Silence. Pure, hushed silence.

The air was still as he worked deliberately, making final preparations. This one was going to be different; it was going to succeed. His hands continued to flip through the pages, occasionally stopping as he glanced over at his experiment he'd been working on so deliberately.

It was going to work this time, he knew it. This one would not fail.

A cry of triumph emanated from his lips as he found what he was looking for; the correct formula was all he needed to complete his project. Moments later, his crazed grin widened. It was ready.


He worked faster now, the hint of what could have been excitement - if he'd had the heart to recognize the foreign feeling - flowing through his veins. It was almost-

He stepped back, eyes wide as he ran his gaze over his creation. This was going to work, it had to; it had to. He was a scientist, for God's sake! Of course it was going to work!

A small gasp left his mouth as its eyes opened, revealing a steely pair of grey eyes. It blinked a few times, taking a quiet, drawn out breath into its lungs for the first time of its existence.

It sat up slowly, looking around the room but not exactly seeing. It was all a blur at the moment, unable to comprehend anything. The blonde man in front of it stared in wonder, and his mind reeled. The possibilities, the things he could accomplish!

He let out a cackle, bathing in the glory of his accomplishment. Once his fleeting moment of victory was over, he faced the new being with bright eyes.

"Welcome, Number XIV."