Alexis’ sex at birth was female and when they became 16, they came out as non-binary. They wanted to change their name to Sam but their mother convinced them otherwise.

“This channel has been going strong for years,” she said, “The fans know you as Alexis so maybe we can wait for you to change your name later.”

“I have an idea, though,” Alexis’ father began setting a camera and lights on the kitchen table, “Why don’t you come out on the channel.”

“I… don’t know,” Alexis began.

“It’ll be great. You’ll inspire so many young people who are going through the same things.”

“Yeah, but maybe… We can wait? I kinda wanna do this when I’m ready.”

“Of course you’re ready,” their mother began combing their hair to get them camera ready, “You care about LGBTQ rights.”

“Yeah, I mean, obviously.”

“So make a video and we’ll upload it.”

Alexis shrank down, “I … Okay.”

Their dad finished setting up the camera and Alexis made the video. It got thousands of views and since it was monetized, their parents made a huge profit from it. Alexis was assured they were very brave.

Several months later, Dante and Alexis sat in the back of Ryan Benning’s sky car as it flew over the LA skyline. In the passenger seat, they noticed a giant humanoid rat eating a block of cheese and wearing a Godzilla shirt.

“Alexis, Dante, this is Labrat,” Ryan introduced them politely.

“Hello,” Labrat turned and waved happily, “Ryan told me I am technically a rat kaiju.”

“So what was the whole thing about coming with you if we want to live?,” Alexis asked.

Ryan sighed, “Movie reference. Terminator? Anyway,… I found out about Levison’s little mission so I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk to you privately. Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate any of the others but I found the two of you at least.”

“We thought we were in legit danger. This is some white people shit.”

“You’re probably right but at the same time, you’re on a TV show created by the whitest white guy who ever whiteguyed so slow your roll a little. I’m kinda hoping you guys don’t get yourselves killed.”

“We’re not even fighting anyone. It’s just stupid obstacle courses and shit.”

“Trust me, Levison is more than willing to put you in front of a supervillain in the middle of Times Square if it means ratings. Meanwhile, and this is even more important, the government is partially funding this whole thing which means, sooner or later, you will all be used as super soldiers. I know neither one of you want that.”

They were silent.

“Yeah, see, that’s how it works. You and your parents thought it would be all fun and games and quite a bit of money but if Uncle Sam is involved, they’re gonna ask for something in return.”

“We’re supposed to be training to be superheroes but like, there’s other superheroes out there,” Dante explained, “Why would they use us?”

“They gave you powers so they likely feel they can do just about whatever they want with you. They can’t press the Cavalier or that robot lady into their service but they pretty much own you. Maybe not tomorrow but eventually, you will be called to ‘serve your country’ and that could end badly in a number of ways.”

“Don’t they have the IMD for that?,” Alexis asked.

“They answer to Interpol so not exclusively the US. It’s a whole other mess. The best I can do is help you deal with your powers and maybe, if we’re lucky, think for yourselves.”

“So what can you teach us about our powers?,” Dante asked curiously.

“For starters, have you tried accessing your super strength without getting hit first?”

“That’s not how my powers work. I have to absorb kinetic energy and then store it up as physical strength. It’s why I’m called Payback.”

“Have you ever tensed your muscles to the point of causing tremors? This could occur while holding something heavy or holding an awkward pose for too long. You can also do it by clenching or flexing for a long time.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Try doing that and feeling the tremors. You can absorb the kinetic energy from your own body and potentially channel that into increased strength. In theory, the longer you do it, the stronger you can get.”

“Yeah, I’ll try it.”

“So can we get back to our mission-thing-whatever?,” Alexis asked.

“Sure but you may be interested in knowing something else…,” Ryan’s face fell as he readied himself for a large revelation.

Elsewhere, Kaley exited out of a portal, onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As expected, a camera crew rushed to her location and began filming. “So now I have to find the last clue,” she said, “What am I looking for?” She noticed aspiring actors dressed as various fictional characters nearby, posing for pictures and chatting with tourists. One costumed character was not so fictional, however. A man dressed as the golden age hero, Sgt. Stripes approached her, “Perhaps I can be of service.” Kaley said nothing and politely listened to him while trying not to laugh at how utterly cheesy it all was. “A hero has to stand for the rights of others. It’s the American way. Here’s the final clue,” he handed her a card which she read aloud. “No phones and no help allowed: there’s only one star in this galaxy where no man can take a small step. Some heroes are just too big.” She dropped the card at her side and began looking around, “A star I’m not supposed to step on?”. She looked down at her feet where a long line of stars stretched out along the sidewalk.

Back at the Middle Ages Restaurant, a man in a cheap black knight armor raised a foam sword, “Who are you to challenge me? I am -,” he was cut off when Kyle raced forward at nearly 50mph. The shove sent the knight rolling across the sandy arena, tearing off chunks of his armor. “Ow!… Shit!…,” he groaned as he finally rolled to a stop, “What the Hell?… Swear to God nothing better be broken.” Kyle apologetically shuffled his feet in the arena sand, “Um… sorry.” He was soon given the next clue and upon realizing where he needed to go next, raced out of the building. The camera crew began helping the knight to his feet. “You’re lucky if I don’t sue somebody,” the underpaid actor grumbled.

At the Walk of Fame, Kaley opened a portal at one end of the sidewalk and stepped through. After not finding the star she was looking for, she ported to another section. After a few moments of this, she noticed a lone star on a wall and opened a portal next to it for a closer look and once there, came to a realization. “Oh, Muhammed Ali’s star,” she exclaimed, “It’s not on the ground with the others. This is it!”

A cosplayer dressed as Adonis Creed approached while holding a card; a cameraman trailed behind him, “When Muhammed Ali got his star on the Walk of Fame, he asked that his star not be on the ground where disrespectful people might step on his name. As a true hero, his wishes were honored,” he handed the card to Kaley, “Congratulations, Upstart. You won.” She snatched the card and jumped for joy, “Woo-hoo!” Despite the cheesiness of the contest, she was happy she won as she had certain plans in motion.

Just then, a blur flew passed them, getting their attention. A split-second later, the blur returned and came to a stop. When Kaley saw Kyle, she raised her winning card and did a little dance, “I won! Hell yeah!” Kyle shook his head and sat down to catch his breath, “Ah, man.”

Across the city, Ryan flew Dante and Alexis between some high rises and after taking a drag form his vape, he began his story, “When I was a kid, I was convinced to make tech for the government.”

“Yeah, we know,” Alexis sneered, “You were part of the problem.”

Ryan bit his tongue a bit, “Yes, I was. Being the Smartest Boy in the World does not mean I wasn’t naïve,” he continued, “Some of that tech was eventually used by the CIA to form a coup in Costa Triste. I’m certain those same weapons are being sold to cartels in Columbia. They’re decades old but they still work and they’re still quite advanced because… well,” he pointed to himself ironically.

Alexis was shocked into silence once again.

“I understand you’re pretty concerned about the current situation so I thought you should know. You are all being used just like I was and if there’s still time, you should get out. That’s all.”

“Can you just fly us back to the mansion?,” Dante asked as he noticed how upset Alexis was.

“Sure.”

At the mansion, Da Mutt was busy. After Kyle left, he simply had the driver bring him back where he finally decided to write a song and post it online in order to “show the haters.” He had just finished his rap and posted it when Kyle poked his head through his bedroom door, “Hey, the contest is over and Kaley won. I almost did it myself just so ya know.”

“Man, I don’t give a shit,” Mutt waved him off, “I did what you said I wouldn’t. I put my song out there and it’s gonna go viral.”

“Oh, I’m sure it’ll go viral but not the way you think,” Kyle scoffed, “Lemme know when you get a record deal,” he rolled his eyes and left.

In the living room, Craig Levison had a constipated look on his face which Kaley took as him looking frustrated. He paced in a circle with his phone pressed against his ear, completely ignoring her as he spoke. “He seriously showed up in a flying car and you just let the kids climb in and fly away?,” he waited for an answer on the other line and then exploded, “I don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s Ryan Bennings, you know how I feel about that little…,” he glanced at Kaley and was reminded of her presence, then began to tone it down somewhat, “Look, I’m having my assistant send out a memo: if Ryan Bennings shows up, the police are to be called immediately. Also, I’m okay if security roughs him up a little,” he hung up the phone and tried to compose himself, “Sorry about that, Kaley. I understand you won?”

“Yeah,” she said sheepishly.

He tried his best to look happy for her, “Dante and Alexis are who-knows-where. So just get Mutt and Kyle and we’ll shoot some footage,” Craig angrily left the room. After she did what he asked, they shot some testimonials and reaction shots hurriedly.

Several minutes later, Dante and Alexis arrived at the mansion. The camera crew rushed to get to the door to see them walking in but Craig seemed less enthusiastic about their return as he would have been. “No cameras right now,” he barked, which sent the crew scurrying to another location. Once they were gone, he turned to the two teens, “Next time you see Ryan Bennings, you have my permission to slingshot him across the city,” he growled, “What did he even talk to you about?”

Alexis and Dante looked at one another, then Alexis finally said, “He introduced us to his rat, then offered to drop us off at the mansion. I didn’t pay attention to anything else.”

“Don’t trust anything he says,” Craig stormed off mid-rant, “He’s always up to something. Annoying prick. Where the hell does he get off?” His voice trailed off down the hallway as he continued to rage to no one in particular.

Once he left, Dante turned to Alexis, “You gotta admit it’s kinda funny seeing him go off like that.”

They smiled, “Yeah, and I honestly had fun before the whole… maybe we’re gonna be used as a weapon by the CIA… thing.”

“I honestly don’t know why you’re still here. You hate it.”

“I dunno… my parents want me here and I don’t know what else to do,” they hesitated a moment, “I’m kinda jealous of you. At least you’re here because you chose to be.”

“You’re jealous of me? I’m like the only one here who isn’t famous or anything.”

“It makes you normal.”

Just then, Da Mutt raced through the living room, “Yo, take a look at my rap video. It has to be blowing up by now,” he put his arms around the two of them, “Hey, when I become a rap artist, you guys and Kaley can be in my entourage. Everybody but Kyle `cuz he’s a shit-goblin.” Da Mutt continued racing through the mansion for parts unknown.

“And being normal is a good thing,” Alexis added.

Kaley came through the room next, wrapping her arms around Alexis and giving them a kiss, “Hey, I won and we’re going to Miami for Spring Break!”

“That’s awesome,” Alexis said happily, “Why did you choose Miami, though? I mean, it’s nice but I didn’t know that was your thing.”

“I thought we could have a little adventure there. Who knows what might happen.”

“Cool. Let’s hit the kitchen and get some ice cream,” Alexis turned to Dante, “Come on.”

He smiled and followed.

Da Mutt’s rap video had gone viral almost immediately. He considered streaming it live but wanted to choose the best take to best display his musical abilities. He didn’t check the comments, however, since he wanted to wait until the next day. It was akin to Christmas morning where he would wake up and bask in the accolades of the public.

The first comment on his video: Guess the rap genre is dead.

The second comment: Nah. Music is dead.

The third comment: wtf? Delete this.

It went on from there.