Jordan walked alone through the dark alleyways of New York. The city lights flickered in the distance like distant stars, but his thoughts were storm clouds. His father was out there — somewhere — and he had convinced himself he had to do this alone.

Back at HQ, Savaana sat silently by the window. Rain tapped against the glass as the others watched her — Kim, Adrianna, Atomix, and Atomic Man.

The young legend finally broke the silence.
“You know… I get it,” Atomic Man said.
“Pushing people away when you’re scared. Pretending you’re strong when you’re falling apart inside. I’ve done it. But trust me — it never ends well.”

Savaana didn’t look at him.
“He acts like he’s the only one who cares. Like he’s the only one hurting. But I care too… and all he does is hide behind jokes like this is some kind of game.”

Atomic Man stepped beside her.
“Sometimes… jokes are the only way people can stop from falling apart. It's easier to laugh than let the pain show.”

Kim added gently,
“He’s scared. Like we all are. But he’s also lost more than he lets on.”

Meanwhile…

Jordan stood on the edge of a rooftop, the bright lights of Times Square glowing below. Thunder rumbled behind the clouds.
He stared down at the city — at the place his dad used to bring him when things made sense.
He whispered, “I won’t lose him too…”

Then he heard a voice behind him.
“You’re not going to save him alone.”

Jordan turned. Savaana hovered just above the roof, glowing faintly with energy.
Behind her were Atomix, Kim, Adrianna, and finally… Atomic Man.

“I told you not to follow me,” Jordan said, shoulders stiff.

“And I ignored you, like I always do,” Savaana replied, arms crossed.

A small, bitter smile tugged at Jordan’s lips.
“Still mad at me?”

She nodded.
“Yeah. But I’d rather be mad at you while saving your dad than doing nothing at all.”

Jordan’s smile faded. He turned his eyes to the skyline, voice low.
“You think I joke because I don’t care?
I make jokes because… if I don’t, I’ll fall apart.
My dad was all I had after mom left. He worked late, missed birthdays… but when he was there, he was there.
He believed in me — even when I didn’t.
When I got my powers… I thought maybe I’d finally make him proud.
But then I found out he worked for X.
And now he’s a prisoner. Or worse.
And I’m scared.
So yeah… I joke. Because if I don’t… the pain swallows me.”

The group was silent.

Savaana stepped forward slowly, her voice tight with guilt.
“Jordan… I’m sorry.
I shouldn’t have said the things I did.
I was scared too.
But your dad… he once saved me.
Back when I was just a test subject in X’s lab — he’s the reason I escaped.
So don’t think you’re the only one who wants him back.
I owe him my life.”

Jordan looked at her, surprised — and then something softened in him.
He nodded slowly.

Atomic Man stepped between them, his gaze steady.
“That’s what being a hero is.
It’s not powers. It’s not flashy suits or flying through cities.
It’s pain.
It’s sacrifice.
It’s carrying a burden so others don’t have to.
It’s waking up every day knowing you might lose everything — and still choosing to fight.
And the hardest part? You think you have to do it alone.”

He looked at each of them.

“But you don’t.
You have each other.
You’re a team.
And right now, the world — and your father — needs you to remember that.”

Jordan took a breath, lightning dancing across his fingertips, more focused now.
He looked around at his team… his family.

“Okay,” he said, nodding.
“Let’s go save my dad.”