Once I arrived above the scene, I immediately spotted several bullets racing toward Hugh. Without hesitation, I increased my speed and dashed in front of him. Eight bullets were coming; two aimed straight for his head, the others for his upper body. Time seemed to slow down, each second stretching out as I watched the projectiles in midair, inching closer. I allowed time to catch up with me, and then—thunk—the bullets hit me. If I hadn't seen them flatten against my skin, I might've thought nothing had happened at all. The sight of the crumpled bullets clattering to the ground confirmed that, yes, it did.
Not just me—both Hugh and the police stared at me, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and awe. I waved at the officers, motioning them to stop firing before things got even worse. The Commanding Officer acknowledged my gesture, speaking into his radio, "Everyone, hold fire! Sentry's handling this." His voice cut through the chaos, bringing a moment of calm as the officers nodded in agreement, all backing up to secure a perimeter around the area.
With the scene somewhat under control, I turned my attention to the masked man before me, his gun still in hand. "Hello," I said calmly, my voice firm yet laced with concern. "My name is Sentry. I just want you to know that the woman you shot isn't dead. But if you keep this up, you're the one who will die tonight, leaving your wife and kid without a husband and father." I paused, letting my words sink in. "Please, drop your weapon. You still have a chance. You didn't intend to shoot her—your lawyer can help with that—but right now, you need to surrender and let the police handle this."
I saw the shift in his eyes before his body moved. Hugh's shoulders slumped as he dropped to his knees, the gun slipping from his grasp. He yanked off his mask, revealing tear-streaked cheeks. His sobs were raw, his voice cracking. "Thank you, Sentry. I thought I'd killed her... I felt like a monster, like everything was falling apart. It felt like someone wanted me dead tonight."
"Put your hands behind your head," I advised, keeping my tone steady and reassuring. "That way, the police won't be nervous."
He complied without hesitation, understanding how far he'd fallen into this mess. This wasn't a hardened criminal—just a desperate man who made a terrible decision. He was only after money, but it almost cost him his life. I used my biosphere to nudge the discarded gun further away, sliding it closer to the cops to avoid any accidents.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Harrison, approached cautiously, eyes flicking between Hugh and me. "Sentry," he asked, "he's not going to resist?"
"He won't," I confirmed, watching as three senior officers approached to cuff Hugh. "His name is Hugh Fletcher. This was all a tragic mistake. I read his heartbeat and eye dilation—he's telling the truth. He didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Lieutenant Harrison nodded, taking in my assessment. "Alright," he said, signaling his officers to secure Hugh. They approached him with practiced precision, the situation finally settling down.
With everything under control, I gave the police a quick nod of thanks before soaring into the night sky. After a short flight, I landed in a secluded alley, allowing my suit to shift seamlessly into street clothes. Conveniently, it separated into my usual face mask, glasses, and cap—everything I needed to blend back into my civilian life. As I walked toward home, I scanned the surroundings for anything unusual, but all was calm.
My mind wandered to Cass. I was late today, and I knew I had to make it up to her. The thought gnawed at me, so I decided to do something special. It was nearly 6 p.m., so I dashed to the supermarket along the way, picking up a few necessities. In mere minutes, I was back home, arms full of grocery bags—including her favorites: pastries, chocolates, and other sweets she loved. As I entered the apartment, I barely had time to react before a speeding blur launched at me—Cass, running and jumping into my arms.
She caught me off guard. I wasn't prepared for her, especially with all the groceries in my hands, but with my biosphere, I gently floated the bags to the floor while wrapping her in a tight embrace. Her worried eyes pierced through me, guilt settling in my chest. She had been worried sick about me, and I hated that I made her feel that way. She was still getting to know me, still learning to trust me, and I had already made her feel like she might be abandoned again.
I gave her a sheepish, apologetic smile before pulling out the sweets and chocolates I had bought. Her eyes lit up for just a second, a tiny smile flickering across her face despite her best efforts to keep her expression stern. She was trying so hard to stay mad, but I could see through it. I knew she wasn't thrilled about my lateness, and honestly, I couldn't blame her. After all, I was the one constant good thing she had in her life, and each time I made her wait, it was like making her relive that terrible loneliness all over again. She'd been alone far too much for someone her age, and I hated adding to that.
Still, I couldn't help but notice how adorable she looked with that little pout on her face, trying to act tough, as if she hadn't been secretly waiting for me. There was something about Cass—her quiet strength mixed with that vulnerability—that made her so endearing, especially when she tried to hide it. Or maybe it was just me, but she was definitely cute when she got a little huffy from being left alone.
With a soft chuckle, I ruffled her hair gently, feeling the tension between us ease. "I'm going to make dinner. Why don't you relax for a bit?" I said, hoping she'd take the chance to unwind. For a moment, I thought she might cling on, but instead, she stubbornly grabbed a grocery bag to help out, her way of showing she wasn't that upset.
"Thanks, Cass," I added, my voice warm with gratitude. I smiled at her, knowing she was letting me off easy. She gave a small nod, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward again, the stern act slipping just a little more.
Before starting on dinner, I suggested she take a bath since it might take a while to cook. She agreed, heading off to gather her things before disappearing into the bathroom. While she was in there, I kicked things into overdrive. Using my super speed and perfect memory, I prepped and cooked the entire meal in under 10 minutes—perfectly, of course. No undercooking, no overcooking.
When she emerged from the bathroom, freshly dressed, she looked genuinely shocked by the feast laid out on the small dining table. I couldn't help but grin at her expression. "Go ahead and eat," I told her, "I'll take a shower first."
But she insisted on waiting for me, so I relented and went for a quick five-minute shower. When I came back, we sat down together, ready to eat. As I looked at Cass, a thought lingered in my mind—I needed to be honest with her, and I wanted to give her something special. Something that would protect her and help her when she needed it most. I was going to teach her how to read, write, and speak properly, skills that her father had denied her. I knew it would erase some of the survival instincts she'd honed under his cruel tutelage, but with her potential—far greater than even her mother, Lady Shiva—I could help her become a force to be reckoned with.
She would be able to stand against anyone. No, she'd be able to defeat anyone.
I had already decided. I was going to make her a suit—something that would keep her safe, that would provide her with extra energy when she needed it most. It would allow her to survive any fight, no matter how long it dragged on. This would be my gift to her, but I needed to reveal my secret to her first.
I excused myself while she was distracted watching TV, telling her I'd be back in a moment. She nodded, trusting me. I slipped into my bedroom, shutting the door behind me as I sat on the bed, focusing my mind on creating the suit. I wanted it to reflect who she was, something close to what she'd wear for her future crime-fighting adventures.
[The bond between Kyn and Cass continues to grow stronger, and the thoughtfulness behind Kyn's plans to protect and empower her shows just how much he cares for her well-being. By designing a suit that matches not only her potential but also gives her the strength to stand alongside the mightiest heroes, Kyn is paving the way for Cass to become a force to be reckoned with in this world.]
My thoughts drifted to the suit design I had in mind—a sleek, red-and-dark-gray variation inspired by Elektra's take on Daredevil's costume. But this wouldn't just be a copy; it would be streamlined similar to her black bat suit, more agile, and undeniably hers. I decided to remove the devil-like horns from the top of the mask, giving it a more heroic, less sinister look. Her mouth would remain uncovered, with no red fabric hiding it, allowing for freedom in both speech and combat. I imagined her movements would be swift and unrestrained, her presence commanding yet graceful. No utility belt either—she wouldn't need it. Her power and skill alone would speak volumes.
The cape would mirror mine, but with its own flair. It would be streamlined, symbolic—red on the inside and dark gray on the outside, subtly representing strength and stealth. It wouldn't just be for show; it would carry meaning, reflecting her role as a quiet yet powerful force. I could already picture her as 'Whisper,' with a large, dark gray 'W' emblazoned on the chest of the costume—a symbol of her quiet strength and determination. A true hero in her own right.
But I didn't stop at just the aesthetic. I wanted her suit to be extraordinary, so I crafted it from tenth metal, or element X—a material of unimaginable power. With that, her suit wouldn't just look powerful; it would be a game-changer. It would grant her superhuman strength, durability, speed, stamina, agility, and enhanced senses, all working in perfect harmony. But there was more. She would have the ability to fly, to manipulate matter to a limited degree, and even create illusions—a skill that would make her an unpredictable force on the battlefield.
With these enhancements, she wouldn't just stand with the greats; she'd stand among them. Her potential to go toe-to-toe with Wonder Woman or Supergirl wasn't just a possibility—it was inevitable. In a way, this suit was my reassurance, my way of ensuring she could protect herself in the face of whatever dangers awaited. Every inch of it was designed with her safety and success in mind.
As I finished crafting the final details in my mind, I smiled to myself, knowing this was just the beginning of what I'd do for her. Cass would never have to feel vulnerable or alone again. This suit was more than protection—it was her empowerment, her step toward becoming a force of her own.
Once I had the suit design and materials in mind, I knew it would only take a flicker of my will to create it in an instant. So, I stepped out of my bedroom, noticing Cass glance at me, probably wondering why I'd disappeared so suddenly. I gave her a reassuring smile and motioned for her to come over to the dining area. There were some things I needed to communicate to her without using words. When she came over, I gently had her sit down on a chair, standing in front of her. Then, with a thought, I willed my suit to transform into my Sentry suit.
As soon as the transformation was complete, Cass shot up from her seat, pointing at me in shock, trying to figure out how I'd done that. Smiling, I stepped closer and hugged her, catching her completely off-guard. I wrapped her in my biosphere and, using my super speed, took us both to the roof of the apartment building. I floated about five meters above the ground, holding her securely as time caught up to us.
When I saw her start to move again, her eyes widened in a mix of fear and amazement. I gently patted her head, letting her know everything was okay, that I was still here, and nothing bad was going to happen to her. Her heartbeat, which had been racing, began to slow down, and I could see her starting to trust the situation. I looked into her eyes, silently asking if she wanted me to fly her around. At first, she was still trying to process everything, but soon enough, she gave me an excited nod, a big smile spreading across her face.
With that, I took to the sky, flying just under Mach 1 to keep things smooth. I showed her the stars above us, watching as she gazed at them in wonder, her smile growing with each passing second. Seeing her so happy filled me with warmth. All I ever wanted was to make sure she felt safe, cared for, and never alone.
We flew for several minutes, careful not to attract the attention of any other heroes. I kept our speed and distance low, not wanting to draw any unwanted eyes. Eventually, I motioned to her that it was time to head back, and while she understood, I could see a small look of disappointment cross her face. I grinned, knowing she'd be thrilled with what I had in store for her next.
Once we landed back on the roof, I used my super speed to bring us back inside the apartment in less than a nanosecond. As time caught up, she blinked, giving me a thumbs-up, her eyes full of determination. I could tell she wanted to help me with crime-fighting, and that was when I motioned for her to watch closely—something special was about to appear.
I willed my creation power to finalize the suit I had designed for her, and in less than a second, it materialized right in front of her. Cass's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight of the suit. When I gestured for her to touch it, she hesitated for only a moment before reaching out. The suit melted into a liquid metal, merging with her body, just like it had with me. Within seconds, it appeared on her, perfectly fitted.
She looked down at herself, wide-eyed with astonishment, but that excitement never left her face. In fact, her smile only grew bigger. Before I could say anything, she bolted to the bathroom, nearly destroying the door with her super speed. I couldn't help but chuckle. That poor door had already been through a lot when I first got my powers, and now Cass was giving it the same treatment.
Moments later, she ran back out, jumping into my arms with tears in her eyes. It startled me—I had no idea what was wrong. I wasn't used to this kind of emotion, never having been close to women in my past life. My parents divorced early, and I grew up with my father. In this life, I had orphanage sisters, but that was when I was much younger. And my adoptive mother, well, she was middle-aged by the time she took me in.
In a panic, I started motioning to her, asking if she didn't like the suit, telling her I'd remake it right away if she wanted. But she quickly wiped her tears and gave me two thumbs up, her smile bigger than ever. She was crying out of happiness, overwhelmed with joy, and that made all the difference to her. I relaxed instantly, smiling back at her, relieved that I hadn't messed up.
Everything was fine now. In fact, everything was perfect. I motioned for her to follow me, still in my super suit, and she eagerly nodded. We made it to the roof in no time, even faster now that I wasn't worried about her. But what really surprised me was how quickly she was adapting to her new powers. Every movement she made was sharp and precise—she was already mastering her abilities.
I bent my knees slightly, pointing to my head, showing her that flying was just a matter of willing it. I would be with her, no matter what. She nodded, closing her eyes for a second, and when she opened them again, she was floating. A little shaky at first, but within seconds, she was moving effortlessly. Soon, she was flying at Mach 10, then even faster, reaching Mach 40. I had to slow down, but I could already tell she was going to surpass even that in no time.
As we flew together, I noticed the night had grown late—midnight, in fact. I told her we could continue training tomorrow, and she happily agreed. We returned home, zipping back in our usual super speed fashion. Once inside, I quickly scanned the area, making sure everything was safe before relaxing. I showed her how to will her suit back into her body, explaining that it would integrate instantly, ready to use at any moment.
She closed her eyes, and just like that, the suit vanished, though her powers remained. Seeing her safe and capable put my mind at ease. We both sat down on the sofa, winding down after the excitement of the night, watching TV together. I could feel the energy in the room shift—Cass seemed so at peace, so happy. At one point, she rested her head on my shoulder, a gesture that caught me off guard. But when I looked down, I realized she had fallen asleep, completely exhausted from everything she had experienced.
I smiled to myself, feeling grateful that I had found her, that I was able to give her this moment of joy. I gently lifted her into my arms and carried her to her room, careful not to wake her. Her room was much girlier than I had imagined, and it made me smile. I tucked her into bed, pulling the covers over her before quietly closing the door behind me.
All was well now, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly at peace.
I decided that, despite my near-infinite stamina, I still wanted to rest. Today had been a whirlwind of emotions—highs and lows I hadn't expected. Cass's excitement over her new suit, the flying, the moments of quiet happiness; all of it left me feeling strangely human again. Even with all my powers, I still needed to unwind. So, I slipped into bed, hoping for a few hours of peace to clear my head.
It didn't take long for me to drift off. My body relaxed into the mattress, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself feel… safe. But that feeling didn't last long. Less than an hour later, I felt it—an almost imperceptible shift in the atmosphere. A presence landed silently outside my bedroom window, like a shadow that had taken form.
My senses sharpened instantly. Without even opening my eyes, I knew who it was. That familiar intensity in the air could only belong to one person. Sure enough, moments later, I heard the soft scrape of my window being nudged open. Whoever was out there was trying to be quiet, but they didn't know how attuned my hearing had become. Every little sound registered.
The figure moved with careful precision, gliding into the room with all the grace of a seasoned predator. I waited, amused. Before he could take another step, I flicked on the lights at super speed. The sudden burst of brightness flooded the room, and I caught a fleeting glimpse of surprise on his face, though it vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
Batman.
There he was, brooding and menacing as always, his cape sweeping the floor in eerie silence. The shadows seemed to cling to him, even in the light, as if they were afraid to let him go. He didn't flinch, but his eyes narrowed slightly in that classic 'Dark Knight glare.' It was a look that would make anyone else in the city nervous, but I just smiled.
Without wasting a second, he asked, "Who are you?"