The dim lighting of Room 202 cast long shadows on the walls as four students sat around a mess of holographic projections and scattered notes. On the center table: crime scene photos, audio files paused mid-play, and a half-eaten bag of spicy potato chips. Willy, reclined and relaxed, casually crunched on a chip so loudly it echoed.
"Can you chew any louder?" Luan asked, her voice flat, eyes narrowed from where she sat cross-legged on the bed. Her black pop socks slid slightly as she shifted.
"Not without hurting myself," Willy replied between chews, grinning.
Alessia groaned and rolled her eyes. "Huey, please. Can we start already? Or are we just here for snack ASMR?"
Huey didn't respond. He sat in his desk chair, legs stretched out, hands steepled over his lips, eyes scanning the air like he was watching the patterns form in his head. His black blazer hung loosely on his shoulders, his cross chain catching the light from the soft glow of his HoloTab.
Then—a knock.
He stood, slow and composed, and opened the door to find Calvin leaning against the frame, looking far too smug for someone who probably hadn't been invited.
"Can't have a debrief without the guest of honour," Calvin said as he strolled in. He flashed Alessia a wink. "Huey, didn't tell me you were into media girls now.
He puckered his lips dramatically. Alessia recoiled instantly. "Get a grip, weirdo"
"You wound me."
Huey gestured back toward the group. "Now that everyone's here—"
Another knock.
This time, Huey sighed before he even turned. He cracked the door open just enough to see the familiar sharp frame of Marlo, the law student with the resting conviction face and Milo's twin.
Through the small opening, Calvin waved. "Yo, it's Miss Law and Order."
Huey stepped outside and shut the door behind him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, arms crossed.
Marlo gave him a tilted look. "Did you have something to do with that whole Riva situation?"
Huey kept his voice neutral. "That was above my paygrade."
"You're a terrible liar," she said, stepping closer. "You're hiding something, Huey."
Before he could answer, she had him against the doorframe, her hand lightly brushing his chest. Her tone dropped. "You know, if you let me in… there might be something in it for you."
Huey blinked. Just once. Then gave the smallest smirk. "Is this the part where I pretend I don't know how law and entertainment girls operate?"
He gently pulled her hand off his chest, stepping aside with just enough space between them.
"Love these days is just mutual benefit with mood lighting. Tragic, really."
Marlo chuckled under her breath, clearly not offended. "You're insufferable."
"I get that a lot."
From inside, Luan's voice called, "Huey? Are we getting started or what?"
Huey stepped back toward the door, giving Marlo a final glance. "Come in, then. Might be useful having you around."
Inside, Marlo was greeted with familiarity from Willy and Luan. Calvin, of course, didn't waste a second trying his luck again, throwing out a line that earned him another of Alessia's glares.
Huey finally took center stage, standing beside the floating case files. His blazer now hung from the chair, revealing the clean white shirt beneath. He exhaled, about to speak.
Then—a ringtone.
Huey froze. His head slowly turned, neck stiff. "Whose phone?"
Willy raised his hand. "yours."
The room fell silent.
Huey blinked, lips tightening like the notification just disrespected him personally. "Excuse me,"
Josephine's voice came through, more serious than usual. "Back entrance. Now."
Huey raised a brow. "That your way of flirting? 'Cause if you wanted a late-night date, Jo, you should've booked in advance."
"I'm serious" she said sharply. "Just come. Please."
He opened his mouth to push back, but another voice came on the line.
"Huey."
The tone was calm. Sharp. Wrapped in warm honey and spiked with a lethal edge.
His eyes widened slightly. "Hailee?"
"Yup."
"What are you—wait, are you with Josephine?"
"You heard her. Back entrance."
"I've got guests," he tried. "People in my room. Debriefing. The usual."
She didn't miss a beat. "Then do the thing."
Huey closed his eyes, sighed like the weight of the world was dragging him under. "You two are the worst."
He ended the call and returned to the main room with a perfect poker face.
Everyone was staring.
Alessia folded her arms. "Well? Who was it?"
"Something about insurance. Very urgent," Huey said. He gestured to the door. "I'll be back. Bathroom."
As he closed the door again, the others chuckled.
"what are the chances SHE sent a snap and he decided to have a quickie." Calvin whispered to willy
Still in the washroom, Huey locked the window and turned to the mirror. His reflection stared back—serious, calm, unreadable.
His irises flickered with faint blue fire.
Then, in a flash of light and plasma-like static, he split.
Literally.
Two Hueys now stood in the small space—identical in appearance, each a mirror of the other. They exchanged a brief nod. One straightened his blazer and returned to sit with the others in Room 202. The other—the real one, or at least, the more curious one—moved to the window.
You see, when your crest was plasma-based, you didn't just become a human lightning bolt. With careful training, Huey learned to apply the science of charged particle splitting. He could create two independent, conscious versions of himself—not clones, but literal halves. Same brain. Same memories. Shared strength. If one fought, he fought at 50%. But for recon or sneaking off to meet dangerous siblings and suspicious best friends? Perfect trick.
Huey smirked, pulling up his hood.
A sudden crack of blue lightning burst through the Virelia skyline. His form vanished into plasma.
Electricity streaked down from the dark clouds overhead, striking the ground like divine judgment. Sparks danced. Concrete smoked.
Then, standing amidst the crackle and steam—Huey. Hood drawn. Eyes glowing. Arms crossed like he was expecting applause.
Hailee and Josephine blinked.
Josephine folded her arms. "Nice entrance, Kal-El."
Hailee raised a brow. "Bit much for a rendezvous, don't you think?"
Huey shrugged theatrically. "I try."
Hailee was dressed casually, black hoodie over tactical joggers. Josephine, on the other hand, looked like she was about to lead a covert raid—black get-up, utility straps, minimal makeup but eyes burning with intent.
Huey squinted. "Okay, what is this? A stakeout? A surprise intervention? You know I left people back in my room for this."
Hailee ignored him. "How'd you get out, anyway?"
Huey smirked and cracked his knuckles. "Split."
Hailee blinked. "You split?"
Josephine's jaw tightened. "Wait—you're using that technique again?"
"Relax," Huey said, waving a gloved hand. "It's not permanent. I'll resync later. Just means this me is running at half capacity. Like a group project."
"Only you would compare molecular fission to skipping class," Hailee muttered.
"So," Huey leaned in. "What's the occasion that just forced me to pull a literal stunt double?"
Josephine and Hailee exchanged a look.