Next Chapter, not much to add, but the twins will start running into supernatural elements from here on out.

?

494 blinked, lethargy prevalent upon his senses, dulling them while casting his surroundings in a murky haze. He nearly shut his eyes and slipped back into that unknown comfort. However, training and superior genetics kicked in, followed by increased consciousness. Lydecker, Ben, that beautiful inhuman light, followed by that smug ordinary. Pushing him to refocus as he sat up and looked for Ben and that thing… but found neither.

Sharpening his gaze, 494 looked around in dawning bewilderment, recognizing nothing from his immediate surroundings. It wasn't Seattle. Too many corn fields, no pre-pulse buildings, garbage, filth, or anything vaguely identifiable, which wasn't much, since Seattle was a dump. However, he stopped looking when he found his unconscious twin, no, the traitor, whose actions had left him in a never-ending nightmare for six months. Followed by training that made the first nine years of his life look like a walk in the kiddie park. Ben was beginning to stir, his familiar features blinking into wakefulness.

494 silently rose into a crouch, identifying no familiar weights upon his body, which meant his weapons were gone. An issue he'd worry about later as his gaze sharpened, looking for vulnerabilities to exploit so that he could tear Ben - 493 - apart.

"Wow, kid, different skin, same attitude." He turned at the new voice - no, it wasn't new. He'd heard that voice minutes (hours?) earlier, along with a stunning light show and then a rather unimpressive ordinary. "Hey, now, unimpressive, really? I'm always awe-inspiring." 494 aimed his body towards the voice, ready to strike and cause damage or kill.

Finding only the smug ordinary, who had appeared from who knows where, snapped his fingers, and now… they were somewhere else. Which meant this guy was likely even less human than himself. The lightshow, wings, and inhumanly beautiful features he'd showcased gave credence to that notion. Considering the stranger carefully, 494 doubted he was from Manticore. Since handing out genetic sequences that made X-series into ginormous glowing light shows wasn't exactly subtle, nor within their normal limits. Particularly ones that were that stunningly beautiful, his mind unhelpfully supplied.

But looking at him now, 494 couldn't detect anything but a regular ordinary. Yet, despite the differences from his first appearance, 494 would bet his awesome genetic perfection that this asshole, who was eyeing him and Ben with vague interest, was anything but human. Then those golden-brown eyes snapped back to him. "Right-o in one guess, Alec." Then he seemed to reconsider, "no I think Dale suites you perfectly."

494 eyes narrowed in annoyance. Neither was his name. He straightened, noting that Ben had stood and was watching the stranger with a vaguely worshipful expression. It was that same intensity Ben had displayed at Manticore but more extreme. Yeah, it seemed like the outside had done wonders for his genetic twin, turning him into a raving fanatic.

The smarmy bastard redirected his attention to Ben, amusement dropping as something like sympathy showed on his features. The look disappeared quickly enough as a grin replaced it. "You know what, chipmunks, I'm craving pancakes. Let's continue this discussion somewhere a bit more accommodating." Then he snapped his fingers.

Before 494 could even blink, he realized they were no longer along a highway in the middle of who knows where, and were instead seated in some diner that looked like it was taken straight from a fifties TV show. Except what just happened was impossible, flat-out crazy. Too many rounds in psy-ops had finally cracked his skull. That had to be it, which meant everything from earlier had to be one big lie: Ben, lightshow man, middle-of-nowhere to fifties dinner. Yes, psy-ops logically explained everything because he was being tortured, and his mind had taken him elsewhere to escape the unwanted pain.

With that explanation firmly set, 494 decided to roll with it, and enjoy the illusion while it lasted. He focused on Lightshow, who was smiling with pleasure as he dipped a finger into what looked like pancakes that were topped with mounds of whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries. Next to the stack of pancakes was a chocolate milkshake with more whipped cream and a cherry. Before Ben and himself rested a similar spread, and damn if this illusion wasn't becoming more trippy, since all of it smelled and looked delicious. More sugar than he liked but better than anything at Manticore.

The Whatever (better than Lightshow) frowned at the meal before smiling sweetly at the beautiful and busty blond waitress, whose name tag read Alicia. "Alicia, doll, mind getting us some of that velvet chocolate pie? Three slices."

She returned the smile, a flirtatious wink thrown at the Whatever, before responding, "of course." He watched her curvaceous backside appreciatively until she disappeared before refocusing on them. His gaze showed little but amusement before he sighed, and 494 noted that Ben had gone stone still, hands minutely shaking as he looked at the Whatever.

"Ben, relax. I'm not your Blue Lady, and trust me, Mary wouldn't want you having an aneurysm in her name, kid." That same smugness was still present in his voice, but toned down. His gaze became thoughtful before the conceited grin returned, and 494 questioned, why him? Why was his illusion centered on this guy and Ben? And not something more pleasant?

Yeah, sure, the atmosphere was cheerful, but he would have appreciated something more familiar or a happy memory he treasured. Time with his unit, those few times with Ben he refused to let go despite psy-ops' insistence he do just that, and… Rachel… Like a lead balloon, any enjoyment or questions he had about this delusion were dropped, and 494 started wishing psy-ops would hurry it up so he could forget the whole experience and move on.

Beginning to feel sick as everything came back into clear focus, thanks to his perfect memory. Rachel's scream, the betrayal in her eyes as she looked at him in dawning horror, his helplessness, and the blow which inevitably killed her. "Yeah, sorry about that kid." At the utterance, 494 refocused on the stranger. Whatever's look was perceptive and scrutinizing, making 494 consider the highly unlikely possibility that this wasn't a delusion, since this scenario was going above and beyond psy-ops' typical lengthy torture session - way above.

That earlier scrutiny appeared once again in Whatever's gaze before he looked over his shoulder, eyes sharpening. A knowing smirk fell across his lips before he looked at them again. "It's not 'Whatever,' Dale. Call me Loki." This made it harder to shrug off the probability that this was an illusion, and the certainty that Manticore was about to scrub his memories, thereby erasing the pain and guilt beginning to eat at him.

So he decided to state facts. "Norse god, half-giant, half Aesir?" His tone showcased his disbelief and growing hysteria - or madness.

Loki's smarmy grin returned as Ben's trembling grew worse. "Got it one shot, Dale."

Part of him wanted to find a hole and bury himself in it to escape the remorse whenever his thoughts circled back to Rachel. Oddly enough, Ben's reaction to this delusion or asshole helped him bury his guilt and grief, to let training take over. 494 relaxed his posture as he swiped a finger through the whipped cream that could contain any number of poisons. Superior genetics made something like that inconsequential for him, and he even managed to make the gesture look casual.

Or confrontational. He wasn't picky.

Tasting the whipped cream, 494 let his patented smirk show since it brought out his best qualities that Manticore had crafted into his genetic cocktail and made him such an effective killer. All the while he readied himself to react because the delusion theory was losing credence. However, 494 nearly dropped the mask when he realized the whipped cream was real. Wow, that was delicious, 494 thought, as he maintained a steady focus on Loki.

The fact that it tasted so real shifted this scenario further from illusion and left him slightly terrified. Because it meant the individual in front of him was not human, but a gargantuan glowing inhuman creature with wings, rather beautiful wings. If his memory from that moment was accurate, and 494 knew his memory was perfect, it also meant their surroundings, the fifties dinner, the people that were remarkably clean and carefree, and the food, was legit. The whole shebang did have a picturesque quality that hadn't existed in North America since 2009.

But that was impossible.

This had to be some new form of torture from Manticore, a new variation for psy-ops that was likely worse than his previous stays. The lightshow from earlier was merely a side effect of psy-ops' repeated techniques. In reality, he and Ben must have been recaptured and were experiencing Manticore's lovely hospitality. Yes, that had to be it. Rachel's still features slipped across his thoughts, and instantly 494 acknowledged whatever punishment Manticore threw at him was precisely what he deserved.

"Yeah, sorry to burst your bubble, Dale. This is reality, and right now, you kids are sitting in Dixie's Diner, located in the great state of Idaho, where they make a mean pancake." His eyes contained an unnatural gleam, and for one second, the beautiful light they'd seen earlier came through, along with Loki's inhumanness and wings. Six gorgeous bronze wings that made Loki appear larger than life and otherworldly. Then it was gone, and 494 knew he was gaping. "Of course, this place doesn't exist in 2018. Went under like quite a few places after the Pulse."

Displeasure flashed across his features before his grin reappeared when the waitress returned with the pieces of chocolate pie. "Thanks, doll," Loki murmured with appreciation as she smiled and walked off. There was a bounce in her step that made her assets jiggle nicely and would usually please 494. But right now, all he wanted to do was run, preferably as far as he could get, from this thing.

Loki's gaze moved back to him, amusement falling across his features, "I'm hurt, Dale, and I thought we were connecting." The grin and mocking look were still in place as he took another bite from his pancakes. And why did he keep calling him Dale?!

"You're a god?"

Ben's tone was reverent. Despite every instinct and lesson that demanded he remain focused on the threat in front of him, 494 glanced over to his twin, who looked ready to lose it—seemingly prepared to drop to his knees and ask forgiveness or some crap. Loki moved Ben's milkshake closer to him, a frown pulling at his features as he studied his twin. "Drink up, Chip. The sugar will do you some good. Bring a bit of color to those pale cheeks of yours."

Loki's gaze snapped back to him, showing that earlier douchiness that 494 would have been annoyed with, but now he wanted to get the fuck out of Dodge and away from this thing. God. Whatever he was. Loki chuckled and took a few bites of his pancakes, not even trying to be delicate as he ate. His gaze moved between them. "All right, Chipmunks, both of you and your transgenic siblings have caught my interest since I can see someone's fingerprints all over your genetics." He wiggled his eyebrows. "And not in a kinky way, either."

An obnoxious slurp from the milkshake followed another bite from his pancakes. Ben continued to stare with reverent wonder at Loki, and 494 internally forced his mask back into place, not allowing anything but confidence to show. He expected that showing weakness to this thing would probably make everything worse. So 494 did as protocol dictated and decided to roll with it, forcing himself to take a bite from the pancakes before him.

Wow, they were great, and he'd tried pancakes once. Those were good, but these were sublime, and if he wasn't suffering from shock, 494 would have been enjoying this rare experience. However, the taste fell flat, and he stopped trying to act the part. Instead of pushing the plate away, he relaxed into his seat, even as he began to look for an escape. But Loki cleared his throat, "So Chipmunks, I suppose this was a bit much for you both. But if I'm correct, it's only a smidgeon of what you two will be dealing with in the future." Loki's gaze held a shrewdness that saw right through him, and part of 494 wondered when the other shoe would drop. "For the moment, Dale, (empathizing that damn name) I'm going to enjoy my meal. Then I'll zap you two back to the year 2018." As he bit into the chocolate pie, his features took on a mocking lilt.

Wait, the year 2018? Did he mean they'd time-traveled? 494 knew the theory of time travel had been tossed around, but due to the current status of America and most nations, many scientific breakthroughs were on hold or in the toilet bowl. Which made time travel next to impossible.

Loki waved a hand, "trickster god, remember?" He followed this with a slurp from his milkshake. "Something has kept you, and your fellow transgenics, hidden from everything like myself. However, I'm pretty sure that's about to go ass-up. So, I'll be nice," he said, his smile taking on a sharp quality, "and introduce you chipmunks to a few facts." With that, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a photo, flicking it onto the table between their plates of food.

494 narrowed his eyes. Loki continued to eat; his gaze narrowed in challenge. That douche look annoyed him enough that 494 firmly pushed down his nerves and looked at the photo. It showed two boys… no, it was them. No, that wasn't right. It had to be Ben. He was standing in front of a beautiful black muscle car, a truly great piece of work. Next to him was a young, gangly pre-teen with floppy brown hair and hazel eyes, more brown than green, smiling at Ben even as he looked ready to bitch him out.

494 found himself zeroing in on the teen. He was important, but who was he?

"That's not me. Alec…?" A few seconds passed before Ben's words pierced through his thoughts, and he managed to focus on something besides the teen, who left him feeling just as guilt-ridden as Rachel's death. Looking at Loki, he found the man's golden-brown gaze locked on him. Nothing showed in his expression as those inhuman eyes studied him.

Then he looked over to Ben and the smirk returned. "That's your DNA donor, chipmunks. His name was Dean, and right beside him is his kid brother, Sam." The urge to throw up returned, 494's leg beginning to bounce when he heard that name. Loki leaned back, raising a hand. His smarmy grin returned in full glory. "Now, with that out of the way. I'll let you chipmunks return home. Try not to kill one another. And I'd say good luck, but instead I'll say, have fun with the hunt."

Loki snapped his fingers, and when 494 looked around, the 'I'm screwed feeling' had returned. He took in their surroundings, which was not a fifties diner but a small town. Like most towns it appeared battered, like the glory days were long gone, but it wasn't abysmal like Seattle or any of the other major American cities. Earlier speculations aside as he looked around, 494 was pretty sure he'd lost it and had taken up residence in Manticore's lovely basement, where they stored all the crazies. Or the twilight zone existed, and he was trapped in it. Both were great options.

Swallowing hard, since 494 was fairly sure, okay, ninety-nine percent certain neither option was accurate, he instead forced himself to look down at the object in his hand. The photo of Sam and Dean. Awesome.

Beside him, Ben was hyperventilating. His twin was bug-eyed and looked ready to asphyxiate. While the few ordinaries out and about this podunk town were eyeing him and Ben suspiciously, 494 found himself wishing for the torture. At least that would have been familiar. This… His gaze dropped to the photo, and Sam, who was smiling at his 'DNA donor,' was beyond worse.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina (2018)

Charlotte had once been a caring, beautiful woman that many in the small village of Blowing Rock believed would leave her mark on the world. But that was thirty years ago, in a very different age. The care had turned into rage, and the beauty had faded into a tattered mess.

Over the last couple of decades, when her rage could no longer be contained, a string of murders began to manifest in the small town of Blowing Rock. All of the murders were relatively similar. Young men who'd done some wrong to the women they loved, much like what had been visited upon Charlotte so long ago.

As she flickered in and out of sight, Charlotte's gaze was transfixed on the transgenic, X5-494. She didn't see him, though. Instead, she only saw her fiancé, who once said he loved her before breaking her heart. Leaving Charlotte to die alone in this forsaken town, and Charlotte decided he would pay for that crime. She would have to kill him again, and, slipping through the walls. Charlotte followed the transgenics with her dead gaze, and her rage built as she fixated on 494.