Six months had passed, and still, there was no sign of Demon Babe. Ethan was growing increasingly worried—she should have returned by now. General Zack had arranged a meeting with an enhanced human doctor from Africa, who was believed to have the expertise to uncover what had happened to her. Since the Blackwater incident, no one had any clue to her whereabouts, and public scrutiny was at time's high. To make things worse, Corruption was still missing. And The Titan was all anyone was talking about. Genral Zack had been urging American Man to start collaborating with a new hero, and to improve relations with other contracted heroes, all of whom like him were government-funded they wanted Corruption in custody. And they wanted to show a unified front with the Z15 team and all Globally funded heroes. Considering all the resources and time individuals in Washington spent on Hero contracts, they ought to deliver substantial results.
Adding to the complexities, Titan had been rescuing people globally, leaving American Man's reputation in ruins. It was clear cut significant public relations maneuver, as Titan openly aspired to secure the number one ranking this year. With the games only a few months away, he was evidently campaigning for the top position. Enhanced humans from across the globe would be converging for the conference, it was now the biggest event in the world. Where all prominent figures would be present. Corporations were eager to unveil their latest weapons and hero's. Enhanced Human Technology (EHT) to attract potential sponsors. Every five years, the world's heroes hold an akin to the Olympics for the most notable individuals. Essentially, it is a deathmatch where participants flex and compete with one another until either concedes or perishes. With the most powerful enhanced humans on the planet involved, it has become the most extraordinary, televised sporting event in history. Top contenders not only secure private brand deals and significant financial endorsements, but the games have evolved into a deadly and fierce competition. With only 100 spots available globally, securing a top position guarantees international fame. In a world dominated by enhanced humans both virtuous and malevolent. It served as the governing principle among those with powers, establishing a form of hierarchy.
American Man had remained undefeated for over fifteen years, making him an international figure. With never losing before Maintaining his status as the number one ranked enhanced human globally was not hard. An imposing figure with over seventeen known abilities and an unbroken record of victories, he was truly feared by both enhanced humans and regular alike. And now for the first time in over twenty years, someone was calling him out. The Titan stood towering in a sleek, high-tech suit of armor, seamlessly blending black and white tones. The armor featured a futuristic design with sharp, angular lines and glowing, circuit-like patterns that pulsed with energy. His helmet resembled a human skull, complete with glowing white eyes. The suit appeared to equip at least seven different firearms. His voice changer emitted a robotic, deeply auto-tuned tone. A group of enhanced humans had gathered at the tent for federal service, signing up for training and tryouts at the federal facility. Three heroes from Team Z15 were present including American Man, answering questions and engaging with potential recruits. Titian arrived on the scene, flying in next to American, cutting his jets about three feet above the ground, and landing right beside him.
Titian: "Well, well, well." (smirking, arms crossed)
"Look at this—the legendary American Man, still posing like a statue on his pedestal. Charming, but let's be honest, the crowd has moved on. You're a relic."
American Man: Calmly scanning his opponent, "Kid, back off after the shit you pulled. ''
Glitch: '' It's not as easy as you think buddy, '' As he backed up American man.
Glitch ''Flashy suits don't save—judgment does. You'll learn that... or you'll crash hard."
Titian: "Who asked you Glitch? can't even believe your still around so Spare me. Your 'wisdom' is just slow reflexes. I process threats in nanoseconds. Stopped a cyber-hack and a tsunami before breakfast. What did you do today? Rescue a cat from a tree? your old granny's go and take a nap"
American Man: You had better hope my wife arrives soon, or I will show you why I have been ranked number one for the last twenty years! The only thing you've got is Daddy Zack protecting you. Without that, you're nothing! "
Tita: '' I could take you anytime grandpa ''
American Man: "You think so? " He asked with a sinister smile, staring down Titian.
American Man: " It's not always about stopping a Space Dragon Warrior from another planet!" After the bullshit you pulled, I should finish you right now! but I'll wait for the games!''
Titan: "Fail me? My systems are perfected. You're still punching robots while I rewrite their code mid-fight. Face it, your heroics are outdated nostalgia. I'm efficiency. I am evolution and I will crush you."
American Man: "Evolution, huh?" His voice angry. "Arrogance has killed more heroes than any villain ever could. You'll hit a wall you can't hack. And when you do, that's when you'll need what I got."
Titan: "Keep your dusty playbook. I'll be too busy rewriting the game. But hey, when the next big one hits watch my feed. I'll tag you so you can finally see how it's done."
The pair never stopped bickering. Titan knew he was number one, and he wouldn't rest until the entire world believed it. American Man couldn't stand him, and as time went on, his feelings didn't change. Crime rates dropped, and Titan the internet, quickly becoming the world's new standard for heroes. American Man, however didn't care. He had been focusing on finding Demon Babe. This meant working with Baby Black Magic to locate Demon Babe's whereabouts. They had been at it for months with no results. Black Magic spent much of her time at the Blackwater site, trying to uncover exactly what had happened.
BM: '' I'm not sure how her abilities work, but I don't one second, I was fighting the inmates then everything went black. I casted a spell of DeVine protection, but I don't remember how? I really thought they were goanna kill her! it was like someone else was controlling me, at that very same moment she used her Transmisson ability, and I just don't know, I haven't been able to use that spell since either it's like the spell is still in effect. AM: '' I have talked to Zack, and he thinks this Dr Kindler may be able to help us with this particular problem given his enhancement''.
BM: '' What can he do? '' asked Black Magic
AM: '' Get this he can affect your emotions thru vibration application and sound ''
BLACK Magic brought his file up allies: Black Swan/ Dr Ick Kindler power: Manipulation via sounds waves and emotions.
Bio: Dr kindler is a mega level enhanced Human from Africa widely renowned for his breakthroughs in enhanced human research and experimentation specifically in body modifications. He is world renowned for his achievements in physic science.
AM: '' If anyone can figure out where she is it's him.'' He has a hardcore loyal fan base so hopefully with all his resources he can get to the bottom of this. American man had been failing at Staying out of the spotlight, but he was trying to work with other heroes too, " I need every resource available to find them'' and he was very worried about their child, He wanted to keep the Genral off his back, he knew he would be done for without DR kindler so he was super thankful for Genral Zack setting it up. Even Though things were hard right now Nothing could have prepaid anyone for what came next. American Man was actually about to meet up with Doctor Kindler right before he got the call.
American Man got a call from Genral Zack, '' Yes Genral?''
Genral Zack: '' We need you now! quick something has just appeared downtown; we have no idea who they're or what they came for? but it's not good ''
American Man: ''Just appeared what is it?
Genral: '' We don't know some kind of portal!''
American Man: ''On my way sir I'll be there in no time''
Genral Zack:'' Thank God! Titian and ''Capital Punishment'' are already on scene.''
American Man: " Any word from Demon Babe?''
Genral Zack...'' Not yet''
American Man: ''k''
American Man soared through the clouds at two hundred miles per hour, his thoughts racing. He couldn't help but recall the last time he had worked alongside Capital Punishment. The man was unhinged, to say the least. Despite being a top-ranked hero, he had an unsettling love for killing. To be frank, he was unstable. Rumors had circulated about him being schizophrenic, but no one truly knew. The entire episode replayed vividly in American Man's mind.
The briefing was somber. A bioterrorist identified as "Ccell" had seized Virus X-9, a mutagenic compound capable of turning its hosts into monstrous, feral "Reapers." These entities developed spikes across their bodies, gaining extraordinary speed and strength. They were highly lethal, though their twenty-three-hour lifespan served as a constraint. Despite their ability to rival the world's strongest, their cells began to destabilize and disintegrate after approximately twenty hours. The Army Sergeant's orders were unequivocal: "Your mission is to infiltrate the enemy's underground laboratory, eliminate the virus, and neutralize the threat."
"No survivors," Capital Punishment growled, loading his bag with weapons and cyber blades.
"We save everyone we can," American Man countered, eyeing his partner's weapons with distrust.
Man: "If they're not infected, we can get them out of there!"
Capital Punishment: "Look we all can't be the front-page golden boy. If you don't like dark ops, take it up with the boss!"
The laboratory, a maze of steel and shadows, lay hidden deep beneath a mountain on the outskirts of the city. The mountain's surface was punctuated with steel poles, resembling the skeleton of incomplete structure, accompanied by construction vehicles and a scattered work trailers. The atmosphere evoked the eerie desolation of an abandoned missile site—cold, barren, and unsettling. As descended further, the air became thin and icy. "We must be close," muttered Capital, just as a horde guards, in gas masks and greenish military uniforms, surged toward them.
American Man dismantled squads of adversaries with relentless punches, while Punishment fired syringes at the retreating foes. He unleashed devastating blasts from his cann, wielding his signature heavy blaster with deadly precision. Bodies were torn apart, and one man, pleading for mercy, met a chilling fate. Pun affixed a thermal device to his forehead murmuring, "Sure, my child," before walking away with a theatrical air kiss. The ominous beeping—beep beep beep beeeeeeeeeep—preceded the helmet glowing orange and detonating.
The duo swiftly subdued the guards and detained the scientists, freeing hostages and completing their mission. As they awaited backup and took inventory, one of the scientists suddenly erupted into panicked screams, shattering the momentary calm.
Dr Franklin: '' Stop you can't! you don't understand!''
Capital grabbed the man by the neck! lifted him four feet in the air. All of a sudden, a hostage started yelling as well!
Hostage: '' Let him go!'' He demanded! you have no right!''.
Everyone started yelling and standing up. All the chaos, and commotion. A hostage, stumbled into Capital pushing him into another. The lady went stumbling and went flying off an open canon she started screaming as her body gets impaled by a jagged rock. Punishment started freaking. He started punching computers screaming '' You idiots". American Man grabbed him by the arm. '' Relax man'' Capital spun around in a rage and laid a haymaker! American Man went flying. Capital Punishment's syringe gun misfired and pierced a doctor in her arm. Instead of antidote, it delivered four samples of X-9.
"No!" American Man lunged, but it was too late. Ethel, as it turned out, was the unfortunate woman's name. Her transformation began abruptly—her clothes tearing as jagged spikes erupted in all directions. Claws and fangs, dripping with venom, emerged. She gas, her veins darkening to black. Her spine twisted grotesquely, and her limbs elongated into clawed appendages. The virus acted swiftly, obliterating the woman and replacing her with a grotesque, roaring Reaper. The lab crumbled around them as Ethel rampaged, consumed by bloodlust, tearing through scientists indiscriminately. The air thickened with a smoky haze of flying blood and severed limbs. American Man dodged heriping claws, shouting, "We can cure her!"
"Look at what she's done!" Capital Punishment retorted, reloading his-piercing rounds as his autocannon locked on, glowing neon red. advanced toward the Reaper.The mutation is irreversible. She's already." Ethel's milky eyes, with terror, met American Man's. flicker of the woman she once was lingered briefly. But when her talons tore into his chest, drawing blood, the harsh reality became undeniable.
They corner her on a crumbling ledge. American Man's hands trembled as he the Reaper, her guttural growls echoing a plea for release. Capital Punishment took aim.
American Man: "I can't hold her longer!"
The gunshot. American Man's grip loosened. head split in two, blood pooling as Ethel ceased moving.
Man: "This isn't," he said, seething with anger. He Capital by the shirt, frustration boiling. Capital Punishment turned away. "Don't touch me." American Man to his knees, rendered speechless.
present
American Man descended into the chaos, plunging directly into the heart of smoke and explosions. His impact was as devastating as a bomb, collapsing buildings in vicinity. Titan was engaged in combat with a massive yellow creature adorned with purple claws metallic spikes along its spine, and an unnatural ability to stretch. Meanwhile, Capital Punishment positioned himself atop a building, executing long-range missile strikes with his infamous weapon thePumpsniper," a firearm capable of launching shotgun missiles over extensive distances.
Another hero team, "Masked Malicah," also took part. This four-member group blended magic and martial arts to forge energy armor, presenting a deceptively modest yet unquestionably formidable presence. Each member could summon a distinctive mech droid, functioning autonomously and solidifying their status as one of the most renowned teams globally. Their chill nature further enhanced their remarkable aura.
Military tanks formed a perimeter along the streets, while SWAT teams descended into the fray, ensuring the situation appeared to be under control.
Capital Punishment: "About time you got here! Could really use some help!"