Act 1, Scene 3
(The scene opens after school as the Quo are seen walking home together.)
Johnson: (walking with his sister and Jerry) So, how was your day, lil sis? (pats her head)
Rose: Boring. (pouts) There was nothing fun to do today.
Jerry: Mine was a bit interesting. We were being taught by Master Kelly, though he was loud.
Johnson: Oh, that guy. He's usually very loud when he's teaching.
Rose: Yeah, if not for one thing, I'd have squished his brains out 'cause he likes shouting.
Johnson: Don't say scary things like that. Someone might get the wrong idea.
Jerry: Eh, cut her some slack. (pulls her hair and lifts her) Besides, she can't actually do anything.
Johnson: I'd advise you not to do that. She's very aggressive.
Jerry: Ha! She's an insect.
(Jerry suddenly receives a punch and is thrown across the street. Rose's eyes glow as she chases him midair.)
Johnson: (steps in front of her, stopping her) Okay, that's enough.
Rose: Don't try to stop me, Johnny!
Johnson: (eyes turn blue, voice fierce) I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!
(Rose stops, annoyed, and walks away grumbling. Jerry crawls out of the shadows.)
Jerry: Sheesh! Where is she?
Johnson: (angrily kicks him in the stomach with his glowing eyes)
Jerry: (crashes on a park bench, breaking it) Ouch! What was that for?!
Johnson: That's for bullying my sister.
Jerry: I see… but you didn't have to go that far. (heals himself)
Johnson: (helps him up) Yeah, sorry. Where's Rose?
Jerry: Huh, where is she?
(Meanwhile, Angela is seen walking along a quiet street lined with olive trees and street lamps, crying softly. Rose approaches her.)
Rose: Why are you crying?
Angela: I was blackmailed. My identity was nearly revealed, but my hero saved me and forgave me—even though my entire class called me a slut.
Rose: Hmm. How about you tell me the full details?
Angela: I can't. I was threatened not to…
Rose: (eyes turn green, voice commanding) I wasn't asking. I was ordering. Tell me—why are you crying?
(Angela becomes hypnotized.)
Angela: A few years ago, I was forcefully involved in a scandal. I dropped out of my career. The man who forced me into it threatened to leak my photos unless I pleased him. Every day he abused me—sometimes alone, sometimes with multiple people. One day, Lucian Stark heard what happened. He destroyed the entertainment industry, arrested everyone involved, and later took me in so I could start over.
Rose: (shocked) That's awful… What about your parents?
Angela: I've never met my dad. My mom and sisters live on another continent.
Rose: (tightens control) You will forget what you told me, but today you will tell Johnson and Jerry about your origins. And you will follow us home. (releases her)
(Moments later, Johnson spots them.)
Johnson: Oh, there you are. We've been looking everywhere.
Rose: Hey! I just made a new friend. Look! (pulls Angela to her side)
Jerry: (sneaks up behind them, tickling both girls)
Angela: (snaps out of hypnosis, startled, then laughs) Oh! Stop! Who's that? (turns to Jerry) Oh, hey there. Who are you?
Jerry: (changes appearance into a handsome man) I am King Raymond of the Round Table.
Angela: (teasing) I believe it's King Arthur, not Raymond. Are you into cosplaying?
Jerry: No.
Angela: Then why are you dressed like King Arthur with his sword?
Jerry: (raises his sword, whispers) Oh, this? Just one of my many blades. My Excalibur is much bigger.
Johnson: (coughs loudly) Ahem!
Angela: (confused) What do you mean by that?
Johnson: Don't mind him. He's an idiot.
Jerry: Hey! I'm standing right here!
Angela: (pulls Jerry aside) Best you leave them alone.
(Johnson turns nervously to Angela.)
Johnson: Um… hey.
Angela: Hey. Listen, I—
Johnson: How are you? What are you doing here? Do you live nearby? Oh my god, if you do, that makes us neighbors! Have you eaten? Are you hungry? Where do you live? Can I know more about you? (sighs nervously)
Angela: (surprised) Yes, I live near Queen's Street. I'd love to know more about you too. (her stomach growls) And I haven't eaten…
Johnson: (grabs her hand eagerly) Say less! We're having a sleepover at my place tonight—all of us!
Rose: Wait—we? Who's "we"?
Jerry: I think we need approval.
Angela: Same here. Probably best not tonight… Rain check?
Johnson: (softly, holding her closer) Yeah, rain check. Sorry for rushing you.
Rose: (claps her hands) Okay! Then let's do dinner—all of us. You, speedy boy (taps Johnson's chest), will fetch the food, and I'll cook.
Johnson: What about Aunty Mary?
Rose: (grinning as they near home) She'll be our butler. Or better yet, our servant.
Mary: (already standing there, aura hidden) Oh really?
Rose: (confident) Yes, she'll wash our dishes and clean while we eat and relax. That's her job anyway, right? All she ever does is boss us around. Now it's her turn to—
Mary: I see. So you can say that to her?
Rose: (smirks mischievously) Yes. I'll even challenge her to a duel!
Mary: (reveals her aura, pats Rose on the shoulder) Is that so?
Rose: (shocked, recognizing the voice) Aunty Mary! It's not what you think—
Mary: Oh, it's definitely what I think. You're grounded. One week. All house chores are yours.
(Johnson tries to intervene but quickly backs off when Mary glares. Jerry greets politely. Mary welcomes them all inside as family. Rose protests again, only to be knocked flat by Johnson with a light tap. She regenerates, sulking. Mary laughs and teaches them about apologizing. Angela observes, surprised at how quickly they bond. They all freshen up and prepare dinner.)
Mary: How about pizza? Johnson, go get some.
Johnson: I'll go.
Mary: (hands him her advanced Samsung device) Done. I transferred $1,000 to your account.
(Rose teases Johnson by reading his mind; Mary scolds her for invading privacy. Johnson leaves with headphones and hoodie. Angela wishes him well. Mary grows concerned, but Jerry jokes about Johnson being more dangerous to others than the other way around. They settle in to watch the news, which breaks with urgent coverage of a subway disaster in Voyage City.)
Newscaster: Breaking news! The subway train inside the dome in Voyage City has requested a state of emergency. Its energy engine has exploded, leaving passengers panicked! Rescue won't arrive on time, as the Hero Association is still abroad dealing with the Cave Incident.
(Visuals show a train hanging off a cliff track, passengers screaming. The scene ends with growing tension)