Chapter 7

(Flashback )

Awakening in a Strange World

Kade Anderson woke with a start, his body jerking upright. He gasped for air, his heart pounding in his chest. Blinking rapidly, he took in his surroundings—a dingy alleyway, the sound of distant traffic, and the smell of urban decay. This wasn't his bed. This wasn't his home. Panic surged through him.

(Where am I?) he thought, frantically looking around. The last thing he remembered was lying in bed, drifting off to sleep in his apartment. Now, he was here, in what looked like a grimy back alley of a major city. He stumbled to his feet, his limbs feeling strangely different—stronger, more agile.

Kade caught a glimpse of himself in a cracked mirror propped against a dumpster. His reflection showed a teenager, not the 38-year-old man he knew himself to be. His long black hair fell around his shoulders, and his eyes—once a simple hazel—were now a striking mix of dark gray, green, and blue. He was tall, muscular, and pale, wearing a black tank top and Superman pajama pants. He looked like someone who had stepped out of a comic book.

"What the hell happened to me?" he whispered, his voice shaking. As he stepped back, he tripped over a loose brick, his body instinctively reacting to catch his fall. To his shock, he floated a few inches off the ground before dropping back down.

(Okay, this is definitely not normal.) Panic turned to dread. He needed answers. He needed to understand what was happening to him.

As he staggered out of the alley, the overwhelming noise of the city hit him all at once. Car horns blared, people shouted, machinery roared. His enhanced hearing picked up every sound, magnified a hundredfold. He covered his ears, trying to block out the cacophony, but it was no use.

"What is happening to me?" he screamed, his voice lost in the din.

Kade ran blindly through the streets, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. He had no idea where he was or how he got there. All he knew was that everything felt wrong. He felt like a stranger in his own body, surrounded by an alien world.

Suddenly, his vision blurred. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to clear it, but when he opened them again, twin beams of red energy shot out, slicing through a nearby building. Windows shattered, and the structure began to collapse.

"No!" Kade shouted, instinctively trying to stop the destruction. But it was too late. The building crumbled, sending debris raining down. People screamed and ran for cover. Kade stood frozen, horrified by what he had done.

(Oh my God. What have I done?) His mind raced. He needed to get away, to find somewhere safe where he couldn't hurt anyone else.

He fled the scene, his enhanced speed carrying him far from the destruction in a matter of seconds. He didn't know where he was going, only that he needed to hide. His new powers were uncontrollable, dangerous. He was a threat to everyone around him.

Days turned into weeks as Kade wandered the city, trying to make sense of his new reality. His powers were a constant source of fear and confusion. He couldn't control them, and every time he tried, something went wrong. He accidentally crushed objects with his super strength, shattered windows with his voice, and caused small fires with his heat vision.

Finally, he found refuge in a small cave on the outskirts of the city. It was dark, damp, and isolated—everything he needed to stay away from people and avoid causing more harm. He huddled in the corner, his body trembling with exhaustion and fear. The solitude was both a blessing and a curse. He was safe from others, but alone with his thoughts and his growing dread.

Nights were the worst. The city's noise never fully ceased, and his enhanced senses picked up every sound. He could hear conversations from miles away, the hum of traffic, the rustle of leaves. It was overwhelming, a constant reminder of how different he was now.

(How did this happen? Why me?) he wondered, his mind replaying the events that led him here. He missed his old life—his job, his friends, his family. The thought of never seeing them again was a knife in his heart. Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about the people he had left behind.

One night, as he lay curled up in the cave, he heard a group of voices approaching. He tensed, his heart racing. (Please, not more trouble.)

"Over here," a deep voice said. "I think we've found him."

Kade sat up, his eyes wide with fear. The figures emerged from the shadows, and he recognized them immediately. Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and Black Widow—the Avengers.

"What do you want?" Kade asked, his voice trembling. He didn't want to hurt anyone else.

"We're here to help," Captain America said, his tone calm and reassuring. "We know what you've been going through."

"How can you possibly understand?" Kade snapped, the stress of the past weeks boiling over. "I don't even know what's happening to me."

"We know you're not from this world," Iron Man said, his helmet retracting to reveal Tony Stark's concerned face. "And we know you have powers you're struggling to control."

Kade stared at them, his mind reeling. "How do you know all that?"

"We've been keeping an eye on you," Black Widow said, stepping forward. "We've seen the incidents. We know you're scared."

"Scared?" Kade let out a bitter laugh. "I'm terrified. I've destroyed buildings, hurt people. I can't control any of this."

Thor stepped forward, his expression kind. "You possess great power, young one. But with guidance, you can learn to control it. We can help you."

Kade looked at them, his eyes filled with desperation. "Why would you want to help me?"

"Because we've all been where you are," Captain America said softly. "Each of us has had to learn to control our abilities, to use them for good. We want to help you do the same."

Kade felt a flicker of hope. "I don't know if I can."

"You can," Tony said firmly. "We'll be with you every step of the way."

Tears welled up in Kade's eyes. He had been alone for so long, struggling with fear and confusion. The thought of having help, of not being alone, was almost too much to bear.

"Okay," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I'll try."

The Avengers smiled, a collective sense of relief and determination washing over them. They had found him, and now they could help him.

Over the next few days, Kade began his training with the Avengers. They took him to a secluded facility, away from the city, where he could practice without fear of causing more harm. Tony designed a special suit to help regulate his powers, and Thor and Captain America took turns training him in combat and control.

The training was grueling, both physically and emotionally. Kade struggled to control his strength, his speed, and especially his heat vision. There were setbacks, moments of frustration and anger, but the Avengers were patient and supportive.

"Focus, Kade," Captain America said during a training session. "You need to find your center, the place where your power comes from. Once you understand that, you can control it."

"It's not that easy," Kade replied, sweat pouring down his face. "Every time I think I have it, it slips away."

"You're doing great," Black Widow encouraged. "Remember, we've all been there. It takes time."

Thor watched from the sidelines, nodding in approval. "You have the heart of a warrior, Kade. Do not let your fears control you."

Kade took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He focused on the target in front of him, willing his heat vision to emerge. This time, the beams shot out in a controlled burst, hitting the target dead center.

"Yes!" he exclaimed, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

"Nice job, kid," Tony said, clapping him on the back. "You're getting the hang of it."

Day by day, Kade's control improved. He learned to regulate his strength, to harness his speed without causing destruction, and to focus his heat vision with precision. The Avengers' support and encouragement made all the difference, giving him the confidence he needed to keep going.

But it wasn't just the physical training that helped Kade. The Avengers also took the time to talk to him, to understand his fears and frustrations. They shared their own stories, their own struggles with their powers, and how they had overcome them.

One evening, as they sat around a campfire, Kade opened up about his past. "I had a life before this," he said quietly. "I had a job, friends, family. I lost everything when I came here."

"I know it's hard," Captain America said, his voice gentle. "But you've also gained something new. A chance to make a difference in this world."

"Yeah, but at what cost?" Kade replied, staring into the flames. "I don't even know if my family knows what happened to me. I might never see them again."

Thor placed a hand on his shoulder. "The path of a hero is often lonely, but you are not alone. You have us now. We are your family too."

Kade looked around at the faces of his new friends, feeling a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time

. "Thank you," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I don't know what I would have done without you all."

"You're one of us now," Tony said with a grin. "And we take care of our own."

As the weeks turned into months, Kade's confidence grew. He learned to embrace his powers, to use them for good. He joined the Avengers on missions, fighting alongside them to protect the world from threats. And with each battle, he grew stronger, more sure of himself.

But it wasn't just his powers that grew. Kade found a sense of purpose, a reason to keep going. He had lost his old life, but he had gained something new—something that gave him hope and strength.

One day, as he stood on a rooftop overlooking the city, Captain America joined him. "You've come a long way, Kade," he said, a proud smile on his face. "We're lucky to have you on the team."

"I'm the lucky one," Kade replied, looking out at the skyline. "You all saved me. I don't know where I'd be without you."

Captain America placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're a hero, Kade. Don't ever forget that."

As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the city, Kade felt a deep sense of peace. He had found his place in this new world, among heroes who had become his family. And with them by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.