As Su Zhan walked through the city streets, he could sense someone trailing him. The presence was subtle but persistent, keeping just enough distance to avoid suspicion yet never letting him out of sight. Su Zhan's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. He had expected this. After what happened at Molly's home, it was only a matter of time before Sylar appeared.
Sylar, once a watchmaker, was now infamous as a killer who hunted people with abilities, stealing their powers for himself. For most, Sylar was a nightmare, a predator who could not be stopped. But for Su Zhan, he was more of a curiosity—a rival, perhaps, but not a threat.
Su Zhan deliberately picked up his pace, turning into a narrow alley that dead-ended between old brick buildings. He heard Sylar's footsteps quicken behind him, eager and confident. As soon as Su Zhan rounded the corner, he pressed himself against the wall and waited.
Sylar entered the alley, his eyes scanning for any sign of his prey. He frowned, surprised to find the space empty. "Where did he go?" he muttered, glancing around.
"Are you looking for me?" A calm voice came from behind.
Sylar spun around to see Su Zhan leaning casually against the opposite wall, a faint smile playing on his lips. Sylar's surprise lasted only a moment before he regained his composure. He offered a polite, almost charming smile. "Hello, my name is Dr. Mohinder Suresh, professor of genetics. I have been observing you for some time. You are… unique. Perhaps we could talk?"
Su Zhan's smile widened, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement. "Dr. Suresh? That's odd. I recall Professor Suresh is Indian, and you do not look the part. Besides, I only arrived here today, so your so-called 'long-term attention' must have started at Molly's house, right? Sylar."
Sylar's expression stiffened for a moment, then he let out a soft laugh. "I did not expect you to recognize me so quickly. It seems you already knew I was following you. Was that deliberate?"
Su Zhan shrugged, his tone light. "You want my abilities. To be honest, I am just as curious about yours. Why not see who comes out on top?"
Sylar's eyes flashed with predatory intent. "Your power… I have to have it."
Without warning, Sylar lunged forward, his hand reaching for Su Zhan's head, fingers curved like claws. Su Zhan felt a sharp pain at his forehead, a thin line of blood forming before the wound closed instantly, leaving no trace.
Sylar's eyes widened in surprise. "Healing? You can recover instantly?"
Su Zhan chuckled softly. "Is that all? Then it's my turn."
He did not move, but Sylar suddenly found himself unable to control his body. Panic flickered in Sylar's eyes as he realized he was being pulled inexorably toward Su Zhan, as if drawn by an invisible force.
"Telekinesis?" Sylar's voice trembled, fear creeping into his usually confident tone. He tried to use his own telekinesis to hurl a trash can at Su Zhan, but the object barely budged before snapping back into place, held fast by Su Zhan's superior will.
As Sylar drifted closer, Su Zhan smiled. "It seems you have nothing left. Shall I take your ability now?"
Just as Su Zhan reached out, a sudden sharp pain stabbed into the side of his neck. He twisted, catching a glimpse of Bennet—Noah Bennet, the man known as HRG—before a wave of drowsiness swept over him.
"Anesthetic?" Su Zhan thought, his mind already growing foggy. He released Sylar, who stumbled back, hesitated only a moment, then turned and fled.
Bennet ignored Sylar, focusing instead on Su Zhan, who slumped to the ground, eyes fluttering shut. A moment later, a tall, silent man with dark skin emerged from the shadows. Without a word, the Haitian lifted Su Zhan and carried him to a waiting van. The doors closed, and the vehicle sped off into the night.
Though Su Zhan's eyes were closed, he remained fully conscious. The anesthetic had little effect on him; the initial drowsiness faded quickly, and he was fully aware of his surroundings. He realized that after absorbing three abilities that day, trying to devour Sylar's power might have been unwise. Besides, Sylar's ability was unlikely to be so easily taken. Bennet's intervention was a stroke of fortune—now Su Zhan would have a chance to see the secret research institute for himself.
He let his body go limp, feigning unconsciousness as the van rattled through the city. With his positioning ability, finding Sylar later would be simple.
It was not long before the van arrived at its destination. Su Zhan was carried inside and strapped to a cold metal table in a sterile research lab. Bright lights glared down at him, and a team of scientists bustled around, preparing their instruments.
Bennet stood at the foot of the table, arms crossed. "You're awake, aren't you?" he said quietly.
Su Zhan opened his eyes and smiled. "You're going to treat your benefactor like this?"
Bennet's expression was unreadable. "Do not worry. We will not harm you. We just want to run a few tests, then you are free to go."
Su Zhan raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Or will you slip a virus into my body to monitor me and erase my memory before I leave?" He glanced at the man standing silently nearby.
The Haitian.
Su Zhan recognized him instantly. The Haitian's abilities were formidable: he could block other superpowers, rendering even the strongest abilities useless, and he could erase memories with a touch. Su Zhan could already feel the subtle pressure of the Haitian's power, a strange numbness that dulled his senses.
Bennet's lips curled into a faint smile. "You seem to know a lot. But it does not matter. Soon, you will forget all of this."
He signaled to the team to begin. "Do not resist. The Haitian can block your abilities. Just cooperate."
Su Zhan's mouth curled into a sly smile. "Is that so?"
The restraints holding him in place began to glow, and then, with a sudden burst of heat, they melted away. Flames danced along Su Zhan's skin as he floated up from the table, landing lightly on the floor. The fire vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Bennet and the Haitian stared in shock.
"It seems my abilities are not so easily blocked," Su Zhan said, his tone almost apologetic.
Bennet, recovering quickly, drew an anesthetic pistol and fired. Su Zhan's hand flicked, and a spark of fire ignited the gun, causing it to explode in Bennet's hand. He yelped, dropping the weapon and clutching his singed fingers.
The Haitian stepped forward, his gaze intense, but Su Zhan simply smiled. "You have an impressive power. But you'll need more than that to stop me."
The room was silent, the balance of power shifting in an instant. Su Zhan stood tall, unbound and unafraid, ready to face whatever the secret research institute had in store.