Chapter: 3

Ben followed the girl, his mind spinning with questions. His legs felt heavy, his body sluggish like he had just pulled an all-nighter, but worse.

Focus.

He needed information. He needed to figure out what was happening.

As they walked, he took in his surroundings. The city around him was unlike anything he had ever seen. The buildings were impossibly tall, their glass surfaces reflecting the shimmering blue of the ocean below. People walked the streets, dressed in futuristic-looking clothes, some of them chatting while others manipulated holographic screens with a flick of their hands.

His stomach twisted.

This wasn't just somewhere else. This was somewhen else.

The girl glanced at him. "You really don't remember anything?"

Ben forced himself to shake his head. "Not much. Just… bits and pieces." It wasn't entirely a lie his whole life before this moment felt real, but so did the sensation of creating that gun from nothing.

The girl's worried expression softened. "Well, if anyone can figure out what's going on, it's my dad."

Her dad again. Ben didn't know who the guy was, but if he was some kind of scientist, maybe he could help.

They reached a large, sleek building with a logo that read "Shield Laboratories." The girl led him inside, through a set of glass doors that slid open silently. The air inside was crisp and cool, filled with the hum of machinery.

A man stood at a workstation, surrounded by holographic blueprints and data screens. He looked to be in his late forties, with messy brown hair and a beard, wearing a lab coat over casual clothes.

"Dad!" the girl called. "Something's wrong with Ben."

The man turned, his eyes widening as he looked at Ben. For a split second, there was something in his expression relief? Shock? It was gone too fast for Ben to tell.

"Ben, son, are you okay?" the man asked, stepping forward.

Ben tensed. Son? He barely held back his confusion. He had never seen this man before in his life.

Still, he played along. "I… I don't know."

The man her dad gave him a concerned look before glancing at his daughter. "Melissa, what happened?"

"I found him outside. He seemed… confused. He didn't even recognize I-Island."

The man frowned, studying Ben more closely. Then, without warning, he grabbed a small handheld device from his workstation and waved it over him. The screen flashed red.

The man's brows furrowed. "This doesn't make sense…"

Ben's pulse quickened. "What doesn't?"

The scientist hesitated, then looked him in the eye. "Your Quirk levels are fluctuating like crazy. Almost like your body is trying to adjust to something."

Ben froze.

Quirk?

He barely had time to process the word before Melissa spoke up. "Do you think it's because of his ability? Maybe overuse?"

The man rubbed his chin. "Possibly. But even then, this pattern is unusual…"

Ben's thoughts raced. He had no idea what they were talking about. What the hell was a Quirk? He wanted to ask, but something told him he shouldn't. If they already believed he was supposed to have one, acting confused would only raise more suspicion.

He swallowed. "So… what now?"

The scientist exhaled. "For now, we'll run some tests, make sure you're okay."

Ben forced a nod, even as unease crawled through him.

What the hell is happening to me?

One thing was clear he was way in over his head.

And he needed to figure out the truth before it was too late.