"Go on.."

"Its computerized, transitioned from a basic pulse nuclear weapon to an energy transference type of device with stored dormant power."

"What?"

"It contains nuclear properties, its basically a sort of battery that contains unsurmountable energy to the extent of gigawatts, but the type of energy is unknown but very volatile from what those readings say."

"And the only way to induct a transfer is through software sync between the c4 and a computer to relay it to a host source?" Colosso offered his bit, having understood some of the vague description from the information they copied. Although he was somewhat a genius in his own right, he and Max both knew that his apprentice far surpassed him in terms of acute intelligence.

"Yes."

"You think maybe they're using it to power up whatever tube you mentioned?"

"Doubt it, the level of power they're planning on using is magnitude enough to fuel a time machine, if they were planning on powering a time machine that is, but no, that tube looked more of an emission filter to me."

Colosso nodded. "A fluctuation of unknown power surges throughout the city may cause derails to the stability of electronics that require larger outputs Max."

"Supermarkets, schools, hospitals, we get the picture here."

"I propose you find out more before you take any action."

"Yeah, and in the process look more into Phoebe's case you know, this whole 'Initiative Squad' rubs me the wrong way."

"You do that, while I worm my way through the Villain League database on anything Hemphis Duran."

"We have to do it fast."

"Two weeks tops."

"Right."

An ensuing silence.

"...Speaking of Phoebe."

"What about her?"

"Where do you plan on going with, whatever you have going on?"

Colosso swiveled its way beside Max.

"Lovey-dovey before an ensuing storm with your twin nonetheless. Aren't there certain boundaries to what the two of you get at?"

"We haven't even done anything that may require or placate boundaries Colosso."

"As long as the two of you still carry the same last name, I can guarantee that whatever the two of you have going on won't last, and you know it."

Max sighed with mirth, he couldn't disagree with the bunny's logic even when his heart's content leeringly thumped for the other side which chose to love his twin more than what she stood for on their pedestal family tree.

"Max?"

He tilted his head when the subject of their discussion strode down the stairs towards them.

"Hey." she greeted, reaching the two.

"Hi." he returned, leaning closer as Phoebe's eyes widened, misreading the notion considered Colosso's presence, that was until he spoke up. "Is that soufflé topping tacos I smell?"

Phoebe managed to recede the heat to her face and nervously quivered a reply. "Yes. I happened to remember it was your favourite so I ordered some for us, you know, and eat them over homework." she said with a sincere smile that reached her eyes.

"Or, how about I eat while you do both our homework." he suggested, before narrowing his eyes. "That's what we agreed on Phoebe."

"Would it hurt to help me out by doing your own homework just this once?" she pleaded.

"Don't give me that look Phoebe, it won't work on me."

She held his hand, attempting an adorable pout.

"Please, you're so far behind with your notes that it would take an entire week to catch up with me, not to mention you still have the freelance practicals you have to do yourself since I know nothing about softwares."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

"Why do you do it exactly? Last I checked it wasn't in the school context."

"Its a hobby of mine,"

"You're willing to study something not beneficial to your academic scores, yet you refrain from putting in effort in your actual school work?"

Colosso would have risen an eyebrow. "You know, the bond the two of you share is questionable at times."

Phoebe noticeably stiffened, which her twin noticed as he stood up.

"Can we just go? I'm hungry from all this talking."

She nodded, keeping their hands threaded, transversing the contact into a pull as she motioned for the stairs.

xXx

"Is everything going according to plan?"

"I see you highly regard our relationship since you chose to meet with me in person without that disguise."

A grunt. "Is everything coming along on your end?"

"Yes, its only two weeks and we'll have compiled all the hardware we need for our take over to commence, reassured the main threshold on the borders is perfectly maintained and the source safely secured."

"Good."

"I assume you gave the go ahead for protocol 477?"

"I did, it will lessen suspicions that way."

"I happen to share similar sentiments, the last thing we need is for certain individuals to sniff where they aren't supposed to."

"What about the boy?"

"In time that won't be an issue, if everything goes according to plan the boy will be within our grasp."

"Do you think he's ready?"

"More so, given it has been 16 years if I'm not mistaken."

"Seeing as everything is relative and in order, I'll be taking my leave now."

"Do me well Oscar, see to it that everything is cordially maintained, for great rewards await you and I in the near future...in the near future indeed."

xXx

"The algorithmic pattern is difficult to grasp, basically nullifying any chances of understanding the ideology without an experienced handler to guide you." Max explained, dangling the hard drive before her.

"Hackers?"

"Yes, they could numerically amount any money they have and store it into this drive with securital software of course. So if I were a cyber thief, I could physically carry my money around, and depending on the type of wall software, your transactions won't pop up on any authority radar, no matter how large the sums are."

"Wow, that's impressive." Phoebe complimented.

"Its not surprising because society is changing, so people have to adjust accordingly with it, they gain exquisite skills to simplify their way of living. This is just another way of gaining money."

"Common for thieves and people who are too lazy to look for decent jobs... particularly villains."

Max nodded, placing the device into his pocket, hearing the click of a lock mechanism which compelled him to look at her locked door.

"What's going on?"

Phoebe was already in the process of tugging off her blouse, discarding it to the floor, pushing him on the bed, straddling his thighs, casually drifting his shirt over his head.

"Why aren't you stopping me Max?" she whispered sensually.

"Pft, and pass up the chance of seeing you shirtless? No way." he retorted, eyes maintained on her bra.

She leaned down and kissed him, not wasting time as her tongue effortlessly slid into his mouth, digging her fingers into his scruffy brown hair.

Max ran his hands along her back, to her stomach, fingers easily lifting the soft hem band of her dress around her waist as his hands drifted into the soft forbidden fabric.

"Max!" she gasped in surprise, retracting in a backward tumble if Max hadn't wrapped his arms around her.

"Sorry, you're just so warm and alluring I couldn't help myself." he justified calmly.

She found his apology somewhat sincere, pressing her face into the nook of his neck. "Don't touch me there, at least not yet."

"At least not yet? Does that mean I'll get to-"

"Yes, I wouldn't deny this body to you Max."

"...I can't believe you just said that, weird."

"In return you wouldn't deny me any part of you as well."

"Reasonable."

Regaining composure, Phoebe hastily pressed her lips against his, reinstating the intimate moment.

Max let his hands play with the strap on her back, rubbing the smooth skin that surrounded her neck, thumbs dragging along her collar bone to dig into her nigh deep nooks, divorcing from her lips to nibble on her ears, leaving her a whimpering mess considered his not so gentle bites.

"Phoebe honey, are you in there?"

Max was victim to the floor as Phoebe scrambled for her blouse, deep takes of air to recompose the erratic heaves of her chest, sending Max a mild apologetic smile, pecking him on the lips before beckoning to her window.

"Uh, yes mom! I was just, um, doing my homework!" she offered, levitating her book filled bag on her bed. "Can I help you with something?"

"There is a transmission from President Kickbutt for you."

"Oh, I'll be down in a sec!"

"Do hurry!"

Phoebe readjusted her blouse, glancing to the side to see Max already vacant from her room, using her telekinesis to close her window as she trudged for her door.

xXx

"I'll be moving away from home?!"

"Don't sound so surprised Phoebe Thunderman, this is the sub squad for the Z-Force so its only logical to train you somewhere secluded."

"But, but-"

"Wasn't it your ambition to become part of a legendary squad such as the Z-Force?"

"But this isn't the Z-Force!" Phoebe bit out.

"You're right, it isn't the Z-Force, but it is a squad which prepares you to enter the A team Phoebe."

"So I'll be moving back to Metroburg in about two weeks?"

Evelyn nodded. "For exactly three months. Your physical location won't be disclosed to any of your friends or family. You're only allowed to contact your family once a month. Other than that, we are to foresee your progress which will be evaluated on a daily basis without any personal distractions. Any other questions?"

Phoebe visibly slumped. "I guess not."

Barb consolingly ran her hand across her daughter's back, understanding the expectations that weighed on Phoebe's shoulders including the sacrifices that came along with it, moving away from home for three months being one of them.

"I'll see you in two consecutive weeks Phoebe, until then, spend as much time with your family as you possibly can."

"Are you kidding me?" Max chimed in. "The exams are literally a few days away from next week, how exactly do you expect her to prepare for those exams while busy bodying herself by spending time with us and in between her studies?"

"It can't be helped Max Thunderman." Evelyn replied stoically. "And since we're on the topic, there is still one spot open on the Initiative squad."

"What? You want me to fill that spot?"

"Its a mere suggestion. The decision and choice lies solely on you."

"I think I'll pass."

President Kickbutt spared Max a lengthy even look, before clearing her throat, seeming to inch towards the screen, her unusual indifferent expression remnant on Max.

"All individuals, male or female, who possess traits or unnatural abilities that discern them from the normal human are to fall under a board of legislation that acts as overseers for these individuals as a foreign specie. In today's society, there exists two of them, namely the Hero and Villain League, who train and guide people with extraordinary abilities." Evelyn informed without batting an eye. "Some individuals often pose a threat to society and innocent people around them, they're called villains. They do wrong, and don't think twice about taking innocent lives or going against the law. Hence units such as the Z-Force are created, to impede the unlawfulness and bring justice to those who break the law."

Max frowned. Evelyn's stare tightened.

"Do well to remember that the powers we possess aren't deemed a right, but a privilege. Even if you're some vigilante prancing around town at night, saving lives or helping people, you still need to represent a faction."

Max toned his expression not to give anything away, he was sure as crucial as the conversation seemed, no one knew of his secret identity. The Hero League may have their inkling suspicions but unfortunately confirmation will be denied courtesy of him blocking any minor popping ups of his name on their radar, or any for that matter.

"In your case, you've reached what we call maturation."

"... Maturation?" Max asked, a frown cemented on his face.

"Yes, its a term used for people with powers when they fully recognise the extent of their abilities, and are mentally aware of them, both pros and cons. It will only be a matter of time before the board is aware of your powers and will inquire as to where your loyalty lies. You'll be under surveillance without your knowing, and if the board decides you're indecently using your powers for petty crimes or simply not using them at all, you'll undoubtedly be deemed unworthy of carrying said powers then be stripped of them, rendering you powerless."

Phoebe spared her twin a glance, before turning her eyes back to the Thunder-monitor. "Wait, you can actually do that?"

"Without a doubt, its within our rights to do so." President Kickbutt replied, her sights trailing back towards Max. "In your case Max Thunderman, you're a rogue. You seem unfit to carry your powers unlike your sister, who's reached her potential thanks to mentoring from her father, further enhancing the utilization of her powers, a perfect candidate for the Z-Force."

"So...are you gonna take my powers away?"

"You mistaken me. I'm not the one who condones such acts, rather 'those' above me."

"Let me get this straight. If I'm not inducted into either league, I'll inadvertently cause a scramble for power among the Hero and Villain League?"

"Yes, whereas the Villain League will either turn you evil or use your powers for their own gain."

Max crossed his arms. "What about the Hero League?"

"The Hero League would entrust your powers to a more suitable candidate."

"I'd like to see you try and take my powers from me." he stated with defiance.

"Max-"

"No Hank. I'm just being logical. I mean think about it, we were born with our powers, naturally, we didn't acquire them, if we did, it'd be within their rights to do so, but this, even I have to say is purely bull crap." he declared bluntly.

"You're entitled to your own opinion Max Thunderman, but do well not to forget your powers are not a right, but a privilege." President Kickbutt concluded, turning to Phoebe. "As such, I'll see you in two weeks Phoebe Thunderman."

The transmission ended, as the family fully registered Evelyn's words.

"Remember when you said you wished we weren't born with powers?"

Phoebe nodded.

"I'm starting to think you weren't far off."

xXx

"What's that?"

Max didn't turn at the sound of Colosso's voice, instead he kept his fingers on the keyboard, attending to the back up feed from the Thunder-monitor.

"President Kickbutt's recent transmission to Phoebe." he replied, not taking his eyes of the desktop monitor.

"Oh-kay, what are you doing now?"

"Running a conversation filter."

Colosso perched himself on the bench next to the computer, tilting its head to fully view the content on the monitor. "You think I wasn't exaggerating when I said Evelyn might be apprehend and held hostage or...killed?"

"Yes, which is why I'm running a filter on that transmission." Max said, seizing his fervent typing, beckoning Colosso to watch closely. "Tell me what you find unusual, even if its minor." he suggested, placing nearby headphones around the bunny's head, his other hand pressing the space bar.

A few minutes passed.

"Well?" Max inquired, removing the headphones from the bunny's ears.

Colosso sighed dramatically. "She seemed different. Throughout the entire conversation, she addressed you and your sister by your first and last name. She didn't crack a smile now and then as she usually does. She was too strict, seemingly forceful and too formal. And linguistics... as far as I can tell these bits prove that she was somewhat off."

"Exactly." Max exclaimed. "All these little traits define a person, you acquire them, and once you do, they're literally difficult to lose, much like verbal tics, for example, when she ends a transmission, she's usually like Super President Kickbutt! Out!" he mimicked with a snort.

Colosso realized. "Come to think of it, I just realized I didn't hear her say that."

"Right. And the placement of her hands."

"Don't think so, they were intertwined. I saw that."

"Watch carefully," he replayed the feed and paused. "Usually, her right thumb would be between the nook of her left hand, but when you look here, you see that its her left thumb that's between the nook of her right hand."

Colosso took time to accept everything in stride, before facing Max. "..Max, what are you implying?"

"This isn't Evelyn." Max answered, pointing to the desktop screen, displaying a suspended image of the current Hero League commissioner. "...this is an imposter."