Your Stealthy Sensation

SFX: BAM! (door swinging open)

My mom barged in, looking around wildly, as if she'd just heard a disaster unfold. Mark and I were mid-scream, frozen like deer in headlights.

Mom: "What's happening in here? Are you both okay?"

Mark and I locked eyes, forced grins plastered on our faces as we tried to act as innocent as two terrified kids can. Meanwhile, my other half—still invisible—was hastily trying to hide under my blanket.

Me (voice way too high): "Uh, yeah, we're fine!"

Mom's eyebrows knitted into a suspicious frown.

Mom: "Then what was all that noise about?"

Uh-oh. My mind raced, and before I knew it, my mouth had already blurted, "Oh! Mark's crush just replied! They're going on a date!"

Mark (double take, eyes bulging): "Wait, who's my crush? I don't even—"

I shot him a desperate wink. Mark blinked, clearly lost, then awkwardly smiled back at Mom, who just rolled her eyes.

Mom (sighing, hands on hips): "Okay, okay, I'll leave you two to your... girly talk."

Me (laughing way too hard): "Haha, yeah, girly talk!"

As she finally walked out, Mark mumbled, "Girly talk? Really?"

We both just grinned, sinking back in relief as we heard Mom's footsteps fade away.

As soon as Mom left my room, Mark and I turned to each other, both still a little shocked.

Mark: "Dude… did you just… go invisible?"

I scratched my head, trying to make sense of it. "I mean, I think so? I don't exactly know how it works, but it's like… kinda."

Right then, my body suddenly flickered back into full view, shifting colors like some kind of chameleon. We both jumped back, staring wide-eyed at my hands.

Me (laughing nervously): "Uh… dude, this is some chameleon-level stuff."

Mark's eyes lit up with excitement. "Wait! Is it 'cause you watch all those documentaries? Like, did you just… absorb chameleon powers from the TV?"

I shot him a skeptical look. "Yeah, sure, because that's how science works."

He grinned, unfazed. "Well, whatever, it's still cool! You've got superpowers, man! You could be a hero."

"A hero? With invisibility? What am I supposed to do, trip robbers while blending into street lights?"

Mark's eyes sparkled. "Dude, exactly! Or, you could be a ninja!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. A ninja hero who trips people... hey, that's actually kind of awesome."

Mark: "See? I'm telling you, we're onto something here!"

As we kept talking, a memory hit me—the incident at Gen Industries' lab. "Dude," I said, eyes widening, "I think I know how I got… whatever this is."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "What? Did you get bitten by a radioactive chameleon?"

I laughed. "Not quite. Remember that field trip to Gen Industries? I started. "After that explosion, I got separated from the class. While wandering around trying to find my way out, I stumbled into this hidden room in the Cellular Regeneration Lab."

Mark's eyes went wide. "Wait, you just stumbled into a secret lab?"

"Yeah! And get this—it was locked with some high-security password. But I managed to crack it. Impressive, right? Turns out the code was easier than I thought." I tried to play it cool, laughing a bit too loud.

"Wait, you cracked a high-security lab door? Who are you? a secret agent?"

I laughed. "Hey, I surprise myself sometimes! Anyway, inside, there were all these vials with some strange serum in them. I didn't think much of it then, but… what if that explosion mixed with whatever was in those vials? Maybe mixed with, I don't know, my cells or something?"

Mark's expression turned mock-serious. Clearing his throat, he put on his best Uncle Ben voice, saying, "You know… with great power comes great responsibility." He even put a hand on my shoulder for full effect.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help laughing. "Oh, really? You gonna throw the whole Spidey speech at me?"

He grinned. "Just saying, you're literally like the start of every superhero origin story ever!"

Mark's eyes were practically sparkling with excitement. "Dude, what else can you do? You've got to have more superpowers than just invisibility!"

I shrugged, feeling a bit clueless. "Honestly, I have no idea how I even triggered that chameleon thing. It just... happened!"

Mark paced back and forth, deep in thought. "Okay, okay. How about we explore some reptile abilities? You've watched enough documentaries to know a thing or two about them, right?"

I perked up. "You mean like testing out all the cool things reptiles can do? That sounds kind of awesome!"

"Exactly! Like, what else can you do?" he asked, his excitement growing. "Alligators, for instance—did you know they can hold their breath underwater for up to an hour?"

I nodded, warming up to the topic. "And they have super strong jaws! They can crush bones like they're nothing. Imagine having that kind of strength!"

Mark feigned a gasp. "Whoa! So if you had alligator powers, you could be the ultimate bone-crusher? That's terrifying but kind of cool!"

"Right?" I said, getting into it. "And let's not forget about those giant Komodo dragons—did you know they can run up to 12 miles per hour?"

"Dude! You could be a fast, invisible alligator! That's like the ultimate stealth predator!" Mark exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Only if I can figure out how to trigger the invisibility again. I don't think you can just will it into existence," I said, shaking my head.

"True, true. But what if you tried to harness other reptile skills?" Mark suggested, getting excited. "You could become, like, the ultimate reptilian superhero!"

"Yeah, like what? Climbing walls like a gecko?" I laughed, imagining myself scaling buildings.

"Totally! How about we try that out?" Mark said, practically bouncing with excitement. "I mean, what's the worst that could happen? We'll just be, you know, crawling up the side of a building!"

With that, we decided to head outside.

I pressed my hands against the rough brick wall, my heart racing. "Alright, Mark! I'm going to try this!"

Mark bounced on his heels, eyes sparkling with excitement. "You've got this! Just channel your inner gecko!"

I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of nerves and exhilaration.

"C'mon! Show me those lizard skills!" Mark shouted, his encouragement firing me up.

I pushed off the ground and felt an unexpected grip beneath my feet. "Whoa! It's actually working!" I exclaimed, surprise and thrill mixing in my voice.

"Dude, you're climbing! This is epic!" Mark cheered, his laughter echoing as I awkwardly fumbled my way up.

"I feel like a total ninja!" I called down, feeling the adrenaline surge as I reached a few feet off the ground.

"Just don't fall! I'm not ready for viral fame yet!" Mark joked, arms crossed as he watched my every move.

"Yeah, no pressure or anything!" I laughed nervously, glancing down. My heart raced faster. "This is insane!"

"Keep going! You're the coolest superhero ever!" Mark encouraged, his eyes wide with awe.

"Okay, okay! I'm going!" I shouted, determination flooding my veins. I pushed myself higher, feeling the exhilaration of the climb.

Suddenly, my grip slipped, and I gasped. "Whoa, hold on!" My body swung slightly as I grabbed onto a ledge. "I've got to work on my grip!"

Mark's face lit up with concern but he couldn't hide his excitement. "Just don't look down! You can do it!"

"Yeah, good idea," I said, glancing up at the height still ahead of me. "I think I can make it!"

With newfound resolve, I took a deep breath and pushed off again. "Here goes nothing!" I yelled, laughter spilling out as I clambered up higher.

I finally reached the top, panting slightly from the climb. Just as I caught my breath, Mark arrived at the rooftop using the elevator, a wide grin on his face.

"Dude! You're so cool!" he exclaimed, looking at me with awe. "You're basically a superhero now!"

I smiled, flexing my muscles playfully. "Check this out!" I said, holding up a boulder of hollow blocks, easily crushing it in my hand. "Looks like I've got super strength too!"

Mark's jaw dropped. "Whoa! You're a total powerhouse! What's next? Lifting cars?"

"Maybe," I chuckled. "But let's focus on my hero name first!"

Mark's eyes lit up. "Oh, for sure! What would your hero name be? How about… Reptile Man?"

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Reptile Man? Seriously? That sounds like a character from a cheesy cartoon."

"Okay, how about Gecko Man?" Mark suggested, trying to keep a straight face.

"Gecko Man?" I laughed. "I can already hear the theme song! 'Gecko Man, here to save the day with his sticky feet!'"

Mark burst into laughter. "Alright, fine! What about Croco Man?"

"Croco Man?" I shook my head, chuckling. "Sounds like a villain who can't decide if he's a crocodile or a superhero. We need to do better!"

Mark thought for a moment. "What about… Lizard King?"

"Too regal. I'm not ready to rule the reptiles," I replied, grinning. "Next!"

"Okay, what about… Scaly Avenger?" he said, trying to suppress a laugh.

"Sounds like a bad movie title," I shot back, shaking my head.

We both laughed, tossing around ridiculous names. "How about Amphibian Avenger?" Mark suggested.

I rolled my eyes, smirking. "Are we just throwing random animal names together now? That's a bit too much."

"Fine! You're right," Mark admitted, still chuckling. "What about… Shade, the Stealthy Sensation?"

I paused, mulling it over. "Shade, the Stealthy Sensation… I like it! It sounds cool and mysterious!"

Mark raised his arms in victory. "Yes! Shade, the Stealthy Sensation, ready to blend into the shadows!"

"Exactly! I'll be lurking in the darkness, waiting to strike," I said dramatically, striking a ninja pose.

Mark laughed, shaking his head. "This is going to be legendary!"

And with our laughter echoing against the skyline, I felt like I was finally becoming the hero I always wanted to be.

Later that night, as the stars twinkled above, Mark left to head home. But our hero talk didn't stop. The moment he was gone, my phone buzzed with a new message.

I can't believe we're actually doing this. I need to keep my identity hidden, though. No villains barging into our house unannounced!

Mark: True! You need a killer costume. I've been working on some designs!

As my phone dinged with his latest sketches, I couldn't help but chuckle. One looked suspiciously like a Spider-Man knockoff.

Dude, I get the appeal of Spidey, but I'm not a spider. I'm a reptile!

Mark: Alright, alright! How about a scaled suit? Something sleek and green, with a hood to cover your face?

I envisioned myself clad in dark green, the fabric hugging my form like a second skin. The thought of snake motifs flashed in my mind.

That could work! But I'll need to move fast. I can't have anything slowing me down!

Mark was quick to adapt.

Mark: Check this out! A dark green suit with flexible armor plating. And look—built-in pockets for gadgets!

He sent another design, showcasing a suit that looked both stylish and functional.

Okay, now you're talking! I want it to feel like I'm wearing nothing at all. Maybe some claws or something for close combat?

Mark's excitement came through in his response.

Mark: Definitely! We could add retractable claws to your gloves. And what about a tail? A detachable one that doubles as a weapon!

I laughed, picturing myself with a long, swishing tail.

That's a bit much, don't you think? But I love where your head's at! Let's keep it practical but with a touch of flair.

As we kept exchanging ideas, a thought struck me.

But wait…how are we going to make this real? We don't exactly have advanced technology around here.

Mark paused for a moment, contemplating.

Mark: Good point! We need to think outside the box. Maybe we can DIY some of this stuff?

Like sewing it ourselves? I don't even know how to sew!

Mark chuckled.

Mark: Neither do I, but we could learn! There are tons of tutorials online. And for the armor, we could use foam or fabric that mimics scales. It wouldn't be too hard!

As I listened, my excitement started to fade.

But still…we're talking about making something that needs to withstand combat and look cool. What if it falls apart?

Mark's enthusiasm wavered.

Mark: Yeah, and what about the claws? We'd have to find materials that are both safe and functional. It's getting complicated…

We both fell silent for a moment, realizing the enormity of what we were trying to tackle.

Maybe this is a bit beyond us right now…

Mark sighed, his earlier excitement dimming.

Mark: Yeah, I think we might need to put the costume idea on hold. It sounds awesome, but we just don't have the resources. Not to mention, we're both clueless about making this stuff!

I nodded, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief.

Later that night, while still mulling over the whole hero thing, I decided to check on my scaly (and slimy) friends.

I scooped up some crickets and headed over to my gecko first. I watched as it eyed me, waiting with those wide, unblinking eyes.

"You know, you'd make a pretty stealthy sidekick, buddy. Just look at that stare!"

As I dropped a cricket in, my gecko snapped it up in a flash, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Me (thinking): Did you know geckos can stick to just about anything? Tiny hair-like structures on their feet create a kind of molecular attraction—way better than Spidey's wall-crawling!

Moving over to my bearded dragon, I dropped a juicy worm into his tank. He gave me a "finally!" look, tilting his head like he was judging my snack choice.

"Hey, I'm not late! And you know, you could work on that patience."

My bearded dragon blinked lazily, then chomped down on the worm, chewing like he was savoring a steak dinner.

Me (thinking): Beardies might look fierce, but they're chill and even wave at each other as a sign of submission. Not exactly what I need in a battle, but hey, everyone needs a friendly face on the team, right?

Finally, I made my way to the axolotl tank. My little aquatic friend looked up with those feathery gills waving, totally oblivious to my plans of heroism.

"You'd make a mysterious, silent hero. I mean, you're a salamander that stays in its larval form—talk about dedication to a look!"

I dropped in some bloodworms, and the axolotl gobbled them up, its tiny mouth making an adorable little "O" as it did.

Me (thinking): Axolotls are like the ultimate regenerators. Lose a limb? No problem, it'll grow back! Maybe I need to study some of those powers…

After feeding my little "hero team," I leaned back and tried to remember what I'd learned about how chameleons blend into their surroundings. Maybe there was a way I could pull off a similar trick?

Chameleons change color not just for camouflage, but to communicate, regulate their body temperature, and even show off! They do it by manipulating special skin cells called chromatophores, which contain different pigments, and iridophores, which reflect light. By adjusting these cells, they can shift between colors as easily as I could change a shirt.

Me (thinking): "Alright, so maybe I don't have chromatophores, but there's gotta be some way to channel that invisibility trick, right?"

I mulled it over. Chameleons can't actually mimic patterns exactly; instead, they adapt to general color schemes around them. Their shifting colors are partly controlled by tiny, nanocrystal arrangements within their skin cells that reflect and absorb different wavelengths of light. These micro-adjustments allow them to blend into their surroundings.

Me (thinking): "If only I had some nanocrystals in my skin—I'd be invisible by now!"

While I was lost in thought, my mind kept returning to the idea of blending in like a chameleon. Sure, I didn't have their fancy cells, but I tried to imagine it. Focusing hard, I held my arm out and squinted, willing it to adapt, to change, even though I knew it was probably impossible.

But then—something happened.

I blinked, convinced it was a trick of the light, but as I stared down, my skin began to shift. Slowly, my arm took on the shades of my surroundings, blending in like I was one with the room. My jaw practically hit the floor.

"No way…"

I turned my arm around, and the color continued to adjust, almost as if my skin had developed a mind of its own. I concentrated even more, and suddenly my arm transformed—not just in color, but in texture. My skin hardened, taking on a scaly, reptilian pattern that felt strong, tough, like armor.

It was like my genes had awakened, mutating me from the inside out. I was changing—becoming something more.

Throughout the night, I absorbed every detail I could find about reptile genetics, my screen glowing in the darkness as I scrolled through article after article. The quiet was almost hypnotic, the world outside silent while I delved deeper into this strange, scientific journey.

By the time the first light of dawn crept in through the window, my eyes were heavy, and every part of me felt worn out. I dragged myself over to the bed and let myself drop onto it, barely noticing the feel of the sheets before I drifted off to sleep, my mind still buzzing with thoughts of scales, chromatophores, and the possibilities that lay within my DNA.

Phone Alarm: BZZZ-BZZZ "Wake up! It's a new day! You're gonna crush it—"

(half-awake, muttering) "Yeah, yeah... I'm awake... I think…"

I shuffle out of bed, yawning, one eye open as I lazily glance at the time on my phone. Then—

"Wait… WHAT?! 11 AM?! I'M LATE!"

I bolt out of my room, stumbling my way to the kitchen, dodging the stack of books I'd left on the floor. There's a sticky note on the fridge in my mom's handwriting:

Sticky Note: "Good morning, sleepyhead! Don't forget to eat before school! Love, Mom :)"

On the table, a neatly prepared sandwich waits for me.

(grabbing the sandwich) "Mom, you're the best! But I gotta run—again!"

With one last glance at the fridge, I fly out the door, hoping maybe, just maybe, I can sneak into class unnoticed.

(running and texting) "Mark, I'm so late, like... the professor's probably writing me a missing person's report."

Dodging through the bustling street, I slip past someone carrying an oversized pizza box, sidestep a jogger, and hop over a small puddle, all while typing with one hand.

Mark: (text reply) "Bro, you need an alarm clock that physically kicks you out of bed."

(still texting) "Right?! Also, news flash—I figured out my powers. My DNA's... well, kinda mashed with a bunch of reptiles! I'm practically a lizard dude."

A dog suddenly crosses my path, and without even looking, I pivot around it, narrowly avoiding a street vendor's cart.

Mark: "Hold up, you're serious? Like, scaly powers and everything?"

(dodging around two people in suits) "Yep! Chameleon invisibility, gecko reflexes... it's like my whole body's running on reptile instincts!"

Mark: "Okay, but can you gecko-speed it to class before you miss the entire day?"

"With the way I'm moving? I might just make it. Unless I run into a fire hydrant!"

As I expertly weave my way through the last few people, I can't help but grin, feeling an unusual sense of control and precision—my new powers making New York's crowded streets feel like a personal obstacle course.

(grinning) "Oh, and I have something cool to show you when I get to campus. You're gonna be amazed by it!"

Mark: "Dude, it's a pet snake or something!"

"Not a snake! Just... trust me, you'll love it!"

As I sprint toward the university, I can't help but feel excited about revealing my newfound abilities to Mark.

I finally arrive at the front of our classroom, sliding in through the entrance with a dramatic flourish, panting heavily from my sprint.

"Did I make it?"

As I catch my breath, I see the class beginning to leave the room.

Mark: (leaning against the wall, smirking) "Yup, you made it just in time for lunch break."

(grinning) "Oh nice, I made it!"

Mark: "Btw, what do you mean about you having something amazing to show me?"

We lean in close, whispering to keep it secretive.

"You'll see... it's totally awesome."

Just then, Sarah walks in, her curiosity piqued.

Sarah: "What's amazing?"

Mark and I exchange a quick glance, scrambling to come up with a cover.

"Uh, just a Godzilla figure."

Mark: (raising an eyebrow) "Really? A Godzilla figure? I was hoping for an anime waifu!"

I wink at Mark, trying to emphasize that it's just a figure and nothing more.

Mark: (slightly confused) "Wait, is it... is that it? Are you iron deficient or something? You're looking a bit pale."

I burst out laughing, and soon Sarah joins in, shaking her head.

"Yeah, it's definitely not iron deficiency; it's just my new 'reptilian' charm!"

As I focus, the transformation intensifies, my body shifting and reshaping like a living sculpture. The scales continue to spread across my skin, reflecting the sunlight like jewels, each glimmer emphasizing the contours of my new form. It's almost as if I'm shedding my old self, piece by piece, and the exhilaration builds within me.

(gritting my teeth in concentration) "Just a bit more…"

My fingers elongate slightly, the scales shifting seamlessly into a sleek, reptilian texture that wraps around my arms, flowing down my torso. It's a fluid motion, like watching molten metal reshape itself, and with each pulse of energy, I feel more connected to my new identity.

Suddenly, my skin begins to replicate and generate the exact design we discussed last night. The scales transform into a spandex-like suit, seamlessly integrating with my new form. Dark green and black textures weave together, forming a sleek, aerodynamic design that hugs my body perfectly. A full mask materializes over my face, concealing my identity while allowing me to see clearly. The suit feels like a second skin—comfortable yet empowering.

Mark's eyes widen further, taking in every detail of the costume as it solidifies around me.

Mark: "Dude! You look amazing! That suit is so cool or it was just your skin?

I flex my arms, the suit responding to my movements with a smooth, almost instinctual grace. The design is exactly what we envisioned—a perfect blend of reptilian features and superhero flair.

(grinning) "I can't believe it! This is incredible!