Tema Hq.
The base slowly settled after the chaos.
Not into peace—just into motion.
Everyone moved differently.
Chitki was already at work, pulling up recordings, energy readings, damaged suit logs—every tiny detail from the incident. Screens lit the room in pale blue as they flicked over each other, noting patterns, gaps, and things that didn't make sense.
Nearby, Tuka was on the floor.
"One… ninety-eight… one… ninety-nine…"
His arms trembled, sweat dripping onto the mat, but his expression never changed. No powers. No boosts. Just pure will.
Bear wasn't there.
He had "gone to buy apple juice," which technically meant he vanished for three seconds and came back with grocery bags like nothing happened.
Bandy sat cross-legged in a quiet corner, eyes closed, breathing slow and controlled, trying to calm the storm inside him.
Bandri stood near a weapons bench, carefully inspecting a dagger—one Chitki had gifted her. She had proudly said it was forged from the finest metal available, with perfect grip balance. Bandri turned it in her hand, testing its weight, memorizing it.
Above them all, Tema stood on the rooftop.
Wind tugged at her coat as she looked over the city, a digital slate hovering beside her.
Every appearance. Every movement. Every second of Drayke's intrusion replayed in her mind.
They still didn't know who he was.
But they knew one thing.
This wasn't over.
Far way at some secret headquarters.
Relix stood calmly in the dim chamber.
"The task is complete," she said. "You may leave. Your reward will be given."
Drayke smiled.
A slow, lazy smile.
"That kid made it easier than expected," he replied. "Guess I'll go."
Chains and ropes dragged across the floor.
Chiki.
Bruised. Restrained. Furious.
Drayke hauled him forward and threw him onto the ground in front of a sealed, hidden door. Without another word, he opened a portal and stepped through, vanishing as if he had never been there.
Relix grabbed Chiki and pulled him up.
He groaned, struggling. "You people seriously need to work on hospitality."
She said nothing.
They entered the room.
Inside, a man sat in a chair facing rows of monitors and screens. Every screen showed the same thing.
A question mark.
"Stand outside," the man said calmly.
Relix paused.
"And do not listen."
She left without argument.
Chiki laughed weakly. "What is this? Some kind of psycho lair?"
The man didn't turn.
Instead, he asked, "Do you know why you cannot use your powers?"
Chiki scoffed. "Obviously the rope. What else? Some anti-energy thing, right?"
A soft chuckle.
"Still a brat," the man replied. "Just like before."
The chair spun.
The man turned around.
The face was not shown.
But Chiki froze.
His breath caught.
"You…?" he whispered.
Tema HQ – Later
Hours passed.
Plans formed.
Everyone gathered again, tension thick in the room.
Chitki stepped forward. "I think I've figured out—"
DING..... DONG...
The doorbell rang.
Everyone turned.
Mr. Monkey, who was closest, walked to the door and opened it.
He froze.
Standing there was Chiki.
Completely unharmed.
Not a scratch.
Not a sign of struggle.
And in his arms—
Poppy.
Unconscious.
For a moment, no one spoke.
The silence hit harder than any explosion.
"What…" Bear started slowly, setting his juice down, "…the hell just happened?"
Chiki lifted his eyes.
And smiled faintly.