chapter 13

Nolan stood on the rooftop; the cool morning breeze rustled his hair as he overlooked the street. The city below was still and quiet, its residents still yet to awake, though there were some straglers either having to wake up very early or woobling after having a tap too many drinks.

For the first time in some time, he doubted himself. Perhaps because he was dealing with the most pressing problems that had been thrown at his face since arriving in this strange world. The pieces were set in motion, and now it was just a matter of waiting while keeping the routine.

There was this small doubt in his mind from day one that he pointedly ignored for the sake of survival or convenience, depending on how one was to look into it. There was no strong sense of responsibility or intense desire for him to save these people; one would be mistaken into thinking he was a particularly "good" person. There were certainly emotions that surged within him with the memories he gained, but he was no Omni-Man.

Nolan's thoughts were interrupted by the distant sound of a siren, a common occurrence in a city that never truly slept. As he continued to ponder the situation, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was merely playing a role—a role he had become quite proficient at.

Deep down, he wondered if he was truly doing everything he could to reach this story's "ending" or not. The memories of his past—not as Omni-Man but as that pathetic and miserable loser—and the wars he had witnessed and participated in felt like heavy shackles. There was a certain emptiness in his actions and a lack of genuine connection to the people he protected.

So far, he has acted like he thought Nolan would have, maybe as a cheap copy or an imitation. It got the job done, but that's that. So lost in his own thoughts, he didn't realize he was floating mindlessly closer to the siren, not even wearing his costume.

He sighed inwardly after realizing all of those things. He looked around, assessing the situation. A group of armed robbers had just committed a crime. The police had arrived, and a standoff was in progress. This was rarely something worth mentioning, so he turned around. Whether the cops or the robbers won, it wasn't his concern.

It was then that a young woman, running from the scene, caught his attention. She looked scared and desperate, and Nolan could sense the genuine fear radiating from her. "Pathetic." He caught himself muttering and shook his head.

He flew back home. "That was honestly quite miserable." Once again, he muttered to himself. He stood in front of the bathroom mirror, the water running as he washed the blood off his hands. The reflection staring back at him seemed ready to sleep forever.

As he dried his hands, his eyes lost focus, staring into space as he got pulled into his mind. A small boy with a frail complexion and signs of starvation watched down at his unmoving brother, the boy doing everything just to survive, for he wanted to live. And finally, when he thought he was saved by that hand, he was given a gun and told to shoot.

Nolan stopped himself from punching the mirror and possibly bringing down the wall while failing to restraint his strength.

His gaze shifted back to the mirror, where he saw the reflection of a man—no, a monster wearing a human's face—those damned black eyes were always watching him, mocking him, and torturing him when he let his mind wander. A deep frown was etched across his face. The memories he carried from his past life, the atrocities he committed, and the trauma he endured were a burden that never seemed to lighten. No matter how hard he tried to bury them, they lingered in the recesses of his mind, resurfacing at the most inconvenient moments.

He clenched his fists; motivation or not, he would be damned if he let someone else trample all over him and place a leash on him. Never again. "Get it together," he muttered to himself, the frustration evident in his voice. He turned away from the mirror, shutting off the running water, and walked back into the living room.

He didn't know how long he was in there, but a half-asleep Mark was waiting just outside.

Mark rubbed his eyes, still adjusting to the early hour. "Ugh, finally." He nodded off for a little bit while closing his eyes before slapping himself to wake up a little.

Nolan looked at his face. He was showing clear signs of exhaustion. "Morning, to you too." He closed his eyes before erasing all traces of doubt from his face.

Mark stifled a yawn and stretched. "What's the plan for today?" he asked, looking at his father, who looked like he always did, an inmovible wall.

Nolan sighed, his attitude shifting to a more composed state. "We'll head to the training facility, and you will speak with the others. I was planning on something else, but it'll have to wait."

Relief found his wait on Mark's face. "Phew, and here I thought you were a demon. So all we have to do is speak and stuff between ourselves, right?"

Nolan gave Mark a wry smile. "Not quite. You have a job to do; don't forget." And just like that, the mask was up again, as if nothing had happened.

Mark nodded, and although he was tired, he was confident he could take down small-time villains fast enough to get some sleep in between attacks.

After having breakfast, Mark directed his attention toward a scene a few blocks from his residence while flying with Nolan. A crowd had gathered, filming the developing events with their cameras, while police moved to cordon off the area. From Mark's perspective, it appeared that a number of armed people had met an awful end.

Nolan and Mark arrived at the scene, joining the crowd that had gathered. The police were busy securing the area, and the sight of the gruesome scene made it clear that whatever had happened was not an ordinary criminal act.

Mark, still somewhat groggy, looked around and gained some edge, wary of a possible ambush if whoever did that was still around. "What happened here?"

One of the police officers approached them after recognizing Omni-Man. "Omni-Man, this is a mess. A few hours ago, we were trying to apprehend these robbers, but before we could do so, something—someone—attacked them. It was brutal. Like nothing we've seen before."

Nolan looked with indiference as they tried to scrub off from the pavement the remains of the so-called robbers. "Did anyone see what or who attacked them?" His expression remained unreadable as he asked.

The police officer shook his head. "No one saw anything clearly. It all happened so fast. Whatever did this, it moved too fast to be perceived." He gestured to the gruesome scene.

Mark could swear he saw his dad relaxing ever so slightly, and a dark thought made his way. What if he was the one who did it? These past few days, he was constantly doubting every little thing his dad did, but it's not like it wasn't unwarranted. He decided it was best to just keep his mouth shut so as not to make everything worse.

Nolan surveyed the scene, his gaze sharp and analytical. The gruesome aftermath of the attack didn't seem to faze him. He turned to Mark, noticing the unease in his expression.

"Something is bothering you, Mark?" Nolan asked, his tone casual but observant.

Mark hesitated for a moment, debating whether to voice his suspicions. In the end, he decided to keep it vague. "Just... the whole situation. It's messed up, you know? And the way it happened, so fast and brutal... and suspicious." He muttered the last part.

Nolan's eyes stayed on Mark for a moment, quietly assessing him. He then glanced back at the crime scene, the dispassionate expression returning to his face. "Crime is messy, Mark. This was the result of their life decisions. What matters is that we do our part to maintain order and protect the innocent."

Mark nodded while his suspicions grew. So it was fine if this happened to criminals? At least that's what was conveyed in those words. And if so, what makes one a criminal? He played it off as he took those words to heart. "So... what do we do? Do we search for clues or?"

Nolan observed while keeping his thoughts hidden with a stoic expression. "No need. The police will handle the investigation. We focus on our job—protecting the city from those who would cause harm. Let them deal with the aftermath."

As they departed the crime scene, Nolan spoke in a measured tone, "Justice can be a gray area. We can't save everyone, but we do what we can. Always prioritize the majority; thinking that you can save everyone is childish."

"Yeah, you're right," Mark replied, forcing a nod. "We can't save everyone, but we'll do our best to protect the city."

Nolan nodded in approval. "That's the spirit, Mark. Focus on the bigger picture, and don't get bogged down by the details. Now, let's head to the training facility. We have work to do."

Meanwhile, Eve was manipulating a branch, switching between making various candies and liquid metals. After rescuing everyone she could, she chose to rest before her training with Omni-Man and the others. Her past came back to haunt her, and memories she preferred to be forgotten came back.

Yet again, someone greedy after her powers, and she would be lying if she said it didn't bother her; last time it happened, all she could do was struggle and watch helplessly as his only family, the only people that understood her, disappeared.

Even today, the pain was as severe, and she subtly transformed the branch into a very pointed rod with little spikes projecting from it. It's not that she intended to use it, but rather a reflection of how she felt; after all, she swore never to cross that line.

One thing she didn't realize was her subconscious aversion to going through with it gradually eroding under Omni-Man's unwavering persistence in pounding the idea of "dealing" with criminals in a more permanent fashion, not as straight forward but more step by step.

Eve's contemplative mood was interrupted when a familiar voice called out to her. "Hey, Eve! You practicing in case you don't make it as a guardian?" She motioned at the cake floating in Eve's hand.

She looked up to see Dupli Kate approaching, a mischievous grin on her face. Under Omni-Man's guidance, it was hard to keep holding onto her grudge against her. When you fight all day long with someone, barely surviving against absolute power, it's hard to hold onto your hate.

It didn't stop her from hurling the cake onto Kate's face, though. The cake splattered across Dupli Kate's face, leaving her momentarily stunned. Moments later, she laughed as another Kate made herself known. "Still trying to get the "real" me? You'll have to try harder than that."

It was a little game they started a while ago; Kate would choose one to act as the "real" Kate; in that way, she could train in keeping at least one standing at the end of a fight, and it helped Eve sniff out hidden enemies.

Eve couldn't help but smile despite herself. It was a much-needed distraction for her. "I can't complain if it means wiping that smug face countless times." With a twirl of her hand, three more cakes floated behind her.

The clone that was covered with cream fused with the newly arrived one. "Challenge accepted, Eve. Let's see if you can keep up this time." Even more clones filled the area and mimicked her challenging expression.

Dupli Kate and Eve engaged in their mock fight. The training facility echoed with multiple laughs and the occasional sound of cake splattering. It was at times like these that Eve was glad to have a punching bag—a companion by her side.

As the two continued their game, Robot observed them from a distance, analyzing their movements and coordination. His mind was always at work, calculating and strategizing. He approached the scene with firm steps.

"Is this really the time for games?" Robot questioned, his tone devoid of humor. "We're here to train and improve, not indulge in child's play."

Eve shot him a look, a mix of irritation and amusement. "Lighten up, Robot. We need a break from all the intensity. Besides, it's a good exercise for coordination and reflexes."

Robot crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Coordination and reflexes can be trained more effectively through structured exercises. This..." he gestured at the floor, which was all covered with pieces of cake. "is unnecessary."

Dupli Kate, still with cake smeared on her face, chimed in, "Come on, Robot, live a little! Not everything needs to be so serious all the time."

He remained unimpressed. "I prioritize efficiency and productivity. Frivolous activities have no place in a hero's training regimen."

Eve rolled her eyes. "Well, not everyone's free training has to be as rigorous. We get enough as it is, don't we?"

Before Robot could respond, Nolan approached the group, his imposing presence drawing their attention. He observed the scene with a raised eyebrow.

"What's going on here?" Nolan asked while looking at the mess on the floor and walls. He couldn't help but think to himself what a waste it was.

Robot straightened up, ready to explain. "I was questioning the need for such activities during our training time, Omni-Man. It doesn't contribute to our overall efficiency."

Nolan looked at Robot, then at Eve and Dupli Kate. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "Perhads, but I got that covered; see this as some fun activity to decompress from all the heavy work; heavy machinery can't keep working forever without maintenance, right?"

Robot seemed reluctant to accept the idea, but he nodded in acknowledgment of Omni-Man's perspective. Nolan's ability to balance the serious nature of hero training with peaceful moments was evident, and he had a way of emphasizing the importance of both.

"Efficiency is crucial, but keep in mind that I value teamwork just as much." Nolan remarked, his gaze shifting between Robot, Eve, and Dupli Kate.

Dupli Kate seized the opportunity to reinforce Nolan's point. "Exactly! We're not just machines; we're a team. And teams need some bonding time to function at their best."

Eve added with a playful grin, "Besides, it's not like we're neglecting our responsibilities. We've been putting in the work during training. A little fun won't hurt."

Nolan nodded in agreement. "Well said." His appearance blurred for a moment, and his back was now facing them. "Now, you can continue for a while longer; I have some business to take care of before fighting training starts."

With a wave of his hand, Nolan signaled for them to resume. Kate and Eve exchanged triumphant glances. However, Eve soon realized a missing cake placed her at a momentary disadvantage. Capitalizing on this opening, Dupli Kate seized the opportunity, conjuring a duplicate that lunged at Eve with a surprise attack. Caught off guard, Eve had to react quickly and jump to the side to avoid being dogpiled.

The team noticed the reduced intensity with which Omni-Man attacked them that day. Nolan, usually a relentless force during training, held back, focusing more on observing and providing guidance. Mark connected the dots after hearing Kate complain about Robot.

"Hmm, so you guys managed to find Omni-Man's weakness, too." Mark remarked as he sat on a bench.

"What do you mean, weakness?" Dupli Kate asked, still recovering from the real training.

Mark chuckled, leaning back on the bench. "You didn't notice? Omni-Man has a sweet tooth." Only recently, the exact time he started liking sweet things was lost to Mark.

Dupli Kate and Eve exchanged amused glances. They started to think of ways they could abuse this information and maybe even "convince" Omni-Man into being more merciful, like he did today.

As the training continued, Nolan observed the team's interactions and progress. His focus shifted between individual performances and their ability to coordinate as a team. 

While the team practiced, Mark approached his father, who was now overseeing a combat exercise between Robot and Monster Girl. "You were holding back today," Mark commented.

Nolan glanced at Mark, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Observant as always. Sometimes, it's beneficial to step back and let the team take the lead. It helps them build confidence and adapt to different scenarios."

Mark nodded. "So... what other desserts do you like? I always thought you were more of a coffee lover, to be honest."

"...We can continue this conversation, and you can find out all about me and even get to see how much medicine has advanced." He cracked his neck. "Or you go get ready to patrol, and we can forget this happened."

Mark chuckled in amusement before coughing after looking at his face. "You aren't joking, are you? Welp, Sure was good talking to you, but I have places to be and people to save."

With a sly smile, Nolan watched him fly off in a mild panic, then frowned to himself, thinking, 'Yeah, I am getting careless with my acting if someone as stupid as Mark managed to notice something about me.'

He shook his head, dismissing the thought. "Alright, that's enough." He clapped his hands to call to attention. "Get ready to deploy, you have five minutes."

No one was eager to find out what happened if they wasted that time, so they rushed to get ready. Eve looked at Mark with a raised eyebrow. "Alright, what did you do now?"

"Oh, come on! You think every time he gets pissy, it's somehow my fault?" He placed a hand on his chest with indignation.

She stared at him in silence for a few seconds before signing. "Most of the time, yes. And I see you still suck at lying, just... If you keep pissing him off, keep in mind I will tell on you. I'm sure the others will be eager to have a piece of you at that time."

He grinned sheepishly. "Hey, when you got it, you got it. How can I not when it's so easy to annoy him?"

She cleared her throat. "I think you mean others. But sure, it'll be your funeral."

Mark laughed nervously. "Yeah, yeah, noted. But hey, at least it keeps things interesting, right?"

Eve smirked. "Sure, keep telling yourself that. I'm sure someone out there finds your jester act and recklessness 'funny'"

Mark shrugged, trying to play it off. "Eh, you win some, you lose some. Let's just get to work, it's time to kick some ass."

With a shake of her head, she flew to join the others, with him following close behind. Omni-Man gestured for the group to follow him, and as he did so, everyone trailed behind him, each with different thoughts on their minds.