The morning sun slipped through the blinds in thin golden lines, striping the walls of Rex Lewis’s bedroom. Dust floated lazily in the light. Outside, the distant hum of traffic was already beginning to rise with the city.

  Rex, ten years old and completely unaware of the hour, remained buried under his blankets.

  He had stayed up far too late the night before, hunched over his desk with his father, screwdriver in hand and tongue pressed between his teeth in concentration. On the small wooden table across from his bed now sat the result of their work — a modest little robot made from spare parts, wires carefully tucked inside its metal shell, mismatched panels polished as best they could manage.

  It wasn’t sleek. It wasn’t advanced. To anyone else it might have looked like a science fair project.

  To Rex, it was magnificent.

  His brown hair stuck out in uneven directions against the pillow, and his face still held the softness of childhood. Even in sleep, his hands were faintly smudged with grease.

  A gentle knock.

  “Rex?” His father’s voice was warm.

  David Lewis stepped into the room, tall and broad-shouldered, still dressed in his work slacks and button-down, sleeves rolled up. He smiled when he saw his son sprawled dramatically across the mattress.

  He crossed the room quietly and sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through Rex’s messy brown hair.

  “You need to wake up, buddy,” he said softly. “Big day.”

  Rex groaned and pulled the blanket over his head.

  Before David could try again, the bedroom door burst open, and a brown blur leaps up into the air and dropped an elbow onto the sleeping child

  “Nina wake up special!”

  She bounces off the bed and kisses her elbow, David claps in respect of that sick ass elbow drop off the top rope

  Rex shot upright in shock. “I’m up! I’m up!”

  Nina laughed, already bouncing back onto her feet. Even at ten, she carried herself with a natural confidence. Her short white hair framed her face in soft layers, catching the morning light and almost glowing against her warm brown skin. Her golden eyes were bright and alert, sharp with excitement.

  “Good,” she said, grinning. “You can’t be late to win with your robot. You’ve been talking about it for weeks.”

  She folded her arms, pretending to be stern.

  “And your mom made breakfast.”

  That got him moving.

  A few minutes later, Rex shuffled into the kitchen, now dressed and wide awake. He sat beside Nina at the table while his mother, Jane Lewis, set plates in front of them — eggs, waffles, fruit, and juice.

  Jane had Rex’s eyes. Warm. Observant.

  “You want us to drive you to the mall?” she asked, taking a sip of coffee.

  Rex shook his head immediately. “No, Mom. We’ve got it. It’s not that far.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

  David leaned against the counter, smiling. “They’ll be fine. He’s gone before. As long as he keeps his phone on him.”

  Rex nodded seriously. “I will.”

  Nina nodded too. “We promise.”

  Jane studied them for a moment longer, then sighed in surrender. “Alright. Be careful.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Yes, ma’am,” they said together.

  Soon enough, the two of them were outside, waving goodbye as they wheeled their bikes onto the sidewalk.

  The city was fully awake now.

  Cars rolled steadily down the streets. Storefronts were opening. The scent of fresh coffee drifted from corner cafés. Somewhere nearby, a bus hissed to a stop. It was a perfect day — not too hot, not too cool — sunlight warm but gentle.

  Rex pedaled ahead slightly, his backpack bouncing against his shoulders. The top zipper was open just enough for the metal head of his robot to peek out.

  Nina rode beside him, steady and balanced, her golden eyes scanning the road ahead.

  High above them, a streak of color cut across the sky.

  A hero.

  Then another.

  This city was like theirs in every ordinary way — traffic, noise, crowded sidewalks — except that sometimes people flew overhead.

  One of them noticed the two children waving.

  A young woman with blonde hair and a bright, polished costume slowed midair before descending lightly between them, hovering just above the pavement.

  “You two up to trouble?” she asked playfully.

  Rex grinned. “No, ma’am. Just going to the mall.”

  “The robot contest,” Nina added proudly.

  “Oh? Well then,” the hero said, offering them both a fist bump. “You better win.”

  They laughed. “Planning on it.”

  “Be safe,” she added before lifting off again, soaring back into the sky.

  Rex watched her go, eyes following her silhouette until she became a distant speck. He’d always wondered what it felt like — to rise like that. To break free of the pull of the earth. To be born different.

  He was human.

  Just like Nina.

  Just like their parents.

  “It’s rude to stare,” Nina said, her voice firm but teasing.

  “I was not staring.”

  “Yes, you were.”

  He huffed. “Gotta admit that was bitchin.”

  She reluctantly nods in agreement. “Yeah…it was.”

  Nina puts her hand on his shoulder, and with a slight smile, she whispers

  “You’re it chuckle fuck.” As Nina peddles off with Rex, who looks confused, then turns fiery with determination, no one calls Rex Lewis a chuckle fuck.

  The two of them rode on, laughter trailing behind them as the city stretched ahead.

  The mall loomed ahead, glass doors reflecting the morning sunlight. Rex and Nina parked their bikes carefully, locking them to the racks before heading inside. The scent of popcorn, pretzels, and roasting nuts greeted them, mingling with the distant hum of chatter and music from the stores.

  Rex’s eyes flicked to a stand piled with giant soft pretzels. “You want one?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

  Nina’s eyes sharpened like a cat, and she nodded eagerly. Rex bought her one only to have the one he had bitten into stolen by Nina, Rex silently accepting as she chewed happily while they weaved through the crowds toward the center of the mall — the arena for the robot contest.

  At the registration desk, a large bearded man scribbled on a clipboard. “Name?” he asked.

  “Rex Lewis,” Rex said, voice steady.

  “Robot?”

  “I… uh… don’t really have a name for it yet,” Rex admitted, glancing at his small creation.

  “The amazing the fantastic…BOB!” Nina interjected with her mouth full of pretzel. “That’s the name of the robot.”

  Rex grinned sheepishly. “Y-Yeah… that’s it…wait no, it was Altas.” He carefully pulled the robot from his backpack and placed it on the desk.

  The man examined Atlas, turning it slightly in his hands before jotting the name down and assigning Rex a number. He handed the boy a matching name tag. “Good luck, young man.”

  “Thank you!” Rex said, smiling wide. He grabbed Nina’s hand, and they made their way to the seating area where other contestants had gathered.

  “Bob?..really?, Nina,” he whispered.

  “It gives it personality, genius,” she said, nudging him with a grin.

  They watched as numbers were called. Robots rolled into the center of the arena, some larger, some faster. Finally, it was Rex’s turn. He placed Amazo on the floor and held the remote controller in both hands. The joystick and buttons felt familiar and heavy — his creation responding to every small movement of his fingers. Amazo’s tiny arms extended, its wheels whirring as it moved forward.

  A much larger robot, a shiny red brute with metal spikes jutting from its shoulders, loomed over Atlas. The crowd gasped.

  “Go, Bob!” Nina cheered, clapping her hands.

  Rex maneuvered Altas with careful precision, dodging the larger robot’s swings. The big machine lunged, but Rex’s robot spun sideways and jabbed its mechanical arm, toppling its opponent. Sparks flew. The crowd erupted in applause.

  But Altas had taken damage — one wheel wobbled, and a panel hung loose. Rex immediately pulled out his small tool kit, adjusting screws, tightening bolts, and carefully reconnecting wires. Nina handed him spare tools, watching with wide eyes, excitement and concern tangled together.

  “You sure showed him,” Nina said, admiration shining in her golden eyes.

  “He was really good. I’m shocked I won,” Rex said, pride lifting his voice. “I’ll have to let Dad know I got past my first match with our robot.”

  “With Atlas, you mean.”

  “Yeah… that’s right. With Atlas.” He gave her a nod and a small, happy smile.

  Once repairs were finished, Rex watched the next two contestants bring their robots to the center of the arena. The bell rang, signaling the start — and then everything changed.

  A deafening explosion ripped through the mall. Dust and shards of glass filled the air. The building shook violently. People screamed. Neon signs flickered and went out.

  “Hold on, Nina!” Rex shouted, grabbing her hand tightly.

  “Where’s the exit?!” she cried, eyes wide with terror.

  They ran, dodging falling debris, jumping over overturned carts and scattered merchandise. Ceiling tiles rained down. A giant decorative chandelier swayed dangerously, smashing onto the floor behind them.

  Rex pulled Nina close, refusing to let go. “We’ll get out of here together!”