American: '' Look I have served for almost twenty years!
General Zack: "I've utilized every resource on the planet to locate her. The forensic team is completely stumped; they've never seen anything like this. Black Magic is deeply remorseful and has been assisting in every way possible. We will solve this!."
General Zack: "I know you're not going to want to hear this either, but here it is, the powers that be in Washington and beyond are ready for a new launch. They've been working on a new hero team for years now, and they're ready to introduce them. I know you're aware of this, The Titan is going to lead them.''
American Man: "You Mean Captain kill why did he wait so long to join in the fight? That fucking idiot cost me wife and family Do whatever you want. I really don't care, there's not a soul on this planet who can take me, no matter how much power you give them!"
General Zack: "I thought we were family come on Ethan! all I'm asking is that you get back to work. Start making public appearances, show the new guy the ropes—team-ups, stopping bad guys, good press, all that hero stuff."
General Zack: "If you help me get this new guy established, I'll make sure you're taken care of. I promise!"
American Man: "I work alone," he snapped, as he wrapped his wrists with white fighter's tape. From what I hear you don't need my help This jerk off is all over the internet talking shit can't stand this guy.''
General Zack: "I know he is young Ethan. You got to try and understand. I remember how you were when you first started."
American Man: I sure as fuck wasn't that cocky, and I care about people not just my image.''
The General laughed to himself. "Look, ...", we've known each other a long time, so I'll be blunt. If you can't start collaborating with the other globally funded heroes, they're going to stop looking for Becky.''
American Man: "Are you kidding me? I built the Z15 and personally selected seven of its heroes! For over fifteen years, I've led the team from the head chair. And now you want to kick me out? Not to mention I'm still the top-rated hero on the planet! Without Z15 I'll never find her I don't have that kind of technology.
General Zack: " we're both getting old, my friend. The new heroes want their chance. With the administrations coming in the next few years, they want to see change. People loved you, and they still do, but the next generation-'' people are pissed over Black water! and without The Titan, Corruption might have taken the prison. ''If not for Titan'' American Man sounded disgusted. ''Look all I am trying to say is I'm concerned. Let's show the public we still have things under control. You guys don't remember what the world was like in the early days of enhanced humans, when all you guys first started appearing.
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 the 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. All his time being spent on finding Demon Babe it was hard to find hero time. 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. Titan 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 mess you caused, I should kill you. It takes you ten years to show up and help, and when you do, you can't even think straight!"
American Man: All you had to do was let him go, and I could have handled it!
Titan: 'I did what I thought was right; that maniac had already killed the guards and still had control over Black Magic. And where were you? Still out cold after letting Mega Master toss you around.
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! "
Titan: '' I could take you anytime grandpa ''
American Man: "You think so? " He asked with a sinister smile, staring down Titian.
The two giants faced each other, the tension thick in the air. All the heroes and recruits watched in silence as they stood eye to eye.
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: "Finish me? My systems are perfected. You're still punching robots while I rewrite their code mid-fight. Unlike others who are enhanced, I'm not afraid of you! 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 old playbook. I'll be busy rewriting the rules. But when the next big one hits, watch my feed—I'll tag you so you can see how it's really done. I won't let the villain escape and cost me my wife."
Crime rates dropped, and Titan climbed the charts. People admired his modern approach, and his flashy gear certainly didn't hurt, quickly becoming the world's new favorite heroes. American Man, however, numbers were down. He had been concentrating on finding Demon Babe. This involved working with Baby Black Magic in the research lab, rather than making public appearances or saving cities. To locate Demon Babe's whereabouts. They had been at it for months with no results. Black Magic spent much of his time at the Blackwater site, trying to uncover exactly what had happened. He had no memory of casting while under Corruptions spell.
BM: '' I'm not sure how her abilities work, but I don't know what happened 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! 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 through vibration application and sound."
Black Magic pulled up the file on his allies: Black Swan/Dr. Ick Kindler. Power: Manipulation via sound waves and emotions.
Dr. Kindler, a mega-level 4 enhanced human from Africa with no current world ranking, is widely celebrated for his groundbreaking research and experiments in enhanced human development, particularly in body modifications. He is globally recognized for his extraordinary achievements in physical 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 struggling to stay out of the spotlight, but he was making an effort to collaborate with other heroes. "I need every resource available to find them," he declared, deeply worried about their child. He wanted to keep General Zack off his back, knowing he wouldn't stand a chance without Dr. Kindler. He was incredibly grateful to General Zack for arranging the meeting. Even though things were tough, nothing could have prepared anyone for what came next. The wolrd and Ethan were not ready! American Man was just about to meet with Dr. Kindler when he received 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 Jump or Mega Master?''
Genral Zack...'' Not yet I'll send them as soon as they make contact''
American Man: ''okay!''
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, was concealed deep beneath a mountain on the city's outskirts. The mountain's surface was dotted with steel poles, resembling the skeleton of an unfinished structure, alongside construction vehicles and scattered work trailers. The atmosphere exuded the eerie desolation of an abandoned missile site—cold, barren, and unsettling. As they descended further, the air grew thin and icy. "We must be close," muttered Capital, just as a horde of guards in gas masks and greenish military uniforms surged toward them.
American Man tore through squads of enemies with relentless punches, while Punishment unleashed electric energy at the fleeing foes. He delivered devastating strikes with his sludge hammer and wielded his signature heavy blaster with deadly accuracy. Bodies were shredded, and one man, begging for mercy, met a grim end. Punishment attached a thermal device to his forehead, murmuring, "Sure, my child," before walking away with a dramatic air kiss. The ominous beeping—beep beep beep beeeeeeeeeep—led to the bomb 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 amidst the chaos and commotion. A hostage stumbled into Capital, pushing him into someone else. The woman tripped, flew off an open cannon, and screamed as her body was impaled on a jagged rock. Punishment began freaking out, punching computers and shouting, "You idiots!" American Man grabbed his arm, saying, "Relax, man." Capital spun around in a rage and delivered a haymaker, sending American Man flying. Capital Punishment's gun misfired, piercing a doctor in the arm.
"No!" American Man lunged, but it was too late. Ethel, as the woman was called, began her horrifying transformation. Her clothes ripped apart as jagged spikes burst from her body. Venomous claws and fangs emerged, her veins turned black, and she gasped in agony. Her spine contorted unnaturally, and her limbs stretched into deadly appendages. The virus worked rapidly, destroying the woman and replacing her with a monstrous, roaring Reaper. The lab crumbled as Ethel rampaged, driven by bloodlust, tearing through scientists without mercy. The air grew thick with a haze of blood and chaos. American Man dodged her slashing claws, shouting, "We can cure her!"
"Look at what she's done!" Capital Punishment growled, reloading his armor-piercing rounds as he locked on, glowing neon red eyes. He advanced toward the Reaper. "The mutation is irreversible. She's already gone." Ethel's milky eyes, filled with terror, met American Man's. A 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 cornered 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.
The gunshot. American Man's grip loosened. head split in two, blood pooling as Ethel ceased moving.
American Man: "This isn't right," he said, seething with anger. He grabbed Capital by the shirt, frustration boiling over. Capital Punishment turned away. "Don't touch me." American Man dropped to his knees, rendered speechless.
American Man dove headfirst into the chaos, landing in a storm of smoke and explosions. His impact was like a bomb going off, bringing down nearby buildings. Titan was locked in combat with a massive yellow beast, its body covered in metallic purple claws, spines along its back, and an unsettling ability to stretch. Meanwhile, Capital Punishment stationed himself on a rooftop, firing long-range missile shots from his infamous weapon, "the Pumpsniper," a gun built to launch shotgun missiles across great 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 lined the streets, creating a solid perimeter, while SWAT teams dove into the chaos, maintaining the impression of control. Capital Punishment swooped down onto the battlefield, taking out monsters with crushing blows. "Finally! Took you long enough—I could really use a hand here!" Titan waled.