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Chapter 1 - Issue #1

The alarms of Blackwater Supermax blared incessantly like a malfunctioning police siren, echoing across the misty Louisiana bayou. American Man hovered above the prison's breached perimeter wall, observing the below. Heroes were scattered, engaged in battles, while inmates ran rampant, some teaming up against the guards. Blackwater, one of the largest private prisons in the nation, had been constructed in Louisiana's swamp lands during the Hero Riots. It had long stood as a symbol of order and security since the emergence of enhanced humans. Backed by taxpayer dollars and designed by enhanced humans, with advanced containment strategies for enhanced individuals, it housed numerous mega-level ranked criminals and was truly one of a kind.

During a routine weapons inventory, inmates successfully seized control of the armory. After killing the guards on duty, they armed themselves, escalating the situation into chaos. Within three hours, the turmoil had reached uncontrollable levels. News footage depicted guards being thrown from the prison roof like rag dolls. A group of heroes, including Fit Girl, Demon Babe, and Baby Black Magic, were already engaged in the conflict. SpeedBump was fighting an overwhelming number of enhanced humans, potentially setting a record. He dashed through inmates like an antivirus cleaning up malware. A group of genetically engineered humanoid alligators were launching indiscriminate attacks. An inmate with body-jacking abilities caused widespread destruction, three guards armed with Alpha Blasters were blasting through the courtyard against their will, functioning as a coordinated swat team. His glowing neon white eyes mirrored those of his controlled victims. Meanwhile, six massive, alligators emerged from the marsh, their scales glinting under the stormy sky, their eyes blazing with predatory hunger. They advanced rapidly on Demon Babe. American Man shouted a warning, "Look out!" but the creatures swarmed her like a virus. These genetically modified beasts, armed with razor-sharp claws and bulletproof hides, were engineered to kill. They appeared to be remnants of an international shock trooper program.

Demon Babe teleported quickly away only to be engaged in a fierce battle against two massive inmates with rock skin, their relentless attacks smashing at her. She dashed toward one of them, leaping into the air and exclaiming, "Hug, babe, please?" She wrapped herself around the inmate in a full-body hug, and both erupted in a burst of orange flames. Moments later, they were hovering thirty feet above the North Atlantic SPLASH!. She pushed off the rocky brute, saying, "Thanks, babe, it's been real. Bye," blowing him a kiss as she dropped him into the ocean. Demon Babe ignited in flames and reappeared at the prison. Smirking, she taunted the remaining inmate, "Don't worry, you're going to join your boyfriend," Meanwhile, our heroes battle for the prison., the Gatoraiders were wreaking havoc, their rampage seemingly unstoppable. Whenever one fell, it would rise again, undeterred. Black Magic began releasing large spheres of energy., "These guys don't like to stay down."

"Let's finish this!" commanded American Man as he charged forward, plowing through two massive Gatoraiders in his path. The heroes were being cornered, but Black Magic unleashed devastating strikes with a mana hammer—"SMASH! KABOOM!"—as other heroes began rounding up stragglers. The Gatoraiders retreated into the murky swamp, disappearing beneath the water. For a moment, only ripples betrayed their movement until they launched a coordinated ambush. Two Gatoraiders latched onto American Man's legs, dragging him into the bog, while a third clamped its teeth onto his forearm, acidic drool sizzling against his wrist.

"Ever heard of heat vision?" His eyes ignited with blue-hot intensity, releasing a beam that severed the jaw of the Gatoraider clutching his arm. The creature recoiled, gurgling as it collapsed into the water. Rising from the murk, American Man hurled the remaining two Gatoraiders into a dilapidated watchtower. "Crash! Bam!" American Man went flying like a brick Suddenly, he was blindsided, into a cement wall out of nowhere. Mega Master descended upon him, delivering relentless blows. Black Magic cried out, "Mega Master, what are doing?" Demon Babe shouted, "He's not himself! It's Corruption! He's under Corruption's control!"

Corruption laughed. "Come on, gentlemen, let's some fun." The guards under his control were relentlessly attacking the heroes; he had at least ten of them under his spell. Mega Master was engaged in a fierce battle with American Man, the two titans exchanging powerful blows. Corruption took control of a guard on a turret tower and began firing at American Man. Mega Master delivered two massive strikes, forcing him to his knees; the situation looked dire for the heroes. With countless inmates causing chaos, Black Magic was struggling to keep up. "There are too many! We need to retreat!" Black Magic suddenly went silent, his body beginning to twitch. "He's trying to take... me! Stop him!" he shouted. "Fight it!" Demon Girl screamed. His eyes turned white, and he gave a sinister grin. Black Magic spoke but it was not his voice "Too bad He's all mine now, and his powers are incredible. He's barely scratched the surface of his abilities. This is going to be fun,". Black Magic began destroying everything in sight. Dark mana was raging from his body as he continued to blast the heroes.

Mega Master hurled American Man aside as if he were a mere toy. The guards either dead or had fled. Fit Girl's spine was broken, and she lay against a pile of bodies in critical condition. Jump was darting, fighting valiantly, but he was outnumbered. He was exhausting his energy, striving to keep them in the fight, but there were simply too many.! Demon Babe spoke urgently "If we retreat now, they will seize the prison The heroes, now surrounded, gathered in a desperate group, overrun and vastly outnumbered. Corruption stepped forward to the head of the horde and sneered, "Well, well, look what we have here. I am going relish in taking each and every one of you for a spin. It'll be like test driving a fleet of new cars." The inmates erupted in laughter. "This prison is ours now, and we're going to teach these self-righteous do-gooders a lesson for helping the normies lock us away. This is our world now. Mankind can either adapt or perish—they are inferior species. I am doing this for all enhanced humans!" all of a sudden.

Boom! Missiles rained down from the sky, striking three separate quadrants. From the explosions emerged large metal guns, transforming from the missiles. "Target acquired," A robotic voice announced and commenced firing systematically at all threats with unmatched precision. Titan descended from above, executing a 360-degree drop his hands firing off as they rotated counterclockwise laying waste to inmates. His suit's hand detached, launching through an inmate's stomach, and the resulting in blood splatter. Landing with a smirk, he laughed, "Looks like you boys needed some help, huh?". Corruption unleashed all his puppets as he ran for cover, Black Magic and Mega Master followed. Titan continued his rampage through the battlefield, his suit unleashing a barrage of lasers and rockets in every direction. Fit Girl was getting picked up by medevac-soldiers, while Demon Babe joined back in the fight. 

"We need to rescue Mega Master and Baby Black!" 

"I'm on it!" shouted The Titan. He flew through the prison with relentless determination, moving like a predator on a hunt. He paused, tracking them inside, and cautiously advanced down the hallway. He could feel their presence. Moving deliberately, then—Wam! Mega Master struck. The giant smashing relentlessly; Boom! Smash! Titan's suit fired two large metal rings that clamped around Mega Master, locking him in place as they expanded and fortified.

Titans suit was scanning everything as he walked thru the prison. Demon babe came running up. ''Did you find them?'', he seized her by the neck and pulled her close. "I found you, friend '' slammed Corruption to the ground shattering the illusion Titan squeezed his neck Corruption' squirmed in desperation. His neck turning red as he gasped for air. You will pay for the heroes you killed today." At that moment, Black Magic teleported in, holding Demon Babe with an energy blade pressed to her throat. His voice was cold and commanding. "Do not move, or I kill this female," he warned. The room fell silent, the tension palpable. American Man had caught up to the fight stood firm, his gaze unwavering. "Release her," he demanded. Black Magic smirked, tightening his grip as their eyes locked. "Remove your hand from my neck and I'll let her go," he ordered. Titan had Corruption by the neck, Corruption had Baby Black Magic by the mind and Baby Black had Demon Babe ready to kill within a second's notice. '' Let him go! '' American Man screamed, '' I don't think so not letting him get away after everyone he's killed today'' 

'' He has my wife and child let him go! ''

"I've got this. Relax!" Titan declared, tightening his grip on Corruption's neck, intent on killing him. At that moment Black Magic appeared, Casting spells that engulfed the entire room. Mega Master broke free and joined the fray, while Demon Babe teleported around, fighting SpeedBumb was grabbing inmates, American man started bursting thru the bad guys, he grabbed Black Magic when all of a Suddenly, BOOM! WAM! kABLOOM! three deafening explosions and an energy blast erupted. When the smoke cleared, Demon Babe and Corruption had vanished, leaving everyone else sprawled unconscious on the ground. American Man was down Titan was down. Inmates lay all over the place, SpeedBump was staggering to his feet, the supermax was ruin. As the dust settled, the creatures lay in heaps—scales shattered, tails twisted, blood pooling everywhere. Scar-Snout was dead, and the survivors barely clung to life. Medvac soldiers. Were all over tending to inmates and heroes. The others stood some lay silently, watching the scene unfold. The prison courtyard was littered with trembling guards and blood-soaked bodies. American Man stumbled getting back on his feet he looked at The Titan lying unconscious. "Someone's going to hang for this," American Man muttered before soaring away, leaving the swamp and the prison engulfed in flames.

"HERO OR HAZARD? 12 KILLED IN BLACKWATER PRISON 'RESCUE.''

"WHY SHOULD OUR TAX DOLLARS BE WASTED ON SO-CALLED HEROES?"

'' THE TITAN SAVES THE DAY! AMERICAN MAN NOT FIT FOR SERVICE''

"STILL HAVEN'T FOUND 'CORRUPTION.' THREE OTHER HIGH-PROFILE INMATES YET TO BE LOCATED. FIT GIRL DEAD''

A reporter thrust a microphone in his face. "Is it true your shockwave punch flooded three towns? Shouldn't the world's strongest superhero have better... control?"

His eye twitched. Control. The word stung. He'd spent decades saving cities, toppling monsters, and punching asteroids—and now they reduced him to a meme over a few soggy bayou trailers. "The Gatoraiders are back in chains," he growled. "That's what matters."

Reporter 7: "Is it true all the Raiders were killed in the prison break?"

Reporter 1: "Is it true you're being replaced? and the entire prison would have been overrun if not for the titian?"

Reporter 4: "What truth is there to the rumor that you and Demon Babe have a child on the way?"

American Man, visibly angered, shouted over the chaos, "Listen, you can't believe everything you read or hear. Half the superhero stuff out there nowadays is misinformation or just some cheap rip-off of the original." He paused, scanning the crowd. "I promise I am 100% in control. I am always working with our trusted elected officials to ensure this country's future. My main goal right now is to find my pregnant wife we just need a little time, and we will find Corruption and any other enhanced that escaped trust me I have some questions for him myself ''

Reporter 3: '' American Man what are your thoughts on The Titan? Is it true he was critical in savin the super max?

American Man: '' That hot head is a joke; I never needed a fancy suit to get the job done. If he had listened to me Corruption and my wife would both be where they're supposed to be right now! last time I checked I was still number 1 ranked globally''

The crowd chuckled however, the news remained unresponsive. Social media endlessly replayed clips of him accidentally launching a police drone into a Waffle House, any public act that did'nt exactly go smoothly was going viral. video depicted the devastation of Blackwater in its aftermath. Gossip channels highlighted unflattering images of Demon Girl. Questions poured in people wanted anwsers. As cameras flashed reporters' gassped murmuring amongst themselves. American Man was fed up with the news outlets and he did not really care if the big wigs were replacing him anyways, he had to find his wife! no matter what. He wasted no time getting to the bottom of things.

General Zack: "I've deployed every resource available on the planet to find her. The forensic team is baffled; they've never encountered anything like this. Black Magic feels awful and has been helping in every possible way. We will figure this out."

General Zack: "I know you're not going to want to hear this either, but here it is the powers that be in Washington and beyond are ready for a new launch. They've been working on a new public hero for years now, and they're ready to introduce them. I know you're aware of this."

American Man: "You Mean Captian kill why did he wait so long to join in the fight? That fucking idiot coast me wife family Do whatever you want. I really don't care. There's not a soul on this planet who can take me, no matter how much power you give them!"

General Zack: "I thought we were family come on Ethan all I'm asking is that you get back to work. Start making public appearances, show the new guy the ropes—team-ups, stopping bad guys, good press, all that hero stuff."

General Zack: "If you help me get this new guy established, I'll make sure you're taken care of. I promise!"

American Man: "I work alone," he snapped, as he wrapped his wrists with white fighter's tape. From what I hear you don't need my help This jerk off is all over the internet talking shit can't stand this guy.''

General Zack: "Look, man, we've known each other a long time, so I'll be blunt. If you can't start collaborating with the other globally funded heroes, they're considering cutting your funding and replacing you on team Z15 ''.

American Man: "Are you kidding me? I built the Z15 and personally selected seven of its heroes! For over fifteen years, I've led the team from the head chair. And now you want to kick me out? Not to mention I'm still the top-rated hero on the planet! Without me, Z15 wouldn't be shit!"

General Zack: " we're both getting old, my friend. The new heroes want their chance. With the administrations coming in the next few years, they want to see change. People loved you, and they still do, but the next generation-'' people are pissed over Black water! and without Corruption might have taken the prison if not for Titan. Look all I am trying to say is I'm concerned.

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