Samuel opened his eyes to find himself back in his room in the cave. Without a moment's hesitation, he stomped down the corridor, his steps purposeful as he sought out Red Tornado. The android was in the monitoring area, observing both the young team's scattered efforts and Mr. Twister's destructive path through the city. Samuel approached him, his expression filled with cool disapproval.
Red Tornado looked up, noting Samuel's presence. "I was… surprised by the strength of the barrier you created. And your ability to teleport directly back here is even more unexpected."
Samuel brushed off the comment. "Your focus should be on civilian safety, not my abilities. That villain is tearing through the city, putting lives at risk, and you've let a group of inexperienced teenagers try to handle it—for a test."
Red Tornado listened, his face as unreadable as ever, though he gave a brief nod. "Most of what you say is factually accurate."
He raised an arm, motioning to the screen before them, showing footage of Mr. Twister in action. The villain was tearing through buildings, his power overwhelming police forces and demolishing everything in his path. Lightning crackled as tornadoes tore up the streets, and the response from the city's defenses was laughable in comparison. Even through the screen, the sheer force of Mr. Twister's powers was clear; it was almost as if he held control over an element of nature itself.
Red Tornado turned to Samuel, his voice steady. "While your words have logic, there is an undeniable truth that remains. In this world, some individuals hold the power to end it. There exists technology indistinguishable from magic, magic that defies comprehension, and beings from beyond Earth who could wipe out humanity with ease."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "These threats, varied and often hidden, are impossible to contain. They appear everywhere, from beyond our galaxy to right here, in our own cities. We cannot predict who or where they will emerge. A child born with unimaginable power, or a weaponized experiment gone wrong—these possibilities are real, and they are here."
Samuel's gaze narrowed, processing the android's words. Red Tornado continued, his mechanical tone unwavering. "To counter such threats, a force like the heroes is necessary. It is far from efficient, but it is a system that works. These young heroes, despite their flaws, will grow to protect against these dangers—because in this world, they must."
Samuel looked back at the screen, watching as Mr. Twister continued his rampage. His critique of the team's preparedness remained, but Red Tornado's logic struck him in a way he couldn't ignore. Even in this flawed system, there was a necessity.
Samuel's gaze stayed fixed on the screen, his expression as unreadable as ever, though his tone took on a sharper edge.
"So you're saying that throwing a handful of barely trained teenagers at a god-like force is the solution? You're just waiting for them to fail—to be pushed to the edge, for a test they're not prepared for. It's reckless."
Red Tornado responded evenly, "Reckless is relative. They need exposure to true danger, or they'll never understand the stakes."
"And if they don't survive that 'understanding'?" Samuel asked coldly. "They're supposed to protect lives, yet you're gambling with their own?"
The android's gaze met his. "Heroes aren't created in training rooms or classrooms. If they don't face the worst, how will they ever stand against it? Controlled failure will teach them faster than victory."
Samuel's tone was still calm but cut like ice. "Controlled? And what if it spirals beyond your control, as it nearly did here? It's not just the young heroes at risk. Civilians—people uninvolved in your experiment—are being pulled into this so-called 'controlled' environment. You're turning lives into collateral."
Red Tornado didn't flinch. "A regrettable but unavoidable truth. Those who hold power carry the responsibility of protecting the world. And for them to accept that responsibility, they must understand danger."
"Responsibility?" Samuel's voice hardened, though he kept his tone measured. "A responsibility that only exists because you let these threats escalate. If it weren't for people choosing to play vigilante, many of these threats wouldn't exist in the first place. You create the very chaos you claim to need them for."
Red Tornado's red eyes blinked in a precise, mechanical rhythm. "The threats exist regardless of our choices. These 'doomsday buttons'—those with powers, technology beyond control, sorcery, and artifacts that defy reality—are an inevitability. To ignore this is to invite destruction."
Samuel's silence hung in the air momentarily, his gaze unwavering.
"Therefore," Red Tornado continued, "those of us with powers must bear the mantle of heroism. We are the ones capable of saving the world from these dangers. Those kids hold this responsibility, as well. And to acknowledge it... they must face danger. If we don't train them enough, the lack of heroes will create a gap between us and those doomsday buttons...resulting in an end. But if the situation becomes fatal, I promise that I will interfere."
Samuel's expression didn't change, but the intensity in his eyes was unmistakable.
"…"
Red Tornado met his silence with finality. "You know it's true. Many solutions have been attempted. Batman has tried to impose control countless times, but even he has failed."
Samuel's jaw tightened. Then he spoke with quiet determination, his tone cold but resolute. "Then I'll do it. I'll be the one to end this illogical cycle. I'll return things to the way they were—back to a time when we didn't need this flawed system. But I know I can't do it now. Until then… I'll make sure as few people die as possible."
For a brief moment, neither moved, their silent exchange a reflection of two immovable forces. Then, without another word, Samuel turned and walked away, leaving Red Tornado alone with his calculations and screens.
As Samuel rushed out of the cave, he activated *Agility* once, feeling the energy surge through his body, then again, and a third time. Each use sent a jolt through his muscles, amplifying his speed until he was moving with a speed he'd never achieved before. He wasn't as fast as Kid Flash, but now he was fast enough to make a difference. Lives were at stake, and despite his distaste for "heroics," he couldn't ignore his own moral code. He scoffed inwardly, feeling the irony. Here he was, acting like a hero, something he'd sworn he'd never become. Yet if he didn't act, he knew the loss would weigh on him far more than this uncomfortable feeling of compromise.
Arriving at the scene, he took in the devastation unfolding before him. Mr. Twister was an imposing figure, wrapped in swirling clouds and crackling energy, hurling bolts of lightning and gale-force winds with a casual flick of his hand. Buildings were shuddering under the onslaught, glass was shattering, and debris was already littering the streets.
In the midst of the chaos, Samuel felt a sudden pressure in his mind—a telepathic link reaching out to him. It was M'gann's voice, her thoughts brushing against his own.
"Samuel, I… I have a plan, but I can't do it alone. We need to coordinate as a team. I need everyone's help."
A rush of Samuel's own thoughts unintentionally flooded the link in response. Images, doubts, plans, and philosophical musings surged toward M'gann with overwhelming force, and he felt her recoil as she tried to process the storm in his mind. Quickly, he reined himself in, forcing his thoughts into order.
"Fine. I'll help—this time. Connect the team with me. I'll get them to listen."
A wave of relief came through the link, and within seconds, M'gann expanded the telepathic connection to include the rest of the team. They were struggling, scattered around the wreckage, each one trying to face Mr. Twister in their own way, barely hanging on. Kid Flash darted back and forth, his speed offering little more than an annoyance to Mr. Twister. Robin and Aqualad were recovering from a nearby blast, trying to regroup. Superboy was stubbornly holding his ground, a deep scowl etched into his face.
As they recovered, Samuel's calm, steady voice filtered through their minds, cutting through the chaos with an unexpected authority.
"Listen up. The Martian has a plan,"* he stated flatly. *"Stop acting like impulsive teenagers for a moment, or more people will get hurt."*
The team's reactions came through the telepathic link with a mix of irritation, surprise, and uncertainty. Superboy, who was still fuming from the earlier clash, immediately snapped back.
"I don't need another telepath messing around in my mind!"
Samuel's response was sharp and emotionless. "I'm not a telepath, boy. But your irrational rage is doing no one any favors right now. Unless you've got a better solution, stop wasting everyone's time and listen."
There was a moment of tense silence as the rest of the team processed his words. Kid Flash started to protest but stopped, realizing that there wasn't a better option. Robin shot a quick, frustrated glance toward Superboy, silently urging him to drop the argument.
One by one, they reluctantly agreed, allowing M'gann's voice to come through the link, calm and encouraging.
"Okay, here's what we need to do…"
She outlined her plan swiftly and clearly, and one by one, the team began to focus, each understanding their role. The disorganized tension between them began to fade, replaced by a unified sense of purpose as M'gann directed them. For once, Samuel could feel their scattered thoughts aligning as a true team, preparing to execute the plan that could turn the tide.
Just as Mr. Twister raised his arms to summon another wave of destructive energy to the team, a blur shot across the sky, descending rapidly. Red Tornado landed with a controlled thud between Mr. Twister and the young heroes, his calm presence momentarily stilling the chaos.
"Hit the showers boys," he said, his voice dry and unyielding as he addressed the team. "I thought you could handle this. Apparently, I was wrong."
Robin, refusing to back down, took a step forward. "We have a plan!" he protested, defiance in his eyes.
Red Tornado didn't spare him a glance, his full attention on Mr. Twister as if Robin's protest had never been voiced. Across from him, the villain's eyes glinted with wicked amusement, his mechanical voice echoing with dark satisfaction.
"Finally," Mr. Twister said, his gaze locked onto Red Tornado with the anticipation of a long-awaited challenge.
The two clashed, winds swirling off their arms as their tornadoes collided mid-air, each attack dissipating in an explosive clash of force. Red Tornado watched his opponent with calculated precision, assessing the villain's strength as they exchanged strikes.
"We're evenly matched," he stated, his tone as steady as ever.
Mr. Twister let out a mocking chuckle, arrogance dripping from every word. "Not quite." In a flash, he fired a bolt of blue lightning that just missed Red Tornado, striking a boat docked nearby. The explosion sent fragments of metal and wood flying, some hitting the android square in the torso, disrupting his systems as sparks crackled across his frame.
Seizing the advantage, Mr. Twister advanced, his voice cold and assured. "The reprogramming won't take long." His hands extended, and wiry, snaking tentacles emerged from his palms, connecting to Red Tornado's damaged frame, locking onto his circuits.
But then, Red Tornado's face shimmered, shifting and changing shape. Within seconds, his metallic features morphed into M'gann's green-skinned face, her expression sly, a satisfied smile spreading across her lips.
"It'll take longer than you think," she quipped, and as Mr. Twister hesitated, the young heroes sprang into action.
They attacked from all sides—Robin with his explosive disks, Kid Flash moving at blinding speed, Superboy charging with brute force, and Aqualad summoning waves to destabilize the villain's footing. But Mr. Twister only laughed, effortlessly swatting them back. With a powerful blast of wind, he sent Kid Flash tumbling, forced Aqualad's water to dissipate, and, with a snap of his fingers, sent a bolt of lightning into Superboy, knocking him to the ground with a dazed expression.
"You think I didn't see this coming?" he sneered. "I know Red Tornado inside and out. The moment I saw him, I knew he was a fake—no signature red tornado to fly in."
With a flick of his wrist, another gust of wind blasted Robin and Kid Flash off their feet. A swirling tornado swept around Aqualad, trapping him as he struggled to break free. Mr. Twister advanced toward M'gann, catching her by the throat and lifting her off the ground, his metallic fingers tightening.
"You've failed," he whispered coldly. "Time for you to die."
M'gann struggled, her face turning red under the pressure of his grip, but she managed a faint smile, her voice just above a whisper. "This… isn't just one plan."
Mr. Twister narrowed his eyes, his grip loosening just slightly as he peered at her. "What are you talking about?"
At that moment, he felt a subtle shift behind him. Samuel emerged from the shadows of M'gann's disguise, having hidden beneath the faux cape that had mimicked Red Tornado's structure. Samuel moved with calm, unhurried precision, his eyes locking onto Mr. Twister's with a quiet intensity.
He spoke softly, his tone low and focused.
"Yawn."
[Samuel used Yawn!]
A ripple of invisible energy radiated outward from him, filling the air around Mr. Twister with an almost imperceptible drowsiness. Mr. Twister's vision began to blur, his limbs feeling heavier as he fought to keep his focus. His grip on M'gann loosened further as his robotic eyelids drooped, his storm losing some of its fury.
"What… is… this…?" Mr. Twister's voice faded, slurred, his movements sluggish as he fought the unnatural wave of exhaustion. It was impossible. He was a robot, and this sensation couldn't be happening.
Seeing her opportunity, M'gann broke free, stumbling back and regrouping with the rest of the team. One by one, the young heroes gathered around her, their eyes flashing with a newfound determination. With Mr. Twister's strength visibly waning, they prepared for a coordinated strike.
Samuel took a step back, watching as his [Yawn] took effect, his expression unreadable. At that moment, his face was a mask of calm control, his mind already considering the next steps as the drowsy villain struggled to remain upright, his tornadoes fading into harmless gusts.