The lab was filled with the steady hum of machinery as Dr. Dew and Leonardo da Vinci continued their efforts to replicate the fusion crystal. The Sierra Madre vending machine provided them with resources, but even with an unlimited supply of materials, the Koh-I-Noor—or at least what they assumed it to be—remained elusive. Attempt after attempt had led to failure; some crystals shattered, others remained inert, and a few even disintegrated moments after forming. But now, standing under the bright artificial lights of their lab, Dr. Dew held the 33rd crystal, its faint glow indicating progress. He turned it over in his hands, inspecting its structure. "It lacks the original's power, but… it does function," he muttered, watching as the dim glow pulsed within. Leonardo da Vinci studied his expression, noting the exhaustion hidden beneath his analytical focus. "This one at least does something?" she asked. Dr. Dew nodded. "It fuses materials together, but it takes half an hour to complete the process. Nowhere near the instantaneous effect of the real thing." He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "We need a break." Leonardo smirked. "Finally, something we agree on." Dr. Dew leaned against the table. "Let's focus on something easier… something we know will work." Leonardo crossed her arms. "Such as?" His eyes gleamed. "Plasmids, Vigors, and Infusions."
The moment they began fabricating Plasmids, Vigors, and Infusions, the tension in the lab shifted from frustration to excitement. Unlike the fusion crystal, which relied on unknown energy fields, Plasmids, Vigors, and Infusions were based on biological enhancements—something they could understand and replicate. Within hours, they had fully upgraded versions of each ability, improving their efficiency and reducing their energy consumption. Glowing injectors and vials lined the lab table, filled with swirling, volatile substances. Leonardo eyed them with curiosity, rolling an injector of Devil's Kiss between her fingers. "They certainly look… potent." Dr. Dew grinned. "Only one way to find out."
The testing area was set, and Dr. Dew took his place, a Devil's Kiss injector in hand. His fingers hovered over his arm. He and Leonardo both knew these injections would work, but neither knew if they would hurt. He hesitated. "I've augmented myself before, but this feels different." Leonardo, more concerned than before, folded her arms. "You're not worried about losing control?" Dr. Dew shook his head. "I'm more concerned about what this will do to my nervous system." He exhaled and pressed the injector against his skin.
The moment the liquid entered his bloodstream, his body tensed. A deep, searing heat surged through his veins, and his muscles clenched instinctively. But rather than lasting, the pain vanished almost instantly, replaced by a thrumming sensation of power. His fingers twitched, then ignited in an intense blaze, fire swirling effortlessly around his hands. He flexed his fingers, watching as the molten-like glow rippled across his knuckles. "That was… fast," he muttered, surprised at how quickly his body adapted. Leonardo, who had braced for him to collapse in agony, let out a relieved breath. "I was expecting more screaming." Dr. Dew smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Guess my body handles mutations better than expected."
With the first test successful, they continued injecting the remaining Plasmids, Vigors, and Infusions.
Electro Bolt sent crackling arcs of lightning up his arm, his fingers translucent, revealing veins of pure energy. When he clenched his fist, electricity snapped between his fingertips.
Winter Blast coated his hands in frost, jagged ice forming along his knuckles, mist pouring from his fingertips. Leonardo touched his arm. "Cold. Almost… lifeless."
Telekinesis caused his palms to emit a faint gravitational pull, distorting the air around them.
Bucking Bronco gave his veins an earthy, golden tone, cracks of energy crawling up his forearms as if his skin had turned to cracked desert clay.
Murder of Crows made his fingertips lengthen slightly, his nails darkening, and for a brief moment, his arms felt weightless as spectral crows materialized at his command.
Leonardo observed the changes closely, noting how each ability altered his body uniquely. "Your hands shift to represent the power you use," she mused. "Fire makes them look molten, ice turns them to glassy frost, lightning makes them translucent… It's almost like you're part of the element itself." Dr. Dew studied his hands, nodding. "My body doesn't just produce the effect—it becomes the catalyst."
Next came the Infusions. The moment they were injected:
The red Infusion enhanced his physical resilience, making him stronger and tougher.
The blue Infusion increased his capacity to store Salts, ensuring he wouldn't run out of energy quickly.
The yellow Infusion created a magnetic repulsion shield, subtly pushing away objects and attacks.
Dr. Dew clenched his fists, feeling the Infusions settle within him. "That… was an experience." Leonardo handed him a vial of Salts. "Understatement of the century." He downed it, feeling his strength return. "Now, I'm technically superhuman." Leonardo sighed, shaking her head. "You were already superhuman. Now, you're just… ridiculous."
Dr. Dew's gaze drifted back to the fusion crystal prototype. The one experiment they had put aside. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands. "We should test this." Leonardo raised a brow. "After everything we just went through?" He nodded. "Better now than later." With cautious precision, they conducted a small experiment, using the 33rd crystal to fuse a metal plate with a synthetic polymer. The process was slow, taking the full thirty minutes, but it worked—the materials became one seamless entity. However, it was far from perfect, lacking the efficiency and instantaneous effect of the original. Dr. Dew exhaled. "We need help." He turned to Leonardo. "You appeared here by accident, but now that you're here, can you help me summon another heroic spirit?" Leonardo blinked, caught off guard by the request. "…You're serious?" Dr. Dew nodded. "We need another mind working on this. Someone with knowledge and expertise beyond what we currently have." Leonardo studied him for a moment, then smirked. "Now that… sounds interesting."
End of Chapter Eighteen