The Carter mansion was quiet—perhaps too quiet—except for the rapid sounds of game controllers and the occasional exasperated sigh echoing from the living room. The huge flat-screen TV lit up the dimly lit area, providing a gentle light over Alex and Mia, who were seated cross-legged on the couch, engaged in a fierce battle on the screen.
"Hero Clash: Ultimate Battle" was their favorite game—an exciting, arcade-style superhero brawler that allowed players to customize their own heroes, select their abilities, and compete against each other in combat.
Alex’s character in the game sports a streamlined blue superhero costume and harnesses the ability to create blue plasma balls, while Mia’s character dons a pink superhero outfit and possesses superspeed, leaving a radiant pink trail behind. The irony? These are the exact powers they will one day develop—but they have no idea yet.
And, as always, Alex was winning.
Mia screamed, "No! No, no, no!" As her character, wearing a sleek pink superhero suit and leaving a glowing pink speed trail behind, was launched across the battlefield. Alex smiled and tightened his controller as his blue-suited superhero lifted a glowing plasma ball in his hand and charged up for the final attack. "It's over, Mia. Just accept defeat." His voice was brimming with confidence, and Mia hated it.
Mia screamed, rapidly pressing the buttons on her controller, "I will never accept defeat!" In a flash of pink, her character darted across the screen, avoiding Alex's last-minute attack.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0u92pouFP
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"Oh, come on!" Alex groaned.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTuAJWiWWm
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Mia gave a sly smile. "You really thought you had me, didn't you?"19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK06aucO3Cw
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Alex, however, was already attacking again. His lightning-fast reflexes allowed him to unleash another plasma blast, striking Mia's character mid-dash and swiftly knocking her out.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJZkaGVK5C
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The screen flashed:19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQBUSESfpy
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PLAYER ONE WINS!19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoRPJtY5cS
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Alex raised both of his arms. "“And still undefeated! The champion remains on top!”
Mia let out a frustrated groan saying. "You're cheating again!" as she flopped back against the couch.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklonrBELbB
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Alex laughed. "It's not cheating if I'm just better than you."19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1VkZ1nMHs
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Mia sat up and jabbed her finger at her brother. "I don't know how, but you rigged the game! There's no way you're this good!"19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgKlx38C5I
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Alex shrugged, taking pleasure in her annoyance. "Maybe I just have natural talent. Or maybe, I'm secretly a real-life superhero." He wiggled his fingers in a dramatic way.
Mia gave an eye roll. "Pfft. Please. I would be the superhero in this family if there was one."19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AlHMDsZ3p
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Alex started to argue, but a voice cut them off.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwSEdxqAkA
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"Alright, that's enough for tonight, you two."
Sarah, their mother, had a knowing look on her face as she leaned against the doorway with her arms crossed. John, their father, was standing next to her, laughing and shaking his head.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmHPhVrZ4l
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"But I was about to get my rematch!" Mia complained.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fmhmKOKWn
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John laughed. "And I was going to say it's past your bedtime."19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42MWbnsmto
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With a loud sigh, Alex let his controller fall on the couch. "Fine. But just so you know, I'm still the reigning champion."
Mia folded her arms. "Not for long. Because tomorrow, I'm gonna kick your ass so hard-
Sarah gasps. "Mia!"
John exclaims. "Language!" crossing his arms.
Mia sighed and muttered a half-hearted "Sorry." as she threw her controller onto the couch next to Alex's. Alex just smirks and says. "I think you should ground her."
"Alex!" Mia calls out.
Sarah clapped her hands, easing the tension with a cheerful grin. "Alright, enough bickering. You both need to calm down. Go brush your teeth and prepare for bed. I’ll bring your drinks up shortly."
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Mia and Alex shared a quick look, their competitive spirit fading into a well-known routine. "Alright," Mia huffed, getting up from the couch. Alex followed suit, casting one last satisfied glance at her as they made their way upstairs, their footsteps resonating through the grand corridors of the Carter mansion.
In the kitchen, Sarah moved with familiarity, retrieving two glasses from the cabinet. John joined her, leaning against the counter while observing her actions. The soft hum of the refrigerator filled the quietness between them—a quiet heavy with unspoken understanding. She opened a small, unlabeled container from the back of the pantry, revealing a pale, shimmering liquid that appeared harmless.
With a steady hand, she poured a measured amount into each glass, then filled them with milk, stirring until the mixture blended perfectly. John raised an eyebrow, his tone quiet. "Do you ever think they’ll start to ask more questions? They’re ten now—smarter than we give ‘em credit for."
Sarah paused, her spoon stopping in the glass. "They might. But they’ve never suspected anything so far. To them, it’s just their nightly ‘vitamin drink.’" She offered a small, nostalgic smile. "We’ve made it sweet enough that they don’t complain."
John let out a quiet laugh. "True, adding the honey was a smart move. It masks that odd aftertaste." He looked in the direction of the stairs, his face losing some of its tension. "It still feels odd, though. Seeing them play that game, choosing powers so similar to what’s ahead… it almost feels like fate is taunting us."
Sarah agreed, her gaze drifting momentarily. "I know. But it's better this way. If their powers surfaced now, without control? We’d have far bigger issues than a wrecked living room." She gathered the glasses, her tone becoming more resolute. "Alright, let's take these to them."
In the room upstairs, Alex and Mia had already changed into their pajamas, lounging on their separate beds in the shared space their parents insisted on them keeping, despite the mansion having plenty of extra rooms. The taste of toothpaste was still on their breath as they exchanged lighthearted teasing about the game, with their earlier competitive spirit transforming into drowsy chatter.
Sarah entered first, with John closely following her. "Here you go," she said cheerfully, passing Mia her glass. "Your special nightcap."
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Mia accepted it with a theatrical sigh, swirling the creamy liquid. "Why do we still need to drink this stuff? We’re not babies anymore."
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"Yeah," Alex added, taking his own glass from John. "I'm pretty sure I don’t require a ‘growth drink’ to remain this awesome." He flexed a skinny arm, grinning.
John chuckled, ruffling Alex’s hair. "Believe me, kiddo, it’s benefiting you more than you realize. It helps you stay strong and healthy—prepared to face the world one day."
Sarah gave John a brief, teasing look—watch it—before addressing Mia. "It's just a small remedy to help you sleep better. You've been growing so fast lately, and this helps keep everything… balanced It's what the doctor recommended."
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Mia squinted at it skeptically but took a sip regardless. "It’s not bad, I guess. Better than that awful cough syrup you had me drink last year."
Alex downed his drink in one swift motion, using the back of his hand to wipe his lips. "I don’t care what it does; as long as I keep winning against you in Hero Clash, I’m good."
Mia stuck her tongue out at him and quickly finished her glass, passing it back to Sarah. "Whatever. I’ll uncover your cheating secret tomorrow."
Sarah collected the empty glasses, her smile unchanged. "Of course you will, sweetie. Now it’s time for bed. Big day tomorrow—school and your rematch." She flicked off the main light, leaving only the soft glow of their nightlights.
John hung by the entrance, observing as the twins nestled under their blankets. "Sleep well, you two. No dreaming up ways to zap each other, okay?"
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"No promises," Mia mumbled, already mostly hidden under her pillow
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As the parents entered the hallway, gently shutting the door behind them, Sarah exhaled softly. "They’re getting closer to the truth every day, aren’t they?"
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John wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his tone calm. "Possibly. But we have time. The formula is still effective, and when the moment comes to reveal everything to them—about the powers, about us—they’ll be ready. We’ll make sure of that."
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Downstairs, the TV continued to emit a soft glow, the Hero Clash title screen cycling silently. On it, Alex’s blue plasma hero and Mia’s pink speedster stood together in victorious stances—oblivious to the genuine legacy set to unfold within their players.
and then Add to home screen.