Chapter 18: Testing Abilities – Pain, No Gain

Scene One: The Setup

Marshall stood in the empty lot behind the old Midtown Auto Shop, now Nexus Inc.'s burgeoning headquarters. The air was crisp with the promise of an early morning, and the area was quiet, save for the distant hum of the city waking up.

He adjusted the Omnitrix on his wrist, the green glow faintly pulsing like a heartbeat. This wasn't about testing alien transformations today. This was about him—his own abilities, the ones that came with his reincarnation into this world. Superhuman intelligence, accelerated healing, heightened stamina—traits that had saved his life more than once but also left him with questions he couldn't ignore.

Peter jogged up, a stopwatch in hand and an energy bar clutched in the other. "You sure about this, Marshall? Pushing yourself without knowing your limits could end… badly."

Marshall smirked, stretching his arms. "That's the point, Pete. If I don't know where the limits are, how do I prepare for what's coming?"

Billy appeared moments later, sipping a smoothie and looking unimpressed. "You know, normal people test their limits by, I don't know, running a mile? Not whatever this is."

"Normal people don't have to think about intergalactic threats or supervillains," Marshall quipped, rolling his neck. "Let's start. Peter, you're in charge of timing and observations. Billy, just… don't distract me."

Billy raised an eyebrow but leaned against a nearby fence, clearly content to let Peter do the heavy lifting.

Scene Two: Stamina and Strength

Peter clicked the stopwatch as Marshall sprinted across the lot. His legs pumped like pistons, propelling him forward at an inhuman pace. It wasn't alien speed—he wasn't XLR8—but it was far beyond what any normal human could achieve.

Marshall skidded to a halt at the other end, barely out of breath. "Time?"

Peter checked the stopwatch. "Twenty-three seconds. That's… half the time it'd take the fastest middle-distance runners."

"Not bad," Marshall muttered, already jogging back. "But I can do better."

"Or you can pace yourself," Peter called out, concern lacing his voice.

Ignoring him, Marshall grabbed a set of weights they'd borrowed from the auto shop. Stacking them higher than a normal bench press setup would allow, he tested his raw strength. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he lifted the bar, the metal groaning under the strain.

Billy whistled. "Alright, I'm impressed. You're officially less boring."

Marshall set the bar down with a loud clang, flexing his hands. "That's not even the heaviest I can go."

Peter jotted down notes. "Strength and endurance are off the charts for your size and build. But you're still human—don't overdo it."

Scene Three: Healing and Pain Tolerance

The real test came next. Marshall took a deep breath, gripping a small blade. This part wasn't for show—it was for answers.

"Are you sure about this?" Peter asked, his voice tight.

"Absolutely," Marshall said, pressing the blade lightly against his forearm. He winced as it broke the skin, a thin line of blood welling up.

Peter grimaced but leaned in, stopwatch ready. "Alright… go."

Within seconds, the wound began to close, the skin knitting itself back together in a process that defied medical explanation.

"Time?" Marshall asked, his voice calm despite the lingering sting.

Peter stared at the stopwatch. "Nine seconds. That's insane."

Billy's eyes widened. "You're like a walking cheat code."

Marshall dabbed at the faint scar left behind, his mind racing. "It's fast, but it's not perfect. If the injury's deeper, it'll take longer. And there's still pain."

Peter frowned. "Pain tolerance isn't something you should keep testing. You might be able to heal, but you're not invincible."

Marshall nodded, filing the observation away. "Noted. But I need to know what I can take if it comes down to it."

Scene Four: Mental and Tactical Prowess

To finish the day's tests, Peter set up a series of puzzles, logic problems, and rapid-fire trivia. Marshall breezed through them, his answers almost instantaneous.

Billy watched in awe as Marshall solved a complex algorithm in under a minute. "Okay, I take back every sarcastic comment I've ever made. You're a genius."

"Tell me something I don't know," Marshall said, his smirk returning.

Peter grinned. "Alright, Mr. Genius. How do you feel about lunch? You've been at this for hours."

Marshall wiped the sweat from his brow, exhaustion finally catching up to him. "Lunch sounds good. And after that, we talk about the next steps for Nexus Inc."

Billy groaned. "Can't we just celebrate how freakishly talented you are for one day?"

Marshall laughed. "No time to rest, Billy. The world's not going to save itself."

Scene Five: Reflection

Later that evening, Marshall sat alone in his room, his journal open to a fresh page. He jotted down his findings, his handwriting as precise as ever.

Abilities Tested Today:

• Enhanced stamina and speed: Above average but not unlimited.

• Strength: Impressive for a human baseline, but far from superhuman.

• Healing: Accelerated but not immediate. Pain still a factor.

• Intelligence: Consistent. Rapid problem-solving confirmed.

He tapped the pen against his chin, his thoughts turning inward. Today had proven what he could do, but it also highlighted his limitations. He wasn't invincible, and his abilities weren't limitless.

As he closed the journal, a thought lingered in his mind: I've come a long way, but there's still so much to learn—and so much at stake.

Marshall glanced at the Omnitrix on his wrist, its faint green glow a constant reminder of the responsibility he carried. He wasn't just testing his abilities for himself; he was preparing for the battles to come.

And pain or no pain, he wouldn't stop until he was ready.

Scene Six: Brainstorming the Future

The three boys sat around a makeshift table in the corner of the newly acquired Nexus Inc. headquarters, illuminated by the bright overhead workshop lights. Papers and sketches cluttered the table, alongside laptops and half-finished blueprints. The air buzzed with ideas as Marshall, Peter, and Billy dove into their next big brainstorm session.

Billy leaned back in his chair, twirling a pen between his fingers. "Alright, geniuses, we've got the app, we've got D2. What's next on the menu of greatness?"

Peter leaned forward, pushing his glasses up. "Something practical, something people will use every day. D2's great, but not everyone's going to want a robotic companion."

Marshall tapped a pen against his journal, deep in thought. He flipped to a fresh page, writing Next Projects at the top. His mind was racing, blending memories from his past life with the resources of this world.

"I've been thinking about something medical," Marshall said, his voice calm but deliberate. "A product that can help people in emergencies. Something easy to use but groundbreaking in its impact."

Billy raised an eyebrow. "Medical? Like a better Band-Aid? Not exactly the flashiest idea."

Peter perked up. "No, wait, he's onto something. Think about it—what if there was a way to treat serious injuries on the spot? Something paramedics, soldiers, or even regular people could use in emergencies?"

Marshall nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "Exactly. Picture this: a gel that combines an anesthetic, a clotting agent, and a sealant. It instantly stops bleeding, prevents infection, and holds everything together while the body heals. Imagine how many lives it could save."

Billy's eyes widened. "Okay, now you've got my attention. But… how would that even work? Sounds like sci-fi."

"It's not," Marshall said, already sketching the idea in his journal. "The concept is doable. The gel would bond tightly to flesh, forming a temporary barrier against contaminants and liquids. It'd stay in place until it's removed with a specific ultrasound frequency."

Peter's jaw dropped. "Marshall, that's brilliant. You're talking about something that could revolutionize emergency medicine."

Billy leaned over to glance at the sketch. "And make us a fortune. Hospitals, the military, first responders—they'd all want it."

Marshall smirked. "Exactly. But it's not about the money. It's about making a difference. The revenue's just a bonus."

Peter laughed. "Classic Marshall—saving the world one idea at a time."

Scene Seven: Building the Framework

The trio spent the next hour fleshing out the concept. Marshall led the discussion, his knowledge of the product flowing naturally, as though he'd been working on it for years.

"We'd need to start with basic chemical components," Marshall explained, sketching a molecular structure on the whiteboard. "Something biocompatible that won't irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions. The anesthetic has to be strong enough to numb the pain but not so strong that it causes complications."

Peter added notes to his laptop. "What about the sealant? It has to be durable but easy to remove with the right tools."

"Exactly," Marshall agreed. "And we'll need to test how it interacts with different environments—heat, water, contaminants. This has to work under battlefield conditions, not just in a sterile lab."

Billy tilted his chair back, arms crossed. "You're making it sound complicated, but that's why I'm here. I'll handle the pitch to investors. Once we've got a working prototype, this thing will sell itself."

Marshall chuckled. "One step at a time, Billy. First, we need to build a prototype and test it."

Peter grinned. "Which means late nights, trial and error, and maybe a few explosions."

Billy groaned. "Great. You two handle the science. I'll be over here not blowing myself up."

Scene Eight: Marshall's Secret

Later that night, Marshall sat alone in the workshop, the whiteboard still covered in diagrams and notes. The others had gone home, but Marshall couldn't stop. His journal lay open on the table, filled with detailed schematics and formulations for the gel.

In his previous life, he'd seen technology like this in video games, movies, and TV shows—specifically Mass Effect. The idea of Medi-Gel had always fascinated him. Now, in this world, he could make it a reality.

He smiled to himself, closing the journal. Peter and Billy didn't need to know where the idea had come from. As far as they were concerned, it was another stroke of genius from Marshall Phillips.

Marshall glanced at the Omnitrix, its green glow faint in the dim light. One step at a time, he thought. First the gel, then the rest of the world.

Scene Nine: Testing Kevin

Marshall stood in the middle of the Nexus Inc. lab, a sleek, portable battery pack sitting on the table in front of him. He adjusted his journal under one arm, jotting down a few notes while glancing at Kevin, who lounged in a nearby chair with his usual smirk.

"So, let me get this straight," Kevin said, raising an eyebrow. "You want me to suck power out of that thing?"

Marshall looked up, his tone even. "Exactly. You've got the ability to absorb energy, right? But you've never really tested how far it goes. This battery is a controlled source of energy. If you overload yourself or lose control, this environment is safe enough to handle it.

Kevin's smirk wavered, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. "Yeah, sure. But what happens if I blow up or something? Don't wanna end up like some freak science experiment gone wrong."

Marshall set his journal down, his gaze steady. "You won't blow up. I've done the calculations. The energy output of this battery is manageable for what you've already absorbed before. The key is figuring out how you handle the energy once it's inside you."

Kevin stared at the battery for a long moment before shrugging. "Alright, genius. Let's see what you've got."

Marshall handed him the small battery, a portable model used for charging high-energy devices. It hummed faintly in Kevin's hand, a soft glow emanating from the power indicator.

"Okay," Marshall instructed, stepping back. "Focus on the energy. Don't think about anything else. Just let it flow into you and keep track of how it feels."

Kevin rolled his eyes but followed Marshall's instructions. He placed his other hand on the battery's surface, closing his eyes. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the battery's light dimmed as a faint glow began to pulse through Kevin's veins, his body crackling with energy.

"Whoa," Kevin muttered, his eyes flying open. "That's… weird."

Marshall leaned forward, scribbling in his journal. "What does it feel like?"

Kevin flexed his fingers, electricity dancing along his skin. "It's… warm. Buzzing, kinda like I drank too much coffee. But it's not bad."

"Good," Marshall said. "Now, try focusing it. Channel the energy into your hand—see if you can project it outward."

Kevin furrowed his brow, holding up his hand. A few sparks sputtered out, but nothing significant. He growled under his breath, clenching his fist.

"Relax," Marshall said calmly. "You're trying too hard. Just let it flow naturally. Don't force it."

Kevin took a deep breath, his body relaxing. This time, a steady arc of electricity shot from his hand, striking a nearby metal pole with a sharp crack.

"Holy—" Kevin's eyes widened. "Did you see that?"

Marshall grinned, nodding as he jotted down more notes. "Perfect. That's control. Now, how do you feel?"

Kevin looked down at his hands, the faint glow fading as the battery ran dry. "Still buzzing a little, but it's not out of control. Feels… good."

Marshall closed his journal, satisfied. "That's what we needed to see. Right now, your powers are tied to energy absorption, but if we keep testing, we might figure out how far you can take it."

Kevin set the empty battery on the table, a flicker of genuine appreciation in his eyes. "You know, you're not half-bad at this. I mean, you're still a nerd, but at least you're a useful nerd."

Marshall smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As Kevin headed for the door, Marshall called out, "Kevin—one more thing. Don't push yourself too hard when you're out there. If you take in too much energy without control, it could backfire."

Kevin paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. Don't blow myself up. Got it."

Marshall watched him go, a mix of satisfaction and caution swirling in his mind. Helping Kevin was a step in the right direction, but there was still a long way to go. For now, though, it was progress.

To be continued…