Location: Brooklyn, 1943 – SSR Facility Beneath the Expo
The hum of machinery echoed through the underground lab as Rayn and Steve Rogers stood side by side on twin platforms, stripped to the waist and secured by metal braces. The sterile, chrome room pulsed with nervous anticipation. Dr. Erskine moved from console to console, flanked by Peggy Carter and Howard Stark.
"This is it," Erskine said, placing a comforting hand on Steve's shoulder, then turning to Rayn. "You too. Remember—you were chosen because of your heart, not just your body."
Rayn gave a small nod, hiding his unease. Not about the procedure—but about the System inside him, silent and still. Watching. Waiting.
[SYSTEM ALERT – Genetic Modification Detected]
Monitoring: Passive Mode. Shadow abilities locked.]
Good. He didn't want anyone to see what he could really do. Not yet.
"Ready, gentlemen?" Stark called out from the control booth.
"Ready," Steve said, voice steady.
"Let's do this," Rayn replied calmly.
The pods descended around them with a hiss of hydraulic steam. Countless needles pressed against their skin. Then came the serum—ice cold, racing through veins like liquid steel. Rayn clenched his fists as pain surged through his body, bones stretching, muscles tearing and rebuilding.
Steve screamed. Rayn stayed silent.
The light intensified—then everything went white.
Moments later, silence returned.
The capsules hissed open.
Steve emerged first—transformed, taller, broad-shouldered, a warrior born from science and courage. Peggy's eyes widened in astonishment.
Then came Rayn.
His body had changed as well. Though less bulky than Steve, his frame was sleek, sculpted—every muscle defined, every movement precise. He radiated quiet power, controlled and unreadable.
But most importantly—normal.
No shadow tendrils. No strange glow. Nothing to expose what lay beneath the surface.
Colonel Phillips gave a low whistle. "Two successful subjects. Never thought I'd see it."
Dr. Erskine smiled in satisfaction—but the moment shattered with a gunshot.
Bang!
The doctor fell.
Rayn was already moving, dashing toward the fleeing assassin, but Steve was faster. Fueled by fury, he burst through the lab doors in pursuit.
Rayn followed close behind—but held back. He couldn't use Shadow Step. Not here. Not in front of the SSR. Not while Erskine lay dying.
They chased the Hydra agent through the alleyways of Brooklyn. Steve tackled him—too late. The cyanide capsule was already cracked.
The man was dead.
Rayn stood over the body, heart pounding. The shadows around him flickered slightly—but he crushed the instinct.
[Shadow Extraction Available – Suppressed.]
He wouldn't risk it. Not now. Not with Steve watching.
They returned to the lab.
Erskine was gone. The heart of the program had been silenced. But two of his creations—Steve Rogers and Rayn Walker—remained.
Colonel Phillips addressed them both later that night. "We've lost the formula. But we still have the future." He looked between them. "You boys better make it count."
That night, Rayn stared at his reflection in a small metal mirror.
The same face. A different man.
[SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETE]
New Status: Rayn Walker
Age: 20
Strength: 30
Agility: 31
Durability: 29
Mental Strength: 35
Intelligence: 28
Abilities (Locked): Shadow Extraction, Shadow Step, Appraisal, Mind Shield
Active Mode: Passive. No powers in use.
Rayn closed his eyes and exhaled.
No one would know.
Not yet.
Only Steve.
And Steve wouldn't ask.
Because sometimes, true strength wasn't in what power you showed the world—but in what you chose to hide.