Dials had adopted other children after BB ran away. One of which was a sixteen-year-old who was less of a detective and more of a mastermind. His name was Lighter. He had spent a lot of his time in his studies. Like how BB had the end eyes, Lighter had something similar. It was genetic, passed down to him by his father. He had learned the rules. Another thing the boy was taught was to not let others know what he could do.
"Hello there. You may not know me but I'm going to know you very well."
Lighter quickly discovered that Dials had other children. He also learned hypnotic suggestions. It was similar to his ability but different. Lighter's ability also had less rules.
It could work on anyone. Those rules?
Rule 1: The ability allows the user to suggest things in the minds of others.
Rule 2: Those who have received suggestions cannot ignore it unless the order brakes other rules.
Rule 3: In order to use suggestion, one must have met the user, and both must retain memory of it in order for it to work.
Rule 4: Those affected can't directly assist or interact with the user whilst affected. If they do, the order immediately ceases, and the user will die.
Rule 5: As long as it follows the rules, they will forget the time whilst affected. If the suggestion breaks the rules, the order will feel like a random thought.
Rule 6: All demands must be physically possible for the one carrying them out. If not, the order will be ignored.
Lighter had used it to get what he wants numerous times. One time, he passed by a toy store and saw a toy plane he wanted. So, he ran in and screamed. The shop owner yelled at him and kicked him out but afterwards, he made the man put the toy plane at a creek he played at.
"I have something to tell you."
"Yes?"
"Your father has joined the E.P.F. You will be needed for assistance."
"Where will I work?"
"Internal affairs."
Despite Lighter's father telling him to never speak of the ability, he had used it enough that Dials began to suspect him of being a psychic of sorts. If BB was the failed son, Lighter was the golden boy. Thanks to that, Dials placed him in internal affairs to help sort things out. He believed that he could use the ability to straighten up the workplace. Given, it did. Sexual harassment ceased, stress went down, and all he had to do in order to get it was to throw a big pizza party every week.
"Lighter, we have a job for you."
"And that is?"
"Infiltration."
"Pardon?"
"I know it's crazy, but technically it is internal affairs. I know you have some skills. Just do it for me, son."
He's trying to manipulate me. I know it. But he can fire me if I say no. Looks like I have no choice.
"Alright. Where do you need me to go?"
The best thing I can do is just make it quick. Quicker than the average person can.
"Somewhere near New Chicago a group of men showed up. I want you to become one of them and to figure out everything you can. Record everything. If you can, get one of them in alive and kill the others."
"Wait, you want me to kill people, Dad?"
"Yes, son."
Dials was manipulative. But he never accounted for having anyone be on his level like BB. That was something that hurt him. He missed BB. Despite being his greatest failure, BB was loved by Dials. Which led to Dials seeing that he was on his level unlike anyone else. Even Lighter had to listen to his father brag about how BB was the smartest man he'd ever seen. What made it worse was that BB, Dials, and Lighter were only three of a kind.
"When will I be going?"
"Well, your flight leaves tomorrow."
After a messy time going to the airport, he was on a plane to recognition for his job and as a son. He wanted to make his father proud, but he also wanted power. Eventually, he was able to make it to New Chicago where he saw the place in ruins. A quick look around Times square made it obvious the casualties. Thousands died, all their bodies were stacked with it getting higher the closer to the empire state building it got.
"My God."
The genius couldn't even scream as so many had horrified him and made him feel terrified. No air was for him to speak further.
"Stay together. We need to figure out what did this. Jesus, this is horrible."
Scott was having a little panic attack as it reminded him of his family. And how his mother locked him in the bathroom right before her, his father, and his siblings were butchered. The moment changed him. He slept in the bathtub and survived barely off eating deodorant sticks. When the police came, it looked a lot like the New Chicago Massacre.
"Can we take a break?"
BB looked around. They had only been walking for a few minutes. It reminded him of good times. Especially when he held the party. Sears was a little shaky as he hadn't seen this much brutality ever since one of his men went crazy and killed a village.
"You've only walked for ten minutes. I expected more from you."
Lighter was in shock. They were something like the group described to him. Little did he know, he was searching for James Diostar, this was his cousin, Joey Diostar. He rolled around in the bodies for a moment before he stood and walked towards the group. BB was immediately suspicious of him. He couldn't see his name, lifespan, or death. This was a bad man.
"What's the plan?"
The group talked amongst themselves before eventually deciding he could be useful.
"Come with us. We'll keep you safe."
Scott snickered before they began jacking a car. Joey began by smashing a window and hotwiring it. He had to do it because BB doing it would be a dead giveaway as the smart one. So, the thug had to do it.
"Where are we going?"
"Buffalo."
"Have you ever been to Buffalo?"
"Nope. I just moved here."
"I'm sorry your first trip to New York was bad. Mine was probably worse."
"How could it have been worse than that!"
"Simple, having your entire family murdered by the mafia and spending a week locked in the bathroom."
Lighter could relate as he was an orphan. Though, he silently thanked every deity that he could think of that Scott wasn't chosen to be in the orphanage for young geniuses.
"Why are we going to Buffalo?"
"I shouldn't be telling you this, but we need to see some family."
Sears was readying his pistol. If the mission was compromised, he was willing to end Lighter.
"Why wouldn't you tell anybody about the city?"
"Tomorrow, there won't be a person on the face of the earth that won't know about that."
"I guess... you're right."
BB was silently analyzing the passenger. He knew something was off about him, he just didn't know what.
"Who wants to play a game?"
"Me."
Lighter raised his hand slightly. It was best to get into the group and slowly break it.
"No."
Joey stopped the car and Scott hit his face on the dashboard before they kept on going. After a few hours, they made it to the land of D.O.W.N. There was one problem, they were getting overrun.
"Alright, kill everything that isn't related to Joey."
At the heart of the battle between insectoids and magicians, there was James Diostar. He had long black hair, an average sized figure, and stood six feet even. The definition of his face was where he got interesting. A long-curved cut ran from his right temple to his chin. He had dark eyes and a face that appeared handsome and sadistic at the same time. He was fighting an eighty-foot-tall praying mantis with nothing but his bare hands. Each punch sent the creature down a foot as he effortlessly dodged it's attacks.
"You know, he looks nothing like you."
Scott was trying to tease Joey, but this was the first time the lad had met any extended family. He wanted to savor the moment. So, he paused time and walked through the chaos. Not much made sense. A one-handed man almost seven feet tall had been swinging a machete. There was also a cowboy for some reason. He looked, familiar. Perhaps he was one of the people to get cryosleep pods.
"We need backup! There's so many! Did you even kill anybody?"
"Wait, who are you people?"
The thug walked to his cousin and gave him a hug. That was before he was quickly thrown back.
"I'm family."
"Are these people also...?"
Joey smiled at the remark. Everyone in the Apocalypse Prevention Unit had family issues.
"How are we related?"
"My mother is Sensi Diostar."
James gave a light embrace to his cousin before taking him into the family manor.
"We need to talk."
"About what?"
"About your mother."
"Yeah, I've done a little bit of time travel. I grew up in the eighties."
The Boss shed a tear before the cowboy stood at his side.
"I killed her."