The building is still smoldering, the acrid smell of burnt wood and charred metal filling the air as Cal stands in the ruins of the bank. Smoke swirls around them, rising through the broken windows and cracked walls. The fire, although weakened, still licks at the corners of the room, threatening to reignite and consume the building entirely.
Cal's eyes dart around, his mind racing. "Amber," he calls urgently, "wake him up. We need to put out these flames before the whole place comes down."
Amber didn't hesitate. She moved swiftly to the water manipulator, who lay unconscious on the scorched floor. She knelt beside him, placing her hand on his forehead, concentrating on waking him up. The man stirs, his eyes fluttering open as he regains consciousness, confusion clouding his features.
"You need to put out the flames," Amber commands, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. "Use your powers, now."
The water manipulator, still groggy and under Amber's telepathic influence, raises his hands. Streams of water begin to gather from every available source—fountains, discarded water bottles, even the moisture in the air itself. He directs the water toward the flames, dousing the remaining fire with a hiss of steam that fills the room. Slowly, the flames die down, leaving only smoke and charred ruins behind.
Ryan watches, his eyes narrowed as the flames dissipate. "If this guy were smarter, he could've turned that water into a pressure washer and sliced us in half," he mutters, more to himself than anyone else. He shakes his head, trying to dispel the dark thoughts. Today hadn't gone as planned, and he was already frustrated by his own perceived failures.
"Don't give him any ideas." Amber smirked, a steady stream of blood leaked from a cut above her right eyebrow.
As the last of the flames are extinguished, Cal lets out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing. "That's one problem solved. But we've got another one now."
Amber places her hand on the water manipulator's forehead again, focusing as she gives her next command. "You're paralyzed from the neck down, and you can only speak the truth," she says firmly. The man's eyes widen in fear, but he remains still, unable to move or disobey.
Ryan looks at the now subdued criminal and then at Cal and Amber. "We can't just keep doing this in the shadows. We've been operating on the edge for too long. People need to know we're out here, doing something good."
Amber, standing beside him, nods in agreement. "He's right, Caleb. If we step into the light, people will see us for what we are—heroes. We could turn this into something positive."
Cal hesitates, glancing between them. "Going public means putting targets on our backs. We'll be hunted, more than we already are."
Amber steps closer, determination in her eyes. "We can't hide forever. If we're going to make a difference, we need to show people what we're capable of, what we stand for. We will be hunted down if we don't"
Ryan's eyes light up with excitement, his mind racing with possibilities. "Yeah, man. Think about it—our own superhero team. The Terrific Three!"
Cal shook his head. Amber gave an almost disgusted look.
"The Three-Quarters Fantastic?" Ryan shrugged.
Cal takes a deep breath. This was their moment, the chance to make a real difference, but it was also risky. "Alright, it's a two-to-one vote," he says finally, conceding to their enthusiasm. "We can't just stroll out there."
Amber nods, quickly adjusting her scarf to cover her face. "I'll be careful. They won't see anything they're not supposed to."
Ryan finds a discarded balaclava from one of the unconscious criminals and pulls it over his head, covering his face. "Ready when you are."
Cal tears a piece of Amber's scarf and ties it around his mouth and nose, pulling his hood up over his head. He glances at Amber, who looks back at him with a confident nod, then at Ryan, who is practically buzzing with excitement.
"Let's do this," Cal mutters, lifting the flame manipulator and the water manipulator over his shoulders. The water manipulator's eyes dart around, but he remains motionless, his body paralyzed by Amber's command.
Ryan lifts the unconscious invisible man and the regular man, his gaze shifting between his teammates. "Our big debut, huh?"
Amber smiles at him through the scarf. "Time to show the world what we're made of."
They push through the doors and step outside into the chaotic scene. The police, SWAT teams, and reporters are all gathered, a sea of flashing cameras and murmuring voices. As the trio emerges, the crowd falls into a hushed silence, everyone staring at the vigilantes who just saved countless lives.
Some officers raise their guns, others hesitate, clearly unsure of how to handle the situation.
Cal strides up to the senior officer he spoke with earlier, dropping the water manipulator at his feet. "This man will confess to everything," he says, his voice steady and firm.
The officer looks down at the subdued criminal, then back up at Cal. He lets out a heavy sigh. "This is going to be one hell of a stack of paperwork," he mutters, then kneels to place cuffs on the man.
The crowd, initially in shock, begins to murmur, the atmosphere tense with anticipation. Hostages who had escaped from the bank start to spread the story of what happened inside, and the news ripples through the gathered crowd like wildfire.
Suddenly, reporters surge forward, microphones and cameras thrust toward the trio as questions are fired in rapid succession.
"Who are you?"
"What are your names?"
"Why are you doing this?"
Cal, Ryan, and Amber exchange glances, unsure of how to respond amidst the chaos.
Before they can answer, the sound of screeching tires and slamming doors cuts through the noise. All eyes turn as a squad of SRA agents arrives, stepping out of their vehicles with practiced precision. They are a formidable sight, clad in sleek, dark tactical suits designed for high mobility and protection. The suits are reinforced at the joints and torso, with a matte black finish that makes them appear both intimidating and professional.
The SRA logo is prominently displayed on their chests—a stylized eagle with its wings spread wide, holding a shield in one talon and a lightning bolt in the other. The letters "SRA" are boldly etched across the top of the shield. Their helmets cover their entire faces, equipped with visors that can switch between normal and enhanced vision modes, the faint blue glow giving the agents an almost otherworldly appearance.
They move in a tight formation, their movements synchronized and deliberate as they approach the trio. The lead agent steps forward, removing his helmet to reveal a clean-shaven, authoritative face. His voice is loud and clear as he addresses the trio.
"I'm Agent Williams, SRA. We're here to offer you an opportunity."
Amber, sensing something off, quickly connects their minds telepathically so they can communicate privately. Be careful. He's trying to box us in. If we refuse, we'll look bad in front of the public.
Ryan nods subtly, responding in his thoughts. This is a power play. They want to control us right from the start.
Agent Williams continues, his tone calm but firm, his words chosen carefully. "The State of New York and the Federal Government are willing to offer you amnesty for your previous actions as vigilantes. In exchange, you'll be required to register with the SRA, reveal your identities, and continue your work within the law. You'll have resources, support, and the chance to make a real difference."
He pauses, letting his words sink in. The crowd is murmuring, some in approval, others in confusion. The tension is palpable, the air thick with anticipation as the trio processes the offer.
Williams takes a step closer, his gaze locking onto Cal. "If you refuse, you'll be operating outside the law, and we will have no choice but to take action. This is a one-time offer."
Cal clenches his jaw, glancing at Amber and Ryan. The weight of the decision bears down on him as the crowd leans in, waiting for their response. The future hangs in the balance, their choice defining what comes next for them all.