-Next Day: Gaisano Grand Mall Mactan-
The sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the bustling streets. Wally and Pearl walked side by side, each carrying a couple of bags filled with groceries. Pearl's small feet skipped lightly on the pavement, her curiosity evident in her tone as she looked up at her uncle.
Pearl: Uncle Wally, can you tell me how you did it yesterday?
Wally glanced at her, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Wally: What do you mean yesterday?
Pearl frowned slightly, her tone a mix of innocence and determination.
Pearl: You know! How did you come from behind me so fast? I didn't even see you! It was like you teleported or something.
Wally chuckled, adjusting the bags in his hands as he shook his head.
Wally: Teleport? Nah. I'm just... too fast. That's all. You know, like an athlete.
Pearl squinted at him, clearly not buying the explanation.
Pearl: Too fast? Hmm... Lolo always says you're weird. Maybe this is why.
Wally: Hey!
They both laughed, though Pearl's eyes still lingered on her uncle with a mix of suspicion and awe.
Pearl: I bet you're hiding something, Uncle Wally. I'll figure it out someday.
Wally ruffled her hair, smiling warmly.
Wally: Oh yeah? Good luck with that, Pearl. But for now, let's focus on getting these groceries home. Lolo's probably waiting for his another Coke.
Pearl: Uncle Wally, how did you even come back to Cebu? I mean... you don't have money, right?
Wally chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.
Wally: Well, uh... let's just say I got creative.
Pearl raised an eyebrow, unimpressed with his vague answer.
Pearl: What does that mean?
Wally sighed, glancing down at her and finally admitting with a sheepish grin:
Wally: Okay, okay. I took a random boat.
-Flashback Yesterday-
In a messy room adorned with various Wolverine memorabilia and personal items. A faint snoring sound comes from the bed, where Logan lies sprawled out, dead to the world. On a chair near the bed sits a small pile of laundry, including a pair of bright red underwear with "Jean Grey Forever" embroidered on it.
Suddenly, the door creaks open. Wally peeks inside, a mischievous grin on his face, a backpack slung over his shoulder.
Wally: This is gonna be legendary.
He tiptoes into the room, carefully grabbing the prized underwear and stuffing it into his backpack. Logan stirs slightly, causing Wally to freeze mid-step. After a moment, Logan resumes snoring, and Wally lets out a silent sigh of relief.
Wally: Alright, mission accomplished.
He bolts for the door, but the sudden rush of air wakes Logan. Logan sniffs the air, his eyes snapping open.
Logan: What the hell?! Where's my... WALLY!
He spots Wally making a break for it.
Logan: HEY! Get back here, bub!
Wally, now outside the mansion, glances back with a triumphant grin.
Wally: So long, sucker!
He starts running at full speed toward the ocean, the wind whipping around him.
Logan storms out of the mansion, shirtless and barefoot, yelling at the top of his lungs.
Logan: You give me back my Jean Grey merchandise underwear! I paid good money for those!
Wally is already a blur on the horizon, laughing uncontrollably and run to the ocean.
Wally: Catch me if you can, old man!
Logan growls, claws popping out as he considers chasing after him but stops, realizing the futility of it.
Logan: Damn speedster...
-End Of Flashback-
Pearl stopped walking, staring at him in disbelief.
Pearl: You took... a random boat? Are you serious? What if it was going to another island?
Wally shrugged, his grin growing wider.
Wally: Eh, I figured it'd take me somewhere close. And look, here I am!
Pearl: You're so weird, Uncle Wally.
Wally: Weird, but resourceful. Remember that.
Pearl shook her head with a laugh and kept walking.
Pearl: Next time, at least save up for a ticket. You're not a superhero, you know.
"BOOM!"
Shook the ground. Smoke billowed into the air, and the sound of people shouting filled the street. Pearl froze, clutching her grocery bags tightly.
Pearl: Uhhh... Uncle? I think we shouldn't go there, right?
She glanced to her right, expecting Wally to agree.
But he wasn't there.
Pearl's eyes widened, her head darting around as her voice quivered.
Pearl: Uncle?
Meanwhile, across the street, Wally was already in action. A blur of yellow lightning zipped through the chaos. In mere seconds, Wally darted into the smoke, lifting a trapped child from beneath a toppled fruit cart. Without pausing, he sped a woman to safety, her scarf fluttering in the air as they stopped at a clear corner.
No one noticed the streak of light weaving through the wreckage, clearing debris, and guiding panicked civilians out of harm's way.
Within moments, the chaos subsided. The people were safe. Wally took a deep breath, brushed some soot off his shirt, and sped back to Pearl's side without so much as a whisper.
Pearl looked to her left, startled to see Wally casually standing there with the grocery bags, as if he'd never left.
Pearl: Uncle? Where did you go?
Wally raised an eyebrow, playing innocent as he glanced around.
Wally: Go? I've been right here, Pearl. Are you okay? You looked scared.
Pearl squinted at him, suspicious but unsure.
Pearl: Hmm... Maybe I just imagined it. But that explosion...
Wally smiled, patting her on the head.
Wally: Don't worry, kiddo. Everything's fine now. Let's head home before Lolo wonders what took us so long.
Pearl nodded hesitantly and followed him, occasionally glancing at her uncle with narrowed eyes, her curiosity growing.
-Meanwhile in Abandoned Air Hangar-
The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the grimy walls from a flickering overhead bulb. An airplane captain, bound to a cruelly improvised electric chair, gasped in terror. Sparks danced around the metal frame, illuminating his sweat-drenched face.
Across the room, Weather Wizard stood at a cracked mirror, adjusting the crisp airline captain's uniform he had stripped from the man. He admired his reflection with a sinister grin, brushing a speck of dust from the epaulets.
Weather Wizard: You know, these suits really have a commanding presence. Shame I'm going to wear it better than you ever did.
The captain struggled against his bonds, his muffled cries barely audible through the gag.
Captain: Please... you don't have to do this. Just let me go!
Weather Wizard turned, his emerald eyes glinting with malice as he slowly approached, holding a lightning rod charged with crackling energy.
Weather Wizard: Ah, Captain, you look so shocked. Pun intended. Did you really think I'd let you fly your precious skies without consequences? You and your kind stole everything from me.
He leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper.
Weather Wizard: But don't worry, you're about to make history. The man who lost his life to give me mine. Thank you for your service, Captain but I think it's time you retire... permanently.
The captain thrashed harder as Weather Wizard flipped a switch on the control panel beside the chair. A violent arc of electricity surged through the chair, accompanied by the captain's muffled screams. In seconds, the room went silent except for the hum of static electricity in the air.
Weather Wizard turned back to the mirror, adjusting his tie and brushing back his slicked hair.
Weather Wizard: Perfect fit. Now, it's time for another little... storm.
He strode to a nearby window, gazing out at the night sky. His fingers twitched, summoning a bolt of lightning that illuminated the hangar in blinding white.
Weather Wizard: One more plane down... and soon, the world will tremble under my storm.
Without another glance at the lifeless body slumped in the chair, Weather Wizard stepped out into the stormy night, a twisted smile etched on his face.
Next Issue: First Encounter!