Bubble Boy

Interior – Legion Tower – Eden's Room – Morning

Eidolon or Eden, as he was now known, sat on the edge of his bed, scrolling through messages on his cellphone. His room was clean, minimalist, with only a few photos: one of the entire Legion, another of the Bubble Crew with Troy in the middle. He paused at a new contact glowing on-screen:

ANNIE (Garden Girl)

Status: Online

Last message: "Sure, I'd love to help. Meet you at Central Mall tomorrow around 10?"

He leaned back, arms behind his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Guess I owe Bubble Boy for this one," he muttered.

Flashback – Last Night – Legion Cafeteria

Troy sat across from Eden, poking at a bowl of cereal far too late at night.

"You know anyone… good with clothes?" Eden asked suddenly.

Troy blinked. "Why?"

Eden shrugged. "Kinda need a new wardrobe. Tired of looking like a supervillain."

Troy considered. "Annie. She's got good taste."

Eden raised an eyebrow. "Garden Girl?"

"Yeah. I can give you her number, just be cool."

"I'm always cool," Eden replied, though he was already typing it in.

Cut To – Present

Eden shook his head, amused. "Never thought I'd be asking plant-girl for fashion advice." He stood, grabbed a dark hoodie, and checked the time.

Interior – Legion Tower – Training Arena – Simultaneously

Gladiator stood at the edge of the arena, wiping blood off her sword after a mock duel. Her eyes flicked up as Troy walked in, stretching his arms.

"You're early," she said.

"You're scary," Troy replied with a grin.

She chuckled, a rare sound. Then, after a beat: "Want to go to the mall tomorrow?"

Troy tilted his head. "Like... for training gear?"

"No. Just... to hang out."

"Oh." He smiled. "Yeah, sure. Sounds fun."

She turned away quickly, hiding the red creeping up her cheeks.

Bolt and Construct is watching them through a window. Bolt puts out his hand with a smug face. And then Construct places five bucks into his hand with a sigh.

Exterior – Central City Mall – Next Morning

Eden stood at the fountain near the mall entrance, hands in his pockets, scanning the crowd. He didn't wear his uniform, just jeans, a black hoodie, and red sneakers. When Annie approached, the world seemed to slow a little.

She wore a green jacket over a floral top, jeans torn at the knees, and her glasses glinted in the sunlight. Her vines wrapped gently around her wrists like bracelets.

"Eden," she greeted, brushing hair from her face. "Ready?"

"Lead the way, Garden Girl."

They stepped inside.

Interior – Mall – Various Locations

Montage:

Annie holding up jackets while Eidolon makes mock-disgusted faces.

Eidolon trying on red sunglasses, Annie giving a thumbs up.

Both drinking smoothies , Annie laughing at something Eidolon said.

Passing by a toy store, Eidolon stopping to buy a small plush lion.

Eidolon slipping the lion into a plastic bag when Annie isn't looking.

Meanwhile – Other Side of the Mall

Troy walked beside Kaia, who was oddly silent.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Fine."

They browsed shops, ate ice cream, and watched a street performer bend light into shapes.

Troy smiled. "I haven't just… chilled like this in forever."

Kaia looked at him. "You're different."

"How so?"

"Kind. Strong. Stupid."

He laughed. "Thanks, I think?"

She looked away. "I like that about you."

Before he could respond, a familiar voice shouted across the food court.

"TROY?!"

Annie stood there, shocked, Eidolon beside her holding bags.

Troy blinked. "Annie?"

Eden raised an eyebrow. "Double booked?"

Gladiator looked between them.

Annie's expression tightened slightly.

Kaia's eyes flared slightly, then cooled. "Interesting."

Troy raised his hands. "Wait, this isn't what it looks like!"

Annie crossed her arms. "Oh, it's exactly what it looks like, Bubble Boy."

Eidolon smirked. "This just got fun."

Interior – Central City Mall – Food Court

The tension was thick enough to cut with a sword.

Troy and Annie had claimed a table, deep in conversation, laughing, sharing fries and sipping on the same smoothie. Their eyes didn't drift once to the two standing awkwardly beside them.

Eidolon and Kaia.

Kaia's arms were crossed, her sword in a compact sheath on her back disguised as a fashion accessory. She looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.

Eidolon sighed, setting down the bag with the plush lion. "Well, this sucks."

Kaia didn't answer.

He glanced at her. "You okay?"

She scowled. "I just thought… never mind."

Eidolon frowned, then sat down at a bench nearby. "You too, huh?"

She raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

He gestured at Troy and Annie. "I thought this would be a fun hangout. But I feel like background noise."

Kaia looked over at the couple, then sighed and sat beside him. "Same."

Silence.

Then Eidolon looked at her. "You ever feel like… you're trying so hard to change but everyone still sees the monster?"

She blinked, surprised by the raw honesty.

"Yeah," she admitted. "Every day."

They both stared at the food court fountain, the chatter and noise blurring around them.

Eidolon chuckled softly. "I used to run the biggest criminal organization in the world. I did terrible things. Now I'm here… trying to learn what hoodie matches what jeans."

Kaia smiled faintly. "I used to smile after killing people. It made me feel powerful."

Eidolon looked over. "Do you still?"

She shook her head. "Not anymore. Troy changed that."

He nodded. "Annie did the same for me."

A pause.

Then Kaia stood. "Come on."

"Where?"

"If we're stuck on this group 'date,' might as well enjoy it."

Interior – Mall – Clothing Store

Gladiator and Eidolon stood in front of a mirror. She tried on a leather jacket, tilting her head.

"You look terrifying," Eidolon deadpanned.

"Good."

"You'll scare children."

"Perfect."

He chuckled, then put on a white scarf and raised an eyebrow. "Too much?"

She smirked. "You look like you're about to start a boy band."

They laughed, genuine and light.

Interior – Arcade – Later

While Troy and Annie played a dancing game, Eidolon and Kaia battled it out in a shooting simulator.

Kaia dominated.

"Headshot!" she shouted.

"You cheated!"

"I'm just better."

For the first time in a long time, Kaia smiled without hesitation. And Eidolon laughed like he forgot how heavy the world was.

Exterior – Rooftop of the Mall – Sunset

The four sat on the edge, overlooking the city. Annie and Troy were still in their own world, giggling about old Bubble Crew memories.

Kaia leaned closer to Eidolon.

"They're perfect, aren't they?"

He nodded. "They are."

Kaia hesitated, then added, "But I'm glad I came."

He looked at her. "Yeah… me too."

Silence again but this time it was warm.

Then Eidolon asked, "You wanna do this again? Just us?"

She glanced over, pretending to think.

"Maybe."

He smiled.

"Cool."

Interior – Legion Tower – Night – Eden's Room

Eidolon set the plush lion on his shelf. For the first time, it didn't feel like a souvenir from a lonely trip. It felt like a memory worth keeping.

He lay on the bed, pulling out his cellphone.

New message from Kaia(Gladiator Princess)

Had fun today. Still think you're an idiot. But a cute one.

He smirked.

Right back at you, Warrior Princess.