chapter 4 : Distance

During the week, things became a little calmer again. Deborah had decided to adopt Saeko who was gradually learning to speak, she and Lucas took her to eat things and buy clothes for her and it was during one of their outings that Lucas decided to talk to his mother about an important subject.

 Sitting in a restaurant with Saeko and his mother, he spoke,

 "Mom, I know you've felt neglected since Mark and I got our powers, with Mark being much closer to Dad now who trains him and me making you worried because of my risk-taking, I know you're worried and feel alone»

 Deborah : Oh it's not really a big deal you know, I'm the only person in the family without any power so I got used to it. Besides, Saeko is here now and you also spend a lot of time with me when you get the chance, like now.

 Lucas: I know but it's clearly not enough, that's why I want to ask you to team up with me on my missions.

 " You're kidding ?! What use am I going to use you for without special abilities?! " Deborah asked.

 Lucas: You can team up with me very well without being on the field too, mom. I know you're very good at computers and communications too so it could be a big help to me in the field to locate things or warn me of something unexpected.

 Deborah : Are you serious?! It's doable, but...I have my job on the side so I would have trouble managing everything.

 Lucas: You just have to quit your job then, what we do is extremely well paid by the government not to mention personal bonuses. I have a bank account with several tens of millions of dollars.

 Deborah : WHAT?! WHEN ?! HOW ?!

 Lucas: Mom, when I destroy a gang I don't just destroy it, these people have a lot of money that will no longer be of any use to them and goods that sell better on the market.

 Deborah : Lucas no, this money is dirty and is of criminal origin!! The government already pays good money for the missions you accept, you don't need to take criminal money.

 "Mom it seems you didn't understand me well last time, I'm not a hero but an executioner who comes to punish those who selfishly like to make innocent people suffer. Apart from all this, I also know very well the necessity of money and resources. I will not be naive to adhere to a vision of providing free service to a society that already encourages selfishness. » he calmly replied to his mother who remained thinking.

 Lucas: Take the time to think about my offer, mom, I only need you and whether or not you accept my proposal or my vision of things, I'll always be your son.

 They changed the subject and continued eating. Back home they saw Nolan and Mark who were having a training session together and when he saw Lucas, Nolan called him but Lucas didn't answer and came home.

 Ignored, Nolan frowned before entering the house quite annoyed.

 He faced Lucas who was looking at him like he was absolutely nothing, "Can you tell me why all this contempt ? I'm trying to make an effort and create a father-son relationship with you but you keep being contemptuous and ignoring me! I AM YOUR FATHER LUCAS!!" 

 Lucas: Listen, honestly it's all getting a bit heavy! I have done absolutely nothing to you except mirror the way you have treated me! How can I despise you when I don't even hate you. We only have affection or hatred for things that we consider to exist but for me you-are-nothing at all!

 « INSOLENT !! » Nolan shouted as he slapped Lucas hard with the back of his hand and because of Nolan's immense strength, Lucas broke the wall of the house and then ran through the 5 neighboring houses.

 Mark, Deborah and Saeko were shocked because it was so sudden. Nolan had just realized what he had just done and looked at his hand blankly.

Obviously, he hadn't put too much force into his blow, it was more instinctive than anything else.

 Nolan started flying towards Lucas' direction, "I've had enough of your lack of politeness Lucas, it's time to educate you properly."

 Deborah : NOLAN STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!

 (she shouted while crying)

 Mark: I'll try to stop him before something happens (he also flew towards them).

 Nolan arrived where Lucas was supposed to stop but found no trace of him there.

 « Not bad ! For a slap, I felt it pass. » he listened to the voice behind him but as he turned around, Lucas punched him on the bottom of his chin which released a slight shockwave.

The blow was not supposed to do much harm to Nolan thanks to his older and stronger constitution but the viltrumites apart from their powers had too many similarities with humans on an organic level.

 That punch to the bottom of the chin was surgically precise and it was enough to disorient Omni-man for a second enough for Lucas to follow up but he stopped for a second before Mark intervened.

 Mark: ENOUGH!

 After having a look of thought and astonishment for two seconds, Nolan massaged his jaw, "You hit hard for a young Viltrumite, you did really well" he said with a smile to Lucas who was already in front of him.

 Lucas: You provoked me so I returned the favor, I don't want to fight with you because mom will be upset and also because I absolutely don't want to do anything with you, I don't know what you were hoping for by provoking me but I will not give you this pleasure.

 Mark: You two stop, you're going to destroy the neighborhood. Dad, what happened to you?! You know Lucas' state of health well but you are attacking him!!

 Nolan realized what his anger made him do and looked at Lucas, he wanted to apologize but Lucas just turned around to leave. He returned home and started packing his things, he was already ready to leave when Debra found him.

 Deborah : Lucas What are you doing?! Where are you going ?!

 "I have to leave here, don't worry mom because I won't be far away and we'll see each other all the time. The problem is, if I stay here, sooner or later Nolan and I will end up in a serious fight and I have to deprive you of this show, Mom." he told her before kissing her on the forehead and walking out of the room.

 "Lucas please don't go!! Nolan is such an idiot sometimes but he got carried away!" she said following him as he walked down the stairs. Mark, who was starting to change in his room, heard what was happening and rushed out.

 Lucas: I know mom and I don't blame him, I'm aware that if he had wanted to hurt me it would have already been done for far too long and I know that he doesn't mean any harm to me, at least not physically because even at the moment even though it was abrupt, he also instinctively held back and that is why I have nothing. But you see the thing is, I'm sick and a zone without family problems would be good for me, I think.

 " What is happening ?! Lucas, are you leaving?! But why ?!" Mark asked and Lucas just looked at him smiling. 

"Mark I'm sick enough as it is so I'm just going to find somewhere more restful." » he replied calmly.

 Mark: I'm sure Dad didn't want to do what he did.

 Lucas: Yeah, maybe but I need a change of environment. Listen, in my absence you have to take care of mom and Saeko okay ? She's like your little sister now, you and I will see each other in high school so it won't change much if I leave here.

 He opened the door to leave when they all saw Nolan in his Omni-man outfit, seeing Lucas with that big bag, Nolan felt his heart hurt a little.

 He knew that his son hated him and no longer wanted to live near him but that it was all his fault.

 His look turned sad and he said in a heavy voice, "I know you hate me and nothing I say is going to change that but...can you give me a few seconds?!" 

 "If you want" Lucas said calmly and they went up into the air out of earshot.

 Nolan: Lucas, I was never a father to you, I know that very well and I regret it so much. When you were born I knew you were going to be sick I didn't want to know anything and I even doubted your mother's fidelity because a Viltrumite never gets sick, except that I forgot that you and your brother are half-breeds. You grew up without my support and many times this illness almost took you away even though I didn't care and once again I regret it.

 Lucas: Come to the point please, no one is better placed than me to know everything you told me.

 Nolan sighed and continued "Lucas please give me one chance to redeem myself, just one. Let me tell you who I really am and let me tell you about our planet Viltrum, about your heritage. I can see in you in terms of attitude and ability that the genes of our people are strong in you and that maybe you would understand..."

 Lucas: No thank you, save that for your son Mark and for the rest, know that I don't blame you, I stopped doing it a long time ago because in the same way you reduced me to nothingness in your head , I did it too. (he patted her on the shoulder) take care of them, I know you really love them deep down.

 After saying these words, Lucas flew to the city and rented a hotel room.

 The next day at school, he was sitting on a bench listening to music and reading a book about genetics when Amber sat next to him.

 " Hi !" he said taking off his headphones but seeing Amber with an angry face without answering him, he shrugged his shoulders and went back to playing music.

 Amber, ignored, closed Lucas' book,

 " What is the problem ?! » he asked with a bit of annoyance.

 "You have no friends in high school, no girlfriends, you are not in any clubs or groups. I'm trying to be your friend here but you spend your time avoiding me, several girls here are literally falling for you and that means absolutely nothing to you! Who are you Lucas Grayson?! " she asked.

 Lucas: Amber, that's really nice of you, but I don't really need a friend or a girlfriend. Besides, it was Mark who tried to save you last time so why get closer to me when it was him who apparently had his eye on you?! You even knew I existed before all this.

 Amber: Actually that's not exactly true, long before this thing with Todd I already noticed you! I noticed you when you came to high school a year after Mark, especially after you beat the shit out of Jerry in second grade.

 Lucas: Well, then we can be friends if you want and if you need help with your classes I can help you too.

 Amber: Wow calm down there, I'm in my final year and you are in your second year here remember! We are not really at the same levels of study.

 Lucas: If you want. Well I have to go, I have an important meeting!

 Amber: Wow! It's a girl ?! Do you have a date?!

 "Just a date!" he said leaving without looking back, Amber stayed with a smile.

 "So this amazes me!! Your new boyfriend is super cute but isn't he younger than you?!" she heard a voice behind her and it was Eve.

 Amber: Hi Eve, Lucas Grayson is not my boyfriend and even though he is younger he is much more mature than other older guys like his brother Mark who you have gotten a lot closer with (with teasing )

 Eve: There's nothing between Mark and me...wait, did you say he's Mark's little brother?! I knew he was in our high school but I had never met him (she said before thinking)!

 Amber: A problem Eve?!

 Eve: No… it's just that I heard a lot about him, with friends he helped us once and we never took the time to thank him.

 Lucas left for his meeting, it was to buy a large house in the suburbs not too far from his parents. Cecil took care of the details for the acquisition because of Lucas' young age and legal processes. 

 There was some furniture already inside so he chose to equip it better little by little.

 Then he brought his mother and Saeko over to see where he lives now and Debbie was pleasantly surprised at how close this villa was to their house.

 Saeko directly wanted to live there with Lucas who told her that she would come every time if she wanted in exchange for learning to read, write and speak well with Debra.

 Two days later, Cecil delivered his outfit and it was exactly how Lucas wanted it, practical, dark and sturdy.

It looked a lot like Captain America's avenger outfit but all black and with a scary red human skull drawn on the torso like the Punisher but in dark red like blood.

 Cecil took the opportunity to offer him a mission, that of intercepting an alien that he had to defeat and repel. To thank him for the costume, Lucas accepted, Cecil gave him an earpiece to contact him and they separated.

 Lucas first went to his mother's house to look for Mark, Saeko told him that he was in his room with a girl.

Lucas knocked on his brother's bedroom door, he was also curious who the girl was and when Mark opened it he was with Eve.

 Eve was pleasantly surprised to finally meet Lucas, they greeted each other and he asked Mark if he wanted to go with him to see an alien to fight with.

 Mark was pretty excited but he looked at Eve who he apparently worked with and Lucas said calmly looking at Eve "You can come too if you want, that would be cool. I know it's you Atom-Eve"

 When he said that, the other two were surprised, Eve asked him how he knew and he looked at her like that question was stupid.

 "Are you kidding me?! You'd have to be really stupid not to recognize you, you're not even wearing a mask. » he said without emotion.

 The other two agreed and all changed, when Mark saw Lucas' dark, sinister but super stylish outfit, he asked him if he had become a superhero too but Lucas shook his head

 "I prefer to be a vigilante and an executioner, I do what you heroes refuse to do."

 Eve: And what is that?!

 Lucas: Kill.

 Mark:…

 Eve:…wait, FEAR is that you?!

 Lucas just smiled and flew out the window and the others followed, they were going out of Earth's atmosphere, he had already tried to go into space and he knew that Viltrumites could go without breathing for several hours perfectly resisting the cosmic cold, he explained it to Mark who was super excited.

 Lucas: Eve, given your nickname, atomic manipulation is your thing so you should gather the oxygen particles, concentrate them at a point to release in an insulating field for you.

 Eve: Well done, that's what I was going to do, but for someone who doesn't have that power, you know how to use it pretty well.

 They exited the atmosphere and Lucas said to the others "Stay there, it's my mission to confront him so you'll stay as observers", they nodded and all waited for the enemy when Lucas saw from a distance an orange object approaching at high speed and he rushed straight towards it.

 From a good distance he was finally able to make out the thing and it was a completely orange alien in a tight outfit with a jacket on top, it was very muscular and only had one big eye on its face.

 ~It's been a long time since I've been here! I feel like I'm going to have fun with you~

 The Alien said and Lucas heard it directly in his head. "Telepathy ?!" Lucas thought before continuing.

 "Whoever you are, You seem to know our language. We are not savages here, I will ask you what your intentions are on my planet before I treat you accordingly" Lucas thought as he looked at the alien without any emotion.

 ??? : ~You are the protector of this planet?! You've changed a bit since last time, even your mustache isn't there anymore! Here's the thing, I don't care about your world, I just want to fight but since you are the protector of this world then maybe you will do. ~

 Lucas: ~If that's what you want then I'll be happy to kick your ass and I'm not the only protector of this world, there are others.~

 ??? : ~Oh ! Like the two behind you right ?~

 Lucas: ~Yes but they are only spectators, I am enough to have fun.~

 ~BIG WORDS~ the Alien shouted as he rushed towards Lucas, he threw a series of punches which Lucas easily dodged before countering the Alien with a knee to the lower abdomen followed by an uppercut who sent him flying.

 After stabilizing himself, the Alien excitedly thought to himself

 ~Strong ! Physically I feel I'm superior but his fighting skills surpass me~

 ~You must be a really good fighter to notice that in such a small exchange!~

 Lucas said behind him, he had moved at the same time as him.

Surprised, the Alien threw a back punch that Lucas dodged before punching him directly on the chin, on the verge of a knockout, the Alien was in a daze when Lucas grabbed him by the back of the neck and rushed with it directly to the moon where it hit the Alien's face and a large explosion was seen on the surface of the moon.

 Eve and Mark who were watching were quite shocked at the scene before them, Lucas was beating his opponent with such ease that it became intimidation, they heard several sounds of violent impacts and moved closer to the moon where they saw something that petrified them with fear.

 The Alien was kneeling almost unconscious in front of Lucas who was continually punching him with violence, he continued to beat this poor alien who ended up giving up the fight and Lucas also let him recover.

 Mark and Eve also stood and Mark came close to his brother, he tried to speak but couldn't. Lucas gestured for her to wait for the Alien to come to his senses to establish a mental link between them then asked Eve and Mark to admire the view.

 They were on the moon, the dream of millions and they could see the stars and the brightness of the sun but above all, they could admire the beauty of the earth.

 Mark: Cool !!

 Eve: It's really beautiful! (she thought)

 They went for a little walk to visit the moon, they even took some stones as souvenirs and Lucas stayed near the Alien who had already woken up. 

 ~You didn't lie when you said you were going to kick my ass, you're really strong my friend, my name is Allen~ he said with a smile holding out his hand to Lucas who shook his hand.

Lucas : I'm Lucas, the boy who was with me is my older brother and his girlfriend. Sorry for being so blunt but I treated you like an enemy

 Allen : Oh it's not really serious...wait, Older Brother ?! So he's stronger than you?

 Lucas : No actually if he and I have a fight I will literally crush him even if our physical abilities are similar.

 Allen : Then how can you be so strong?! Physically I-(intrrupted) 

 Lucas : Yes, your strength and speed are superior to me but my combat instinct allows me to react in the right way to the right attack, it has allowed me to defeat people stronger than me initially. It's a pretty strange thing but I was born like that. 

 Allen :…man you are strange!! By the way sorry for the inconvenience, I'm just doing my job, testing the defender of the planet Urath for the coalition of planets and verifying that you can also defend yourself.

 Lucas : Oh ! It's okay then, you… wait, what planet did you just talk about?

 Allen : Urath! This planet, your planet. 

 Lucas quickly corrected Allen's mistake because he had confused Earth with Urath, a planet member of the coalition unlike Earth, Allen realized his error and apologized before leaving, he greeted Mark and Eve who were also returning from their walk as they left.

 Lucas waved to the others and they returned to earth. Once in the atmosphere, they took a deep breath. 

 Mark : Your mission was pretty easy actually!! 

 Lucas : Make no mistake my brother, I beat him easily but he is stronger and more experienced than you, you would have lost miserably against him! 

Mark : Stop Lucas, I'm not that weak!

 Lucas : Yes you are, you should actually ask Nolan to teach you how to fight a little more, as you are now your fighting ability is pretty lousy! I'm serious big brother, you really need to learn more from him.

 Mark was quite angry and even wanted to challenge Lucas but Eve stopped him.

 Eve : By the way Lucas, Team Teen and I didn't really thank you for helping us last time. Cecil asked Robot to replenish the Globe Guardians team so maybe you could come with Mark. 

 Lucas: Okay but I will only be there as an observer.

 Eve : Yeah I know you're not a hero, or even a villain for that matter. What are you going to be ?

 Lucas: An icon , a symbol of fear for those who take pleasure in evil and an executioner for those who shed innocent blood.

 Mark:…

 Eve: Big guy!

 They went back downstairs and Lucas left them in Mark's room, he left after seeing his mother who insisted that he eat.

He took off to go to Africa, he knew it was a place where corruption ruled and greedy leaders stole or mistreated the people and it was time for him to clean this place .