CITY B – DEVASTATED ZONE – THE FRONT
The orange bubble now floated before Mercy, pulsing with a sickly glow. The blue giant, Rock, watched her warily, his red mane still blazing with rage.
Mercy raised her hand.
"For years, I studied these bubbles. I understood how they work."
The orange bubble slowly advanced toward Rock.
"They're always dangerous for my health. Each use costs me years of life. But now… I can control them."
Rock struck the bubble with his massive fist.
The bubble didn't break. It opened and swallowed him whole.
Inside, Rock thrashed. His limbs struck the walls, but nothing gave way.
Then the pain came.
Blood gushed from his eyes. From his nose. From his mouth. From his ears. Red torrents flowed over his blue skin, staining the inside of the bubble.
His screams were inaudible, muffled by the membrane that imprisoned him.
Fast Track stepped back, breathless. Zane looked away. Musclea, on her knees, watched the scene with a mixture of horror and fascination.
Rock tried to move, but his body no longer responded. The bubble slowly tightened around his arm, sinking into his flesh.
Mercy, meanwhile, was developing wrinkles. Her hair whitened a bit more. Her hands trembled. But she held on.
The bubble finally swallowed the giant entirely. He floated inside, inert, prisoner of a world that was nothing but suffering.
Mercy approached, placed a hand on the wall.
"If green bubbles can heal and bring good cheer… then orange bubbles can only bring the worst."
The bubble turned red.
Inside, Rock began to disintegrate. His flesh liquefied, his bones dissolved, like a body plunged into pure acid.
In seconds, nothing remained.
The red bubble dissipated into the air.
Mercy staggered, caught by Fast Track.
"You okay?"
She nodded, her face hollowed by fatigue.
"I'll be fine."
———
CAPTAIN MAN ARRIVED LEAPING
He landed near One, Kotobe, and the others. His gaze fell on One, covered in violet blood.
"One… you're covered in…"
"I know."
"What did you do?"
"I did like Kotobe showed me."
Captain Man opened his mouth, then closed it. He wanted to scold, explain, say that this wasn't how you fought. But One was elsewhere, his eyes fixed on the horizon, already absent.
He gave up.
"We'll talk later."
The journalists flooded in, a tide of microphones and cameras.
"CAPTAIN MAN! WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THIS BATTLE?"
"HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO DEFEAT THE RED GIANT?"
"IS IT TRUE YOU USED YOUR JUSTICE PUNCH?"
Captain Man struck a pose, smiling.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the symbol of peace is still standing. Citizens can sleep soundly."
Funny-GPT made his way through the crowd, his wheels screeching on the asphalt.
"Kotobe! Kotobe! Class B heroes need to help citizens! Patrols are being organized in the disaster zones!"
Kotobe looked at One, who was still staring at the horizon.
"One, you coming?"
One didn't answer.
Kotobe hesitated for a second, then followed the robot.
"…See you at the apartment."
———
ONE REMAINED ALONE
Captain Man was drowning in questions. The journalists saw only him. The cameras filmed only him. The symbol of peace had struck again.
One's name was mentioned nowhere.
He walked away without anyone noticing.
———
BY THE RIVERSIDE
The water flowed gently under the bridge. Children played soccer on the bank, their laughter carried by the wind.
One approached the parapet, hands in his pockets. He was cold. The wind was stronger here.
His new costume was still damp, stained with dried purple.
A white limousine stopped beside him.
A man got out. Immaculate white suit, bright red scarf floating in the air. He had a calm, almost friendly smile.
"Hello. One, is that right?"
One looked at him.
"Sorry, I'm not interested in your nails."
The man laughed softly.
"That's not why I'm here."
"I said I'm not buying a vacuum cleaner."
"I'm not here for that either."
The man approached, pulled a card from his pocket.
GABLING AGENCY
A new world awaits you
"I came to give you this."
One took the card, turned it over, perplexed.
"Why?"
"I noticed something about you."
"What?"
The man smiled.
"That you're like me."
One looked at him, a glint of interest in his eyes.
"…Like you?"
"Yes. I'm like you. A pariah."
He held out his red scarf.
"You look cold. Here."
One took it, wrapped it around his neck. The scarf floated in the wind, long, ample. A bit like a cape.
"I hope you'll accept my proposal. At this address, you'll find people like us."
One looked at the card, then at the man.
"What's your name?"
The man got into the limousine.
"Midas. Or Mr. M, if you prefer."
The window rolled up. The limousine disappeared around the corner.
One stood there, the scarf floating in the wind, the crumpled card in his hand.
People like me…
——
IN MIDAS'S OFFICE
The room was entirely covered in gold and marble. Hunting trophies, antique statues, master paintings adorned the walls.
Midas sat behind his desk. Before him, photos were laid out in a fan.
One.
Lion.
The President of the Republic.
Masajo.
He picked up One's photo, twirled it between his fingers.
"The state of Jipangu has a total of 26 provinces. They're called the Great Cities. From A to Z."
He set down the photo.
"But no one, and I mean no one, knows about the schemes of the Association and the Fifteen Greats."
He stood, approached a statue. A woman, arms open, serene face. Made of solid gold.
"But that's enough. I'm going to reveal everything."
He placed a hand on the statue.
"The era of heroes is about to take on a whole new face. It's time to change the world."
His voice became softer, almost fragile.
"It's time to avenge you, Mom."
———
BONUS – ANGEL'S PENTHOUSE
The party was in full swing.
Angel lay on a white leather sofa, completely naked, surrounded by three girls in skimpy outfits who were pouring champagne directly into his mouth.
"More! More!" he laughed, the liquid running down his chest.
At the other end of the room, Grann was doing push-ups. A hundred. Two hundred. His muscles glistened with sweat. He wasn't looking at the girls. He wasn't looking at Angel. He was looking at the wall.
Angel's phone vibrated on the coffee table.
He grabbed it, looking annoyed.
"Hello?"
The voice on the other end was serious, professional.
"Angel. A mission abroad. Urgent."
Angel jumped up. One of the girls threw him a robe. He put it on, crossed the room toward the balcony.
"Why doesn't Silver handle it? He's the Association's image abroad."
"He's busy."
Angel sighed, looked at the city sparkling beneath his feet.
"Fine. I'll take care of it."
He hung up, then a wide smile stretched his lips. He walked back into the living room, arms open.
"Girls! I'm back! Ready for ROUND 2?!"
The girls applauded.
Grann, still doing push-ups, didn't look up.
He had already heard everything.
———
[SUPER BONUS]
Thank you to everyone who followed this adventure. This is the last chapter of the first volume of ONE: No Limits. Three extra chapters will arrive soon to conclude the work and provide additional information about the story and the creative process.
Thank you again for your loyalty. Don't hesitate to leave your feedback on the work!