Taylor and Gwen were engaged in a sparring match in the basement. Sweat glistened on Taylor's forehead as she struggled to keep up with Gwen's swift movements. Every punch and kick she threw was expertly deflected. Within seconds, Gwen had Taylor pinned to the ground with a leg lock on the mat.

"Not bad," Gwen commented, a hint of amusement in her voice as she rose from the mat.

Taylor huffed, her frustration evident with the training. "You're so much better than me because you're trained. This is totally unfair."

Gwen laughed it off. "It's not about fairness, it's about learning. Did you learn anything?"

Taylor nodded, her face scrunched up in concentration. "Yeah, I could tell when you were faking me out. Like, you'd make it look like you were going for a punch, but you'd actually be setting up a kick."

Gwen smiled, genuinely impressed. "Good. That's a big step. Recognizing fakes is crucial in a fight."

As they took a breather, Gwen's mind wandered to recent events. The lawsuit against Winslow was still ongoing. Danny had been surprisingly firm during negotiations, but Gwen had chosen not to interfere. It wasn't her place. The $80,000 settlement they were discussing was a decent compromise. The money was less important than Taylor's recovery and future.

What weighed more heavily on Gwen's mind was Taylor's newfound powers. Taylor had triggered recently, gaining the ability to control bugs, rats, birds, dogs, and other creatures within her vicinity. Yes apparently the Parahumans of this world gained powers by some 'trigger', a word used by them. Bugs were the easiest for her to control, but Taylor found the whole thing pretty lame.

Taylor sat up, wiping sweat from her brow. "I can't believe I got stuck with bug control. I mean, you can blast mana and do all these amazing things, and I get... bugs."

Gwen chuckled, shaking her head. "Don't underestimate your power, Taylor. It's more versatile than you think. Imagine the possibilities."

Taylor frowned. "I guess. But it's not exactly glamorous, is it? 'Hey, look at me, I can summon a swarm of mosquitoes.' Real intimidating." She drawled.

Gwen shrugged. "Depends on how you use it. You have a lot of potential. Bugs can go places people can't, they can spy, they can swarm and overwhelm. You just need to get creative."

Taylor sighed, still unconvinced. "Yeah, maybe. It's just... I was hoping for something cooler, you know?"

Gwen placed a reassuring hand on Taylor's shoulder. "I get it. But trust me, you'll figure out how to make it work for you. Powers are what you make of them."

Taylor looked up at Gwen, a small smile forming. "Thanks, Gwen. I guess I just need to keep practicing." She really liked it about Gwen. She could always cheer her up. It was like she was back with Emma. However, Gwen was actually a hell lot better than Emma in everything.

"Exactly," Gwen agreed. "And speaking of practice, let's go again. This time, try to anticipate my moves based on what you learned."

Taylor groaned but got back into position. "Alright, but don't go easy on me." She really wanted to learn self defence. She was already itching to go outside and dress as a hero. She had already started on a costume already.

Gwen smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."

They resumed their sparring, Taylor more determined this time. As they moved, Gwen continued to offer tips and encouragement, helping Taylor refine her technique. Despite the initial frustrations, Taylor was slowly improving, her movements becoming more fluid and confident as they practised. She was still a novice, but she was pretty good for a novice.

After another intense round, Gwen finally called for a break. "You're getting better, Taylor. Keep this up, and you'll be a force to be reckoned with."

Taylor panted heavily. She was clearly exhausted now. "Thanks. I just need to work on my stamina and... well, everything else."

Gwen laughed. "One step at a time. We'll get there."

As they sat on the mat, catching their breath, Gwen's thoughts turned serious. "You know, we need to figure out how to incorporate your powers into your training. Maybe work on controlling more than just bugs."

Taylor nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I guess we should. I've been practicing with rats and birds, but it's still weird."

Gwen smiled. "Weird is good. It means you're pushing your limits. And the more you practice, the less weird it'll feel."

Taylor leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Gwen replied confidently. "You've got this, Taylor. We'll make sure of it."

As they continued to rest on the mat, Taylor broke the silence, her voice a little hesitant as she spoke up. "Gwen, do you think we should really join the PRT? I mean, Dad thinks it's a good idea. He's been all for it ever since he found out about my powers."

Gwen raised an eyebrow, sitting up straighter. She looked at the girl besides her. "Do you want to join the PRT?"

Taylor bit her lip, her eyes betraying a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "A part of me does. I mean, I've always looked up to Armsmaster and Miss Militia. It'd be amazing to work with them."

Gwen frowned, thinking for a moment. She did read the benefits of being a ward in the PRT. "Joining a team could be beneficial, no doubt. You'd have support, training, and resources. The PRT has a trust fund, and you'd get $50,000 every year. Plus, there are perks to being a Ward or even a government employee later on—tax exemptions and other benefits."

Taylor chuckled, shaking her head. "We're a little young to be worrying about taxes, don't you think?"

Gwen smiled, shrugging, as she looked at Taylor. "It's never too early to start thinking about the future. But seriously, it's about more than just money and perks. It's about having a structured environment and mentors who can help you grow and control your powers."

Taylor sighed, leaning back on her hands. "I guess you're right. It's just... a lot to take in, you know? I never imagined I'd be in this position."

Gwen nodded, her expression softening. She did the same. She had her future sorted out when she was a child. Then, everything had changed one summer. Ben got the omnitrix. They went on adventures. Slowly the whole thing wormed into her life and her dreams just became dreams. She was too busy with all the Plumbers stuffs to actually focus on them.

"I understand. It's a big decision. But you don't have to rush it. Take your time to weigh the pros and cons. And remember, whatever you decide, I'll support you."

Taylor smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Gwen. That means a lot. What about you? What do you think about joining the PRT?"

Gwen leaned back, thoughtful at the offer. Frankly, she didn't think about it. She always knew she was going to pick back the hero life. She didn't think that she was going to remain silent and submissive. That too in an area where neo nazis were vying for power. She couldn't stand for it.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. There are benefits, definitely. But there are also drawbacks. The PRT can be strict, and there's always the politics to deal with. It's not an easy path."

Taylor nodded. "Yeah, I've heard about that. But I think... I think I want to try. At least see if it's the right fit for me."

Gwen smiled, reaching out to squeeze Taylor's hand. "Then we'll figure it out together. We can talk to them, see what they have to offer, and then make a decision."

Taylor's eyes brightened, feeling a renewed sense of determination. She was a little hesitant to be alone. With Gwen, the whole thing could be easier. "Okay. Let's do it. Let's see if the PRT is the right place for us. Atleast, Dad will stop raving about it in the dinner."

Gwen chuckled hearing her words. "Let's set up a meeting and go from there. But for now, let's focus on your training. We want to make sure you're ready for anything."

Taylor grinned, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Deal. Let's get back to it."

Gwen nodded as she stood up. Besides her Taylor stood up too with her arms in a boxing stance for their new spar.

Coil slammed his fist against the desk, the harsh impact echoing through his dimly lit office. The computer screen flickered, replaying the footage of the fight at the warehouse. He leaned forward, his face twisted in anger as he watched the scene unfold once more.

On the screen, his mercenaries moved with precision, their tinkertech weapons glinting under the warehouse lights. They had been quick to dispatch the initial guards, taking them down with ease. But then, everything went wrong. Coil's eyes narrowed as he saw the mercenaries drop one by one, their bodies riddled with holes in inexplicable places. The wounds weren't from bullets; it was as if something had torn through their bodies with effortless precision, bypassing even the high-tech armor they wore. And to think that the armour was against low level brutes.

He took a deep breath as he calmed himself. He immediately discarded that timeline.

He was suddenly sipping his tea in the other timeline where he remained safely in his base. His frustration simmered just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.

Kevin Levin. The name echoed in his mind like a persistent itch he couldn't scratch. This new tinker was proving to be a thorn in his side. Every attempt to kidnap him, every strategy deployed, ended in failure. In some timelines, Kevin vanished before the mercenaries could even reach him. In others, his men found themselves inexplicably dead, their bodies torn apart by some unknown force.

Oh, how much he wanted that tinker in his side. One couldn't fathom. The tinker was one of the best tinkers according to PRT, simply due to his mass producible technology. He could count tinkers with one hand whose technology were mass producible. No! The boy was very useful for his plans.

Coil's eyes suddenly flicked to the secret cameras he had installed around the tinker's warehouse. The live feed showed the exterior, capturing a group of people moving stealthily through the night. They carried weapons. Well, their intent was clear then. At the forefront was a figure Coil recognized instantly: Skidmark, the notorious junkie leader of the Merchants. His presence here could only mean one thing: he was after Squealer, now rebranded as Gearbox. Who also possibly be a member of the tinker's new guild.

Coil thought momentarily about sending the Undersiders behind Kevin. Though, he quickly pushed down the idea. The group was useful to him currently. If what he was seeing was true, then it would only result in Undersiders death. It would be quite a loss as the Undersiders were actually useful tools for certain situations. He was purposefully keeping them in low profile as they weren't ready for that kind of attention.

The Hard Light technology would be good in his hands. However, doing so would result in PRT and the tinker getting alert. A bad move if he wanted some future technology from him. No, he would wait. The Hard Light Construction gauntlet would automatically come to him in his normal identity. Maybe, he should just back down for a while.

A smirk tugged at Coil's lips as he watched Skidmark lead his men towards the warehouse. This could play out in his favor. If Skidmark succeeded in causing chaos, it might weaken Kevin's position or, at the very least, create a distraction. On the other hand, it Skidmark was apprehended, he could control the area of merchants.

Coil leaned back in his chair. "Maybe tonight won't be a total waste after all." He muttered as he sipper the coffee.

He watched the feed intently as Skidmark and his gang approached the warehouse's entrance. The tension in the air was palpable, and Coil could almost feel the anticipation through the screen. Skidmark barked orders, and his men spread out, preparing for the assault.

Kevin smashed into her ass over and over again. It was an incredible sight. Her face was buried into the sheets, her arms wrapped around the headboard of her bed, and her ass stuck up in the air, taking every inch of his cock as he pounded it in her. Her ass rippled slightly while the sound of the flesh meeting flesh echoed around them.

It was a beautiful sight and one that Kevin wanted to look at for hours but he was in the heat of the moment.

Sherrel had just finished sucking his dick when she threw him onto the bed and hopped on top of him. Her legs wrapped around him as she rode his cock until she came around him. Then she pulled herself off of him and put her ass in the air, begging for him to finish inside of her.

And he did. His balls tightened and he came inside of her pussy as he continued to fuck her hard. It was such an intense orgasm that Kevin almost passed out from the sheer pleasure, his vision blurring slightly for a split second. Immediately, his body went to the normal then. He absorbed all that kinetic energy that he was exerting while thrusting in her. The regeneration powers of the aliens he had absorbed only fuelled his energy more.

He held on and continued to fuck her, emptying all of his seed inside of her. It was so good that he wanted more. So much more.

He pulled out and pushed his still hard cock back inside of her. Her pussy was wet, slick with his cum and hers, and it felt amazing. He began to pump in and out of her slowly at first, savoring the feeling of her pussy around his cock. He could feel her muscles gripping him as she contracted around him.

As he got closer to cumming again, Kevin began to pump faster. He felt her pussy contract and release, squeezing his cock, and he knew she was close. Her pussy got tighter and tighter as she approached her own orgasm again.

He kept pumping faster and faster, his balls beginning to tingle with a fresh orgasm. Sherrel's breath got heavier and heavier, her moans getting louder as she got closer and closer to cumming. Kevin watched her back tighten as her muscles clenched together as she was about to cum.

"Come for me Sherrel," he moaned. "Cum for me."

"I'm cumming," she gasped out with a squeal. "I'm cumming now."

And with that her pussy squeezed tight around his cock, causing him to explode inside of her again. It was a massive orgasm, Kevin's entire body tensing as he shot his load deep inside of her. His balls drained of their cum and his cock felt like it had been milked dry.

When he was done, he pulled out of her and collapsed onto the bed, his cock still half hard. Sherrel fell down beside him, her legs twitching slightly. Her pussy was covered in cum and still dripping from his cock. Kevin felt the perverted pleasure crawling up to his head again.

Kevin rolled over and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Sherrel sighed contentedly and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer.

"Thank you," she whispered. "That was so good."

Kevin smiled against her lips. "Anytime baby," he murmured. "I'll never get tired of it."

Sherrel chuckled tiredly. She had gone for nearly 4 orgasms continuously. She had set a new record with him today. Maybe, she might break it for more some other day.

"You have a godly stamina babe." Sherrel commented as she snuggled closer to him. She kissed his neck as their naked sweaty bodies pressed together. He could fuck her for hours straight and still go. Sherrel knew it was probably an aspect of his powers. Afterall, no one could last that long normally.

They snuggled together and Sherrel giggled as he spooned her. Suddenly, the loud beeping from the roof alerted them immediately. He quickly disentangled himself from Sherrel's embrace and reached for his pants, slipping them on with practiced ease. Beside him, Sherrel followed suit, her expression shifting from sleepy contentment to alert immediately. She knew what the beeping meant. Kevin had already explained it to every member of the staffs.

"What's going on?" Sherrel asked immediately.

Kevin frowned putting on his t-shirt. His eyes narrowed slightly as a holographic image formed in front of them, displaying the current video footage from around the warehouse.

Sherrel, despite having seen it a few times before, couldn't help but still feel a sense of amazement at the Holographic technology. Kevin scrutinized the image, noting the figures with guns rounding the perimeter.

"Who are they?" Sherrel whispered, her voice tinged with concern. They were holding pistols. The walls were reinforced steel. They could hold gunfire, but it was better to be safe.

"Skidmark," she suddenly added, recognizing the man leading the group. Adam was his real name, but in costume, he was Skidmark, the notorious gang leader of Merchants. She sighed looking at her ex boyfriend.

Kevin let out a huff, considering his options. "Should I kill him?" he asked, his tone almost casual.

Sherrel frowned, contemplating the consequences. "No. The PRT would be better," she finally said. She still felt a little uneasy thinking about killing. Since regaining her common sense, she had almost started to repent on her earlier actions. She surely didn't want blood on her hands. "It would build a good reputation with them in the long run."

Kevin nodded, his mind already racing through possible scenarios. His eyes caught a large figure surrounded by something peculiar. "Mush," he muttered, recognizing the form. The man was moving towards the front gate with a purpose in his steps. He was the heavy hitter of Merchants from what Kevin knew.

With a decisive nod, he finally uttered, "Activate - Protocol Incapacitation. Colour blue."

The lights flickered slightly, and Kevin watched as fast torrents of current surged out from the hidden guns in wall, hitting the intruders and dropping them to the ground. Closing his eyes, he used his telepathic powers to knock them out, ensuring they wouldn't wake up anytime soon. It was quite easy though. Telepathy was actually a dope power. He immediately did the same with Skidmark, rendering the gang leader unconscious within five seconds.

Sherrel watched in awe. "That's... impressive," she said, shaking her head slightly. She never knew that they had guns capable of knocking them out immediately.

Kevin shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. Well, no-one knew that he had telepathy afterall. "Just another day at the office."

"What now?" Sherrel asked, moving closer to him.

"We call the PRT," Kevin replied. "They'll want to take these guys off our hands. Plus, it's a good opportunity to show them we mean business and can handle ourselves."

Sherrel nodded, reaching for her phone. She had got one from the PRT too. Apparently, they really appreciated her defection. "I'll make the call."

As she dialed, Kevin continued to monitor the holographic images and videos, ensuring no one else was approaching. The system he had set up was efficient, almost too efficient, and he knew it would raise eyebrows. But that was a problem for another time. Besides, his AI was not without fail safes. He had hindered it carefully for personal use.

"PRT's on their way," Sherrel said suddenly, snapping Kevin out of his thoughts. "They'll be here in a few minutes."

"Call the BBPD. They would like to keep the non parahuman Merchants." He ordered, looking at her with a smirk.

Sherrel nodded as she dialled the number for BBPD.

Kevin surveyed the scene with a calm demeanor. The members of Skidmark's gang were securely tied up in one corner, while their guns, weapons, and cash were carefully stacked in another. The Bay's police department had arrived first, and the officers were now busily taking control of the situation. Kevin could sense a certain satisfaction in the officers as they arrested the non-powered members of the Merchants.

Inspector Thompson, a burly man with a no-nonsense attitude, arrived near him. "You've done us a great service here, Levin. These guys have been a thorn in our side for too long."

Kevin nodded. "Glad to help. They picked the wrong place to mess with."

Thompson chuckled, clapping Kevin on the shoulder. "You got that right." Thompson knew Kevin personally as his son worked under him. His son was actually responsible for designing advertisements for their vehicles.

The sound of approaching vehicles drew Kevin's attention. The distinctive white and blue PRT vans pulled up, and out stepped two familiar figures: Vista and Clockblocker. Accompanying them were Assault and Battery. Some more agents arrived from the other van. The capes were easy to recognize.

Vista who was also the youngest ward approached first. "Looks like we missed all the fun," she said lightly looking at the members of Merchants.

Clockblocker nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you didn't leave us much to do."

Kevin smirked at the teenagers. "Just cleaning up my backyard."

Assault stepped forward from besides them. "We appreciate the assist. Mind giving us a rundown of what happened here?"

Kevin recounted the events succinctly. "Skidmark and his crew decided to pay a visit. They weren't very subtle about it. Activated the incapacitation protocol, neutralized them with a strong electric current."

Battery raised an eyebrow behind her mask. "So like a taser?"

Kevin shrugged. "Yeah. Gotta have a few tricks up your sleeve. There are more options, but the Merchants are hardly a problem"

"Glad they're off the streets." Vista commented to Clockblocker who nodded eagerly. Kevin could see and feel the itch in the boy to take one in his hand. Well, the thought was certainly strong. But then again, weapons certainly allured many young boys.

Kevin nodded. "Figured it was better to keep everything intact until you guys showed up."

Clockblocker glanced at Kevin with curiosity. "How'd you manage all this? I mean, it's impressive, even for a Tinker."

Kevin gave a nonchalant shrug. "Just using the tools and skills I have. Plus, I've got some good tech and a great team. And I am not just limited to building machines."

Inspector Thompson, who had been listening, instantly spoke up in his favour with a little mental nudge. "This guy's the real deal. We could use more like him around here. The drugs they had, it is above hundred thousand alone"

Assault nodded in agreement. "No argument there." He said with a chuckle.

Kevin smiled slightly. Sherrel suddenly arrived near to them after she finished helping the police officers with the drugs.

"Everything looks secure. We'll take it from here." Battery said as she eyed the agents finally taking Skidmark and Mush in custody.

"Good. These guys have caused enough trouble for one night." Sherrel thanked Battery with a smile.

"Wait. You're Squealer right?... Gearbox" Battery immediately corrected herself as she looked at the woman ahead of her. She looked to be 21 or 22.

"Yupp. In flesh." Sherrel replied with a smirk.

"How did you get so young?" Battery asked curiously. She had seen Squealer before. The woman ahead of her was so different from the deranged junkie tinker.

"Well, that's a secret. But, since you're PRT. Panacea did it for me. She's quite sweet for it." Sherrel replied with a smile.

The BBPD officers continued to put the people in vans. There were around 80 non powered members there. It was quite a lot to take. Already the cells were going to be full.

Kevin gestured to the capes. "You guys want a tour of the place?"

Assault nodded enthusiastically. "Lead the way, man."

They walked inside the warehouse, and Assault immediately wolf-whistled at the sight of the bikes in the corner. "Damn, look at those bikes! They look like something out of a sci-fi movie."

Vista's eyes widened as she looked at the sleek machines. "These are amazing! Can I get one someday?" Kevin could see the teen bouncing now.

Kevin grinned. "When you get your driving license, sure."

Vista pouted. "Can't Panacea just make me older faster, like she did with Squealer?"

Sherrel laughed. "You'll have to take that up with Panacea. But growing up too fast isn't all it's cracked up to be."

They moved on to the low-ground hypercar with its satin black color. Assault's eyes lit up. "Wow, this is incredible. Sadly, my PRT salary can't afford a ride like this."

Kevin smirked. "We can turn any car into a supercar at a reasonable price. Even a Honda Civic can be something otherworldly."

Battery inspected the hypercar. "How reasonable are we talking?"

Kevin made a hand gesture, pulling down a holographic screen infront of them. The capes gasped as the screens emerged infront of them. The screen showed various photos. He showed them a photo of a Honda Civic. "This car was turned into the hypercar you see here."

Assault chuckled. "I bet the price isn't the same as a Civic, though."

Kevin laughed. "A man's gotta make a profit. But I promise, we can make you something cool within a reasonable price range. It's PRT discount though."

Battery nodded appreciatively. "It's tempting."

Kevin gestured around the warehouse. "This is just the start. We've got all kinds of projects in the works. You'll have to keep visiting to see them all."

Vista looked up at Kevin with a hopeful expression. "Any chance I can take a ride in one of these?" She pointed to the bike in dark green.

Kevin smiled. "Sure, when you get your license. Until then, you can just admire them."

Assault shook his head, still in awe at the whole thing. "Man, I wish I could have had stuff like this when I was younger."

Kevin chuckled. "Well, you're here now. And who knows? Maybe we can work something out."