10:08 p.m.
L.A.B. Alphabet Project Main Base
North Trinity Sea
2155 g.e. (Golden Era)
3rd Person POV
"Aaaaaaaargggh!!!"
A voice splits the silent room, its agony so clear you can almost feel it yourself.
"AHHHHHHHH!!! Make it STOP!!!" The man screams, his voice hoarse.
"Please! Just let me say goodbye to my ki- Aaaargggh!"
The man's voice goes quiet. In the observation deck, two men stand while observing the now dead man strapped to the medical chair below. The first man was huge. At least 6 foot 8, and with a hulking figure you can only get from years in the gym. On his left cheek is a jagged blood red scar, looking fresh, although it had been decades since the man had gotten it. The second man is barely 5 foot 8, dwarfed entirely while he stood next to the hulking man on his left.
"Klaus," The hulking man says authoritatively, though with a hint of displeasure. The scrawny man, Klaus, flinches.
"Y-yes, Chairman Kingsley?" Klaus says with an audible gulp.
"As the Head Doctor spearheading this project, you have... certain expectations to fulfill. And when myself and rest of the board hired you 25 years ago... well, we hoped your unparalleled talent and knack for success would be the right decision," L.A.B. Chairman Connor Kingsley looks over at Klaus Klein who is shaking with unbridled fury.
"Is there... something you'd like to say Klaus?" Kingsley asks with an expression of amusement.
"Sir, you are asking us to do something never before done in the history of our world. 25 years is quite a small price for the possible of this project! If I just had more ti-"
"Klaus? Shut up. And if you ever raise your voice towards me again... I'll kill you on the spot." Kingsley's Deep voice is sharp, and his deep blue eyes hold no warmth. Klaus freezes, his sense of self preservation overriding his fury.
"At least you can do that properly. As I was saying, 25 years of no success in addition to the astronomical amount of funds provided, birdering $800 billion... well, let's just say the board is displeased and leave it at that. Since you're a smart guy I'm sure you understand. Anyways, these past 25 years of no results has the board in agreement. These next six months are your last. Unless you deliver. Which... considering your track record in this project, is highly unlikely. You Know what they say, Klaus. 'Time waits for no man'. That is all Klaus. Scurry off. I'm sure you got more work to do." Kingsley walks confidently out of the observation deck before leaving the facility.
Meanwhile...
"Fuck, Fuck, FUCK!" Klause screams. "They can't do this. I need to succeed. All my years of dedication. All my labors. If I'm fired, my replacement starts where I left off. With 25 years of research that I labored for from scratch! No. No, No. I will succeed. I know I will. Just wait."
He calmly straightens his hair and adjusts his glasses before exiting the room.
—————————————————–
11:30
Starbright City
Eastern Seaboard of United Northern Continent
2155 g.e.
3rd Person POV
"Atlantean! Atlantean! I'm your biggest fan!!!"
"Dr. Delaware! Look over here!"
The streets of Starbright City are full of laughter and cheer as the biggest parade of the year proceeds down Lunaria Square. The the flashy floats are the pedestal on which the heroes and heroines are majestically placed upon. The Jovial heroes wave and smile to the crowd below. On board the first float, two heroes converse.
"Titan! Long time no see! Last time was... oh, right! 2 years ago at the rankings event. You lost your top 10 spot to me, right? Man. What a time, am I right?"
Titan, a 6 foot 5 black man with bulging muscles straining his red supersuit, glanced at the hero known as Speed Demon with mild annoyance.
"Evan. It's quite unfortunate that the only thing faster than you is your own mouth. Even in grade school."
Evan grins, his perfectly white teeth shining in contrast to his equally perfectly tanned skin.
"Calvin, Calvin, Calvin," He says turing to wave to the crowd before glancing at titan. "Still the same as ever. Calm, composed, and amazingly perfect. Captain of the basketball team for 4 years. Honor student. Prom King Junior and Senior year. The one and only "Mr. Perfect". But now... Your behind me. And the whole. Damn. World. All know it."
Calvin shakes his head with a small smile. "Evan. Short, nerdy, and always annoying. Just because you got powers and a glow up doesn't make us equals. Because real talk? I ain't ever needed a glow up. And the fact that you feel like you need to gloat... only shows your own weaknesses. The truth is, "Speed Demon", is that you'll never be better than me. So do yourself, and The Northern Continent, a solid and stop while you're ahead. Wouldn't want the world to find out that the rank 10 hero was the class rep for the special Ed program four years in a row, now would we?"
"You fucking piece of sh-" Evan starts to say before an enchanting and melodious voice reaches his ears.
"Now, now, boys. I hope you aren't fighting," The voice laughs gently, the sound as perfect as a set of windchimes. "I mean, especially since we're globally broadcasting. But I'm Sure you weren't. After all. You were handpicked by my agency for your talents. And talents of the rank 2 Olympus Agency aren't stupid by any means."
The voice laughs again before a figure steps up in between them, causing the crowd below to go into a frenzy. Particularly the men.
"Aphrodite! Aphrodite! Oh my god, she actually did recruit Titan and Speed Demon. They're so lucky."
"Bro, look at those jugs. They're definitely Goddess level" a teen says to his friend.
"Nah, bruh. Get you're priorities straight. Those hips, thighs and ass are where it's at. I'd gladly die tomorrow if it meant spending today in her bed!"
"Goddamn you actual fucking horndogs!" Their female friend screams in frustration. "Can't you think of anything other than her?"
Meanwhile, the same incident is occurring throughout the parade. Wives cover husband's and kids eyes in annoyance as the Olympus Guild float comes into view.
Standing at 5 foot 5. Aphrodite, alias Stephanie Stewart, is the epitome of beauty. Long blonde hair frames her bright blue eyes. Pink lips follow. It seems that any clothes she wears look perfect, regardless of style or make.
(Image here ---------------->)
Meanwhile, two sonic booms resound. As the clouds part from a sudden wind, they reveal two floating figures descending gracefully onto a golden float with flags reminiscent of the original American flag. The crowd goes wild as the two figures, a man and a woman, raise their hands to wave. Even Titan and Speed Demon shut up in the face of these legends.
Titan grins slightly. "So that's how they look in person. Very cool. Now I know what standards I have to beat."
Speed Demon scoffs. "As if you could ever be better than Lady Liberty and Overwatch. If it was so easy, they wouldn't be rank one and 2 for 50 years straight."
Titan shrugs. "Guess we'll have to wait and see. After all... No empire lasts forever..."