Chapter 58

Walking beside Lala and Felicia inside the mall, Jason looked up at the large graffiti tag. It wasn't because it was made or even funny. The tag was his symbol crossed out and basically told him to either die or leave the planet. Even the painter who was working on removing it was taking his sweet time as if to expose it longer.

"Why are they so ungrateful?" Felicia sighed. "Chances are you saved them or one of their family members or friends."

"What people like most are seeing heroes fall." Jason answered her calmly. "It is more amazing to see not many heroes becoming villains."

"Instead they just become broken." Lala added on sadly.

"Well, at least it's a tiny bit better than what's going on with the Avengers at the moment." Jason changed topics.

Since the crisis of Ultron, the Avengers have been blacklisted within one hundred and seventeen countries and counting. If they are not monitored or have a mission there, they are unable to enter. Him on the other hand, well all they asked is he keeps the damages to a minimum and leaves as soon as possible.

"Are there any interesting movies going on?" Felicia asked as they walked by a small movie theater.

While there were only four movies to choose from, they were either a child, comedy and two horror movies. None of them looked appealing, especially the ones with the main lead who are known for hating Superman. So in the end that idea was quickly dispelled.

"Well there is a movie shop next door. Let's just browse there." Jason suggested. "Maybe we can find something there."

"I guess." Felicia answered.

"Which genre should we look for though?" Lala asked.

In the end they each chose their own movie preference and decided to have a small movie marathon later on. Not before laughing about the cashier's weird gaze as Jason ended up buying Lala's choice.

'Why did she have to choose a movie about male strippers?'

--

Time is unrelenting as it rapidly passes by as days turn into weeks. While Jason faced the unappeasable public opinion of him, he still went about saving others. Which only divided the factions that either wanted him to stay or leave more.

Now as he poured himself some coffee as he took a small break from recording. He found Zastin, who he hadn't really seen for a while waiting for him.

"It's been a while." Jason lightly greeted him. "What brings you here?"

"The warlord titan Thanos has been on the move lately. While we don't know his destination, I figure I just tell you. Lately there have been quite a few large energy spikes and sort of been a beacon to other forces in the universe."

"So there is a chance he would come here?" Jason answered.

While he didn't watch many marvel movies in his last life. He still knew a tiny bit about Thanos and his infinity glove. A glove he found probably one of the most overpowered things within fiction as a single snap destroyed half the universe.

'He shouldn't have the gems yet since the universe is still whole.' Jason thought but that was where it ended. He didn't have any clue where the gems were or what they were besides known as the infinity gems.

"Yes, but it's very, very low. Less than two percent if I remember correctly." Zastin replied.

"Why do I feel like you just jinxed it?"

After a few more words and small chat, he watched as Zastin left. Shaking his head, he wondered if the man even realised he stands out in his demonic looking armor.

--

As the date for his father's gym to reopen drew closer. Jason was helping his father or more specifically they were helping their women. As they either moved the equipment or spotted them as they did some weight lifting.

"They are very good." Jason commented.

"Mmm, that they are."

"Hey! Our eyes are up here." Liz jokes.

"Yeah, but the eye candy is down there." Both father and son replied in sync.

Staring at each other for the unintentional synced answers, they knuckled bumped.

Felicia just rolled her eyes while Liz just mumbled something unintelligible. Lala just smiled as she looked up from a small device she was tinkering with. She was working on some gravity machine.

The aim was for a safety feature in case a gym member overestimated themselves. It would instantly remove the weight for a short while allowing them to get safely up.

As the door suddenly opened, everyone's eyes shifted over to a small group of teens. The oldest looked to be just over twenty and all wearing a bandana on their arms. Frowning as they looked at the group in front of them, the oldest spoke first.

"Which one of you is the owner?"

"That would be me." James smiled as he walked over.

Instantly the group's eyes froze as James towered over them. His naturally built body was also intimidating as he stood unfazed in front of them.

"We are here to collect protection fees." The leader spoke but his voice trembled a bit.

"Is that so?" James keeped his smile. "I am assuming you guys are part of a gang?"

"Yes, now if you don't want to get hurt, you will pay a protection fee every week." The leader spoke, his voice growing weaker.

"Ok, let me go grab something first." James smiled as he walked into the back.

A few moments later he returned and raised up several silver bracelets and a police badge. "I will first take you down to the station for some questions."

"Run," The leader ordered but found the door couldn't be opened.

"Why are you running?" James smiled as he asked. "I just want to chat."

"Jason, your father is so bad." Felicia spoke as she watched as the wannabe gang members were read their rights.

"It is probably the most fun he has had lately." Jason smiled.

A few moments later a few police cruisers appeared and picked up the small group. Escorting them out, James had a smile which couldn't be turned off.