Chapter 11: The Protagonist Circle
The first bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom, but instead of the usual classroom exodus, the teacher gestured for everyone to stay put. "Before you all rush off, let's go around the room and introduce yourselves. We have a few new faces this year."
As the introductions began, a familiar jock's voice cut through the nervous chatter. "I'm Flash Thompson, and with the new NZ-48, I'm gonna ace every exam this year!" he boasted to his group of friends, puffing out his chest. The NZ-48, a nootropic that Alex knew was a black-market version of Compound V, was a potent but unstable cognitive enhancer. Just as Flash was basking in the attention, the teacher's calm voice rained on his parade. "Just a reminder, Mr. Thompson, that before every major exam, the school will be conducting a random drug test. And for the record, the NZ-48 is an experimental cognitive drug that's only sold to certified scientists and research facilities. Its black-market distribution has been a major concern." Flash's face fell, and his group of friends snickered. The teacher gave a knowing look before dismissing them all.
The hallway became a swirling chaos of students. Alex, Peter, and a quiet Harry Osborn were talking near Peter's locker, the conversation a comfortable mix of science and video games. Soon, their circle expanded. Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson, with their easygoing charm, walked over, bringing with them a smirking Felicia Hardy.
"Hey guys," Gwen said, her eyes lighting up. "Wanda, Pietro, and I were looking for you all."
Pietro, always a whirlwind of motion, was already a few steps ahead, chatting animatedly with Wally West and Billy Batson. The three of them, a trio of youthful energy and bright smiles, seemed to have formed a fast friendship over their shared love for video games and, unbeknownst to them, their shared destinies.
Seeing the growing group, Kara Zor-El, with her graceful but slightly reserved demeanor, joined them, her bright eyes taking in every detail. Jessica Jones, leaning against a nearby locker with her arms crossed, also moved closer, her typical scowl replaced by a hint of curiosity.
The group, a diverse mix of future heroes, geniuses, and one or two wildcard anti-heroes, spent the rest of the day in a loose-knit unit. Illyana Rasputina, however, remained on the periphery. Alex saw her subtle movements, the way she kept her distance from the main group. He knew her secret—she was a mutant, and in this world, that was a target. She wasn't hiding out of shyness, but out of fear.
Victor Stone was also absent from their growing circle. His prodigious athletic talent and social demeanor had him firmly in Flash Thompson's orbit, for now. For the time being, the future Cyborg was content to be a star football player, not a hero.
The day ended as uneventfully as it had begun, a rare moment of peace in a world teetering on the brink of superhuman chaos. After saying their goodbyes, the group dispersed. Pietro immediately connected his console and got into a game with Wally and Billy. Wanda retreated to her room, a distant look in her eyes as if she were wrestling with an inner turmoil she didn't understand. Alex knew that with her powers, it was only a matter of time before her reality began to warp.
Alex, on the other hand, went straight to his lab. The day had been an eye-opening glimpse into the true scale of his situation. He had a handful of credits now and a new level of understanding. With a deep breath, he accessed his System.