Jason sat in the dim cell, the words of his father and Adrianna still echoing in his head. Enough was enough. He was done waiting.

He knelt by the lock, gathering particles of atomic energy between his palms until they shimmered like tiny, burning specks. Carefully, he pushed them into the keyhole and released a controlled detonation. The lock gave way with a soft pop.

He slipped out silently. Two guards stood by the main door. Jason tossed a small piece of scrap metal across the room, letting it clatter loudly against the far wall.

Both men turned at once, stepping inside to investigate. That was all he needed. Jason moved like a shadow, striking hard and fast, and both dropped unconscious before they could raise an alarm.

The hallway stretched ahead, lined with flickering lights. Jason kept his pace quick and low, but in a control room somewhere above, a dark figure leaned over a bank of monitors. Jason’s face appeared on one screen.

“Found you,” the man muttered, pressing an intercom.

The alarms blared.

Every guard in the building turned toward his location. Jason stopped in the middle of the hall, the red lights flashing over his face. “Leave,” he said loudly, his voice carrying. “Before this gets ugly.”

They didn’t listen.

The wave of guards surged forward, and Jason exploded into motion, fists, elbows, and bursts of atomic energy striking faster than they could react. One by one, they fell until the floor was littered with groaning, unconscious bodies.

That’s when Erik appeared.

Jason froze for half a second. “I don’t want to fight you, Erik.”

But Erik didn’t hesitate. They clashed, the air rattling with each impact. Erik’s blows were brutal, and again and again Jason found himself on the ground, gasping for air. He couldn’t beat him.

“Erik!” Jason shouted in desperation. “You’re my brother! You’re not their puppet! Remember who you are!”

Erik faltered mid-swing. His eyes cleared, his fists lowering. “Brother…” he whispered.

In the control room, the dark figure tilted his head. “What a shame.” He pressed a small button.

Erik gasped, clutching his chest. A glowing heat spread from within, and before Jason could react, the atomic bullet in his body ignited.

“No!” Jason caught him as his knees buckled. Erik’s eyes found his one last time before going still.

Jason fell to his knees, tears burning down his face.

Footsteps approached. Adrianna.

“Jason,” she said quietly. “Stop now. While you have the chance.”

Jason looked up at her, his voice raw. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Lightning crackled between her hands, and she lunged. Her speed was blinding, each strike forcing Jason backward. He stayed defensive, refusing to attack her in earnest. Sparks tore through the air, searing the walls, but he held his ground.

Finally, he caught her wrist mid-strike, pulling her close. “Don’t let your past define you, Adri. My family was destroyed by mine, but you and I… we can create a new future. You can’t change what happened. But you can choose what happens next. I love you, Adri. And if you need a family… I’ll be that family. I’ll be here for you. Always.”

Her breath hitched. Tears welled in her eyes. And then she broke, collapsing into his arms. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “It’s okay.”

A cold voice cut through the moment.

“I’ll finish you myself.”

Jason’s father stepped into view, energy crackling around him. His presence was overwhelming—he radiated the same atomic power as Jason, but sharper, more controlled. Together, Jason and Adrianna faced him, their attacks coordinated, pushing him back inch by inch.

But he was strong. Stronger than either of them expected.

“You’ll never find my boss,” he growled. His hands glowed brighter. “And now… neither will anyone else.”

Jason’s eyes widened. “He’s activating an atomic bomb!”

There was no time to escape. Adrianna grabbed his arm and dragged him down a side hallway. They burst into a hidden room, where she slammed her palm on a recessed button. A swirling portal ignited before them.

“Go!” she shouted.

They leapt together, and in the instant the portal closed, the world behind them erupted. The shockwave tore through the base, but they were gone.

Jason landed on hard pavement, gasping for breath. The sounds of car horns and chatter reached his ears. He looked up. They were in New York.

Before he could speak, a man in a crimson hero suit stepped forward, his mask reflecting the city lights. “Who are you?” he asked.

Adrianna’s voice was steady, but her words made Jason’s blood run cold.

“We’re not in your world,” she said. “This… is a different dimension.”