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Chapter 33 - "They Called Out The World"

"Max, what's wrong? You don't look okay," Larry said, his hands resting firmly on Max's shoulders.

Max looked stunned. Of all people, he hadn't expected Larry to show up.

He silently questioned himself.

"Why are you here, Larry? Why now, of all times? You don't even attend this school. Just... why?"

"I'll wait till you leave, then do what I need to do."

Then, snapping out of his thoughts, Max spoke up. His expression suddenly brightened.

"Hey, Larry. What brings you here?"

"I came to pick up a friend," Larry replied. "Didn't know you attended Horizon University."

"Oh... I was just heading back inside," Max said, eyes shifting. "Did you find who you were looking for?"

"Yeah, I did. But are you okay?" Larry asked again, studying his face.

"I'm fine. Just a little stressed, that's all," Max replied with a forced smile.

"Nope. I don't believe that. That look on your face says otherwise," Larry said, not backing down.

"I said I'm fine. I'll be heading into the campus now. See you later," Max added quickly.

He turned toward the school entrance. But just as he took a step, Larry grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

Max's face shifted instantly into a frown.

"I said I'm fine! What is it with you?! Why are you prying into my business?! I already told you—I'm fine! So get lost!"

His voice echoed in frustration, his chest rising and falling slightly as he panted. But Larry didn't flinch. He calmly looked around, scanning the area. Left. Right. No one was nearby.

Then, without a word, he clenched his right fist... and BAM—drove it straight into Max's stomach.

The impact lifted Max slightly off the ground. A drop of saliva escaped his mouth.

Larry let out a small sigh, clearly satisfied, and gave a faint smirk.

"Wow... I'm actually surprised. The fastest guy I know couldn't even react to my punch. That's a record."

Max was on his knees, coughing and holding his stomach.

"What is wrong with this guy? He shows up, questions me, and now punches me?" he muttered to himself.

He looked up to see Larry smiling down at him. With a frown, Max said,

"You're going to pay for this. Just wait."

"Oh come on, it's not that painful, is it?" Larry replied, still grinning.

Larry bent down and reached out to help him up. At first, Max resisted, pushing him away. But after a moment, he gave in, and Larry pulled him to his feet.

"What do you want from me, Larry? Just leave me... please." Max's voice softened.

Now standing face to face, they stood on opposite sides — silent for a second.

"Max, listen," Larry said seriously. "I know we're not exactly friends, but I get it — you want to be alone. Still, as comrades, I can't just walk away. From the way you sound, the look on your face — this isn't the Max I know."

"The usual Max?" Max echoed. "The person you're talking about... that was just me trying to hold on to some hope. Meeting you guys, I thought maybe I'd found people to talk to. Being a superhero has been fun and all... but I still don't feel enough. You all seem fine. Even the alien guys are enjoying life on Earth — so why can't I?"

Larry looked at him with quiet understanding, his face saying I hear you.

"You're wrong, Max," he said. "No one is really okay. And honestly, I don't think any of us are being completely real with ourselves. But that's not the point. I'm not asking for your whole life story. I want to know what happened — what's going on right now."

Max sighed, then finally spoke.

"There's this course I've been doing for years... Thermodynamics. And I just don't get it. No matter how much I try, I keep failing. Everyone else I show says it's good work, but the lecturer keeps failing me. If you hadn't shown up, Larry... what I was about to do would've been fatal."

"You study Thermodynamics? Can I see any of your work?"

Max reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, handing it over. Larry scanned it, his eyes widening.

"You're telling me he failed you? This is fantastic work. Either the guy is blind... or he just has it out for you."

"Everyone says that," Max replied. "But I just don't get him. I even started thinking he hates me. That's why I wanted to give him a quick death... until you showed up."

"If I were in your shoes, I'd probably think the same," Larry said. "But listen — I wasn't around people much growing up. I was homeschooled most of my life. And I'm sure you know who my dad is, and what he owns. I'm not bragging, but I think I can help you... if you're open to it."

"Well, your dad is a scientist and owns like a billion-dollar company," Max said, his tone teasing. "So I'm all ears."

"Let's talk more on the way to my car," Larry said, and they began walking.

"My dad's looking for bright minds," Larry continued. "He's planning to start his own institution to help people like you. It's not open yet — some things still need to be sorted. But for now, if you're willing, I'd love to have you help with some projects I'm working on."

"You want me to work with Moztech Company?" Max asked, surprised. "That's a huge upgrade for me."

His heart lifted. A genuine smile spread across his face. "I'd be willing to do it."

When they reached the car, Larry opened the door and said,

"Oh — this is Ivy. She's the friend I mentioned earlier."

"Nice to meet you, miss," Max said to the young woman seated in the back seat.

She looked at him with pale green eyes flecked with gold. Her deep black hair, tipped with silvery-blue ombre, was braided neatly over one shoulder. She gave a polite nod.

"Good day, Mister."

Larry turned to her. "This is Max — one of the guys. He's the fast one."

Max blinked, caught off guard by what Larry said. "Oh... she knows about us?"

Larry chuckled. "Don't worry, she knows."

"Okay," Max said awkwardly. "I just wasn't expecting you to say all that in front of your girlfriend."

"My girlfriend?" Larry raised a brow. "Oh no, she's not. Why would you think that?"

"I... I don't know," Max said, scratching his head. "I guess I just assumed. Sorry."

The girl simply looked away.

"I'm sorry, miss — if I said something wrong," Max added with an apologetic face.

"It's fine," Ivy replied softly.

They climbed into the car and drove off.

***

Evening. 7:16 PM

Standing on a rooftop were Blaze and Mega Panther.

"Why do I have to be stuck with you?" Jakson said with a frown.

"You think I wanna be here too?" Derick replied, crouched low. "I'd rather be home watching movies and hyping celebrities on social media."

"I hate patrols," Jakson muttered.

Silence followed. Neither of them spoke for a while.

"Yo," Derick finally said. "I never imagined meeting an alien. I thought you'd have, like, six eyes and a razor-sharp mouth or something."

"What? How do people think like that on this planet?" Jakson turned his head toward him, clearly unimpressed.

"So… what's your planet like? Is it like Earth, or better?" Derick asked.

Jakson looked up at the sky.

"Don't know if it's better or not. I left it, okay?"

His tone dropped quietly.

"Okay... I'd still love to go to space," Derick said casually.

"Good for you," Jakson replied, eyes still on the stars.

---

Night — 8:16 PM

Starc City

A screen lit up, displaying the Hero Squad. The room surrounding it was cloaked in darkness.

A woman's voice broke the silence.

"What are you doing, Ritchie? Still spying on the kids again?"

"I'm not spying, Bella. I'm watching them," a male voice replied. "And they're not kids, Bella. They called out the world. That makes them men."

"So what are you planning?" she asked.

"I was thinking about sending one of our villains after them. Sounds fun, doesn't it?"

"You know our villains are insane. Don't hurt them especially not the red flame one. I'm interested in him," Bella said sharply.

"I'm not hurting them. I'm grooming them. I want to see what they're made of. They called the world out now they'll take responsibility."

"You're on your own if you get caught."

"Don't worry. I won't get caught."

Bella paused, then asked, "So… who do you plan to send?"

"You'll find out soon," Ritchie said.

A low light flickered, casting a sinister glow across the bottom of his face — revealing a devilish smile.

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