Chapter Text
Bumlets crouches on top of a rooftop in the middle of the city’s tech district. Skyscrapers loom overhead, their windows reflecting the glow of the countIes holographic adds everywhere.
His breath’s visible in the cold night air. The city hums with the sound of drones delivering mail and people chatting outside of pubs; flickering neon signs at every store. But Bumlets gaze is fixed on some random warehouse a few blocks away. It’s where the Core has been tracked.
The faint flash of pink confirms Bumlets suspicion: Swifty. Of course it’s Swifty. The guy’s too slippery for a crowd.
Bumlets readjusts his comlink in his ear and gets ready.
The Amplification Core is a small cylindric object surrounded by a faint blue glow. Bumlets remembers the first time e saw it. It was in the square’s science center, back when he was still up for training.
It was sleek and modern with a high glass ceiling, which he remembers Kloppman explain, was a one way mirror -today he knows theres no such thing, but it doesn’t really matter because the point is still the same.
The backrows were filled by reporters and scientists and tech-enthusiasts with no real talents. The rest was just full of students, superheroes to be. Holograms showcased cutting-edge technology and soft murmurs of anticipation filled the room.
In the front, his proffessor Chrystal, a renowned physicist specializing in all matters of power-related technologies, stood before a large screen, showing a presentation of a bunch of formulas he never needed again afterwards. On her desk: a small grey cylinder, decorated with screws, casted a soft blue glow into the box of high-security-glass it’s Iocked it. It was barely bigger than a Soda can. And i don’t mean Monster or Beer cans, i mean Coca-Cola cans.
Holographs of it, in pieces, showed above Chrystal as she explained it’s functions.
”The Amplification Core,” she explained, ”represents a breakthrough in our understanding of superpowers. It uses advanced nanotechnology to amplify the natural bioelectric energy found in powered individuals.”
The hologram shifted to show a simulation: a powered individual’s abilities increasing exponentially, causing shockwaves or beams of light. Next to it a chart, showing the increase of their power. She’d shown a bunch of those, one worse than the next. He remembers her closing words that day: ”Even when used responsibly, the Core could cause immense, even apocalyptic destruction. It revolutionized search-and-rescue operations, medical treatments, and disaster relief. But the amount of it’s effect is un-predictable…” She paused, her tone growing grave. “Its potential for catastrophe is immeasurable. Amplifying unstable powers could AND WOULD cause widespread devastation.”
His jaw tightened as he listened to her. He knew he couldn’t let it get in the wrong hands.
After the Q&A session, when the conference had cleared out, Bumlets had stayed in the classroom.
”I wanna help,” he’d said firmly.
Chrystal had turned, ”Enrico, you’re still here?”
He’s ignored that, ”The amplifier. I’ll help protect it.”
”Help? How?”
”I dunno, you’re the professional. Guide it. Protect it. Whatever it takes to make sure no one like Snyder or worse gets their hands on it.”
She’d studied him for a moment. ”This isn’t just a physical fight—it’s political, scientific, and deeply dangerous. lt’s not just villains who might come for it,” she warns. “Governments, corporations… Everyone will want control. You’ll have to fight enemies you’ve never faced before.””
”I’ve seen what people can do when they’re desperate, but i won’t let that happen. Not on my watch” Bumlets replied. “I’m not afraid of dangerous. Come on, i’m your best student, aren’t I?”
She paused. “Alright. But if you’re in, you need to know everything. No half-measures. And…. you’ll probably have to sign a contract or something…”
After that, Bumlets had spent day after day, abandoning his work-outs, and any training session other than the ones with Chrystal for a solid year until she forced him back into his classes, saying he couldn’t protect it if he wasn’t physically prepared too. After that he’d spend most time protecting it, barely on team missions. He’d taken a vow, signed a contract.
But one day, in his last year of training, in the middle of a lecture, the glass dome protecting the Amplification Core cracked, triggering alarms. Security flooded the room, masked in protective suits as they were evacuated. It turned out it was a staging. An attempt to steal the Core. No, not attempt, Bumlets reminds himself, it WAS stolen. And it hasn’t been found since. But now he’s so close. And he won’t let it slip away this time.
Dressed in sleek, dark clothing with glowing blue circuitry running along his gloves, Swifty has a cocky air about him. His powers, electricity-based, crackle faintly around him as he examines the device.
”All this trouble for a little toy? Gee, no one knows how to have fun anymore…” Swifty smirks and speaks to himseIf, loud enough for Bumlets to hear from the rooftop.
Bumlets tenses. Swifty's reputation of unpredictability precedes him. His powers could devastate entire blocks if combined with the device’s amplification. He doesn’t wait any longer. He leaps from the rooftop, his shoes softening the landing behind Swifty even though one of them has a bug.
”Drop it, Swifty,” Bumlets growls, his voice steady but low. “You don’t know what you’re messing with.”
Swifty doesn’t flinch. He turns slowly, his smirk widening as he holds his hands up in surrender. “Oh, look who finally caught up. I was starting to think you didn’t care about me anymore, Bumlets.”
He steps closer exasperated, ”Mask off.” He says as per procedure. Swifty knows the drill. Yet he always proceeds tom make it a little more annoying than last time, dragging it out as if he doesn’t know what’s next.
He takes it off, shaking out his fluffy pink hair with a soft chuckle. ”C’monnn you’re no fun!”
”You had it the whole time?”
”The whole—Jesus, how longs it been missing?” Swifty chuckles. But it fades when Bumlets says,
”Four years…”
”Ahh, deep backstory huh? Yunno, we’ve known each other so long, I should know that story by now…”
“This isn’t a game. Hand it over.”
Swifty holds up the device, inspecting it in the dim light. Then, with a sweet voice he says, “I disagree. It’s the best game I’ve played in weeks. Care for a round?” He sparks his powers slightly, electricity dancing along his fingers.
Bumlets charges, aiming to disarm him, but Swifty is quicker. He dodges with a fluid twist, sending a small arc of electricity toward Bumlets’ feet to force him back.
He knows how the shoes work. he’s disabled them more times than he can count.
“Easy, big guy. I’m not planning to blow up the city. Yet.”
”But you’re gonna. You don’t know what that thing can— mph… ugh...” he trails off as he gets lightly teased by him, the electricity coursing through him, just enough to hurt a bit. Swifty swifts around him (pun unintended but appreciated), his fingers trailing as he stand behind him and whispers softly in Bumlets ear. ”Better luck next time, hero. Don’t worry—I’ll save the dance for you.”
When Bumlets regains his composure, Swifty is gone, leaving only faint scorch marks on the ground where he stood.
God-fucking-DAMN-it!
Bumlets grits his teeth, frustrated, ”Shit…” he whispers, ”Guys, location?” he says through his com.
”Ricci you fucking idiot!” Charlie says ”Again? Seriously?”
He groans ”Crutchie!”
”Yes, yes you…. wait… uh, Bumlets it’s still there…”
”Huh?” he spins. And sure enough, right where he first caught Swifty, the device sits, unbortherd, cassually casting it’s soft blue light as if nothing happened. As if Bumlets wasn’t just left breathless. AGAIN.
As he disappears into the shadows of the city, he doesn’t realize that Skittery has been watching the entire encounter from a nearby rooftop.
From his vantage point, Skittery crouches in silence, his silhouette blending into the darkness. His powers allow him to manipulate his form, making him almost invisible with the plain backround. ”Fucking idiots…” he mutters.
Swifty, despite his reputation, seems more interested in toying with Bumlets than using the device for mass destruction. Skittery briefly wonders if Swifty even understands the device’s true potential. And Bumlets? God, Bumlets is a slave to the system. Everyone knows it. He’s gonna get the device to the people in charge, and the people in charge are gonna use it for themselves, Skittery’s sure of that.
He follows Bumlets, sticking to him from a fair distance to remain unseen. And when he’s sure he’s alone and takes a break, Skittery takes a chance. He creeps up to him, opens his back and takes on Swifty’s form at the same time. As expected, catching Bumlets attention. He grins, winks, takes the Core and lounges down the rooftop backwards, vanishing into the dark.
Bumlets groans loudly. He was so close. SO close. He’s also hella confused so theres that. How did he follow him? And why did he leave the Amplification Core in the first place when he was gonna get it again anyway? And how in the bitch-fuck did he survive that fall?!
”Location?”
”Lost….”
Damn it.
Great. so it has to wait another day…
Swifty lounges on a dilapidated couch, tossing the stolen device casually between his hands, the blue glow reflecting mischievous in his eyes. Bumlets can’t watch any longer. He struts into Swifty’s not-so-secret hideout, barely containing his fury.
”Game’s fucking over, for fucks sake. Fucking hand it over.”
Swifty looks up, unbothered, and his smirk deepens. He places the Core carefully on the table beside him, leaning back in his seat, ”’Sup?”
Bumlets frowns. ‘’sup’ seriously? But he’s to angry to make fun of him right now. As Bumlets closes the distance, his fists clenched, Swifty gets to his feet with slow, exaggerated movements. Electricity crackles faintly around his gloves, but he doesn’t attack. Instead, he leans closer, his tone teasing.
“You know, Bumlets, you’re cute when you’re angry. Ever thought about switching sides? We’d make a great team.”
Bumlets’ face hardens, but a flicker of confusion passes through his eyes. “Stop playing games, Swifty. I’m not here to flirt. Do you have any idea what that thing can do? C’mon what use does world domination have when no one’s alive?”
Swifty chuckles, circling Bumlets slowly. “Shame. You’d look good in black. But if you’re here to fight—” He pauses for dramatic effect “—don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Before anything can go further, Swifty enters the room and pauses, as he takes in the scene, a stripe of bacon half in his mouth.
Wait a minute.
Swifty enters the room?
Bumlets looks between Swifty confused. (singular intended)
”right…… what the fuck?”
Swifty blinks confused.
Swifty points at Swifty, trying to come up with something, ”Clone!” he says, stating the obvious and Bumlets can just glare at him with a mixture of exasperation and actual shock because aperantly he actually overestimated Swifty’s smarts.
”Yeah, no shit.”
”Wh- don’t just stand there. Do something! You’re a hero! You’re legally required to arrest him. D o s o m e t h i n g!” Swifty says.
”You’re legally required to arrest clones? Like seriously?” Swifty laughs.
”Go on, Bumlets. Follow procedure. Question, detection, protection!”
”Ugh, fine. Sir, whoever you are, I’mma need to see your ID and possible medical power identifictation. Do you have control over your—” Wait a minute… Bumlets squints, how did he—
He followed him yesterday. Without being seen.
Bumlets looks him up and down. The shoes. The soles are way too big for normal shoes. Only superheroes get those shoes.
And how does Swifty know about Question, detection, protection? That’t right. He doesn’t.
”Henry Butler, you’re under arrest of identity theft..” he takes out his hand cuffs exasperated, ”C’mon, seriously? You know I have—”
”Hey, paws off.” Skittery slaps Bumlets hands away, who blinks a bit startled. Thats definitely a first. To make it even more hilarious, Skittery takes the handcuffs and puts them on himself… somehow.
”You do not have my voice down.” Swifty says matter-of-fact-ly as he snap-points into his direction.
Bumlets eyes are on the Core. It’s just lying there, pretending he hasn’t been looking for it for years now…
But as Skittery notices, he pauses. He stops letting Bumlets arrest him, shrinks and unshrinks himself out of the handcuffs and the tension snaps, as both of them lunge for the Core.
”Ugh, this is why i requested power-restraining handcuffs!” Bumlets groans. He charges at Skittery, aiming to pin him and grab the device.
Skittery dodges easily, seemingly predicting Bumlets every move and kicks him, turning his shoes on to send him flying across the room.
”My furniture!” Swifty cries out.
Meanwhile, Skittery uses the moment to dart toward the table where the device sits, but Swifty intercepts him with a low-voltage zap. “Not so fast, chameleon Boy.”
Skittery snarls and retaliates, becoming a mirror and knocking Swifty off balance and using his own weapons.
The place descends into chaos as punches, kicks, and powers fly:
Bumlets focuses on Swifty, his shadow breaking through Swifty’s nimble defenses. Swifty’s banter doesn’t stop, even as he narrowly avoids a heavy blow from Bumlets’ real hands. “Geez, Bumlets, you could’ve just asked me out. No need to hit on me so hard.”
Skittery, frustrated, tries to grab the device again, only for Bumlets to shove him away.
“You’re not taking it, Skittery,” Bumlets growls. “I know what you’ll do with it.”
Skittery sneers. “Yeah? And what about you? Locking it up in your little hero vault while the rest of us suffer? So only the rich can use it, huh?”
Bumlets pauses for a second.
”…Yeah that’s what I thought…”
Swifty takes advantage of their argument, slipping between them to snatch the device. “Don’t mind me”
Just as Swifty lifts the device, the shadows in the room surge, Bumlets’ anger fueling his powers.
The shadows grab Swifty’s wrist, immobilizing him. Bumlets steps forward, using the moment to knock the device from Swifty’s hand.
”See! You don’t even need it! You can literaly amplify your powers like that. Just with your emotions!”
The device clatters to the floor, rolling to a stop between the three of them.
Bumlets gasps, bracing for the impact of the power wave, but as if through some kind of miracle, nothing happens.
All three lunge for it simultaneously, landing on top of each other. They go quiet for a second.
Swifty breaks the silence first, his voice low and teasing. “Well, isn’t this cozy?”
Skittery glares but doesn’t pull away. “Dream on, Sparky.”
As Swifty, and Skittery bicker back an forth, a sudden and sharp boom echoes through the room.
The sound is unmistakable—a gunshot.
All three immediately freeze, their attention snapping to the source of the noise.
From the shattered doorway, red laser sights pierce through the dim lighting of the hideout. The tension in the room shifts as a group of heavily armed soldiers step in, their black armor and masks gleaming and their weapons raised.
”Thank fucking god!” Bumlets groans, ”Thanks C!” But there’s no answer from Crutchie. He checks his comlink: It was off the whole time. That means Charlie didn’t send those… Shit…
The squad leader, a burly figure with a visor concealing his face, steps forward. His voice is cold and robotic through a voice modulator:
”Drop the device. Now.”
Swifty, always quick to react, recovers first, his usual playful smirk faltering slightly. He steps in front of the device, his fingers sparking with electricity, “You’re gonna have to do better than that, boys. I don’t scare easy.”
Bumlets, immediately shifting into protective mode, squares his shoulders and glances at the other two, “They’re not here to negotiate. They’ll kill all of us if we don’t give it up.” Shadows begin to writhe and twist around his feet, his voice low and tense.
Skittery growls. “Then we don’t let them have it. But we need a plan—fast.”
Without waiting for a response, the paramilitary squad opens fire—not with bullets, but with energy rounds, bright pulses of blue light that explode on impact.
The three dive for cover.
Swifty vaults over a table, sending a jolt of electricity toward the squad. The blast fries the nearest soldier’s weapon, forcing him to retreat.
Bumlets flips the table, using it as a makeshift shield. Skittery snatches a small grappling hook from his utility belt and yanks a soldier off balance, sending him crashing into another.
Bumlets, from the shadows, lets loose tendrils of dark energy that slam into the squad’s flank, disarming two soldiers and pinning them to the wall.
“Careful where you point those things! You might break something valuable—” Swifty calls.
Bumlets moves with precision, his shadows creating barriers and traps that isolate the soldiers. When a grenade is lobbed toward the trio, the shadows snatch it midair and fling it back toward the squad.
”My vase collection!” Swifty whines half a second before said collection shatters in peaces.
just as it seems like the trio might gain the upper hand, the squad deploys a specialized weapon—a drone that emits an anti-power field.
Swifty’s electricity fizzles out almost entirely, and Bumlets shadows shrink and vanish, except for one.
“Oh, great,” Swifty groans. “They brought toys.”
The squad uses the momentary advantage to push forward. One soldier manages to grab the device, holding it up triumphantly.
Bumlets reaIizes they’re out of time. He rushes the soldier holding the device, taking several hits from energy rounds in the process. His sheer determination allows him to wrest the device free, though he stumbles back, clearly injured.
Swifty catches Bumlets before he falls, his playful demeanor gone.
“You better not die on me, hero.”
Skittery meanwhile used his last ounces of power to transform into one of the soldiers and starts fighting them, effectively setting of a chain reaction. Chaos ensues immediately. Swifty and Bumlets flee in panic as they get chased out by one of the soldiers.
They run a good while before they’re out of the anti-power field and Skittery finaly goes back into his normal form.
Bumlets eyes widen in realisation- Oh
”Wait, shit, Swifty stop…”
Skittery turns to Bumlets, his tone sharp. “You almost got yourself killed back there! What were you thinking?”
Bumlets glares back. “I was thinking about stopping them from getting their hands on this thing. You’re welcome, by the way.”
Skittery leans against a wall, his shadows slowly returning. His voice is bitter. “This isn’t over. They’ll come after us, and we still don’t trust each other.”
Swifty chuckles, though there’s no humor in it. “Speak for yourself. I think this is the start of something beautiful.”
Bumlets smacks his arm exasperated ”Shut up! Not the time!” Then he passes out.