Bubble Boy

Legion Tower – War Room – Morning

The room pulsed with energy, holographic screens spinning slowly above the massive round table. Legion members filled their designated seats, Seaman stoic, Bolt grinning while tinkering with his gauntlet, Construct quietly humming a tune, and Void silent in the shadows, her fingers twitching. Mr Mars sitting expressionless as always.

Starman stood at the head, arms crossed, cape gently brushing the floor like silk thunder. The atmosphere thickened as his voice filled the chamber.

"I've located a hidden lab," he said.

Everyone snapped to attention.

"A Syndicate cell. Bioengineering humans. Their goal?" A screen blinked to life, displaying grainy footage, twisted bodies in containment pods, screaming. "Creating humans as powerful as me."

Gasps echoed. Even Void's eyes widened.

"They've succeeded once," Starman continued. "A subject classified as Eidolon. He escaped. Level SSS. The lab's still active."

Seaman leaned forward. "Who are you sending?"

Starman's eyes shifted to two people. "Bubble Boy. And Gladiator."

Bolt's hand froze mid-spin.

Void's lips parted slightly in surprise.

Construct chuckled but said nothing.

Troy blinked. "Wait… just me and her?"

Gladiator folded her arms, eyes narrowing slightly but saying nothing.

Starman nodded. "This is a test. For both of you."

Gladiator stood. "Fine. But if this is some moral lesson..."

"It's a mission," Starman interrupted. "Not a debate."

He looked at Troy.

"Make her believe."

Airship – En Route to Kazakhstan – Afternoon

The silence between them was brutal.

Gladiator leaned against the side of the ship, arms folded, sword sheathed across her back. Troy sat opposite, quietly blowing a small bubble that floated above his hand.

"You nervous?" she asked suddenly.

Troy looked up. "Little bit."

She smirked. "Figured. First real mission with someone who doesn't care if people bleed."

Troy didn't reply at first. "We're supposed to protect people. Not judge who deserves it."

"Cute," she said, tone sharp. "You're idealistic. Like your mother, from what I've heard."

Troy flinched.

She caught it.

"…Sorry," she added after a beat.

"It's fine," he said. "I'm not trying to change you. Just… show you there's another way."

She raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't care?"

"Then I'll still try."

She chuckled. "You really are his son. Just… not the parts he uses."

They sat in silence again. But it was less hostile.

Desert – Outside the Syndicate Lab – Night

The entrance was hidden beneath an abandoned observatory. Moonlight washed the desert in silver and wind howled between sharp rocks.

Troy adjusted his gauntlets.

Gladiator drew her blade.

They glanced at each other.

"…You don't enjoy killing, do you?" Troy asked softly.

She paused. "I don't know anymore. Maybe I enjoy the power. Maybe I just stopped caring who lives or dies when people started calling me a hero for it."

Troy looked at her sadly.

"You're not a monster, Gladiator."

She stared at him. "You don't know that."

Then, without another word, they entered the lab.

Interior – Syndicate Lab – Night

The sterile white corridor stretched into shadow, eerily clean, untouched. Lights flickered above them as Troy and Gladiator crept deeper inside, the silence heavy with tension.

"No guards," Gladiator muttered. "No defenses. This is too easy."

Troy nodded. "It's a trap."

She looked at him sideways. "Still walking into it?"

He smiled faintly. "You're with me, aren't you?"

Her lips twitched into something almost like a smile.

They moved in sync, clearing corners, blades and bubbles at the ready.

As they passed through a hallway lined with shattered glass pods, Gladiator paused. She reached out and touched one, frowning.

"Reminds you of something?" Troy asked gently.

She hesitated. "I was... modified. A long time ago. Enhanced."

Troy blinked. "By the Syndicate?"

"No," she said, eyes darkening. "By the Legion."

Troy stopped. "Starman?"

She turned to him, voice hushed. "You think you know him, but you don't. None of us do."

He swallowed hard. "I know what he's capable of."

"No, you know what he wants you to see."

They stared at each other in that dim hallway, shadows clinging to the edges of their faces.

"…You know," Gladiator said quietly, "you're not like the others. You still look at people like they matter. That's rare."

Troy shrugged. "I still believe people can change. Even heroes."

"You think I can change?"

"I think you already are."

She looked away, and for the first time, she didn't have a snide remark. Just silence.

Troy continued walking, and after a moment, she followed, the distance between them closer now.

Interior – Main Lab Floor – Minutes Later

They reached a large circular chamber. Desks, medical tools, screens. All dead. Not a single soul.

"It's empty," Gladiator whispered.

"No," Troy said, staring up. "It's watching."

Above – Observation Deck

High above them, behind reinforced glass, a shadow moved.

Then a figure stepped into the light. Clad in a sleek black uniform, long white hair cascading behind him, eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

Eidolon.

The screens flickered to life again, displaying footage, Legion members, massacres, Syndicate blueprints, and then… Troy.

A younger version. Screaming. Bubbles popping around him like sparks.

"You brought him," Eidolon's voice echoed, smooth and cold.

Gladiator instinctively drew her sword. Troy stood still, heart pounding.

"Why are you doing this?" Troy called.

Eidolon smiled, voice echoing through speakers. "Because I was the first success, and now… I want my brother to see what perfection truly looks like."

Troy froze.

Gladiator's eyes widened. "Brother?"

"I escaped the lab. But they kept working. Until they had you," Eidolon sneered. "Half-Legion. Half-lie."

The lights dimmed. Alarms flared. Steel walls began to close off exits.

"This isn't a lab," Eidolon hissed. "It's a crucible."

As the doors slammed shut, Gladiator stepped beside Troy, their shoulders brushing.

"We fight together," she said, low and serious.

Troy nodded, jaw set. "We win together."

And above them, Eidolon grinned.

"Let's see if the bubble doesn't burst."