EXT. FOREST EDGE / CITY PARK — NIGHT

WEATHER: Rain begins to fall lightly. Steam rises from cracked earth.

SOUND: DISTANT SIRENS growing louder.

WIDE SHOT

Andrew lies against the shattered tree.

Kevin and Peter are unconscious, restrained.

Liam stands still, northern light fully faded.

Luke and Tyler approach him slowly.

TYLER

…You good?

Liam nods, but his hands tremble slightly.

LIAM

Yeah.

Just… tired.

POLICE ARRIVAL

Red and blue lights slice through the forest.

SQUAD CARS skid to a stop at the park’s edge.

Officers pour out, weapons raised but unsure.

OFFICER

Everyone freeze!

Luke raises his hands.

LUKE

We’re students.

They attacked us.

Officers move in quickly.

HANDCUFFS SNAP SHUT.

Andrew is dragged upright.

He glares at Liam.

No anger now.

Just interest.

ANDREW

(low, calm)

This isn’t over.

Police force him forward.

Kevin and Peter are loaded into separate vehicles.

The doors SLAM SHUT.

Sirens fade into the distance.

SILENCE RETURNS

Rain falls harder now.

The park feels empty.

Broken.

TYLER

…So that’s it?

Liam looks down at the ground.

LIAM

For tonight.

CHARLIE ARRIVES

A figure steps from the shadows.

No lights.

No sound.

CHARLIE.

Coat damp. Eyes heavy.

CHARLIE

You pushed too far.

The boys turn.

LUKE

You saw that?

Charlie nods.

CHARLIE

I felt it.

He looks directly at Liam.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

Gear 50 isn’t something you use.

It’s something you survive.

Liam swallows.

THE TRUTH

Charlie walks past them, staring at the wreckage.

CHARLIE

Andrew, Kevin, Peter—

they’re not the real threat.

The boys exchange looks.

TYLER

…Then who is?

Charlie turns back.

His expression is serious.

No comfort this time.

CHARLIE

People who know what you are now.

HERO SCHOOL

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

You can’t stay normal.

Luke stiffens.

LUKE

What are you saying?

Charlie takes a breath.

CHARLIE

There’s a place.

A hero school.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

They train people like you.

Break them.

Rebuild them.

Tyler grins nervously.

TYLER

Sounds… fun?

Charlie doesn’t smile.

CHARLIE

It won’t be.

CHARLIE’S FAREWELL

Charlie steps closer to Liam.

Low voice.

CHARLIE

And I can’t go with you.

Liam looks up sharply.

LIAM

What?

CHARLIE

I’ve been found.

A pause.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

I need to disappear for a while.

Luke clenches his fists.

LUKE

You’re just leaving?

Charlie places a hand on Liam’s shoulder.

CHARLIE

I’m trusting you.

He looks at all three of them.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

Train hard.

Watch each other’s backs.

Charlie steps into the darkness.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

And when you’re ready—

He stops.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

I’ll find you.

He vanishes.

FINAL SCENE

Rain pours.

Three boys stand alone.

No mentor.

No safety net.

Just power.

And a future they didn’t choose.

Liam looks toward the distant city lights.

LIAM

…Guess we’re really doing this.

Luke nods.

LUKE

Together.

Tyler smirks.

TYLER

Hero school, huh?

Thunder rolls.