The Plagued World: The Story of Maximus

Episode Fourteen - The New Plague

"You messed with the wrong man, fool," a man says, grabbing a weak man by his collar. "I-I swear I didn't take your money, okay?! Just...let me go," he whimpers, squeezing his eyes shut. "You want me to let you go? After you still my shit? Not happening," the man says, his eyes angry and furious.

He draws back his fist, but is suddenly kicked to the side, crashing into the ground. The weak man seized the opportunity and ran off. Maximus stood, his light red hair flows in the wind. He stares down at the offender, who was just getting up.

"Oh, you've fucked up, buddy," the man says. He cracks his knuckles, his friends join by his side. "Too afraid to take me on your own? How lousy, you beat up that poor man without second thought, all by your own," Maximus teases, grinning.

"Alone? Hahaha, okay. Boys, meet me back at the crib," the man says, grinning at his opponent. The others flee, leaving only Maximus and the man. "What's your name?" Maximus asks.

"Luther," the man responds. He charges at Maximus, throwing a super powerful punch, which Maximus catches with ease. Luther's eyes widen, "wh-" Maximus grins, "awh, come on. All this hype around this strength serum, and you're not even .1% of my power!"

He raises his hand, bringing his finger to Luther's head, flicking it, knocking him unconscious. He drops to the ground, Maximus reverts to base. He sighs, "I don't get why Dad and To had such a problem with these idiots." He flies off in search of more foes to defeat.

The strength serum was created using Kevin's DNA. The power comes from the DNA strands within Kevin's DNA, it mates with the user's DNA, giving them an exponential boost in strength, dexterity, stamina, and perception. However, this serum is nowhere near as strong as Maximus, Kevin, or To -- the world didn't know that their power was far beyond even that of the serum.

Maximus lands on top of a building, watching a scene play out. "Alice, why are you doing this?" "Because, Clark, Sandra doesn't want to talk to you." Maximus sighs, turning away until he hears a loud bang.

"Wh-Who are you?!" A man screams out. "HELP!" a women screams. The two are heard to be attacked...and even killed.

Maximus dashes over to the area, landing before the monster that killed them. It was a tall, fit, young man...who looked eerily familiar to Maximus.

His eyes widen, "you..."

"Yes, I am Exodus, the primary test subject of Kevin's DNA. I was made as an exact replica of his arrangements, but I am not him, biologically," the familiar voice stuns Maximus. "You've grown exponentially stronger, Maximus, your journey through adversity has awakened a new spirit in you," Exodus states, smiling at him.

"You murdered those people, weren't you made to protect?!" Maximus shouts, clinching his fists. "Protect? No...this serum, and me, are made for mass destruction. Truthfully, the serum was only meant for army soldiers to fight in wars, and so was I...but there was a breach, and now, the serum, me, are all around you," Exodus responds.

Maximus growls, "but you were never meant to hurt these people!" Exodus chuckles, "what does it matter? I have no objective, only to destroy. You are in my way...but I am incapable of destroying you, as your level of power is far above mine, so I must retreat and collect my bearings. We will meet again, Maximus." He stuns Maximus with a flash of energy, he vanishes before Maximus could get his vision back.

"Damnit! This means that the serum...it wasn't on purpose, it's being sold as a weapon of war! I've gotta go tell Dad befo-"

Suddenly, an energy blast flies past his face. He looks over, narrowing his eyes. A man walks from the shadows, a blast of energy rests in his hand. "You know how to control energy," Maximus analyzes. "Yeah, these grunts with their aimless ventures for pure strength makes them blind to what really matters," a woman says.

"Who are you?" Maximus asks, standing straight. "I am a part of To's clan. He's sent me on a mission to collect samples of DNA from Exodus, but I can tell he's afraid of you, so please -- stay out of my way," the women pleads, walking past him.

"He's the reason for all of this, why don't we just kill him?" He asks. She shakes her head, "if we want to put an end to this battle, we must gain his blood, it will create a potential vaccine for this plague." She flies off. Maximus turns and flies off himself.

"Vaccine...are these people sick? They couldn't be, they're just power crazed humans with no-good intentions," he says to himself as he soars through the sky.

"The goal is to track down Exodus, hmm? I guess I should go talk to Dad and To about this." Maximus flies back home, landing in front of the house, where Kevin and To were waiting for him.

"What did ya' find, kiddo?" Kevin asks. Maximus rubs the nape of his neck, "we're gonna wanna sit down for this conversation." They retreat inside, gathering around in the livingroom.

"Alright, what's the news?" Kevin asks again. "Do you remember Exodus? That guy who tested me all those years ago? Said he was...the primary test subject for your DNA," Maximus begins, "he's back, and he is the source of these problems we're having."

To rubs his chin, sitting up, "correct. Exodus contains the proper information to destroy the synthetic information from inside the host's body, essentially reverting their power back to that of a regular humans." Kevin sighs, "I don't get why they never told me this plan, I could've stopped them...you know, destroy their base and stuff like that." Maximus shakes his head, "this serum's main purpose wasn't to be sold and distributed, but rather, it was a breach in the company that contained and produced the serum that started this -- they also release Exodus."

Kevin nods, "okay, so, you're telling me that the actual government had a breach, and then let go of a super-buff, super-human into society?" Maximus nods. He growls, "God...why can't things stay normal until I'm dead." He stands and walks out, leaving only To and Maximus.

"I wanted to take this opportunity to ask you about your adventures through space, and that wondrous power you awakened," To says, looking at Maximus. "Oh...well, I was led on to believe that The Old Order was this horrible genocidal clan. Turns out that Seek was the product of the New Order in their attempts to destroy the Old Order...he killed thousands, but I was able to stop him," he responds.

"And that power you achieved? What was that?" To asks, pursuing the conversation. Maximus shrugs, "I don't know. It felt like I was in total control over every aspect of my body, but I didn't even think. It was strange, yet...I felt more powerful than ever. I can't achieve it on my own...the only times I've been in the form was after a near death experience."

"Okay, well, once this is over, we should consider bringing that power out of you, and manifest it so you can train it," To says, smiling slightly. He leaves the room, and Maximus sighed. He stood and left, returning back to his own home.

"Charlotte!" He calls out to his wife. She walks down the stairs, excited to see him. She runs up to him, pulling him into a tight hug. "Are you okay? How was it?" She asks, gently feeling his jaw, a concerned look on her face. Maximus smiles, "yeah...it was fine." She hides her face in his chest, "that's good..."

They spent the rest of the day together, and the day was finished. They laid in bed, holding eachother. Charlotte feels around Maximus's body, feeling the battle scars all over his body, "you feel unrecognizable, Maximus..." He stays quiet, kissing her head. They went to sleep. Early that next morning, Charlotte woke up. She looks down at Maximus, brushing his hair from his eyes, "you're so tired...sleep well, my dear." She got up and left the room, getting a shower and a change of clothes. She went downstairs and made a pot of coffee. She turns around to see Maximus, she jumps, sighing, "Maximus?!" 

"Hey honey," he replies softly. He walks up to her, "I've gotta go find Exodus..." "Oh, I know..." she says quietly, hugging him. "You give me strength, you know that, right?" He says, looking down at her. She looks back at him, blushing warmly, "oh...Maximus. Get goin', alright? I'll see you soon." He smiles and nods, turning and walking out the door.

He explodes into Peacemaker, the light red aura surrounds him as his hair changes the same color. He looks up to the fresh, morning sky. Charlotte walks to the front porch, watching Maximus. She was proud of what he's become, his abilities, strength, they increased tenfold since the last time she saw him. She felt safe, for the first time in a long while. Maximus turns to smile at her, waving as he floats into the sky. His energy erupts as he flies away. 

Charlotte watches as he flies away, sighing, "you've got this, honey."