After the battle in Times Square, the world seemed to quiet down — if only for a moment. Atomic Man had taken Jordan, Savaana, and Jordan’s dad into safety. For a few days, they could breathe, rest, and begin to heal.

But something still lingered in the air. A tension. A storm waiting to return.

Atomix stood alone in a field behind the safehouse, his body humming with raw atomic energy. The power that X's blaster had awakened inside him was growing — glowing brighter every day. At times, his entire body was cloaked in a radiant aura, pure energy pulsing around him like a second skin. And recently, he had learned to detach it from his form — to manipulate it outside himself. But control was still a problem. He was more powerful than ever, yet every moment felt like standing on the edge of an explosion.

Back inside the safehouse, the mood was lighter. Jordan and Savaana sat on the couch, chatting quietly. The sun filtered through the windows, casting golden light on the two of them.

“I’m just happy things are finally going well,” Jordan said with a small smile.

He glanced at her, then quickly looked away.

Savaana noticed, and her lips curled into a soft smile. She looked at him for a second longer… then turned her head away too.

Neither of them said anything more — but the silence was full.

For the next few weeks, things seemed normal. But Savaana couldn’t ignore the growing feeling in her gut. Jordan’s father had begun acting… different. Something in his eyes, in the way he moved — it wasn’t right. She watched quietly at first. Then, one day, she brought it up to Jordan.

“Your dad,” she said carefully. “He’s been acting strange.”

Jordan frowned. “He just got rescued after being kidnapped by a madman. What do you expect?”

“No, Jordan. It’s not just that. X is smart — what if he—”

“Stop,” Jordan snapped. “He’s my dad. He needs support, not suspicion.”

“I’m just saying—”

“Shut up, Savaana.”

The words hit her like a slap. Her expression froze. A tear welled up in her eye, but she turned quickly and walked away before it could fall.

That night, Jordan wandered into the living room. The house was quiet — too quiet. When he entered, his blood ran cold.

Everyone — Kim, Adrianna, Atomix, even Storm — was lying on the floor. Unconscious.

And in the middle of the room stood his father.

“Dad…?” Jordan whispered.

His father turned slowly. His eyes were blank. Lifeless. And then, without warning, he attacked.

Jordan barely dodged the strike. He stumbled back, confused, tears forming in his eyes. “What’s going on?!”

His father didn’t answer. The fight began — brutal and fast. Jordan was quick, faster than before… but he was holding back. This was his dad. How could he hurt him?

And because he hesitated — he started to lose.

His father raised his fist for the finishing blow — but then, in a flash of purple light, Savaana arrived. She fired a wave of energy that sent Jordan’s father crashing into the wall.

But the blast drained her. She collapsed immediately, unconscious.

“No!” Jordan shouted, rushing to her side.

He stood up, his eyes glowing with lightning. He had never been this angry. This focused. He charged, striking his father with a surge of electricity that shook the entire room.

Blow after blow, he fought like never before — not just to win, but to protect.

Finally, he had his father pinned.

“Dad… stop,” he begged, voice cracking.

And then — his father did.

He looked up at Jordan. His eyes flickered with something… real. Something human.

“I’m being mind-controlled,” he said, gasping. “It’s X… he’s in my head. I’ve been fighting it… but I’m losing.”

Jordan shook his head, tears falling freely now. “We’ll help you. We’ll figure it out.”

“You don’t understand,” his father said. “I can’t hold on for much longer. You have to stop me. You have to… kill me.”

“No.”

“You must. Before I become a monster again. I love you, son.”

“Please don’t make me do this.”

His father smiled softly through the pain. “I’m proud of you. Now do what a hero must.”

Lightning swirled around Jordan’s fists. He screamed as he released it — a single, powerful burst.

His father fell still.

Jordan collapsed beside him, holding him close, tears soaking into his shirt. The others were beginning to wake up — but Jordan didn’t notice. He was lost in the moment, in the grief, in the unbearable weight of the choice he had just made.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Outside, the stars were silent.