"I know you're there. Come on out."
A figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
"Your senses are getting sharper, four-forty-nine."
Mark didn't wait to see who it was, for he had already recognized that hoarse, feminine voice.
"Agent Greta."
"You left without saying goodbye, four-forty-nine. I've missed you a lot."
A cold chill descended on Mark as he heard those dreadful numbers that defined his identity for the last ten years.
Throughout that time, he had only ever seen Agent Greta clad in tight Spandex overalls, which she wore during "training".
This time, she was dressed in a full PCA combat suit.
It was white, lightweight, and it flexed with her every motion. It was breathable yet armored, with padding in the vital places: ribs, spine, and joints.
It clung to her body like a second skin, defining her feminine yet muscular stature.
Strips of electromagnetic lining ran along her belt and thighs, locking in her melee batons and disruptors.
A visor on her face streamed real-time combat data: targets marked, vitals, enemy movement.
And her horrible scar remained visible.
Her movements deliberate, she walked closer to her target, exercising a kind of careful control that Mark had learned to recognize in people who were never afraid of a fight.
He shifted his pose to a defensive stance and readied himself for any attack.
"How did you find me?" Mark asked, his voice steady, even though he could feel his nerves warning him to run.
Agent Greta stopped a short distance away, carefully observing Mark.
"You really thought we were going to just let you disappear? You're a wanted fugitive, convicted of murder."
Mark's heart rate elevated, his tension rising.
"How exactly did you find me?" he asked again, with a hint of anger.
Greta's lips curled into a thin, humorless smile.
"If you wanted to hide from us, you should have taken out the implant first."
"What implant?"
Greta laughed as she gradually closed the distance between herself and Mark.
"I know you couldn't survive without us. That's why you left it in. I'm sorry it took us so long to find you, but if you come with us now, we'll be united again."
Over the years, Agent Greta had developed a weird affection for her once favorite prisoner.
She derived an uncanny pleasure from their moments together, especially when she was on top of him, battering and bruising him with her deadly fists.
Mark recalled the horrible memories of all the times she had beaten him into a stupor.
With the memories came a new feeling of rage, which quickly replaced the fear he had felt initially.
He stiffened, and his hands tightened into fists.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." He remarked defiantly.
Agent Greta let out another horrible laugh, then continued, her voice loud and piercing.
"We can't let you go, four forty-nine. You're a dangerous threat to this world."
"Lies. I've never harmed anyone."
"That's because we kept you under control. But look around you." She raised her arms towards the buildings. "Look at all this destruction. It was your kind who did this. Your people, are the reason why this world is going to hell, and you my dear, are not any different."
Mark's chest tightened. Greta's words had struck a nerve.
"You don't know that." He retorted, his voice surprisingly stable despite the anger boiling beneath. "I never even asked for this power."
Agent Greta shook her head slowly. "You didn't ask for it, but it doesn't change the fact that you're all a danger. But that's why we exist. To keep your kind in check."
Mark took a step toward Greta, his voice low but intense.
"So this is how you keep us in check? By hunting us like animals? You tortured me my entire life, and now you're telling me I'm the problem?"
Greta's eyes widened. "Oh, you are the problem, four-forty-nine. We… we're the heroes. We must keep your kind under control through any means."
Mark's chest heaved as he fought to keep his emotions in check. A spark of electricity flickered from his left index finger.
"So, it's either you come with us willingly," Greta continued, her voice cold and unfeeling. "Or I'll break every bone in your body and drag you back with me."
Mark's purple screen suddenly reappeared.
[WARNING: Physical Threat Imminent.]
[NEW MISSION UNLOCKED]
[USER STATS]
Health - 100/100
Strength - 40/100
Speed - 35/100
Stamina - 35/100
Skill - 45/100
Agility - 25/100
Toughness - 35/100
[POWER INVENTORY]
Total Power Slots: 2
SLOT 1: Lightning Discharge, Level 1 (P-Type: Weatherborn)
SLOT 2: Telepathy, Level 1 (P-Type: Mindborn)
[CURRENT MISSION: Defeat all enemies 0/2]
"Two?"
Only then did Mark notice the bigger figure standing some distance beside Greta. He quickly recognized him as Agent Hans, who was also clad in a white combat suit similar to Greta's.
Mark became overwhelmed with rage, so much that he didn't realize when his blue aura began to radiate. His eyes darkened as his anger finally broke loose.
"I'm going to make you regret the day you met me."
"Oh, please." Greta laughed yet again. "That was the best day of my life!"
Greta swiftly pulled out her batons and made a dash towards Mark. In no time, she covered the distance between them and made a vicious right swing, aiming straight for Mark's head.
With such speed, Greta could have easily knocked him out, but this time, Mark activated his telepathy and read her moves. He leaped backward, sharply evading what could have been a deadly blow.
A look of surprise fell on Greta's face. Mark had reacted way faster than she anticipated.
But to her, it was all the same. She was going to enjoy this fight.
Mark, however, decided to end this quickly.
He quickly charged up a lightning bolt in both hands and fired it forward, aiming for both agents.
As the bolts rippled through the air, Agent Hans quickly ducked out of the way, but Greta wasn't so quick to.
She was struck at point-blank range and sent crashing into an abandoned car.
Mark sighed satisfactorily. This lightning bolt was the strongest he had ever made, and the force was sufficient to knock any human unconscious.
Now, he only had one agent to deal with.
He turned towards Agent Hans, ready to fire another bolt.
But something was off.
Hans had made no attempt to check on his fellow agent. He remained still, the smile on his face masking something sinister.
"The thing about one-trick ponies is... they get boring really fast."
Mark could not believe his eyes.
Agent Greta was back on her feet, completely unfazed. She noticed the fright on Mark's face and smiled with pleasure.
"I'm sure you like my new outfit," Greta said excitedly like a kid proudly showing off her new toys. "It was specially designed to absorb lightning."
Mark was lost for words. The agents had discovered a solution that rendered his base power useless. Panic gradually set in, and he began to retreat.
Agent Greta picked up her batons and headed toward Mark.
"Let's do this again, shall we?"