Bubble Boy

The camera drones floated silently, capturing every angle as the world watched.

Legion Tower's Sky Deck was draped in banners of gold and black, lined with rows of standing heroes, the funeral of Orion had begun. His coffin hovered in the center, a sleek black sarcophagus etched with stars and his insignia, glowing faintly in the fading light.

Hundreds of people, civilians, heroes, leaders, stood in attendance, eyes turned toward the grand podium where Starman rose, a celestial monument of power in his gold armor. His red cape fluttered in the wind like a flag marking the end of an era.

He didn't need a microphone. His voice carried like thunder across the world.

"Today, we bury a hero," Starman said. "A light extinguished before its time."

His eyes swept the crowd, expression unreadable, eyes glowing faintly red.

"Orion was young. Brave. Loyal. He gave everything, his power, his future, his life to keep the world safe. He was taken from us by a villain whose name we will not dignify here. But let it be known, their days are numbered."

A murmur passed through the crowd.

"When darkness rises… light must rise stronger."

"And new heroes will answer the call."

"Heroes like… Bubble Boy."

The name echoed like a ripple through the audience.

Watching from Afar...

Jace's Mansion

In the dim light of the war room, the monitor cast blue shadows across Troy's face. He sat beside Jace, eyes locked on Starman's image.

"He's trying to claim Orion's death like it's some noble sacrifice," Troy said quietly. "He's the one who made the world like this."

Jace didn't look away from the screen. "He's not mourning. He's recruiting."

Troy clenched his fists.

"He said my name. On purpose."

Jace nodded. "He wants you. He'll come for you."

Downtown Café

Jackson and Emily sat at a corner booth, both in civilian clothes. Jackson's phone streamed the funeral silently, but the tension on his face said it all.

Emily sipped her coffee, expression cold. "He's grooming him. Like the others."

Jackson's jaw tightened. "Not Troy. He's not like them."

She nodded. "He better not be."

A Small Apartment, East End

Annie sat on the couch, her little sister perched on her lap in a handmade Bubble Boy costume, cape crooked, mask too big. The little girl stared at the screen, wide-eyed.

Annie didn't speak. She just held her close.

Tears shimmered behind her glasses, not for Orion, but for what was coming.

Soccer Field

Carter stood near the edge of the field, half-watching his team practice drills, but his attention was on his phone.

He watched Starman speak, the words like a knife in his gut.

"Heroes like Bubble Boy..."

Carter's eyes narrowed.

"This isn't a funeral. It's a warning."

Back at the Tower

Starman stood over the coffin, arms raised to the sky.

"Rest well, Orion. Your fight is over. But a new one has begun."

A blinding beam of light shot from his eyes into the sky, carving Orion's insignia into the clouds.

The crowd roared.

But the world didn't feel safer.

It felt colder.

And in that cold...

a storm was coming.

The Next Day

Jace's Mansion – Training Room

Sweat rolled down Troy's face as he stood shirtless in the center of the reinforced chamber, his hands wrapped and bruised. He threw another punch, sharp, fast at the weighted bag. The impact echoed like a drumbeat. Jace watched from the control panel above, arms crossed.

"You're overthinking the punches again," Jace said through the intercom.

Troy growled, landing a flurry of strikes. "He said my name. In front of the world."

"You expected him not to? You're a shiny new toy. And he always plays with his toys."

"I'm not a toy," Troy snapped, driving a kick into the bag hard enough to knock it off its chain. It hit the ground with a thud.

Jace raised an eyebrow. "That's new."

Troy just stood there, breathing heavily. "I'm going to be ready. For whatever he's planning."

A ping sounded on the side monitor. A message from Jackson:

"Bubble crew, suit up. Big bust. Warehouse 17, Pier District. 5 PM. Let's move."

Jace glanced at Troy, but he didn't say anything. Troy hadn't noticed. The boy was back to hitting the next bag, harder than before.

Downtown – Café Parking Lot, 4:45 PM

Garden Girl leaned against a van, her green hoodie drawn over her scorched skin, the scars on her cheek catching the light. Psion and Umbra arrived together, both in street clothes but with their masks ready.

Jackson, now Inferno, was already waiting near the alley entrance in full gear, his hoodie unzipped to reveal the fire emblem beneath.

"Where's Bubble Boy?" Psion asked, crossing her arms.

"Training," Inferno muttered. "Probably still trying to punch the guilt out of himself."

Umbra chuckled. "He's gonna be pissed we left without him."

Garden Girl said nothing. She stared at the warehouse in the distance. "Let's just get in and out."

"Yeah," Inferno said. He lit a flame in his hand. "Let's show these drug-pushing bastards what happens when the Bubble Crew comes knocking."