The last bell of the day rang, echoing through the halls. Students spilled out of classrooms, their chatter filling the air as they made their way to the exits. Robert slung his bag over his shoulder and turned to Freddie, who was already waiting by the exit, his expression a mix of exhaustion and relief.
"Ready to get out of here?" Robert asked, offering a small smile.
Freddie nodded, rubbing his eyes. "More than ready. But, uh, can we take the monorail? I'm not really in the mood to fly today."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "The monorail? That'll take forever. How about I super-speed us instead? We'll be at my place in no time."
Freddie hesitated, glancing at the crowded hallway. "You sure you can handle both of us? Last time you tried that, we ended up in a dumpster."
Robert grinned, clapping Freddie on the back. "Hey, that was one time. And it was your fault for screaming in my ear. Trust me, I've got this."
Freddie sighed but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Fine. But if we end up in another dumpster, I'm never letting you live it down."
"Deal," Robert said, his grin widening. He carried Freddie on his back, his grip firm but not too tight. "Hold on tight. This might feel a little weird."
Before Freddie could respond, Robert activated his super- speed. The world around them blurred into streaks of color and light, the sounds of the hallway fading into a distant hum. Freddie's stomach lurched as they shot forward, the ground disappearing beneath their feet.
The city of Imperial City stretched out before them, a sprawling metropolis of gleaming skyscrapers, floating platforms, and neon-lit streets. Robert weaved through the crowds with ease, his movements fluid and precise. you could catch glimpses of people using their powers in everyday life a woman with telekinesis carrying a stack of floating groceries, a man with pyrokinesis lighting a street vendor's grill, and a group of kids racing each other on hoverboards powered by kinetic energy.
They zipped past a park where a couple with plant manipulation abilities tended to a garden; the flowers blooming in vibrant colors as they passed. Nearby, a street performer with sound manipulation created a symphony of music using nothing but the surrounding air, drawing a small crowd of onlookers.
Robert slowed down as they approached a busy intersection, where a traffic controller with enhanced reflexes directed a stream of flying vehicles with effortless. The city was alive with energy like always.
"Whoa," Freddie muttered, his voice barely audible over the rush of wind. "I'll never get used to this."
Robert chuckled, his grip tightening slightly. "Just wait. The best part's coming up."
They shot through a tunnel lined with holographic advertisements, the lights flashing in a dizzying array of colors. Emerging on the other side, the sight of the Silver Mountains greeted them in the distance, their peaks glinting in the sunlight. The city's skyline was a mix of, modern architecture and ancient, a perfect blend of the old and the new.
Finally, Robert came to a stop in front of his house, its exterior bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. Freddie stumbled slightly, his legs wobbling as he tried to regain his balance.
"See?" Robert said, releasing his grip. "No dumpsters this time."
Freddie shot him a glare, but there was no genuine anger behind it. "Yeah, yeah. Let's just get inside so I can throw up"
Robert laughed, leading the way up the path to the house. As they stepped inside, the scent of home greeted them. Freddie's shoulders relaxed, the tension from the day slowly melting away.
"Welcome to my home, as if you haven't come a thousand times" Robert said, tossing his bag onto the couch. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll grab us some snacks." The holo-projector flickered to life, casting the room in a soft, blue glow. Robert and Freddie lounged on the couch, a bowl of popcorn between them as the opening credits of an action-packed adventure film rolled across the screen.
Explosions, daring escapes, and heroic feats filled the room, but Robert's mind kept drifting back to the events of the day.
About 40 minutes in, Robert paused the movie, the sudden silence jarring. Freddie looked up, a piece of popcorn halfway to his mouth. "What's up? You don't like the movie?"
Robert shook his head, his expression serious. "No, it's not that. Do you remember when I invited Darian over earlier today?"
Freddie nodded, setting the popcorn back in the bowl. "Yeah. His behavior was super weird. Why?" Robert leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I've been thinking about it all day. He never comes to power training, and he hasn't been wearing his nexband. Something's off with him, Fred. I think he's hiding something."
Freddie raised an eyebrow. "Okay… so what are you suggesting? You want to, like, spy on him or something?"
Robert hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, kind of. I was thinking we could follow him to the refuge where he's staying. Just to see what's going on. I have this feeling there's something important he's not telling us."
Freddie stared at him, his mouth hanging open. "Dude, I was only joking. Are you seriously asking me to help you stalk someone? That's creepy."
"It's not stalking," Robert insisted, though his roll a bit. "We're just… observing. From a distance. We won't do anything illegal or weird. I just want to know what's going on."
Freddie groaned, running a hand through his messy hair. "This is such a bad idea. But fine, I'll help you. Just promise me this won't get us in trouble."
Robert grinned, relief washing over him. "You're the best, Fred. I owe you one."
"If we get caught, you're going to own me more than one. "
The next day, after school, Robert and Freddie met up near the gates of Emmett Morton High. They spotted Darian walking alone, his head down and his hands shoved in his pockets. He didn't take the monorail or any other form of transportation—instead; he walked through a series of narrow alleys and deserted streets, his movements quick and deliberate.
"Where is he even going?" Freddie whispered as they trailed behind, keeping a safe distance. "No one lives in this part of the city anymore."
Robert frowned, his eyes never leaving Darian. "I don't know, but he's definitely trying to avoid being seen."
They followed him to a small, rundown building on the outskirts of the city. The refuge was a stark contrast to the gleaming skyscrapers and neon-lit streets of Imperial City. Cracks and weathering marred its walls, and makeshift curtains covered the windows. Robert and Freddie crouched behind a cluster of bushes across the street, their hearts pounding.
"What now?" Freddie whispered.
Robert gestured to the window on the second floor, where a faint light glowed. "We need to get closer. Maybe we can hear what's going on."
Freddie grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Are you crazy? If they see us, we're toast. Let me handle this."
He reached into his bag and pulled out a small, spherical drone—one of his dad's old Ranger gadgets. Freddie activated it with a flick of his wrist, and the drone buzzed to life, its tiny propellers whirring softly. He guided it toward the window.
A cozy, modest living room, with handmade decorations and faded photographs on the walls, was visible on the drone's camera feed. The furniture was simple but well- loved, with a patched-up couch and a small table set for dinner. The room was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold, impersonal halls of the School they attend.
Darian sat on the floor, his school bag discarded in the corner. He was no longer the reserved, somber student Robert and Freddie knew. Instead, he was laughing. His face lit up with a joy they'd never seen before. A little girl his sister was giggling uncontrollably as Darian pretended to chase her around the room. She couldn't have been over six or seven, with wild curls that bounced as she ran and a smile that could light up the darkest room.
"You can't catch me!" she squealed, darting behind the couch.
Darian feigned exhaustion, clutching his chest dramatically. "You're too fast for me, Lily! I give up!"
Lily peeked out from behind the couch, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're just slow, Danny!"
Darian lunged playfully, catching her around the waist and lifting her into the air. She shrieked with laughter, kicking her legs as he spun her around. "Gotcha!"
Robert and Freddie exchanged glances, their earlier tension replaced by a mix of surprise and curiosity. "He's… different," Freddie whispered. "Like, a completely different person."
Robert nodded, his eyes glued to the screen. "Keep it steady. Let's see if we can hear what they're saying."
The drone hovered closer to the window, its audio sensors picking up snippets of conversation. A woman entered the room, carrying a tray of food. She was tall and slender, with dark hair streaked with gray and tied back in a loose braid. Her face showed worry, yet her eyes revealed a quiet strength and resilience. She set the tray down on the table and smiled at her children, her voice soft but warm.
"Dinner's ready," she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Lily, stop tormenting your brother and come eat." Lily wriggled out of Darian's arms and ran to the table, climbing into her chair with the energy only a child could muster. Darian followed, ruffling her hair as he sat down.
"You're such a troublemaker," he teased.
Their mom, Sadie, sat down at the head of the table, her hands clasped in front of her. "How was school today, Danny? Were you able to find anything?" she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
Darian hesitated, his smile fading as he poked at his food. "It was… okay. and no, I couldn't find anything to get back to Earth" He sighed, setting his fork down.
His mom's expression softened, and she reached across the table, placing a hand on his. "Its alright, sweetheart. Your father's working on it. But for now, we have to make the best of our situation. We're safe here, and that's what matters."
Darian's shoulders slumped, and he stared at his plate, his appetite gone. "It's just… hard, you know? Pretending to be something I'm not. I feel like I will get caught at any second that I'm there."
His mom reached over, tilting his chin up so he'd meet her gaze. "You have always been a resourceful one. I know that either you or your father will figure something out. "
Darian nodded, though his expression remained troubled. He glanced at Lily, who was now happily munching on her food, oblivious to the weight of the conversation. "I'm just don't want her to be taken away by them," he whispered. "That would scare her to death."
His mom squeezed his hand. "She won't. None of you will. Which is why we have to stay strong. Together."
Robert and Freddie exchanged stunned looks. "Did he just say… Earth?" Freddie whispered, his voice barely audible.
Robert's mind raced. No humans were allowed. The Dominion had cut any connection with Earth matters decades ago, after the Delta Incident. If Darian and his family were humans, how had they gotten here? And why were they hiding?
Freddie's voice broke the silence. "We need to get out of here. Now."
Robert nodded, his heart pounding. He signaled for Freddie to recall the drone, and they crept back through the bushes, their minds reeling. When they were a safe distance away, Freddie turned to Robert, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.
"What do we do now?" Freddie asked. "They don't allow humans here." If anyone finds out…"
Robert ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts spinning. "I don't know. But we can't just leave him like this. He's our friend."
"You only know him for 4 days," Freddie said. "OK? I still want to help," Robert said, rolling eyes.
Freddie sighed, shaking his head. "This is way bigger than we thought, Rob. We need to be careful."