Year 2240, June 32

Five years have passed since the birth of the twins. Their birth caused a large wave in the medical world. They were a very unique kind of twins that are both fraternal and identical.

How is this possible, well the reason for this is tied to a genetic problem in the production of the egg or sperm. It is unknown which one it was but one of them had two sex chromosomes. If there was no splitting to become identical twins the child would have had Klinefelter syndrome but that didn’t happen because when the first division happened in the fertilized egg, one pair of XY chromosomes lined up side by side.

What this means is simple, when cell division happens all chromosomes line up in a single line at the center before they are split in the middle, each cell getting a copy of the DNA by pulling their copies. In special cases where two chromosomes are side by side, the cell would in turn pull one full chromosome to each side instead of splitting it which is what happened.

The XY chromosome was side by side and in turn one X was split while the other two were split forming healthy male and female twins with the exact same genetic profile except for the single chromosome tied to the sex that was different.

Physically, as children, it is impossible to tell them apart if they dressed alike but as a boy and a girl, their parents specifically did small changes besides clothing. For one, the girl, named Ruth, has longer hair that isn’t cut while the boy, named Robin, has shorter hair but still long if considering a boy's hair style, which goes down to his shoulders but is tied in a ponytail.

At the moment, they are at the Virginia State Heroism Convention. This is an event in the state of Virginia in what was once the United States.

I say what was once because with the rise of villain nations, most of the central and south american countries were captured and dominated by criminal factions due to their weak government systems.

After WW3, the USA, after merging with Canada, led a charge down south eventually claiming all the territory of central and South america. Because of this they restructured the entire American continent including the United states into the American Union. Because the territory was too huge to manage they decided to break them down into sectioned territories while using the old US laws as the basis for the AU.

This allowed the reformation of central and south american territories to be more systematic. The separation was done in regions instead of countries, since the country was the AU itself.

Every region had, more or less, the territory area of about one tenth of the space of the USA territory before the appearance of superpowers. This is a rough estimate but eventually they separated each region and produced 50 regions in honor of the USA that was the one who freed the american continent from the villain organizations. That said the state level territories didn’t change that much and most still possess the same border format.

Now then, what is this convention? It is an event within the state of Virginia similar to what was once Comicon. Because superpowers appeared, the old comics grew even more wild as real life representatives appeared, after the wars and peace returned, this became even bigger turning into one massive event. The people who come to this place aren’t some nobodies though. Besides the millions of people visiting, those who sponsor many of the events and that draw most of the crowd are actually the ones who do heroism work.

Those who do heroism are actually doing a life risking work, this in turn means they get paid for their work but commission for catching low lifes and small time criminals isn’t that large. Trainee and Vigilante level heros have a hard life. This kind of person comes to this place because of two reasons, technology developments and looking for sponsors.

The technology development is, in simplest terms, general mass produced weapons that would work in synergy with their abilities. There is, surprisingly, a lot of people that can actually merge their powers with technology bringing forth a much greater force allowing their powers to develop.

As for looking for sponsors, this is from companies and people who want to hire them as propaganda. This is very important for those into heroism because this is where the money will come from to produce true military grade costumes that can handle remaining in one piece while taking an explosion to the face.

As for where the costumes themselves come from, of course there is an entire new ‘public’ for modeling agencies now. These are called costume agencies, they literally work in modeling for those in the heroism business by inventing technology to make flexible but durable costumes that are as good as military grade armor. Most of the costumes are for Vigilante and Strongman rank people because Brave man and heroes have private costume makers funded by the state while trainees are too poor to purchase.

As for how this is displayed, well they have humanoid robot's with uncustomized costumes of their specific tech behind the current generation of bullet proof glass and bombarding it.

Of course, bullets are the most basic requirement, depending on the powers they need many more requirements like for people who transform or stretch need the clothing that doesn’t break or anything.

It’s a very complex market that is hard to enter and even harder to develop without huge funding or successful heroes.

Besides just costumes, weapons are also displayed in shooting grounds and training areas. It’s a very strange convention, almost like a meet of arms company to see who was the best but this was actually something for the kids.

This is why our little family is here. With the twins at 5 years old, and three younger siblings, one girl at 3 and two boys, one with 2 and one with 1. They came to the convention because the favorite hero of the twins, a Brave man who is from the Virginia state and has a similar power to their mother, elastic abilities.

The thing about abilities is that it is possible to check if someone has powers or not. It is very strange but those who have powers actually don’t have, what are considered, useless organs. There are several examples but the most common throughout the entire human population are the top bone digit of the pinky is missing or the appendix doesn’t exist. These two are the most common signs, of course this is for powers that don’t change the physical appearance of a person. Those born with body differences from common people, those before powers appeared, obviously have abilities.

Things like extra appendages easily show if a person has it or not but those with compared to those with no outward changes.

For instance, the twins already know they have their mother's rubber body, they were tested and Ruth doesn’t have the pinky bone while Robin doesn’t have his appendix while their bodies can also be stretched to a small degree and they are completely resistant to electric discharge.

Why they can’t use their powers is because they haven’t awakened the most key power related to all those with elastic powers which is called elastic control. This is the key to the elastic powers, it was discovered that the pineal gland in elastic power users would be double the size and after reaching maturity it would stimulate the brain making it undergo a ‘change’ which awakens this control which allows them to stretch at will.

As for their father’s hardening, they weren’t known to have it, only when they finally awaken their powers will they be able to know if they have it or not since the power doesn’t have synergy to the rubber power so it would likely manifest in dual power users.

As for the other siblings, they also have unawakened powers, the eldest a normal body while the other two kids didn’t show anything but they lacked different useless organs which indicated they might have their father’s powers.

The brave man the children are here to see is called Captain Stretch. Although the name is a little strange, it came from the fact that he had been in the military as a young man and actually took a special training course known as the Hero course in the military, not having been able to do the same earlier in highschool.

It is a special curriculum which puts the participants through hell and back to train their bodies and minds to make them stronger but most of all, it helps develop their super powers. Originally, Captain Stretch could only stretch, it was the extent of his knowledge because his real power required him to imagine the molecular build of the material he wanted to change into. Since he could not do so, he could only originally impromptu imagine himself with common stretch abilities. Also his powers are limited to things with elastic qualities or similar products. Rubber can be anything from tire rubber to rubber bands but he needs to know the molecular build of each type of product to be able to change his body makeup into that.

Still, he did just that and because of that he was able to grow to become a Brave man after he left the military at 23 to enter heroism, since military laws were too restrictive for similar activities.

Because of his military background, he is also very intelligent in police and military strategy and other knowledge making it easy for them to coordinate movements making him very popular with authorities and his very open personality makes him very popular with the population. It is said that in a few years, as long as his strength surpasses the immense gap between hero and brave man, he is one of the people who will become a candidate for the hero promotion.

“It’s capt. stretch! I see him mommy! I see captain stretch!” Robin shouted while on the shoulder of his father.

“Calm down son, we can see him as well.” Isaac, his father, said.

One of the less tedious but still hugely important jobs that all people in the heroism business have to participate in, being a great cause of merit, is inspiring the next generation.

‘The heart of the population sustains the heroes’, this is a phrase that is most commonly said in schools and taught. The population is the foundation of heroes, it requires millions to form a hero and the hero is the pillar that protects the foundation.

This job is to meet fans, it is a simple meet and greet like celebrities did in the 21st century but even so, heroes are a little different. They freely walk around, aid people and to children, because of their extensive knowledge in the field of powers, especially those similar to their own, they also teach how to train. The reason Captain Stretch is so popular and can be considered a candidate to become a hero rank is because of his corp. Using military knowledge, he made something similar to a hero clan but more like a mercenary group of people who have similar powers to his own.

Because he can transform his body into any material he knows, he can train and know the benefits and demerits of different ‘powers’ with elastic qualities by testing it himself and can give tips.

“What do you kids want to ask him?” Charlotte, their mother, asked.

“How long does he stretch!” Ruth said.

“Can he do powerups like that old anime daddy showed us!” Robin said.

With today’s super powered population, many superhero movies, cartoons and anime featuring superheroes with many different super powers including elastic powers. That said, the old ones from before the appearance were also well watched and appreciated.

The power up that Robin mentioned was about one rubber pirate that could inflate his arms like a balloon and also make his blood pump faster by gathering blood and releasing it back into the body in a burst. These ‘childish’ powers produced an immense effect in the anime but when they searched for it, they never found anyone doing similar things.

In fact, an elastic power like that particular character rarely appears because most elastic powers are controlled by the elastic control but his power requires initial force to extend. Although their mother is also rubber, she personally showed them that it is impossible to just bite their thumb and blow air into their fist or make their heart pump faster because they want to, especially because it was super dangerous and could even be life threatening.

Still, compared to their mother, Captain Stretch was tens if not hundreds of times more powerful, so it made sense that he could possibly do this kind of stuff. It was childish stubbornness on Robin’s part but it just made the parents laugh.

Eventually it reached their turn and they introduced themselves while Robin asked for an autograph before asking his question.

“Turn into rubber and pump my blood faster? That is really crazy!” he said and laughed.

“So you can’t?” Robin said looking over the edge of the table,

“I never said I can't. I was once your age and I watched the same anime you did. After I learned to change my body into rubber and was looking for special moves to do, I actually spent some time trying to copy some things on tv and the internet. I actually did try out that but the effect isn’t the same as the show. I’ll say this, when you kids awaken, don’t try to recklessly do that. You need to train a really, really strong heart and lungs so that you can support how fast your blood is pumping.” he said.

The children looked confused.

“Kids, promise that you won't try unless you have trained and become at least a Vigilante?” he said.

“I promise but I will definitely become a Vigilante and even a Strong man and catch up to you captain!” Robin said.

The middle aged hero laughed and patted his head, “That is what I like to hear, maybe when you are older, you might even work with me to save people. When that day comes, I will give you some tips.” he said and let the children return to their parents so that the next one could come.

Robin got an autographed hat and Ruth got a poster.

“Ehehehe” Robin said while having the sighed hat on his head.

“What is so funny Robin?” his mother asked while pushing the two seat baby cart. The third year old held the other hand of his father.

“Ya, was zo funny!” he said looking at his big brother.

“I just can’t wait to awaken my powers. I want to grow and become a hero that everyone admires! Even Captain Stretch! When I am a hero, even he will come get my autograph!” he said, making their family laugh.

BOOM!

Suddenly a huge explosion came from far away and everyone looked at the source of the explosion

Far off was a huge truck equipped with many scary spikes and blades like a truck you would see after an apocalypse where it needed to shovel through zombies and countless broken cars.

At this moment, a winged heroine appeared from behind.

“Stop vile thing!” she shouted and flapped hard suddenly forming a huge gale that surged at the truck but it was heavy so even though the wind caused it to shake it didn’t do much but what it did do was raise a powerful wind that headed outwards nearly 500 meters.

At 300 meters, Robin was looking when suddenly that wind burst in his face and his autographed hat flew into the air.

“My hat!” he shouted and let go of his father’s hand and ran after it.

That said the direction it went in was the street.

“Robin!” his father shouted and let go of his other child’s hand but by then Robin was already reaching for the hat and he was in the direct path of the running truck.

HONK!

When the horn came Robin turned and saw that behemoth sized truck coming at him making his very being tremble and he simply crossed his arms, “I’m scared!” he thought.

“Robin!” At that moment his sister also shouted and reached out.

Everything happened too quickly for anyone to understand.

Robin suddenly turned completely black and suddenly increased in size by nearly one third from head to toe and most of his clothing was either tight or ripping.

The truck smashed him head on and shockingly received heavier damage than one would expect while Robin went flying much further than he should have. Lastly, a pair of small arms extended from the small girl that was his twin nearly 40 meters and grabbed his arm with one hand and another wrapped him before pulling him before he could get further and suddenly pulled him.

“Robin!” Ruth said and dropped him and began crying as she shook him.

His increase in mass made him much bigger and very heavy while his black body was dull and when looking at it, one could see it was very thick black rubber.

“What is this?!” their father said, looking at his son. “Wait! There is no time for this!” he said and called an ambulance.

At that time, a very long arm came from convention before Captain Stretch burst out and stopped in the streets before compressing his arm into a spring shape and releasing exactly like one making his arm stretch at a very fast speed compared to a general elastic hero and grabbing the back bumper of the truck.

The truck rapidly slowed down and eventually stopped after Captain Stretch had extended his arm nearly 400 meters, an amazing length.

His feet were like iron pillars on the asphalt which was cracking. His face was in a scowl. The wheels were spinning fiercely like in a burnout but the captain looked at it with a rage in his eyes.

“How dare you endanger children like this!” he shouted and pulled.

Suddenly the back wheels were lifted before the entire truck was lifted off the ground.

All the adults and children felt their jaws drop.

Elastic heroes, even the strongest, aren’t known for their physical strength. It is obvious why, their muscles are flaccid due to the elasticity so their power actually prevents them from being physically powerful but captain stretch was different. Because of his power, he can control the material of his body, even if everything is elastic, there will always be something with greater strength and this is how he augments his power.

He amazingly lifted that truck 100 meters in the air before pulling it down and smashing it into the ground only 10 meters in front of him that had been cleared out by the truck driver himself.

BOOM!

At the rank of Brave man, they are at the level of high authority giving them permission to kill should they believe the crimes committed are severe enough. Every death will obviously be examined but few high profile heroes will kill but the thing that most pissed off this man is those who injure children in their recklessness.

The truck burst into flames and he pulled back his hand which was perfectly fine because of his suit that protected against heat and cold, the thing that most affected rubber and elastic powers.

Without even looking back, he stretched his arm through the flames and pulled back pulling the winged heroine in front of him. “What the hell are you doing!?” he suddenly roared at her.

“S-Sir!” she said, trembling.

“Who the hell taught you to use a large area of effect abilities in such a heavy traffic area!?” he shouted.

“B-But there is no danger after the wind disperses!” she replied.

“No danger! And by chance the child that had his item come to the middle of the road because of your wind is ‘no danger’?” he asked coldly.

She gulped paling.

“I will be reporting this.” he said and let her go before pulling out a comm device that is the current most advanced police comm device. “We have one injured at the Virginia State Heroism Convention. It is a child, thankfully he awakened his powers which were defence based but we need medical personnel and police intervention due to traffic problems. The criminal was dealt with.” he said.

“Roger, police are already in the area assisting the chase and will converge on the location. Ambulance have also been dispatched because of several accidents caused by the criminal impacting cars. Ambulances are being dispatched your way.” the comm operator replied.

He put it away and quickly walked over to Robin. “Are you alright?” he asked, seeing the paralyzed boy.

“C-an’t… mo...ve.” Robin managed to barely say through clenched teeth.

“What power does he have?” Captain Stretch asked.

“W-we already identified he had a rubber body… but…” Robin’s father said.

“Well this sure as hell isn’t rubber.” Captain stretch said.

Isaac was sweating hard before hardening his arm, “My power is hardening, I can make my entire body harder.” he said.

Captain stretch sighed, “I see, then it is simple. Child, just calm down and relax.” the captain said.

“C...ca...n’t.” Robin said.

“Start slow, just unball your fist slowly.” he said and took the boy's stiffened fingers and began to guide him and slowly his hand began to shrink and went from black to a dark brown and from there his body began to slowly deflate but it was very gradual.

During that time the ambulance arrived and the captain filled in one of the medics. Isaac took the children to the car after getting to the hospital Robin would be taken too while Charlotte went with Robin so he wouldn’t be scared.

The medics put a gas inhaler and released an unknown gas that is like anesthetics dulling his mind and making his body relax. Eventually the swelling vanished and the medics could do their job of first aid giving him a checkup.