On a quiet corner of Chicago, the sky seemed to grieve with the people. Thick gray clouds rolled lazily above the city, casting a somber shade over the park where a multitude had gathered. The reason was tragic and monumental — the Guardians of the Globe were dead, and this was their funeral.
Hundreds had come. Families, friends, coworkers, and strangers stood shoulder to shoulder, united by grief and respect. Journalists whispered among themselves, their cameras held still for once. Government officials, military representatives, and even superheroes who had never worked with the Guardians appeared, their faces were solemn. A monument had been built for the fallen — tall black slabs engraved with their names, surrounded by bouquets, candles, and the insignia of the team they once protected the world under.
Among the crowd stood two young men making their way toward the rows of seats near the front. One of them, fidgeting with his collar, clearly wasn't used to formal events. Johnny's fiery energy felt out of place in such a cold, quiet setting.
"Man, what are you doing?" Mark Grayson muttered under his breath as they walked.
"This collar's killing me, dude," Johnny complained, tugging at the stiff fabric around his neck. "Who even designed these suits? Feels like I'm wearing sandpaper."
"Well, you're making me uncomfortable right now," Mark shot back, trying to keep his voice low. He noticed people around them turning their heads — civilians and heroes. "Can you please not? Everyone's staring."
Johnny froze mid-motion and sighed, forcing his hands down. "Sorry, sorry. Guess I'm not built for these… quiet occasions."
Beside them, Debbie Grayson gave a small smile, the kind a mother gives when she knows there's no harm meant. "We've got a few minutes before the ceremony starts, boys. Why don't you take a little walk? See if you run into someone you know."
Johnny's eyes brightened slightly. "Hey, that's actually a good idea. Maybe Eve's here. Thanks, Miss Grayson."
Debbie chuckled softly. "I already told you, just call me Debbie, honey. 'Miss Grayson' makes me feel old."
"Moooom," Mark groaned, his cheeks reddening as a few people turned to glance at them again. "Please don't—"
Johnny smirked. "What's wrong, Markie? Can't I call your mom by her first name?"
"No, you can't," Mark said firmly, grabbing Johnny by the arm and pulling him away before Debbie could answer. "Let's go find Eve."
As they walked off, Johnny chuckled to himself. "You know, for a guy who can punch meteors, you sure get embarrassed fast."
Mark sighed. "Yeah, well, my mom's got more power over me than a meteor ever could."
The two young heroes wandered through the growing crowd, weaving between reporters, heroes in dark suits, and citizens clutching flowers.
Johnny shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing around. "Man, there's a lot of capes here. I've seen half these people only on news feeds."
"Yeah," Mark replied, scanning the area as well. "Guess everyone wanted to pay their respects. They were… the best."
Johnny nodded silently. The thought of the Guardians' deaths, how fast and how brutal it was, still made his stomach twist.
They passed by a stand filled with wreaths and candles. Johnny slowed down, his eyes catching one that had been shaped like a flaming globe. Someone had placed a note beside it: 'For those who kept the world burning bright.'
He exhaled softly. "Guess they left a mark, huh?"
"Yeah," Mark said, voice low. "Bigger than anyone could imagine."
They kept walking, eyes drifting across the endless sea of faces — soldiers, civilians, heroes in black capes or masks removed for once. But no sign of her yet.
"I thought she'd be easy to spot," Johnny muttered. "Red hair. It kind of stands out, you know?"
"Relax," Mark said, smirking faintly. "Eve's probably just talking to Robot or someone from the Teen Team, I heard they would be here too."
"Yeah," Johnny mumbled, the words landing a bit heavier than he meant them to.
They turned another corner near the front section of the park — and then, before either could speak, someone tapped both of them on the shoulders from behind.
"Wassup, boys?" came a familiar, playful voice.
They turned in unison, and there she was — Eve Wilkins, better known as Atom Eve. She looked striking even in the formal setting, her pink hair tied back, her usual confident smile softened by the somber tone of the day. Her hero emblem had been removed from her outfit, replaced by a small black ribbon on her chest.
"Eve!" Mark said, his face lighting up a bit. "Hey, we were just looking for you."
"Yeah?" she said with a smirk. "You sure you weren't trying to sneak away from this whole thing?"
Johnny chuckled. "If we were, you'd never catch us."
Eve rolled her eyes but smiled. "Please, Johnny. You'd stand out anywhere. You give off 'trouble magnet' vibes from a mile away."
Johnny put a hand to his chest. "Wow, that hurts. I come to a funeral looking sharp and still get roasted."
Mark shook his head, amused despite everything. "He's been complaining about his collar for ten minutes. It's probably good for him to get roasted.
Eve laughed softly — and for Johnny, that sound alone seemed to cut through the gloom of the day for just a moment. He looked at her, and even though she was still with Rex, he couldn't stop that pull in his chest. The way she looked — calm, strong and kind — made him forget the noise, the crowd, everything.
"So," Eve said after a pause, glancing toward the stage being set up at the front. "Do you know who's speaking first?"
Mark's tone shifted slightly. "Yeah. Dad—" He stopped, swallowing hard. "Uh, Omni-Man's opening the ceremony."
Eve nodded, her expression turning serious again. "Makes sense. He was the closest to them. Kind of fitting that he's the one to honor their memory."
Johnny caught the small slip in Mark's tone but said nothing.
"Well," Eve said quietly, "I hope he says something meaningful. The world needs that right now."
Mark nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant podium. "Yeah… I'm sure he will."
Before they could say more, a faint hum filled the air as the speakers around the area came to life. A low voice — Cecil's — echoed through the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The ceremony is about to begin."
The murmuring slowly faded. People began sitting, the rustle of clothes and footsteps blending with the sound of wind through the trees.
Eve exhaled, turning toward the rows of seats. "Guess that's our cue."
"Yeah," Mark said.
They followed the line of attendees until they found a spot near the center section. Mark took the seat closest to the aisle, Debbie sitting a few rows behind them. Johnny and Eve sat next to each other, their shoulders almost touching.
For a moment, as the music started and the world fell silent, Johnny dared to glance at her again. She was staring forward, eyes distant, lost in thought — and even surrounded by grief, she looked radiant.
He looked away, swallowing the feeling building in his chest. She was with Rex. He knew that. But still… sitting beside her, hearing the faint tremor in her breathing, he couldn't stop thinking that maybe someday things could change.
Eve's presence had that strange effect on him — grounding and electric at the same time. The warmth of her shoulder so close to his made his pulse quicken, though he forced himself to keep his expression calm. This wasn't the time. Not here, not today.
"Hey, Eve," Johnny said after a moment, his voice low but enough to draw her attention. She turned her head toward him, her pink hair catching the light breeze that passed through the park. "Where's the rest of the Teen Team? I thought they'd show up too."
Eve sighed softly. "Well, Robot's around here somewhere," she said, scanning the crowd. "He said he'd help with security and logistics, typical of him. But Rex and Kate didn't come. I don't know why."
Johnny frowned. "Didn't come? Seriously?"
"Yeah," she said, her tone hinting at disappointment. "Rex said he didn't want to make a scene. I guess… maybe this hits too close for him, or maybe he just didn't care enough to face it."
Johnny nodded slowly, but his mind was already spinning. Didn't come. That didn't sound like Rex. For all his flaws, the guy had worked with the Guardians before — this should've meant something. Or maybe he just didn't want to be around Eve today, Johnny thought bitterly, the corners of his mouth tightening. The image of Rex smirking beside her burned in his head, but before the thought could sink too deep—
A sharp crack tore through the air, followed by a thunderous boom that rattled the sky itself. The crowd gasped and looked upward in unison.
It was a sonic boom.
Johnny's eyes followed the trail of white vapor splitting the clouds apart, and there — descending from the heavens with streaks of light behind him — was Omni-Man.
The entire crowd seemed to hold its breath as he landed near the stage with a force that shook the ground slightly. His red cape fluttered dramatically in the wind, the familiar insignia on his chest catching the faint glow of the sun peeking through the clouds. He looked powerful and invincible, almost godlike.
Even Johnny, felt a wave of awe. The man radiated strength and composure after all — he was a symbol of everything Earth's heroes aspired to be.
Omni-Man adjusted the microphone, his eyes sweeping over the gathered crowd. For a brief moment, his gaze passed over Debbie and then over Mark, who stiffened in his seat. Johnny noticed the tension in Mark's jaw — that slight twitch he got whenever he was holding back something.
And then, Omni-Man spoke:
"I've fought the unimaginable in defense of this world," his voice thundered through the speakers, deep and commanding, filling every inch of the park. "I've battled alien tyrants, defeated nightmares from the deep. Gone toe to toe with ancient gods..." He paused, his gaze distant for a moment. "But no matter what threat I faced, I knew I wasn't facing it alone. Darkwing. Aquarus. War Woman. Green Ghost. Red Rush. Martian Man. Immortal. The Guardians of the Globe."
A heavy silence followed as the names hung in the air. The wind moved softly through the trees, rustling the ribbons tied to the memorials.
"Today," Omni-Man continued, his voice lower now, "we have lost titans. Protectors. Heroes. And we are left to wonder… who will save us now?"
The question lingered, a weight on everyone's chest. Then his tone rose again — firm, resolute. "I will. And so will others like me. New heroes answering the call. New champions ready to risk everything to keep this planet safe. All inspired by these great souls who came before us."
He paused once more, looking toward the crowd — and though he addressed everyone, Johnny could feel the focus of his words shifting, narrowing. He didn't know the speech was also meant for someone specific. Mark.
"You will have moments of doubt, of fear, of uncertainty," Omni-Man said, his voice softening for the first time. "But in those moments, have faith… and look to the sky."
He stepped back, the echo of his words fading. For a heartbeat, the crowd remained silent. And then, the applause came — hesitant at first, then stronger, waves of clapping and even some cheers rising through the park.
Johnny joined in slowly, his hands meeting almost automatically. The speech had been powerful, inspiring even, but something about it… something about the way Omni-Man had delivered those words made the back of his neck prickle.
Still, as he looked around — at Eve's thoughtful face, at Mark's silent stare toward the stage — he couldn't deny it stirred something inside him.
Even if that speech had been directed at Mark, Johnny felt it too. The weight of expectation. The need to prove himself. The desire to be someone who mattered.
Maybe Omni-Man was right. Maybe it was time for new heroes to rise.
---
The ceremony carried on for nearly an hour. After Omni-Man's speech, several others followed — Cecil, the mayor of Chicago, and a few fellow heroes who shared memories of the fallen. Each word felt heavy, echoing through the crowd under a sky that threatened rain.
When the final salute came, and the music faded into silence, everyone stood. The air was still. Even the clouds seemed to hold their breath.
Mark stayed frozen for a long moment, his eyes fixed on the monument. Johnny, beside him, exhaled slowly and rubbed his hands together, as if trying to shake off the weight pressing on his chest.
Eve had gone quiet, her gaze distant, his red hair swaying slightly in the cold wind.
Then the first raindrop fell.
It was soft at first — just a drizzle — but soon the heavens opened, and the crowd began to scatter. Umbrellas popped open, heroes took to the air, and the city's mournful gray deepened under the downpour.
Mark turned to Johnny. "You want me to leave you at your home? It's coming down hard."
Johnny gave a small smile, brushing a few drops from his jacket. "Thanks, man, but I'm good. I was actually gonna walk Eve back to the Teen Team HQ."
Eve blinked, surprised. "Johnny, you don't have to. I can handle myself, you know."
"I know," he said, hands in his pockets, voice calm but certain. "Just figured… you shouldn't go alone today. Long day, bad weather. Besides, it's on my way."
Eve hesitated, then nodded with a faint smile. "Alright. I could use the company."
Mark smirked lightly, shaking his head. "You're a good guy, Johnny." He glanced at Eve, then at the sky. "See you both tomorrow, I guess."
And with that, he dissapeared with his mom, who sent them some goodbyes too before going.
Johnny turned to Eve. "Ready?"
Eve nodded, and a soft pink aura flared around her as she lifted into the air. Johnny followed, his own energy leaving faint streaks of gold as they rose above the city. The lights of Chicago shimmered beneath them — a mosaic of reflections in the rain-soaked streets.
For a few moments, the flight was silent. Peaceful, even. Johnny glanced her way every so often, watching the way the rain slid off her force field, catching little sparks of pink light.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
Eve nodded after a pause. "Yeah. Just… a lot to process. Those people were legends. I grew up reading about them, and now they're just… gone."
Johnny's voice softened. "They'll be remembered. People like that don't fade easy."
She smiled faintly. "You always know what to say, don't you?"
"Only when it's raining," he joked, earning a small laugh from her — the first he'd heard all day.
When they landed outside the Teen Team's underground HQ, the city rain had turned heavier.
Eve stepped on a specific part of the bridge and the floor rumbled softly, revealing the secret entrance beneath.
As they descended into the base, Johnny felt it — that strange, uneasy twinge in his gut.
Something was… off.
He couldn't explain it, but the last time he had spent fighting as a hero had taught him to trust his instincts. The air inside was warm, too warm for a building that should've been empty. A faint humming echoed down the hall — the sound of running water.
Eve noticed too. "That's weird," she murmured. "No one was supposed to be here tonight."
They reached the main chamber. The lights were dimmed, but the showers in the back corridor were running full force. Steam drifted through the air, carrying with it muffled sounds — faint, rhythmic, human.
Johnny frowned. "You hearing that?"
Eve's brow furrowed. "Yeah…"
They exchanged a quick look and moved closer, their footsteps soft against the metal floor. As they turned the corner into the locker area, the sounds became unmistakable — low laughter, a hushed moan, and the wet slap of skin against skin.
Eve's face went pale. She knew that voice.
"...Rex?" she whispered.
The sound stopped for a second. Then came a nervous chuckle — Rex's. "Uh, babe? I can explain—"
But before he could finish, the scene revealed itself through the thick steam.
There, inside the shower room, was Rex Splode — shirtless, grinning awkwardly, surrounded by three identical Kates. The original and two duplicates, all of them half-dressed, tangled together in a way that left nothing to the imagination.
The sight hit like a punch to the gut.
Eve froze in the doorway, eyes wide, disbelief flashing into fury in a matter of seconds. Johnny just stood beside her, his fists tightening, anger boiling under his skin.
"Eve—" Rex began, stepping forward. "It's not what it looks like!"
Eve's voice trembled, her aura flaring. "Really? Because it looks like you're having a party with three Kates!"
Duplicate Kate — or maybe one of her copies — crossed her arms, unbothered. "Technically, it's just me. So it's not that bad."
Eve's jaw dropped, then clenched so hard her teeth audibly clicked. "Unbelievable."
Johnny's eyes burned. He'd seen a lot of stupid things in his life — reckless, selfish, cruel — but this? This hit a nerve. Not because he had a claim over Eve, but because she deserved better.
"Wow, what the fuck man," he said quietly, stepping forward. "You really outdid yourself, Rex."
Rex's smirk faltered. "Hey, back off, hothead. This is between me and her."
"Yeah," Johnny said, his tone sharp as lightning. "And you just made sure there's no 'her' left for you to talk to."
Eve turned, fists trembling, eyes bright with unshed tears. "Let's go, Johnny. I'm done here."
Johnny hesitated for a second, then nodded, shooting Rex one last cold glare before following her out.
Behind them, the showers still ran — but the warmth had vanished, replaced by the bitter chill of betrayal echoing in the narrow hall.
Outside, the rain hadn't stopped. It poured harder now, and as they emerged from the hidden door, Eve didn't say a word.
Johnny didn't try to comfort her — not yet. He just walked beside her, silently, ready to be there when the anger turned into sorrow.
Rex, you fucking asshole. He thought as he saw the first tears streaming down her face and into the ground.
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