Bubble Boy

She pulled back from the hug slightly, cupping his face in her hands. Her eyes, so full of worry, love, and something else, something heavier.

"You're not strong enough yet," she said softly.

Troy blinked. "What?"

She wiped her tears, but her expression hardened, not with anger, but with determination. "I won't tell you to stop. I won't tell you to run away. Because I know you. You're just like your father. Once you decide on something, you never let go."

Troy's breath caught in his throat.

"But, Troy…" Her grip on his hands tightened. "You need to become stronger. Not just for yourself. Not just to survive. But because the world isn't kind. You can't just want to be a hero. You have to be one. And that means becoming someone who can stand, no matter what comes."

Her eyes locked onto his, unwavering.

"If you want to change the heroes… if you want to be a symbol of peace, then you have to be unshakable."

Her words sank into him, carving themselves deep into his soul.

You have to be unshakable.

Troy clenched his fists.

"I will," he whispered.

His mother smiled through her tears, nodding. "Then stand up, Troy. Stand up, and never fall."

And in that moment, he swore, no matter how hard it got, no matter how much pain he had to endure...

He would never fall.

The next day, at the heart of the city, the Legion's Headquarters stood as a towering symbol of heroism, a massive skyscraper, sleek and silver, stretching toward the heavens. Inside, in the grand meeting hall, the most powerful heroes in the world gathered.

At the front of the room, Starman stood, his presence commanding, his golden cape flowing behind him. His gaze swept over the Legion members, his expression solemn.

"We are gathered today," he began, his voice deep, rich with authority, "to honor the memory of a great hero. A warrior. A brother."

A large portrait of Elemental loomed behind him, smiling, noble, the very image of a hero.

A lie.

Many of the Legion members knew the truth. Starman had killed him.

But no one said a word.

Not Gladiator, despite her clenched fists.

Not Bolt, despite the flicker of unease in his eyes.

Not Void, despite her usual cold indifference.

Not Construct, despite his smirk fading.

Not Mr Mars, despite him being from another world.

Not even Seaman, Starman's right hand man.

Silence.

Fear.

Starman continued. "Elemental's death is a tragedy. A villain took his life, and we will ensure that justice is served."

More lies.

But still, silence.

Then, the doors opened.

A man entered, his stride slow, deliberate. His suit was crisp, dark, his posture confident. Michael, the government's representative.

The tension in the room shifted immediately.

Starman's expression remained unreadable as Michael walked up to him, stopping just a few feet away.

The Legion members knew what was coming.

"Leave us," Starman ordered.

One by one, the heroes stood and exited the hall, their footsteps echoing. The massive doors closed behind them, leaving only Starman and Michael in the room.

A heavy silence stretched between them before Michael finally spoke.

"You gave me a lot of work cleaning up your mess," he said, his voice calm, but edged with something sharp. "Do you have any idea how many strings I had to pull to keep this quiet?"

Starman simply smiled. "And yet, here we are. The funeral is arranged. The world believes the lie. Everything is under control."

Michael exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "One day, Starman… one day, someone's going to see through this."

Starman's smile didn't waver.

"I hope they do."

Michael stiffened.

"I'd love to see who's foolish enough to challenge me."

The room fell silent.

Michael adjusted his suit, his jaw tight. "Just don't give me another mess to clean up."

Starman turned toward the massive windows, overlooking the city. His city.

"No promises."

And Michael knew...

This was far from over.

The funeral of Elemental was an event of national significance. Cameras from every major news network broadcasted the service live, the world watching as a supposed hero was laid to rest.

The scene was grand, almost theatrical, held in front of the Legion Headquarters, a massive stage set up at the steps, draped in black banners. The entire area was filled with civilians, heroes, and government officials, all standing solemnly, listening intently.

At the center of it all, Starman stood tall, the very image of power and authority. His red cape billowed slightly in the wind, his eyes sharp yet sorrowful, practiced, controlled. A man grieving for his fallen comrade. A lie.

Behind him, the other Legion members stood in formation, Gladiator, Bolt, Construct, Void, Seaman ,Mr Mars. Their faces were carefully composed, but the tension in their postures was unmistakable.

Troy sat in his hospital bed, watching the broadcast from a small TV mounted on the wall. His body still ached, the weight of his mother's words lingering in his mind. But as he looked at Starman, standing there with all his false grief, his hands clenched into fists.

Across the city, in Jackson's house, the Bubble Crew watched the same broadcast. Jackson, Carter and Emily, all sitting around the living room, their faces dark with anger. They knew the truth.

"This is such bullshit," Carter muttered, leaning forward, his fingers digging into the couch.

Emily crossed her arms, her jaw tight. "And the world just eats it up."

Jackson didn't say anything, just glared at the screen, his usual cocky smirk nowhere to be found.

On the TV, Starman stepped forward, placing a hand on the podium. His voice, rich with emotion, rang through the speakers.

"Today, we mourn the loss of a hero, a man who dedicated his life to protecting the innocent. Elemental was not just a teammate. He was a brother. A friend." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "He was taken from us too soon. Stolen by the hands of a villain who will face justice."

A lie.

Troy felt his stomach twist.

In the background, the camera briefly panned over the other Legion members. Gladiator's fists were clenched at her sides. Bolt's usual easygoing demeanor was gone, Mr Mars just stood there, his jaw tight. Void stood perfectly still, her cold eyes locked forward, but even she seemed unusually stiff.

Construct, always the joker, had no smirk today.

They all knew.

And none of them would say a word.

Back in the hospital, Troy's mother sat beside him, watching just as intently. She had never trusted the Legion, but even she looked shaken by the sheer scale of the deception.

Troy barely heard the rest of Starman's speech. The words didn't matter. It was all just smoke and mirrors.

But one thing did stand out.

As Starman finished, he turned his gaze to the cameras, as if speaking directly to the world, directly to Troy.

"We will not let this loss be in vain. We will stand stronger than ever. Because that is what heroes do."

A challenge. A warning.

Troy's heart pounded in his chest.

He could feel it.

Starman was waiting.

Testing him.

Toying with him.

And one day, Troy would have to face him.

He wasn't ready yet.

But he would be.

He had to be.