Episode 17: Rising Storm
The Burning Wastelands camp was tense. Kevin paced back and forth near the bunker entrance, the Mythical Matrix glowing erratically across his chest like a warning siren. The visions had grown stronger — flashes of chaos across the globe. Teenagers awakening in alleyways, schools, and crowded streets. Project Glimmerfall was spreading like wildfire.
"They're turning kids into weapons," Kevin said, voice tight. "Just like they tried at Willowbrook."
Peter sat cleaning his weapons, jaw clenched. "Dogder's playing the long game. Flood the world with unstable Glimmers, create enough noise that the Pillar comes running, then strike when everyone's distracted."
Nathan leaned against a wall, shadows playing across his face. "My illusions won't hide us forever if the whole planet starts glowing with new powers."
Wyatt, Damon, Derek, Ferrum, and Devonte gathered around a makeshift table displaying a cracked tablet showing news reports of "mysterious incidents" in over twenty countries.
In Kuwait City, Kim Al Anzi had already made her first strike — a sandstorm mirage that swallowed an entire Pillar scouting team searching for new Glimmers. In Brazil, acid-sweat awakeners melted corporate buildings. The world was waking up to the new reality.
Willowbrook High School – Same Day
Bangu stood on the repaired basketball court during gym class, his insane physicality making every movement feel effortless. He effortlessly dunked from half-court, but his mind was elsewhere. Layla and Laker watched from the bleachers, their time-distorted presence subtle but noticeable.
Layla approached during a water break. "The storm is growing. We felt hundreds of new Glimmers awakening yesterday. Timeless memories… they're screaming."
Laker bounced a ball rapidly. "Dogder guy is handing out power like candy. Bad candy. We should link up with your friend Kevin soon."
Bangu wiped sweat from his brow. "Kevin's probably in deep shit somewhere. But if these new freaks come back to school, I'm not waiting around."
A sudden ripple in time made everyone freeze. Laker's eyes widened. "Incoming."
Three new Glimmerfall teenagers — clearly dosed by Dogder's operation — burst through the gym doors. One had crystalline wings, another controlled shadows, and the third could stretch like living rubber. They were wild-eyed and aggressive.
"Rampager's friends are here!" the winged one shouted. "Dogder wants them broken!"
Bangu exploded into action. His insane physicality turned him into a blur — he dodged shadow tendrils, leaped over stretching arms, and delivered a devastating spinning kick that shattered the crystal wings. Layla slowed time around the rubbery attacker, letting Laker loop him into a self-punching cycle until he collapsed.
The fight was short but brutal. Students screamed and ran as the school faced another Glimmer incident.
Bangu stood over the defeated attackers, breathing hard. "This is getting worse."
Ecuador – The Blank Facility
R. Dogder watched the live feeds with a savage grin. Gillan Dahmer stood beside him, along with The Big Five.
"Excellent," R. Dogder rumbled. "The Kuwaiti girl is performing well. Send more shards to her region. I want the Rampager pulled out of hiding."
Garcia Fernandez flexed his razor claws. "My teams are ready to strike major cities."
Headless Dullahan's detached head laughed from the table. "Fear spreads fastest at night."
The King of Stagnation smiled serenely. "And when they are slowed… we crush them."
Laughter burst into hysterical giggles. "So many funny new monsters! The world is becoming our playground!"
Vega updated the profiles. "Kevin Leister's crew has been spotted moving toward Rhino Valley again. Should we deploy a Glimmerfall strike team?"
R. Dogder cracked his knuckles, Mega Blaster energy sparking violently. "Not yet. Let the children soften them first. When the Rampager is tired and bleeding… then I will personally test whether his destructive mantle can withstand a blast that can erase countries."
Rhino Valley Outskirts
The crew arrived at Devonte's secondary safehouse under heavy illusion cover. Kevin's hands were shaking.
"I can feel it," he whispered. "The Matrix is reacting to all these new Glimmers. It's like the Shattering is happening again… but smaller. Everywhere."
Damon's hollow heart burned brighter. "More pain. More loss. This Dogder bastard is feeding the Garden whether he knows it or not."
Peter loaded a fresh magazine. "Then we stop feeding it. We find Dogder. We end this."
Nathan's burner phone buzzed — a message from Bangu:
"School hit again. New powered kids. Met some time twins. Shit's bad here. You alive?"
Kevin stared at the message, the weight of his old life and new war colliding harder than ever.
The Magnificent 18 were out recruiting. R. Dogder's army was growing. The Pillar and Helsing were closing in.
The Rampager took a deep breath, white-blue circuits blazing.
"We fight back. Hard."
End of Episode 17