Chaos Theory
Metroburg Maximum Security Prison
Metroburg Maximum Security Prison operates like clockwork. Every morning, inmates are released from their cells, eat their scheduled meals, participate in daily activities, and by nightfall, they are locked away in anti-power chambers, each fitted with a power-blocking cuff to ensure no one steps out of line.
But tonight… tonight is different.
As the clock strikes midnight, the prison's lights flicker erratically before shutting off completely, plunging the facility into darkness. Alarms wail as security officers scramble to locate the source of the malfunction, their frantic voices drowned out by the uproar of inmates sensing an opportunity.
With the power down indefinitely, the prison's emergency system activates, triggering a failsafe: in exactly thirty minutes, all anti-power chambers will automatically unlock.
12:15 AM...
A hooded figure, no taller than 5'3", strides into Metroburg Maximum Security Prison—calm, deliberate, and completely undeterred. With the facility's security systems offline, she moves freely, blending into the shadows. As she walks, she glances at a flickering light, narrowing her eyes. Instantly, the bulb dies, sealing the prison in complete darkness. Nothing will power back on as long as she's inside.
She moves with purpose, weaving through corridors and ascending levels until she reaches the topmost floor—the chamber that holds the most feared villain to ever terrorize Metroburg: Dark Mayhem.
Inside the dimly lit chamber, the once-mighty villain sits restrained, his body still weak after losing his powers to Max and Phoebe Thunderman. The thick metal straps keep him locked in place, ensuring he remains powerless.
A slow, calculated footstep echoes as the hooded girl approaches. With a flick of her wrist, the chamber door clicks open effortlessly.
"Dark Mayhem, Master," she says with reverence, lowering her hood to reveal a pair of piercing eyes. "I've come to free you."
Dark Mayhem eyes her warily. "And why would you do that?" His voice is rough, laced with suspicion.
She smirks. "Because I want to help you get your powers back. With your strength restored, together we can bring Metroburg—and the world—to its knees."
Dark Mayhem scoffs. "Impossible. My powers were stripped and sealed inside an orb—Thunder Girl and that traitor Max Thunderman hid it somewhere, lost beyond anyone's reach." His fists clench at the name.
The girl steps closer, her voice smooth yet insistent. "Come with me, Master, and I'll show you how we can change that."
For a long moment, Dark Mayhem studies her, the gears in his mind turning. Finally, he gives a slow nod.
The girl raises her hand, releasing a crackling spark of electricity that surges through the metal restraints, short-circuiting them in an instant. Dark Mayhem stands unsteady at first, but the girl offers a steadying arm as they slip out of the chamber.
The power suddenly surges back to life as if on cue, illuminating the prison.
Dark Mayhem's eyes widen in alarm. "Look what you did! How are we supposed to get out now?"
The girl, unfazed, simply smirks. "Just walk. Trust me."
Confused but intrigued, Dark Mayhem follows.
Guards rush past them, checking monitors, shouting orders, verifying inmate locations. But none of them react. No alarms trigger. No one stops them.
They're invisible.
She can manipulate electricity and phase through solid objects, Dark Mayhem realizes. She could be a powerful ally.
Once outside, Dark Mayhem turns to her, still skeptical. "Alright, I've seen what you can do. Now tell me—how exactly do you plan on getting my powers back?"
The girl's smirk deepens, her eyes gleaming with something far more dangerous than simple ambition.
"You see," she purrs, "that's the beauty of it. Max Thunderman and I go way back. With the right words and just a little push, I can steer him exactly where I need him. You'll reclaim your power. I'll get what I want. And if everything unfolds as I expect…" She pauses, a wicked glint in her eyes.
"I might just get my evil best friend back."