"HAAAAA! MY PARENTS AND FIANCE ARE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!" Racheal shouted in fury, straining against her bindings in an attempt to free herself. As she continued, her hair began to emit a warm glow, quickly catching the attention of Dr. Grey, whose expression shifted in surprise.
"It seems someone is feeling quite lively; let's address that." Dr. Grey smiled slyly as he pressed a yellow button on his control board. This resulted in the inhibitors emitting a reddish energy that flowed into the bodies of the team, overwhelming them with a sudden weakness, while the inhibitor on their neck expanded to clamp onto their mouths, rendering them unable to talk.
"Good, that's better. So, where did we leave off? Oh yes, I was discussing the apocalypse. I sought a means for everyone on earth to share that intense emotion simultaneously. However, there was a significant issue: if I employed this method, the likelihood of immediate failure was considerable, as that heightened state would only endure for a brief period. Thus, the subsequent challenge was to establish a permanent process. I embarked on a quest to discover a method for transforming humans into beings akin to us, superpowered and more formidable. If humans could attain the qualities of Valerians, they would enjoy lasting immunity from ailments, the incessant need for sustenance would dissipate, and with an enhanced physique, their life expectancy would rise. By unlocking the full potential of the human mind, mental health issues would become relics of the past, and countless challenges that have burdened humanity could be resolved in a single day. Isn't that remarkable?"
"After numerous attempts, I came to realize that achieving my goal would necessitate the bloodline of the Valerians. By utilizing our bloodline as a catalyst, I could activate the S-gene, shifting it from a recessive state to a dominant one. However, I required blood samples from all nine of us. After hundreds of years apart, those who left had ventured off to establish families of their own. How ironic it was, after insisting that we shouldn't interfere, what greater interference existed than spreading our bloodline on earth. I first confronted your grandfather, Baraka. He was known as Henry, Henry Chase, I believe they named you after him. We approached him with our plan, stating that we only required a sample of his blood. However, he firmly declined, expressing his desire to distance himself from our intentions and cautioned us to abandon the endeavor while we still had the chance. He clearly did not grasp our plan; he failed to recognize the lives we could save. Ultimately, he left us with no option. We acted out of necessity, and though he attempted to resist....it was disheartening. We were close like brothers, and if only he had been willing to listen." Dr. Grey paused, letting out a sorrowful sigh. While the others might have doubted his sincerity, Micheal could feel the genuine sadness in his demeanor regarding his actions. Clearly, this was inconsequential; it merely highlighted his psychopathic nature.
'He took the life of his friend for this.....' Micheal glanced at Henry, whose eyes glistened with unshed tears that he was clearly struggling to hold back.
"Next, was your father; that man turned out to be an even greater challenge than Baraka. It's hard to believe that Cristos and I were once like brothers. Why couldn't he understand that we were doing this to save humanity? This was our destiny. If only he could see how much his sons have grown. Even in his final moments, he begged me to take care of you two." Dr. Grey continued, casting a glance at the brothers whose expressions shifted. They had no memories of their father; throughout their lives, they had condemned him for being a failure and for his absence. It was only now that they began to grasp the reasons behind it all.
"Hmmp, they were all fools. You remind me of Eden; she was beautiful and fierce like you. The most proficient yin and yang user of our time, she fought valiantly until the end, dying a warrior while protecting her granddaughter." Dr. Grey turned to Racheal next, his eyes betraying a hint of the emotion he tried to conceal. It was clear that a relationship had once existed between him and Eden.
"Lastly, the remarkable Karina, a figure I admired throughout my life, born a prodigy. She excelled to such an extent that she surpassed those older than herself; her power was truly something to behold. I anticipated that if anyone would resist, it would be her. Ironically, she was the one who didn't fight back; instead, she attempted to persuade us that our path was misguided. She warned us that the pain and grief of our people would consume us if we didn't let go. Yet, she was just like the others, unable to perceive what I saw. She failed to understand that our purpose on this planet was to save humanity—none of them did, her death hit me the most out of all. But that was inconsequential. I finally achieved my goal; I created a catalyst through our bloodline and released it into the air for eight years. When the moment arrived, everything unfolded naturally. I was the one who placed that ring in that box that night, fully aware that you would discover it. When you did, your bloodline awakening would serve as the catalyst for our diabolical plan to start and you all needed to be within a certain distance from each other. Ultimately, I couldn't have accomplished this without you." Dr. Grey's gaze shifted to Michael, whose eyes quivered upon hearing those words; his mother's death was not an accident—it had been a murder. This thought shattered his mind even further, as he struggled to understand why. Why did she have to pass away?
"I understand you may not notice this, but I am here to assist you. Join me, and together we can realize the vision; we have the potential to change the world. Let's complete what your predecessors were too afraid to undertake." Dr. Grey rose from his seat and pressed a button that retracted the inhibitors covering the team's mouths back onto their necks.
"I don't think I will ever find it in my heart to forgive you for your actions. How could you be so devoid of compassion? You took the lives of your friends and countless others, all while believing you were saving someone. Who exactly do you think you're saving? You have caused more harm than good, yet you continue to elevate yourself, believing you are a hero. It's repulsive; you are merely a delusional individual, which is why your friends have left you behind." Micheal snapped, directing his words at Dr. Grey with palpable anger. His hands trembled as he struggled to maintain his composure. After hearing everything Dr. Grey had to say, he came to the unsettling realization that the man was merely a delusional psychopath who believed his purpose was to save humanity—a laughable notion.
"Naturally, you would choose to align with these feeble, ineffective humans rather than your own kind. What distinguishes my actions from those of your government over the years? Most conflicts in the last two centuries have stemmed from your government's schemes and machinations. All the diseases that have claimed lives—who do you believe is accountable for that? Do you think they just appeared out of thin air? Are you even aware of how many lives your government has extinguished? When the outbreak in the zone occurred, what did your so-called leaders do? They chose to eliminate everyone, taking the lives of anyone in their path. This has been their modus operandi for centuries." Dr. Grey refuted, stepping forward and grasping Michael by the chin, he locked eyes with him, a wild expression on his face as he spoke.
"You fool! You claim that you are transforming the world, yet your actions mirror those of others. You just mentioned how the government has been responsible for taking lives for years, and yet you are engaging in similar behavior. What, then, distinguishes you from them? You all appear to be the same, deceitful and manipulative individuals!" Racheal erupted from the side, her eyes brimming with fury.
"Do not even think about comparing me to those individuals." Dr. Grey turned and replied, his voice echoing throughout the room, which quivered as his eyes turned red. Noticing his growing agitation, he inhaled deeply and exhaled, causing the reddish glow in his eyes to fade away.
"I saved the world from its impending destruction. Don't you remember the world before the apocalypse? Men sleeping with men and women sleeping with women, men becoming women and women becoming men, men identifying as animals and women identifying as objects. What sort of future did you think you were heading toward? Look at how immorality was widespread across the world. A country could invade another country and attack at will, while no one had the power to intervene. Those in power simply sat quietly, watching destruction and genocide unfold, while those who wanted to act remained powerless. When did the world end up like this? The power is given to the wrong ones. Observe the conflicts occurring all around, with innocent lives being lost, poverty levels soaring, and pollution increasing. I addressed all these issues; I tackled the problem of overpopulation, I resolved the issue of illness. Thanks to my efforts, humanity can enjoy longer lives. I bestowed upon you capabilities that were once mere dreams, and this is the gratitude I receive." Dr. Grey responded, attempting to justify his stance, yet he failed to see that he was merely undermining his own position.
"It's amusing to see that you remain unaware of your own contradictions. You discussed genocide while inadvertently participating in it. You claimed to have eradicated sickness, yet you have created a virus, and parasite more perilous than any previously documented in human history. So, I ask you, what transformation are you truly effecting when you are merely repeating the very actions you aim to stop?" Henry scoffed, his gaze fixed on Dr. Grey with incredulity, wondering how anyone could be so oblivious.
"I always knew you wouldn't understand. Villains are often misunderstood heroes, but that's beside the point. I will complete what I began, and then you will see that I was right. My experiences on this planet have led me to believe that humanity often fails to learn from its errors. The challenges you face today arise from human actions; you are a burden on this earth, a malady that has afflicted this world for eons. However, I see myself as the remedy. I will inspire change, usher in peace, and establish a flawless utopia devoid of wars, violence, illnesses, and death. I can handle that on my own, haha! You might think I'm crazy, and that's fine, but it doesn't alter the reality that the world requires my presence, hahaha!" Dr. Grey responded with a sinister laugh that made the team's faces go pale, leaving them to ponder what he had planned for this world.
"What is your plan for accomplishing that? What is the true purpose of our presence here?" Micheal inquired, his thoughts conjuring vivid images of Dr. Grey's intentions.
"Hahaha, clever as ever, Michael. You all don't deserve the capabilities of a Valerian; you are frail like humans. It frustrates me that our lineage has been compromised by your presence. I intend to rectify this. Micheal, you remain oblivious to the vast power you hold within, restrained by your own fears. Pain is a catalyst for strength; accept it, and you will unlock extraordinary abilities. Tsk, your fear is palpable. Do you recall the fate of the Scrapers? A single strike was all it took to eradicate them. That's merely a glimpse of what a true valerian can achieve, but naturally, you'll be gone soon, so there's no point in sharing all that with you." Dr. Grey chuckled, concluding his statement with a wicked smile, the latter part of his words causing Michael to flinch.
"What?" Micheal inquired, his face a mask of disbelief at the revelation he had just received.
"The pain you harbor inside, you may have realized that it intensifies when you utilize your abilities; this represents the amount of pain for everyone present." Dr. Grey explained, pressing a button which triggered a pop-up, which he indicated. It was a hologram that displayed the current pain levels of all the team members.
"Allow me to conduct a brief demonstration," Dr. Grey stated, pressing another button as a powerful surge of electricity coursed through the bodies of the team members, except for Michael, who looked at them in alarm.
"What is wrong with you? Electrifying us in that manner!" Hei yelled in fury, he could almost feel like his
insides being scorched by that jolt.
"Note, the pain you just experienced was at a level of 500; that represents the intensity of pain you all just experienced. This is the level of pain that Michael endures each time he utilizes his ability." Dr. Grey disregarded Hei's tirade, using the chart to illustrate the level of pain each had endured, which registered at a staggering 500. Upon viewing Michael's figure, their eyes nearly bulged in disbelief.
"What in the world! 1000!" Bai exclaimed in surprise, his gaze shifting to Micheal, who was quietly observing the chart.
"Using the abilities of a Valerian within a human body is akin to courting death. Micheal, having unlocked most of our Valerian abilities, endures far greater pain than the rest of you. This explains your unexpected blackouts and energy surges; your body struggles to contain such an immense amount of power, leading to its release. You carry the bloodline of The Lightning Cat with nine lives. This is precisely why I had you review the reports. Each time you died and returned, you emerged stronger. Why? Due to the increased release of power. At the pace you've reached, you're bound to burst with all that power inside you. No matter how this concludes, there's no escape for you, Michael. Therefore, I intend to seize your ability and leverage it for my own enterprise. You've already perished seven times; if I eliminate you now, you'll simply return once more." Dr. Grey snickered as he pressed a series of buttons on his controller, causing Michael's restraints to tighten. A canister suddenly appeared around him, enclosing his body but excluding his head.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" Micheal writhed and fought against his restraints, yet it was all in vain.
"Micheal!" The other team members shouted in an attempt to free themselves from their restraints, but their efforts were in vain.
"Don't expend your energy; it's futile. I believe we've already wasted enough time. Yoshi, would you do me the honour?" Dr. Grey remarked with a sinister grin as he stepped onto a bed positioned horizontally, following which a canister sealed him inside, while several smaller tubes extended from Michael's canister into his, connecting themselves to his body.
"Sweet dreams, brother," Yoshi said, drawing a gun from the strap on his waist. He aimed it at Michael, whose eyes widened in shock; his brother was truly going to go through with it.
"Liam..."
BANG!
That was his final word before the gunshot rang out and everything faded to black; he descended into the void. As he ventured into the abyss, the frantic shouts of his friends calling his name echoed around him, and his mind was consumed by a single thought: 'Did my brother just kill me?'