Super pants heavily as he sprints through the dimly lit streets of the city, flinching at the distant roar of a massive explosion echoing from the opposite direction. Amidst the chaos, a spark of inspiration strikes him – he recalls mastering a form of teleportation. While maintaining his swift pace, he raises two fingers to his forehead, concentrating on sensing the energy signatures of Denji or Power. Sensing Power's energy nearby, he instantly teleports to her location.
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In the midst of a somber forest, Super arrives and approaches Power, who is kneeling beside Denji. Though she acknowledges his presence, Power's focus remains fixed on Denji. Without hesitation, Super extends his hand toward the gaping, gruesome wound in Denji's head. A radiant green light emanates from Super's palm as he begins the process of healing. Gradually, the wound seals shut, and the flow of blood ceases, bringing a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of the forest.
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Denji's eyelids flutter as he leans forward, Power lending her support to keep him upright. With a slight slur in his voice, Denji speaks up.
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Denji: "What the hell happened?"
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Rubbing his forehead where the wound once marred his skin, Denji winces. Meanwhile, Super turns away momentarily, his expression darkening as memories of Aki flood his thoughts. After a deep breath, he turns back to face them.
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Super: "Listen carefully. Aki... he's gone."
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The blunt revelation catches both Power and Denji off guard, leaving them stunned into silence. Super continues, providing further details.
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Super: "He was shot and killed by an alternate version of you, Denji. The resemblance was uncanny—same hair, same face, every detail. Messy locks, jagged teeth, and those eerie orange eyes. He had his own version of Power too, but he dispatched her with some sort of laser-firing box."
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Power and Denji were left reeling in disbelief, unable to grasp the gravity of what they had just been told. Super presses on, his tone grave.
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Super: "I wish I could say I was making this up, but it's the harsh truth. I could have intervened, but something held me back... And now, Aki's gone."
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With Power's assistance, Denji rises to his feet, cursing softly under his breath before speaking up.
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Denji: "It just doesn't make sense... How could another version of me and Power even find their way here?"
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Super takes a momentary pause, gathering his thoughts.
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Super: "They likely arrived through the same rift I mentioned earlier. And if that's the case, this might only be the beginning. The battle was on an unimaginable scale, and if more waves come through, that other Denji might not be our only concern."
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Power's voice cuts through the air, thick with anger and frustration.
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Power: "Damn it Super, what have we gotten ourselves into?!"
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Super takes a moment, his expression composed as he responds to her question.
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Super: "From what I can piece together, more rifts will open, spewing beings from dimensions beyond our own. Confusion will escalate into anger, anger into rage, and rage into utter chaos. We're on the brink of an all-out war, and we may be powerless to prevent it."
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A shiver runs down Power's spine as she clenches her teeth in frustration. Denji's fist tightens as he speaks up.
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Denji: "So, because of one battle with some godlike assholes, we're now faced with a fight for our lives to maintain control over our own dimension? But as long as you're with us, Super, we'll be okay, right? You can replicate their abilities and tactics."
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Super shakes his head solemnly.
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Super: "Yes, I can mimic their abilities, but consider this: if there's an alternate version of you and Power, then it's highly likely that others from our dimension have counterparts as well. And eventually..."
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Power swallows hard, and Denji's gaze falls.
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Power: "There'll be an alternate version of you..."
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Super's tone is heavy with grim realization.
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Super: "Unfortunately, yes. And I fear they won't be as benevolent as I am. If that's the case, we may be facing an insurmountable threat."
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Denji's gaze remains low, and Power feels the weight of the situation pressing down on her. Super, though outwardly composed, is not untouched by the gravity of their circumstances.
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Super: "Here's the plan, you two. Stick together at all costs. Do not separate for anything. We need to gather as many allies as possible and inform Makima. Despite her flaws, we'll require her assistance to spread the word and utilize her capabilities."
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Denji and Power nod in acknowledgment.
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Super: "Once Makima is in the loop, we must deal with that alternate version of Denji wreaking havoc, devouring people like a maniac."
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Denji cringes at the thought.
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Denji: "Eating people? That's disgusting."
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Power adds her thoughts.
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Power: "But why us? There must be others more capable of dealing with him."
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Super responds firmly.
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Super: "He killed Aki. We can't let that slide. Even though we barely knew him, he was like family. We can't allow his death to be in vain."
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Both Denji and Power nod, fully grasping the importance of their mission. Super continues to lead the discussion.
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Super: "Now that we have our plan set, we need to establish some form of identification to avoid confusion with our alternates."
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Denji: "That's a solid plan. But how do we go about it? Specific clothing? Markings? Colors? Code names?"
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Super scratches his head, pondering the options.
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Super: "Those choices are quite specific. It almost sounds like you're suggesting we form a faction."
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Denji: "Exactly! That's what I meant. Let's create one. We can't keep calling ourselves Special Division 4, considering the circumstances. And we can use the elements I mentioned for identification."
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Super considers the idea before nodding.
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Super: "That could work. Let's get started on that. I'll ask some questions, and you answer quickly, okay?"
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Denji: "Got it."
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Super: "Color?"
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Denji: "Red."
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Super: "Uniform?"
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Denji: "Long black coats, suits underneath, and a red band."
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Super: "Name?"
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Denji: "Team Prime."
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Super: "Logo?"
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Denji: "A chainsaw."
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Super takes a moment to absorb the rapid responses.
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Super: "You've thought this through quickly. I guess that's our plan, then."
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Super claps his hands, and in a flash of light, the trio's attire transforms into long black coats over black suits, adorned with red bands bearing a chainsaw logo on their sleeves. Denji and Power marvel at their new attire, but Super's voice brings them back to reality.
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Super: “Alright, first things first. We find Makima and let her know what’s going on–”
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Before Super can finish, Alt Denji interrupts, emerging from the darkness of the forest.
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Alt Denji: “I’m afraid she already knows..”
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His grin stretches wide, revealing sharp fangs glinting in the moonlight. With piercing orange eyes and a menacing presence, Alt Denji's arrival is chilling. Denji and Power quickly stand beside Super, who meets the alternate's gaze with intense hatred. Alt Denji reveals what he holds behind his back: the decapitated head of Makima, tossing it at the trio's feet.
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Denji and Power recoil at the gruesome sight, taking hesitant steps back. Super remains stoic, his gaze locked onto the alternate. Alt Denji casually licks the blood off his fingers before speaking.
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Alt Denji: “I’ve had my fill of her for now. She's not dead, far from it. Fully conscious, fully aware. But I've placed a device in her skull, preventing her from using her abilities or healing. She'll stay like that until I decide otherwise.”
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Super responds firmly, his voice unwavering.
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Super: “And why should I care? She's caused enough trouble already. You're doing us a favor by keeping her out of the way.”
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The alternate chuckles, his laughter dry and hollow.
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Alt Denji: “Well, I guess I wasted my breath then, huh? Oh well. Anyway, I've got plans to attend to. Devouring humans, wrecking the city, and a few other odds and ends. Oh, and as for your friend Aki, let's just say he's in for a few adjustments.”
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Super's eyes widen at the mention of Aki.
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Super: “Adjustments?! What have you done to him?!”
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Alt Denji waves off Super's concern with a dismissive gesture.
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Alt Denji: “Relax, it's nothing major. You'll see soon enough. But for now, I bid you adieu.”
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Before Super can react, the alternate vanishes into the darkness, leaving only the sound of rustling leaves in his wake.
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Super's frustration boils over as he curses and spits on the ground, his anger palpable. He strides toward Denji and Power, seizing them by the collars of their coats. With a swift motion, they vanish and reappear in the city outside an apartment. Releasing his grip on them, Super pushes them back, his agitation evident. Denji and Power, taken aback by his outburst, compose themselves, wary of further provoking his anger.
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Super pounds on the door, but as seconds stretch into minutes with no response, his impatience intensifies. With a swift motion, he conjures a red flare at the tip of his finger and flicks it at the door. The explosion leaves a gaping hole where the door once stood, forcing Denji and Power to shield themselves from the blast.
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Entering the room, Super bellows a name.
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Super: “Himeno!!!”
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Super hears a noise and strides down the hallway, forcefully kicking open a door to reveal Himeno in the bathroom, hastily wrapping herself in a towel. Ignoring her state of undress, Super seizes her by the hair, causing her to cry out in pain as he drags her into the living room. He roughly shoves her into a chair and tosses the towel at her face.
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Breathing heavily, Himeno covers herself with the towel, trying to avoid any sudden movements that might trigger another outburst from Super. Denji and Power, witnessing the scene, are stunned into silence, too afraid to intervene.
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Himeno stammers, her voice trembling with confusion and fear.
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Himeno: “Wh-What are you doing here?”
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Super explains, his tone curt and direct.
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Super: “Listen up. Rifts in dimensional space-time are opening, releasing alternates. This chaos stems from a battle between powerful entities that I was dragged into. We need to gather our allies into our faction to identify each other in the midst of this chaos.”
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Himeno processes the information slowly, her expression reflecting confusion.
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Himeno: “So, these rifts are releasing alternate versions of us? What exactly do you mean by 'alternates'?”
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Super explains, his tone grave and urgent.
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Super: “They're alternate versions of ourselves. So far, only Denji and Power have come through, but more will likely follow. If we can't identify each other, we'll be vulnerable.”
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Himeno nods, finally grasping the severity of the situation.
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Himeno: “I understand now. If even Denji and Power are taking this seriously, it must be a genuine threat. And what about Aki? Is he involved in this too?”
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Super's fist clenches involuntarily, causing Himeno to flinch.
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Super: “He was the first casualty at the hands of an alternate. That same alternate killed Makima as well.”
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Himeno is visibly shaken by this revelation, her head dropping as tears well up in her eyes.
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Super: “We can mourn later, Himeno. Right now, we need to gather everyone together.”
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Super claps his hands, causing a flash and fitting Himeno in the same uniform he, Denji, and Power are wearing. Himeno stands up and wipes the tears from her eyes. Super turns and leaves through the hole he blew in the wall, followed by Denji, Power, and Himeno, behind him.
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Super: “Denji, you go retrieve Arai.”
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Denji: “Got it, I’ll go find ‘em..”
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Super nods, and Denji sprints ahead, making off to begin his search. Super then stops walking, making Power and Himeno stop as well.
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Super: “Power, Himeno, go find Kishibe, he should still be around at least.”
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Power and Himeno nod, and they both head out on their mission given to them. Super looks down at the ground, and lets out a sigh.
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Super: “This is not gonna go well..”
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