Trouble Magnet

"There is something in the city that can exterminate us all!" Rhea's body trembled as the gray particles on her body fought with the energy from the blood-red crystals.

Poseidon found those words hard to believe, but he knew she had no reason to lie. Was their strength not even enough to defend themselves against that existence?

"Urgh!" Rhea's face turned pale as she tried to control the corrosion inside her. "There was something wrong with the future I saw. That man could perceive my existence and even attack me. How is it possible for someone in the future to attack someone from the past? Unless..."

Rhea thought of something horrifying but quickly brushed off her guess.

"No! That should be against the very laws of the universe! Not even those from my homeworld can do that thing! But then..."

She looked at Poseidon and said, "My duty is to guide you and not order you. If you still want to take action, then I won't stop you."

"You have every right to order me," Poseidon bowed and replied, "I don't want my ambitions to destroy the smile of my family and the people of Atlantis."

"Good," Rhea sighed deeply, "I need to have some rest."

"I understand," Poseidon took his leave.

-------------------------

Thrill Park, Delta City

12 miles above the ground, one man and two women were falling downwards. They were wearing the standard diving instruments excluding parachutes!

One of the women had a very excited appearance, while the other two not so much.

"Enjoy the fall!" the woman enjoyed the air passing by her and eyed the man, "I wouldn't have to do this if you weren't so introverted! Just what type of man sheds tears of joy because some celebrity was going to become a father?"

Zed bitterly smiled. He regretted his actions in the cafeteria when the news of Kiba becoming a father was released.

How was he supposed to know Felicity would book a thrill ride for him?

Another woman beside them wanted to cry, "Felicity, I wasn't even there so why am I jumping with you two!?"

The woman felt her luck was good with her making friends with Zed and Felicity, but now she realized she was happy far too early. After the academy was closed, Felicity invited her for a ride.

How was she supposed to know the ride would mean a free fall from miles above the ground?

"Jessica, this will make you strong!" Felicity answered, without caring if her words made sense or not, "Anyways, just enjoy!"

Zed saw the ground getting nearer and the fear he felt increased. If he was Kiba then he wouldn't mind falling from earth's orbit but not as Zed.

If Kiba was a man with wings then Zed was someone whose wings have been chopped off. It was like a police officer knowing he was not wearing armor while finding himself a target of a thief with a gun. 

"Daniel, you are going to pay a price soon!" Zed tried to divert his mind by blaming Daniel, "You think you will go scot-free after creating so many problems in my life?"

"Ahhh!" Jessica screamed as she felt the ground rapidly approaching.

"What a disappointment," Felicity waved her hand, and a cushion of flowers sprouted from the ground upon which they fell.

Zed and Jessica sighed in relief knowing they didn't suffer any injury while Felicity remarked how boring it was.

"Felicity, I am feeling unwell so I have to return home!" Zed knew she will try to find more exciting rides so he tried to make an excuse.

"I have an appointment as well so I should leave," Jessica adjusted her glasses.

"No way! I have a good ride in my mind!" Felicity ignored their words of protest.

But it seemed the gods were in Jessica and Zed's favor as suddenly Felicity's phone rang.

"Dad?" Felicity felt a headache after seeing the caller's name. Grudgingly she picked up the call.

"I am helping Zed with a medical emergency," Felicity answered on her phone call, "So no, I can't come back and leave him for death."

Zed's lips twitched. 

"What do you mean there are guests?" Felicity was annoyed, but she then grew excited, "You promise to allow me to go to the jungle? Good! I am coming back now!"

Zed: "......."

Felicity put her phone back and said, "Some guests from the government are arriving, so I have to leave for their welcome."

Jessica knew Felicity's father was a senator, so she wasn't surprised.

"There would be more guests in the upcoming week," Felicity started cursing loudly, "I want to kill the person who created that scene in the wasteland! Couldn't he (she) have done it in another city!?"

Zed: T__T

Jessica was startled. She asked, "Scene in the wasteland? But wasn't the golden lightning created due to a missile test?"

"No. Dad said that the missile test was just an excuse to fool commoners. There is some huge secret, but from what I know, some scientist is probably responsible," Felicity answered.

Seeing the look of disbelief on Jessica's face, Felicity continued, "Don't trust the news or what others tell you. Even the history class is nothing more than propaganda!"

As a daughter of a senator, she knew the way the world worked.

"Most likely, there is going to be an investigation in the wasteland. Then there is that missing low-level scientist and her team," Felicity shared the details she knew.

Zed had a nonchalant expression throughout. He wasn't worried about the investigation because he and Claudia have cleared all evidence that could lead up to him.

He was confident in his ability to survive the upcoming ordeal even in the worst-case scenario.

"Anyways, I have to leave," Felicity turned towards Zed and said, "It is late so accompany Jessica to her home."

"There is no need. I will take a bus," Jessica felt her heartbeat racing.

"He is rich, so I doubt driving his car for some extra miles would be a problem!" Felicity's decision was final.

"N-no I don't want to create a problem," Jessica said.

"It is not a problem," Zed didn't mind giving her a ride. 

He opened the door of the hovercraft and allowed Jessica to take a seat first. He then sat on the driver's seat and quickly put on the gear.

Jessica was nervous thinking whether she should start a conversation or not.

"Who is in your family?" Zed started the conversation.

"My mom, dad, and a younger brother," Jessica was glad he took the initiative first.

"That's good," Zed nodded while his attention was on the road ahead.

"What about your family?" Jessica asked.

"My parents died when I was young, so I live by myself," Zed gave an excuse. 

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have asked," Jessica apologized.

"It is not an issue," Zed smiled.

---------

"We have arrived," Zed parked the hovercraft outside a building and accompanied Jessica outside.

The community was rather congested with buildings sticking close to each other. He looked around and thought the area was rather poor but still far better than the slums.

"Thank you," Jessica wanted to invite him to her apartment for a cup of coffee, but she didn't know how she should ask.

"If you really want to thank me, then just stop thanking me!"

Zed didn't find it was a big deal to give her a ride. He lived the life of Zed for multiple reasons, and one of them was to experience things he couldn't as Kiba.

Just as Jessica found the courage to ask him for coffee, she noticed a familiar group of people some distance away.

"Z-Zed, see you at the academy," Jessica hurriedly said.

"Hmm?" Zed noticed the group of people as well. From their clothes, they appeared to be members of some local gang.

The group of people arrived in front of Jessica.

"Why are you late today?" One of them asked her.

"I-I was with my friends," Jessica tried to explain.

"Are your friends more important or the life of my friends?" the man demanded.

"I didn't know you needed my help," Jessica nervously replied.

"You are coming with us now," the man ordered. He noticed Zed's gaze, so he turned his face towards him and asked, "Do you have any problem with us?"

Jessica wanted to explain, but she was stopped by another member.

"Not really," Zed answered, totally relaxed.

"Then why are you staring at us instead of getting lost?" The man didn't like the attitude of Zed.

"I was just curious if I have seen you somewhere. You see, I have met quite a lot of gangs in my last few years," Zed replied.

From the conversation between these men and Jessica, he could judge the situation. Jessica's healing ability was definitely a boon for the local gangs.

The group of men was rather annoyed by the laid-back attitude of Zed.

"If your curiosity is satisfied, then get lost," The man felt Zed was unappealing to the eye.

"I can't as the duty given to me is not yet finished," Zed pointed his finger at Jessica and said, "I have to accompany her to her house. I am outside the building, so how can I get lost?"

"Do you want to die?" Another man couldn't control his anger.

"I don't want to die, but what about you?" Zed curiously asked.

That man wanted to punch Zed, but the man from before stopped him. He has noticed the hovercraft of Zed and knew a person who could afford such a vehicle isn't ordinary. Perhaps he has an influential background, and the man didn't want to create unnecessary trouble.

"Consider your duty done," The man said, "Jessica is with us, so don't butt in our matters."

"Is that so?" Zed then looked at Jessica and said, "There is something I really want to tell you."

"What?" Jessica was confused. What type of words did he want to say in such a situation?!

"You are a true trouble magnet."

"......"