Bishop - "I'm back in the future again, nothing's changed."

The ruined city smelled of smoke and scorched concrete. Bishop crouched on a broken ledge, Bishop’s Rifle resting against his shoulder, the weight of Bishop’s Uniform a familiar comfort against his skin. The Helicarrier drifted silently far above them, while Moira MacTaggert watched everything from inside the X-Jet, her calm voice feeding them updates.

He looked down at his team. Ironheart hovered beside him, Speed paced back and forth like a caged animal, and Manifold stood quietly, fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air. Marrow flexed her bone blades with a sharp grin. Malcolm and Randall were already checking sight lines, their movements tight and professional.

Bishop took a slow breath, feeling the Stored Energy humming through his body. He could sense the Power in All of Us and the Power of Justice running through every person on this rooftop.

“Alright,” he said, voice low. “I’ve got Command Authority here. Ironheart, I need you to clear the area behind that collapsed building so we don’t get flanked. Malcolm, slip in and infiltrate their rear line — Impede their reinforcements any way you can. One way or another, we’re ending this tonight.”

He turned to the others. “Marrow, take Overwatch on that ridge. Speed — stay mobile. Randall, you’re with me. And everyone — remember your Specialized Training. Use what you learned in Superpower Training. This is what we’ve been preparing for.”

The fight began in seconds. Ironheart’s repulsors lit up the night as she unleashed Concussive Blast after Concussive Blast, each hit landing with a Concussive Blow that rattled the enemy ranks. Bishop watched them charge forward with a roar of For Justice! that echoed off the broken buildings. Manifold moved like he was born for this — the Skilled Investigator in him picking out every weakness in the enemy formation. Turn the Tide felt close now; they were finally pushing the enemy back.

Bishop felt the familiar burn in his muscles, the Heroic Conditioning and Enhanced Physique he’d worked so hard for finally paying off. Endurance kept him upright even as the fight dragged on. Energy Conversion let him pull power from every hit he took and turn it back against their enemies.

As the last wave broke and the battlefield finally grew quiet, Bishop lowered his rifle. The team stood among the rubble, breathing hard but still standing. He stared out at the ruined skyline, a tired, bitter smile tugging at his mouth. He chambered another round, the rifle already beginning to glow with recycled power.

“I’m back in the future again… nothing’s changed.”

Grok AI