Jun, Thursday 27, 2007 - 6:30 AM
Chicago, Illinois - Home
"Unbelievable!" Kai's voice rang through the house, filled with disbelief and excitement. He stared down at his legs, hardly able to comprehend what was happening. "I can actually walk again… and that means I can run track again!" His heart pounded with exhilaration as he rushed around his room, throwing on his school uniform. His hands trembled as he buttoned his shirt, hardly believing the miracle that had taken place. As he hurried out of his room, a strange flicker of light caught the corner of his eye—his irises flashed blue for a brief moment, but in his excitement, he didn’t notice.
He bolted down the stairs, barely stopping to shout a quick, "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" before dashing out of the front door. His parents exchanged bewildered glances as they stood in the hallway, watching their son rush out with energy they hadn't seen in years.
"Did you see what I just saw?" his father asked, voice thick with disbelief.
"Yes, honey, I did. Our boy... he's healed." His mother’s voice was soft, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy. "It’s a miracle. He can chase his dreams again."
His father nodded, pride swelling in his chest. "I knew it. Kai’s always been too stubborn to stay down for long. That’s my boy!" he said, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Outside, Kai sprinted down the streets of Chicago, a rush of wind hitting his face just like the old days. He felt the freedom, the joy, the life that had been missing ever since the accident. But something felt... different. His body moved with an ease and speed that surprised even him. Every step seemed lighter, faster. His legs were blurring beneath him, his perception of time slowing as if the world was moving in slow motion.
"What's happening?" Kai muttered, glancing down at his legs, still running at an inhuman speed. He didn't even notice the brick wall looming ahead until it was too late. WHAM!
"Ow!" Kai winced, rubbing his forehead as he staggered back. "Did I just... get even faster?" He stared at the wall in shock. Something inside him was different. He had to figure it out, but now wasn’t the time. He sighed and slowed down to a jog, deciding he’d deal with this mystery after school and track practice.
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Jun, Thursday 27, 2007 - 7:15 AM
Chicago, Illinois - Lincoln Prep High
Kai pushed open the doors to Lincoln Prep High, his heart pounding with anticipation. What will they say when they see me? He braced himself for the inevitable reactions as he walked through the crowded halls. And sure enough, the murmurs began immediately.
“Wait… is that Kai? He’s supposed to be in a wheelchair,” one girl whispered, her eyes wide with shock.
“Yeah, and isn’t he supposed to be blind? Look at his eyes,” another student chimed in.
“Can we still call him 'Disabled Kai'?” a boy muttered, snickering.
Kai heard them all but paid no attention. He had dealt with worse before. Today, nothing could bring him down. He was back—better than ever. As he strolled confidently down the hallway, a familiar voice cut through the chatter.
“Well, well, well. Look who’s finally standing up on his own two feet again,” Jackson sneered, blocking Kai’s path. "It’s a miracle! The little cripple can walk again."
Kai sighed. "What do you want, Jackson?"
Jackson smirked, taking a step closer, his large frame towering over Kai. "Just thought I’d remind you where you stand. Don’t think you’re special now just because you can walk."
Kai’s eyes flashed with annoyance, but his lips curled into a smirk. "Is that all you have, Jackson? Or is your vocabulary as limited as your brain?" His retort earned a round of snickers from nearby students.
Jackson’s face twisted in rage. "What was that, you little punk?" He threw a punch with all his strength, aiming for Kai’s face. But something clicked inside Kai—everything around him seemed to slow down. Jackson's fist crawled toward him, slow as molasses. Kai sidestepped effortlessly, watching Jackson’s face twist in slow-motion confusion.
What’s happening to me? Kai thought, glancing down at his legs. Then it hit him. This... this isn't normal. Maybe I’ve unlocked some kind of power!
Time snapped back to normal, and Jackson stumbled forward, missing Kai completely.
"Is that all you’ve got?" Kai teased, a confident grin spreading across his face.
Before Jackson could respond, the school bell rang, and the crowd began to disperse.
"This isn’t over, punk," Jackson growled, his pride clearly wounded. "You’d better watch your back." He stormed off, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Kai just smirked, watching him go. Superpowers, huh? This could get interesting.
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Jun, Thursday 27, 2007 - 3:00 PM
Chicago, Illinois - Lincoln Prep High Track Field
The school day passed in a blur, Kai’s mind constantly returning to his newfound abilities. The potential was endless, and he couldn’t wait to put it to the test on the track field. By the time classes ended, he rushed to the track, eager to see just how far he could push his new limits.
He started off slow, jogging laps around the field, gradually picking up speed. With each burst of energy, he tested his powers, feeling the way his muscles responded. Every now and then, when he thought no one was watching, he let loose, his legs moving so fast that time itself seemed to slow down around him. His eyes would blaze with that strange blue glow, his vision sharpening as everything else became a blur.
Finally, Kai decided to push himself to the max. He stood at the starting line for the 100-meter dash, his heart pounding in anticipation. He set the timer in his hand, took a deep breath, and launched forward with everything he had. His legs blurred beneath him, the world slowed to a crawl, and in the blink of an eye, he crossed the finish line and back. He skidded to a halt, catching the timer just before it hit the ground.
2.1 seconds.
Kai stared at the timer in disbelief. "That… was awesome!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the empty field. His body had moved so fast, everything around him had seemed frozen in time. The possibilities were endless. "If I keep this up, maybe I can get it down to zero seconds!" His heart raced with excitement, a wide grin plastered across his face.
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No one had seen his incredible feat, and Kai wasn’t sure if he was ready to tell anyone yet. I may be reckless, but I’m not stupid enough to just go around announcing I have superpowers, he thought, shaking his head. Still, the idea of what he could do with this newfound speed filled him with anticipation.
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July, Monday 15, 2007 - 5:10 PM
Chicago, Illinois - Streets
Weeks passed, and Kai’s control over his powers grew stronger. He ran faster and longer than ever before, but with each burst of speed, he found himself growing more and more exhausted. His body demanded more food, more rest, and he spent hours working out, trying to strengthen his muscles to keep up with the strain.
At night, Kai’s life took a new turn. Chicago’s streets were far from safe, and he found himself witnessing crimes—murders, thefts, and assaults—that the police couldn’t or wouldn’t deal with. So, he made a decision: if no one else would stop these criminals, he would. Using whatever he could find in his house, Kai threw together a makeshift hero outfit, complete with a mask to hide his identity. Thus, Swiftstorm was born.
With his speed, he took down criminals before they even knew what hit them. He left them tied up at police stations with notes detailing their crimes, all while cracking jokes and making light of the situation. To Kai, being a hero wasn’t a serious job—it was more like a side hustle, something to do when he wasn’t running track or hanging out with his best friend, Emily.
But being a hero came with its challenges. While his actions had earned him the nickname Swiftstorm on the streets, his body was wearing down faster than ever. The faster he ran, the more his muscles ached, and the more food he needed to fuel himself. Still, he couldn’t stop. He had to keep pushing forward.
And then, in the shadows of Chicago, something else stirred. A figure, cloaked in darkness, watched Kai from the distance, their face obscured. Their voice was low, almost a whisper.
“Well, well… Looks like I have someone new to play with. I wonder if you’ll live up to my expectations, Swiftstorm.”
With that, the figure vanished into the night. A storm was coming. One that Kai wasn’t prepared for.
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July, Wednesday 17, 2007 - 8:50 PM
Chicago, Illinois Streets
The evening felt unusually thick, a sense of dread hanging in the air like a fog. Kai, now donning the moniker Swiftstorm, was out patrolling as usual. Everything was routine so far—foiling robberies, stopping attempted murders, taking down thugs. Yet, despite the familiar action, unease gnawed at him, a feeling in the pit of his stomach that tonight would be different. The thought weighed heavy as he stood on top of a building, scanning the streets below.
And he was right.
Two small red disks flew from the shadows, embedding themselves into the rooftop around him. Before Kai could react, they exploded with a deafening boom. Fortunately, his heightened speed and time perception allowed him to dodge just in time, but no sooner had he evaded than another pair of disks—yellow this time—materialized. They formed an electric cage around the entire rooftop, trapping him.
Kai narrowed his eyes, his muscles tensing. "Who are you, and why are you attacking me?" His voice was steady, though his body was primed for action.
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward, voice cool and detached. "Hmm, I didn’t expect you to be a mere child," the figure said. "But you may call me Spectrum. I've heard about you, hero. I wanted to see if you lived up to your name."
Kai’s mind raced. He couldn’t see Spectrum's face clearly, obscured by shadow, but there was something... off about this guy. This wasn’t just some random thug; Spectrum had come prepared.
"That's it? You’re attacking me just because you’re curious?" Kai’s eyes blazed blue as his powers surged. “Big mistake.”
With that, Swiftstorm bolted. He took off in a zig-zag pattern, an amber aura flaring around him as his speed climbed to its peak. His steps were precise, calculated, each movement designed to confuse his enemy. He moved so fast that he seemed to disappear and reappear around the rooftop in a blur of amber light.
“Ha! Bet you can’t even keep track of where I am!” Swiftstorm taunted, his voice echoing as if coming from every direction.
But Spectrum remained unfazed. “I don’t need to.”
In an instant, Spectrum enlarged his red disks and flung them into the air. They exploded in a massive, deafening blast, creating a firestorm that rocked the rooftop. The concrete beneath Swiftstorm’s feet shattered, causing him to lose his balance. As the ground crumbled beneath him, Kai’s instincts kicked in. With all the force he could muster, he kicked off mid-fall, launching himself into the air. He managed to land gracefully on the side of a nearby wall, racing down it at full speed.
His eyes locked onto Spectrum, now standing on the street below, completely unaffected by the destruction. Swiftstorm aimed a punch at his enemy, his fist cutting through the air with blinding speed. Just as it was about to connect, an energy barrier flared to life around Spectrum, halting the punch cold. The impact sent a shockwave through Kai’s arm, and before he could react, the barrier retaliated, firing a beam of energy straight at him.
Time slowed.
Kai’s perception kicked in, his body reacting faster than his thoughts could keep up. He dodged the beam by mere inches, feeling the heat of it pass by his cheek. He landed several feet away, breath coming fast as he tried to assess the situation.
Spectrum chuckled softly. “Interesting... you have two powers,” he said, tilting his head slightly, as if analyzing Kai.
“Two? I only have one—super speed,” Swiftstorm shot back, frustration creeping into his voice. He had been testing his powers for weeks now, but nothing suggested a second ability.
“No... it only appears that way. You see, while speed affects your perception of time, your powers are far more than just simple velocity. You’re manipulating time itself.” Spectrum’s voice was calm, almost bored. “Time manipulation—an impressive gift, but one you clearly have no control over.”
Kai’s heart skipped a beat. Time manipulation? Was that what he had been doing all along? He didn’t have time to ponder the revelation, though, as Spectrum raised his hand once again, this time conjuring a pair of disks—one purple, the other white. The air around them seemed to distort, warping reality itself.
The purple disk emitted a crushing gravitational force that pressed down on Kai like a thousand tons. His legs buckled, his body freezing in place, completely immobilized. He struggled, pushing against the invisible weight with every ounce of strength he had, but it was no use. He couldn’t move.
Meanwhile, the white disk began to glow, enhancing Spectrum’s own speed and power. He moved with blinding precision, his eyes glinting in the darkness. “This fight is over, child. Perhaps next time, you’ll offer more of a challenge. Speed and time... are useless if you lack the control to wield them properly.”
Before Kai could respond, Spectrum struck. The blow was swift, direct, and devastating. His fist connected with Kai’s face, sending him flying backward with such force that he crashed through the wall of the building, plummeting six stories down. The world spun as he tumbled through the air, before landing with a sickening crash on the roof of a parked car. The impact crumpled the vehicle like paper, leaving a massive dent.
Pain lanced through Swiftstorm’s body as he groaned, struggling to push himself upright. His entire body throbbed with agony, and a dull ringing filled his ears. "Ugh... that hurt like hell," he muttered, wiping the blood from his lip. He staggered to his feet, his vision swimming, but his resolve was unshaken. He was ready to keep fighting.
But Spectrum was gone.
"Great..." Kai spat, looking around. He winced as he limped away from the wreckage, his body slowly healing thanks to his heightened recovery. “Next time, Spectrum. Next time... I’ll make sure you know what it’s like to fall six stories.”
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July, Thursday 18, 2007 - Morning
Chicago, Illinois
Kai woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and a shiner that made his reflection wince. His black eye was a constant reminder of the previous night’s humiliating defeat, but it only hardened his resolve. He had discovered something crucial about his abilities, something that would change the way he fought moving forward.
Time manipulation... huh? Kai thought, his fingers brushing the bruise on his face. A smirk crossed his lips despite the pain. “Next time, Spectrum... next time, I’ll show you what real power looks like.”