---
Henry and the others were all sitting together at a diner. They had brought Rex there to grab something to eat and talk about everything that had happened.
They were all still in their hero outfits. Earlier, when they found Rex, he'd been feeling really down, and they had started trying to ease his guilt.
It was Henry's idea to take him out for food. Henry was already quite famous, and the others had completed a few missions too, so when they showed up, the diner owner was shocked to see superheroes walk in — though he quickly welcomed them, realizing the publicity would do wonders for his business.
Regular customers started taking pictures and posting them online. A photo of them sitting there, just eating like normal people, quickly went viral.
They were used to the fan attention, but Robot didn't like it. He asked people to stop, and while some did, others didn't.
'I didn't know what I was doing... I panicked, I just wanted to get out of there. I was scared,' Rex said, eyes brimming with tears.
'I went to tell him I was leaving, and he tried to kill me... I didn't mean to. It was an accident,' he continued.
Duplikate, sipping a drink, replied, 'It wasn't your fault. We heard your conversation before everything went down. We believe you.'
'She's right. You shouldn't blame yourself,' Robot added.
Rex looked at them and asked, 'You heard everything?'
Robot answered in his usual robotic voice, 'Yes. We were sent on a mission to investigate you. We know about the missions you did for the government.'
Rex told them about his sad past — how the government had used him as a weapon and sold him out. It was the first time he'd ever talked like that with people close to his age.
After he finished, the Teen Team exchanged looks, and Henry asked a question:
'So, what are you gonna do now?' he asked, sipping from a can of Coke with a straw.
Rex thought for a moment and answered honestly, 'I don't know… I've got nowhere to go.' In truth, the only thing he really wanted was to see his "family" again.
Duplikate suggested, 'Why don't you join us?'
'Join you guys... I could,' Rex murmured.
Robot considered the idea. Rex didn't seem like a bad person — just someone with behavioral issues, but nothing too serious.
'I don't think it's a bad idea, but first, we have a few questions,' Robot said.
'Sure, what do you wanna know?' Rex replied. He didn't mind answering a few things.
While Rex started explaining everything they wanted to know, Henry kept sipping his Coke. After he finished, he got up, drawing everyone's attention, and walked over to the waitress.
Henry was a bit taller than her, and being an alien made the interaction feel even stranger. He approached and asked for the total bill.
'How much for everything?' Henry asked.
The waitress was caught off guard. She wasn't the only one working, but she hesitated a bit. Another server, less shy and more composed, stepped in and answered:
'The total is…'
Henry paid for everything — including Rex's meal. He didn't know if Rex had any money, but he covered it anyway. At this point, money wasn't really a problem for him.
People at the diner realized Henry wasn't busy anymore and rushed over to surround him. Some wanted autographs, others photos, and a few even tried to hug him. But overall, everyone showed him a lot of respect.
Henry didn't mind. He took a few photos, making everyone happy.
Many thanked him, and some even mentioned family or friends he had saved before.
Rex sat at the table with the others, watching how people treated Henry. He thought it was amazing — and wished people would treat him the same way. He felt a bit envious — not out of jealousy, but simply wishing he could be appreciated too.
'Is it always like this?' Rex asked.
'Actually, it's worse,' Robot replied. 'I heard they even made a statue of him. And as far as I know, he's met with several presidents.'
Rex's jaw dropped. 'You're kidding.'
'I know, right? Makes you wonder if we'll ever get there someday,' Robot said.
After Henry finished with the fans, he returned to the table and sat down.
'Have fun?' Duplikate asked.
'A little,' Henry replied.
Robot ignored the exchange and turned to Rex.
'You said Radcliffe had an entire facility full of research on super-soldier development — notes, scientists, that kind of stuff. Weapons too?'
'Yeah. Why? Isn't that a good thing?' Rex asked.
Robot fell into thought. Of course, the government wouldn't just let that go. They'd definitely come back for whatever tech remained. There were a lot of bad people in charge.
'Just thinking,' Robot said as he stood up. 'We've gotta go. They're coming back.'
Henry and Duplikate, who had been chatting casually, stopped and stood up too.
'Where are you going?' Rex asked.
'I figure in a few hours, more people will show up to collect whatever tech is left from the facility you destroyed. We need to prepare,' Robot answered.
Rex heard that and stood up as well. 'I'm going with you,' he said, more determined now, even if still looking a bit worn out.
They exchanged glances. Henry asked:
'You're going like that?' He eyed Rex, who was still in his casual clothes.
Henry turned to Robot. 'How much time do you think we have?'
'A few hours, at most. Why?'
'No reason. I just had an idea.'
---
They split up. Robot and Duplikate stayed together, hiding in the area surrounding the destroyed government facility. They were lying in wait, concealed in the nearby woods. Robot had spread fake news online, claiming they were in a completely different place — but it was all a trap. They were waiting to see who would show up to retrieve the remaining tech... and stop them.
Henry, meanwhile, had taken Rex to see Art, aiming to get him a proper suit. Rex couldn't just walk around like that without a disguise. They went to the Tailor Shoppe — both of them out of uniform.
Henry had already shown his civilian identity to a few people. Now Rex was one of them.
They entered the Tailor Shoppe and looked around for Art. He was in the back. Henry called out to him.
Rex, standing beside him, said, 'Are you sure this is the place?' clearly skeptical.
'Of course. Art's the best when it comes to this kind of thing,' Henry replied. Rex glanced around the store and still didn't look very convinced.
Art heard someone calling from the back and came out to check. When he saw Henry and another boy waiting for him, he raised an eyebrow.
'You again, Henry,' Art said, frowning slightly.
Henry tried signaling to him subtly, but Art didn't catch on and said his name out loud.
Rex turned to him. 'That's your name?'
Henry sighed, looking at Art. 'Thanks, Art.'
Art realized what he'd done and apologized. 'Sorry, Henry. I thought he already knew.'
'It's fine. He's not an enemy anyway.'
'So, what can I do for you this time?'
'This time, it's not for me,' Henry said, pointing at Rex.
Art stroked his chin. 'Got it. Come with me.'
Henry and Rex followed Art to the back room, where he designed and made superhero suits.
Art took Rex aside and started asking how he wanted the suit to look. Henry, meanwhile, flopped onto a couch and pulled out his phone. He started texting Eve.
'Let me know when you're done, okay? And Art, put it on my tab.'
Rex overheard that and felt a wave of relief knowing he didn't have to pay — though at the same time, it made him a little self-conscious, like Henry was calling him poor.
'So, what's your idea?' Art asked.
'I was thinking something like this...' Rex began explaining the style he wanted for his suit.
While Rex described the design, Henry kept texting Eve, comfortably slouched on the couch.
He couldn't wait for all this to be over — he really wanted to visit Eve.
Art spent a few minutes taking Rex's measurements. In the end, he handed him an old suit he had lying around.
'I'm ready,' Rex said. He was now wearing a faded suit and large goggles that covered part of his face. It wasn't anything impressive, but it would do. It looked like a washed-out version of what his outfit might've been.
Henry stood up and stretched.
'Let's go.'
Just before they left, Art added, 'The real suit will be ready soon. Good luck out there.'
Henry and Rex looked back at him, gave a quick nod, and stepped out.
---