Prodiguy

John rolled his eyes and sighed after the initial shock of a smokey figure appearing out of nowhere after Hal spoke.

"Right. You have got to be one of THE BEST liars on this planet, don'tcha. 'Oh, hey Experiment. I don't know you. Hiya Essex, do you remember me? Oh, hello! I know you! Oh, wait, no I don't. Forget I said that.' Well played." chuckled the man, apparently having lost his original 'soft side' from talking to Essex. "I have made up my mind. Into the closet we go!"

With that, he stood and stepped inside, chuckling again at the stupidity of walking into a closet with a bunch of random people and some sort of sentient lizard.

Nothing Can Fly - Story of the Year

Pretty cool song. I personally have no characters that suit it, but there you go. [Edit] Well, unless you count the winged Experiment... Hm... [/Edit]

Acid Rain - Liquid Tension Experiment

I can imagine this for a (rare) time when Experiment actually has to become serious and fight a super villain alone. As the music dies down, Experiment gets more and more hurt. The upbeat section near the end would most likely be him coming back in a a last-ditch effort attack.

So far, the heroes had all been seperated through different halls and paths, cutting them off from each other entirely. Kevin, meanwhile, was being surrounded by attack bots.

"Experiment... I know you're here." he said, a slightly choked chuckle following.

"I know you know, Kevin. It is part of my charm. Hehehe..." 2.0 replied, still unseen by his sidekick. "Step through the double doors into my lab."

With a hiss, said double doors opened, revealing what seemed to be a room flooded with light. Liquid Burst nodded, stepping through.

--------------------------

"There goes another." Manticore stated as a group of flying drones were sent to the ground, their power source failing from an electrically-charged arrow. "How're you doing, Posi?"

"Oh, I am doing just fine." Positron called, a Neutrino Blast sending a group of drones to their explosive ends.

"I am fine too, thanks for asking." the british hero muttered, a blast of fire melting a nearby power source, opening the nearest doorway. The two Paragon Freedom Phalanx members dashed through, the british hero sighing as he followed...

...Only to be blown to the side by a flamethrower. Luckily, because of his powers, he was not too badly injured, but it still hurt like hell. The rolled, dodging yet another 'thrower. The three heroes closed in in a three point formation, watching each other's backs. Manticore growled to the british hero, "Listen up. I don't like you, and I doubt you like us, but I REALLY doubt we are getting out of this by fighting. You cover our backs, and we will take down the energy sources. Got it."

The foreign hero huffed, but nodded his understanding.

--------------------------

"Missed me! Missed again! What's wrong? Too slow for the speedster?" Synapse mocked the giant 'bot swinging at him. The hammer held by the robot was swinging up and down at the hero, constantly missing because of his speed.

The three heroes that had been stuck with him sighed. They had seen the power source on the back of the giant robot quite a while ago, but hadn't bothered to say anything. After all, they didn't have to work, so why bother?

Of course, eventually, the collapsing floor they had left behind a while ago WOULD catch up to them eventually...

A strong energy blast knocked out the violent robot's energy, Synapse stopping and looking rather proud. "Hah! I confused it enough to cause it to shut down!"

"...Right..." a british Phalanx member muttered, following behind the speedster.

--------------------------

A strong burst of wind was following a large block of earth, sending a few more battle drones to their destruction. So far, the ones working together the most were Statesman, Earth Titania, and Lorosen.

"Quick, Earth, strike that generator while Lorosen slows down those blades. I will strike those gears and make them slow down their descent." Statesman said, pointing in the seperate directions. Their current problem was the battle drones circling around firing lasers at the heroes and an incoming fan coming down at high speed from the roof.

"Got it, States." Earth replied.

"Yessir." Lorosen said, rushing to his job, using his power over wind to slow down the giant fan's blades to a withstandable pace as Statesman smashed the gears controlling it, slowing it down amazingly. Meanwhile, the drones died in a sort of pattern as their power source was crushed under a ton of earth and rock.

A door opened ahead, flooded with light and an odd power source, as well as some sort of winged figure.

Experiment 2.0 himself.

The three leaders rushed forward, the door closing behind them.

--------------------------

"I did it again! See how good I am, fellas? Don'tcha just wish you were as good as me?" Synapse gloated to the three british heroes as the final assault bot fell. The heroes simply sighed as a pair of doors opened, the same light flooding through. "Follow me, my minions!" And in they went."

--------------------------

"Got it!" Manticore yelled as the final power source fell, leaving a ton of drones helpess. The heroes congratulated each other quickly, only to have their quick reverie cut short by a hissing of an opening door.

--------------------------

"Where the hell ARE they?!" a female voice yelled through an abandoned underground base, a small red and black bot jumping from a recharge-base. PDA huffed as she walked from the table to a chair, jumping onto it and crossing her arms in a 'I am so neglected' way.

Experiment rolled his eyes, and began speaking. "Do you ever stop whi--."

He froze. He could not finish the sentance. Usually, he had no problem telling people they whine too much, or they piss him off, or... Whatever else they do. But this Essex girl was different... In fact, all of them were different, but mostly Essex. He felt like he just COULDN'T hurt her. If he did, he would feel terrible, or would have to hurt himself equally. If not more.

He decided to test this theory.

He clenched his right hand, spun around, and...

Sighed in exasperation. He couldn't even let his body throw a fist at the girl.

He sighed a second time, crouching low, almost to the little girl's height if he wasn't as tall as he was. "Hey, kid," he said, his head turning sympathetically and his eyes seeming to twinkle kindly. This now seemed to be something he was used to. "You know, if you don't go back to how it was, this world could be in big trouble. Heck, you could even help us save the whole world! You can heal people, right? What if one of us get's badly injured, and your arm is stabbed. In your current form, you would be in no position to help anyone... But as a... what was it, a robot? That arm probably wouldn't be really needed..."

Then, his eyebrows lowered. "Okay, that probably isn't a good example..."

He stood, rubbing his chin intently, thinking. "Okay, well, what about this... I am pretty good with technology, I think... If you get badly injured now, it would be MUCH harder to... No, that one sucks too..."

He smacked his head with the bottom of his hand. Then, his eyes shining once again, he lowered back to just above her height. "Okay. How about this... Right now, you can feel sadness, happiness, pain, joy, hatred, love... As a robot, you wouldn't be able to feel what you would now if one of us died, right? If one of us died now, you would probably be traumatized, based on the gore-factor of death and... Okay, you know what?"

He stood again, shaking his head and sitting on the ground entirely, sighing for what seemed to be the tenth time. "Forget I said anything. I can't help you to make the 'right decision.' I can't help you if you are human. I could probably not help you as a robot, as a matter of fact. Stay human then. I will just hang out here too. I am probably just as useful now as I am anywhere else..."

John thought for a second.

Well, in all honesty, a second was an overstatement.

"Let's go! This world has bored me beyond belief. Lack of existance or death would be MUCH be--"

He froze. What had he been like before? Evil? Heroic? Annoying? Hero WANNABE? Someone whose inventions blew up all the time like that old cliche'? He practically shivered on that last one. Or... Wait, did he have super powers? Superhuman abilities like Overmagus Archilich?

"...Uh... Let's go?" he said, slightly less enthusiastic. He wanted to find out what he was like MUCH more than be killed or cease to exist now... Ugh, dilemmas...

At this, Kevin's nervous demeanor left and he chuckled. "Right, you and every other villain in the Rogue Isles. Hell, even most dimensions have some type of creature or being that thinks they will achieve 'ultimate power.' I, on the other hand, am a realist. You may get power, but did you forget the heroes that outnumber you five-thousand to one?" he said in a mocking tone. "Well, maybe, if you rule against the males, it will only be twentyfive-thousand to one, but still. You would be outnumbered."

John's eyes drooped slightly as he saw Midas begin walking off. "'Ey... Didja find out if they had any gin or somethin'?" he muttered, following behind quickly. He pulled a small flask from the back of his belt. "This stuff is gettin' old." He gulped whatever liquid was inside down quickly, placing it back in its holder.

Eh, neither did I, but Forum Follies 6 definately made up for that. "Unhand her, in the name of Experiment 2.0!" yo.

Or you could just let Experiment try to 'fix' a few of his inventions. There would be nowhere to hide.

Experiment also quickly adjusted, his coat shirt already dirty from the running and explosions from earlier. His hair, usually in a set fashion, was now pretty randomly skewed about, fitting the 'poor' scene.

He whispered just loud enough for the red-wearing mage to hear him to Midas. "Hey, bro, when do we get to go to a bar? I haven't been to one in ages..." were his words, american accent and all. However, he seemed to wobble slightly, a very small hint of a slur in his words.

If anyone was truly paying attention, they may catch that either he played a drunk very well, or he knew all too well what it was like to be drunk.

A loud humming could be heard from all around as the Phalanx members stepped in to what seemed to be an impromptu laboratory.

"Nice place he has here... Too bad we will have to wreck it." Synapse muttered, glancing around.

"Ugh, you americans and your need to destroy." Lorosen mumbled, admiring the care this place was made with in such a short time.

The inside of the 'warehouse' was actually a very hi-tech base, seemingly flowing with energy and random devices, mostly seeming to come from 2.0's old lab. However, one thing was new.

The detention field initiators.

The Phalanx members were suddenly pulled into seperate bubbles, stuck inside. They could not even move. A screen with pure blackness apart from two, glowing, violent green eyes flashed on. "Ah, welcome my friends, to my humble abode. I am sure you will enjoy it here... But first, let me just give you a tip or two.

"Number one, you will not survive the day if you do not work together. Your cooperation is key to your success in this matter. Number two, if you so much as ATTEMPT to attack each other, you WILL be vaporized. Your powers may be strong, but remember, I was a hero once too. I have analyzed you well enough to know your powers, and therefore, your weaknesses."

The figure chuckled. "But the most important rule? Have fun!"

With that, the corridor seperated into three parts. 3 british heroes and Synapse in one, Positron, Manticore and the last british hero in another, and Statesman, Earth Titania and Lorosen in the last. The hallways split. The screen reactivated.

"This is what I like to call 'The Gauntlet.' This will cause you to perfect your teamwork, or you will fail. I apologize if you do not wish to die, but then, fight your way through. It is THAT simple."

*BOOP*

---------------------------

The floor began collapsing behind the heroes, causing them to dash forward. "Okay, you know what? Screw helping him. When I find this dork, I will bring him down so fast--"

"Sure thing, Rainbow-man." a british hero replied to Synapse, sighing.

---------------------------

"I can't believe I actually defended that guy..." Manticore muttered behind Positron, looking behind him only to speed up as the collapsing floor closed in.

"Remember Manticore, this isn't like 2.0. Something seems off about this..." Positron responded, flying ahead quickly.

---------------------------

"I did not realize your friend was homocidal, allies of mine." Lorosen said, scowling ferociously, "Perhaps he should get a medal for this..."

"Shut it, Air-lover." Titania said, his feet speeding along the earth.

((Hehehe... *Chuckle...*))

(("Pfft, I will tell you what we see. We see whatever it is our eyes are able to acquire through our sense of sight. Then, our eyes allow our brains to react to said sight.

"Of course, we need to know what said sight IS, but hell, details details..."))

((Well, the fact that we are not ALL proud owners of a four-digit I.Q. for starters...

...Or it could just be me...))

Spines assaulted the plates while Jenny began dodging thorns left and right.

"Hey! That is my SISTER you are trying to impale!" Experiment shouted, flinging a cluster of spines at Schizo, mainly to let out some aggression since he would probably simply seperate, but hell, he was annoying. "Just stay still a little so I can get a shot in!"

[ QUOTE ]
"Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" by The Beatles (even though I hate them)

[/ QUOTE ]

Aww, one of my best friend loves them, and I am the british one in our 'group.' She has, like, a whole collection of stuff from them. I call it obsession.

I have been trying to think of a song for Experiment's transformation and form in the 'One too many.' story. Any help would be appreciated, as I will probably pick something by Nickelback, as usual.

Kevin froze, looking down at Katsumei as if she were insane. Behind his mask, his face could not have been redder. If somebody walked in right now, this would look pretty--

"Nevermind. Thought too soon..." Kevin... Well, thought, as Xey entered. He gave a nervous chuckle, patting Katsumei on the head in a manner that would look like he was ready for his hand to be broken. "Uh... Good girl?"

Demonic_Avenger has 666 posts?

...Either I am just lucky, or very UNlucky, either one.

This thread, like, died. CLEAR! *BZZT!*

Disposable Heroes-Metallica

This is my idea of a final battle/Doomsday device activated kind of theme. I mainly imagine it during a battle between Experiment and *Ahem*Shi*cough*mm*hack*er*harkwhatlightthroughyon derwindowbreaks*

Kitten is Angry-Lemon Demon

Uh... Well...

...<.<
>.>

I like it. Is that so bad? XD

Shinedown-Heroes

This suits a team up between Experiment and Liquid Burst, his sidekick.

Kevin sat bolt upright, grinning like a maniac.

"I know his plan!"

"Yeah, we all do," PDA said, "He kinda broadcasted it over the radio-waves."

"No, no, his REAL plan! I have to go help him do it!"

"...Are you freakin' insane?"

"Nope! And neither is he!"

With that, he activated his armour and blasted off, crashing through the half-repaired window from last time, leaving an annoyed construction worker yelling profanity.

---------------------

"Heh... Good job, Kev..." muttered the raspy voice of the transformed Experiment 2.0 quietly as he watched the monitors of the rundown warehouse he hid in. Of course, that is what the exterior looked like. The interior was perfect for his plan.

---------------------

The Freedom Phalanx arrived at the exact same time as the other two groups. They all stopped and stared.

The Phalanx groups, while divisions of the Freedom Phalanx, had recently been in-fighting so much that mortal injury was sustained within the Freedom Phalanx, Sister Psyche having to be kept safe by Numina and Citadel.

"This is out of your jurisdiction, friends," Statesman's said in a voice making it obvious he was holding back from punching the leaders of the other groups in the chins, "You will leave. Now."

"Nope. No way Statesy." Earth Titania said, pulling a mallet from the ground. "Not only is Experiment my friend, this place is not within ANY jurisdiction, so as far as I am concerned, you can just go fu--"

"Listen you two," Lorosen said quickly, shaking his head. "This place is not within any of our jurisdiction. Therefore, we should not be fighting over who's 'camp spot' this is. Let us just go inside and--"

"After you, buddy." Synapse chuckled, "Good friend of mine, best bud. Maybe after this, you can throw a knife into our friend's stomach AGAIN, huh? What FUN!"

"That wasn't me, you color-blind freak."

"Righto then." the speedster said with a wave of his hand. Statesman shook his head, growling.

"Let's just get this over with. If either of your groups attack us, there will be hell to pay."

---------------------

Kevin landed just as the 3 Phalanx groups stepped through the doors. He snapped his fingers in disappointment. "Damn, they already went inside, no doubt after bickering... There must be a way in without letting them know..."

((Has Liquid Burst gone bad? What is Experiment 2.0 planning? Will Statesman and Miss Liberty ever 'get it on?' ...What? Whaddya mean they're related?...

*Pulls erotic fanfic from the net.*

Aaaanyway....))

"You saw it, men."

The leader of the British Phalanx, a division of heroes for the U.K., said to the others. "This 'Experiment' that put this video up into the radio waves is going to try and take over the world. Now--"

"He never said that!" a voice called. The voice belonged to none other than Earth Titania, friend of Experiment 2.0 and lieutenant of the British Phalanx. "That isn't anything like him! That guy is a hero of Paragon City!"

"I know that, Earth, but we can't let this plan come to fruitation. We must stop him at all costs. Even if he is to die. You will lead a squad of heroes into battle with him, and do not fail in bringing him in or destroying him. Capiche'?"

Earth growled, but picked four of the best heroes he could, and prepared to suit up.

---------------------------

"What is he talking of?" the German Phalanx leader muttered, sitting down quickly. "How could he do such a thing like that? Lorosen, you will take a squad and perform a frontal assault."

"But sir, this Experiment 2.0, is he not a Hero of Paragon City? We should not--"

"NOW, Lorosen."

"*Sigh*... Yes, sir..."

---------------------------

"We can't fight Experiment! He saved you once, States!" Synapse cried in despiration. Statesman had ordered the Freedom Phalanx to begin a Task Force to take down Experiment 2.0, and a few of them were fighting back.

"I realize that, Synapse, but past rights does not correct a wrong somebody may do in the future. This is a BIG wrong..."

"Look, I don't really like the guy myself," Manticore began, "But really, from my time fighting with him in Recluse's Victory, he always seemed to try and help fellow heroes. This is not like him."

"I know, Manticore. He almost died trying to save me once, remember? Look, we can try and bring him in unharmed, but if that isn't possible, we HAVE to put an end to it! Now, move out."

The Phalanx followed the order, exiting the meeting room which much less enthusiasm than before.

---------------------------

"...Unless he isn't actually going to do it at all..." Kevin mused, only to be scorned by PDA.

"Kevin, drop it. 2.0 is probably insane thanks to that over-radiation. You even said yourself it could kill him... He just decided to kill everyone else instead."

"Thanks a lot, bot."

((What is 2.0 planning? Oooh... *Spooky noises*...

Tune in... Whenever I put up the next part!))

Upon checking the base for extreme damage and repairing PDA's systems and functions, Kevin found something VERY disturbing in the video footage before it was taken out. The morphed Experiment ripped a doomsday device from its place of guarding in the Vault, and smashed through a wall toward the exit.

The problem was, they had not yet disarmed the function of the device, only hidden the power supply in a very secret place.

The other problem?

Experiment had hidden it. Liquid Burst had no idea where it, and in turn 2.0, were.

"Crap..." he muttered, face in his hands, "Why did he have to do that experiment?"

"Well duh, his name coincides." the voice of PDA emnated from a small robot, "Besides, it isn't like he is really going to USE that thing. He knew where the supply was hidden, he knew his way past the defenses... His physical appearance may have changed, but his mind is the same."

At that exact moment, the glowing green eyes of Experiment 2.0 appeared on the computer, seemingly emotionless. "This is a soundwave to all heroes in Paragon City, America as a whole, hell, the whole world should hear this... I performed an experiment. It went bad. Long story short, I am reverting myself... But you may not like my way of doing so..."

-----------------------

"He is going to sap the life force of every citizen and hero on Earth?! What the hell is he thinking?!" Kevin screamed as the screen shut off.

"Uh... Well, maybe he thinks the life force will override the radiation and turn him back to normal?" PDA responded, althought sounding like she didn't believe herself.

"Look, I know Experiment. He isn't a renegade hero. He always tries to do the right thing, even if it means hurting himself. This isn't something he would do."

"His mind was affected by radiation, Kev. It isn't something he would do, but maybe he isn't himself."

"I should hope not..." the sidekick murmured, slamming his head onto the worktable. However, the notes Experiment used for the project fell, catching the hero's attention. He quickly raised an eyebrow.

"...PDA... This has a way to change back RIGHT HERE... If I know him, he remembered his notes... This has nothing to do with sapping life force... So why would..." Kevin trailed off, confused...

"Test number 34- Failure." 2.0 sighed, leaning back on his chair. A squeak sounded from the thing, and Experiment froze. He would have to fix that at some point.

He rolled across the table, checking his scrawled notes. The writing would seem almost foreign to everyone else, but that, in 2.0's opinion, was good. His writing was TERRIBLE, but he could read it. It helped keep things secret.

In any case, he checked his notes for the 36th time. He made sure he had not missed anything. He hadn't. The math was all right, the doses and power of the dosage was fine. He couldn't see the problem, before his memory kicked in.

"Hm..." he thought out loud, "Hallucinogen is covered in a cloud of green, seemingly a hallucination caused by radiation. If his entire body is covered, that would equal the need to fill the entire body with radiation. However, I have been using doses according to HIS height... If I appropriate it to my own--"

"You could kill yourself." Kevin finished.

John sighed. Kevin had really been intrusive lately, always getting into the hero's business. It actually grinded his nerves. "I will be fine, Liquid Burst. Just finish editting the front page upstairs. I will be out in a minute."

"You have been saying that for the last month, E."

"I know, I have been busy. Just go upstairs."

Kevin sighed in despair, retreating back to the elevator teleporter to return to the PCT's top floor.

-----------------------

The Irradiator was glowing and pulsing with energy, seemingly ready for activation. 2.0 stood in the center, manipulating the configuration. A female voice aired through the base.

"Woah, John, I got a scan of... This radiation reading is off the charts! What the hell are you doing... Why can't I get a viewcam in there?" PDA called, only to have Experiment shut off the sound in the chamber in response.

"Test number 35- Commence."

The power was activated, and a mass of green luminated the laboratory, covering everything in radiation. The only thing effected, however, was Experiment 2.0.

-----------------------

"JOHN!" Kevin shouted, picking up the older hero, now seemingly even OLDER. "John, wake up! What the hell happened! John?"

However, Kevin then gasped and stepped back. The red armour the hero had been wearing was... morphing. It covered itself in an odd, black costume, a red symbol on the front signifying bloody wings. Experiment's form lifted into the air, his eyes flashing open. Green, smokey tendrils replaced his eyes, the same shade as a certain ally of his. He had powered more radiation than expected.

However, something even more disturbing was affecting 2.0's suit. The back of the costume seemed to be ripping apart from forceful pushing of the shoulder bones. They seemed to be growing. Blood spilled to the floor in torrents, only to have even more explode out of his body by the means of wings.

Giant black and red wings exited John Ballard's back, flapping him into the air quickly. The hero admired this new form, before gasping in terror at his reflection in the pool of blood on the ground.

Kevin, meanwhile, had fainted at the sight of the blood. He was squeamish, y'see.

Experiment flapped his wings hard, seeming to know how to control them. He smashed through the doorway, only to be attacked by his own defenses. "INTRUDER! INTRUDER!" PDA's voice screamed, flamethrowers and energy blasters firing at the winged form.

-----------------------

The employees of the Paragon City Times stared in awe at the winged human that had smashed from the 100 story window, the entry to Experiment's base ripped away. Kevin climbed out, disoriented and confused.

"...Oh DAMN..." he said, smacking his head on the restroom's floor.

((Muahahaha!... More to come. I can't do cliffhangers.))

"This is a bad idea." Kevin muttered, shaking his head as Experiment blasted into the skies of Steel Canyon.

"Come, Liquid Burst, we must put out that fire! And that one... And that one..." the hero called down, pointing rapidly across the cityscape.

"Okay, you know what? I will take the north, you take south, E."

"Fine with me."

With that, the two heroes split off in their seperate directions, Experiment wearing a giant backpack attached to a cryo-freezer, and Liquid Burst with his ice and water powers.

-----------------------

An explosion rocked the Copper District as Experiment was seen flying away from it at a high speed. He landed, putting down a child he had rescued, before a tear seemed to spring from his eye for no apparent reason.

"...Uh..." Experiment mumbled, jetting off before the press could see. He was confused. That was something new to him.

Oh well. He had bigger things to concentrate on than a random tear. He lost that building, but managed to save the civilians inside. Right down the street was another building cloaked in smoke, and 2.0 flew right into the wall of black and grey. The Hellions cheering and jeering below were quickly beaten, and the cryo-freezer was able to halt the fire moments before the building collapsed. The hero landed, the crowd and fire fighters cheering. He bowed, and flew off once again.

-----------------------

*FSSHHHH* was heard as the last fire was put out by Kevin's ice generating powers. Cheers, applause, flight, just as Experiment was doing on the other side of Steel Canyon.

However, the green and blue sidekick was worried. Experiment had been acting pretty oddly lately. Probably just that weird message he got from that Crey scientist. Kevin had no idea why he was so worried. EVERYONE had a vendetta against him now, why would he be so worried about this 'Doctor Shiney' or whatever?

"Eh, it doesn't matter... He is probably just paranoid..." the young hero thought, scanning the area quickly. "Well, no more fire. Time to head back."

-----------------------

Liquid Burst landed on the side of the Paragon City Times building, scanning the skies. He didn't see the usual blinding flash of red signifying John's approach to the building, but then heard a loud explosion. He looked down.

A factory made for jamming villain signals to their bases and such had just been destroyed, and the power from its generators had expelled itself out. Therefore, anything needing radio signal was shut off.

Experiment was on the ground, bleeding. His Medi-Com had been deactivated.

"[censored]!!!" Kevin yelled, leaping from the rooftop and propelling himself down with the power of water. He scooped up the armoured hero, now in ashen grey and black and smokey curls expelling from his charred skin. The smell was revolting and the sidekick had to try hard not to gag.

He arrived at the hospital, and waited. It took almost two hours but eventually a doctor opened the door and informed Kevin that his father was going to be okay.

Of course, the young hero shook his head and quickly put his face in his hands.

Recently, people had been asking if John and Kevin were father and son from their difference in ages. Kevin kept having to tell people he was John's employee at the PCT, and that they were not related. However, it bugged the teen that people could think that. It meant that Experiment was getting old.

[ QUOTE ]
"But being a hero is my pride and joy!" Experiment said as Kevin slipped and told the hero of his idea for the man to retire, "I can't just give up on the city like that!"

"John, you are probably going to hurt yourself one of these days. Hell, you were a hero during the Rikti War!"

"So? You are just jealous of my vitality."

"...You are like, twice my age."

[/ QUOTE ]

That was how most conversations went. After the last sentance, 2.0 would usually plug his ears and make loud, obtrusive noises until Kevin walked away.

"Ugh... Immature geek..." Kevin thought as the older hero stepped from the hospital, back to his usual self.

"Ah, that was easy as cake! So, next crime!"

"...Or we could go back to the PCT and rest. Aren't you even hurt?"

"Nope. I am fine. Just a little pain in my side, nothing too major."

"...Right, well I am going back."

"Spoilsport."

-----------------------

Squeaking could be heard as John Ballard spun around in his wheelie chair in his lab, laughing maniacally at barely missing smashing into his sidekick.

"Why are you so childish?" Kevin inquired.

"Because you only live once, LB. If I really wanted to be one of those senile, grumpy old heroes like Statesy, I would be. Now, bring forth my cotton candy!"

"...We don't have any."

"Oh drat."

-----------------------

That was a nice memory, Kevin decided.

He sat in the old lab, Experiment working diligently on something at the worktable. The young sidekick had no idea what had happened, but 2.0 had become very serious over the past year or so, hardly taking a joke anymore. No more spinning in the chair, no more pretending he was 'fine' after being near death...

An explosion blew John back, sending him sprawling to the ground. He growled, picking himself up and returning to the workstation. This had happened several times now.

"So... What are ya workin' on, E?" Kevin asked, mostly to just make sure the guy was alright.

"A mutagen for transformation. I tried before, and failed miserably. Now, however, I think I may have something." He turned, and began explaining. "I think I may be able to give myself powers I did not previously have. I am using small amounts of radiation to pulse through my bloodstream, as radiation seems to be what powers and created one of my allies.

"If I can give myself enough energy, I may be able to recreate Hal's powers, which in turn will give me even MORE power."

"...Experiment... You already have weird chemicals inside you. What if--"

"The solutions collide? I have thought about the possibility, but it is a chance of fifteen-thousand five-hundred and thirty seven to one. In other words, it is very VERY unlikely to happen. Now, I need to get back to work."

With that, he turned and did as he said.

-----------------------

Kevin was worried. Experiment 2.0, a usually cheery and carefree hero, was now isolating himself from the world and using science to power himself further. That was NEVER a good thing.

"That is what VILLAINS do!" Kevin thought, sighing. "Well, maybe he is right. He is pretty responsible... I am sure he will be fine."

((More to come...))

Kevin's eyes grew small, almost menacing. "...'Your male?' I did not realize I had become property, 'm'lady.' I suppose I really should keep up with the times..."

With that, he huffed and turned, walking back toward his bed. He spun, bowed dramatically and sarcastically, and slumped onto it, turning away from the females in the room.

Kevin mulled over Circe's last few words in his head before realizing what she meant.

"...Like an equal? You are confused about why I treat her like an equal? Is that really something bad? Wow... Woman and man being equal is bad... I suppose someone should go back in time and stop that whole 'women equality' thing they have now, huh..." he muttered, chuckling the last few words. "I don't really understand what is bad about treating other humans equally."

Of course, he had no idea who he was speaking to, so his humanitarianism would most likely come across as an insult, but still...

((...Humanitarianism? Is that right? It looks WAY off....))