All he could see was darkness, an endless void stretching infinitely across his field of view. Although he could see nothing, he could hear many different noises poking invisibly into his head as he futilely struggled against unseen bonds.
"Who am I?" He pondered. He couldn't remember anything at all, just a blank slate in his mind.
"Why can't I move?" He growled in thought as he attempted to move.
Nothing.
He wondered what had happened, if anything at all.
Several feet away, a young man watched in eager anticipation behind a group of fellow scientists. He pushed up his glasses as an imposing figure stepped in front of them, two guards following suit. The man, Dr. Lockhart, had created this new project as a means to "evolve" the human race by creating a new, artificial race modeled after the PowerPuff Girls. Composed of three little girls, the trio had appeared in the city of Townsville several years prior. The doctor had seen the potential in them and had called the top scientists from all over the world to help him in his greatest feat yet.
Now, he stood before an assortment of his men, gazing at each and every one of them with an overwhelming presence. His two guards stood erect next to him, neither of them moving even slightly.
With a slight cough, he began, "Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have assembled you here to showcase our near-final product. I am very pleased of this project's outcome and I want to congratulate each and every one of you dearly for your efforts."
The two guards steeped aside as Dr. Lockhart gestured to the wall behind him, three sections gradually moved down to reveal a trio of glass tubes. Inside each tube was a teenage boy, all three of them hooked up to life-support systems as they floated within a luminescent green liquid.
"As you all know, these three boys hold the key to the dream we all wish to create. In exactly one week, they will be fully developed and can be released into the real world." Dr. Lockhart continued as he began to pace in front of the tubes.
There was a low murmur of agreement from the scientists as Dr. Lockhart began scanning a clipboard handed to him by one of the guards.
"Well," he said as he observed the eager crowd, "It looks like the only thing left to do is perform a genetic transfusion from Subject #003 to Subject #002, Dr. Hirohito?" An elderly Oriental man joined Lockhart.
Hirohito gazed at the other scientists for a moment before speaking, "A special goal for this project is to transmit specific brain cells from #003 to #002 for a new, more enforced leader. If I'm correct, this procedure will be headed by Dr. Steiner, one of the world's top neurologists. "
A man with slicked-back, black hair and a beak-like nose joined Lockhart and Hirohito, "Yes indeed." He said with a thick, German accent, "We will extract a special series of cells from #003's prefrontal lobe to be injected into #002's brain. Thus, it will give effect to our quota."
There was another wave of murmuring as Dr. Lockhart glanced at his clipboard once more, "Is there a 'Professor Titanium' present?" he inquired.
The young man hiding in the back of the crowd raised his hand, "That would be me, sir."
"Please step forward." Lockhart commanded dismissively.
Quickly hurrying to Lockhart's side, the scientist pushed up black, wire-frame glasses and shrugged back a mop of blond hair as he took his place at the Doctor's side.
"Now Professor, my intel tells me that you are one of two people in the entire world who know of the properties of the substance known as Chemical X. Correct?" Lockhart asked.
Professor Titanium smiled slyly, "Yes sir. In fact, I was the co-creator of the material. My colleague and I have parted ways after a series of differences. He went on to crea-" He explained before being cut-off by Steiner, "Is this story going somewhere, Professor?" he snorted.
"No, I'm afraid that I get carried away sometimes, Doctor. Were you going to add something?" Titanium snarled back.
With a cruel sneer, Steiner replied, "I have never heard of you or your prowess, Professor. So why exactly are you here?"
Titanium chuckled mockingly, "Oh, Doctor, you crack me up. You have heard of Chemical X, right?"
"Yes of course! Any idiot here would know what the fabled Chemical X is! Scientists around the world have been attempting to recreate and reproduce its divine powers; yet, it's impossible. Now, a crude excuse of a man stands before me demanding my intelligence!? You sir, are pointing your finger at the wrong man!" Steiner ranted angrily.
A goofy smile spread on Titanium's face, "Calm down, Sauerkraut, with that much stress, I think your precious brain will pop. Oh, the irony in that situation."
Steiner howled angrily, he pointed his finger menacingly at Titanium and gazed beet-red at Lockhart, "Dr. Lockhart! I demand you remove this cretin from this laboratory at once! He deserves no right to be here."
Smirking amused, Lockhart replied, "I believe that I forgot to tell you that Professor Titanium here is the very staple to our project."
Slowly dropping his finger with a shocked expression, Steiner managed, "This delinquent is a 'staple'? That is preposterous!"
"Yet, I stand before you, Doctor. Now, where was I in my explanation of the Chemical X." Titanium answered while turning to address to face the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the so-called 'mystic' liquid known as Chemical X was originally made as a single batch by me and my colleague, the esteemed Professor Utonium. However, the famous PowerPuff Girls were created using that version. Forced to dabble in procrastination, I have developed a hopefully new strand of the formula in order to empower our three messiahs." Titanium explained to the amazed crowd.
"How is this version different?" A voice from the crowd called out.
With a sly grin the Professor explained, "Well, Utonium was the one who cultivated the 'stabilizing' compound for the formula. Unfortunately, he did not share the information for this component, so I was left in the dark, so to say. Anyway, I have substituted it with a new ingredient dubbed as 'Chemical Y'; thus, if my calculations are correct, these three boys could be the essential step towards evolving mankind at an exponential rate."
"What kind of effects could it give to the subjects?" A female scientist asked near the front.
Titanium's grin grew wider, "Although we have yet to see the live effects, I hypothesize that each boy could gain several 'unique' abilities."
"The PowerPuff girls have many 'unique' abilities, Professor. How are these boys going to be different?" Dr. Hirohito politely asked.
Titanium turned to stare at the boys floating in the tubes. He was silent for a moment before answering, "I injected the 'Chemical Y' component two days ago. Since then, Subject #001's body temperature has been rapidly dropping ever since. The technicians have managed to keep his body heat at room temperature for the time being; however, his body keeps getting colder. I theorize cryokinesis."
There was a collective murmur of amazement before Steiner reacted, "Cryokinesis? I doubt it. The subject's body temperature would nearly freeze the liquid inside the tank."
A mock sigh from Titanium, "Doctor, the tank's contents are regularly heated hourly. He'll be fine as long as there isn't a blackout. On the other hand, Subject #002's body temperature is constantly approaching three digits. So the technicians need to lower his tank's temperature to sustain a normal body temperature. My theory for #001 is cryokinesis; I believe #002's special ability will be pyrokinesis."
"Fire and ice, how fascinating." Lockhart mused as he studied the two boys.
"What of Subject #003?" Another scientist asked.
Titanium shuffled nervously through some papers he had pulled from his lab coat, "Thankfully, he hasn't displayed any unusual behavior, but that could mean he could develop something that we can't control."
There was an uneasy silence from the crowd as they considered this. Lockhart turned to face Titanium, "Is there any way we can track this? I don't want another genetic mishap in my laboratory."
Titanium swallowed a lump in his throat, "Regrettably, no. All we can do is wait for the live tests."
Lockhart studied the uneasy muttering of the crowd before speaking, "Alright everyone, I believe this meeting can be finished. We will prepare for live testing within a week. In the meantime, I want to combine our minds in order to keep our specimens under control." With another nervous chatter, the scientists scattered, each of them heading back to their individual posts.
When they had left, Lockhart began to study the three boys again, Titanium hesitated before joining him. "I'll admit, Professor. You did a good job explaining your niche to the others." Lockhart started.
"Is it only a niche, Doctor?" Titanium replied.
Lockhart shrugged, "It depends on what position you're viewing it from. I'm guessing for you, it is the heart of the operation, yes?"
A stern nod, "Yes, sir."
With a chuckle, Lockhart answered, "Well, I guess it's time to explain your new mission."
Titanium looked at Lockhart puzzled as the head doctor ushered the two guards away, "You see, in technical terms, you are the father of these three boys. As such, when we awaken them, I want you to be their caretaker for the time being of the training."
"So, you want me to be the 'Professor Utonium' of these 'PowerPuff Girls'?" Titanium asked.
"Exactly."
The Professor gulped, "I guess that's appropriate. I've always wanted to be a father."
"Excellent. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to oversee a clean-up." Lockhart answered with an annoyed smile.
"Wait, you don't mean 'Project: Four' do you?" Titanium requested.
Lockhart glared at Titanium, "That was a complete failure, Professor. A fourth's cells will always be unstable; I watch the news to know that."
"He could still be alive!" Titanium pleaded.
"That thing was never alive. It deteriorated the second oxygen met its lungs. Although, I want to study its remains because of the interesting reptile-like mutation I witnessed." Lockhart mused.
Titanium looked defeated at Lockhart, "I guess you're right; but even I can't explain the mutation. As much as it pains me, I wish to examine his remains soon."
Lockhart arched an eyebrow, "Why do you refer to the specimens as regular people, Professor? They were all genetically developed by us in hopes of creating a new, super-powered race of humans."
"I know about the plans for super-soldiers." Titanium growled.
Looking generally surprised, Lockhart inquired, "Do you now?"
"Yes, once these three boys prove their abilities in the real world, you and your goons will begin making more and more super-powered beings. Eventually, you'll amass an army, am I correct?"
Lockhart smiled evilly, "I won't deny it, but I'm curious, how did you find out?"
"I may be just a chemist, but I have some skills on computers too." Titanium answered, his muscles tensing.
Clapping slowly, Lockhart began to pace, "Really? Huh, never thought the shy bookworm-ish Professor would actually show some real skills by himself."
Titanium was confused, "So now we're battling with insults? This is getting sad."
"On the contrary, Professor, this is a battle of wills." Lockhart retorted.
"This is just ridiculous." Titanium responded.
"Is it? Now, we both don't want to be stressed for the operation soon."
Titanium was quite, he wasn't sure how to react. If he tried to expose Lockhart, he'd surely be killed; he had to find a new way.
"Well? What're you going to do?" Lockhart pushed.
"Nothing." Titanium said blankly.
Lockhart wasn't convinced, "Is that so? Why not?"
"There's no point in trying. I just want to see our creations go into the world and help people, not take them over."
"Oh believe me, Professor, that's what they'll do, for the time being."
"I hope so."
"Hope is a rather strong word, don't you think?" Lockhart said.
"You seriously need help, Doctor." Titanium replied in disgust.
"Help?" the Doctor said with a slightly crazed chuckle, "I have all the help I need."
"Why do you act like this? You're leading one of the most top scientific advancements in history." Titanium reasoned.
"You're special, you know that?" Lockhart said with an amused smirk.
"Why's that?"
"Well my report has told me that you're a rather level-headed, calm person. Right now, you're proving otherwise."
Professor Titanium rolled his eyes, "First Steiner now you. Is everyone here crazy?"
A wicked grin spread on Lockhart's face, "If you aren't when you get here, you will be eventually."
"Trust me, I've kept my sanity is some pretty nasty situations."
Lockhart turned to leave, "Iran must've been terrible."
"How did you-"
"Intel, remember?" A cocky smile appeared perched on the Doctor's shoulder.
"One day. One day this'll come back around and hit you square in the face, remember that." Titanium snarled.
Doctor Lockhart laughed as he walked away, "Oh, and Professor? You should attend the surgery, Steiner work is absolutely mind-boggling."
Titanium didn't reply as he watched the Doctor walk away. He wasn't sure what Lockhart meant or what he should do; all he knew was that he had to wait. Time would be on his side.