The pulsing rhythms of the club faded into the background as Dashuan's world narrowed to a pinpoint focus:

the leathery DJ booth and the man behind it.

The crowd around him began to panic, people stumbling over each other in their haste to get away from the clearly dangerous Aberrant in their midst as his eyes shined with a swirling aura.

The DJ, light brown eyes closed in concentration as he mixed tracks, remained oblivious to the chaos unfolding before him.

Dashuan pushed through the fleeing crowd with as much appreciation for human life as he could, his steps were measured and deliberate but each foot left deep grooves and cracks on the tile they landed on.

As he reached the booth, Dashuan's open hand shot out, grabbing the DJ by the collar and yanking him close enough to see himself in the reflection of his shuddering eyes. "Do you fucking remember me!?"

The DJ's eyes flew open, his mouth bumbling to say anything for a few moments as the music continued to play without interruption. "What the hell, man? Let go of me! I don't share coke man--"

"Answer the question!" Dashuan's grip tightened as he yelled.

"Do you remember what you did? The fucking lives you destroyed like nothing!?"

Recognition flickered in the DJ's eyes, but it wasn't the kind Dashuan had expected. There was no guilt, no horror at being confronted by a ghost from his past.

Instead, there was only a vague, puzzled familiarity. "I... I'm not sure what you're talking about,"

"Have we met before?" the DJ stammered.

Dashuan slammed his fist into the spinning record table, destroying it completely without ever letting go of the other Aberrant.

How dare this monster pretend not to remember?

How dare he dance here day to day, living his best life--

While Dashuan's family lay cold in an unmarked grave!?

A hand fell on Dashuan's shoulder. He whirled, ready to lash out at whoever interrupted his moment of vengeance, only to find himself face-to-face with a woman.

This stranger's eyes held a depth of understanding that gave Dashuan pause.

"I'm Cass," the woman said, her voice calm despite the tension crackling in the air that radiated from Dashuan.

"And I think we all need to take a step back and breathe."

Dashuan's grip on the DJ loosened slightly, but his eyes never left the face of his family's killer.

"You don't understand," he growled. "This man... he's responsible for-"

"I know," Cass interrupted gently. "Or at least, I can guess. But before you do something you can't take back, ask yourself--" Her black hair swayed as she pointed to the straggling club members trying to escape.

"Will this bring you peace?"

Dashuan turned back to the DJ, really looking at him for the first time.

The smallish man was trembling, eyes wide with fear as the smell of piss wafted from him.

There was no recognition there--

no guilt-ridden monster hiding behind a facade of normalcy that he needed to destroy.

"I... I really don't know what's going on," the DJ said, his voice shaking.

"But if I've done something to hurt you, I'm sorry. I don't remember much from before... before I was taken away from my family. Years of therapy, they said... to help me forget.... the cult,--" He paused while trying to make eye contact but being unable.

"To give me a chance at a normal life."

Dashuan could feel himself forcing the scowl to stay on his face despite what he was thinking.

The man before him wasn't the cold-blooded killer he had imagined.

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He was a victim too, a child who had been used by those who should have protected him.

Cass' voice cut through Dashuan's tumultuous thoughts. "If you feel you need to confront this, to seek justice or closure, I won't stop you. But consider the cost, not just to him, but to yourself--everyone around you as well."

Memories popped into his mind of Dashuan's parents' love and kindness warring with the pain of their loss.

What would they want? Would they want him to become a killer in their name? Or would they want him to break the cycle of violence that had claimed their lives?

With a deep, shuddering breath, Dashuan released his grip on the DJ.

The man stumbled back, relief evident on his face.

"I... I forgive you," Dashuan expressed, swallowing the lump in his throat that was forming.

"You were a child, manipulated by those who should have known better. I can't forget what happened, but I won't hold you responsible for it anymore."

The DJ nodded, tears welling in his squinted eyes. "Thank you, dude."

"I'm so sorry for whatever pain I caused you, seriously. I...I hope you can find peace--"

As the tension drained from the scene, Dashuan felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The rage that had driven him for so long dissipated, leaving behind a bittersweet mixture of grief and relief.

Cass clapped him on the shoulder again, a small smile on her face. "That took real strength, buddy," she stated. "More strength than lashing out ever could. You've taken your first step towards being the hero I think you want to be...Titan--Or do you prefer Dashuan?"

Dashuan jostled, suddenly feeling exhausted but wary of Cass. The club around them was empty now, the music silent. In the quiet, he could hear police sirens approaching.

"How did you know my name?"

"We should go," Cass said.

"I have a feeling neither of us wants to deal with the cops right now--I can tell you, in the place of your choice of course."

With a final glance at the DJ slumped against his booth looking shell-shocked, Dashuan followed Cass out of the club and into the night; carrying her by the waist as he flew off.

---------

The outskirts of New Heaven were a stark contrast to the glittering heart of the city.

Here, amidst crumbling buildings and overgrown lots, the forgotten and overlooked tried their best to deal with the urban sprawl's negative effects. It was in this place, far from the manicured cemeteries of the wealthy, that Dashuan's parents lay in to rest.

Dashuan stood before the simple mound of earth.

He had come here seeking... what?

Closure? He wasn't sure.

"I'm sorry," he let off near silently to the muted breeze.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.--"

"I'm sorry I couldn't avenge you. But I think... I think maybe this is better. I don't want to be driven by hate anymore."

The wind rustled through the sparse grass, carrying with it the distant sounds of the city. Dashuan closed his eyes, trying to imagine what his parents would say if they could see him now.

Would they be proud of the man he had become? Of the choices he had made?

"I want to be a hero," he continued, his voice growing stronger.

"Not just for Aberrants, but for everyone. I want to make the world a better place, the kind of place you always believed it could be. But I don't know how. I don't know if I'm strong enough."

Lost in thought, Dashuan almost missed the sound of approaching footsteps; Cass had returned from making sure they were not followed.

"Titan?"

Dashuan whirled around to see before him stood two figures:

Cass, her posture now screaming 'government agent', and to his surprise, Derek.

"What are you doing here?" Dashuan demanded, his eyes flickering between the two. "How did you find me?"

The woman stepped forward, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "He's not here to fight, Dashuan. We're here to offer you an opportunity like I mentioned on the way over."

Derek fidgeted, his expression unreadable. "Please, just hear us out. This could change everything."

Dashuan hesitated, he had forgiven the DJ what could it hurt to listen now?

"You have five minutes," he spoke finally.

"Talk fast."

Cass folded her arms, a small smile not matching the coldness in her eyes that replaced her almost maternal words before. "My name is Agent Cassandra, and I represent an organization that sees the potential in Aberrants like yourself--"

She gestured to Derek. "We believe that with the right support and structure, Aberrants could be a force for immense good in the world--With the help of the United States government of course."

"We're planning to attend an international summit in a few days," Derek added.

"We want you to come with us, as our Aberrant representative. To show the world that you aren't just a threat to be contained, but potential allies if utilized correctly."

Dashuan looked toward the full moon, seeing the small glittering craters that pimpled it.

"You want me? The guy who's been all over the news as a dangerous criminal?"

Cassandra nodded. "Exactly."

"Your story, your journey from feared fugitive to potential hero, could be incredibly powerful. We have the backing of a billionaire donor and access to a safe, unmarked location where Aberrants and their sympathizers could build a new life, a new nation even--"

"A place where Aberrants could live freely if you play your cards right," Derek said over her, his voice tinged with excitement yet still wary.

"Where you could learn to control your powers without fear of persecution. In exchange, you'd help protect the Earth from genuine threats."

"What's the catch?" Dashuan asked, his eyes narrowing to slits.

Cassandra and Derek exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them as the wind shifted directions subtly in the graveyard.

Finally, Cassandra spoke. "We need you to prove your commitment," she said carefully thumbing the hilt of her gun.

"To show that you're willing to do what's necessary for the greater good. --"

Derek interjected again, putting himself between the two. "We need you to either take Arc or convince her to join our cause...No point in bullshitting you."

Dashuan felt ill.

Arc...They wanted him to--

betray her?

"Why Arc?" he demanded. "She's not a threat, isn't there an asteroid or fucking war I can stop?!"

"She's unpredictable," Derek declared firmly. "And she's been evading authorities for too long. We need to show that we can handle our own problems."

The offer was tempting--a chance at a new life, a purpose, a way to use his powers for good.

But the cost... could he really betray someone who was just like him to save others who weren't?

Could he even live with himself if he did?

"I need time to think about this," he stated, his voice hoarse from speaking so much in the last few hours.

Cassandra shook her head. "I'm afraid we don't have that luxury. The summit is in a few days, and we need to know now if you're with us...Or against us."

Dashuan looked from Cassandra to Derek, then back to the unmarked grave of his parents.

What would they want him to do?

What was the right choice?

He also realized that he couldn't keep running, couldn't keep reacting to events as they happened. It was time to take control of his own destiny.

With a deep breath, Dashuan turned back to Cassandra and Derek.

"Alright," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart.

"I'm in. I'll do what needs to be done."

Cassandra, satisfaction evident in her eyes, took her hand from her gun.

Derek let out a breath he seemed to have been holding, relief washing over his light brown features that twitched in the moonlight.

The world was changing, and Dashuan was determined to be at the forefront of that change. Whatever the cost, whatever the consequences, he would find a way to be the hero the world needed--not just for Aberrants, but for everyone.