Chapter 192: Ultimatum. 2012 CE

[A few minutes earlier]

Pluto was sitting leisurely in front of the Television with Thena as they devoured a bucket of popcorn beside them. Right now, they’re watching Kingo’s movie back to back, planning to catch up on what he’s done in the last decade or so.

“I’m curious why he hasn’t moved to Hollywood yet.” said Thena casually, chewing on popcorn. 

“Because he didn’t need to.” Pluto shrugged. “It’s not all about Hollywood you know, Bollywood is a giant on its own.”

“Well, can’t argue with that. But at least here, he won’t be as… isolated… from the others…”

Pluto chuckled. “Isolated? You realise that it’s his own choice right? He rarely contacts any of us, letting him live his life, he’s enjoying it.”

“Kingo didn’t even show up when Helios was born,” Scoffed Thena. “I feel like he’s enjoying it a little too much…”

Pluto just shook his head in amusement as he continued to watch the movie that was playing in front of him. But then, his phone suddenly rang, and he took it out of his pocket.

It was a text from the CEO of Smith Enterprise.

When he saw what’s in the text, Pluto quickly frowned.

‘Smith Medicals attacked. Terrorists. Hansen Kidnapped. Police are chasing them.’ 

Pluto hurriedly took the TV remote and changed the channel, much to Thena’s displeasure.

“What are you doing?” she asked in annoyance.

“Checking the news,” he answered. 

As the channel changed to a news channel, a big sign of ‘BREAKING NEWS’ was displayed on the screen.

“This is just in. The Headquarters of Smith Medicals has been attacked by an unknown terrorist group. We have been informed that there have been multiple casualties, and the head of the Smith Medicals, Dr. Maya Hansen, who is famous for her discovery of the regrowth serum, has been kidnapped.”

Thena instantly got serious as the news went by. “You’re going to do something about it?”

“I’m calling Cleo,” said Pluto. But then, the news froze, and it changed to a video of someone.

It was a video of a man, sitting calmly in front of a symbol of the ten rings. He was wearing glasses.

“Mr. President.” he said deeply. “I am sure you know me from all your spies around the world. I have given many lessons to you and your government. I have exposed your lies and deceit to the public, and today, I intend to give another one.”

“As you might’ve heard by now. A woman, by the name of Maya Hansen, has been kidnapped by my men. In fact, right now, they are still on the road, running away from the New York City Police Department. I’m sure she’s a great woman, she invented the miracle serum… After all, your government so desperately wants to use it for other means, so you must know all about her…”

“But what you might not know, there’s another hostage in that car…” the man continued with a stoic face. “A boy… by the name of Theodore Smith, the son of the owner of the building.”

As soon as Helios’s name was spoken, Thena broke the metal bucket that was on her hands, making the popcorn spill all over the ground.

“Now Mr. President, and I suppose you too, Mr. Smith…” the man continued. “I implore you to not attack the car. Because the car has been rigged with explosives, and the trigger is in my hand right now.”

The man then showed a device with a red button attached to it, his finger hovering on it. “Now, will you let them out of the city, then we can discuss the terms of release? or you didn’t abide by my warning, and the two hostages will die? It is your choice, but I suggest that you choose the former.”

“Now I will warn you again Mr. President… you can send your army, your corrupt policemen, your blue white and red dogs to that car, but once you touch it, the people inside WILL die.”

The man in the video then played with the red button, barely pressing it to threaten the viewers. “I’ll see you soon Mr. President, Mr. Smith.”

After that, the television blackened, and it continued to the normal news, which is still the report of the bombings of Smith Medicals.

Pluto just sighed at the sight. “Thena—”

But then, when he turned around, he noticed that Thena was gone, which made him sigh again.

Pluto quickly called Cleo, and she answered the phone in a rush. “You saw the news?” asked Pluto.

“Y-Yes father we’re sending som–”

“No need.” Pluto cut her off. “Tell me where the guy’s hiding place is.”

Cleo was surprised. “F-Father?”

“Thena went off, she definitely will use her powers. Might as well go all out.”

“O-Okay… he’s in… Florida, I'll send you the coordinates… now.”

“Good.” Pluto hummed. “Don’t worry, no one’s going to remember anything after tonight, so you won’t have to deal with the mess.”

“Roger that father.”

After that, Pluto hung up, sent a message to Helios through his mind, and took off.