Psionic Ch. 81 - T-Bomb

[February of 2013]

[Monster Planet: Arkingray]

3rd PoV

Andrew's eyes narrowed and his lips curled up slightly, as he posed a challenging question to Acno: "Didn't you say you were one, if not the strongest dragon on this planet?"

The words hung heavily in the air, as Acno's head turned away in silence, as if he hadn't heard the query at all.

But Andrew wasn't one to let things go so easily. He continued to poke and prod at Acno, adding salt to the wound of his wounded pride. "Acno! The self-proclaimed strongest dragon!" he exclaimed, spreading his arms wide and throwing his head back in a mockingly dramatic gesture, his smirk growing wider and wider by the second.

Acno's eyes twitched in annoyance at the ridicule, but he remained silent, his embarrassment at being called out on his bluff becoming more apparent. His only response was to spread his enormous wings, readying himself to take flight and escape from the situation.

However, Andrew wasn't going to let him leave so easily. He quickly halted Acno's departure, persuading him to stay for a while longer. "Hey, don't go," he implored. "We're gonna go to my planet now."

Acno's curiosity was piqued at the mention of another planet. He stopped in his tracks, tucking his wings in close to his body as he turned to face Andrew with a newfound interest.

He had always longed to explore new worlds and was eager to learn more about this mysterious planet that Andrew spoke of. His excitement was palpable as he waited for further instructions on their upcoming adventure.

"Before we do anything else," Andrew began, his voice slow and deliberate, "we need to address the issue of your size. You see, on my planet, everyone is the same size as me, with a few exceptions. But, overall, all of the inhabitants are as big as I am. And so, if you were to come to my planet, your size would become a real problem."

Acno's scaly face scrunched up in confusion. "What do you mean? My size is normal."

Andrew let out a deep sigh. "Your size might be normal for your planet, but it won't be on mine. However, I might be able to do something about it."

Acno's eyes widened with hope. "Really? How?"

"Well," Andrew hesitated, "I have a particular ability that allows me to manipulate matter. I might be able to use it to shrink you down to the appropriate size. But, I've never tried it before, so there's a chance it might not work."

As Andrew pondered the issue of Acno's size, he began to run countless calculations in his mind. He mulled over the possibilities of using his matter manipulation ability to shrink Acno, but as he went through the numbers, he came to a sudden conclusion. His ability would not work, at least not in the way he had hoped.

He quickly realized that his matter manipulation would need to reach atomic-level to make the necessary changes to Acno's size. However, Andrew knew that attempting such a feat could be dangerous, and he did not want to risk harming Acno in the process. Even if he attempted a molecular-level manipulation, there was still no guarantee that the results would be favorable.

Andrew let out a sigh as he shared the news with Acno. The scaly creature's face dropped, and his anger began to rise. He was about to lash out when Andrew stopped him with a plan.

"I have a solution," Andrew said. "I will go back to my planet and retrieve a size-altering ability. Then, I'll come back and take you along with me."

Acno looked skeptical, his nostrils puffing with smoke. "How long will that take?"

Andrew reassured him with a smirk. "Don't worry, I have the best means of transportation. It won't take long at all."

Acno gave in with a slight smile. "Fine, but be quick. I've been stuck on this planet for years, and I'm ready for a change."

Andrew nodded and turned to face the empty space behind him. With a wave of his hand, the space began to twist and crack. Suddenly, a two-diameter wide black portal appeared out of nowhere. Acno watched in amazement as the portal grew wider and wider, until Andrew stepped in front of it.

"Be right back," Andrew said, before disappearing into the portal.

Acno watched as the portal began to crumble and vanish, leaving no trace of its existence. He couldn't wait to see what Andrew's planet had in store for him.

—-—

[Moon]

Deep within the confines of the Great Refuge, the magnificent city of Attilan, an air of intensity hung heavy in one of its highly advanced science labs. This particular laboratory was veiled in secrecy, accessible only to those initiated in the intricate world of Inhuman technology.

Within its well-guarded walls, Maximus, the enigmatic and oftentimes treacherous brother of Black Bolt, could be found immersed in a clandestine project.

Maximus, known for his insatiable hunger for power and his cunning intellect, was completely engrossed in his work. A serious expression etched upon his face, he meticulously manipulated an array of tools, each motion calculated with utmost precision. What seemed to be an amalgamation of advanced technology lay before him, radiating an aura of immense potential.

Unbeknownst to many, including the loyal citizens of Attilan, Maximus was covertly tinkering with a creation of incredible magnitude—the legendary Terrigen Bomb.

Although this version was not as colossal as the devastating weapon unleashed by the Inhumans against the Shi'ar Empire in the annals of the comics, it still held the power to shake the very foundations of the city. This particular Terrigen Bomb was ingeniously crafted to be no larger than Maximus himself, a deceptive facade that belied its true potency.

As the renegade man meticulously fine-tuned the intricate mechanisms of the miniature Terrigen Bomb, an aura of foreboding surrounded him. His mind teemed with thoughts of the immense power he would soon wield.

Maximus envisioned a world where his ambitions knew no bounds, where his supremacy would be unrivaled. With the perfected Terrigen Bomb as his trump card, he could reshape the destiny of Attilan, forever altering the balance of power within the Inhuman society.

As Maximus continued his meticulous modifications, the science lab crackled with an electrifying energy, mirroring the dangerous path he had chosen.

A small, self-satisfied smile curled upon Maximus' lips as he continued to tinker with the miniature Terrigen Bomb, fully aware of the catastrophic implications it held. The true extent of his plan was far more audacious than anyone could fathom. He intended to release the Terrigen Bomb upon the entire population of Earth, an act that would awaken countless unawakened Inhumans hidden amongst the unsuspecting humans.

The revelation of Matt Garetty, a confirmed Inhuman, only solidified the theory that dormant Inhumans lived scattered among the ordinary populace. Black Bolt, recognizing the potential of these latent Inhumans, ordered Maximus to construct the small Terrigen Bomb, a device that would only respond to the voice of the Inhuman King himself.

Initially, Maximus found himself approving of his brother's plan. The prospect of unleashing a wave of newly awakened Inhumans excited him, for it would undoubtedly tip the scales of power in his favor. However, his joy was short-lived, as Black Bolt commanded that the Terrigen Bomb be stored away in the most secure facility within Attilan, with no immediate activation.

Enraged by his brother's decision, Maximus felt a tempest of emotions swirling within him. He yearned for the immediate activation of the Terrigen Bomb, envisioning chaos and upheaval as Inhumans across the globe awakened to their true potential.

A bitter dispute erupted between the two brothers, their animosity fueling a clash of wills. Yet, Maximus, with his prodigious intellect, managed to temper his anger, realizing that he needed to bide his time and wait for the opportune moment to strike.

And so, the pieces of Maximus' master plan fell into place. Through a successful coup, he orchestrated the exile of Black Bolt and his loyal followers to Earth, while he assumed control over the government of Attilan. It was a moment of triumph for Maximus, a validation of his brilliance and a step toward fulfilling his grand ambitions.

With his newfound authority, Maximus sought to pacify the inhabitants of Attilan, albeit through the establishment of martial law—a decision that only fueled their growing discontent.

Oblivious to their growing resentment, he turned his attention back to the Terrigen Bomb, the ultimate instrument of power in his possession. Maximus meticulously tweaked its functions, eliminating the restriction of solely responding to Black Bolt's voice, ensuring that he alone could dictate its activation.

As the device lay before him, radiating with a dangerous allure, Maximus reveled in the infinite possibilities it held. The fate of Attilan and the unsuspecting world beyond lay in his hands. With each adjustment made, the tendrils of his influence extended further, threading through the delicate fabric of power and control.

Maximus, driven by an insatiable hunger for dominance, was prepared to reshape the future of Inhumans and humanity alike, even if it meant sacrificing the "trust" and "goodwill" of those he governed.

The stage was set, and the curtain rose on Maximus' grand scheme. It was only a matter of time before the world would witness the full force of his diabolical plan and the repercussions it would unleash upon the unsuspecting masses. The game of power had just begun, and Maximus, the master manipulator, was poised to take center stage.