Bianca farted all the way back to the Mechron submarine.

Proverbially of course, but Ryan couldnt help but laugh at the sound she made each time she switched between gaseous and human form. Now, she was doing a live demonstration to the courier and the Carnival members deep in the submarines mess. Most of the group sat around white tables, while Mr. Wave prepared cocktails behind a short counter.

Biancas body, clothes included, turned into an orange cloud with a snap of her fingers. Unlike her time as a Psycho, the substance reminded Ryan more of faint colored mist than thick, toxic chemicals. Though she touched the thrumming metal walls of the submarine, they didnt corrode into dust.

Ryan looked at his traveling circus. Leo Hargraves had taken back his sexy, handsome human form, and didnt hide his joy. Stitch scribbled notes on a journal. Matty kept his arms crossed with skepticism, and their new recruit, the Panda, acclaimed Bianca with his paws.

So? Bianca asked as she returned to her human form, her cloud coalescing into flesh, hair, and clothes. Terrible clothes, by the way. How could she live with herself wearing only shaggy jeans and a tank top the courier would never understand.

So I will introduce you to your lord and savior, Wardrobe, Ryan replied. I cant, in good conscience, let you run around dressed like that.

Still better than a hazmat suit, the young woman snickered, searching her pockets for a cigarette and a lighter.

The corrosive aspect of the gas was probably the result of synergy, Dr. Stitch said. Now your powers act independently. You can switch back and forth between solid and gaseous, yes, and your chemical compound no longer degrades metallic material.

I aint going to rust any metal tool I get my hands on? Bianca asked with a scoff, causing her cigarette to vibrate. Unlike her Orange power, the Red one worked shockingly the same. Yeah, I wont miss that part. Might need to change my name though.

May I suggest Lady Flatulence? Ryan asked mirthfully.

Instead of pinching him, his former Vice-President answered with a joke of her own. Only if you change your name to Butthole, she said. Wouldnt we make quite the pair then?

How about Ass and Fart? You intoxicate them, I smother them. We will call our new superhero team The Cheeks.

Better than The Buttkissers.

Sifu, could I join? the Panda asked enthusiastically.

Of course, Ryan replied. I shall grant you the honorable name of Ass-Kicker!

Shroudy Matty kept his arms crossed. Though he had championed the treatment for the Psycho condition, seeing it in action filled him with doubt now. I hope you all understand what this discovery means, he said. While it is preferable to having a psychopath with two powers, this means anyone can technically receive two powers now. The number of would-be Augustus wannabes will increase.

I doubt so, Sunshine replied with optimism. With Eva Fabre dead and her facility destroyed, nobody can make true Elixirs. Once the Mechron bases are destroyed and Dynamis is dealt with, Knockoffs will become a thing of the past.

Never say never, Sunshine, Ryan replied, knowing that someone could always develop the right power to make more of them. But I agree. The Elixir well will eventually dry up, and the problem with Lightning Butt isnt the fact he has two powers. Its what those two powers can do combined.

Sunshine nodded in agreement. Invulnerability and his destructive lightning make Augustus a danger to human civilization, but among the thousands of Psychos we encountered, only Bloodstream possesses a truly cataclysmic power combination. There will always be the likes of Mechron and Adam the Ogre, Psycho condition or not.

Point taken, Shroud conceded.

Considering the data we gathered and the projections on the Elixir distribution, Stitch said, Elixirs will more or less vanish from circulation within ten years. New Genomes afterward will be born, rather than made.

The Elixirs that remained would be like buried treasures lost to time. The Alchemist had planned for Genomes to overcome Homo Sapiens, and they would do so. With a stable genetic code, former Psychos will also be able to reproduce, bolstering the new breeds numbers further.

I wont speak for all Psychos out there. Bianca lit her cigarette and enjoyed the taste of incoming lung cancer. But I aint starting any more trouble, unless the nerd asks me too.

Moi? Ryan asked, switching between his native tongue and French.

You gave me my life back, jackass, she replied. I owe you a debt I cant ever repay. Whatever you want from me, youll get it. But Ill still punch you in the arm if you push your luck.

Would you submit to a trial? Leo Hargraves asked.

Yeah... yeah, I guess I would. Bianca let out a cloud of smoke from her nostrils. Will I?

Your crimes are nowhere near as severe as Adam or Psyshock, and you helped us a great deal, Sunshine replied with wisdom. I believe in second chances. Your captured teammates will be treated the same.

Only Geniuses with our resources and combined expertise can make this cure work though, sir, Stitch pointed out. We will need support to expand it across Europe.

Nidhoggs? Shroud asked.

Dynamis? Ryan replied jokingly. Get the best privatized healthcare in the world? Which isnt saying much.

His transparent teammate grumbled, as if a pigeon had assaulted his windshield. They already have the infrastructure, Ryan, but none of the ethics required.

We could work with Enrique Manada, but not the rest of his family, Leo Hargraves replied. There is still time to think about the future. Let us first cure the Meta-Gang members in captivity, and see if the treatment sticks.

Ryan left his allies to debate how to mass-produce the cure to sit behind the mess bar counter. Mr. Wave gave him a purple cocktail, with a tasteful blue drinking straw. What is this? the courier asked.

This is the Virgin Wavemojito, Mr. Wave pitched the cocktail. Mr. Wave can make people drunk on non-alcoholic beverages.

Ryan took a sip, closing his eyes in pleasure as the taste washed over his mouth. Such a perfect mix of grape juice, honey, and so many secret things! His idols exquisite tastes didnt stop at fashion. Delicious.

Mr. Wave only accepts the best, the Genome replied, a hand on the counter. The sun told Mr. Wave that you wanted to talk to him?

Yes, I did. The noise of their allies debate drowned Ryans voice, as he dropped the bomb without warning. Im a time-traveler.

The courier expected questions, but Mr. Wave was too good for that. One cannot travel through time. Time waits for Mr. Wave, but only after he counts to infinity. And when Mr. Wave kills time, it stays dead.

Obviously, Ryan replied. Do you remember the day we met? You saved me from an explosion.

The superhero joined his hands. Mr. Wave has had that pleasure, yes.

You saved my life more than twenty times, Ryan said, as he sipped the cocktail. I lost count afterward. Sometimes I tripped, sometimes I dived down. You couldnt save me all the time, but you always at least tried. When I die, I often remember the feeling of your cashmere suit pressing against my face to shield me from the flames.

Mr. Wave listened in respectful silence, his wavelength head lacking anything like facial expressions.

You were always present when I woke up, Ryan continued his tale. Sitting at my bedside, as if you had a responsibility towards me.

Mr. Wave had one, the man replied. If Mr. Wave had seen you earlier, you wouldnt have ended up in the hospital in the first place.

If you had, you would all be dead. And Ryan himself too. Whenever I woke up, you always tried to help me in any way you could. At one point, you even toured all of Italys coastline at lightspeed to try and find Len.

There is no lightspeed. Light travels at Mr. Waves pace. The colorful Genomes voice turned from amused to serious. Why did you run away, Ryan?

I wasnt in the right state of mind, the courier admitted. You know the five stages of grief? I think I was stuck at the depression part for thirty years? At least twenty. Took me a stay in Monaco to reach acceptance and enjoy the ride.

Mr. Wave has discussed this with Simon. You saved a great many souls from a terrible place, Ryan.

Yes, but it took a while. These guys needed a hero to get them out of hell, and well, when I tried to think of one, you were the first that came to mind. My parents died when I was young, and Bloodstream was no ones idea of a parental model.

Mr. Wave can imagine.

So I guess I tried to become a little more like you, the time-traveler said, letting the truth off his chest. I want to say thank you. You inspired me in my darkest moments, and I owe you my life more than ten times over.

You owe me nothing, Ryan, Mr. Wave replied, his tone almost paternal. I am proud of you. Ive been keeping up with your adventures when I could, and you have saved more lives than you think.

This made the couriers head perk up. You did?

Yes, though I wonder why you crashed a plane while making a delivery, Mr. Wave replied with a shrug. Even I didnt go that far.

I swear, the alternative was worse! Or at least Ryan hoped so, as he played with his drinking straw. He didn't fully remember that particular run, truth be told. I thought the first person couldnt contain your almighty power?

I was a comedian before I became a living spotlight, Mr. Wave replied, breaking character. Life on the road is hard. Out of our groups newbies, one out of four usually dies before the mission is done. Leo still feels guilty about not being there to save the Costa family from Augustus, Mathias watched his mother become a vegetable, Ace has her own demons, and even the good doctor feels down sometimes. Its depressing when you think about how fragile life is so I make sure that my teammates never do it.

Ryan sighed. When everything goes to shit, the only way to go on is to laugh off the pain and power through.

Exactly. Someone has to carry on the show when everyone else feels down. The living wavelength glanced at the Carnival, and most specifically at Bianca. The challenges are different when you move from one-man shows to a troupe, but I think youre doing very well for yourself.

I had my fill of one-man shows. I love the spotlight

But you hate solitude more? Mr. Wave guessed.

Ryan nodded. You knew about the time-travel part.

This made him laugh. Only half of my boasts are exaggerations, Ryan, he said. I keep the real stuff secret, because nobody would believe them. Ive seen way crazier things than time travel. Have you been to Quebec?

No, but Ill probably invade Canada when I get elected president of the free world again.

Whatever you do, Ryan, dont go to Quebec.

Shorties voice echoed through the mess loudspeaker. Were approaching Italys coasts, she said.

Ooh, I will have phone coverage again! Ryan said happily, leaping from his seat and leaving an empty glass behind. Sorry, I need to call my girlfriend.

Mr. Wave understands. He has his fangirls too. Mr. Wave raised an index at Ryan, like one of those Uncle Sam wants you posters. Dont let her go, Ryan.

He wouldnt.

Ryan walked out of the mess and through the submarines metal corridors, making its way to the exit. No sooner did he open his phone, than he received a message from Livia.

LiviaLove: Ryan? Ryan, are you alright?

They must have reached the Mediterranean Sea.

PlushieTamer: Hi princess. Im fine.

LiviaLove: Hearing from you is a relief, my knight. Is everything going well?

PlushieTamer: My mission was a total success.

LiviaLove: That makes one of us :(

PlushieTamer: What happened?

LiviaLove: You will understand when you see New Romes coast.

LiviaLove: I I tried to stop it, Ryan. I tried, but I couldnt. He wont change. He wont ever change.

A chill went down Ryans spine, as he realized what had happened.

PlushieTamer: Where are you?

LiviaLove: Im in Sorrentos with Narcinia and Fortuna. Come back soon.

LiviaLove: I miss you :(

PlushieTamer: I miss you so much too :( Ill be there soon.

LiviaLove: I cant wait. I want you, Ryan. I need you.

PlushieTamer: Im coming.

Ryan closed his phone, before crossing paths with Alchemo in the corridor. Sending nudes again, meatbag? he asked.

How did you

Because I understand your vile thought process, you hormonal hominid, the Genius replied with annoyance. I have a breakthrough to report.

Go ahead, Father Brain.

We now know that a Genomes consciousness exists in an intangible Flux state. Your gaseous groupie confirmed it. Now, with this information in mind, I believe I can refine the Chronoradio mechanism which the Underdiver developed to send minds through time. Make the signal more efficient.

Ryan immediately caught on. You could send more than one mindmap back.

Yes.

The courier couldnt keep his excitement in check. How many?

I would say five? Maybe six, but I dont guarantee it. Ryan didnt hide his disappointment at the answer, causing Alchemo to shrug. The more mindmaps are sent back, the harder the computations. Even my boundless intellect can only do so much on that front.

Ryan would have hoped for more, but this still changed everything.

The original plan relied on transferring Livias mind back in time, recreating the brain-scanning machine, and then using her stored brainmaps to help their allies remember. This, however, significantly delayed the assault on Mechrons bunker. Big Fat Adam sent captured denizens of Rust Town to their demise in his attempt to unlock Mechrons bunker, and a day lost meant dozens of innocent casualties.

But if Ryan could bring more people, then a team could confront the Meta-Gang as soon as he reloaded.

Who could he bring though? Sunshine? Even if he received his future selfs memories, the Living Sun would be hours away from New Rome, and each minute lost increased the Meta-Gangs death toll.

Shroud was already active though, and a safer bet. It would also end his assassination campaign before it began.

Livia and Shortie would get a time-travel ticket, which left two to three spots available. Having Bianca onboard would make taking down the bunker easier, but if Ryan could secure someone in Dynamis too...

I need to think about this, the time-traveler said. Can you send anyone?

Of course I can, Alchemo replied arrogantly. Brain matter is no longer mandatory, though I would suggest bringing a few Geniuses.

Do geniuses with a small g count?

Your funeral.

Ryan climbed out of the submarines tower, taking a breath of fresh air. The Milky Ways stars shone brightly in the skies above the couriers head, while the moon made him hungry for a French croissant pastry.

Felix already beat him to the observatory spot, sitting at the towers edge. He glanced in the coasts direction, noticing the lights of New Rome in the distance.

I thought cats were afraid of water, Atom Kitten? Ryan said, sitting next to Felix.

I never crossed the ocean before, he admitted. I never even left Italy, and now I moved halfway through the world and back.

Next episode, we will go to Australia. Then you can call yourself Atom Kangaroo.

You cant fathom how much I regret choosing that nickname, the young man replied, his beautiful blue eyes examining Ryan carefully. Who are you, really?

A time-traveler from the future. Or the past, if you look sideways.

Felix squinted, considered his fellow Genomes words, and then reacted with denial. I dont believe you, he said.

Unsurprising, but disappointing. Atom Cat had accepted the truth pretty quickly in a previous loop, but this current iteration hadnt bonded much with Ryan. Then how else do you explain, well, everything? the courier asked.

Livia. Youre clearly working with her, dating her, and it wouldnt be the first time she makes one of these circuitous plots work. Though I cant explain the endgame youre aiming for.

Saving the city, and overthrowing my future father-in-law. Ryan made a note to officially duel Lightning Butt for his daughters hand in marriage, if appropriate.

Livia would never do that, Felix replied with scorn. Shes her fathers daughter, trying to mitigate Augustus damage rather than stop him.

And yet, she helped me save your skin from your parents, and form an alliance with the Carnival, Ryan shrugged. Things arent black and white.

Doesnt change the fact that you cant be a time-traveler.

I can literally stop time for the entire universe, and you think turning it back is implausible?

Then prove it, Felix said. Take me back, if you can.

Thats a bit harder than you think, so let me suggest something else. Ryan looked at the crescent moon. Once, while you and Jamie were still friends, intelligent rats stole Bliss batches from Mercurys division. You tracked the animals to their mistress and it was a horrible sight.

Felix looked at the courier as if horns had sprouted from his skull, which only encouraged him to carry on. Ki-jung was squatting in an abandoned apartment infested with rodents, suffering from an overdose of Bliss. Blood poured out from her nose and eyes, and mold grew on her skin.

Felixs hands clenched into fists. Who told you that?

You did, Ryan replied. Even now, he could remember that conversation word for word, like so many lost to time. You rushed to the hospital, and the first thing Ki-jung did upon waking up was to ask for more Bliss. It was, in your own words, a wake-up call. You tried to get Narcinia out of the business, but her parents always pulled her back in.

What did they say? Felix asked, his voice turning distant.

Its for the greater good of the family, honey, Ryan quoted. Addicts kill themselves because they cant help themselves.

Atom Kitten spent the next few minutes considering the couriers words in grim silence. Many emotions flashed on his face, from anger and doubt, to grief. Taking a page from Mr. Waves book, Ryan let his friend process his feelings in respectful silence.

Its too vivid, Felix said. Livia would have gotten the details wrong, and I never told the full story to anyone. Either you can read my mind in addition to stopping time, or youre really a goddamn time-traveler. I dont see what a mind-reader would have to gain from telling such a nonsensical story.

Hey, my life makes sense in its context! Ryan protested.

I have doubts, Felix replied dryly, a sad smile forming at the edge of his lips. How does your power work?

I create a save point, and when I die, I live again, Ryan replied. I believe it is my sixteenth time reloading in New Rome.

Felix scoffed. Thats messed up.

By my standards, its quite the safe zone.

Felix squinted at Ryan, as if suddenly figuring out the implications of the couriers words. We were close, he realized. I wouldnt have told you so much if I didnt trust you with my life.

We formed a team called Quicksave the Pandas, as formidable as it was stylish. Ryan closed his eyes in mourning. I miss Yuki so much.

I can imagine the two of you getting along, Felix mused, before frowning. Wait, did she force me to wear a new costume?

Unfortunately, you remained a fashion disaster to the end. Ryan looked at his former sidekick in the eyes. Your sister died to save your life during that loop.

Felixs hands clenched. Father?

Pluto. Or Cruella, if you prefer.

The superhero looked down at the dark sea. Augustus is always going to send someone after me, he said. And people will die in the crossfire.

Not if I have my way.

I I never made up with Jamie and Ki-jung, Felix said, his voice breaking. I slammed the door behind when when they chose to support the Bliss business. I still think I was right to do so, but but they still died trying to protect me. The last thing I did was to condemn them, and now that theyre dead, I cant take my words back. They died thinking I hated them.

Tears formed in the young heros eyes. Hey, kitten, its alright, Ryan said, putting a hand around his friends shoulder. You couldnt know.

No, I Atom Cat closed his eyelids and wiped away the tears. I loved them, man. They were my friends. Jamie was my best friend, and Ki-jung, she was such a caring woman. I wanted them to do the right thing, take a stand against that soul-destroying drug, but I I never wanted them to die.

Ryan hugged his friend, consoling him. Its not too late, the courier said. I will give you another chance to make this right.

Why are you telling me this now? Felix asked, before pushing the time-travelers arm away. If I dont remember any of it, then it means you didnt bring me back with you the first time.

I couldnt bring back your memories through time in that old loop, Ryan replied. But I might do so now. It took a few tries, but we have the technology for it.

Felix didnt answer immediately, instead glancing at dancing lights on the horizon. Do you think its too late for me to make up to them? he asked Ryan.

I think they can turn away from the Augusti with the proper nudge. Jamie and Ki-jung reminded Ryan of Bianca, who had followed Big Fat Adam partly out of fear, and partly out of denial about her boss true motivations. Zanbato and Chitter had taken a stand to protect Atom Cat, unlike his own parents, showing their loyalty to the Augusti wasnt unshakeable. But they will need your help, kitten.

I. If I have any chance to make this right if I have any chance, I must take it. Felixs eyes turned determined. Thats why you and Livia are working together. This kind of mess happened before, and youre trying to avert it.

Livia is a better person than you think, kitten, Ryan replied with fondness. It took a while, but all the pieces are in place. Our happy ending is finally within reach.

Can I help?

Yes, but I wont lie, were probably going to fight your parents, your godfather, and dozens of villains before we can call it a day. This is going to be a boss rush, and half of them will be people you know. You better sharpen your claws.

The good thing is, I hate almost everyone I know. Felixs gaze turned determined. Where do I sign up?

The submarine approached closer to the coast, the light getting brighter, the smell of smoke filling the air.

Wait, Felix said with a frown. Something is wrong.

Ryan had noticed it too. The bright colors, the hue reflecting in clouds above the coast. He had seen this picture two times before, as events repeated again and again.

These werent the lights of glamorous casinos, but the brightness of flames.

New Rome was on fire, and Ryan only had one word to say in response.

Again?!