Project Renegade: Genesis (Being Updated)

Lay Low

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Two Days Later...

"Sir, the G-Formula. It's been a month, and there have been no new sightings," Ruby said.

The Big Man sat silently in a massive leather chair, his presence filling the room.

"Not to worry. You will lead the next phase. Draw them out. Kill all but the G-Formula."

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The Vertex

Sapphire sat at her desk, sorting through a stack of notes. Ryan quietly crept behind her, holding a note, trying to sneak up unnoticed.

Sapphire phased straight through the chair and Ryan, spun around, and smacked him across the neck.

"You're getting too comfortable." She joked, "What do you want?"

"Just checking in on our grades so far."

"They're all doing great. "

"They..."

"You know you can't be judged the same. We've talked about this." She showed him his papers, all mediocre grades. "It's good. But not good enough."

Ryan sighed and sank into the chair beside her. Sapphire glanced to her left, a hint of remorse crossing her face. She quickly tossed him a candy bar. He fumbled to catch it.

"But good job so far. Just continue to lay low and—"

"I was wondering if I could train with your friends again? Just one-on-one."

"Ryan, we're adults. It's kind of hard for all of us to get in the same place." She twirled in her chair, chewing on her own candy bar. "Only Kunzite and Citrine actually live in Sky City. The others were just passing through for their two weeks."

"Two weeks...is that like another word for vacation?"

"Oh yeah, you're like fifteen."

"Seventeen. And... I only asked to clarify."

"Right. Right." She chuckled. "As I said, just keep it calm. Keep showing up every day and lay low. You'll know when you're ready."

"Well, me and some of them were gonna go to the mall today...I was wondering-"

"Are you asking for permission? I'm not your mom."

Sapphire kicked Ryan's chair, spinning him toward the door.

"Go have fun or whatever."

Sapphire spun back around as the doors closed behind him. She looked down at her desk. Ryan's note sat there, titled "Thank you for believing in me."

She scoffed, then slowly read it. A small smile crept across her face. "Be safe, kid."

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Sky City Mall

With every step, the heavy shopping bags in Nichole's and Zoe's hands swooshed back and forth. Ray pointed and laughed as Karla rejected every free sample thrown her way. Michelle lingered behind, her fingers rapidly typing, her phone buzzing nonstop.

Karla turned to Ryan and subtly pushed him forward with a blood tendril. He stumbled beside Michelle and walked in silence, forcing himself to look away from her phone.

"Everything ok?" He mumbled, his voice cracking a bit.

"It's just...Jalen."

"Oh..." Ryan gulped. "How long has that been a thing?"

"Two years." Michelle watched Ryan shake his head. "What?"