(6 years ago)
Six years ago, a young boy, donning shorts and a t-shirt, ascended a staircase packed with people. With a determined stride, he turned a broken lock and pushed open a creaking door, revealing a cramped, dilapidated room.
There lay a little girl with ebony hair, her eyes fixed on the door as it swung open.
"Jolie!" The boy's voice exuded excitement as he waved a water bottle in his hand. "Look what I've got, some nice water here!" The girl, named Jolie, leaped from the bed, her eyes lighting up with delight.
"Max!" Jolie hurried towards him, her voice trembling. "I was scared!" Tears shimmered in her eyes as she spoke.
Max's face softened as he patted her head and offered her the water bottle. "Why were you scared, Jolie?"
"I heard strange noises," Jolie confessed, mimicking the sounds she'd heard. "Like Zoom from!"
Max chuckled and hugged her affectionately. "You're such an idiot." Jolie took a sip from the water bottle, her smile returning.
"Do you like it?" Max inquired.
"Yes!" Jolie beamed, extending the bottle towards Max. "Want some?"
Max's gaze softened. "No, I got it for you. I had some on my way here." He released her from the hug and headed towards a tiny kitchenette. "Don't worry, drink as much as you want."
Max placed a hand on his parched throat. He knew the water wouldn't be enough for both of them, but he reassured Jolie and went to the fridge, only to find it empty.
behind him, Jolie holding his shirt and offering him the bottle. "Don't lie. I know you haven't!" her burrows furrowed as she said. Max took the bottle of her hand smiling, "You're the best sister, you know!"
Jolie blushed fidgeting her fingers replied, "A-and you're the best brother in the world." Max laughed "Hahaha oh my god Jolie you're-" Before he could finish a huge bang interrupted them
BANG!!!
Jolie's arms tightened around Max as she buried her face in his t-shirt, seeking solace in his embrace. Max held her close, his protective instincts kicking in as his eyes caught the distant hum of flying drones.
"What are they?" he muttered, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern. Slowly, he guided Jolie behind him, shielding her from whatever might come into view. As he approached the small, shattered window, a dreadful sight unfolded before him.
Horror clenched Max's throat as he witnessed a fleet of drones dominating the sky, ruthlessly bombarding the city below. The realization hit him like a physical blow. Gripping Jolie's hand tightly, he pulled her along, their hurried steps echoing the chaos that surrounded them.
"What happened?" Jolie's voice quivered a mixture of fear and confusion in her tone. Their breaths mingled as they ran side by side, desperate to escape the unfolding nightmare.
Max's voice trembled with anguish, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Oh my god, Mama was there!" His heartache fueled his every step as they burst out of the apartment building. The world outside was engulfed in chaos, with people fleeing in all directions, cries of desperation, and the crackling of fire filling the air.
Clutching Jolie tightly in his arms, Max pushed forward, determination overriding his fear. The world seemed to blur as they dodged debris and the ominous drones, their presence a constant threat in the sky. Suddenly, another explosion echoed behind them. Max's eyes darted back to witness their home consumed by flames. Horror gripped his heart, rendering him momentarily frozen.
But the sound of his sister's muffled voice snapped him back to reality. "What's happening... it's too loud, Max," Jolie whimpered, her grip on his shirt tightening.
Summoning all his strength, Max focused on the road ahead. He picked up his pace, his voice a mixture of urgency and reassurance. "Don't worry, Jolie! Everything is alright! Mom must be waiting for us!" His gaze scanned the once-familiar streets now marred by destruction. The air grew thick with heat, making each breath a struggle. Max's chest tightened, and his movements became labored.
Stopping abruptly, he shielded Jolie's gaze, his voice tender yet firm. "Don't look, okay?" And then, with renewed determination, he resumed their frantic run.
Sprinting amidst cascading debris, his frantic gaze sought the factory where his mother toiled. Amidst the chaos, he spotted a crowd dashing from an alley, pursued by three relentless drones raining destruction. Tears and terror filled the air as people fled, an old man tumbled, ignored by the panicked mob. Gritting his teeth, Max surged forward, determined to escape with his mother and protect his sister.
Breathless and burning, he charged on, driven by the need to ensure their safety.
Emerging from the alley, he finally glimpsed the factory - a conflagration-devoured ruin, lifeless and shattered.
Max collapsed to his knees. "What's wrong, Max?" Jolie's voice trembled with concern, attempting to peer, yet his steady hand gently guided her head to rest on his chest.
Clutching his emotions, he fought to steady himself. "It's... it's nothing..." His gaze wavered, a fragile dam holding back the torrent of tears threatening to spill.
"it's n-nothing, Jolie," his voice quivered, the weight of his sorrow palpable. Then, as if he had been holding his breath for an eternity, the anguished cry escaped his lips in a breathless crescendo. "MOTHER!!!"
(Present)
"Max, take cover!" Aaron's urgent command pierced the chaos as he positioned himself in front of Max, Garry, and the weary Serena. Bullets whizzed through the air, pounding against Aaron's morphed shielded hand as he shielded his friends from the hail of gunfire.
Garry's frightened whimper filled the space as he huddled behind Aaron, his fluffy ears flattened in distress. Serena, drained and still asleep from exhaustion, remained cradled in Aaron's protective embrace.
"Max, do something!" Aaron's voice was a mixture of desperation and determination. Max, though disoriented, nodded resolutely. He moved with cautious intent, his body evading the relentless assault of bullets, inching towards the captive chief who spat threats and struggled to free himself from the cuffs that bound him.
"Don't you dare come near me, Max!" The chief's enraged shout reverberated, his attempts to break free growing more desperate.
"Shut up!"
Max's knee landed with authority on the chief's defiant face, silencing him. Retrieving a pistol from his pocket, Max returned fire toward the assailants, forcing them into cover.
Seizing the opportunity, Aaron's determined eyes locked onto Max. "Hold onto Serena!" Max shifted seamlessly, cradling Serena gently in his arms. Aaron's hand morphed back to its normal state before transforming into a colossal fist, crackling with raw power.
With a surge of energy, Aaron's words echoed, "Let's Smash."