87. Heart of a Nuke

Zachlor16: Hello everyone and welcome to season three of Loud Heroes! *audience applauds* Yes thank you thank you. Now as we all remember last season was really long but I can assure you that season three will not be as long. Hopefully. Anyways here is season three!

A full moon shined over the city of Royal Woods, Michigan. Down at the docks, the villain known as Nuke was collecting money from his arms dealers.

"This everything?" Nuke asked and the lead dealer nodded.

"Sure is boss." The dealers said. "Had good sales this week."

Good. Ever since the L-Crew increased their numbers our buyers will need all the firepower they need to kill them." Nuke said. "Especially armor-piercing for Armor."

"You can say that again boss." Another dealer said.

"Now get back to work." Nuke said before flying off into the city. "I love this job. Money coming in every week, new shipments being intercepted every day. This is the life I've always dreamed of." As he's flying, Nuke feels a sudden pain in his chest. "Agh. Damn it." He quickly lands on a nearby building and drops to his knees before clutching his chest. "Why now of all times?" He takes a deep breath and focuses. After a few seconds the pain disappears and Nuke takes a couple deep breaths. "Damn it. Been a while since that happened but this time it felt little worse. How much longer till I can no longer fight it back anymore? What if next time is the last time?" He goes silent and stares at the moon before smirking. "Well if that's the case, I'm gonna have some fun." He then flies off towards the hideout.

The next morning at the Santiago-Casagrande house, Ronnie Anne marched downstairs with a yawn. She had stayed up late last night trying to practice a new trick with her powers and had almost perfected it. However she was kicking herself for staying up so late. After they defeated Vector, Lori told everyone that they were all gonna focus on looking for the Terror Crew and she also announced the teams for the next couple days. And much to her chagrin, Ronnie Anne was on the first team along with Lori, Luan, Lynn, Lola, and Lisa.

"Ok I need to stay awake and focus to find the Terror Crew." Ronnie Anne said to herself as she sat at the table as she yawns.

"Ronnie Anne, you look tired. What were you doing last night?" Frida asked as she sat down.

"Reading a comic book. Captain Marvel." Ronnie Anne replied.

"Nothing too violent or scary right?" Frida asked.

"Of course not." Ronnie Anne said. "But it was awesome." Suddenly the front door opens and Maria walks in exhausted. "Hey mom."

"Morning sweetie." Maria said as she joined her daughter and sister-in-law at the table. "Just a rough night at the hospital."

"Oh what happened?" Frida asked as she handed Maria some coffee.

"We had a patient who had a tumor in his lung." Maria explained. "However it was operational but he refused." Now Ronnie Anne was confused.

"Why wouldn't he want it taken out?" She asked.

"Well sweetie some people feel like they don't deserve to live and they'd rather let things happen such tumors run their course." Maria explained. "However sometime they just need one person to help change their minds and convince them to let others help. Remember this Ronnie Anne, even the worst people deserve some kindness. That's something your father and I agreed on in our professions. He'd sometimes try to help criminals take a different path once they got out of jail."

"But not all criminals deserve it." Ronnie Anne mumbled. "Especially the meta human villains."

"What was that?" Maria asked.

"Oh it's nothing." Ronnie Anne replied back. "Anyway I'm gotta go, I'm meeting up with Ashley to practice some moves." Ronnie Anne said as she got off her seat.

"What about breakfast?" Frida asked.

"I'll take a banana." Ronnie Anne said as she grabbed a banana and walked away.

"Wear your helmet!" Maria called out.

"Will do!" Ronnie Anne called back. Once she's gone, Maria looks at Frida sadly.

"What is it?" Frida asked.

"I heard what she said." Maria said. "She's so close minded sometimes."

"Maria, she's gone through so much trauma." Frida reminded her. "She saw her father gunned down, was kidnapped by the Terror Crew. That's a lot for a girl her age. Trust me, if she's anything like you or her father, she'll see it your way."

Ronnie Anne enters the base, while the rest of team were waiting. "There you are, we were about to go out on portal without you." Lisa said.

"Sorry I'm late. I stayed up late working on a new move." Ronnie Anne explained.

"New move?" Luan asked. "What is it? A copy of any of the moves from Dragonball Z or anime?"

"Yeah." Ronnie Anne admitted. "Look Nuke taunts me every time we see him."

"Which was twice." Lisa pointed out.

"Anyways, he always calls me second rate and I'm gonna prove that I'm at his level." Ronnie Anne said.

"Ah a bold goal young Ronnie Anne." Ronnie Anne turned and saw Soothsayer approaching her. "Nuke is a powerful enemy who's had years of practice with his abilities. But it is to try to strive and surpass someone else as well as yourself."

"Sometimes I think you'll say anything to sound wise." Lola said.

"It's why I'm here." Soothsayer said. "Young Clyde said he was running late so Mr. Cuddles has offered to fill in till he arrives."

"Mr. Cuddles will help until Clyde shows up." Lori said. "Alright if the Terror Crew have Candyman's power up candy, destroy it, don't let them consume it. Got it?"

"Right." Luan said while moving her hands. She looks down at Lisa. "Did I do it right?"

"No." Lisa answered. "But you're getting close."

"Still struggling with sign language?" Lynn asked.

"Yeah." Luan said with a sigh. "Alternate me learned in a day. Why can't I?"

"Probably because for her it was a necessity because she couldn't speak no more while you're just learning as more as an additional skill." Lisa explained.

"I guess that makes sense." Luan said.

"Alright let's just go." Ronnie Anne groaned.

"Agreed." Lori said. "L-Crew move out!"

Speed Queen is running across the city and stops right at a store. "Report in everyone." Speed Queen called on her watch.

"Nothing in the park." Ms. Appear replied.

"Crystal Princess and I found nothing in our area." Parkour said.

"I have found nothing." Prodigy reports.

"Same here." Surge said. "I really wish I paid attention to where we were going when Armor and I followed Squatch and Candyman back to their hideout."

"We all do but we can't change the past." Speed Queen said. "We'll just have to look the old fashioned way." However a energy blasts hits the ground in front of her knocking her down. Speed Queen sits up and sees Nuke approaching her. However he looked different. His hair was a mess and his skin looked paler than usual. And to top it all off, he looked tired.

"Sup speedy." Nuke said. "Been a while."

"Nuke?!" Speed Queen questioned.

"The one and only speedy." Nuke replied.

"You literally look like crap." Speed Queen said as she got back up. "You also look tired."

"I still got some energy to finish you and those brats you call a team." Nuke replied.

"Please get real." Speed Queen scoffed. "The only reason you almost beat us last time was because of that drug you guys took."

"Well guess what? No drug this time." Nuke said which caught Speed Queen by surprise. "In fact it's just me."

"Just you?" Speed Queen questioned and Nuke's response was an energy blast, Speed Queen dodges the blast, but the blast destroys a car in it's path. "That looked more powerful than his normal attacks." Speed Queen thought.

"I'm all I need!" Nuke shouted and fired another energy blast. Speed Queen sped out of the way and ran right towards Nuke where she hits a drive by punch that stuns him. However he then stumbled a bit.

"That's weird." Speed Queen thought. "I didn't think I hit him that hard. What's more is that he didn't even try to avoid it. What's going on?"

Nuke then quickly recovered and fired some more energy blasts which Speed Queen dodged them all with top speed. Then she ran towards Nuke to hit him again, but again he doesn't avoid the attack and takes the hits.

"Oh come on, is that all you got?!" Nuke taunted. "I thought you had more than that!"

"Ok what the hell is wrong with him?" Speed Queen thought. "It's like he doesn't care!" However while she was in her thoughts she gets rocked by an energy fist to the face.

Speed Queen gets back up as Nuke walks towards her. Speed Queen got into battle position and got ready to face off against Nuke again, until another energy blast hit Nuke in the chest knocking him back. Speed Queen looked up and sees that shooter was Surge.

"Man Nuke, you look worse than Deadpool without his mask." Surge said.

"C'mon I don't look that bad." Nuke said as he sat up. "If ain't the second rate energy user and the person that broke out flatscreen. Finally decided to pay the piper?"

"I'm here to put you back to the Dungeon Nuke." said Surge as she glared at him.

"Heh. I doubt that." Nuke said. However his hands trembled a little but he quickly composed himself. "No, can get worried now. Gotta go through with it." Sure enough the rest of the team showed up. "Perfect timing."

"Alright Nuke where's the rest of your crew?" Parkour demanded.

"It's only me Parkour." Nuke said. The arriving team looked at him confused.

"It's only you?" Parkour asked cautiously. "I don't get it."

"Proceed with caution." Speed Queen ordered. "He's planning something. He hasn't made a single attempt to dodge or block any of my attacks so he's gotta be up to something."

"Way ahead of you!" Ms. Appear said as she turns invisible to perform a sneak attack on Nuke. She even gives Nuke a roundhouse kick to Nuke's shin.

However Nuke let's out a growl of annoyance. "That all you got?" He growled. "Hit me with your best or are you cowards?"

Ms. Appear then gives another kick to the face and Nuke was unfazed by that attack. "Oh come on, my grandmother can hit harder than that!" Nuke shouted.

Then a mailbox is thrown at his chest by Parkour. "What's your game Nuke?" Parkour asked.

"I just want a good hardcore brawl." Nuke says as he blasts Parkour pushing her back. "Is that too much to ask?" Parkour and Ms. Appear exchange a glance, unsure what to make of the situation. However before either can make a move, Nuke rushes towards them and hits them both with energy punches to the guts pushing them back. Crystal Princess then comes up from behind and hits Nuke in the back of the knee which forces him to drop to a knee. Meanwhile, Prodigy was preparing to attack when Speed Queen stops her.

"You have any idea what's up with Nuke?" Speed Queen asks her. "He so far hasn't dodged a single attack."

"Either he's holding back or he's just stubborn." Prodigy theorized. "But judging his appearance, he looks unhealthily, but by the looks of his attacks, they somehow look powerful."

"It's almost like he's not holding back anymore." Speed Queen said. "But we should still remain cautious."

"Agreed." Prodigy said before levitating into the air. Nuke hits Parkour with a right hand to the face before throwing a back elbow at Ms. Appear when he sees Prodigy floating.

"You want some too nerd?" Nuke challenged.

"Indeed I do Nuke." Prodigy replied. "However I am going to give you a chance to surrender because you are obviously unwell." Nuke stiffened a little which didn't go unnoticed by Prodigy. "So my suspicions were correct. Nuke is unwell." However she then barely avoided a energy blast fired at her by Nuke. She looks down at Nuke who had a look of fury on his face. "I believe I touched a nerve."

"You think?!" Parkour replied.

"That's it! I had enough sitting on the sidelines!" Surge exclaimed and fired a masenko like blast at Nuke, pushing him back a bit. "You since think I'm second rate!? Wait until you get a taste of what I have in store for you!"

"Bring it runt!" Nuke challenged. "Show me what you got!" He then flies forward hitting Surge with a hard uppercut before flying above her and hitting an axe handle sending her crashing down. "I thought you were gonna show me what you had?"

"I'm just getting warmed up." Surge replied as she glared.

"How cliche." Nuke said.

"How's this for cliche?" Surge growled as she fired several energy blasts at Nuke. Nuke smirks and starts firing his own energy blasts at her with his blasts overpowering Surge's.

"Give it up kid, you're just second rate and always will be." Nuke said as he fired energy blasts. Surge growled as she forms a fist.

"Stupid head." Surge mumbled under her breath.

She then flies forward with her fist coated in energy towards Nuke who prepares for the attack. "Hit me with whatever you got runt!" Nuke shouted. Suddenly he feels a sudden pain in his chest. "No not now." He clutches his chest and drops down to his knees. "Of all times." Surge sees this and immediately stops in her tracks.

"What the?" She says. "Dude are you alright?"

"Does it look like I'm alright?" Nuke spat. He then releases his chest and starts taking deep breaths.

"Prodigy what just happened?" Speed Queen asked.

"I believe Nuke may have suffered a possible heart attack." Prodigy said. "That would explain why he looked so pale and tired when he attacked us."

"Ok. But why would he be having a heart attack?" Crystal Princess asked.

"Because of my powers." Nuke replied causing everyone to look at him. "The nuclear energy flowing through my body is putting to much strain on my heart. For past eleven years I've been able to keep it in check but recently it's been getting harder. At this rate, the next one I have will be the last one I have."

"So? Isn't that a good thing?" Crystal Princess asked.

"Crystal Princess, I think that means that if he has another he's pretty much dead." Parkour told her.

"Oh." Crystal Princess said quietly.

"I came here picking a fight hoping that you runts would be able to kill me but forgot how weak you were." Nuke said. "Now there's no point."

"You had my sympathy until you called us weak." Speed Queen said. "But maybe you still have it."

"I don't want your damn pity." Nuke said weakly. "Just give me the send off I want." The L-Crew look at each other before Speed Queen starts approaching him. As she does so, Surge starts thinking about her father who willingly helped a con who probably didn't want it or how her mother convinced a patient to let them take the tumor out of him. However she felt about Nuke didn't matter right now. With a groan, she runs up and stands between Nuke and Speed Queen.

"Surge what are you doing?" Speed Queen asked.

"We're not killing him." Surge said. "Maybe we can help him."

"Help him!?" Speed Queen questioned. "But he's a villain?"

"He needs our help and we can't just let him die." Surge said.

"Might I remind you that he has tried to kill us several times?" Parkour said. "Not only that, he's one of the most dangerous criminals in Royal Woods.".

"Plus it looks like he doesn't want help." Prodigy said.

"But guys, we're heroes and our job is to help people weather they want it or not." Surge reminds them. "Plus what better way to embarrass an enemy than by help them." The rest of the L-Crew exchanged a glance before turning to Nuke.

"I'm still not sure." Speed Queen said before turning to Ms. Appear. "What do you think?"

Ms. Appear looked at the Nuke and sighed. "I hate to admit it. We'll help him, but just this once." Ms. Appear replied.

"Prodigy do you think you could make him a reactor like the one you made Firecracker?" Surge asked. Prodigy thinks about it and sighs.

"Possibly." She says. "However, we'd have to bring him back to our base."

"That's risky." Parkour said. "I'll knock him out."

"No need." Surge said. "He passed out." They all turn to see Nuke lying on his side passed out.

"Right." Speed Queen said. "Ms. Appear put him in a forcefield. That's how we'll transport him. Prodigy I want you to ride with Ms. Appear to make sure Nuke is still alive when we get him to the base. Now let's get to it."

The team is back at the base, while Nuke is laying down in the medical bay, but still unconscious. Prodigy has began working on the reactor. "This will be difficult, since Nuke is a ticking time bomb and a reactor as well. This will be a race against time." Prodigy said.

"Then how about I lend a hand." Mr. Cuddles suggested before joining her at the workbench. "What we need to do is reconfigure the reactor to protect the heart."

"Agreed and possibly keep under control as well." Prodigy added. "Could you start working on the wiring?"

"Way ahead of you." Mr. Cuddles said as he began working. Meanwhile, Speed Queen is outside talking to Ms. Appear and Soothsayer.

"You are taking a risk Lori." Soothsayer said. "But a noble one."

"Ronnie Anne didn't leave many options." Speed Queen admitted. "But I don't think I could've gone through with killing him."

"Same here." Ms. Appear agreed. "But with Nuke here we're gonna need to be careful."

"Speaking of Nuke, how is he?" Soothsayer asked.

"Stable for now." Speed Queen replied. "Petty and Tongri are outside the med bay ready in case he tries something while Ronnie Anne is inside the med bay."

"It's good to be cautious." Soothsayer said. "Nuke is a very dangerous individual so one cannot take many chances with him. But from the looks of things, Nuke won't be doing much."

"I hope so." Speed Queen said.

Inside the Medical bay, Surge is sitting on a chair keeping an eye on Nuke, who is still asleep. "Man I can't believe we're helping Nuke. One of the members of the Terror Crew, who also kidnapped me and that time I kicked him in the nuts." Surge thought. "I hope he doesn't recognize me."

Surge kept looking at the unconscious Nuke and he looks peaceful for someone approaching death's door. "Even those I hate you, you don't deserve to die." Surge said.

"Says you." Nuke says. Surge looks up to see Nuke's eyes open.

"Your awake." Surge said. Nuke sits up and notices his arm is chained to the bed by crystals.

"What is this place?" Nuke asked.

"This is our base." Surge said. "We brought you her after you passed out."

"Looks like a dump." Nuke replied.

"Well we're not the Avengers. You make with what you get." said Surge.

"Well can't really judge." Nuke said. "Better than our hideout." He lies back down and places his free hand behind his head. "Why am I here?"

"We're helping you." Surge answered. "Prodigy is making a reactor to help contain your energy and protect your heart."

"Help me? You're helping someone who tried to kill you in the past." Nuke said. "You should have left me to die."

"Well too bad for you that ain't how we roll." Surge told him. "We're heroes and our job is to help people. Even terrible people like you.".

"That's such a typical hero line." Nuke scoffed. "Why don't you leave me alone and let me die alone in peace."

"Well I think you don't deserve to die. Some people deserve to love, even those who are bad." said Surge.

"So what you think I have a second chance at life?" Nuke asked.

"I mean yeah maybe." Surge said. "You could be a good guy." However she was met by harsh laughter from Nuke.

"Me be a good guy?" Nuke taunted. "Like hell! I'm a bad guy through and through. I've been stealing since I was thirteen years old! You think I'm gonna change now? Hell no! So if you really want to be useful, go get me a drink or something." Surge clenched her fist and nodded before leaving the med room. Outside the door she saw Clyde with a notepad. "So what you got from all that?"

"Nuke definitely has some emotional baggage as well as emotional trauma." Clyde said. "Definitely stemming from his youth. Perhaps he was living on the streets for a while but can't be so certain yet."

"Maybe his parents died, he ran away from his abusive family/family member or left a foster home?" Surge suggested. "Those are my guesses for Nike's backstory."

"Well those could be possibilities? But we need a clear answer." Clyde said. "There could be more beneath the surface."

"Just like every villain." Surge sighed. "But he really seems like he just wants to die."

"That might be something else." Clyde said. "I'll keep observing." He pauses. "Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Do you think I'm brave?" Clyde asked.

"Well you do have your brave moments. Like how you and Lincoln ran through the haunted house attraction on Halloween and that's about it. Why?" Surge asked.

"No reason." Clyde answered. "Just curious. You should get him something to drink. Petty and I can keep an eye on him."

"Alright." Surge said as she headed to the kitchen where she saw Parkour on her phone. "Texting Francisco?" Parkour blushes a little.

"No." Parkour said a little flustered. "I was texting Lincoln and telling him about Nuke. Surprise surprise he doesn't like it."

"What did he say?" Surge asked.

"He said it's a bad idea. What were we thinking. And he could he tell the Terror crew about the base." Parkour said.

"Did you tell him, that we had to help him villain or not?" Surge asked.

"Yeah and that didn't change his opinion." Parkour told her. "He says that if he starts acting up to give Nuke a couple slugs for him."

"I can tell you that you agree with him." Surge said as she pulled out a bottle of water.

"Look we all have history with Nuke." Parkour said. "He was literally like the third maybe forth meta human we fought. Not to mention he takes great pleasure in beating us up. I honestly think we should just drag him to the Dungeon and call it a day. But I honestly don't know if I could really go on in life knowing I possibly just condemned a guy to death by not helping him you know? So while I agree with Linc I kinda see your side of things."

"Well thanks for understanding my view. Well it was something my mom told me today." Surge said. "Some guy has lung cancer, it's treatable but he doesn't want surgery."

"Some people are just to proud or caught in their own beliefs." Parkour said. "I know I may not be the smartest person here. Hell far from it, but I do know that sometimes you gotta help some people even if they don't want it. And like it or not we're helping Nuke."

"That's one of cons of being hero." Surge said.

Surge heads back to the med bay and hands Nuke the water. "Thanks runt." Nuke says as he takes the water. "Still think I can be a good guy?" Surge scowls at his taunting tone in his voice but doesn't comment. "What's wrong kid? Tiger got your tongue?" Outside Tongri lifts his head and lets out a growl before laying his back down on his paws.

"Just a heads up, that's a Siberian tiger and those are pretty dangerous." Surge said. "Wildgirl told me about them. Just be lucky you're still alive."

"Hmph. Rather be dead." Nuke said as he looked at the wall. "So if my heart doesn't fail and kill me, maybe you should unleash the tiger on me. At least I'd die with dignity." Surge grabs her chair and sits next to the bed.

"Why do you wanna die so badly?"

"When you spend your whole life doing nothing with it, wasting it you start to wonder why you're still around." Nuke said. "I got nothing. Got nobody. Yeah I got the Terror Crew but they'll be fine without me."

"What about family?" Surge asked. Nuke turned his head so that he could look her in eye. And much to her surprise, she saw pain.

"My parents dropped me and my sister at an orphanage when I was seven years old and when my sister was four." Nuke said. "And they weren't dying either. They weren't sick with some incurable disease or sickness. No they just abandoned us so they could have the money for their drug habits. Poor little Chelsea cried herself to sleep every night because of that. My little sister asking where's mommy? Where's daddy? And you know what the matrons did? Did they comfort her? Help calm her? No. They put her in psychiatric hospital because they thought she was crazy. She wasn't crazy she was grieving dammit! So yeah there's your answer."

"Holy crap." Surge muttered under her breath. "That was the last time you saw your sister?"

"Last time I saw her was when I visited her was when she was thrown in the psychiatric hospital. I don't know she's dead or alive." Nuke said.

"What do you think?" Surge asked. Nuke sighs and stares at the wall.

"Who cares?" Nuke said. "I'm gonna be dead anyways so there's no point in thinking about it. Besides if she is alive she's better off without me. She doesn't need her criminal of an older brother."

"Maybe we can find her and make sure she's ok or something?" Surge suggested.

"Don't bother." Nuke said. "It's best she doesn't know. I always tried to keep what I did a secret from her. Didn't want her want her to know her was a scumbag. Been like that since I was thirteen years old. Stealing to survive and then moved up to the big leagues. Went from shoplifting to holding up convenience stores. Got pretty good at that." Surge is about to say something when she sees Clyde motioning for her to come out of the med bay.

"Can you excuse me for a minute?" Surge said as she got off of her seat and walked out of the med bay. "So you got all that?" Surge asked Clyde.

"Oh yeah." Clyde said. "Nuke has more issues than we thought and no amount of therapy will help him. He's right, he's to far gone. No to mention he had bad abandonment issues and the fact he's hiding the fact that he's a criminal from his sister who we don't know is even alive or not. Plus he's definitely emotionally unbalanced."

"Yeah and something tells me that the more I talk to him, I feel it's going to get worse." Surge said. "But I do feel bad for his sister. Being threw in the mental hospital just for waiting for her parents that never come back."

"Tell me about it." Clyde said. "But he doesn't look like he's getting any better and I was thinking about the fight he had with you guys. I don't think he was that much stronger. I think he was working off adrenaline."

"You think he was using adrenaline?" Surge asked. "He doesn't look like it, he looks like crap."

"Sometimes that's what causes it." Clyde said. "Look right now he's in a vulnerable state which is probably why he's saying more than usual."

"Well he's beyond redemption as he stated." Surge said. "But it's weird seeing him open up about his past."

"Dying does that to a guy." Clyde says. "That's why dying prisoners when given a chance to do final confessions they rattle on every little thing they did."

"Makes sense." Surge said. "I doubt we'll give him a last meal. Maybe I can make him tell me more about his life and you get some insight on him."

"Perhaps." The two turn to see Soothsayer, Speed Queen and Ms. Appear approaching them. "Knowing your enemy is the best way to defeat them. But be careful my friend, your enemy can turn your strategy against you."

"I'm not gonna reveal our secrets to Nuke. I'm not gonna let that happen." Surge said.

"I ment more personal secrets." Soothsayer said. "Perhaps we should observe as well."

"Probably a good idea." Surge said. Suddenly an energy blast comes flying right towards them. The five quickly move out of the way and see Nuke with his hand out. "What the hell was that for?" However Nuke seemed to ignore the question.

"Why didn't you absorb that?" Nuke asked.

"I don't know if I can that. Yet." Surge said.

"Maybe you can, who knows." Nuke shrugged.

"What are you trying to say?" Surge asked.

"That maybe if you practiced using your powers properly instead of practicing tricks maybe you'd be more skilled with them. Maybe you'd be able to do more stuff with them." Nuke said. "Instead you're as weak as ever."

"I do practice using my powers." Surge replied. "I was practicing with my new powers last night."

"Let me guess you were practicing new moves instead of improving your abilities." Nuke mocked that ended in harsh laughter which resulted in a coughing fit."

"Well um, you see." Surge stammers as she tries to find an excuse.

"This is why you're 2nd rate kid. I spend years learning and improving my powers. You spend most of your time blowing stuff up. This isn't a cartoon kid, this is real life. You can't just get your powers and learn everything in one day. It takes years of practice, you'll never learn how to use your powers." Nuke said.

"Well let me tell you something Nuke, I am gonna properly learn how to use my powers and when I do know everything about my powers I'm gonna not only surpass you but I'm going to beat you!" Surge tells him. Nuke chuckles.

"Shame you won't get a chance." Nuke says. "I'll probably be dead soon anyways. This reminds me of this guy I met years back. Guy was a psychopath not like Candyman who's more controlled chaos. This guy was just nuts. Did a couple jobs with him and boy did he talk. He kept bragging about how he and a couple accomplices robbed this convenient store. Seemed real proud of himself. Then I found out why. Turns out he shot and killed some cop on patrol with his kid. After that I guess he got the hell beaten out of him by his partners because he had this huge scar right across his face."

Surge stood there in shock, inside her mind she began to think about her father's death and she tried to shake this off. "What's his name?" Surge asked.

"What now?" Nuke asked.

"What is his name?" Surge growled.

"Don't remember." Nuke said. "But I remember one thing: initials. M.V. I believe they were."

"Damn it." Surge grunted.

"Why is this M.V so important to you?" Nuke asked.

"None of your business." Surge growled.

"Well you're not going to get anymore information out of me besides the initials." Nuke said.

"Why you." Surge growled but stopped when Nuke suddenly fell back on the bed.

"Damn it." Nuke groaned as he clutched his chest.

"Oh god it's happening again!" Speed Queen shouted.

"It must get worse when he uses his powers." Soothsayer said. "He needs that reactor soon!"

"Prodigy! What's the status on that reactor?!" Speed Queen shouted.

"We need a few more minutes!" Prodigy shouted back.

"We don't got a few more minutes!" Ms. Appear shouted back. "Nuke is having another attack and this time he's having trouble fighting it!"

Oh you've got to b kidding me?" Prodigy groaned. "You have to find a way to keep him stable until I finish the reactor!"

Surge looks at where Prodigy and Mr. Cuddles were working before looking back at Nuke. With a groan she runs to Nuke's side. "How do I absorb energy?" She asks. "I might be able to get some of it out of you and away from your heart."

"You want me to teach you how to absorb? I rather die, that's how I plan to go out!" Nuke replied.

"Listen here Nuke we are freaking helping you because no one else probably would!" Surge shouted. "So for once in your damn life suck up your pride and let me help you!"

"Fine. You need to touch my chest or shoulders and focus on absorbing the energy from my body." Nuke said.

Surge nodded and placed her hands on Nuke's chest. She takes a deep breath and begins to focus on the energy inside of Nuke. Before long she felt energy going into her body from Nuke's. After a few seconds she let go. "Whoa. What a rush." Surge said. She looked and saw Nuke taking deep breaths.

"Not bad." He rasped. "For a second rate energy user."

"Thanks." Surge replied. "At least you're feeling better."

"Still wish you let me die though." Nuke said. "But maybe this is a sign that I ain't done yet. I mean you punks are still alive so there's that."

"Feeling the love." Crystal Princess called out.

"Anyways, it seems like I owe you." Nuke said. "So how about this: after you give me the reactor, I take you to where Candyman is preparing a shipment of his drug. I say that's a fair trade." The L-Crew look at each other before turning to Nuke.

"Give us a minute." Speed Queen said. They then head to Prodigy's work bench where Speed Queen motions for Parkour and Crystal Princess to join them. "What do you think about this deal? We help him, he takes us to Candyman. Sounds to good to be true."

"It could be a trick." Parkour said. "The next thing we know he'll go back on his word and tell the Terror crew about us attacking the shipment."

"Or maybe he would keep his word if we give him the reactor." Crystal Princess said.

"That is true." Prodigy said not looking up from her work. "Nuke would possibly cooperate if we give him the reactor. He does seem keen on living now."

"What do you think Soothsayer?" Speed Queen asked. "We could use some wisdom on this one."

"Hmm. This could be a trap or not. But it depends on the outcome. When armies go into battle they do not know what their enemy is thinking." Soothsayer said. "But you take a chance or in any case take a leap of faith."

"Damn your good." Parkour said. "Ok I'm in."

"In what?" Mr. Cuddles asked as he looked up from the reactor.

"In with whatever we're doing." Parkour said. "What are we doing exactly? I mean the way I see it, we could possibly take down Candyman and send his butt to the Dungeon and hell possibly even nail Nuke too. I say we take Nuke up on his offer."

"Lynn has a point. Let's end Candyman's reign once and for all!" Crystal Princess replied.

"But guys I do want to point this out, if you deal with one member of the Terror Crew, another member isn't too far behind." Clyde reminds them. "And add on the fact that eleven of you can barely beat three of them and there's only six of you, eight if you count Petty and Tongri."

"We'll just have to take the chance Clyde." Speed Queen said. "But are we all agreed?" Everyone nods. "Good. Prodigy is the reactor finished?"

"The reactor is complete Speed Queen." Prodigy replied.

She holds it up and they see that it's similar to Firecracker's but just a little bigger. "Looks good." Surge said. "Let's get it on him."

Prodigy and Surge walked to the med bay with the reactor in Prodigy's hands. "Nuke we created this reactor to keep you stable from your powers. I'll be place it on your chest and you must never take it off." Prodigy explained.

"Yeah I got it." Nuke replied.

Prodigy places the reactor on Nuke's chest where it clamps onto his chest. It then lights up and soft humming sound is heard. Before anyone can react, Nuke lets out a surprise shout as he suddenly feels something happening. After a few seconds the humming stops.

"Did it work?" Surge asked. Nuke suddenly blasts an energy beam at the wall and waits but nothing happens.

"Hell yeah." Nuke said. "No pain. Now get this damn crystal cuff off me."

Parkour walked up to the diamond cuffs and breaks them off of Nuke. Nuke stood up from the table. "Ok now tell us where Candyman's next shipment is." Speed Queen said.

"Don't worry about it." Nuke said. "I'll take you myself. I'm always a man of my word."

"Alright then. Lead the way." Speed Queen said. "But first we need to keep our base's location hidden from you. You have to put this blindfold on."

"Fine." Nuke said. "Let's go."

Once the team and Nuke were far from the base, Nuke began to lead the team to Candyman's next shipment. "So are we almost there?" Crystal Princess asked.

"Yeah, just a couple blocks away." Nuke replied.

"Guys I don't like the looks of this." Crystal Princess said from where she was riding with Ms. Appear. "This is the direction towards the old scrapyard. Lana used to go there."

"We'll just have to be careful." Speed Queen said. "Everyone keep your guard up."

At the scrapyard, Candyman stood to the side as his workers unloaded several boxes from one van into another. "Hurry gentlemen." Candyman said. "Hurry. You never know when the L-Crew will arrive."

"We're going as fast as we can boss!" One of his workers replied.

"We don't have much time before they arrive!" Candyman said.

"Boss someone is coming!" A worker shouted. Candyman looks to see the L-Crew along with Nuke arriving at the scrapyard.

"Uh oh." Candyman said. "This is definitely not good."

"No it ain't boss." A worker said. The L-Crew and Nuke stop in front of Candyman and glare at him.

"Um hey there L-Crew." Candyman said. "This isn't what it looks like."

"It looks like you're preparing to ship out your drug to your buyers." Prodigy said.

"Ok so it is what it looks like." Candyman said before turning to Nuke. "Hey Nuke."

"Hey Candyman." Nuke said.

"I noticed that the L-Crew has found my location. I must ask how?" Candyman asked.

"Well you know how it works." Nuke said. "Almost die, heroes save your life and you end up owing you something. You understand."

"Oh definitely." Candyman said. "So they're here to stop my shipments?"

"Yep." Nuke said.

"Ah yes well I guess it can't be helped." Candyman said. "Help yourselves. Gentlemen we're leaving. We have lost so let's leave." The thugs nod and start getting into vans.

"Hey man I'm riding with you." Nuke said as he walked after Candyman leaving the L-Crew comfused.

"What just happened?" Parkour asked.

"No idea." Speed Queen said. "Let's just get rid of the shipment." They approached the van and out of the corner of her eye, Surge sees Nuke and Candyman still there.

"Oh by the way here's a little parting gift." Candyman said as he pulled out a remote.

"Oh crap." Surge gasped. "Guys get back it's a bomb!" Right as she said that Candyman presses the button on the remote causing the van to explode. Ms. Appear quickly puts up a forcefield to protect everyone from the blast. Surge growls and sees Candyman laughing maniacally and Nuke just normal laughing.

"You tricked us!" Surge shouted before flying towards Nuke.

"What did you expect kid?" Nuke said as he smacked Surge to the side.

"I should have known he would lie to us." Prodigy said.

"Yet you still fell for it." Nuke said.

"So did you lie about everything?!" Surge shouted as she got back up. "The heart problems?"

"Actually that was true!" Nuke said. Surge growls and flies towards Nuke again but he catches her and slams her down. "What about your family? What about your sister? Were those lies?" Nuke stiffened a little but doesn't reply. He then aims his hand at Surge.

"Say your prayers kid." Nuke growled.

"Answer me!" Surge shouted. Then Nuke fires an energy blast at Surge

"Surge no!" Speed Queen cried out.

"Like I said second rate." Nuke chuckled and then he looked at the ground and gasped.

He saw Surge with her hand up and the energy he just shot at her being absorbed into her hand. He took a step back as Surge stood up. "Still second rate?" She asked. However, Nuke chuckled.

"Yeah because you still got a lot to learn." Nuke replied. "Look it's been a long day and for now we're gonna end things right here. Willy, we're out of here." Candyman looks up at him and shrugs before the two head towards the van. Nuke stops and looks at Surge. "Hey kid, consider this an act of mercy. Next time, we will kill you." He and Candyman get in the van and drive off.

"Well so much for taking down Candyman and Nuke." Speed Queen sighed.

"There's always next time Lori." Surge said.

"I'm surprised you're willing to let Nuke go." Prodigy said. "Especially after everything he's done to you."

"Well he's been through a lot today but I'll get him next time." Surge said.

In another part of town, Candyman pulled the van in front of his Candy shop and got out. "Just give me a minute Nuke." He said. "I have to check on something with my shop." Nuke shrugs and Candyman walks into his shop. While he's gone, Nuke stares out the window at the park across the street. He then suddenly sees something and his eyes widen. When Candyman walks out to the van he sees Nuke no longer there. He looks around and he sees Nuke standing by a tree in the park across the street. He walks over to join where he sees his friend staring at woman intently. The woman herself looked about thirty years old with short black hair wearing shorts and a tank top under a jacket. With her she had two young children running around laughing. Candyman looked up at his friend to try to read his face but it was unreadable.

"Someone you know?" Candyman asked. Nuke nods without taking his eyes off the woman.

"Chelsea." Nuke says simply. "My little sister." Candyman's eyes widen but doesn't say anything.

"When you finally told us about your sister, we were surprised." Candyman said. "More so that you had one. Not the fact you didn't know where she was. Looks like she's out of the looney bin."

"Yeah. Because she ain't crazy." Nuke said. "Never was."

"But you told me that she went to the looney bin?" Candyman questioned.

"About two weeks our parents abandoned us. This couple adopted Chelsea. She was the only family I had left and she was taken away from me. I held up my tears, but I was crying on the inside, when I was ten I ran away from the orphanage. I managed to find Chelsea at this new home. I wanted her to come me so we can be together, but then I saw her with her new family. She had a little brother, a puppy and two parents who love her. Part of me wanted to take her away, but another part of me wanted her to side with her new family." Nuke said as a tear shed down his left eye. "I couldn't take her away from her new home or her new family, so I let her stay with them. She was happy and I didn't want to take that away from her. So while she was living a happy life, I stayed on the streets, it was for her own good."

"She looks happy." Candyman said. "And it seems like you're an uncle. Why don't you go say hi?" Nuke shakes his head.

"She's happy." He says. "She's happy. Me being around her would just ruin things. Besides she doesn't need me. Besides, I'm one of the top criminals in the city. That'd just put her in danger. C'mon let's get out here. Johnny said he had a possible new recruit in mind that he wanted us to keep an eye open for." He begins to walk off with Candyman behind him. In the park Chelsea watched with a smile as her children ran around the park. Out of the corner of her eye she saw two people watching them. At first she was worried but then relaxed when she saw them begin to walk away. As they walked away, she swore one of them looked slightly familiar. Someone she hadn't seen in years. Then she said a name she had thought she had forgotten.

"Kyle?"

At the base, Clyde slowly walked towards Lisa's lab area as she and Mr. Cuddles cleaned up the mess from working on the reactor for Nuke. He took a deep breath an approached them.

"Hey guys, do you have a minute?" He asked. Mr. Cuddles and Lisa exchanged a glance and shrugged.

"I don't see why not." Lisa said before helping Mr. Cuddles climb up onto the workbench.

"What's up?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"You see for awhile now. I've been helping you guys on the sidelines and you remember how you guys were captured by Jestor and that former Grocery store manager?" Clyde asked.

"Yeah/Of Course." Lisa and Mr. Cuddles both replied.

"Well while the L-Angels saved you guys. I wish I could still help you guys out. Which is why I have an idea." Clyde said. "I want you guys to build me a suit."

"Wouldn't it be better to ask Leni to do that?" Lisa asked with an eye roll.

"Um, I don't think that's what he means." Mr. Cuddles said before looking at Clyde. "Is it?" Clyde nods and pulls out his notebook and hands it to Lisa who looks at it with Mr. Cuddles looking over her shoulder. The two exchange a glance as Lisa flips through the pages.

"These are pretty impressive." Lisa said.

"How long have you've been working on these designs?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"For a few months." Clyde says. "Look I just want to help guys. I know I do the computer stuff and I'm gonna be running the L-Angels but I want to do more, be more. So please, build me a suit." Lisa and Mr. Cuddles look at each other, before looking back at the designs, before looking back at Clyde.

"I'm not sure Clyde." Lisa said honestly. "This is something that would be really difficult to build and extremely time consuming."

"Are you saying you won't do it?" Clyde asked sadly. Mr. Cuddles shakes his head.

"No we're doing it." Mr. Cuddles said.

"You will!?" Clyde exclaimed.

"We will?" Lisa questions.

"Hell yeah!" Mr. Cuddles exclaimed. "We're talking about building a suit like Iron Man and War Machine! I read enough comics to know that this is an awesome idea! And if you won't build it I will! Petty! Tongri! We gotta get to the junk yard and start getting supplies!" He then runs off leaving Clyde and Lisa alone.

"I'm surprised that he's willing to build the suit." Clyde said.

"I'm curious on how can afford comic books or graphic novels?" Lisa questioned.

"I mean he is a lawyer." Clyde pointed out.

"But as far as we know, we're his only clients and we didn't pay him money." Lisa said. "But it looks like we're making you a suit. But please note that it will take time."

"I know and I can wait. Besides I want to be part of the action not look at it from a computer." Clyde said.

"Then we will begin working on your suit Clyde." Lisa said.

"And soon, Eagle Eye will take to the sky." Clyde said.

In another part of the city a strange gunslinger made his way through the city with his hat tipped forward so you could barely see his eyes as he took in his surroundings. When he arrived last night he was confused on where he was and when he arrived in this strange large city, people looked at him strangely. He wasn't sure why but he heard people say he dressed weird and some mentioned his two revolvers. But that didn't help him figure out where he was.

Not far away, Carlos Casagrande was walking through the city as well with a newspaper in one hand and a coffee in the other. As he headed towards an alley, someone grabs him and pulls him into it. Next thing Carlos knew he had knife pointed at him by a mugger.

Hand over your wallet or else, I'll cut you." The mugger is wearing a wool hat, wearing a navy blue hoodie, dark jeans, and white running shoes.

"Ok there's no need to get violent." Carlos replied as he tried to get his wallet out of his pocket.

"Hurry up!" The mugger shouted.

"I'm trying to get my wallet!" Carlos panicked.

"Hey, I suggest you that man alone." The mugger turned around and sees the gunslinger with a stern look on his face. "I suggest you put the knife away and let the man walk away."

"Why should I do that?" The mugger asked.

"Because nobody needs to get hurt here." The gunslinger said. "So I suggest you put the knife away and let this man go home."

"I'll let him go home after I take his wallet." said the Mugger.

"I gave you a suggestion and I will not take no for an answer." The Gunslinger said.

The mugger releases Carlos and cockily approached the gunslinger who stands his ground. The mugger then points his knife at him. "Then maybe I'll just rob you then." He says. Suddenly out if nowhere, the gunslinger grabs the mugger's wrist and squeezes it, forcing the mugger to release the knife. Then the gunslinger punches the mugger in the nose. The gunslinger then pulls the mugger close to him and begins to repeatedly knee him in his midsection before throwing him headfirst into a dumpster knocking him out. Once that's done, the gunslinger turns to Carlos.

"You alright?" The gunslinger asks.

"I'm fine. Thanks for saving me." Carlos said.

"Don't mention it. I reckon you head on home, this place is dangerous for someone like you." The Gunslinger said as he walked passed Carlos.

"Wait!" Carlos called out to the Gunslinger to which he stopped. "Who are you?"

"My name is Ryker." The Gunslinger answered.

He then walks out of the alley but stops and turns back to Carlos. "Something else?" Carlos asked.

"Yeah. Where and when am I?" Ryker asked.

"Why you're in Royal Woods, Michigan and the year is 2020." Carlos answered. Ryker nods and continues walking.

"Thanks." He says. Once he's alone he starts thinking outloud. "Royal Woods, Michigan and 2020? How the hell did I get here?"

Zachlor16: Hey everyone. I hope you all enjoyed the season premiere of Loud Heroes. Now Nuke's real name is Kyle Long. If you go back to Terror Crew part 2 we say his real name. Also, Nuke isn't becoming a good guy alright. He's bad through and through. Also yes the gunslinger's name is Ryker but that is all we will say. Now after you're done reading this chapter go check out L-Kombat. Trust us, it's a fun read. Now next chapter, well I'm not sure what's next but once we figure it out we'll get on it. Anyways here's Smoke.

Smoke: Hey guys Smoke here. First off I'm glad you all waited season 3 of Loud Heroes. I'm glad you guys waited. But this season has more to come in the near future. Also I had a request to add a bit of Loudcest. No. We do not support that awful ship. No way! No how! We also have a another story that'll be out in the near future. Anyway please and review. Oh and this chapter isn't based on the Coronavirus.