The energy in the lab was still buzzing after Harumi's test, and everyone was talking excitedly about what they had discovered that day. The team was exhilarated, filled with a mixture of awe and determination. The atmosphere in Jay's lab was electric—pun intended, especially with Jay around. Each of them had tapped into something extraordinary, but the reality of what this all meant was just starting to sink in.

Jay's lab was more than just a basement workshop; it was practically a professional laboratory, outfitted with high-tech equipment and gadgets, thanks to Jay's wealthy parents and his own genius. Large monitors displayed various readings and graphs from their tests, showing the data Jay had been collecting all day. There were containment units, robotic arms, and more tools than anyone could name—all spread across the spacious room. One wall was covered in screens showing different news channels, which had been playing in the background during the testing, though no one had really been paying attention. They were too focused on what was happening right there.

As the excitement slowly settled, Lloyd caught sight of one of the screens showing a breaking news alert. The footage displayed a bank downtown, surrounded by police cars with flashing lights. The headline read: "BREAKING: Armed Robbery Turns Hostage Situation." His heart sank as he watched the scene unfold. A group of masked men was holding several people hostage inside the bank. The camera zoomed in on the frightened faces of the hostages, some of them pressed against the floor, others huddled together in fear. The image struck a chord deep within Lloyd, bringing back memories he had tried to bury.

He could feel his chest tighten, his breath catching as the memories flooded back. It was like he was right there again, in that bank with his family, with his dad. They were supposed to be making a simple deposit. Then, everything had gone wrong. He could still hear the shouting, the gunshots, the chaos. He could still see his father stepping forward, trying to protect them—him, Lyra, and his mom. His dad had been so brave, so determined to keep them safe. But the robbers didn't care about that. They didn't care about anything but themselves.

The bullet hit his dad before he even realized what was happening. His father crumpled to the floor, and everything went dark. Lloyd would never forget the way his father fell or the sound of his mother screaming. He'd never forget the feeling of helplessness, the horror of knowing that no matter what he did, he couldn't save him.

Lyra must have noticed the change in his expression because she stepped closer, her hand gently squeezing his arm. She didn't say anything—she didn't have to. She knew what he was thinking. She was thinking it, too. She had been there, just like him, watching as their world shattered in a matter of seconds.

Lloyd blinked, trying to push the memories back down. He wasn't that helpless kid anymore. He wasn't powerless. None of them were. He looked around at his friends, at this group of extraordinary people who had somehow become his second family. They all had these incredible abilities, these powers that could make a real difference. And suddenly, it all clicked.

"What if we used these powers for good?" he said, his voice breaking through the chatter around him. The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at him. "What if we used them to protect people? To help those who can't protect themselves?"

Jay looked up from his computer, his brow furrowed in thought. "You're not saying what I think you're saying, are you?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

Lloyd nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Yeah, Jay. I am. I'm saying exactly what you think I'm saying. Let's use these powers for good. Let's become literal superheroes."

The words hung in the air, and he could see the wheels turning in everyone's minds. He knew it sounded crazy—outrageous, even. But he also knew that it felt right. It felt like this was what they were meant to do.

Kai was the first to break the silence, his face lighting up with excitement. "You mean, like, going out there and stopping crime? Saving people?"

Lloyd nodded again, his conviction growing stronger with every word. "Exactly. We have these abilities for a reason. I don't think it's just some accident. I think we were meant to use them to make a difference."

Nya crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful but not entirely convinced. "It sounds like a lot of responsibility, Lloyd. Are we really ready for something like that? What if we mess up? What if we end up making things worse?"

He took a deep breath, knowing she was right to be cautious. This wasn't a decision to be taken lightly. But at the same time, he couldn't ignore the feeling that this was their chance to do something that mattered. "Maybe we're not ready yet," he admitted. "But we can be. We've already started figuring out what we can do. If we keep training, keep pushing ourselves, we could actually make a difference out there."

Cole, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "I've always wanted to do something more with my life," he said, his deep voice filled with resolve. "This could be it. This could be what we were all looking for."

Lyra glanced at Lloyd, her eyes filled with the same determination he felt. "If we can help even one person avoid what we went through, it'll be worth it," she said, her voice steady. "I'm in."

Harumi's face lit up, her excitement palpable. "Count me in, too. I've always believed in using power responsibly. And what better way than to protect others? I've always wanted to be part of something bigger than myself."

Jay, ever the tech enthusiast, grinned widely. "Well, I've always wanted to be a superhero," he said, his enthusiasm contagious. "I mean, I've got the tech skills, and now I've got the powers. What more could I ask for? Besides, I've already got a few prototype gadgets that might come in handy."

One by one, everyone nodded in agreement. The excitement in the room was building again, but this time it was different. This time, it was filled with purpose, with a sense of mission. They were all on the same page. They all knew what they had to do.

"Alright then," Lloyd said, feeling a rush of adrenaline coursing through him. "Let's do this. Let's become superheroes. Not just for us, but for everyone who needs us."

A sense of unity settled over them, a shared understanding that they were stepping onto a path none of them had expected, but all of them were ready to take. They spent the next few minutes brainstorming ideas, throwing around plans and concepts. The energy was electric, everyone contributing their thoughts and ideas. Jay was already talking about new gadgets he could build, ways to enhance their abilities and keep them safe. Kai was bouncing around, talking about training regimes to help them get stronger and more coordinated.

Nya was more focused on the practicalities, pointing out the need for secrecy and how they could avoid drawing too much attention to themselves. She was always the practical one, thinking about the logistics while the rest of them got swept up in the excitement. Cole was nodding along, agreeing with everything Nya said. He was all about keeping things grounded and realistic, even as he was just as eager as the rest of them to get started.

Lyra and Harumi were already discussing different tactics they could use, ways to combine their powers for maximum effect. They were both strategists at heart, always thinking two steps ahead. Lloyd couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he watched them all, knowing they were going to be more than just a group of friends. They were becoming a team, a force for good.

After a while, the conversation began to wind down, and Lloyd glanced back at the TV. The footage was still showing the standoff at the bank. He could see the tension on the faces of the police officers, the fear in the eyes of the hostages. And then, he saw something that made his heart skip a beat. A little boy, no more than six years old, clung to his mother's leg, tears streaming down his face.

Lloyd felt a lump in his throat, his chest tightening again. That could have been him. That could have been Lyra. That could have been any of them. But now, they had the chance to change that. They had the chance to make sure no one else had to go through what they did.

"Guys," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "We need to do this. Not just for us, but for them. For all the people out there who can't protect themselves. We can't just sit back and do nothing. Not when we have the power to make a difference."

Everyone turned to look at him, their faces serious, their eyes filled with the same determination he felt. They knew what he was talking about. They understood the urgency, the need to act.

"You're right," Kai said, his voice filled with resolve. "We can't just stand by. We have to do something."

"We have to be heroes," Nya agreed, her expression firm. "For everyone out there who needs us."

Jay nodded, his eyes bright with excitement and determination. "Then it's settled. We're going to become superheroes. We're going to make a difference."

As Lloyd looked around at his friends, at his team, he felt a sense of pride and hope swell within him. They didn't have all the answers yet. They didn't know what the future held. But they had each other, and they had a purpose. And that, he realized, was the most powerful thing of all.

The energy in Jay's lab was buzzing. After days of discovering their powers, it was time to start understanding them—to take control. Jay had rigged the lab with reinforced equipment specifically for this purpose. Today, it was Lloyd's turn to be the guinea pig. And the target? A steel block reinforced with an alloy he couldn't even pronounce.

"Alright, Lloyd," Jay said, his voice steady but filled with excitement. "Let's see what you've got."

Lloyd stood there, staring at the block, his heart racing. He had gotten used to the tingling in his hands, that familiar build-up of energy. But controlling it? That was a whole different challenge. He flexed his fingers, feeling the energy hum beneath his skin, waiting to be unleashed.

"Just... start slow," Lloyd muttered to himself. He took a breath and threw a punch, letting some of that energy flow through him.

Bang.

The steel block rattled, leaving a small dent where his fist had connected. A surge of relief washed over him—he hadn't gone full throttle, but it was still strong. And thankfully, his arm didn't feel like it was about to break this time.

Jay was at his computer, analyzing the data with a wide grin. "Not bad, Lloyd. That's like... what, 10 percent of what you can do?"

"Maybe," Lloyd said, rolling his shoulder. He could still feel the warmth of the energy lingering in his arm. "It didn't feel too bad."

Jay nodded, adjusting a few more dials on the monitor. "Okay, we're going to amp it up. I've reinforced the block to withstand more. Try 25 percent this time."

Lloyd took a deep breath, preparing himself. The power was there, swirling inside him, eager to be let out. But he couldn't just let it go wild—not unless he wanted another hospital visit. He focused, channeling the energy into his fist, and launched another punch.

CRACK!

The sound echoed through the lab, and the steel block buckled under the force. A massive dent caved inward, and Lloyd could feel the shockwave run up his arm. Pain flared, and he winced, clutching his wrist as the green energy fizzled out around him. His sleeve was shredded, and he could already see his arm turning red and bruised.

"Shit..." Lloyd muttered, holding his arm as the pain sharpened. "I think that was more than 25 percent."

But even as he stood there, cradling his arm, he felt the pain start to fade. His body began healing, the bruises disappearing as quickly as they'd appeared. He flexed his fingers, amazed at how quickly he was recovering.

Jay's eyes were wide as he stared at the data on his screen. "Lloyd, that's incredible. Your arm—how fast did it heal?"

Lloyd shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around it. "I don't know. It just... healed."

Jay whistled, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's insane, man. I mean, we knew your healing was fast, but this? This is next-level stuff."

Lloyd flexed his arm again, the pain completely gone now. "Yeah, but what good is healing if I keep breaking myself every time I use my powers?"

Jay's face grew serious. "That's what we're here to figure out. We just have to find that sweet spot where you can use your power without completely wrecking your body."

Lloyd nodded, feeling a new wave of determination. "Alright. Let's keep going."

This time, he focused harder. He could feel the energy coursing through him, the raw, untapped power waiting to be unleashed. But instead of letting it all out at once, he tried to control the flow. He wanted to hit the block with enough force to make an impact—but without shattering his bones.

He raised his fist and threw another punch. Green energy exploded outward, slamming into the steel block. The dent deepened, but this time his arm held strong. No pain, no broken bones. Just pure, controlled power.

Jay grinned, clapping his hands together. "Now we're talking! That's what we need, Lloyd. Control."

Lloyd couldn't help but grin back. For the first time since all this started, he felt like he had some semblance of control over his power. He wasn't just a walking disaster waiting to happen—he could actually use this power without destroying himself.

Jay turned back to the computer, adjusting a few more settings. "You're healing fast enough that I think we can push things a bit further." He glanced at Lloyd, his eyes gleaming with that mad scientist look he got sometimes. "I want to see what happens if you go all out."

Lloyd's stomach dropped. "All out? Jay, that's—"

"I know, I know," Jay cut him off. "It's dangerous. But think about it. If you can handle 100 percent of your power, even for just a second, we'll know what your real limits are. Besides, you heal fast enough that if something happens, you'll be back on your feet in no time."

Lloyd stared at the steel block, already dented and warped from his previous hits. Going all out... he didn't know what that would do. He'd barely tapped into what he was capable of, and even that had nearly wrecked his arm. But at the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to know. They needed to know. If they were going to be heroes, he couldn't hold back forever.

"Alright," he said finally, clenching his fists. "Let's do it."

Jay stepped back, giving him plenty of space. "Okay, Lloyd. Go 100 percent. Hit that block with everything you've got."

Lloyd took a deep breath, feeling the energy inside him start to build. This time, he didn't hold back. He let the power flood his body, green energy crackling around him like lightning. His muscles tensed, every inch of him vibrating with raw, untamed power.

And then, he threw the punch.

BOOM!

The impact was deafening. The steel block didn't just dent—it exploded, fragments flying everywhere. The shockwave sent a gust of wind through the lab, knocking over equipment and shattering a nearby monitor. Lloyd's arm... it wasn't just broken. It was mangled, bones jutting out in places they shouldn't be. The pain hit him like a truck, and he staggered back, gasping.

But almost immediately, he could feel it—his body knitting itself back together. The green energy wrapped around his arm, healing the shattered bones and torn flesh. Within seconds, his arm was back to normal, though the memory of the pain still lingered.

Jay rushed over, his face a mixture of awe and concern. "Holy shit, Lloyd. Are you okay?"

Lloyd nodded, breathing hard but uninjured. "Yeah... I think so."

Jay glanced at the remains of the steel block, now reduced to rubble. "Dude... that was insane. You just went full force, and your arm... it's like nothing even happened. You're a freakin' powerhouse."

Lloyd looked down at his hands, still tingling with residual energy. "Yeah... but I can't keep doing that. My body might heal, but the pain... it's brutal."

Jay nodded, his expression serious. "I get it. That kind of power comes at a cost. But at least now we know. You're capable of insane levels of strength—but you have to be careful how you use it."

Lloyd flexed his fingers, feeling the strength return to his arm. "Yeah... I'll work on control. I don't want to end up like that every time I throw a punch."

Jay grinned, patting him on the back. "That's the spirit. We'll figure this out. You're gonna be one hell of a hero, Lloyd. Just wait and see."