
"Let's talk somewhere else. I won't hurt you—I just want to talk about where you come from... and your powers."
Eve hesitated, glancing at the immobilized criminals. She could deal with them later. Something about the man intrigued her.
"Okay… but don't think you can fool me," she said, cautiously.
The man nodded and motioned for her to follow.
"Come on, girl. What I have to say doesn't belong in an alley."
They walked toward a nearby park. The night breeze rustled the trees as they followed the gravel path. Eve hovered beside him, still skeptical but attentive.
He stopped by a bench and sat down, studying her seriously.
"There's no easy way to say this, Samantha... but I made you," he said plainly.
Eve froze, her brow arched and her lips curling into a sarcastic grin.
"Yeah, I know how babies are made. My gross parents made me," she retorted, arms crossed.
Brandyworth sighed, unsurprised.
"Adam and Betsy Wilkins aren't your real parents."
She took a step back, half-laughing.
"I'm adopted? Wow. That… actually explains a lot."
He nodded, gesturing to the bench. She refused, still hovering above the ground.
"My name is Elias Brandyworth," he said. "I was the assistant director of the Pentagon's superhuman research department."
Eve scoffed.
"Sure you were. And now you eat out of dumpsters."
Unfazed, he replied calmly.
"To avoid being found. To protect you. You were one of my projects—a superhuman girl with limitless potential. But they would have used you. Turned you into a weapon."
Eve's levitation lifted slightly. Her disbelief shifted into agitation.
"Okay, you're insane. I'm leaving."
She turned to fly away, but Brandyworth shouted after her:
"You can see molecules. You can change materials. You can feel the chemical makeup of the world around you… but you can't alter living beings."
She froze midair. He was right. How did he know?
She landed again, staring him down.
"I hid you with the Wilkins when I realized I couldn't trust the others. I wanted to protect you."
"Why tell me now?" she asked, anger and sorrow colliding in her voice.
"Because they think you died at birth, Samantha. If the military finds out you're alive… they'll come for you. You need to stop using your powers."
Eve looked away, emotions boiling.
"I can help people," she said firmly. "I won't stop."
"They'll make you a weapon," he warned, desperate.
"No, you don't understand!" she shouted. "I'm a hero! I can help!"
She remembered the boy from New Year's Eve, who told her she had what it takes to be a hero.
"I can't stand by and do nothing… not even to stop a kid from falling off a bike."
Brandyworth tried to speak again, but Eve had already taken off.
He watched her disappear into the night.
"Be careful, Samantha," he murmured, vanishing back into the shadows.
Eve, now more determined than ever, knew that her journey was just beginning. She was extremely confused, but she had a purpose. And no one, not even the man who created her, would make her change her mind.
2:05 AM — Same Day — Chicago, Illinois
Eve climbed back into her room through the window, taking extra care not to make a sound. The house was quiet, and the darkness of the night blanketed the city. As she shut the window and stepped inside, the light suddenly switched on, flooding the room.
A sharp voice rang out from the hallway.
"Eve!"
Her mother's voice sent a chill down her spine.
Eve froze in place, immediately overwhelmed by that familiar feeling—she was in trouble.
Her mother stood in the doorway, her face tense with concern, eyes narrowing in on her.
"Where were you? I was so worried!" Her voice trembled between anger and protective worry.
Eve tried to deflect, forcing a small smile, though her expression was distant.
"I just needed to clear my head, Mom. I needed some time alone," she said, attempting a light tone, but it lacked conviction.
Her mother wasn't letting it slide so easily. She crossed her arms, frowning, her voice growing sharper.
"First you get kicked out of that special school, and now you're sneaking out in the middle of the night... We've done everything for you, Eve. We've put up with your... strangeness. Because you're not—"
She stopped herself, searching for the right words, but the silence that followed was heavier than anything she could've said.
"Normal?" Eve finished for her, her voice fragile, laced with pain. Her posture tensed.
Her mother said nothing at first. It was as if her own words had landed in the wrong place. The edge of her tone melted into regret.
"No, sweetheart. That's not what I meant," she said gently now, remorse in her voice.
Eve didn't turn around. Her entire body conveyed her frustration. She shut her eyes, let out a long breath, and spoke in a soft, broken tone.
"Then what did you mean?" she whispered. "I just want to sleep."
She crawled into bed and pulled the sheets over her head, trying to hide from everything—but the tears came anyway, silently slipping down her cheeks. The room filled with the weight of everything unspoken, and the silence between them was too heavy to bear.
Her mother watched, heart aching. She took a few steps closer, then paused, speaking in a voice nearly broken.
"I love you, Samantha… I just wish you would try harder." She stood beside the bed for a moment longer before turning off the lights and stepping out.
The door shut softly behind her.
Eve lay in silence, drowning in her own sorrow. The ache in her chest refused to fade. She wept quietly, saying nothing, letting the heartbreak consume her.
2:08 AM — A Laboratory Somewhere...
At that same moment, while Eve sank into quiet anguish, a very different scene was unfolding somewhere far from her home.
In a cold room lit only by the soft blue glow of monitors, a man with a stern expression stood before a large screen, watching footage transmitted from a drone.
"It's her... Look at that pink energy!" he exclaimed, eyes gleaming with excitement.
The screen showed a clear image of Eve soaring through the city on her pink energy board. The power radiating from her body shimmered like a luminous aurora, painting the streets beneath her in vibrant light.
Another man in a lab coat—visibly more anxious—hurried over to the storage tanks in the corner. Inside them floated twisted, malformed experiments. He leaned in, staring at the creatures with unease.
"She... she's the key to making it work," he muttered, eyes locked on the tanks.
The first man turned to him, expression composed yet deadly serious.
"She has real power. Not like these failed specimens. Now we know she didn't die... and that changes everything."
As they continued watching the feed, the first man's eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and ambition.
"It's only a matter of time... before we bring her under control."
The low hum of monitors filled the room—the only sound breaking the silence—as Eve's image hovered on the screen. Unaware of what was unfolding, the young heroine stood at the heart of a conspiracy far greater than anything she could imagine.
A New Start and a Birthday
June 25, 2012 — 1:15 PM, Downtown Chicago
Just a few days after her last mission, Eve remained alert, searching for chances to help others—to be a hero. That afternoon… the alarm of a jewelry store rang through the street, slicing the calm of the day.
Inside the shop, Death Cannon—a known criminal infamous for his immense strength and technological enhancements—was rushing out with a bag full of glittering jewels. His combat suit, a dark metallic armor, looked almost indestructible. His right arm was free, but the left one was a massive robotic limb, forged for destruction.
He was confident. The alarm didn't bother him. He knew he could escape with ease. The police would arrive eventually, but he'd be long gone by then.
Not far from the scene, Eve—fully suited in her hero outfit—was soaring toward the source of the alarm. She had materialized her suit with her powers: a glowing, sleek, pink uniform that shimmered under the sunlight, giving her an imposing presence. The fabric looked solid yet flexible, allowing agile movements while flying. Her hair flowed behind her, energy trailing from her arms and legs in a radiant pink aura.
As she neared the alley where Death Cannon had hidden, she slowed her flight and descended gracefully, landing with poise right in front of the criminal.
Death Cannon glanced at her with a mocking smile.
"Cute little chin fluff… almost makes me wanna punch it," Eve said, smirking, her eyes locked on him with confident defiance.
Still holding the bag of jewels, Death Cannon stayed calm, his gaze unwavering, posture relaxed as if he already owned the outcome.
"Out of my way, brat," he said coolly, condescending.
Eve chuckled without losing composure.
"I'll move… once you return those and sit tight for the cops."
She maintained a teasing smile. She wasn't in a hurry. It almost looked like she was enjoying herself.
Death Cannon scoffed and shifted into a combat stance, still clutching the bag.
"I'm Death Cannon, you know. I don't lose to little girls."
Eve took a step forward, not intimidated.
"Then I guess you'd better head to city hall and get that name changed."
And the fight began.
Death Cannon, with the strength of a juggernaut, charged first, launching his robotic arm toward Eve in a brute-force punch. The impact was fierce—but Eve had already moved. She dodged with graceful speed, slipping to the side like a breeze.
The robotic arm retracted, ready to strike again. Eve was hit once, a streak of blood running down her cheek, but she raised her hands and conjured a solid pink energy barrier in front of her. When his arm came again, it collided with the shield and rebounded, forcing him back a few steps—but not stopping him. He adjusted and triggered a device on his wrist, preparing to fire a high-powered energy blast.
Eve reacted quickly. Another wall of energy intercepted the blast—but it wasn't strong enough. The impact shattered her barrier, sending sparks and debris across the alley. Eve remained calm. She knew staying in control was key.
"That's it? I thought Death Cannon would pack more punch," she taunted, her voice playful but steady.
Now furious, Death Cannon roared and unleashed a volley of energy blasts from his robotic arm, trying to overwhelm her. But Eve was already airborne again, dodging fluidly. She darted around, the blasts missing every time.
But one shot anticipated her path perfectly.
It was too close. She threw up another shield—barely in time. The force shattered it, throwing her into the alley wall. She let out a grunt of pain as she hit, but she didn't stay down.
Wincing, Eve rose again. She moved with speed and precision, dodging the next attacks while forming sharp pink energy blades that sliced through the air. She wasn't just defending—she was pressing forward.
Death Cannon tried to maintain control, but Eve was faster and more unpredictable. He swung with his robotic fist, but Eve planted a sphere of energy between them, tripping his footing and sending him skidding across the pavement.
He stood back up, enraged, aiming his arm cannon straight at her. This time, he wanted to end it.
"It's over, girl!" he shouted, ready to fire directly at her chest.
But Eve was ready. She focused all her power into her right hand, conjuring a massive pink shield directly over the cannon's muzzle.
He fired.
Nothing came out.
"What…?" he muttered, stunned, looking at the energy sealed over his arm.
With perfect timing, Eve compressed the energy and channeled the pressure backward. The internal stress overloaded the cannon until—BOOM!
A controlled explosion erupted. Death Cannon was thrown back, unconscious, his robotic arm destroyed.
Eve landed softly in front of him, victorious, smiling.
"That… was fun," she said, looking down at his limp body, proud and unshaken.
Just as the dust settled, a voice echoed from the alley.
"Samantha!"
Eve turned, startled, hand instinctively pressed against her ribs as she caught her breath.
Elias Brandyworth stepped out from the shadows, expression stern.
"Why do you always appear like that?" Eve asked, still tense from the adrenaline.
Arms crossed, Brandyworth fixed his gaze on her.
"I told you not to use your powers. It's dangerous, Samantha!" he scolded.
Eve crossed her arms too, not backing down.
"It's Atomic Eve when I'm in costume," she snapped.
Brandyworth raised an eyebrow.
"Atomic Eve? Where did that name come from?"
Eve grinned, catching her breath.
"Because 'Atomic'—duh, that's obvious. And Eve is my middle name. Pretty cool, right?"
Brandyworth sighed and sat on a nearby step.
"I told you not to use your powers, and you can't even take a break on your birthday."
Eve's eyes widened.
"How do you know it's my birthday? Not even my parents remembered…"
Brandyworth leaned forward, staring at the ground.
"Because the day you were born... was also the day everything changed for me."
Their conversation continued as Eve invited Brandyworth to grab something to eat. She wanted to know more—about herself, about what he knew, and what was still hidden.
Same Day, 2:55 PM — Grayson Residence
Somewhere else in Chicago, Illinois, the Graysons' living room TV played a breaking news report, showing the doors of a large jewelry store wide open, smoke billowing out.
"My name is Susan, reporting live from the streets of Chicago. We've just received word that a robbery at a major jewelry store was foiled by a mysterious hero. The wanted criminal known as Death Cannon was found unconscious in an alley just blocks from the store. All stolen jewels have been recovered."
Holding the remote, Mark leaned closer to the screen while Kai came out of the kitchen with a slice of bread in his mouth and both hands full—one holding cold cuts, the other a container of cream cheese.
"Awesome. You think Dad's the one who took him down?" asked Mark.
Kai, barely turning around, kept walking toward the stairs.
"Could be, man. I dunno," he mumbled with the bread still in his mouth.
The TV cut to another reporter, this time with aerial footage of a bridge.
"It's been a busy day, Susan. Just an hour after the jewelry store incident, while we were overhead for coverage, we spotted another fight unfolding—and a new heroine with pink light-based powers."
The phrase "pink light-based powers" made Kai immediately think of the girl he had encountered a few times before—especially on New Year's Eve.
It could've been a coincidence… but curiosity made him turn back toward the living room.
The screen showed Chicago's elevated highway, cars racing by below. A news helicopter hovered above, filming an unprecedented confrontation. In the center of it all was Eve, the mysterious heroine in her vibrant pink outfit, her red hair unmistakable, locked in combat. She dodged chaos below while battling twisted creatures.
Kai stepped behind the sofa where Mark sat and leaned forward, resting his hands.
Four grotesque monsters were fighting her—not human, but rather failed experiments, deformed beings born from attempts to replicate Eve's powers. They were about the size of twelve- or thirteen-year-olds, but their bodies were warped: melting skin, limbs stretched into unnatural proportions. Unlike Eve, they couldn't manipulate molecules—but they could reshape their own forms into blades or metallic shells.
One of the mutants lunged at Eve with sharp claws. She dodged left in a flash, just barely avoiding the slash. Raising a pink shield, she blocked the blow—it shattered against the energy barrier and the monster staggered back.
Another attacked, its upper torso formed into a spear of metal, its skin rigid like steel. It charged to impale her, but Eve formed another energy wall, deflecting the strike. She countered by boosting her speed, channeling energy into her legs and closing in fast.
Suddenly, the channel changed.
"What the…?" said Kai, clearly annoyed.
"Dude, the helicopter camera wasn't even focused right. Besides, Science Dog's about to start!" Mark replied, already engrossed.
Kai dropped the food he was holding, climbed over the couch, and snatched the remote from Mark's hand.
"Hold up, man. Let me see this," he said, switching the channel back.
"What, you a fan of hers now or something?" Mark asked, confused.
The aerial footage continued—brief glimpses of the fight, still too chaotic to catch everything—but Kai watched intently, analyzing every detail.
One of the creatures had elongated its arms into massive clawed limbs, trying to trap Eve. She leapt left, but not fast enough—its claw sliced her side, and blood stained her outfit. Eve gritted her teeth through the pain but didn't falter.
Panting, she stayed focused. Another creature grabbed an abandoned car and hurled it at her. Eve quickly formed a glowing energy capsule to shield herself. The car hit, but the defense held—long enough for her to charge a pink energy vortex. The creature's body destabilized, liquefying into a gooey mass that spilled across the street.
The screen showed Eve slumped against a barrier wall, barely staying upright.
Things looked grim.
Kai clenched his fists. He wanted to do something—anything. But flying in broad daylight would expose him. People might discover his powers—or worse, Nolan might find out his Viltrumite genes had awakened.
"This sucks. The damn chopper keeps pointing the wrong way. Let's just watch Science Dog—it's starting," Mark insisted, still clueless.
Back on screen…
Another mutant—this one unstable and wild—twisted its form unpredictably. It hurled a car like a paper ball. Eve dodged partially, but the impact still slammed her into the concrete wall. Her chest and head throbbed from the hit.
Disoriented but defiant, Eve stood again—summoning her energy into sharp pink blades and concentrated blasts. She fired in rapid succession, severing her enemy's warped limbs. But it kept coming, its body mutating further.
Finally, Eve gathered power in her right hand and unleashed a focused burst of pink light. It disintegrated the monster entirely, its remains evaporating into pink dust. Eve dropped to her knees, bloodied but resolute, her gaze fixed on the last fallen foe.
Kai stood up, dropping the food, and headed straight for the door.
"Where you going?" asked Mark, puzzled.
Kai opened the door, already forming an excuse.
"Going for a run. That fight got me pumped."
He couldn't fly. Not during daylight. Too risky. But sitting there doing nothing? Unbearable.
He ran, holding back his speed just enough to appear normal—until he found shadowed alleys and blind spots. Then he accelerated. Eyes glowing with the Six Eyes technique, he surged forward, faster than any human.
If I had a disguise... maybe I could fly. The Immortal and other heroes fly without being Viltrumites. Maybe I could do more. What if it had been Mark or Mom in danger? And I did nothing?
He arrived at the bridge faster than any normal runner could.
Keeping the Six Eyes active for the whole trip was a new record—but it came with sharp headaches.
Chaos still reigned. Emergency teams were clearing debris. No sign of the girl. No clue if she survived.
Kai asked around, but no one had answers. Then, a stern voice cut in.
"Hey, kid, you can't be here," a police officer called out, walking over.
Kai stopped. Adjusting his stance, he asked calmly but with evident concern:
"What happened to that pink heroine? Is she okay?"
The officer placed his hands on his hips.
"That girl? She saved us all. Took those things down. At the end, some old guy fell off the bridge and she jumped to catch him. A government-looking car picked them up a few minutes later."
Kai exhaled—relieved. But the delay… it had nearly cost her life.
He walked away from the restricted zone. There, in the middle of the street, Kai stood still—reflecting on what had just happened.
The rest of the day? Already decided.
He'd keep training... and he would train harder now.
June 25, 2012 — Genetic Research Laboratory — 5:45 PM
The laboratory was cold and impersonal, with harsh lights illuminating the white and metallic walls. Eve slowly regained consciousness, her vision still blurry, eyelids heavy, still recovering from the intense battle earlier. She was in a white room, some machines humming in the background, and an overwhelming feeling that something was terribly wrong. The air reeked of metal and disinfectant.
In front of her stood Dr. Brandyworth, a man in a dark suit who looked like a government agent, and a stern-faced scientist. Brandyworth was arguing with the suited man, his voice tense but controlled.
"You're going to make more specimens for me," the man in the suit said coldly, his eyes locked on Brandyworth.
Dr. Brandyworth, visibly exhausted, replied with anger rising in his voice.
"Let the girl go and I'll help you."
Eve, still groggy, stirred at the sound of their argument. She blinked and croaked out from across the room:
"Leave him alone! I'll stay if you let him go!"
The man turned slowly, his expression cold and calculated. He didn't seem the least bit intimidated.
"Dr. Brandyworth will be working for me again. And, in fact…" — the man paused, glancing at Eve with a cruel smile — "we no longer need the test subject that produced those imperfect specimens."
A nervous scientist beside him asked cautiously:
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Yes." The answer came sharp and without hesitation.
The scientist pressed a button on a nearby panel, and from within a tank, a dark liquid began to rise, revealing the unconscious body of a woman—partially transformed with machines, deformed and unrecognizable. Eve instinctively stepped back, horrified.
"Who... Who is she?" Eve asked, her voice trembling.
The suited man answered without pause, as if expecting the question.
"Where do you think all the siblings you fought earlier came from?" He smiled coldly. "We couldn't save her brain from severe damage, but we knew she'd be useful."
Shock paralyzed Eve. She saw traces of herself in the woman's features, despite the disfigurement. The woman in the tank was Polly—her biological mother. The pain tightened in her chest.
Dr. Brandyworth, realizing what was unfolding, shouted in desperation:
"YOU MONSTER!" He lunged at the man in the suit, trying to grab his weapon.
Chaos erupted. In the struggle, a shot rang out. Eve saw it in slow motion. The sound muffled—but the scene was clear. Polly, still semi-frozen in the tank, had been hit fatally.
Eve ran toward the tank, screaming.
"Mom!" she cried, wrapping her arms around the woman's limp body. But the life had already slipped away.
In shock, Eve heard another gunshot. Turning, she saw Dr. Brandyworth fall to the ground, a clean shot through his head.
The suited man stared down at the body, visibly stunned, muttering:
"That was just… an accident…"
He seemed to be trying to convince himself.
Tears flooded Eve's eyes. Her body trembled with rage. The power within her began to surge—and the entire room started to shift.
The shock was enough to temporarily shatter the limits that had stopped her from altering living matter.
"You murdered my entire family!" Eve screamed, her voice filled with grief and fury as her powers surged to a new height.
She raised her arms, unleashing a wave of pink energy that lit up the entire lab. Her power had never been stronger.
"I see everything now... Every molecule around us—I can touch them, feel them, control them," she cried, lifting the two men into the air with her energy. "I can rearrange you so you'll stop being the monsters you are. You ruined my life. Took everything. Killed people I didn't even know I loved."
Her power resonated with every word. The pressure grew immense. The pink light burned brighter and brighter.
She kept going, the pain overflowing:
"I AM SAMANTHA EVE WILKINS, AND I DARE YOU TO REMEMBER WHO I AM!"
With a final scream, an explosion of pink energy burst from her body, throwing the men violently to the ground—knocking them, and herself, unconscious.
Silence fell over the lab, broken only by the crackle of fading energy.
Eve woke up minutes later. Her wounds had healed in the aftermath of that overwhelming surge—but her body had returned to normal.
Eyes fixed in determination, she rose slowly, still breathless.
She stayed there for minutes, crying silently. The grief of losing Brandyworth and Polly crushed her chest. The destruction around her mirrored her shattered heart.
Then, the two men began to stir, disoriented, unaware of what had happened. They looked at Eve—but didn't recognize her.
Standing tall, Eve gave one last look at the ruins around her. She knew this was the point of no return. Her life would never be the same again.
Before leaving, something drew her gaze. She looked down at Brandyworth's body, lying still on the floor, and the sadness surged through her again.
The fury still burned inside her—but now there was also an emptiness… the kind that comes from losing those who once believed in you.
June 25, 2012 — 9:00 PM — Chicago, Illinois
Eve flew through the night sky, leaving the lab behind. The sky was clear, city lights stretching as far as she could see. Each movement resonated with the pink energy now pulsing within her—but a heavy weight pressed on her heart. This wasn't just physical pain—it was grief. The grief of what she never got to have.
As she approached her home, she dissolved her hero suit back into regular clothes. Exhaustion clung to her, but adrenaline still lingered. Looking across the street, her eyes locked on a familiar figure.
It was the boy she'd seen a few times before.
Kai stood there, watching in her direction.
He had passed by the place where she'd once saved a kid on a bike—near a house he now assumed was hers. He told himself he didn't care. He just wanted to know she was okay after the government car had taken her earlier.
She waved.
He gave a small nod, lifting two fingers in a quiet gesture, his face showing a faint, almost hidden smile. Before she could say anything, he turned, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and walked away into the night.
For a moment, Eve stood still, watching him go. She realized he recognized her—but they didn't even know each other's names. She wiped her eyes and thought, "Him again." A small, sad smile crept across her face before she turned and entered her house.
Wilkins Residence — 9:15 PM
Eve stepped through the kitchen door. The house was silent. But her father's voice rang out sharply:
"Where have you been?" Adam asked, tone full of anger.
Beside him on the table sat a birthday cake with 14 candles—half of it already eaten. Eve realized her mistake instantly. She hadn't come home. Again.
She sighed, knowing the argument was coming.
"Oh no…" she murmured, shame hitting hard.
Adam stood, fury written on his face.
"You couldn't even call?" he shouted. "You missed your own birthday, Eve!"
Tears welled in her eyes. She glanced at the half-eaten cake, and a hollow feeling filled her chest.
"You guys ate my cake?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Adam snapped.
"How dare you?" he yelled, his rage spilling over. "You vanish for hours and dare complain about a cake?"
Eve didn't answer. She turned and ran to her room.
Behind her, her father's voice chased:
"Where do you think you're going? We're the only family you have!"
She didn't reply. Just slammed the door, collapsed on the bed, and cried—furious and heartbroken. She felt like a stranger in her own home, surrounded by people who loved her but could never understand her pain.
She sat with her back to the door, tears streaming down. Then her eyes landed on a family photo on her nightstand. Her parents—Adam and Betsy—with a younger version of her smiling in between. But she no longer saw them with warmth. Her lost identity burned in her chest.
Without thinking, she used her powers. With a gentle wave of her hand, the photo changed. Polly, Brandyworth, and the siblings she fought earlier appeared—happy, unharmed, as if they'd lived normal lives together. A family she never had… now imagined into reality.
She smiled through her tears, a bittersweet expression. It was a world that never existed—but one she wished had.
At that moment, her mother, Betsy, gently knocked on the door.
"Eve?" she called softly.
Eve wiped her eyes and opened the door. Her mother pulled her into a hug—and Eve let herself be held.
For a brief moment, all she wanted was for that embrace to fix everything.
"It's going to be okay," Betsy whispered, her voice warm and full of love.
Eve didn't respond. She knew her mother had no idea what was truly going on inside her—but that hug made her feel less alone. Not completely lost.
She leaned into the comfort of her mother's arms. There was no turning back—but maybe, just maybe, the future still had something left for her.
Interlude — Dinner, Duct Tape, and a Mission
June 25, 2012 — Grayson Residence — 9:15 PM
At that moment, in the Grayson house, Debbie was in the kitchen finishing dinner. The smell of food was beginning to fill the house, but the peaceful atmosphere was broken when Nolan entered through the back door, still in his Omni-Man uniform, his imposing presence as striking as ever.
"Where are the boys?" Nolan asked in a calm tone.
"Mark's around here somewhere… Kai? Only God knows…" Debbie replied with a mildly frustrated look as she stirred dinner. "Mark said he went out for a run, all hyped after seeing a superheroine on TV…"
Her words were cut off by Mark, who ran from the living room into the kitchen completely wrapped in duct tape, punching the air like an improvised ninja—more goofy than heroic.
"Dad, look! I'm gonna be Duct Tape Man! You can do practically anything with tape! Even without powers, I can tie people up!" Mark said, eyes glowing with excitement as he played superhero.
Nolan looked at his son with mild frustration on his face, trying to stay patient but with a realistic tone in his voice.
"I don't think that's going to work out quite like you think, son."
Debbie, smiling playfully, walked over to Mark and yanked one of the tape strips stuck to his cheek, making him squirm.
"And maybe you'll change your mind when it's time to peel that off," she said with a mischievous grin as she pulled it quickly.
"Oww…" Mark whimpered, now a bit worried about how much it was going to hurt removing the rest.
Debbie laughed but quickly reassured him.
"Go upstairs and start filling the tub with warm water. That'll help loosen it up. And go before Kai gets back—otherwise, he'll tease you nonstop."
Mark widened his eyes and bolted up the stairs.
Nolan watched the scene with a mix of mild exasperation and affection. With his hands on his hips, he said in a calm voice:
"These kids… they're never going to get powers, are they?"
Debbie came closer and hugged him softly.
"Don't ask me. You're the alien superhero," she said with a relaxed smile. "And even without powers, we'll love them just the same."
She pulled away and added in a playful tone:
"Finish dinner while I help Mark peel himself out of that tape."
Nolan smiled back, but as she left, his expression changed. He drifted into thought, reflecting on his mission and everything surrounding them. Once again, Nolan thought about his true nature—about what he was supposed to do to fulfill his goal, and the consequences of his presence on Earth.
His face turned serious, clearly tinged with anger, before softening as he realized how attached he had become to his family.
He placed a hand over his face, sighed deeply, and thought:
"Maybe it's better this way. No powers, no compatibility… They'll live peaceful lives. It means Earth is unfit for expansion."
With those thoughts, Nolan remained there in silence, trying to find balance between the duties he was born for… and the love he now felt for a family that was starting to matter more than he ever expected.
A few minutes later, Kai arrived home with his clothes drenched in sweat.Nolan was setting the dinner table, still in his uniform.
"Went for a run after watching a heroine in action, huh?" Nolan asked, turning toward the front door.
Kai stepped in, taking off his shoes."Yeah," he replied with a nod.
Nolan took a step toward Kai, keeping his expression neutral from across the room."Any signs of powers?" he asked—deep down, hoping the answer would be no.
"None," Kai answered calmly, without breaking eye contact.Right after, he started heading toward the stairs. "I'll go take a shower before dinner."
"You'd better wait. Your brother's in there trying to peel off duct tape from himself," Nolan said with a slight smile.
"Duct tape?" Kai asked, confused.
"Best not to ask," Nolan replied, shaking his head.