Chapter 3: An old friend

"Get in, quickly!", Kaz exclaimed.

Oliver and Kaz pulled Gus into their apartment in the Davenport Tower Penthouse.

"Gus, we're glad you're alive", Oliver said. "But how did you find our apartment?"

"It's kind of a long story", Gus said. "This place looks cool."

"How did you find our apartment?", Oliver asked again.

"Well, as you two know, I was working at the Domain after Wallace and Clyde left", Gus said. "Business was looking dubious, but I was sure I could handle it."

"Kaz and Oliver, who is that?", Bree asked.

"Gus Finley", Kaz said. "Our best friend from high school. He was in Mighty Med twice."

"What's Mighty Med?", Gus asked out of curiosity.

Kaz and Oliver looked at each other.

"Should we tell him?", Kaz asked Oliver.

"I guess we can admit it now", Oliver said. "There's no reason to hide it any longer. Plus, Mighty Med is destroyed and many of our superhero friends were killed anyway."

"Well, the thing is…I already know superheroes exist", Gus said.

"You do?!", Kaz and Oliver both exclaimed.

"Yeah. Let me explain how it all started."

"That's what we wanted to know anyway", Oliver said.

"So, I working in the Domain, trying to complete my regular shifts. I was expecting it to be a normal day, with nothing major or noteworthy. But then I decided to take out the trash. I was putting the garbage away when an enormous explosion rocked the ground. I was knocked off the ground and I knew something was suspicious. The entire domain had been destroyed and reduced to debris and ashes. There was a trail of smoke in the air and I followed it to find a pile of debris. It seemed to be a large building. I wasn't sure why anyone would want to destroy it."

Kaz listened intently, clearly interested in how Gus came to discover the truth about superheroes.

"So, I found a giant M that was standing where I found all the debris. I'm not sure what that meant or what it represented. I was totally clueless on why the building had been destroyed and why there was debris there. This was all surprising information. I was understandably upset when the domain was destroyed. All my hard work when I was temporarily running the store had been destroyed and erased. I wondered where you guys were, as I hadn't seen you in a while. I wanted to inform you about the destruction of Mighty Med and hope you two would have a solution. Our beloved hangout place…gone just like that."

Gus shook his head, clearly in disbelief.

"How did you find out about superheroes?", Kaz asked.

"Well, I was asking people about your whereabouts, hoping I could find you. Your little brother, Kyle, told me about the existence of superheroes and that you were staying with the bionic people from Davenport's academy."

"That kid can't keep his mouth shut", Kaz said in disgust.

"So, I looked up the address that Kyle gave me, and that's how I wound up here", Gus said. "I have so many questions."

"Are you sure we can trust this guy?", Chase asked Oliver and Kaz. Chase was feeling dubious of Gus and his true intentions because of what he just went through with Reese. Gus also reminded Chase of Adam.

"Of course, we can trust him", Kaz said. "He is our friend. We have history."

"Letting in an outsider could be dangerous, you know", Chase said.

"Look Chase, I know you're upset about what happened with Reese, but I'm sure we can trust Gus", Oliver said. "Besides, he doesn't have bionic powers or super powers, so it's not like he can attack us and overpower us."

"You guys have superpowers?", Gus asked. "I'm sorry, but I find that hard to believe."

Kaz looked at Oliver.

"Should we show him?"

"I guess. Can you keep a secret, Gus?"

"Sure. My lips are sealed."

Kaz hesitated, then lit the fireplace with his fire powers. Oliver then froze a glass of water than was on the table and turned it into ice.

"Wow!", Gus exclaimed. "Holy cow!"

Gus then looked at Skylar. "Connie! What are you doing here?"

"My real name isn't Connie. It's Skylar Storm."

"Do you have superpowers as well?", Gus asked.

"Yes. Let me show you."

Gus watched as Skylar sped out of the room and then zoomed back.

"Wow, that's so cool!", Gus exclaimed. "It's amazing."

Gus then looked at Bree and Chase. "I believe we haven't been properly introduced. I'm Gus. Gus Finley."

"Well, I'm Chase. This is my sister, Bree."

"So, you guys have superpowers as well?", Gus asked.

"Well, I'm the only one that has solely bionic powers. Bree has both superpowers and bionic powers. She's a hybrid."

"What can you do?", Gus asked.

"Well, I have super intelligence", Chase said. "Bree has super speed."

"You learn something new every day, I guess", Gus said.

He then looked around. "This place is so cool. So, you guys are staying here?"

"Yep", Kaz said. "This is our training center."

"Cool, could I stay?"

Kaz and Oliver looked at Chase.

"I'm sorry, but it's too risky", Chase said. "We already allowed too many outsiders in here. Gus may be your friend, but we don't know him like you guys do. He can have an apartment in the city, but he can't stay here unfortunately. He doesn't have superpowers and he isn't bionic."

"I understand", Gus said. "If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't trust total strangers either. I'll find an apartment here and apply for a job here. I'll figure something out. Take care, you guys."

Gus bid them farewell and left.

"At least Gus is okay", Kaz said. "I literally haven't heard from him since Mighty Med got destroyed."

"You sure it was smart, telling him about bionics and superheroes?", Chase asked.

"Well, Gus would already know about bionics, since the news about you, Bree, and Adam was exposed all around the world. Plus, Gus would have no reason to betray us. Yeah, he's goofy and can be strange, but he can be very loyal and trustworthy. He's a guy we need on our side."

"It's too bad he doesn't have bionics or superpowers", Oliver said. "We sure could use another member of the Elite Force. Against all of those 13 siblings, we need serious backup."

"Which is why we're going to find Horace and Alan. The more hands on the job, the better."

The five members of the Elite Force turned to see who said that. It was Mr. Davenport.

"Well, the helicopter's ready. Let's get going."