Chapter-7 Can you change
The police building was split clean down the middle.
On one side: uniforms, desks, ringing phones, the noise of law and order pretending to work.
On the other: concrete walls, dim lights, and rooms meant for one thing only—breaking people.
Mr. Rat sat in one of those rooms.
Hands cuffed behind his back. Ankles chained to the floor. A metal chair bolted down so hard it might as well have been part of the building itself.
And yet… he was smiling.
Across the table sat Don and Kite.
Between them lay three photographs.
One was Lady Moon—blurred, caught mid-motion.
One was Emma—young, terrified, her eyes frozen in fear.
The third was darker than the rest. A silhouette. Tall. Broad. The face impossible to make out.
The Boss.
Don leaned forward, fingers pressed against the table.
"Tell us how they're connected."
Mr. Rat shrugged lazily. "Connected to what?"
Kite didn't raise her voice. He never did.
"Emma. Lady Moon. You. Start talking."
Mr. Rat leaned back, the chains clinking softly. His grin widened—dirty, smug, untouchable.
"No idea," he said. "Just faces to me."
Don slapped the table.
"Where is the girl?"
Mr. Rat tilted his head. "If I knew, don't you think I'd already be rich?"
Inside his mind, panic screamed.
This is safer.
Jail is safer.
I failed… but I won't play golf.
If he stayed here long enough—if he caused enough trouble—he'd never have to face the Boss again.
He talked. And talked. And talked.
Too much.
Kite watched him carefully. Something was wrong. Gang members usually stayed quiet. Or broke fast.
Mr. Rat looked… comfortable.
Kite stood. "We're done here. He's stalling."
She turned to leave.
Don hesitated, then looked back at Mr. Rat.
"You're the worst kind of trash," Don said. "A kid might die because you won't help us."
Mr. Rat leaned forward.
The smile vanished.
"It wouldn't be the first," he said softly.
Silence fell.
Don stepped back. "Get him out of my sight."
The door opened.
A police officer entered—tall, broad, his cap pulled low so shadow hid his eyes.
He grabbed Mr. Rat by the arm.
Mr. Rat resisted immediately. "Hey! Hands off! You know who I—"
As they walked the halls, Mr. Rat ran his mouth nonstop.
Fight them. Insult them. Get extra time. Anything to stay.
They reached the evidence lockers.
Mr. Rat spun suddenly and threw a punch.
The officer caught it effortlessly.
His grip tightened like iron.
"You're a dead man walking," the officer said.
Mr. Rat blinked. Confused.
The officer removed his cap.
Franklin.
One of the Twelve Devils.
Mr. Rat collapsed to his knees.
"N-no—please—Mr. Franklin—I'm sorry—"
"If it were up to me," Franklin said calmly, "you'd already be dead."
He leaned closer.
"But the Boss said don't touch the rat."
Franklin straightened. "Finn shut down the cameras six hours ago. Smart kid."
Mr. Rat went silent.
Franklin dragged him out like property.
ZAce moved through the city like a ghost.
Rooftops. Alleyways. Streets. He searched everywhere—top to bottom, again and again.
His recorder clicked on.
"Day 678," Ace muttered. "Another missing girl. Emma. Same one from case 654."
His jaw tightened.
"She's a Level Eleven. Lightning mutation. One of less than ten in the world."
Five hours. No leads.
"But I have a plan," he said. "Dr. Morning-Star."
Aya slept peacefully now.
Bandages wrapped her arms and torso, soft monitors blinking quietly beside the bed. Her breathing was slow. Steady. Alive.
Dr. Morning-Star stood at her side, shoulders slumped with exhaustion. Dark circles framed her eyes, but she didn't move away. Not even for a second.
Mr. Morning-Star stood a few steps behind her.
Teachers gathered near the doorway, some placing hands on his shoulders. A silent show of support. He acknowledged none of it.
His face was cold.
Controlled.
Furious.
The doors opened.
Bruno stepped inside, still in his torn jacket, dried blood at the corner of his mouth. His usual confidence was gone.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "We should've saved her."
Mr. Morning-Star looked at him for a long moment. Not angry. Not disappointed.
Just heavy.
Two teachers gently guided Bruno out. He didn't resist.
Outside, the calm shattered.
Emma's grandparents pushed past the police tape, voices breaking, faces red from crying.
"She's a mutant?" her grandmother screamed. "Is that why she's being hunted?!"
Her grandfather clenched his fists. "Is that what you turned her into?!"
Mr. Morning-Star stepped forward.
He didn't raise his voice.
"Yes," he said.
The word hit them like a slap.
Fear poured out of them—loud, uncontrolled.
"Then she's in danger every day!" her grandmother shouted. "She keeps getting kidnapped! Attacked! Chased!"
Her grandfather pointed at the school. "This place—this life—you did this to her!"
Mr. Morning-Star didn't flinch.
"You're wrong," he said calmly. "What you're seeing isn't danger. It's fear. Other people's fear."
They shook their heads.
"Being a mutant is a curse," her grandmother cried. "Look what it's done to her!"
Mr. Morning-Star's eyes hardened—not in anger, but in conviction.
"No," he said. "Being a mutant is a gift."
They froze.
"She survived," he continued. "She's alive because of her power. Because of what she is—not despite it."
He stepped closer.
"We didn't turn Emma into something broken. We taught her how to live with what she already had."
Her grandfather's voice cracked. "And what if she dies because of it?"
Mr. Morning-Star answered without hesitation.
"Then she dies standing as herself. Not hiding. Not ashamed."
Silence fell.
"You're scared," he said gently. "And you have every right to be. But look at me."
They did.
"This anger," he continued, "this fear—you think Emma doesn't feel it? You think she doesn't see it in your eyes?"
Her grandmother started crying harder.
"She needed a place where she wouldn't hate herself," Mr. Morning-Star said. "Where she wouldn't think she was a mistake."
Dr. Morning-Star finally spoke.
"We protected her," Danny said softly. "We fed her. Taught her. Cared for her like our own."
The grandparents stood there, shaking. Torn.
"You should've told us," the grandfather said.
"Maybe," Mr. Morning-Star replied. "But we also knew how you'd look at her."
They couldn't deny it.
Not a word.
"You don't have to trust us," Mr. Morning-Star said. "But don't blame Emma for surviving."
The grandparents turned away.
"Bring her back," the grandmother whispered. "But after that… stay away from her."
They left.
Ace arrived moments later, hands in his pockets, trying to sound light.
"Rough day?"
Mr. Morning-Star exhaled slowly. "Every day is, when you're raising the future."
Ace removed his mask.
"Emma will choose her own path," Mr. Morning-Star continued. "We just guide her until she can walk it."
Ace turn to Mr Morning-Star. Saying he can't found Emma and it will be a problem and long to so it. So I want Dr morning-star to use her Telekinesis power. To found her and go in her mind. To tell me were and what thr area look like.
As Mr Morning-Star look on
"I can try," Danny said.
The room went still.
Mr. Morning-Star didn't answer right away. He looked at her—not as a scientist, not as a telekinetic—but as her husband.
"No," he said quietly.
Everyone froze.
"You know what that means," he continued. "Not one mind. Not ten. A whole city."
Danny swallowed. "I know."
"You'd have to open yourself completely," he said. "Hundreds of thousands of thoughts. Fear, violence, panic. You don't get to choose what comes in."
Ace stepped closer. "If this goes wrong—"
"She won't just pass out," Mr. Morning-Star cut in. "She could lose herself. Or worse."
Danny closed her eyes.
"Emma is alone," she said. "And scared."
Silence.
Mr. Morning-Star exhaled slowly, like a man making peace with something he hated.
"If you do this," he said, "it will put you down for days. Maybe longer."
"I know."
"And never again," he added. "Not like this. Not for anyone."
Danny nodded. "Never again."
Ace spoke then, his voice steady but urgent.
"I don't have time to wait for police work," he said. "Lady Moon is involved. That means a buyer. That means a deadline."
He looked between them.
"If you find her, I go now. Alone. I don't drag the city into this."
Mr. Morning-Star studied him.
"You bring her back alive," he said. "Both of them."
Ace nodded once. "I will."
Danny reached for Mr. Morning-Star's hand.
"Stay with me," she whispered.
He laced his fingers through hers. "Always."
She inhaled.
Then she opened herself.
Her body stiffened violently.
She screamed.
Not in pain—but overload.
The city hit her all at once.
Thousands of minds. Layered. Screaming. Whispering. Laughing. Crying.
Hatred. Hunger. Guilt. Love. Violence. Desire.
Too much.
Her knees buckled.
Mr. Morning-Star tightened his grip.
"Focus," he said firmly. "One voice. One heartbeat."
She gasped, tears streaming down her face.
"I—I can't—"
"Yes, you can," he said. "She's waiting."
Then—
Emma.
Cold.
Dark.
Fear wrapped tight around her chest.
A factory.
Concrete. Rust. Flickering lights.
Danny's breath hitched.
"I see her," she whispered.
Her legs gave out.
She collapsed, clutching her head, consciousness slipping away.
Ace caught her before she hit the floor.
"She's done," Mr. Morning-Star said sharply. "Get out of this city."
Ace pulled his mask back on.
"I'll bring her home," he said.
And vanished.
Mr. Morning-Star held Danny as her breathing slowed.
"Never again," he whispered.
But for Emma—
It had been worth it.
Roman snapped his mask into place.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
Bruno stepped forward, jaw tight. "Roman—wait. I can come with."
Ace paused.
"You can," he said. "But give me a few minutes first."
He turned his head slightly, listening to something only he could feel.
"Lady Moon isn't lying about everything," Ace continued. "But she's lying about who she really is. Something's off."
Bruno frowned. "You sure?"
Ace nodded. "Cover my back. I've got a bad feeling."
He hesitated, then added, "Someone's already moving to pick up the girl."
Ace vanished again — headed straight for the factory.
Bruno stayed behind, fists clenched.
If he'd been faster…
If he'd been better…
Emma wouldn't be missing.
Deep underground, far from the city lights, Franklin arrived at the mafia base.
He dragged Mr. Rat forward by the collar of his jacket.
The hallway was long and dim, lit by low amber lights. Men lined the walls — silent, watching.
Some spat at Mr. Rat's shoes as he passed.
Others murmured apologies.
Not for what had happened.
For what was about to.
Mr. Rat trembled, barely lifting his feet.
Franklin didn't slow.
Slicked-back hair. Sharp chin. Cold green eyes. A flawless baby-blue suit that didn't belong in a place like this — except here, it did.
This was his home.
They stopped at a massive door.
Franklin knocked.
A deep, powerful voice answered from within.
"Open."
They stepped inside.
Franklin released Mr. Rat and straightened.
"Boss," he said calmly. "Mission completed."
The man remained seated in the shadows.
"Thank you, Franklin," the voice said smoothly. "Stay. I may have another mission for you."
A pause.
"You don't have to accept it."
Franklin didn't hesitate. "Anything, sir. I'll do it."
A low chuckle echoed through the room.
"That's why I like you," the boss said. "You never disappoint me. Not like others."
Mr. Rat's breath hitched. His voice cracked as he dropped to his knees.
"I'm sorry," he sobbed. "Please—please—"
The boss stood, still hidden by darkness.
He checked his watch.
"Actually, Franklin," he said casually, "you need to leave now."
Franklin looked up.
"There's a girl," the boss continued. "Emma. Go collect her. It's almost time."
He paused.
"You can decline. I'll send someone else."
Franklin smiled.
"No, sir," he said. "I've got it."
He turned and left without another word.
Mr. Rat collapsed fully to the floor, shaking.
"I'm sorry," he cried again.
Silence.
Then the boss spoke, calm and cheerful.
"Go get me a golf club."
A beat.
"Let's play golf."
Mr. Rat froze.
The lights didn't change.
The shadows didn't move.
But the room had never felt more dangerous
Factory – Night
The factory was quiet in a way that hurt the ears.
Broken windows let moonlight spill across rusted machines. The night air was freezing, breath turning to mist. Somewhere in the distance, metal creaked as the building slowly settled.
Emma sat on an overturned crate, knees pulled close, rubbing her arms for warmth.
Lady Moon leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, watching her.
"So," Lady Moon said casually, "why you?"
Emma blinked. "What?"
"Out of everyone," Lady Moon continued. "Why did they take you?"
Emma hesitated, then shrugged. "I was normal. Just… a normal girl."
Lady Moon frowned.
"Before," Emma added quietly. "Before they took me. Before the experiments."
The word lingered.
"They changed me," Emma said. "Science. Machines. Needles. I didn't wake up like this. I was made."
Lady Moon looked away.
"I was born like this," she said after a moment. "My mom was a mutant. Guess the genes stuck."
Emma studied her. "Then why don't you go to Mr. Morning-Star's school?"
Lady Moon laughed — sharp, bitter.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
She met Emma's eyes.
"I've always been bad," Lady Moon said. "My whole life. I only know how to survive, how to steal, how to hurt. I'm too far gone, Emma."
Emma shook her head. "I don't believe that."
They talked — quietly at first. School stories. Celebrities fighting online. Who was dating who. Emma smiled when Ace's name came up.
"He's kind of amazing," Emma said.
Lady Moon smirked. "He thinks he is."
Emma tilted her head. "You kidnapped me. Doesn't that make you the villain?"
Lady Moon stiffened.
"Why aren't you scared?" she asked.
Emma answered without hesitation.
"Because mutants have to stick together. And you're not bad. You're doing this for a reason. Just tell me… so we can move forward."
Their eyes locked.
Lady Moon stood abruptly.
Moonlight condensed around her hand, forming a glowing gun.
She walked the factory's edge, scanning the shadows. Reached the light switch.
Click.
The lights flickered on.
She ripped the switch off the wall — sparks bursting — leaving the factory bathed in harsh white light.
Cold wind rushed in.
Then—
"Hey, sexy lady," a voice said. "Long time no see."
Ace stepped out of the shadows, flames faint around his hands.
Lady Moon smiled. "Sorry, handsome. Forgot to call."
"I see you got lonely," Ace said, glancing at Emma. "Made a friend. You know you could've just called me."
"It's lonely out there," Lady Moon replied. "I needed company. Someone useful."
Ace raised an eyebrow. "And I'm not?"
"You can be," she said. "But hurry up. I've got another date."
Ace sighed. "Already cheating on me. Story of my life."
He flicked his wrist.
Fire exploded toward her.
Lady Moon raised a moon-shield instantly — flame splashing harmlessly across it.
Ace closed the distance.
They clashed.
Punch. Block. Counter. Spin. Grab. Release.
Neither landed clean.
They moved like mirrors — fire and moonlight flashing beneath the stars. Ace fired blasts mid-air; Lady Moon dodged, firing moon shots back. Ace threw a card — slicing straight through a rusted beam, splitting it in half.
Close range again.
Fists. Elbows. Knees.
Then Lady Moon formed glowing knuckles and smashed Ace's hands.
He winced.
She took the opening.
Straight punch.
Two jabs.
A brutal gut shot.
Uppercut.
Overhead smash.
Ace hit the ground hard.
Lady Moon slammed her feet down onto his chest, cracking concrete.
She yanked him up and sent him flying with a moon-powered punch.
"Sorry, hot stuff," she said. "You're in my way."
Something clicked in her palm.
She opened her hand.
A card.
Ace's symbol.
Flash.
White light.
Blind.
Ace unleashed a wild fire wave, blasting her back. She staggered — and Ace was already there.
Flying knee to the nose.
Fire fists — two crushing body blows.
Fire out.
Knee to the chin.
Roundhouse kick.
She grabbed his wrist, yanked him in, and headbutted him off his feet.
"Sorry, babe."
She swept his legs. He fell.
She kicked — Ace caught it, threw her.
Lady Moon flipped mid-air, landed clean.
Ace stepped forward, breathing hard.
"Lady Moon," he said. "I can help you. You don't have to do this. You don't need to be a criminal."
He held his hands out.
"We can save Emma. Together. You could be great. I'll make sure you're safe. Count on me."
She hesitated.
Thoughts raced.
The 80,000.
Mitch.
Survival.
She stepped forward… took his hand.
Then—
Knee.
Ace gasped.
She followed with a spinning roundhouse, wrapped her legs around his head, and slammed him into the ground.
She stood, turning away.
Ace groaned — and forced himself up.
Blood dripped down his mask.
"I won't stop," he said. "Not for you. Not for her."
He took one step.
A beam of raw energy slammed into his back.
Ace flew across the factory, crashing into a wall as it collapsed on him.
Silence.
Lady Moon turned.
Franklin stood there, energy fading from his hand.
Slick hair. Calm eyes. Baby-blue suit untouched.
"I took out Ace for you," he said casually.
He looked at her.
"Now… where's the girl?"
The factory was dead quiet.
Cold air drifted through shattered windows, moonlight spilling across broken machines and rusted rails. The stars hung overhead, watching.
Lady Moon stood between Emma and the open floor.
She already knew.
Ace was here.
She didn't turn when she heard boots touch concrete.
"Hey," Ace said casually. "Long time."
Moonlight snapped into motion.
A crescent blade formed instantly as Lady Moon spun, slashing where his head had been.
Ace ducked low, the blade screaming above him, slicing a steel beam clean in half.
"Still sharp," Ace said, skidding backward. "Miss me?"
Lady Moon didn't answer.
She fired.
Moonlight condensed into a focused blast, tearing across the floor. Ace twisted sideways, fire erupting from his heels as he launched upward, the blast exploding beneath him.
He threw three cards mid-air.
Lady Moon raised a shield just in time.
The cards detonated against it in bursts of heat and pressure, forcing her back a step.
Ace landed and rushed in.
Close range.
Their fists collided.
Not sloppy.
Not wild.
Technical.
Lady Moon blocked his right, redirected his left, and drove her knee toward his ribs. Ace barely twisted, the impact glancing but still knocking the breath from him.
He responded with a spinning elbow.
Blocked.
She countered with a short punch to his chest—moon-reinforced knuckles slamming into him like a hammer.
Ace flew backward, crashing through a rusted workstation.
He rolled once and came up on one knee, fire already building around his hands.
Lady Moon was already moving.
She vaulted off a conveyor belt, flipping through the air, her heel coming down like a blade.
Ace crossed his arms just in time.
The impact drove him into the ground, concrete cracking beneath him.
She pressed forward, relentless.
Punch.
Punch.
Low kick.
Ace blocked high—too late.
Her kick swept his legs.
He fell.
She raised her foot to finish it—
Ace detonated fire straight upward.
The blast forced her back, heat washing over her as Ace rolled away and stood, breathing heavier now.
"You're holding back," Lady Moon said coldly.
Ace wiped blood from his lip beneath the mask.
"So are you."
They charged again.
This time faster.
Ace feinted left, then slid right, throwing a card that curved mid-air. Lady Moon deflected it with her wrist and answered with a barrage of moonlight shots.
Ace weaved through them, fire trailing behind him like a comet, closing the distance again.
Hand to hand.
Block.
Counter.
Grab.
Lady Moon caught his wrist and twisted, forcing him down. She drove her knee into his side, then followed with a sharp uppercut that snapped his head back.
Ace stumbled.
Lady Moon didn't hesitate.
She formed moon-reinforced gauntlets and unloaded—precise, trained strikes.
Straight.
Hook.
Body shot.
Ace's guard cracked.
A final punch sent him sliding across the floor, sparks and dust trailing behind him.
Lady Moon stood over him, breathing hard.
"I warned you," she said quietly. "You're in my way."
Ace laughed weakly and opened his hand.
A card.
Light exploded.
Lady Moon recoiled, blinded for half a second—
Too late.
Ace surged forward, fire roaring.
A knee strike to her midsection.
A burning punch to her side.
Another knee—this one snapping her head back.
She grabbed his wrist, twisted, and hurled him over her shoulder.
Ace hit the ground hard.
Both of them rose slowly now.
Fatigue showed.
Sweat.
Shaking breaths.
Slower reactions.
Ace stepped forward, hand extended.
"You don't have to do this," he said. "Give me Emma. Let me help you."
Lady Moon hesitated.
Her jaw tightened.
Then she stepped in close—too close—and struck low.
Ace folded with a sharp gasp.
She followed with a spinning kick that slammed him into the ground.
"I don't need saving," she said.
She turned away.
Ace pushed himself up.
Blood ran beneath his mask.
He took one step.
Then—
A beam of raw energy tore through the factory.
Ace was launched across the room, smashing into a wall as concrete collapsed over him.
Silence.
Footsteps echoed.
Franklin emerged from the smoke, eyes glowing faintly.
"I handled Ace for you," he said calmly.
"Now where's the girl?"
HThe Boss' Office
The office was silent except for the soft tap of a golf ball rolling across polished marble.
Mr. Rat stood frozen at the far end of the room.
Not chained.
Not restrained.
That made it worse.
His hands shook as he held a golf club that felt heavier with every breath he took. Sweat soaked through his shirt. His mouth opened, closed, opened again—no sound came out at first.
The Boss stood calmly near the opposite wall, adjusting his cufflinks.
"You went behind my word," the Boss said mildly, lining up a shot.
"And worse—behind my thinking."
Tap.
The ball rolled perfectly into a small golden cup embedded in the floor.
Mr. Rat swallowed hard.
"I—I only meant—Boss, I was just saying—"
"You spoke badly about my ideas," the Boss continued, cutting him off without raising his voice.
"In front of my own men."
He turned now.
Slow.
Controlled.
"You disrespected me in my house."
Mr. Rat dropped to his knees instantly.
"I was wrong! I swear I was wrong! I only wanted to prove myself—I wanted to help the family!"
The Boss tilted his head, studying him the way a teacher studies a failed student.
"What did I do," he asked calmly, "as a good boss?"
Mr. Rat nodded rapidly. "You—you gave me a chance. A great chance."
"I gave you grace," the Boss said.
"Bring me Emma, earn eighty thousand. Fail…"
He gestured toward the club.
"…we play golf."
Mr. Rat's breathing broke into short, panicked gasps.
"But you failed," the Boss continued.
"And you failed loudly."
He began to walk, slow steps echoing through the room.
"You couldn't do it yourself. So you dragged other gangs into it. You dragged my men into it."
His eyes hardened.
"Men who are now in prison because you were weak."
Mr. Rat shook violently. "I didn't mean to—I just needed help—I—"
"You were never meant to succeed," the Boss said flatly.
Mr. Rat froze.
"I didn't send my gang," the Boss continued, voice calm but sharp.
"Because I protect my own."
He stopped directly in front of Mr. Rat.
"The school is full of mutants. Mr. Morning-Star. His staff. Bruno. Ace."
A pause.
"And you?"
A faint smile.
"You are just a man."
Mr. Rat's eyes filled with tears.
"That's why I sent Lady Moon. She's strong. She's capable. And if she failed…"
He shrugged.
"I wouldn't care."
Mr. Rat sobbed openly now.
"But you didn't just fail," the Boss said quietly.
"You questioned me. You embarrassed me. And you cost me people."
He placed a hand on Mr. Rat's shoulder.
The panic turned into terror.
"Please—Boss—I'll fix it—I'll do anything—I
The transformation began instantly.
Mr. Rat's body hardened mid-breath.
Skin turned to crystal.
Fear frozen across his face forever.
The Boss lifted his golf club.
It crystallized in his hand.
Before Mr. Rat's eyes could fully change—
The Boss leaned in and whispered:
"Your family will be fine. I'll take care of them."
Then he swung.
The diamond body shattered cleanly.
Again.
And again.
No blood.
Only glittering fragments scattering across the marble like broken stars.
When it was done, the Boss straightened his suit.
"Clean this," he said calmly as staff rushed in.
"Sell it. That alone is worth billions."
He paused.
"And make sure his family gets their share."
A phone buzzed.
He answered.
Franklin. Arrested.
Ace and Bruno responsible.
Lady Moon… possibly involved.
The Boss stepped forward, fully into the light.
Tall—over six foot five.
Broad shoulders.
Perfect posture.
Dark hair, clean face, model-sharp features.
A king without a crown.
He smiled faintly.
"So," he murmured.
"Ace."Aftermath
Police lights flooded the ruined factory.
Franklin was dragged away in cuffs, furious but defeated.
Bruno carried Emma in his arms, shielding her from the chaos. His jaw was tight. His eyes full of guilt.
"I've got you," he whispered. "You're safe now."
Emma clutched his shirt, trembling.
Lady Moon was gone.
The Rooftop
Cold wind swept across the city skyline.
Lady Moon sat against a concrete wall, exhausted, bruised, empty.
Ace stood over her for a moment—then sat down across from her.
Close.
Quiet.
He looked into her eyes.
Not as a hero.
Not as an enemy.
Just as someone who understood.
The city breathed beneath them.
And somewhere far away—
The Boss smiled.
End of Chapter 7