Gavin and I returned to his man-cave. Waiting for us is a fresh steaming plate of my favourite Filipino dish, Palabok. It wasn't just that; Gavin also grabbed some cool sodas from his mini-fridge. It didn't take long for me to indulge myself. I mean, can you blame me?

  I didn't eat anything for the whole day, and after the stress of today's events got me more than a little beat. The sauce of the noodles tasted extremely good; it wasn't just Palabok. Gavin even ordered some pizza. Overall, I was so relaxed that I probably would have turned into a puddle. Gavin was playing some random video game on his laptop while I leaned back on the couch as I sipped my drink.

  Overall, it's a peaceful moment. My mind was somewhere else, though. My body is relaxed, but I, Red Justice, feel antsy for some odd reason. But I couldn't understand, cold soda, warm food, and a soft couch. By all accounts, I should be unconscious right now.

  Yet, there is this feeling that I'm on the verge of realizing something, but what it is, is something I haven't figured out. My mind then wanders to today's events. I'm glad it worked out. I'm very lucky nothing happened because it could have easily gone worse. Way worse.

  But I remembered Jimmy mentioning the fact that Thomas Bullard used to be just a regular, loving father before his wife fell into a coma because of a disease and money troubles. The stress and pain transformed him into a scumbag who hit his kid. At least that's what I think happened. I have no clue if he was always a piece of crap even before all this came up, but I wondered if the Bullard family had the proper funds for Jimmy's mother's treatment. Would he still do what he did?

  That brings me back to Jacob Shinichi, Emily's father. He was a robber. Sort of similar to Jimmy, he was forced to threaten people for money to provide for his pregnant wife and daughter. But as soon as we stepped in, giving him a proper job and funding, they became a normal family. Jacob no longer has to rob people because he's no longer desperate.

  The Shinichi family were just a regular family trying to live their lives. And as soon as they have the proper money and job, they no longer have to do crime. What are the two biggest things connecting them together? Money. In this day and age, money isn't just a want anymore; it's a need.

  I didn't care much about the concept of being just an 11-year-old and having my folks to fall back on. But after the things I've seen, the homelessness and the prices rising. I was finally made aware of the power of money. It's basically a superpower. It's the ability to influence society.

  Despite my powers, it continues to beat into my head that I can't solve everything. My powers are limited to stopping things outside of society and laws. Natural disasters, criminals and helping people with daily problems. But what I can't solve are unfair laws, unfair treatment, and corrupt corporations. Things that dig deep inside society.

  Noah tried to brute force the problem of the world by destroying the current government and replacing it with his new order. I promised him that I'll change the world we currently live in into a brighter one, but not in the way he did. Even with that promise in my mind, I didn't make much progress. Thanks to the efforts of Red Justice, crime dropped in Toronto by 75%. But there are still the remaining 25%.

  Not to mention it's still just Toronto, the whole world's crime rate isn't affected that much by my presence. But the problem is that crime isn't the only headache society deals with, and like I said, I could only do so much. I needed money to save Emily and Jimmy, no doubt about it. Without Gavin's immense wealth and connections, the two would have been lost in the dark.

  I stared at Gavin's back. Him grinning ear to ear as he trash-talked some teenager for losing. I'm...I'm really grateful to have him. Red Justice would not exist or would not be nearly as effective a hero without him.

  "Gah! Motherf-" He then gasped as his character died, glancing at me, before coughing and offering a sheepish smile.

  Before he could respawn, I called out his name. He removed his headset and pushed his chair to face.

  "What's up?"

  "I..." I felt my ears burn from embarrassment.

  "I just wanted to thank you for helping me out...as a hero, I mean. And the fact that you're using a lot of your own personal money just so I could feel like a hero."

  Gavin looks at me critically. Before grinning.

  "It's no big deal, kid."

  "You spend like what, thousands for getting Jimmy's mother's treatment and that's not counting the other repairs to my equipment that I doubt are cheap."

  He waves his hands. "You're acting like I sold a kidney on the black market. I have tons of money just sitting there. It's not like I've got a wife. Or kids. Or some secret second family in Brazil."

  I stared at him.

  "...You don't, right?"

  "I can't have kids, dummy."

  Oh, right, forget about one of the consequences of being a super soldier.

  He gestured around the man-cave. "What am I gonna spend it on? More anime figures? Another limited edition replica sword that I swear I'll 'Totally Use Someday'?"

  "Kind of, yeah..."

  Gavin rolled his eyes and huffed. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. But, yeah, don't think I'm wasting my money on you or any of your activities. It's worth it, don't think you're taking advantage of me, all right?"

  I looked away and muttered yes. He looks at me for a long moment before nodding. Gavin turned back toward his laptop.

  "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to avenge my honour against a fourteen-year-old with too much free time."

  He put his headset back on.

  "RUN IT BACK, YOU GREMLIN—"

  I tune him out. Watching as a veteran experienced super soldier of America crashing out on a teenager while playing a dumb multiplayer game. That's Gavin all right. Still, he told me that I wasn't taking advantage of him. I couldn't help but still feel that way.

  Gavin might be a millionaire, but he doesn't have enough funds for the thing I'm thinking of. Even his toy company and other random merch aren't enough. I needed more money for the thing I just thought of. After half-an-hour, Gavin screeched before shutting off his game after losing for the eighth time. I finished my food and continued to chug on my soda. Gavin's computer then started ringing. I looked over to see Jason's name and a goofy picture of him.

  It was a clown costume edited in. Gavin immediately moved his mouse to accept the call. Where Jason's face pops up wearing a velvet robe, drinking wine.

  "Sup, boys."

  "Hey, Jason," I said, waving from the couch.

  "Jason, my man. What's up?" Gavin greets.

  We did the usual greeting like 'How Are You?' and 'What Have You Been Doing?'. You know the usual stuff. Until Jason's face transformed into a serious expression, and so did Jason.

  "What's up, obviously you didn't call because you're feeling lonely."

  "Well, I am. I don't have many friends other than you and Ben." Jason shamefully admits. "But it's more than just that. The Monarchs recently had another meeting about three hours ago."

  Jason started explaining what happened at the Monarchs' meeting earlier that night. Apparently, after the whole Squad Nova incident, me beating them decisively to a pulp. And then unauthorized nuclear launch being triggered in response to me, Jason, suffice to say didn't like it. And chewed out the USA's Monarch. It wasn't just Jason, though; the other country's Monarchs weren't cool about what they did either.

  America tried to make an excuse; they are just trying to get data so they can use it against me later. But overall, everybody disliked that. The Monarchs apparently had a very long, very heated discussion about liability, public perception, escalation risks, and the fact that trying to hunt me down inside Canada was starting to look less like 'Containment' and more like 'Provocation.' It doesn't help with the fact that the public noticed the destruction and the explosion at the edge of space. Jason had to cover it up.

  Which made me confused, why not let America suffer the consequences? But Jason tells me that it would harm the citizens and might cause tensions and hatred between the two countries. Still, there were many people who weren't convinced and started forming conspiracy theories, a lot of them involving me. Many of these theories paint them in a bad light, which was, you know, pretty accurate given what happened. So, after a vote, one that apparently wasn't even close, a decision was made.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Effective immediately, I would no longer be hunted on Canadian soil by the government. No sanctioned operations. No task forces. Which meant I was free to do what I pleased, without the fear of a super soldier sniper aimed at my back. However, other countries are still very much fair game.

  Regardless, that's a huge load off my shoulders. Gavin smacked me back for congratulations, but there was more information.

  "The American Monarch reached out to me privately after the meeting." Said Jason.

  "And?" Gavin asked.

  "They offered me one billion dollars. For one final sanctioned attempt to take down Red Justice."

  Silence. Before Gavin whistled, before chuckling.

  "Wow, they're that desperate, huh? Even for the government, one billion dollars isn't a joke. I don't even have that much. I'm almost tempted to snitch."

  I glared at him.

  "I'm joking, relax, kid."

  Jason rolled his eyes before continuing to speak. "So, anyway. I refused because obviously. They said no nukes this time, and it's going to be much cleaner and without anyone getting hurt." He said with a deadpan expression.

  Gavin and Jason look at each other seriously before bursting out into obnoxious laughter.

  "Cleaner? Yeah, right!"

  As they laughed, I was trapped inside my own thoughts. A billion dollars. It sounds impossible, like I didn't want to feel flattered or creeped out that the government wanted me so badly that they are willing to spend that much money. Then a thought crossed my mind. What if...What if I used that money?

  "...One billion?" I asked.

  Jason nodded once, still chuckling. "Yes."

  I stared at the floor, repeating the number inside my head like a broken record. One billion dollars. Hospitals. Shelters. Research.

  Funding programs that don't get headlines. Kids like Jimmy. Struggling good folk like the Shinichi's. More people saved, happy. I swallowed a lump in my throat, before, with a shaky tone, I said:

  "...You should accept it."

  Their laughter ceased instantly. Like hitting a pause button on a video, it was that instant. Both of them snapped toward me. Their faces are a mixture of emotions of disbelief.

  "What?" Gavin said sharply.

  I winced at his tone. But I clenched my fist and stood my ground.

  "I'm serious."

  Jason blinked. "Ben. No."

  Gavin nodded, crossing his arms, looking at me like I was crazy. And honestly, maybe I am. But I swallowed my doubts and continued to press on.

  Jason leaned forward on the screen. "Ben, I refused because your life isn't a bargaining chip."

  "I know."

  "Then why would you—"

  "Because I need it."

  That made them both freeze.

  "I feel like I'm leeching off you, Gavin."

  Gavin's face scrunched up. "No, you're not, we had this conversation earlier-"

  "I know, but it feels like I am." I looked down at the floor. "You pay for everything."

  "That's my choice."

  "And I'm grateful. But I have this idea, one where even your current wealth right now...won't be enough."

  "Ben, what are you talking about?" Jason asked, looking at me curiously.

  Well, here goes nothing. I explained to them my dilemma. The fact that I could punch through asteroids, fly to the moon at light-speed, and tank nuclear explosions. Overall, having the powers of an overpowered comic book character. But I can't build hospitals, can't fund cancer research, can't open shelters.

  Can't create systemic change. I can beat any criminal, stop disasters and save the day. But I could only preserve the status quo.

  "I can save the person in front of me. I can stop the explosion. I can beat the villain...But I can't stop the reason they became villains."

  Gavin's jaw clenched. Jason's expression softened, but not in agreement.

  "In this world," I continued, "Money moves things. Money funds labs. It funds clean water. It funds mental health programs. It funds housing. For me to bring true change, I need resources."

  Gavin crossed his arms, and Jason rubbed his chin, thinking. Hopefully, I could convince them with my words. I must; this is a golden opportunity, for the sake of countless lives that need improving. I need those resources.

  "I'm stronger than last time. And I'm better prepared."

  Gavin narrowed his eyes. "So are they. They have more data on your powers and limits. Do you think you're the only one improving?"

  I swallowed. "I know, but I just..." I bit my lip.

  Finally, after staying silent, Jason says something. "You're asking me," He said, "To take a billion dollars in exchange for orchestrating an attempt on your life."

  "Pretty much, yes."

  The two adults became silent, watching me. No one talked for a while. Then Gavin deflated, being less tense and more just tired.

  "...Ben." He said softly. "There might be consequences."

  I didn't respond, allowing him to continue without cutting him off. He rubbed his palms together, thinking.

  "What you're trying to do is very noble. You're really a good person, but it's extremely risky. The Monarchs, the whole government? They don't fight fair, even if this will be the last time they will attack you on Canadian soil. The consequences and the result might be too much for you to handle."

  I hesitated. I hate to admit that he's right. What if what I'm doing has a bad aftermath? What if they harm civilians because they know that I'm willing to protect them with my life? It's pretty much confirmed that I'm willing to take a nuke to the face to save a few people who tried to kill me. My breathing slowed. Then I straightened up.

  "I'll take full responsibility."

  "Ben—"

  "No." I shook my head. "If I make this call... It's on me."

  The two adults studied me carefully. They look at each other, silently debating whether they would allow me to go through with this admittedly insane plan. Both of them released a sigh at the same time before looking at me.

  "Damn it, you're really just like Noah before he went all terrorists." With another tired sigh, he continues. "Okay, Ben, I'll accept the offer."

  I smiled. Thanking them for believing in me. Gavin snorts.

  "I may not like it, but you've got a thing about beating the odds. So, I guess, I'll help you." He pulls a drawer inside his desk and there is a black package.

  It was rectangular and looked big enough to fit one Red Justice costume. Oh, thank god, finally, I can go out in the field. He handed it to me, and it didn't take until I started ripping apart the package to open it.

  "Since we're going forward with your insane idea, then I guess it's good timing that we added some upgrades."

  Upgrades? But before I asked, I'd already pulled out...a watch? It was a smart watch, black in colour, totally plain-looking. I raised an eyebrow at Gavin and Jason, who are barely containing their knowing smiles.

  "Well, go on."

  I looked at the watch hesitantly before putting it on. It felt...oddly heavy. Like I'm carrying fifty pounds, which is something a watch should not be even close to carrying. I tapped the ON button on the side, and the screen lit up, showing it scanning my face before it unlocked.

  A clean interface popped up. Normal stuff at first vitals, GPS, encrypted comms, biometric readings, the time, you, the usual things. But then I spotted it, a single app icon. The red circle contains the letter of RJ, and behind the letters is a black background. Its my logo.

  But it's different from my plain black circle and letters.

  "What's this supposed to be?"

  "Just press on the app, dude," Jason said.

  And I did. The watch vibrated like an amber alert on a phone. The band tightened slightly around my wrist and then—

  CLICK.

  Panels split open along the watch's sides like unfolding petals. My eyes widened in slow motion from my point of view, a compressed mass of white and red material launched out of the watch like it had been vacuum-sealed into another dimension. The fabric expanded mid-air, inflating outward like a balloon. Cape unfurling, boots forming, gloves snapping into shape. It hovered for half a second in front of me until Instinct kicked in.

  I moved. So fast that for Gavin and Jason, it probably looked like a blur. I grabbed it and started to wear it. It felt comfortable like a second skin, no. It felt like my bed during weekday morning. Soft, tempting and overall relaxing.

  The belt snapped into place with a magnetic click. The cape was attached at the shoulders and cascaded down my back. There were two rectangular objects, which I placed on my ears. Then the visor snapped shut between my eyes, and the SEE Goggles HUD started appearing, showing my vitals and CE. The world returned to its normal pace again, but something was wrong; it felt different.

  I walked to the mirror on the wall to look at myself. I just stared. Because this wasn't my old suit. It looked similar, sure. A lot similar, not much difference in design, in all honesty. My first suit had fingerless gloves, but not really; my actual fingers aren't poking. It's just that the colour of the suit turned white on my fingers, in contrast to the red gloves. The 'RJ' emblem was flatter and had simple black circles and black letters.

  But this? The white material looked sleeker and tighter on my frame, but clearly reinforced. The red colours were sharper and a bit more vibrant and warm. The gloves were actually fingerless, as I could see it, no longer just a suggestion. My utility belt also has a sharper, more tactical-looking design.

  But overall, it's the same suit just upgraded. The biggest difference, though, is the emblem. Instead of a black circle, it was colored red along with the 'RJ'. But behind the letters is a black background to make the letters pop more in the suit. It's just like in the app.

  I walked towards Gavin and Jason, who were grinning at me.

  "Looks like it works, Jason."

  "Yeah, looking cool, Red."

  I was in awe of my new upgraded suit.

  "What is this?"

  Jason starts to explain that the upgraded suit wasn't cosmetic. Using newer technology, they reinforce adamantite steel into a tighter version and a lightweight version, unlike my original suit, which was just a custom, weaker version of adamantite. It was significantly more durable than my original suit. The chest area, specifically the emblem, was the most armoured section.

  Jason started spouting some science nonsense at me. Thankfully, Gavin simplified it, apparently designed to absorb and spread blunt and piercing force across the entire torso instead of letting it concentrate in one spot, weakening it. And off chance, I had no CE, returning to just a regular human, the suit is strong enough to protect me from close-range high-calibre shotgun rounds at point-blank range.

  It'll hurt, but I'll live. Another is that it's more damage-resistant compared to my old suit, which means fewer tears and battle damage. But it wasn't just protecting me, but helping me fight. The suit wasn't just made out of adamantite steel, but a special fabric woven in the metal. It functioned as a radiation-absorption layer.

  It allows me to absorb sunlight to fuel my CE. Apparently, they watched all my battles and activities and showed that my CE levels were maintained 34% higher than at night. Oh, right, I guess I do have the ability to absorb some forms of energy, just like the car battery electricity, when my organs got melted that one time. Of course, eating calories is still my best option to refuel and conserve energy, but in a fight where my snacks aren't a factor, it's good to have something to maintain my CE, especially during a fight. And finally, the deployment system.

  With a command from the watch, the material would destabilize its expanded structure and deflate, compressing itself back into a dense, compact state small enough to fit entirely within the watch's storage chamber again. Which meant that I could go there anytime without having to go to Gavin's shop.

  "Nice, very nice," I said giddyly rubbing my new suit.

  But now that I'm wearing it and there is still daylight left, I look at the two adult men. Gavin chuckles.

  "Go ahead, I'll be in your ear after I finish talking with Jason."

  I grinned as I zoomed out of the shop and flew high into the sky. Some people need saving, and bad guys that need dental care after I take care of them. Watch out, Red Justice is back, baby!