Bubble Boy

Exterior – Space – Above the Moon

Troy and Eidolon were a blur of fury, their fists colliding with the soundless shockwaves of collapsing stars. The heavens themselves seemed to split open as they went blow for blow, trading strikes that could sunder planets.

Blue and red bubbles flashed and detonated like miniature novas, spiraling into ribbons of cosmic light.

Eidolon grunted as Troy's elbow cracked into his ribs then twisted, grabbing Troy by the arm and hurling him downward like a comet.

BOOM!

Troy slammed into the moon's surface, sending up a geyser of lunar dust. Craters shattered. Eidolon descended like judgment, crashing down atop his brother.

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

They brawled in the dust and silence, no sound, only the violent ballet of limbs and power. Troy's rage boiled over, driven by betrayal, loss, heartbreak.

"You're not my brother," he mouthed silently, striking Eidolon across the jaw.

"You think I wanted this?" Eidolon mouthed back, catching Troy's punch. "I didn't get a choice!"

Exterior – Earth Orbit – Drones' Feed

The feed broadcasted in real-time. The moon glowed with explosive lights as the two brothers clashed. Millions watched, speechless.

From classrooms to government bunkers, they bore witness.

Interior – Legion Tower – War Room

Gladiator gripped the edge of the table, shaking. "Troy..."

Bolt muttered, "I've never seen anything like this."

Void's eyes narrowed. "They're burning through everything they are."

Mr. Mars stood still, arms behind his back, watching. "This... is no longer just a fight."

Exterior – Moon

Their punches slowed. Breathing heavy. Bubbles flickering around them like dying fireflies.

And then...

They both stopped.

Troy stared at his brother, chest heaving. "You hurt Annie. You tried to destroy everything."

"I was born broken," Eidolon said, softly. "I didn't know how to live."

Troy hesitated. Rage still flickered... but pain overtook it. "Then why...?"

"Because I was dying..." Eidolon admitted. "And you had them. Friends. A life. A name."

A long silence.

Then... they laughed.

It started as a scoff from Eidolon. Then a chuckle from Troy. Then full on laughter, echoing through the silence of space like it didn't care about oxygen.

They collapsed back, side by side, on the moon's surface.

Exterior – Earth – Broadcast

The world watched as the two most powerful beings in the galaxy lay in craters on the moon... laughing.

The news anchors didn't know what to say.

Legion Tower – Observation Deck

Starman stared at the screen. Silent.

Gladiator blinked back tears. "...He's okay."

Bolt slumped in relief. "Well... that was intense."

Construct smiled. "I'd call that a bonding moment."

Void turned away. "It's not over. But it's changing."

Mr. Mars nodded. "He forgave him."

Moon – Moments Later

Troy and Eidolon sat upright, bruised and covered in lunar dust.

"Still hate you," Troy muttered.

"Troy," Eidolon smirked. "But... maybe not all the time."

They stood.

Then, together, they summoned it:

A final attack. Not to destroy. But to release. Release everything, their hate, jealousy, fears, anger and sadness.

"Bubble Limit Break."

WHOOSH!

Troy's aura exploded, blue bubbles spiraled in sacred patterns, ancient and glowing, like a celestial hymn.

Eidolon's surged red, chaotic and fierce, a scream in bubble form.

They launched their ultimate bubbles an intertwining helix of red and blue, spiraling upward into the void...

KA-THOOM!

It burst like a star being born.

The universe seemed to breathe.

Annie's house – living room

Sam, Annie's sister, squealed with joy. "He did it!"

Interior – Nightingale Academy – Cafeteria

Miguel looked up at the screen, stunned. "Tch... freak."

Jackson smirked. "That's our Bubble Boy."

Interior – Legion Tower – Top Floor

Starman turned and walked away, his cape flowing.

Void whispered to herself. "You're changing, old man."

Moon – Final Shot

Troy and Eidolon stood side by side, looking at Earth.

"Guess we're both sons of a monster," Eidolon muttered.

Troy smiled. "Then let's prove we're better than him."

Eidolon nodded slowly. "Brothers, huh?"

Troy held out a fist.

Eidolon looked at it...

And bumped it.

Interior – Legion Medical Bay – Later

The sliding doors whooshed open. Troy carried Annie in his arms, her body still but alive. Eidolon followed behind, awkward and tense, his red aura dimmed.

Nurses rushed forward. Monitors beeped. Troy placed Annie gently on the bed. Her eyes fluttered open just as they began treatment.

"She's stable," the lead medic confirmed. "She'll be okay."

Troy exhaled, relief washing over him like a tide. He leaned down, brushing her hand. "You did great, Garden Girl."

Annie gave a weak smile, eyes glinting through her weakness. "Bubble Boy... you're late."

They both laughed.

Eidolon stood in the corner, silent, hands clenched.

Interior – Legion Tower – Hallway – Moments Later

The two brothers walked in silence, lunar dust still in their hair, steps echoing through the glass corridors of the tower.

Eidolon's jaw tightened the closer they got.

"Troy," he muttered, voice hoarse. "You sure about this?"

Troy didn't answer. He just kept walking.

They stopped before the War Room doors. They slid open.

Interior – Legion Tower – War Room

The room was quiet. All eyes turned.

Gladiator stepped forward, eyes wide at the sight of Eidolon.

Construct whistled low. "Well damn."

Bolt's expression was unreadable. Void's lips twitched. Mr. Mars remained still, arms crossed.

Seaman just standing and staring.

Then, Starman walked forward.

He didn't glow. He didn't float. Just walked. And stopped in front of them.

He put a firm hand on Troy's shoulder.

"Well done," he said.

Troy nodded.

Eidolon took a step forward, fists trembling, rage simmering to the surface. "You..."

Before the words could leave his mouth, Starman moved...

...and hugged him.

Eidolon froze.

"I'm sorry, son," Starman said. His voice was low, heavy. Real. "What I did to you... was wrong."

Something broke inside Eidolon.

His face twisted, lip quivered, and before anyone could react, he fell into Starman's chest, sobbing like a lost child. Years of pain poured out like rivers. No one spoke. Not even Gladiator. Not even Construct.

Only silence.

And the sound of a villain crying in the arms of a monster trying to be a father.

Interior – Legion Tower – Top Floor – Later

Troy stood beside Gladiator, overlooking the city.

"He meant it," Troy whispered.

Gladiator looked at him. "You sure?"

"No," Troy said. "But maybe that's the point."

Down below, Eidolon sat alone on a bench outside the War Room, head in his hands, trying to breathe through the storm inside him.

Meanwhile in Annie's Hospital Room

Annie lay in bed, Sam curled up beside her.

Miguel was reading a comic in the corner, muttering, "Can't believe Bubble Boy took down the Syndicate."

Jackson leaned against the wall, arms folded. "Told you he wasn't a joke."

Emily rolled her eyes. "Took you long enough to figure it out, Miguel."

Carter grinned. "He still got the weirdest hero name, I've ever heard."

Everyone laughed.

Exterior – Legion Tower – Night

The moon hung high, peaceful again.

And two brothers, no longer enemies, sat in the starlight.

"Still hate you," Troy muttered.

Eidolon smirked. "Yeah. Troy."

They looked up.

The world didn't feel as heavy.

Not tonight.