"Does that happen in real life? I guess you probably wouldn't know."

He shrugs. "Nothing that's made the news, at least."

"Was there a big villain problem? I think most people with superpowers would probably just use them to help with the boring stuff."

"...Yeah. I don't - really know why. Some people had theories, from powers picking people who're fight-y to since powers show up when you're at your worst moment the superhero community being a bunch of traumatized assholes kind of thrown into a pot... Also some people blame politics, and how the law gets in the way of heroes way more than villains? And heroes not wanting to sign up for the police."

"I guess we're not very good superheroes, either. We've probably hurt more people than we've helped."

" - I think that's true of a lot of superheroes. Or that it's hard to tell, if you're hurting or helping when you're in the middle, and you're just scrambling trying to prevent someone else from hurting everyone worse..."

"I wish someone had picked who to give powers to. We were kind of just there."

"I don't think anyone's picking, for us, or if they are it's not someone friendly."

"Are there a lot of theories? Ours came from alien technology. We don't really know how it works, but it's not a mystery why us, just some coincidence and space battles."

"There was a guy who appeared first? When powers were first showing up. No one really knows if he's the cause of powers or just the first powered person, though he's also the most powerful when he's serious..."

"What, doesn't he talk about it? Does no one know where he came from?"

"He's only talked once, that anyone heard, to say his name - Scion."

"Wow. Uh, hey, have you ever heard of the Ellimist?"

"No? What's that?"

"He's some kind of alien god who stopped time while we were in the middle of almost dying to offer us life in an alien zoo. Apparently there's more of them, so I figured I should ask."

"He hasn't done stuff like that, I don't think..."

"If time ever stops, just be ready. He likes playing mind games."

Scott finishes up his dinner and sets up a sleeping bag for Nereus.

"I think this should be enough for one night, and then we can figure out what to do. Have a good night, Nereus."

"I'll keep that in mind. And, thanks. Good night."

Scott gets home well before his mom's shift ends. He spends the rest of his night working on homework and talking to Erica. He needs the check-in to feel normal. Today was a pleasant kind of weird, compared to most days. He can't stop thinking about what this could mean for them. They've been hoping the Andalites would come and help them fix this, but now they might not have to wait. They might be able to win.

And the next day, Dr. Deaton arrives to his clinic as though it's a normal day.

He's had enough warning to expect someone, so he does knock.

"Hey! Uh, feel free to come in?"

He does.

"Nereus. I hope you slept well. I doubt it was the most comfortable you've had."

"I've slept in worse places, so it's cool."

"I like to treat my guests better than the worst places they've been, but I suppose I can appreciate that. What has Scott told you?"

He busies himself with getting ready for the day's work.

He relays stuff!