The next morning, James gathered the group in the old warehouse behind his father's auto shop. It was a place they had played in as kids, but now it served as their unofficial base of operations. The air was thick with the smell of motor oil and rust, the sunlight filtering through broken windows casting jagged patterns on the floor.
"Alright," James began, standing at the center of the group. "If we're going to do this, we need to start now. We don't know what's coming, but we need to be ready."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "And by 'do this,' you mean what, exactly? Train? Like superheroes in a movie?"
"Something like that," James replied, folding his arms. "We don't know the full extent of our powers, and we can't rely on luck if we're going to protect this city."
Samantha sighed, running a hand through her hair. "This is insane. We're just a bunch of teenagers."
"Maybe," James said, his voice firm. "But we're the ones who were chosen. We can't ignore that."
Alex smirked, holding up his hand as a small flame flickered to life. "Well, if we're going to do this, we might as well figure out how not to burn down the city while we're at it."
James nodded. "Exactly. Let's start with the basics."
The first few hours were chaotic, to say the least. Peter experimented with his electricity, trying to control the intensity of his bolts. Samantha worked on focusing her light, learning to emit beams strong enough to illuminate the darkest corners of the warehouse. Alex tested his flames, discovering that he could shape them into orbs or streams with enough concentration.
James, meanwhile, struggled to fully understand his abilities. His strength was evident, but the alchemical symbols that sometimes appeared on his skin puzzled him. As he lifted a stack of heavy crates with ease, he noticed faint golden lines glowing on his forearm.
"Hey, Peter," James called out. "You're the brainiac. Any idea what this means?"
Peter walked over, examining the glowing symbols. "It looks like an alchemical transmutation circle, but it's… incomplete. You might be able to activate it if you figure out what it's linked to."
James frowned, flexing his arm. "Activate it how?"
"Focus," Peter suggested. "Think about what you want to happen."
James closed his eyes, concentrating on the image of the crates he was holding. A sudden warmth spread through his arm, and the symbols glowed brighter. The crates shimmered, their surfaces transforming into polished steel.
"What the—" Alex exclaimed, staring at the transformed crates. "You just turned those into metal?"
"I guess so," James said, a mix of awe and confusion on his face.
Peter grinned. "Looks like you've got more than just super strength, buddy."
As the group continued to experiment, they began to notice patterns in their powers. Peter's electricity could interact with electronics, allowing him to short-circuit devices or power them up. Samantha's light had a calming effect, dispersing tension and fear in addition to illuminating the area. Alex's flames grew hotter with his emotions, but he could keep them in check by staying calm.
By the end of the day, the group was exhausted but exhilarated. They had made progress, but there was still much to learn.
"We're getting there," James said, wiping sweat from his brow. "But we're not ready yet."
"Yeah," Samantha agreed, collapsing onto an old couch. "I'm going to feel this in the morning."
Peter laughed, leaning against a crate. "Who knew saving the world would be this much work?"
Alex tossed a flame between his hands, his grin wide. "Hey, at least we're not boring anymore."
James smiled at his friends, pride swelling in his chest. They might not have asked for this, but they were stepping up anyway. Together, they were more than just a group of friends—they were becoming a team.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Ivory City, a figure watched the flickering screens of a hidden control room. Dr. Xavier Grey leaned forward, his sharp features illuminated by the cold glow of the monitors. Each screen displayed surveillance footage of the ruins, the city streets, and, most disturbingly, the warehouse where James and his friends were training.
"Interesting," Xavier muttered, his lips curling into a smirk. "So, the Alpha prototypes have awakened."
Behind him, Gordon Philips—known as Gears—stepped into the room, his movements precise and calculated. "What's the plan, Doctor?"
Xavier steepled his fingers, his eyes narrowing. "We observe. For now. Let them think they're in control. When the time is right, we'll remind them who holds the real power."
Gears nodded, his mechanical fingers clicking softly. "And if they interfere with the project?"
Xavier's smirk widened. "Then we crush them. One by one."
As the screens continued to flicker, a dark storm brewed in the shadows of Ivory City, unseen but ever-present. For James and his friends, the fight was only just beginning.