"Mom!"

Cherise Johnson turned back to see her son all geared up to leave the house.

"You off today?" Spyder queried.

"Yup," Cherise answered, "and if you're gonna be gone all day, be back by 11."

"K," Spyder replied. He put his phone in his pocket, "hey before I leave, can I shoot the cat?"

Cherise rolled her eyes.

"Look I don't like Ms. Jetson's cat as much as the next person but, we can't kill it. She'll press charges." She retorted.

Spyder sighed.

"Besides remember what I told you?" Cherise reminded him, "we're not gonna shoot the cat. We're gonna wait til Jetson is out of the house and then 'accidentally' lead it to the street and wait for a car to hit it 'by mistake'."

Spyder's mouth dropped.

"Mom that's evil." He told her. He then grinned, "I love you so much."

Cherise let a mischievous smile reach her face. Her son went out the door and shut it behind himself.

************

After being able to properly wash, the young man changed into his clothes. He was currently putting on a pair of shorts since it would be warmer later. The time changed to 8:25am. Once all of his clothing was covering his body, the male technopath fell back on the bed. Laying down, he let out a deep breath. And though he dried himself off, he could feel water dripping down the side of his face, which is called sweat.

"Thank god there's no school, right?"

That question scared Ryan out of his pants. He raised his head up a little to see that the duplicate was standing in his room. He was leaning against the wall with a tray that carried soup, ginger ale, and crackers. The actual pilot sat his body up. After dishing everything that was left in him from the other day, he felt pretty empty.

"You made that for me?" Ryan asked in a whisper. His voice was still in a working process.

"Well sure," the doppelganger riposted, "we are the same person aren't we? So in a way, you're only looking out for you."

Ry gave a confused look.

"Weirdly put, I know." The alternate clone was aware of.

He handed the tray to the sick child, who accepted it hesitantly. He placed it in his lap as the duplicate sat beside him.

"It's not posioned," the doppelganger told him, "what am I a killer?"

"I'm just not up for food right now." Ryan admitted to him.

"Well you're gonna have to be. No food when you're sick makes it worse." The clone reasoned with him.

Grabbing the spoon, the ill teenager began to eat. It was pretty good considering he didn't feel like throwing up. As he dived into his meal, the doppelganger pretended to look around and hop off the bed.

"Since I'm here," the duplicate had began his thoughts, "I think I can help us get what we've always wanted."

Biting a cracker, the fifteen year old kept quiet.

"And you know what we want, don't you?" The doppelganger quizzed.

"To meet Camila Cabello, get to buy a Mercedes, live in California, and try to sneak into a club without getting caught because of the age limit?" Ryan guessed.

The clone paused for a second.

"Well....yes," he agreed, "but no."

The pilot shrugged.

"Power," the duplicate told him. He closed the bedroom door so no one would hear, "has Mack taught you anything since she's been here? Like she promised?"

"Mhm," Ry responded, "how to turn things on even when they're off and how to get your tech without leaving the couch."

"Okay that's pretty useful," the 'twin' didn't disagree with, "but don't you want more than just controlling, I don't know, simple tech?"

Ryan looked down to the floor as he sipped some ginger ale.

"Look, we can do so much better," the duplicate said, "we can do some much more than we can right now. Think about it. Ryley was a bust, Kenzie has a lot on her plate, so you don't really have a mentor."

Sitting back on the bed, the doppelganger sat beside the gifted child and rested his elbow on his shoulder.

"I'm not asking to help or be your teacher or anything, but you're the final version for a reason. And I happen to know a way to guarentee you ultimate power," the clone revealed to him, "we use our power consistently to make sure other people are safe. What other better way to do that than to increase your abilities?"

Ryan nodded.

"A vile contains a chemical called Quinterall," the duplicate started out. A weird look was the response he got, "I know, I don't understand how people come up with these names. Anyway, it's in Sector 49. That's one of the dimensions. If we get that vile and literally pour it on ourselves, it'll combine with our powers and make us invincible."

Not really knowing what to say at the moment, the young man his lip in contemplation.

"Imagine saving the whole universe in literally a day without a problem? We would be unstoppable," the doppelganger tried to convince him. The male technopath looked at him, "it's the chance of a lifetime. No one has claimed it. Not even those guardians know about it."

Slowly standing up, the 'twin' faced the sick child and sighed.

"Obviously I'll go more into detail when you're better," the duplicate spoke, "just think it over and let me know what you wanna do. I'll be waiting."

And just like that, the clone whisped himself away. He had mistakenly taken the tray of food with him. The pilot looked back on his bed and pouted a little. It was really good soup. A knock on his door grabbed his attention. It opened, with his older brother bringing in a tray of his own.

"I know you didn't want breakfast, but you have to eat something." Mark stated.

His little brother took the tray. The only thing that differed was there wasn't any crackers. He had chicken soup, ginger ale, and ibuprofen. A good guess that it was for the headaches. How did he know though?

"Mark...I'm not-"

"Save it," the sixteen year old cut him off, "I know. And I don't care how much you try to deny it. You can't outsmart Mark Walker, it's just not gonna happen."

Not bothering to roll his eyes, the youngest of the Walker family kept his comments to himself. He took the tray and put it in his lap. Using the spoon, he ate some of the soup. It was satisfying, just doesn't compare to the other one he previously had. That said, he wasn't ungrateful. He only hated how his stomach was not on his side moments ago and the day before.

"You feeling any better?" Mark asked.

Ryan shrugged.

"Well I mean, I think you would know if you feel better or not," Mark joked a little, "just saying."

The fifteen year old had a small smile on his face as he glanced at his older brother.

"Uh okay welp," Mark announced, which made Ryan give him his full attention, "I'm gonna head to Mech X. See if Harris and V figured out what's going on in your blood and stuff."

The less popular Walker nodded and continued to eat. Mark crossed his arms, feeling a bit tense. Sweet sweet soundlessness intoxiacted the room. Since he was mainly focused on the food in front of him, the young pilot didn't think much of it. He would occasionally peek at his family member, who despite had said he was heading to the robot, just leaned against the wall with a troubled look on his face. That's what made him break the ongoing silence.

"Yes?" Ry finally spoke up and catechized.

It was hushed since may I remind you, his voice is not up to par right now.

"I know you're sick and everything, but if there's anything you wanna talk about I won't shut you out." Mark made sure he knew.

Ryan smiled a little bigger, in hopes it would relax his brother. He had always known that he cared about him a lot. The male technopath figured he was making up for the years he was such a...we'll just say jerk. And while that was sweet of him, he didn't have to become a parent. Last time it was because of the adoption. Now? Okay it's not as bad, but it's moments like these that showcased his more compassionate side. Good overall, just not necessary right now. At least, that's how Ryan felt.

"Thanks," he responded, "you can go to Mech X now. I'll be fine here. Mok should be home in a few hours."

Mark nodded as he turned and headed for the door. Before exiting, he gave his little brother one last look. Letting out a sigh, he left the room. Once the door was closed, the tech controlling teen went back to finishing his food. On the side of his tray, he saw that there was note. He picked it up and read it.

Yeah sorry I took your tray. That was by accident. Least you got more anyway. Don't think I won't visit you again. I'm not gone anyway. So if you need me, just call.

<Alternate You>

PS: Make sure you don't run too much. That doesn't help when you're sick😉.

That left the sick child's mind buzzing.