CH28:MCLARCY

Phoenix and the rest of the Cold Flame gang members were worried about what he had said. It was strange that a system could grant people mutant abilities but it was frightening that someone dangerous was looking for it.

"Who....who's looking for the system?" Max asked. Phoenix put his shades on and faced his back towards the teens. He then turned to them and removed his shades for a dramatic effect.

"The people who designed that system are from the direct family lineage of Carl McLarcy, the man responsible for what we have today. Apparently, he also had different projects he was working on other than finding an alternative for the worlds' energy needs."

" He was studying how to infuse technology into the human DNA and he was somewhat successful. Carl was able to save his 'goop' and a couple of his female clones so that his family lineage could continue."

"Wow,wow,wow. Hold up. Did you just say goop and female clones?" CJ said, making sure to stress out the words 'goop' and 'clones'.

" Carl managed to clone human beings but he kept all that information to all his family members. He knew the great accident was going to happen, so he made sure to prepare for the future."

" If this stuff was kept between his family, how do you know all of this?" Rin asked.

" When your rich like me, you get to know and see things. Anyway, one of his grandsons, Mark McLarcy, finally managed to infuse computer systems into people but unfortunately, every clone they tested on burnt out so he tested it out on his son James McLarcy. The experiment was successful but it wasn't temporary. James' body wasn't compatible with the system so the project was finally shut down and no one knows where James is. When I was younger, I once came across James' chronicles that I bought from an auction. In it, he wrote about how we was planning to infuse mutant DNA with human DNA so that the 'normals' can also have a chance to defend themselves from mutants."

" His chronicle also mentioned how successful he was. He wrote about how he was able to make four new types of mutant DNA. Unfortunately for him, he was ambushed and had his work stolen by an unknown ruffian."

"James disappeared from the world after that and till this day, know one has been able to find or contact him."

"Your wrong Phoenix," Max said. " I have spoken to him. I haven't seen him buy I have three videos with him in them. The thing is, this system can only be seen by me. There's no way I can show you guys."

Phoenix smiled again with his weird smiles. He then walked to Max, double tapped the sides of his head and waited for something to happen. Thirty seconds passed and nothing happened so Phoenix tapped again and again.

" The hell are you doing?" Max yelled.

"Oh its nothing. I'm glad that I've found the holder of the system but let me warn you Max. Not everyone should know about this system. If anyone else finds out, it could spell death for you. Please, do not just tell anyone about it, okay?"

" Fine but who is looking for it?"

" I'm not sure. All I know is the same peoe who ambushed James McLarcy are the same people looking for it."

Max opened his system and went to the training videos. He watched them over and over again, trying to find out any secret messages from James. The only things other than training that James would say was *My location is unknown and it will not be revealed to you.*

The night went by really fast and the teens returned to their homes. CJ was still staying at Max's place so they both walked home together. When the boys for home, they found a lovely banquet set out on the small kitchen table. The table had synthetic meats and other foods on it. Tacos, synthetic beef, french fries, sausages and a large pitcher of orange juice.

"Oh wow, Mom what's all of this for?" Max asked as he went to pick one sausage. His mother grabbed the nearest wooden spoon and hit his hand away.

" No touching my food with dirty hands Max. Please go and wash up before we eat. You too CJ." Max did as his mother instructed and after that they dug into the delicious meal. Max first started with the tacos but there was something off with them. They were spicy.

The second Max ingested the taco, his tongue started tingling. The tingling then turned into a burning sensation that kept increasing. *Ding*

[ Chili substances ingested. Cannot add energy to stats. Energy bar full. ]

Max was surprised that the system wasn't joking about the chili papers so he planned to get a couple before he fought. Max, CJ and Miss Lin finished the meal and had a little time to catch up. Max and CJ told Miss Lin about their school week, making sure to keep gang related information secret from her. They told her about Pharaoh, the other masked four armed lady and the crazed beasts.

Miss Lin, who spent most of her time working away from Raid Town, wasn't feeling safe about the town anymore. She worried mainly for her son and started thinking about all the negative things that could happen to him.

"Max, I'm afraid we'll have to move. This place is not safe anymore."

"I knew you'd say that but here's the thing. Yesterday, four people came and saved the town from the beasts. Haven't you heard about the fireman?"

"Fireman!! He's real? I thought he was some person from a movie because they're many videos and memes about him online."

" No mom, he's real. We saw him yesterday fight those beasts. It was so cool, especially when he burnt them."

" Yeah Miss Lin. This guy could be a hero for this town."

"Let me tell you something boys. Someone like him will probably save the town from the four armed gang so that he takes it all for himself. This isn't some hero movie, this is a gang war. Promise me you won't get involved with the fireman in anyway okay."

" Sure mom. I won't." The two boys went straight to bed after but Max was starting to think twice about what his mom said.

"Is it really that obvious. Is that what this town thinks I'll do?"