[Outskirts of Ashville – Abandoned Gas Station – Night]
Darkness surrounds a broken-down gas station just outside the city. Marcus stands, arms crossed, next to his black car, as Ken fill his truck up with gas.
Marcus:
(slowly)
So… it's true. Jason Martinez
...Is my son
Ken:
(casually lights a match and a cigarette, avoiding Marcus's gaze)
Well duh, It really took that long to figure out? Talk about being the chief of police
Marcus:
(coldly)
Don't playing with me, Ken. I'm not in the mood. And you are not allowed to smoke near a gas station
Ken:
(gruff chuckle, lights up another cigarette)
Such a buzzkill, You're never in the mood for anything. At least lighten up a bit, I told you everything.
Marcus:
I killed her… not knowing the truth. You at least owe me that.
Ken:
(finally looks at him)
I owe a lot of people, Chief. Especially Herder.
(pauses)
But the kid? He's something else. He has her caring and loving spirit, but your stubborn heart and will.
Marcus:
(grits his teeth)
What do mean, Ken?
Ken:
(smirks, walks past him)
Let's just say… the world better hope he's nothing like you or worse. But with Jessica around Its less likely
Marcus:
Wait, how is she? And Jason too?
Ken:
That's non of your business, Chief.
Marcus:
(stern, threatening tone)
Hey, get back here you bastard, Don't you dare walk away from me, Ken.
Ken:
(stops, glances over his shoulder)
Like you walked away on them? ON US? *Laughs then get serious* Marcus, I know you don't like me but do me a favor and don't ask about the kids again. In fact this whole meet up never happen, you hear?
Because if you do and I see you, I WILL not hesitate to put you down, brother. *raising his gun to his head*
(silently walks away into the dark as Marcus angrily gets in his car)
Int- Bennett's Room
Bennett is sitting alone in his dimly lit room, a notepad filled with drawings Bennett made before book open in his lap. He stares at a faded photograph slipped between the page—Maria, smiling beside him in the past, next to a drawing of them that is half completed. His fingers grip the edge of the photo tightly.
Bennett (internal monologue):
I remember this photo, it was during our class arts festival. I wasn't really into taking picture, let alone have a physical copy of it, but you were so stubborn that you even dragged me by the hair. I got a bit about that at the time but now thinking about it, it was kinda funny. I know you didn't leave without a reason… you're not that kind of person. I promise when I get into the SDE we'll be together again.
As he touches the photo, sighs
Then a knock at the door. Their butler enters, bowing slightly.
Butler Edward:
Sir Bennett… your father has returned.
Bennett's gaze hardens. He folds the photo into the book, closes it, and rises from his seat.
Meanwhile - Outside the Mansion
A luxurious black car pulls into the long driveway. The family mansion looms behind, ominous and grand. House staff rush to the vehicle, bowing and kneeling as a tall, imposing figure steps out—a man with silver-streaked black hair, cold eyes, and an aura of absolute power.
Housemaids (Simultaneously):
Welcome home, Master Kylan.
Kylan glances at them with little too no emotion. Bennett and Viktor wait near the entrance, side by side, Viktor with a slight frown & Bennett with calmer look. Kylan approaches.
Bennett\Viktor (Overlapping): Welcome back, Father./Welcome back, Dad
Kylan:
My sons, How goes your training?
Viktor:
Mine was great, I beat a couple of guards in a sparring sessions. No worries I didn't hurt them this time.
Kylan: Not bad, what about you, Bennett?
Bennett:
It's alright, I guess.
Kylan:
(slowly)
"You guess?" that won't be enough, y'know. You'll both need to be more than just strong...
You'll need to be monsters. Espeally you Bennett.
He walks past them, cloak swaying behind him. Bennett with no emotion on his face… Viktor looks at Ben.
Viktor:
You pissed him off again
Bennett:
So?
Viktor:
Just saying, you could've just lied about your training
Bennett:
I rather be crue with the truth than just lie to save my ass
Viktor:
Jeez now you're starting to sound like himAs Viktor walk off, Bennett just look off to the left
Int- Daniel's House - Night
Daniel is pacing in his room, holding his phone and staring at Amanda's number. His room is cluttered, blueprints and gadgets half-assembled on the desk.
Daniel (internal monologue):
Okay, just call her. What's the worst that could happen?
She ignores you? Or says it was all a prank?
Like in 10th grade… when a couple of 8th graders catfish me into thinking I was dating the popuar girl and had the whole school laughing at you.
(he groans)
Why am I like this?
Mai peeks into the room with Miles behind her.
Mai:
What are you hiding?
Daniel (Jumps):
Ahhh, oh its you two, Why are you here?
Mai: Don't try and change the subject, what were you doing and why are you holding your phone like that.
Daniel: Its nothing, now if you don't have anything important to say or ask, GET OUT
Mai:
Then I'll find out sooner or later. [locks eyes with him challengingly]
Miles grabs a tech/engineering book called "Engine for dummies" from the floor and yells "FOUND IT!"—then they both run out, laughing.
Mai: Took you long enough, later
Daniel:
(yelling)
MAKE SURE YOU RETURN IT WHEN YOU'RE DONE, AND DON'T BLOW ANYTHING UP
He groans, sits, and dials.while being a bit nevrous
Amanda picks up.
Amanda (on the phone):
Hello?
Daniel:
(awkwardly chuckles)
Hey, Am…Amanda, It's Daniel
Amanda:
Who?
Daniel: *Gulp* uhmmm…Daniel--Par- Parker…the guy from the-
Amanda:
Am just playing with you, 4 eyes. You don't have to give me your full government name.
Daniel: Sorry, I just wanted to make sure
Amanda:
No biggie, soo…Whats up?
Daniel: Ohh, um… I was wondering if maybe you wanted to… y'know, train. Together. Sometime?
Amanda:
(flirty)
So it is a date?
Daniel:
(wide-eyed)
Wait no—uh—I mean—if you want it to be—
Amanda:
(laughing)
Relax. I'd love that. Just don't forget the chocolate milk, very impotant.
Daniel:
You really like that stuff, huh?
Amanda:
(chuckle softly)
Yeahh, it's a long story really. But I can tell you all of it on our date.
Daniel: Its not really a date though
Amanda:
Uhh alright, on our training session, does that sound better?
Daniel: Sounds good, see you on our dat- I mean training ses
Amanda:
Alright, goodnight, Daniel.
Call ends. Daniel sits frozen in place with a huge smile, blushing.
Daniel (internal monologue):
That was actually easier than I thought but yet, So nerve racking. I mean Ive talked to girls on the phone before but.
This… this is different.
He lays in bed with a smile and sigh of relief
Then a massive boom sound came out hallway, and Daniel rush in to the Twins room with a gas mask and fire exguisher
Daniel: What in the world?
Mai: We wanted to *cough cough* make some mini blasters from our watches and the first few test was a success, but….
Miles: We *cough cough cough* wanted to know *cough cough* whats the limit are, so…
Daniel lowers his head and sighs weakly
The Dragon Training dojo - Afternoon
Jason and Lysa are sparring at one of Lysa's training dojo. The place only had a few people trainig there. Jason is tired, breathing hard. Lysa sweeps his leg and pins him down.
Lysa:
Gotcha again. You gotta stop leaning your right foot before you strike.
Jason:
Noted... Coach.
He groans, lying on the ground, then Lysa gives him a hand and he got back up.
Lysa:
(calmly)
Nervous about the tournament?
Jason:
A little.
(sits up)
Actually… a lot. But that not whats on my mind right now.
Sighs
That mutant…or creature. I've seen it before, a long long time ago, and I swore to myself that I'll make them pay for what happen that night.
But…What if I choke? I mean if I cant even win this tournament then how can I even face off against that monster?
Lysa:
To be real with you, Jay, I don't think the winner would be able to stop them either, I mean we're still Junior elites and we don't really have much battle exprehence like the higher ups but we each have something unqie that suitable for battle when the time comes. You've come a long way, Jason. I'll give you that.
You're not like any of us. Youre too stubborn to quit even with the exit button being right front of you, I like a guy like that. They are also the nicest people when you meet them in person.
Jason:
That was beatufully *sniff*, *hid his face* Quick a tissue before someone see me
Lysa (searching her bag):
Right, sorry *hands him a tissue*
Lysa:
(smiles softly)
Youre strong, Jay.
But you really need to learn how to fight.
Jason: Why do you mean? I can fight.
Lysa:
Like actually fight, you are mostly on the defensive when fighting. You know how to dodge, grapple and even sweep your opponent off their feet, but what about your strikes? Are your kicks any good? How well can you do with a counter from your opponent and how do you follow it up?
Jason:
(leans in slightly)
Now that you mentioned it, My uncle hardly taught me how to throw a punch. Maybe he doesn't know how to throw a proper one himself and he does want to embarrass me.
Lysa:
But what about Travis?
Jason:
Oh, he's mostly a kicking guy and he is extremely smooth on his feet, he was the one who even taught me how to do the sweep.
Lysa:
I see, but It's just strange that they never taught you how to fight properly
Jason:
Well, can you teach me?
Lysa:
Huh?
Jason:
I mean, if we get paired together, that is
she stares at him, flattered.
Lysa:
(standing up)
Sure, but just a heads up, am not really good at teaching
Jason:
And am a stubborn student who's willing to learn anyway, so we're a prefect match
She blushes a bit, then awkwardly looked away, hiding her face.
Jason:
Did I say something bad?
Lysa:
No, It just…man, fuck you.
Jason:
Huh
Lysa:
Why do you have to be so nice, I literally just told you am a bad teacher.
Jason:
And like I said, I am willing to learn anyways, but wait a sec, why are you hiding your face?
Lysa (turns to him, yelling):
ITS NOTHING, JUST…GO AWAY
Jason:
Hold up, are you… BLUSHING?
Lysa:
WHAT, NO
Jason (Grinning, hand over her shoulder):
Was it because I said we're a perfect match, huh?
As Jason starts laughing, Lysa grabs his arm, twist it and slammed his face to the wall pinning him
Jason: Owww-- oww- oww, Okay am sorry
Lysa (Ranching his arm):
You mean it?
Jason (weakly):
Yes please, you really hurting my arm.
Lysa:
On one condicion, we never speak of this again, understood?
Jason (dramatic tears running down his face):
YES MA'AM.
Lysa (letting him go):
Good, now go get me a bottle of water.
Jason (Straighting his arm):
But wait, the water fountain is right-
Lysa (slams hand against the wall):
Do you want me to break your arm?
Jason (Salut, scared smile):
Cold bottle water coming right up.
As Jason bolts out to the halls, Lysa looks down and starts thinking to herself
Lysa:
A perfect match huh….*light Chuckles*
Meanwhile - At The Slowburn coffee shop
Jessica is at the back of the Coffee Shop more specific on the floor, in the kitchen near the break room (she work there part-time), using a laptop to research on mutants and the other stuff that she found in that crate. She later came across an article stating a sighting of a strange being at night.
Jessica: A mutant sighting at downtown ashville? Hmmmm…so far the only thing connected to this and with Uncle Ken's secret crate is a weird moon symbol pasted on the wall at the scene of the crime. But what does it mean?
Before she's could continue her investigation further…
Hida (Her manager): Hey, Jessica.
Jessica: Oh hi, Hida. Anything wrong?
Hida: Not at all, but there is someone at front asking for his order to be taken.
Jessica: Oh, Can you please send one of the guys at front, am kinda busy with something.
Hida: Actually, he asked of you specifically
Jessica confused, closes her laptop and goes out to the front.
As she walked to the front, her fr
iend hida pointed at the man and Jessica eyes widen, lip quivering, she gets a bit shaky, but she was still frozen in place and mutand out one word…
Jessica: Da- Dad?
Marcus Jackson (Smiling, Hands behind his back): Hello, Jessica. It has been awhile.