The Plagued World: The Story of Maximus

Episode Two - The Test

Maximus lays in bed, reading up on his studies. He sighs, closing his book. Kevin enters his room, "hey kiddo. I'm heading back to California for more studies...I just wanted to say bye before I go." Maximus nods, "yeah dad. See you when you get back." He picks up his book again, opening it, continuing his study. Kevin nods, "yeah...well, see you in a week." He leaves, closing Maximus's door.

The next day, Maximus picks up his book bag, heaving it around his shoulder. He fastens the strap, taking a deep breath. Sarah, who was making breakfast, walks into the room, patting Maximus on the back. "Hey mom," Maximus says quietly. "You seem tired, are you okay?" She asks, rubbing his shoulder. "I couldn't sleep last night, Dad left earlier yesterday," he replies, rubbing his eyes.

"You can stay home today if you want?" Sarah suggests, giving a motherly smile. "Thanks, but I'm okay," Maximus responds, smiling in return. "Alright honey- hey, if you change your mind, just give me a call, I'll come pick you up," Sarah says, returning into the kitchen, "don't forget your breakfast!"

Maximus snap-vanishes into the kitchen, grabbing his breakfast, "thanks mom, see you later!" Sarah shakes her head, "super crazy strong people...I'll never get used to it."

Maximus leaves home, entering the front yard. He looks up the sky, the morning clouds seem inspiring to him. His aura bursts, and he flies off to the school. He quickly reaches it in a matter of seconds. He lands, joining his friends for the day at school.

It ends as soon as it began, Maximus leaves school. He flies back home, and just before he enters the house, he notices a black van approach his home. The van stops just before the steps, a man steps out in a black suit, and shades.

"Oh, typical bad guy," Maximus says, flushing his energy in a protective manner. The man approaches the door, entering without warning. "H-Hey! What the hell-?!" Maximus shouts, running up to the door, bursting through it. The man surprises Maximus with a blow to the face, sending him back outside the door.

Maximus stands up, shaking his head, looking at the man, who was closing the front door, "there you are. I was looking everywhere for you." Maximus gets to his feet swiftly, "okay...what the hell?" "You should watch your tongue young one," the man says, holding his hand out to him.

Maximus hesitantly reaches for his hand, letting him pick him up. "Why did you punch my face?" Maximus asks, rubbing his forehead. "I felt a sense of hostility in you," the man says. He takes off his glasses, his eyes were glossy, and they bared a strange pattern. Maximus looks into his eyes, but then he shakes his head, "what're you doing here? And why did you think you could just walk into my home?"

"Allow me to introduce myself, friend," the man says. He smiles, "I am Project Exodus, I was created by the government as a super-human experiment." Maximus's eyes widen, "oh...well, that's-...neat! Uh...what?" Exodus chuckles a little, "worry not, I am still human, but there are genetic enhancements that make me physically stronger than the normal man."

"Sure, that's cool and all, but what do you want with me?" Maximus asks. "To test my abilities on you, Kevin said that it would be a good test for not only me, but for you too," Exodus explains. "That's my Dad for you..." Maximus says in an agitated tone, "I'm sorry, but I can't right now. I have studies I have to get to."

Exodus frowns, "I apologize, but I cannot let you do that until we've fought." Maximus raises an eyebrow, "oh? And you think you have what it takes to stop me?" "Kevin always said you were the proud type," Exodus jokes, getting in a battle-stance.

"Yeah, it seems as if that's my flaw," Maximus says, grinning. His energy erupts as he pushes himself to full power, his aura bursts with a shock-wave accompanying it. Exodus staggers in shock, "this is the potential your father spoke of." "Yeah, and I'm sure I can't stop there," Maximus gloats.

He dashes at Exodus, throwing a sharp punch. He catches it, "my, you're fast." He grabs his wrist, throwing him to the sky, firing a massive energy blast. He deflects it, firing one in return. He dodges out of the way, skirting against the ground. "Your power is incredible, friend," Exodus compliments, looking up at Maximus. "Hey, thanks, I haven't fought someone in a few months, this feels great," Maximus replies, his energy fills him with eagerness. He erupts with energy, but then he suddenly vanishes.

Exodus looks around with his eyes, but then he suddenly punches forward, knocking Maximus out of the super speed like state, sending him to the ground. He grunts, flipping to his feet. "Wow, you saw that?" Maximus asks, smiling. "Your speed is amazing, but it is not fast enough for me," Exodus explains.

"Darn...then it seems like I can't defeat you as I am now," Maximus says, his aura surges. "Maybe not, but you haven't unleashed your true power yet," Exodus replies. "Huh? But this is my full power," he replies, shaking his head. "That isn't even close to what you can manage, my friend. Kevin spoke of your Peacemaker form, how it seemed leagues ahead of him," Exodus says. "Peacemaker form...yeah, but I can't tap into it on will," Maximus replies, powering down.

"He did mention that, but I know that your true potential can be realized if you train on a daily basis, like your father. If he's not doing tests, he's training to make himself stronger, that's why he has this immense power," Exodus explains. "Yeah, I know...but I don't have the time for that, I have school, finals are coming up, and I can't just skip out on that," Maximus replies.

"I understand, but you must realize that your father will not be around for much longer. When he goes, you will be tasked with the job to protect the Earth from any evil-doers," Exodus says. Maximus looks down at his feet, "I didn't think about that..." "Well, our fight has finished, you may return and finish your studies," Exodus says, patting Maximus on the shoulder. He walks back to his car, gets in, and drives off.

Maximus stands there, he sighs, "I know I should...but I just can't..." He slowly walks back into his home, going to study.

Hours later, Maximus hears a loud thud. He quickly gets up, running to his window, he looks outside, there was a massive explosion in town. He runs down the stairs, outside, his aura bursts as he flies into town.

He lands in the middle, wearing a hood to mask his identity. There was a robbery going on. "Wow, how...typical," Maximus comments, approaching the bank. The robbers, five old looking men, exit the bank, carrying bags and bags of money. "Hey! You there!" Maximus shouts. The men stop, all looking at him. "Drop the bags!" He shouts again.

"Heh, and what're you gonna do?" a robber asks. "Well, I'll make you drop it," Maximus replies. "As if," the man says, pulling out a gun. He fires it, but Maximus catches the bullet. The man tilts his head, "huh? You must be the kid of that Kevin guy, such a hero he is." Maximus drops the bullet, "how did you know?"

"Who else is crazy strong?" the robber asks. "Fair," he replies.

The men drop the bags, raising their hands. Police officers run over, arresting the men. One approaches Maximus, "hey son, just what do you think you're doing?" Maximus looks up at him, his identity still masked, "uhhh...saving the town?" "Listen, we don't have a need for vigilantes here in the city. Don't. Do. Anything," he says, turning away.

"Geez, I was just trying to help," Maximus says. His energy bursts as he flies off.