ZET-MAN! (Re-Imagined)

~ Omniscient POV, Carter and Max ~

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"I just want to make sure we're on the same page here... You said Alex just instantly picked up energy manipulation? Just like that?" Max asked, doubling down on what his friend had mentioned just moments before.

Carter nodded, "Essentially, even I didn't think the kid was that much of a prodigy, gifted both physically and in terms of sheer talent in energy... No, he's way beyond being gifted at this point..."

Carter folded his arms, sighing, "I think the kid might even be part anodite, It's the only reasonable explanation I have for this kind of phenomena, and who knows? The kid might have other species that specialize in controlling their energy, remember he's got thousands of alien DNA within him."

Max nodded, "I know, I just still find it hard to believe, someone like him shouldn't even be possible. Most alien species can't mix or breed, and that's with two separate species... Yet, he's a amalgamation of thousands..."

Carter rubbed his temples, "Alright... We just need to leave this for later, plus me and Alex can't stay here any longer, it's best we leave later today. You and the kids seem safe for now, but I'm not sure about us, I've got another hideout another a few days away from here near the coast, it should keep us hidden for the next year or so tops...."

"Damn... I should have expected as much. Alright, I guess this is even goodbye for now." Max held out his arm, with Carter shaking it right after.

"I guess we'll see each other in another year." Carter didn't wait for a response, but quickly left the room. As much as Carter didn't want to go, he and Alex were already on the radar of forces they couldn't hope to handle at the moment.

However, he internally frowned, 'The kid's lesson with Gwen is over, but given what I saw today... He might not even need it.' Carter then made his way towards the kids...

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"You guys are leaving already?" Ben questioned. He was genuinely surprised. It wasn't even a good day, yet both Carter and Alex were leaving for who knows long again.

Carter gave a tired smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, it's safer this way. We've overstayed our welcome here, Ben. Plus, it's not like we planned to stay more than a night, we've got things to sort through... You know how it is."

Alex, who had been silently observing from the doorway, knowing something was up simply nodded in agreement... "Carter's right. We'll be fine, dude. Don't worry about us."

Ben frowned. "You're leaving already?" He glanced between Carter and Alex, still processing the sudden shift. "It hasn't even been that long... I thought you'd have more time, do you really have to go?"

Carter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Our stay was never meant to be long, Ben. Just for a day before we leave."

Ben's eyes narrowed, his frustration creeping through. Even though he hadn't known Alex for long, he didn't want this to happen, and what made this was was the fact that it was a nice change that someone else who had abilities were going to be here... "Time for what? So you're just gonna disappear? No explanation, no warning?"

"WAIT!!"

Before Carter could respond, Gwen's voice cut in, her tone sharper than it had been all morning. She stood up from where she'd been sitting by the window, arms crossed, eyes fixed on Alex. "You're leaving?" Her words were laced with more emotion than Alex had expected from her.

'Woah' Alex thought, not expecting that reaction from his little compadre... He quickly met her gaze, trying to keep his expression neutral, but something in her eyes made his stomach twist, like he was doing something wrong... 'This gaze might be something all women have...' Analyzing her tone, he realized that Gwen wasn't really angry, but her hurt was eerily unmistakable.

Alex thought for a moment before speaking, "I didn't think you'd be this upset," he added quietly, his voice purposefully apologetic in its nature.

But Gwen didn't take it nicely, "Of course I'm upset! You've barely been here, and now you're just... going?" Gwen shook her head, clearly struggling to hold back the frustration and confusion bubbling inside her. "You're just going to leave like this? Without even saying goodbye properly?"

Carter stepped in before Alex could respond, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Gwen, you know how it is. It's not about what we want. We have to move fast." His voice softened a little. "I wish we had more time too, but we don't."

Gwen looked away, her eyes flicking to the floor. "You've barely even given me a chance to—" She stopped herself, frustration clearly mixed with the hurt she was trying to hide. "It's just... I don't get it. All this time, what about those lessons in your magic you need to deal with? And now you're gone before I can even teach you anything. It's like you don't even want to—"

"I do," Alex interjected, his voice quiet but firm. He took a step toward her, and this time, he didn't hesitate. "I do want to stay, Gwen. But things... things are complicated. Just know that we can't afford to be here much longer." He paused, his expression softening a bit, understanding where she was coming from...

However, Max having heard everything, decided to step in; "I get the feeling Gwen, but they need to sort out their lives..." Max gave both Carter and Alex a nod, meaning he would take care of things here. Both of them understood the gesture, taking it as a sign to cut their losses and leave.

"I'm sorry guys, really, but we've got to go..." Alex said before following after Carter quickly.

~ Half an Hour later ~

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Both Alex and Carter were sitting quietly; before Alex decided to break the silence... "Mind telling me what's going on? We've packed everything we needed from our last location, and not only that, you've been in a hurry ever since then, in fact, it's hard NOT to notice the change in behavior..."

Carter leaned back, staring at the car's floor, avoiding Alex's gaze. "It's complicated," he said, his voice surprisingly low. "There are things we didn't discuss back there—things I hoped we wouldn't have to face so soon..."

'It seems serious this time, given the fact that we left so early, we might be getting followed by some nefarious clichéd organization... So this might be all about me...' Alex surmised, but he decided to play the fool for now...

"Like what?" Alex pressed, frustration creeping into his tone. "If we're in danger, I deserve to know, no? I mean, we are in this together, remember?" Alex had made sure to drill that last bit into the man's skull. Plus, even though he didn't want to deal with it. The man saw him like a child, and reasonably, he couldn't delve into everything...

Carter sighed, with just a smidgen of guilt crossing his face. "It's not just about you, Alex... It's about everyone we've been in contact with, going to be in contact with and even those we're going to leave behind. There are people who want us to stay quiet, and they'll do whatever it takes to ensure that happens."

Alex sighed, 'This is troublesome... At least I got new set of abilities to work with... Just wished I could have stayed a bit longer to get the lessons I needed with Gwen.'

"Look," Alex said, keeping his voice steady, "If there's anything we can do to fight back, we should discuss it... Ignoring it won't make it go away, in fact, it could even make out situation worse."

Carter finally met his gaze, not seeing the flaw in the boy's logic, the weight of the world reflected in his eyes... "I know, kid. But we've got to be smart about this. Jumping into action without a plan could get us—" Carter paused for a moment, "We need to be more prepared."

Carter Knew Alex was right about this, and running wasn't always the best option. During his line of work, remaining completely untraceable wasn't always a good thing, he also knew it could even give one away if their inexperienced...

Carter sighed to himself, knowing the amount of work he had just tripled, 'Just what the hell am I supposed to do?'

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END