Bubble Boy

The atmosphere in the underground lab was suffocating, the oppressive silence broken only by the distant hum of machines and the faint beeping of monitoring devices. Troy's mind was racing as he stared at the towering figure of Orion, standing like an immovable wall between them and the exit.

Jace's hand hovered over his tech, ready to activate a defensive measure, but Troy stepped forward, holding his ground. His heart pounded in his chest as he locked eyes with Orion, trying to calm the storm brewing inside of him.

"Orion," Troy began, his voice steady despite the chaos in his mind. "Starman isn't who you think he is. The Legion, they're monsters, not heroes."

Orion's gaze flickered, his eyes narrowing as if he were processing Troy's words. He'd always admired Starman, seen him as the pinnacle of heroism, but doubt had begun to creep in ever since he joined the Legion. Something didn't feel right, and Troy's words were the last nudge he needed to confront his inner turmoil.

"What are you talking about?" Orion asked, his voice calm but edged with suspicion. "Starman's our leader. He's the symbol of peace, the protector of our world. What could possibly make you think he's a monster?"

Troy took a step forward, his voice low but urgent. "I've seen it. I've seen how he kills without hesitation, how he toys with people like they're nothing more than playthings to him. The Legion doesn't act as a team. They don't care about each other. They fear him."

Orion stiffened at the mention of fear, his mind flashing to the countless times he'd seen the other members of the Legion defer to Starman's will, the way they fell silent when Starman's name was mentioned, the way they tiptoed around his temper.

"You think they fear him?" Troy continued. "You think they're heroes because they've chosen to be? No. They're forced to be. They don't have a choice. Just like you, Orion. You joined thinking you were doing the right thing, but you've seen the truth. You know what Starman really is."

Orion's eyes flickered with doubt, his stance loosening ever so slightly. "I… I've seen the cracks," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Legion doesn't work together. We don't trust each other. We're not a team. And Starman… He doesn't care. He never has."

Troy felt a glimmer of hope. "Then help us. Let us go. We need to expose him. We need to show the world who Starman really is, before it's too late."

Orion's gaze hardened, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. He knew Troy was right. He couldn't ignore it any longer. But still, a part of him wanted to believe that there was some good left in Starman. A part of him wanted to think that he was fighting for something greater.

"I can't just let you walk out of here," Orion said, his voice cold, his hands clenched into fists. "Starman will never forgive me. If I let you go, he'll make sure I regret it."

Troy stepped forward, a sense of urgency washing over him. "You have to choose, Orion. Are you a hero? Or are you just another puppet in Starman's twisted game?"

The silence between them stretched for what felt like an eternity. And then, to Troy's surprise, Orion lowered his gaze, a conflicted expression crossing his face. "You're right," he murmured. "I've been blind. I've been fighting for a lie."

Jace's voice cut through the tension. "We don't have time for this. The security systems are already locking down the facility. We need to get out of here, now."

Orion glanced at Jace, then back at Troy. His eyes softened, just for a moment, before his expression hardened once again. "This isn't over," he warned. "But go. I'll cover your escape."

Without another word, he stepped aside, allowing them to pass. Troy's heart raced as they bolted for the exit, the sound of heavy footsteps echoing in their ears as they sprinted down the narrow corridors. The walls seemed to close in on them, but they pushed forward, fueled by the knowledge that they had uncovered the truth.

As they burst through the exit, the bright light of freedom flooding their vision, they felt the weight of their escape lift from their shoulders. The labyrinth of lies was behind them, for now.

Jace activated his tech, calling in the getaway transport. Within moments, they were speeding away from the Hidden Lab, leaving the dark secrets of the Legion and Starman far behind.

But even as they sped toward safety, Troy knew that the battle was far from over. They had only just begun to unravel the truth. And with Orion's help, they might just stand a chance against the Legion.

Back at Jace's mansion, the air was thick with the tension of their narrow escape. Jace's mansion was a fortress, a place where they could regroup and plan their next move. As they entered the high-tech hideout beneath the mansion, Troy felt a sense of relief wash over him.

But that relief was short-lived. The truth was out there now, and the consequences of exposing Starman and the Legion would be dire. The battle ahead would be their toughest yet.

The next day, it was morning at the legion headquarters.

The meeting chamber of the Legion was tense, the air thick with an unspoken fear. The grand table in the center reflected the dim glow of the overhead lights, casting long shadows across the faces of the world's most powerful heroes.

At the head of the table sat Starman, his expression unreadable, his piercing gaze scanning the gathered members like a predator assessing its prey. To his right sat Seaman, his closest ally, his presence the only thing keeping the others from breaking under the crushing weight of Starman's authority.

The silence stretched, oppressive, until Michael, the government representative, broke it.

"We have a problem," he said, tossing a holo-pad onto the table. A security feed played, showing Bubble Boy and Shadow infiltrating Trigon Labs, escaping with stolen data. Then, the image shifted to Orion, standing aside, letting them go.

A cold wave swept through the room. Gladiator's fingers tightened around her sword. Bolt shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Void remained motionless, her eyes empty yet calculating. Construct forced a nervous grin that didn't reach his eyes. Mr Mars was looking at Orion with indifference. Seaman sighed, rubbing his temple.

Starman leaned back in his chair, expression eerily calm.

"I see," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Orion, would you care to explain?"

All eyes turned to Orion. He sat stiffly, his heart pounding. He knew this moment was coming. There was no excuse. No lie that could deceive Starman.

"I let them go," Orion admitted. "Because they're right."

A ripple of tension coursed through the room. Starman's expression didn't change, but the pressure in the air became suffocating.

"And what, exactly, are they right about?" Starman asked, his tone dangerously soft.

Orion met his gaze, summoning his courage. "The Legion isn't what I thought it was. You aren't what I thought you were."

A tense silence followed. The other members of the Legion held their breath, waiting for Starman's response. But instead of fury, instead of violence, Starman merely chuckled, a low, knowing sound.

"Interesting," he murmured. Then, he rose from his chair. "Come, Orion. We're going on a mission."

Orion frowned. "Now?"

"Yes," Starman said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "There's something I need to teach you."

Orion hesitated. He could feel the eyes of the Legion on him. Even Seaman, the only one who ever spoke against Starman, remained silent. Orion clenched his fists and nodded.

"Understood."

The mission was simple. A villainous organization, responsible for multiple terrorist attacks, had been located in an abandoned city block. Their leader was a powerful S-Class villain, known only as Volcano.

The night was cold, the city eerily quiet as Starman and Orion arrived.

"They're hiding in that building," Starman said, pointing at a crumbling skyscraper. "We're here to put an end to them."

Orion frowned. "Capture or eliminate?"

Starman smirked. "Eliminate, of course. The world will be better without them."

Orion hesitated. "But we should—"

"Shh," Starman whispered, placing a hand on Orion's shoulder. It was the first time Starman had ever touched him in a way that wasn't commanding or dismissive. It was… fatherly.

"You want to be a hero, don't you, Orion?" Starman asked, his voice almost kind. "A real hero?"

Orion nodded slowly.

"Then watch."

And with that, Starman moved.

He blurred through the air, faster than Orion's enhanced senses could track. A second later, an explosion of flesh and blood painted the walls. Limbs scattered. Screams echoed.

It was slaughter.

Orion landed on a rooftop, watching the carnage below. Starman was a storm of destruction. He didn't fight. He erased. Villains tried to run, he incinerated them with a glance. Some begged for mercy, he snapped their necks with a flick of his fingers.

Orion felt sick.

But Starman wasn't done.

Volcano stood at the center of the massacre, blood splattered across his face. He was strong, almost as strong as Orion. His fists clenched, his lava touch radiating pure death.

"You monster!" the villain roared. "You pretend to be a hero, but you're worse than us!"

Starman laughed.

"Maybe," he said. "But I'm alive."

Then he turned to Orion.

"Kill him," Starman commanded.

Orion froze. "What?"

"You heard me," Starman said, stepping aside. "Kill him."

Orion hesitated.

Volcano coughed, his body weak from battle. He was defenseless.

Orion clenched his fists. "We should bring him in."

Starman sighed, shaking his head like a disappointed father.

"You don't understand yet," he said, stepping behind Orion, his massive presence looming over him. "Villains don't change. They don't deserve second chances. If you don't kill him, he'll escape. He'll kill again. And when he does, that blood will be on your hands."

Orion's breathing became ragged.

"You don't have a choice, Orion," Starman whispered, his tone gentle. "Do you want to be a hero? Or do you want to be weak?"

Orion's hands shook.

He didn't want to do this. He wasn't like Starman.

But then he thought about it.

He thought about the Legion, about the fear in their eyes. He thought about Bubble boy, about Bubble Boy's crew, about everything he had seen.

And then he realized...

Starman was right.

Villains don't change.

Orion clenched his jaw, stepped forward, and with a swift motion, he snapped Volcano's neck.

The body hit the ground.

Silence.

Orion felt empty.

Then, a hand on his shoulder.

Starman smiled, proud.

"Now you understand," he said. "Now, you're truly one of us."

Orion swallowed the lump in his throat.

He had made his choice.

And there was no turning back.

When Orion returned to the Legion, the others watched him differently.

He wasn't the naïve new recruit anymore.

He was one of them.

Gladiator gave him a nod of respect. Bolt clapped him on the back, forcing a grin. Construct didn't joke, he just stared. Void said nothing, but her expression softened. Mr Mars gave him a creepy smile.

Even Seaman, the only one with a true heart, just sighed.

Orion had changed.

And Starman knew it.

The great symbol of peace sat at the head of the table, smirking.

His son had finally grown up.