This sponsored chapter contains offensive language that black people might not like but it's cool because I have black friends of my own. Also why are they called black? They're brown lmfao. Black is the color of space and the darkness. You guys are the color of uhhh, well I don't want to be racist and say poop 💀 you're the color of my brown sofa in front of the tv. Oh I got it, you're the color of chocolate, oh so sweet. See, I love black people. Now let me fucking say the n-word you pus-

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"Ayo, my nigga!"

Ebony heard him. Davon's voice was also loud and packed with enthusiastic energy. There he was, sitting over the railing in front of his single-story house. He wore a backwards cap, some of his dreads appearing from the sides of his head. Good ol' childhood friend. Born and raised on the street.

"Yeah, yeah. What's up my G?" Ebony slowly walked forward, turning back to watch the car drive off. He had to make sure it wouldn't be back. Upon approaching Davon, they met with a brief handshake that switched into a fist bump.

"You know wassup dog, but watcha' been up to, kus? You's been gone the whole day man, what's with you?" Davon hopped back on his feet, rubbing his green t-shirt.

As for Ebony, he didn't even know where to begin. "Had some persistent clients. Long story, man."

"There's that white-person talk again, come on man what's happened to you?"

"Just not in the mood, sorry. As I said, long story. I'd rather just go to bed." He walked past Davon, walking up the cracked stone path to his run-down home.

Before his friend could protest, Ebony had already unlocked the front door and entered inside. He let the door shut itself as he walked past the halls. There was no one else home. He was the only one left.

No one to live with, it should feel lonely. It was a fate he was used to. These thin, broken down walls were the only things separating him from the harshness of the outside world. In here, he was in control of himself.

Turning the oven on, he threw a frozen packaged meal inside. Meanwhile, he removed his shirt and tossed it on the couch across the room. Next was the bathroom, where he stepped into the tub and let the hot water crash atop of him.

Can I trust him?

He wants to believe everything he's been told today. It meant a new start away from here and an opportunity at so much more. But it's too risky. If he's telling the truth, then what's to prevent someone from shooting down Ebony for working with the wrong people?

How should I feel?

All his life, he's been submissive. Living in the hood was supposed to toughen him up, but he chose the easy way out. His brothers are out there getting shot and murdered over meaningless turf wars. This world was turning inside out, and he was here looking after household pets.

Could it be worth a shot?

With his shower concluded, he quickly dressed up in some comfortable sleepwear as he checked on his food. Removing it from the oven, he could eat in peace. He'd always pull up something to watch on tv with his meal, but this time he'd try something different.

He ate in his bedroom. Surrounded by blueprints and scribbles.

This was his dream. The ideas of a young high school student wanting to change the world.

What would he create? There was an exoskeleton capable of increasing human strength, endurance and agility. Or how about a weather manipulation device that could help combat climate change? Ah, a holographic entity that could become physical is also a cool possibility.

These were thoughts that would never see the light of day. Unless he takes the offer. Yet it wasn't easy. Not when the news is so sudden.

There was a tap at his window.

Ebony startled back. After the day he's had, anything unexpected could give him a heart attack. But seeing the black hand continue to tap caused him to relax a bit. Then came Davon's head, peeking from the window.

"Nigga, you for real?" His muffled voice could still be heard clearly. "Bro, crack this shit open, let me have a taste of what you havin'."

Hesitant at first, Ebony sighed before standing to open the window. Davon climbed his way inside, keeping a wholesome smile on his face. Though him smelling like weed certainly wasn't pleasant.

"You be eatin' chicken masala without me?" He exclaimed, looking at the bowl of curry on a nearby desk. "Damn homie, I thought we was like brothers. I'm kinda offended, not gonna lie you be hurtin' my feelings with that one, kus."

"Davon, what do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?" Ebony rushed over to scramble his pages and documents. It's not like they were a secret, Davon has seen them before. It's just a matter of keeping them safe from his friend's messy antics.

"Nigga, what do I want? Bitch what the fuck do YOU want? Actin' all moody and depressed and shit, nigga that's lame for sho'. Tell me was' happenin' and let's pop the motherfuckers that raided your parade. Come on man, this ain't you."

Sitting back at his desk, Ebony facepalmed. Are we gonna get cancelled? Man, this is why I don't like cursing in my books. This is not racist I swear. I actually did my research on this community. 

You guys speak like this in the hood, right? I watched the videos on youtube, it's just a bunch of swear words and n-words mixed together but with a lot more gang violence and drive-bys.

I'm being advised by a book club that I shouldn't be saying the n-word, or I should at least be given permission by a black guy before doing it. So I spoke to a person I thought was white, but turned out to be black, and she's cool with it as long as it's not trying to be offensive... I fuckink hate politics man.

Therefore, I'm taking a black girl hostage against her will and forcing her to approve this chapter. Big thanks to my homie Silverdawn284 for her unwilling cooperation because she clearly never said 'yes' when I asked if I could ping her. And let's give it up to our greatest sponsor; black people!

Love ya Silver!

Anyways...

Ebony pondered for a moment, eyeing one of his blueprints. "You remember when we were kids? I told you about some new concepts of mine that could help people who need it. Said I could become a pioneer in the scientific industry."

"Shit, yeah I do, kus! That's some right there, ain't it?" He pointed at the bundle of papers with blue ink scattered away.

"Did you ever believe in it?"

That got Davon to stop for a second, clearly thinking of a response. "Watchu mean exactly? Like, they good ideas and all but you wasn't really serious about any of it, were you, homie?"

When both men turned to face each other, it was clear the vet was serious. There were no more smiles. Tension shrouded itself within the room.

"Ay hol' up," Davon finally let out a bit of a nervous chuckle, "you's for real? This some action movie shit right here dawg. You need some fat stacks of fuckin' paper and niggas in those white suits workin' for yo ass. This is real life bruh, how's you gon' make that James Bond lookin' shit a reality, kus?"

"Say I have connections, would you still think I could make them come true?" Ebony glared back at him, wanting an honest opinion.

There was a short pause. Watching Davon's expressions, he could tell he was thinking of an answer. During this impending silence, his anxiety was suddenly increasing. But when his friend reached a conclusion, he almost became startled.

"HELL'S YES!!" Davon erupted into a cheer, fisting the air. "That's the nigga we all know and love! My boy Ebony finna be making hella bread and gettin' all the bitches! You gotta hook me up man. When's you up there with the stars, shout out your boy, Davon E Q of the Streets! You don't forget the hood, ain't that the motherfuckin' truth Ebony?"

"Hey, hey! Settle down, would you? If this happens, I'll be gone. You won't see me again, not for a long time at least. It's top secret, classified stuff, you know? All goes according to plan, I'll be out of here tomorrow morning. Do you understand?"

Davon swiped a finger across his mouth. "These lips sealed, I ain't no snitch. But look at you man, we's like little people to you now. You's in the big leagues now, ain't you homie? Just promise me one thing."

Pointing a finger at Ebony, his smile faded away in an instant. "You drop that white shit."

"What?"

"Look at you!" Davon jumped, waving his arms. "You's submissive as fuck. Talking like some sorta white gentleman. You's gon' be a boss runnin' your own sciency crib, we can't have yo black ass actin' like this. You's gotta show them who's boss! Respect another homie's wishes, damn kus come on!"

Ebony let out a minor laugh. "What's wrong with being a gentleman? They're classy. Shit, they've got style too."

"And the hood don't? Nigga, what?! You ain't no gentleman, least you ain't supposed to."

"How about I call you the gentleman? Leave the other word, you're a gentleman... gentleman."

Davon looked around the room, as if he was searching for an audience before looking back at his friend. "Man quit playin'! Come on, stand yo ass up! Lemme hear it, who's the realest nigga?!"

Finally, Ebony loosened up. "Ah, fine. You've got me. I am!"

"Sike! Every homie knows Davon's the realest nigga of the hood! You's close though, I'll give you that one kus. But come on, for real. Lemme hear you say it! What are you?!"

The adrenaline was rising, this was his time to shine. Davon kept the morale in the room higher than the drugs they use. He raised a hand up.

"Come on kus! Say it, what are you?!"

Then the high-five came. Ebony's got it. It was his turn to shout with pride.

"I'M A NIG-"

...

Ebony doesn't remember much of last night.

He sat at the curb in front of his home. Two suitcases were packed beside him. All his blueprints, sketches and ideas were cramped inside with him. There was no turning back. Ten more minutes till sunrise.

The front door of his house opened, and Davon stepped outside. He approached his friend, but neither of them spoke a word.

Brothers from another mother, both born in the same year just a month apart from one another. They've seen everything together, and they both survived. They're practically the only family they've got left, and now they would be separated.

From the corner of their eyes, they spotted a red car slowly driving down the road towards them. If this was any other day, they would have realized it was a drive-by. But today, they knew what it was.

Captain Roger made the right choice in coming back. He had a hunch that Ebony would change his mind, and seeing him wait outside with his luggage made him smile.

The car pulled up in front of them and Ebony stood up on his feet. One of the car doors opened and an Infernal soldier picked up the luggage for him. The trunk was popped open and it was finally time.

Right before Ebony got inside, he turned back at Davon. His hands reached into his pockets as he pulled out a set of keys. He chucked them towards his brother.

"The crib's yours, keep it clean, will ya?"

Davon smiled back. "You's got it kus. Remember to visit us lil homies once a while, huh?"

"Better believe it... gentleman."

They drove off once Ebony entered the vehicle. Leaving behind everything he's ever known, he was ready to start anew.

Roger patted his shoulder. "Hope you like the cold, kid."

"Being up in the mountains ain't that bad. Never been to Greenland but I'm open for an adventure."

Hearing that response made Roger let out a minor cough. "Yeah, there's been a change in plans."

Ebony suddenly felt his heart drop. His eyes widened as a surge of fear and anxiety zipped through him. It was clear he was terrified at hearing those words, so Roger had to reassure him.

"Relax kid, you'll still have everything I promised you. You'll just be stationed elsewhere."

"If not Greenland, then where?"

Ebony's question was immediately answered, providing a small sense of comfort.

"Remember I told you about a facility we built in Japan before moving to Greenland?"

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5 years later...

"I want everything stopped, shut down all work on the Cure, you hear me?!"

Nova and Jax were startled by Ebony's shouting. But they couldn't blame him. They were just as concerned as he was. A mysterious spy did infiltrate their base after-all.

When Ebony was asked about the sign outside the facility claiming it's not an evil base, he continued his protests. "Was kus supposed to say this place evil and LIE? Hell nah! We ain't fuckin evil!"

With those words spoken, he stormed out of the room, accompanied by his two personal guards.

As Nova and Jax were left alone to then start a random debate about feminism or something, Ebony marched back to his quarters. Along the way, he scrolled through some contacts on his phone until he found the Captain.

Before he could begin, he turned back to face his guards. "Leave kus alone now, gentlemen! I ain't yo fuckin toddler to be watching around; you've got me fucked up! Damn!"

His guards ran away, heading towards the main laboratory to announce the news. Meanwhile, Ebony placed the call. It rang a few times until the Australian man answered.

"Captain Roger, are you there man?" Ebony reverted back to his natural tone.

"Hey mate! Haven't heard from you in a while, Ebony. What's going on?"

There was no time to waste. "Listen very carefully. Remember that story you told me, the one about you and a friend named Kent? I need to know, what was that one agent's name you told me about? The one you said was perfect and was the subject for cloning?"

"The Tron guy? Ebony, what's happening?"

Before he could answer, a few Pioneers walked by, noticing their boss on the phone. He immediately changed his worried expression back to his dominating gangster form. "Watcha lookin' at? Keep it movin', gentlemen."

Once they were out of sight, Ebony resumed his normal behavior. "Roger, he was here. Tron found us. One of my guards killed him, but this can't be all of it. How could he know about us? You gave me your word that we were safe, that Kent would never learn of our existence. What the fuck happened?"

"I- I don't understand. Tron's dead?"

"Yes! And if Kent knows, then his clones aren't far behind, right?"

Silence plagued the phone call. Ebony's heartbeat had started beating so loud, you could swear you could hear it over the phone. As for Roger, he was dumbstruck.

He was standing at the edge of a suspended airstrip high above the mountainous regions of Greenland. A jet flew overhead, bearing the dark colors of the Infernals. Small snowflakes fell over his head, basking him in a wintery setting.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to conceal his anger. "Listen to me kid, this is no cause for panic. Kent has nothing on you, do you hear me? He has NOTHING! Something else is at play here."

"You never mentioned anyone undergoing an alias named Cyber Guy either. We saw his name plastered over Tron, he knows everything about us! Cyber's been writing all about my work, my team and your Australian friends!"

That made Roger raise an eyebrow. He turned around, his back facing the sky and distant valleys. "I've never come across any agent named Cyber. You said he's writing about you? Ebony, I don't understand!"

"Neither do I! So I suggest you come over before we're all dead, because I don't know if there's more of these agents on their way. I've suspended all my projects until we know what the hell is going on."

"Alright, I get it. Look, give me a few days. I'll try to reach you as soon as I can, and I'll bring backup. For now, I need to figure out who this bloody Cyber character is." Roger had already started running down the airstrip, heading back to headquarters. His black robe waved along the heavy gush of wind that struck him.

Ebony once again shifted when more personnel walked past, waiting until they had left. "We're initiating evacuation procedures. I'm gonna tell my crew we're moving to New Jersey, but I expect you to take us to HQ. Until then, I'll be waiting. Just don't delay, fuck we might even be dead by tomorrow."

"Deep breaths, mate! I want you to get back out there and be the strong leader those scientists expect you to be. We'll figure this out together, I promise!"

"I'm counting on you Roger. Over and out."

Ebony hung up the call. He needed to relax and put on a positive persona. So he walked off, returning to his rightful throne.

A throne of deception.