Back In School Again  

After their daring raid dismantling the illegal Coco artifact auction, The Blur and Cobalt hid the anti-gravity cart in some bushes. The Blur then proceeded to drain the remaining energy from its power cells using his dreadlocks.

"That should keep us moving if we get chased," The Blur said.

Cobalt checked the expensive watch built into his armoured suit. "Damn, it's nearly 3 AM," he remarked with surprise. "I gotta admit, this night has been...something else partnering up with you."

The Blur considered their situation. It was extremely late and risky to keep aimlessly prowling the streets, yet he didn't fully trust letting Cain out of his sight either. "Do you have somewhere safe to lay low for the rest of tonight?" he asked.

Cobalt scoffed, looking offended. "Please, you think this my first time in the field? I can handle myself just fine without a babysitter." He crossed his arms defensively.

The Blur held up his palms placatingly, not wanting to push too hard and shatter their fragile cooperation. "Never said you were helpless. But enemies are still hunting ya down, don't forget."

Cobalt shrugged. "I'll find a discreet spot to crash till sunlight. And soon as my Sapphire Beetle comes back online tracking those freaky siblings, you'll be the first to know." He held out an expectant hand. "I'm gonna need your number though."

"Right, good idea." The Blur recited his personal phone number for Cobalt to reach him through. He made a mental note to acquire multiple untraceable devices to aid their clandestine coordination.

Their business exchange concluded, an awkward silence hung between the unlikely duo as exhaustion fully settled into their bones. They had bonded intensely through the harrowing events of this night, but uncertainty loomed about what tomorrow held for their alliance.

Cobalt broke the tense quiet first, nodding towards the Dread Spire lance and glowing amulet they had confiscated. "So what's the plan for those flashy weapons we bagged? No offense, but they seem wasted in your hands."

The Blur considered carefully. His first instinct was to turn both artefacts over to the authorities at JPCU for analysis and safekeeping. However, that ran the risk of questions for which they had no reasonable answers about their origins.

"We should lay low with them for now, avoid unnecessary risks," The Blur reasoned pragmatically. "Once this situation with the Toxic Trio is resolved, turning in the goods with an anonymous tip will draw less suspicion all around."

Cobalt clearly disliked that plan, eyeing the illuminated Dread Spire almost hungrily. "Come on, you know we earned the right to enjoy some spoils after kicking so much ass back there! I can think of some sweet moves to put this awesome lance to use taking down baddies." He mimed some flashy twirling attacks.

Amused by his ally's transparent admiration of the Coco weaponry, The Blur unlatched the glowing amulet from his belt and lightly tossed it over. "Here, consider this a trophy then. The lance has more tactical advantages for me, but that pendant is all flash."

Snatching the tossed amulet happily, Cobalt peered closer at the intricate filigrees adorning the relic. "Hey, this thing looks mad valuable, probably could fetch some big cash on the low," he remarked.

The Blur just shook his head. "I ain't interested in pawning mystical artefacts. My priorities are stopping crooks and saving lives, not making bank."

"Suit yourself then. But if you ever need funds, I know discreet collectors interested in rare Coco pieces, no questions asked." Cobalt was about to slipped the alluring amulet into a belt pouch but then he reasoned that The Blur deserve something for his troubles. Clearly, the alluring relic stoked his material appetites, even if The Blur felt indifferent towards such trinkets. "Here, just take it." He tossed the amulet back to The Blur.

"Hmm…" The Blur pocketed it reluctantly. With no more reason to prolong the night's events, an awkward silence hung between the exhausted duo once more. The Blur knew it was time to part ways discreetly.

"Stay alert and remember who the real enemy is," The Blur advised finally. "I'll be in touch when your beetle picks up the trail again."

Cobalt was looking ready to crash hard after this long night. "No doubt. And uh, it's been real, Blur. You got crazy skills, and this suit makes us an unstoppable team-up." He sounded sincere acknowledging their success together despite lingering arrogance.

With no more words left between the unlikely partners, The Blur gave a simple farewell salute then turned and stealthily vanished into the darkness.

Watching the enigmatic speedster disappear in a blink, Cobalt let out an impressed chuckle and shook his head. "Blur, huh. Fitting name for that dude."

Stashing his precious looted lance securely, Cobalt set off seeking discreet shelter to lay low in until sunrise. He had no intentions of staying confined or playing helpless victim. The taste of power and freedom tonight left him hungry for more. With this awesome new Coco weapon and fast friend, Cobalt felt unstoppable for the first time in ages. Destiny was his to seize.

Meanwhile, The Blur sped through the moonlit streets, carefully avoiding any signs of life. Soon he reached home and slipped inside his bedroom window gracefully thanks to honed parkour skills. The family pit bull Rex blinked awake and growled suspiciously before recognizing his master.

"Shhh Rex, is just me," The Blur whispered, rubbing the dog's head affectionately to calm him. Peeling off his facemask and outer costume, Devon breathed a deep sigh then inspected the amulet carefully before tossing it into a drawer. He was asleep seconds after his head hit the pillow, dead to the world.

By the time Devon's mother Norissa came in to wake him for school, there was no trace of his late-night escapades remaining. As far as she knew, her son had come home after evening track practice then retired to his room for the night as usual. Devon preferred keeping his mother and loved ones out of danger for now by concealing his heroic pursuits. He would tell her when the time was right.

After wolfing down a hearty breakfast, Devon was off to school trying to shake feelings of surrealness. He kept glancing around expecting to glimpse either familiar villains from last night or Cain. But the swaggering youth was oddly nowhere in sight this morning.

Devon knew it was risky for Cain to be roaming school grounds with the Toxic Trio likely seeking vengeance. Had the impulsive teen stayed hidden somewhere overnight?

During an English quiz, Devon found himself zoning out, distracted envisioning more daring heroics alongside his new resourceful partner. Whatever Cain's flaws, together they had achieved real good last night disrupting the sinister auction. Few others could understand that bond.

Devon's daydreaming was interrupted by the quiz paper being suddenly yanked out from under his pencil. "Daydreaming again Mr. Johnson?" the teacher chided sternly. "I hope whatever occupies your mind is worth failing this test over."

A smattering of snickers arose from other students as Devon stammered apologies. The teacher just shook his head and moved on. Embarrassed, Devon tried refocusing his drifting thoughts back on the day's mundane lessons. There would be time to dwell on conspiracies and night-time adventures later.

During lunch break, Devon nearly choked on his drink when Cain himself strolled cockily into the bustling cafeteria flanked by his usual posse. The absurdity of him so brazenly walking school grounds while deadly enemies hunted his head almost made Devon laugh aloud. He wondered if their intense clashes last night had been merely a vivid dream.

But the hard glint in Cain's eyes evidenced lingering trauma beneath his arrogant strutting. His gaze continuously swept the crowded halls as if expecting attack at any moment. This was still a young man gripped by fear and desperation despite the bold facade. Devon hoped Cain would stay focused on their deal and lay low until contacted. Recklessness would only worsen the threats looming over Cain's head.

At track practice that afternoon, Devon crouched tensely in the starting blocks waiting for the whistle. He knew Cain lined up just two lanes over, hungry to dominate another race. When Coach Adams shouted "Go!" they exploded forward.

Devon indeed utilized all his natural speed. But yet again, Cain pulled slightly ahead down the stretch, edging him out by fractions at the finish. Coach's stopwatch confirmed the photo finish - 8.82 seconds for Cain, 9.35 for Devon.

"Nice hustle boys. Yuh keep pushing each other," Coach Adams praised. The ongoing defeat stung Devon as other teammates swarmed the gloating Cain.

Striding up beside Devon, Cain pointed mockingly. "Almost had me that time dork, but yuh still too slow!" He laughed derisively. "I give yuh credit for trying at least. Maybe someday you can get on my level."

Devon clenched his fists tightly, biting back several harsh retorts. How satisfying it would be to put this arrogant fool in his place by revealing himself as The Blur. But their truce was too crucial, so he swallowed the anger. There were more important battles to focus on. Without a word, Devon simply turned and walked away.