Immediately following the surge—
Boom!
A dazzling burst of lightning exploded from Nathan's body. His entire figure was engulfed in electric arcs as a complex and intricate network of electrical currents formed within his internal system. Every nerve, every fiber of muscle was lit up like a glowing circuit board.
He could feel the network of energy stabilizing. The chaotic sparks within him began to synchronize into a fully functioning bioelectric grid, something beyond what ordinary humans could comprehend. The sensation wasn't painful—it was euphoric.
Nathan walked to the side, where a live wire still danced with sparks from earlier tests. Calmly, he gripped the sparking wire with his bare hand. Normally, this would have electrocuted a man on contact, but instead—
His internal network activated.
Like a black hole for electricity, a powerful electromagnetic pull emanated from Nathan's core, drawing energy out of the wire and into himself. It was like he had tapped into a warm current flowing into his soul. He let the electricity swirl through his bio-network, guiding it expertly.
He didn't overdo it. Nathan knew if he absorbed too much, the entire grid might shut down. New York City couldn't afford a blackout just so he could get a boost.
Then came the important step.
Using his unique internal bioelectricity, he triggered the absorbed electricity to circulate actively through his system. With careful guidance, the two types of electrical energy—natural and bio-generated—intertwined.
He raised his hand.
Crackling sparks erupted from his palm.
Lightning danced freely in his fingers, arcs leaping from one fingertip to the next in dazzling, rhythmic pulses.
"Success," Nathan whispered, his eyes lighting up with excitement. The network was responding perfectly. He wasn't just containing electricity anymore—he was manipulating it with precision.
To test his output, he aimed at a thick wooden board nearby.
Whoosh!
An electric bolt surged from his hand like a coiled serpent unleashed.
Bang!
The wooden board exploded into splinters.
Nathan smiled. "Excellent. No discharge issues."
He considered the earlier weaknesses of similar systems. Most electrical powers risked short-circuiting in water, but because his method didn't rely on an external current, that flaw was negated.
"Next step: full charge."
He needed to be completely saturated with energy. Only then could he achieve total electrical elementalization.
He walked over to the table and picked up a specially designed combat suit.
The design was inspired by the Fantastic Four's battle gear—specifically tailored to adapt to their unique powers. Just as the Invisible Woman's suit turned invisible with her, and the Human Torch's gear could withstand intense temperatures, Nathan's suit was designed to merge with electricity itself.
This ensured that even in full electric form, he wouldn't find himself inconveniently… naked.
With the suit securely on, he nodded in satisfaction and leapt from the testing site—headed for the city's primary power station.
---
Meanwhile, inside a heavily guarded military base…
Outside a high-security laboratory, General Ross stood tall beside the lead researcher, both peering through reinforced glass.
Inside the lab, Luke Cage lay motionless inside a large cylindrical chamber. Around him, lab technicians in white coats bustled about, adjusting controls, prepping syringes filled with glowing serums, and tapping away at monitor arrays.
Their excitement was palpable. After years of theorizing and experimentation, they stood on the precipice of scientific immortality.
One technician whispered to another, "If this works, our names will be etched in the annals of medical and military history."
Indeed, they weren't just looking to make a super soldier. They wanted to create a being with skin tougher than titanium and strength surpassing ten men.
But while everyone moved with urgency, one figure sat in the corner in complete apathy.
Emil Blonsky, the often-overlooked yet deadly soldier, was slouched back in a chair, arms crossed, gazing lazily through the glass. He didn't care about this experiment. In his mind, Luke Cage, enhanced or not, wouldn't be a threat to him.
He wanted something stronger—something monstrous.
"General," the head scientist reported, "we've reached the final stage of serum optimization. The hybrid formula has been stabilized. All that remains is the final injection."
Ross leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "Proceed."
The scientist shook his head. "Not yet. We need Carl's—er, Luke Cage's— vitals to reach their optimal state. Once his body peaks from the warm-up protocol, the success rate increases dramatically."
Ross grunted but nodded. "Fine. Just don't waste this opportunity."
---
Back at the power station…
After a short sprint, Nathan arrived at the facility. Gazing up at the massive energy grid, he muttered with a grin, "Time to borrow some juice from the city."
With a graceful leap and flip, he landed beside one of the transformer units. Without hesitation, he plunged his hand directly into the power conduit.
The reaction was instantaneous.
BOOM!
A wave of electricity surged into Nathan's body.
He became a living storm.
Bolts of blue and white lightning spiraled around his frame, swirling like serpents dancing to the beat of thunder. The electric arcs formed complex patterns, rippling across his suit, which adapted perfectly without melting or tearing.
He let out a sigh. It was like soaking in a volcanic hot spring of raw power. The sensation of energy flowing through every cell was intoxicating.
The more he absorbed, the more intense the transformation became.
His skin shimmered.
Then crackled.
Finally—he reached the elemental threshold.
In a single breath, Nathan's form shifted.
He became pure electricity, a humanoid-shaped bolt of lightning, radiating immense energy.
His ability to absorb electricity increased drastically. He became a magnet for all nearby current, drawing it into himself with a gravitational pull.
He knew his limit, and the moment his internal reservoir hit full capacity, he cut the connection.
"No point in crashing the entire station," he smirked.
He looked down at his electric form—humanoid, yet entirely energy.
"Now for phase two—rescue."
He turned toward the military base. In a blink, he shot forward—entering the nearest electric wire.
Nathan had already memorized the entire electrical grid of New York City. As a result, navigating through the city's infrastructure was as easy as walking down a familiar road.
He zoomed through transformers, cables, junction boxes, and copper veins—racing at the speed of voltage.
Eventually, he emerged near one of the cameras installed at the mountain-base military facility.
He looked through the lens.
From this vantage point, he could see soldiers, security systems, fences, surveillance drones—everything. It was a fortress.
And yet… he had already infiltrated it.
Nathan grinned. "Being lightning has its perks."
No alarms were tripped. No doors opened. No lights flickered.
He was invisible to their sensors.
He was the power.
With silent confidence, he dove deeper, infiltrating the base's internal circuitry.
Every electric pulse around the facility carried a whisper of his presence. And soon—
He'd reach Luke Cage, and the real fun would begin.
---
End of Chapter.
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