Buddy (shaking and nervous): I promise, okay? I promise I didn't cheat on you, okay? I promise, you can even ask Kaisler.

Sarah (glaring at Kaisler): DID HE CHEAT ON ME? (she says angrily)

Kaisler: No, he didn't cheat. I just saved her in the multiverse explorer job because her friend died in there.

Sarah (looking at Juno): IS THAT TRUE? (she says angrily)

Juno (says scaredly and nervously): Uh, uh, uh, he isn't lying. I just need a place to stay, please.

Buddy (grabbing and throwing him away):

Kaisler: Ow, the fuck you on? Why you throwing me around?

Buddy: I told you not to bring her here. Now she thinks I'm cheating.

Kaisler: Not my problem. I'll move out today.

Buddy: Why?

Kaisler: 'Cause I got my shit figured out, you know I told you I'd move out in the end.

Buddy: Aight, aight. But I'll still make sure you're doing your training. (says in a cocky tone)

Kaisler: Bruh, get off me. You know I ain't gonna let you diss me like that. (he says in a bit of a serious tone in a prideful way)

Buddy: Bruh, I didn't diss you, but listen, okay? Now you're cooked. You need money? Don't come to me. You have to keep going to multiverse exploring. (he says, confused and smirking with his cocky tone)

Kaisler: Aight, btw, don't date Juno, lil bro. (he says, smirking)

Buddy: Why? She's yours? (he says, joking in a cocky tone)

Kaisler: No, because you got Sarah. (he laughs)

Buddy laughed with Kaisler, then they both looked at Juno, who ran up and slapped Buddy.

Buddy: "What was that for?"

Juno (shouting): "I HATE YOU!"

Buddy: "Why?"

Juno (eyes flashing with anger): "It's your fault he's dead."

Buddy: "How?"

Juno (voice trembling with rage): "YOU WITHHELD INFORMATION! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Buddy: "How? You said I shouldn’t kill him. How is it my fault?"

Juno (glaring at him, fists clenched): "I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD REVIVE HIM!"

Buddy (growing angry): "LISTEN, OKAY? YOU SAID I SHOULDN’T KILL HIM. YOU SHOUTED AT ME. HOW IS IT MY FAULT?"

Juno (stepping closer, voice shaking): "STOP TRYING TO GASLIGHT ME! WHY THE ACTUAL FUCK DIDN’T YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU COULD DO?!"

Buddy (snapping, his voice sharp): "WHY WOULD I TELL A RANDOM LIKE YOU WHAT I COULD DO?!"

Suddenly, Sarah ran in front of them, breaking them apart.

Meanwhile, on a nearby building, Kaisler was watching, laughing as he swung away. His legs were too sore to run.

Kaisler walked up to a Buns & Blazes food stand.

Food Stand Worker: "Look who it is, the broke boy."

Kaisler: "Ha ha ha..." (he laughs sarcastically) "Here to buy food."

Food Stand Worker: "Hope you're not 2 Zylar off this time." (he says, snickering)

Kaisler: "Ha ha ha. I have enough. How much for 2 burgers and fries?" (he says in a serious tone)

Food Stand Worker: "200 Zylar."

As Kaisler reached into his pocket, trying to find his debit card, the food stand worker spoke again.

Food Stand Worker: "Wait, I’ll make it 150. I feel bad about last time."

Kaisler, not liking the joke, paid the 150 and left. He walked into a dangerous-looking neighborhood where people were smoking weed, getting high, and some sniffing crack. He saw Equalizers everywhere—guns that could shoot bullets moving at massively faster-than-light speeds while having moon-destroying abilities.

The reason he was here? Rent was much cheaper, and it had a good gym someone came up to him.

Arthur (says proudly): Yo, anyone know who this is?
(He tries to put his hand on Kaisler's shoulder.)

Everyone there just shakes their head. Arthur keeps pushing it.
Arthur: Yo, man, why don’t you introduce yourself? What are you doing here?

Kaisler ignores him, brushing off his hand.

Arthur (getting agitated): You don’t wanna talk? Alright, that’s cool. But here’s the thing—this is my territory. You don’t get to walk around like you own it without respect.

Kaisler (growing more annoyed): Can a guy just check out a house in peace without some random dude trying to press me?

Everyone in the room stops, and all eyes are on them.

Arthur: Oh, so you’re the one who bought the house? Should’ve just said that from the start, man. We’re all good here.

The music starts up again, and the others start to ease up, welcoming him to the neighborhood.

next day

The next day, Kaisler wakes up with a hangover after drinking with Arthur. He looks up at the window, just to see Buddy up there looking down at him. Buddy is smirking.

Kaisler: Hell nah, fuck no. Out, out, it’s too fucking early for this bullshit.

Buddy: So I can’t congratulate my friend for finding a house?

Kaisler: How long were you here for, practicing that look, having the sunlight bounce perfectly on you?

Buddy: Like 1 hour.

Kaisler: Okay, why are you here? If you're here, it’s for a reason.

Buddy (smiling): You can move at Mach 25, right? Full speed?

Kaisler: I have a bad feeling about this.

Buddy: I take that as a yes.

Kaisler: So what if it’s a yes?

Buddy: Time for a good workout. You’ll do 3,654 marathons. GOAL: Finish it in 5 HOURS.

Kaisler (annoyed tone): NO. NO FUCKING WAY. IT’S TOO EARLY FOR THIS BULLSHIT. ISN’T THAT 5 TIMES AROUND THE EARTH AT MY FULL SPEED?

Buddy: It’s actually almost 4 times. (Buddy laughs hysterically) You’ll do it(he says in a cocky tone).

Kaisler tries covering himself with the duvet cover, but Buddy rips it out of his hand as he forces him to get ready. They start, with Buddy just jogging, his hand in his pocket, keeping up with Kaisler’s full speed of Mach 25.

Kaisler’s feet slammed into the pavement, the pain in his legs burning with every step. His body screamed for him to stop, but he kept pushing, moving at Mach 25, the world around him a blur.

The skyline of the city shimmered in the golden light of the rising sun, tall buildings reflecting the beauty of the morning. Trees lined the streets, their green leaves fluttering gently in the breeze, and rivers sparkled in the distance. Normally, he’d stop to appreciate it, but his body was a mess of exhaustion and pain.

(will contune to part three of the chapter)