The test was a success according to the scientist who built it. The team had exited the machine, feeling really good about the new change. The sixteen year old took his vehicle and offered to drop his little brother off. Yet, he decided to take his skateboard and ride home. He had packed it in the trunk. Using his abilities, the fifteen year old child opened it up. He took his choice of transportation out and closed the trunk. His helmet laid perfectly on top of his head. The pads were secure on his arms and legs as he skated away. While doing so, his older brother watched. He wasn't smiling, because he wasn't happy. Being elated about your sibling being secretive and possibly being effected by something? Not exactly a crowd pleaser.
  The former jock walked to his car door and unlocked it. He hopped inside and shut it. As he relocked it, his hand placed the key in. The sound of the engine roaring could be heard. The used-to-be man on campus put both of his hands on the wheel while his foot was on the gas pedal. Pushing off, the young man began to drive. His eyes were on the rode, but his mind was elsewhere. Whatever is going on with his family member, he hoped that it wasn't anything too serious.
  The lack of verbal responses was causing a slight wedge to form between the two brothers. They both could feel it. Lately, everything that had been going on hasn't really progressed their sibling relationship. It wasn't moving backwards and it definitely wasn't moving forward. It was just...stuck. The last time the robot's pilot vented to his older brother was a time he couldn't even remember. It was like a ball fastened in a hole unable to travel anywhere. As the young technopath clearly pointed out way back when, he's still him and the former jock was still there. Nothing's changed.
  But was that the problem? Was something supposed to change? Well, they're family first and foremost. They care about one another and never want to see each other hurting. And...yeah that was it. The two don't hang out unless it's Mech X4 related. They used to try to outside of that, but it didn't last long. Both Walker brothers cling to their friends more. And if it wasn't that, the freshman goes off by himself. Usually always being around other people, the sixteen year old didn't do that.
  So in general, the whole thing wasn't bad, but it was weird. If the pilot was going through something, why wouldn't he want his brother to know? Was he afraid to be judged? Okay, he probably would judge depending on what it is. Even so, it's not like he's other people. He wouldn't be so cruel as to shut him away. No. All he wanted to know was what he could do to help. Although considering he won't open up, that was something that had to wait. It would make the situation better if he did say what was on his mind. But he respected privacy and if it was that private, than that's what he'll have to live with.

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

The helicopter landed at what appeared to be a regular looking house. The flyer jumped out of the machine and attempted to open the door for his companion. She beat him to it and came out. While shutting the door, her phone and equipment was grabbed. The male adult walked to the front door. He entered his passcode and unlocked it. Ladies first was always his little motto, so his partner went in before him. Peeking her head in, she had gotten a nice view of the place. Her feet carried the rest of her inside while her co worker followed her. He powered down his helicopter with a click of the button. Once it was completely off, the male pilot cracked the door.

"Nice place. Where are they?" Grey asked.

Sebastian walked past her and removed the table in the center of the room. His feet stepped on what was under it. Immediately, a holographic door became present. The former principal smirked as she came near it.

"Smart thinking, Sebbs. Let's get to work." Grey commented.

The two of them entered the secret room. Sebastian turned back and closed every door in the house. No one was allowed in. No one else was aware of this. No one else could EVER know.

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

"Hi!"

Grace chuckled a little.

"Hey Spyder." She greeted.

The young male stepped into the Walker household. Grace shut the door behind him.

"Ryan's upstairs right?" Spyder asked.

"Should be yeah." Grace answered.

With the pizza in hand, the fifteen year old made his way to his pal's room. The mother of the two Walker brothers grabbed her keys. Her job had just been offered to be featured in The Food Trucks Of The Year competition. Therefore, meetings needed to be held quickly. Grace hadn't told her sons about it yet. She wanted it to be a surprise. Taking her coat as well, the young mother left the building.
  Turns out she was wrong about something though. The young technopath wasn't in his room. The jokester of the bunch looked around and couldn't find him. His guess was that he either took a wrong turn or is going really slow. He took out his device and texted his best friend to find out.

Spyder: Yo, where u at man? Brought the pizza and I'm hungry!

After a few seconds, he received an answer.

Ryan: Sorry dude. Be there in 2.

The explosion loving child sat on his buddy's bed.

"Aww lucky, his sheets are softer than mine." Spyder whined a bit.

His gaze went to the pictures around his best friend's room. It was him, Harris, Mark, Leo, and his mom. Veracity and few others were included as well. He guessed they were new ones. The main photo that caught his attention was the one on his left. He grabbed it and took a look. Both boys had to be 11. They were in the park. The picture was taken when they were posing near the slide. Little Walker took his best friend's hat and put it on his head. That day was a blast, until the daredevil tried to slide without using the slide. Don't ask how it turned out.

"I should've kept that hat."

The weapons specialist looked to see that his pal had came home. He sat beside him and opened the box. His hand went for a slice of pizza. He took a bite and stared at the photo.

"Why?" Spyder questioned.

"Cause I don't have one." Ryan replied.

"Just buy one." Spyder told him.

His teammate gave him an incredulous look.

"You know how much they charge? Money down the drain." Ryan responded while taking another bite.

Spyder nodded. He too grabbed a slice of pizza. As he chomped on it, the male technopath stared off into space for a bit. He wondered about the new addition to his abilities. Were they temporary? Do they only occur when he's upset? How long until it vanishes? Was it harmful to him? Questions, questions, and more questions! Why can't there just be an answer that solves every single one?!

"Hey, you alright?" Spyder asked.

Apparently, the expression on his best friend's face caused some worry to spark in him. The pilot turned and faced him. He wanted to say yes, but he knew very well it was just going to be another lie coming out of his mouth. Instead, he sighed. Seemed easier than just admitting everything straight forward. Well, that's what he thought. Although, no response verbally would only deepen the worry his companion had, so he had to say something.

"Uh...yeah...no...." The fifteen year old went back and forth.

He threw his slice back in the box.

"Ugh! Just...why can't everything have an answer so my brain will shut up?" Ryan questioned.

Spyder chuckled.

"What?" He inquired.

"My powers keep growing and getting stronger and I don't know how to control it. I had it down before, but now it's harder." Ryan explained to him.

Spyder shrugged.

"Skate boarding was hard, Calculus was hard, fighting monsters is hard, and lying to everyone you like or care about is hard. But, you haven't said anything about that." He responded.

His buddy rolled his eyes.

"This is different, Spyder. I'm....I-I'm scared. I've never done that before. And if you were there, you'd understand. Everything it....it just happened and...." Ryan tried to speak.

He bit his lip, contemplating on how to finishing saying what he wants to. His best friend looked at him intently and beat him to his next line.

"You sure you don't wanna tell Leo about this?" Spyder queried.

"You think he'd be able to fix it? I mean, what if he can't?" Ryan wondered.

The daredevil was about to respond, but footsteps running at a fast pace alerted the both of them. The two freshman to see the sophomore year the door.

"Guys, nerdo got a monster alert. Let's go!" Mark told them.

He left the area. Both boys stood up as Spyder closed the pizza box. Though it was a test run, the young technopath failed to admit that he was nervous about using his powers again after what went on in the cold depths of the Arctic. Now, he was about to use it in battle. It was the first one since returning home and the first time using the new robot in combat. That sent more fear and a bit of anxiety in the tech controlling teen. The jokester of the bunch caught that immediately.

"Dude, don't worry. Just watch it and you should be good to go." Spyder attempted at encouragement.

It worked a little, but some of that fear was still staying stuck to the pit of his pal's stomach. He nodded anyway, not wanting his best friend to be concerned.

"You want this to be doomsday?! Come on guys!" Mark shouted.

Both fifteen year olds came out of the room and traveled down the stairs. The three teammates of Mech X4 headed out the door quickly. The hat wearing boy closed the main entrance up. The trio hopped into the vehicle. The former jock started it up as they were all buckled in. He drove off in a hurry, not wanting to be too late. As for the pilot, he was just making sure to keep his inner thoughts in tact. The last thing that needs to happen is emotional turmoil screwing up the fight.