INT. KITCHEN - NOON

Derek and James sit at the kitchen island eating leftover brookies while sucking down a glass of milk. James floats a can of the sprite to his lips.

Derek: That's quite bold.

James: What?

Derek sighs.

Derek: Dad is here.

James grabs the can from the air and sets it down on the counter. Matthew walks through the doorway, wet from the rain outside, holding the mail from outdoors, soaked wet, and Derek shoots James a "told you so" look.

Matthew: I'm going for a drive this evening, and I was hoping you could come with me, James.

Derek takes a sip of milk.

Derek: Reignson let you off today?

Derek pulls his milk to his lips again and takes a big gulp, leaving a milk mustache.

Matthew: Yep.

Matthew plucks Derek's Brookie from his fingertips and finishes it in one bite.

Matthew: Thanks, Derek.

Matthew leaves the room with a stuffed mouth. James stuffs his brookie in his mouth. Derek stares at the doorway where their father left the room and pouts.

Derek: Why does everyone steal my food?

James: Bad luck, I guess.

Derek glares at James, his eyes fixed on his soda can, and he rolls his eyes.

Derek: You're lucky I don't drink Sprite.

Derek checks his cell phone and leaves the kitchen in a rush. James sighs, leaning against the broken countertop, loosening another chunk as dust and debris rain down his thigh.

James: Stupid super strength.

Derek (Yelling): You probably deserve that.

James pulls away from the counter. Matthew enters the kitchen.

Matthew: I don't want you hanging out with Derek when he's at work. As much as I want you to enter the academy after graduation, he isn't the most influential person in your life.

James: Dad!

Matthew opens the fridge and removes a beer.

Matthew: James, you're sixteen!

Matthew walks to the sink, leaning over it.

Matthew: If you enjoy going with Derek so much, maybe I might enroll you in ROTC.

James huffs.

James: Nope.

Matthew grunts, frustrated by James's defiance.

Matthew: I should have done that when you first entered high school.

James rolls his eyes.

Matthew: I'll tell you what? I'll think about it.

Matthew walks by James, clinks his drink against James's Sprite can and walks out.

INT. HOUSE - Night

The doorbell rings, and Derek pulls his head from the couch while his dad watches, scarfing down a brookie, springing fast from the seat, nearly falling over from exhaustion.

Derek: I'll get it.

INT. Hallway - House - Moments LATER

Derek bolts to the door. The doorbell RINGS twice again, and the front door opens. Noah stands in the doorway. James bolts down the steps. James stares at Noah.

Derek: Can I help you?

Noah pushes past him into the foyer, next to James by the stairs.

Noah: Nice house, Knight.

Then, he pats James' shoulder, and Noah paces to the kitchen pops open the fridge, and pulls out a cola in front of Matthew. Derek and James stare, amused.

Derek: What-the-hell.

James: What do you want, Noah?

Noah: I came by to say hi and, oh, possibly talk to you about something important.

Noah wiggles his eyebrows at James. Matthew points his beer at Noah and looks at James.

Matthew: Do you know this kid?

Matthew scowls at Noah.

Noah: We go to school together.

Noah throws his arm over James' shoulder. James pushes Noah off of him.

James: What do you want, Noah?

Noah glances around the room before his eyes land on Matthew, uncomfortable in the corner.

Noah: I want to talk to you. Did you not hear me the first time?

James looks at Derek for help, and he shrugs.

Derek: Fine.

Derek gestures out of the room. Then, he briefly locks eyes with his dad.

Derek: We'll go to James' room, but I'm staying with both of you.

Noah: Alright, rookie. He barks and bites. Wuff.
(Noah's grins) I'll race you there.

Noah wanders past Derek as he rushes behind him up the steps, and James follows.

Derek: Don't touch anything, Noah.

Then Noah races into James' bedroom, jumping on his mattress.

Int. Bedroom - moments LATER

Noah settles in the air, hovering above James's mattress in the spacious room. Derek stands in the corner and watches Noah, unsure what to do with a dangerous superhuman in the room, and neither does James, who stands in the distance from his bed and the door.

Derek: Who are you again?

Derek watches Noah float his cell phone above his chest as he drops from the air to the mattress.

Noah: I can't tell you that. (He glances at Derek and winks) But Superboy over here needs to resist playing hero for a moment. Max and I have been on to you since we moved here.

He takes a deep breath and exhales.

James: Listen, Noah. I have powers, but I'm not sure my dad knows, and I want to keep it like that so promise me you won't do anything stupid.

Noah: I invade your bedroom, and you're worried about that? Geez.

Noah rolls his eyes and laughs to himself.

Derek: What do you want?

Noah: It's not me you need to worry about. I'm not the bad guy.

Derek: Well, you're not doing a good job of looking like the good guy right now.

Derek leans against the wall, his eyes zoned in on Noah. Noah looked at James for help. Noah huffs, lowering his phone to his hands.

Noah: Okay, tough guy. Don't you think I would have hurt you by now if I was going to do something?
Noah sits up as he raises an eyebrow in Derek's direction.

Derek: Watch it.

Derek points his finger at Noah. James rolls his eyes at Derek, then Noah.

Noah: What are you going to do, mate?

Noah's eyes trail to James' science book left open on the desk. SLAM! The pages slap closed. Derek jumps.

Derek: You dick!

Derek glowers at him. Noah stifles a chuckle, watching James in the doorway. This time, James is mad.

James: Go home, Noah.

Noah: I don't have a home.

James: I'll talk to you tomorrow. Go home wherever you're staying, Noah.

Noah huffs, rolling off the mattress.

Noah pushes past James' as he walks by, rushing down the steps to the door. Derek goes away from the wall, sitting at James' desk.

Derek: I take it that guy isn't popular.

James: Nope.

INT. HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL - DAY

Mia and James stand by the Ferris wheel. Mia is smiling and finishing the last bite of their shared cotton candy.

MIA: So—

Mia pushes her lips together.

JAMES: —So, I have something to tell you.

James grins, half drunk, in Mia's smile.

MIA: What?

Mia looks deep into James' eyes, and attentive and in love, he grabs her hands. The wind brushes her face as the carnival begins with loud carnival games and people running around in costumes.

JAMES: Do you trust me?

MIA: What is it, James?

Mia's nose compresses.

JAMES (Repeating himself): Do you trust me?

Mia looks concerned for James. James throws his hood over his head and guides Mia towards the open back of the Ferris wheel ride. James pulls Mia's hands over his shoulder, and suddenly, they take off in the air.

MIA: James, we're... flying!

Mia looks scared but amused as she clings to James and steadies herself.

JAMES: It's okay. I've got you. Don't look down.
Mia studies her surroundings.

MIA: But how? I've known you since the sixth grade.
Multiple people stop as James and Mia float higher in the air.

JAMES: I blame Samual.

MIA: Oh, so, wait! You're Alpha?

JAMES: Yep.

She looks up at James, and suddenly, they're staring into each other's eyes. James leans in, combing her hair with his fingers. He holds on, his lips brushing hers.

Fireworks explode around the two in the background as they dance in the air. Mia kisses James back, pressing her lips firmly against his. James shuts his eyes, feeling the wind brush their faces, and he floats with her, level with the Ferris wheel.

Down below, chaos organizes. People run for shelter while a super threatens the Carnival. James opens his eyes and swoops below, putting Mia on the ground.

JAMES: Run, Mia.

James points off in the distance, and Mia hides behind a booth nearby. Max appears, disguised under a hoodie and mask.

MAX: James-Everett-Knight.

Max doesn't disguise his voice this time. James rushes out, meeting the super amid heavy foot traffic.

JAMES: I'm right here. Leave these people alone.

Max chuckles.

MAX: I'm not here for them. You're the one I want— for now.

Max lifts into the air, swooping towards a group of people stuck on a roller coaster. The people jerk in their seats, creating shelter within each other.

MAX: But if you want to play games...

Max's finger digs into the side of the metal machine. Screams echo from the ride. James swoops, tumbling in the air, hurling the miscreant boy to the ground. Max doesn't submit under the pressure of James' strength. He is dead meat.

MAX: James Knight. I'm going to kill you.

James's hands dig into Max's neck. Max lets go of James' shoulders, choking on air as his hoodie falls behind him.

James: Max.

James pulls off to the side, catching his breath. Max tugged at James' hoodie, pulling it down his back. Max watches James' eyes for a moment, and within seconds, he disappears into the open.

James rises to his feet, scanning the quiet carnival for Mia. She is nowhere to be found.

JAMES: Mia! MIA!

Mia doesn't answer. James dusts himself off, feeling defeated, and lifts into the air, ascending home.

INT. JAMES BEDROOM - NIGHT

James' eyes slap open, glowing fluorescent purple, fading to blue under a moonlit bedroom. Sweat drips from every inch of his body. His phone dings on the countertop by his bedside, and he picks it up, relieved when he sees Mia's name on the screen. James scans his phone and rushes to the window.

INT/EXT. MIA'S ROOM - NIGHT

James knocks on Mia's window to be sure and finds her shocked to see him. Mia opens her window, and James floats in front of her second-story room, watching her cross her arms.

MIA: James, I wasn't expecting you to show up.

JAMES: I came to see if you were safe.

MIA: Get in here before my father or uncle sees you floating.

James shivers.

JAMES: Right.

Mia's eyes sink, and James brushes a loose strand behind her ear. Mia and James brush up against each other; James stares at Mia. Mia backs away.

MIA: I don't understand how you have superpowers.
James walks over to Mia's bedside and sits down.

JAMES: It's a long and complicated story. If you'd like to hear it, I can tell you now.

MIA: No. Not now. Mark would have a fit if he knew you were here, as would my uncle. But you can tell me at your house in the morning.

James grins, studying her empty room.

JAMES: I would love that.

MIA: Good. Now, leave before you get caught.

Mia gives James a shove, and James moves toward the window. He pulls his feet over the side and looks at Mia before flying off.

INT. Samual's BASEMENT - DAY

Mia's eyes light up when James navigates her down the stairs, flashing a look at Samual as they enter the Laboratory.

MIA: This looks amazing.

Mia twitches her nose in excitement. Samual's grin returns as he flips a switch on his motherboard, and the room lights up in neon lights.

SAMUAL: You like it now.

Mia twirls her hair in her fingertips as she glances at James, biting the skin on her upper lip. She slips her fingers into James, and their hands melt together.

MIA: Yeah, I like it. It reminds me of the northern lights. My family took me there when I was seven.
Instead, Mia frowns. Samual shuts the switch down and looks at James, who squeezes Mia's fingers tightly.

SAMUAL: That's interesting.

Samual seems disappointed but backs off. James changes subjects after noticing Samual's disheartened look, gesturing to the box hanging from the corner's wall. Samual removes a vial of neon liquids from the crate and hands it to James. He holds it up to Mia.

JAMES: Samual has been working on some significant projects, and after many years with my superpowers, I've considered giving it up. I'm not sure I can go much longer with these powers, Mia.
Mia's mouth falls open, and she glances at James in shock, her hands tearing from his.

MIA: You can't just give up superpowers, James.

JAMES: Yes, I can. I've been debating with myself about this for years now.

Samual sits in the background behind his computer without saying a word.

MIA: What about the bad guys, James? Who's going to stop them? I saw the way you handled that other super yesterday. You're a good guy, James. We NEED a good guy.

JAMES: I'm not just a super, Mia. I'm a regular guy trying to live an ordinary life, too. If any group could take down a super, it's the cops.

Mia pouts, but she doesn't argue.

EXT. FRONT PORCH — JAMES HOME — NIGHT

Max flips his hood over his head and snatches a walkie from Mia's thin fingers as he grunts, shifting behind the bush.

MAX: Can I kill him if I see him?

Max pushes the intercom into the sleeve of his jacket. Mark fakes a cough and shakes his head.

MARK: You're not killing anyone. James is not an idiot. He'll figure you out, eventually.

Mia pushes on Max's left shoulder to get him to leave. Max groans, leveling his eyes with Mia's.

MIA: I would have been in there probably twice as fast as you, Max.

Mia shoves Max forward. Max looks behind him, growling at Mia.

MARK: No, you wouldn't. You'd get distracted by Knight and get us all caught.

Mia huffs, shoving Max forward again.

MAX: Don't test me, Mia.

MIA: Just go.

Mia shoves Max again.

MAX: I'm going.

Max crawls out from behind the shrubs as the wind picks up, and he disappears.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

Derek and James join Samual in the kitchen over a glass of milk and Oreo cookie ice cream. Samual's cheeks redden and fluster and his fingers slide through his greasy blonde hair. Samual, buzzed and slightly drunk, takes long breaths.

SAMUAL: I get it, James. Your whole not wanting to be a superhero thing. I get it.

Samual has a mental breakdown, one of the many he has had over the years, but James is there for him, and so is Derek.

Ext. Alleyway - california - flashback - day

A younger MATTHEW KNIGHT, 27, pushes a young Samual, 23, wearing a gloved hoodie, a mask, long sweats, and Converse, forward as they stand in an alleyway.

Matthew: Scale the wall or something, Sammie, and see if the bad guys are still there.

Samual: I'm not Spiderman, Matthew. I can fly, not scale buildings, with my bare hands. It's an entirely different superpower.

Samual's eyes zone in on his brother. Matthew pushes him forward as Samual stumbles out of an alleyway.
Matthew pulls his walkie to his lips.

Matthew: This is Officer Matthew Knight, requesting backup on robbery suspects.

HENRY KNIGHT, the second oldest brother, clears his throat in the walkie-talkie and his voice rumbles through the other end.

Henry (V.O.): Ten-four. Officer Kane and I are in pursuit as we speak.

Matthew shoves Samual further out of the alleyway.

Matthew: Awesome. Do your superhero shit, super boy.

Samual glares at his brother for a second, realizing Matthew won't give up until Samual stops the suspects. Samual rolls his shoulders before throwing my hoodie above his head and floats into the sky.

Int. Kitchen - day

DEREK: Samual, take a deep breath before you hyperventilate.

Derek takes a seat next to Samual.

Samual sucks in the air and drops against the chair. His chest sinks deep against his knees, and his spine aligns as if attached to a long string.

Samual: I—

A crash from the basement startles all three, and James drops the spoon to the floor, rushing downstairs.

INT. BASEMENT - SAME TIME - NIGHT

Maximus sifts through dressers and drawers, and after giving up in minutes, he pulls the intercom to his lips. The floors are a fluorescent mess of glass and experiments.

Max: Where's the vial?

Mia's voice booms through the intercom.

Mia (V.O.): It's in a private cabinet above his desk chair.

The sound of clanking footsteps alarms Max. He leaps across the room, avoiding slipping on wet experiments as he rips open the container, grabs the vial in his warm hand, and runs towards the door.
James stands in the doorway, glaring at Max, watching him run up the stairs at superhuman speed with his hood secured on top of his head. Max stuffs the vial into his pocket and rushes off like a coward, running from a crime scene.

Samual and Derek follow down the steps moments later.

DEREK: Who was that? Because I just got a call from the station about Noah requesting you, James.

James: You're kidding.

INT. police station - interview room - noon

Noah sits in the corner, shoving a chair closer to Derek with his mind, watching it creek across the floor after the other officers leave them in the room.
He glares at Derek and James from under his hood before pulling it off and wiping his fingers through his black hair.

NOAH: So, James...

James watches Noah's eyes glare at him. Noah chuckles to himself. James sucks in the air.

JAMES: Why did Max steal the cure?

Noah's eyes grow dark as he watches Derek and James. The two young men make conscious movements.

Noah: I see Max is causing trouble again.

Derek leaps from his seat at Noah and raises his voice. His police work is getting to him.

DEREK: If you don't cooperate, Kinley, I'll let James deal with you. Would you like to see two supers fight in a police station?

Noah: Down, boy.

Derek sizes up Noah, but James pulls Derek back.

JAMES: Derek, calm down.

Derek sinks against the chair, and James again gives the interrogation a whirl.

JAMES: What do you know about my uncle and his work?

Noah scoffs adjusts himself in his chair and his handcuffs and looks at James.

NOAH: I didn't do anything. I swear.

JAMES: How do you know my uncle?

NOAH: I only understand that he works privately and is your uncle. Do you have any other annoying questions for me, or would you like to let me take them off?

DEREK: Did you drop Mark Reignson from the sky?
Noah glares at Derek but reluctantly avoids an argument.

NOAH: Yeah. I was trying to protect you from my brother.

James' jaw muscles clench, and he makes a fist, hoping he won't do anything stupid.

DEREK: You mean, Max?

Derek pushes the distance between Noah and James. Noah reluctantly backs off.

NOAH: Yeah, and that girl you like... She's using you, mate.

James' fists curl tighter. Derek notices his brother's anger.

DEREK: James, don't listen to him. Go out in the hallway or something. Find dad.

Noah's eyes lighten as he intrudes on Derek's frustrated words.

NOAH: One quick moment. I have some information for you and James that you need to hear.

JAMES: What?

Noah pulls back in his seat, uncomfortable, throwing up his hands.

NOAH: I don't mean any harm. At least I care enough about you to get caught. We have a stronger bond than you think.

Noah briefly glances at Derek, then at James.

NOAH: I want to protect you two from my brother. He's ruthless. Max won't stop until he fulfills his mission.

JAMES: What mission?

NOAH: Your uncle was a part of a horrible government group. It wasn't his fault. Samual was young and forced into it. Max doesn't understand and wants to destroy him.

DEREK: You mean he wants to kill Samual?

NOAH: Yes, maybe. My brother is not someone you want to mess with. He's ruthless and unreliable. He acts on impulse and doesn't care what his actions could do to others. Our father... our real dad...

DEREK: Who's your father?

NOAH: It doesn't matter, mate. Forget I brought him up.

Derek readjusted his posture.

Derek: If you don't give us any helpful information, my buddies and I will have to charge you with the attempted murder of the chief's son.

NOAH: That's fine. I can easily pull out these handcuffs if I want to. In fact—

Noah raises his cuffed hands and tears them apart smoothly, like melted butter.

NOAH: Hold still, James. This is going to hurt a little.

James' eyebrows furrow. SLAM! James stabilizes himself, doubling back. Blood drips from his puffed lips, but he wipes it clean with his sleeve.

Derek pulls James from the room while a group of officers swarm the questioning area. Mr. Reignson slams Noah against the table while another officer tucks his arms behind his back. James's father watches Derek and James standing in the room's corner.

INT. SCHOOL - DAY

The third-period bell rings. Max takes the seat behind James in the third row. James' palms sweat, and he takes a deep breath after feeling a panic attack rush over him. Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

MIA: Hey Knight.

Mia sits in the chair in front of James. Her big blue eyes gaze into his as she turns in her seat. James smiles, and his anxiety vanishes.

JAMES: What's up?

James' smile grows. Max huffs behind him.

MAX (Mumbling): Idiot.

Mia's eyes shoot past James, and she glares at Max. James looked behind himself, watching Max roll his eyes.

MIA: Shut up, Max.

Max mocks Mia like a child. He huffs, leaning back in his seat. James turns around to Mia.

MIA (to James): Can I come to your place this afternoon?—

Mia casually looks at James and smiles, pressing her index finger against his nose. She lowers her voice and leans in, so only James can hear her.

MIA: —Superboy.

Mia winks. She looks at Max and grimaces. Max grunts in annoyance. James laughs.

James rubs his neck, staring into Mia's deep blue eyes.

JAMES: Yeah, I can walk you to my house after school.

Mia smirks, and so does James.

MIA: I'll meet you outside the front entrance. We can walk from there.

James nods.

JAMES: Got it.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Samual catches James on the couch with Mia, munching pretzels and drinking Coca-Cola, and James' father, who sits drunk in the corner in his chair. James snakes around her shoulder. Derek keeps giving James dirty looks when their father isn't looking. The attention in the room shifts to Samual.

MIA: Hey, Samual!

Mia shifts in James' arms. She waves at Samual when he enters the room, and Samual's eyes turn to Derek and James on the couch.

SAMUAL: Derek and James, a word, please.

Samual ushers the two men out of the room and leads them into the kitchen.

SAMUAL: James, do you realize Mia is the only one who knows about the cure?

James huffs. Samual and Derek lean against opposite walls, staring at James.

JAMES: Yeah? What's your point?

SAMUAL: She's Mark's cousin, allied with Max. Do you understand where this is going, James?

Samual tries to point out the obvious. James refuses to think like him. James' fists curl into his palm, and I lean against the counter, and it caved in on him under his strength.

DEREK: Whoa, there, Superboy.

Derek urgently soothes James.

DEREK: Samual has a valid point. She could be working with them.

JAMES: We don't know that for sure.

James dusts debris from my shirt.

Matthew wanders after the noise of the countertop and into the kitchen. His face reddens when he sees James, covered in dust, and his eyes shoot past the counter to Samual.

MATTHEW: What the fuck, Samual.

Samual gestures to James and the mess and crosses his arms.

MATTHEW: The three of you clean that up.

JAMES: I'll be upstairs with Mia.

James brushes past Derek, takes Mia's hand, and walks off to his bedroom.

INT. JAMES BEDROOM - NIGHT

James locks the door to his bedroom. His shirt slips from his body, and they fall against James' bed.
James' lips trace Mia's jawline. James' chest presses against Mia, and he floats off the bed taking Mia with him.

MIA: Are we floating, James?

Mia looks confused but mesmerized.

JAMES: Would it be wrong if I said we were?

Mia grins. James lowers Mia to the bed, and he sprawls out like Peter Pan, watching her.

MIA: Not really.

JAMES: Then, I guess we were?

Mia pulls off to the side, sighing as she sits up.

JAMES: What's wrong, Mia?

MIA: It is nothing, just... Nevermind.

JAMES: Are you sure? I can take anything you need to say to me. I can.

James scoots over and sits next to Mia on the side of the bed.

MIA: No, it's okay. I'm sure it would be better if I said nothing.

JAMES: Come on, Mia. You can tell me anything. I promise I won't feel uncomfortable.

James wraps his arm around Mia's shoulders. They fall against the bed, and Mia lies on James' chest. Samual knocks on the door. James doesn't push Mia away. Instead, he lays back on the bed, and she snuggles back into him.

SAMUAL (v.o.): Do I need to give you the sex talk?

James huffs. Mia pulls off of James, and James unlocks the door with his telekinetic energy from the bed. Samual walks in, flipping on the light.

JAMES: Thanks a lot, Samual.

Mia yawns and stretches her arms, sitting up. James sits up too, and Mia snuggles back into James' chest. James eyes Samual with an irritated expression.

SAMUAL: Your dad is home if you want to know.

JAMES: What is wrong with you, Samual?

SAMUAL: A lot of things are wrong with me. You know better than this. What if you were to get her pregnant and pass your genes along?

Mia stops snuggling with James, uncomfortable with Samual in the room.

MIA: James, maybe I should go home.

JAMES: Are you sure, Mia?

Mia pulls off the bed and grabs her backpack from the floor.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Max paces the room while watching and rewatching the security footage on a police laptop sitting on the king-size bed of Noah, James, and Derek in the investigation room. Mark stands there watching him while chewing on his bottom lip.

Mark: Is that what you wanted I sure as hell can get you more proof if you need—

Max: Shut up.

Mark groans loudly and shuts the laptop.

Mark: Whatever. I have to return this to the station before my dad notices it missing.

Max: Do you think I give a bloody fuck?

Mark scoffs, taking a seat on the bed.

Mark: No. If you need it, I have that footage backed up to a hard drive.

Max groans.

Max: Are you bloody stupid?

Mark: What the Hell. I'm helping you. You don't have to be a dick.

Suddenly Max appears in front of Mark, his hand squeezing his neck.

Max: If you want to live, yeah, you do, mate.

Max stares Mark in the eyes before he lets go of Mark. Mark gasps.

Mark: Goddamn, you're strong.

Max: Shut up. Take your stupid laptop and leave.

Mark sighs, grabbing the laptop.

Mark: Alright. If you need anything, just text.

Max: Bloody hell! Leave already.

Mark: Fine.

Mark grunts and paces off. He stops at the door, watching Max, and suddenly, he leaves. Max paces to the bed, gets comfy under the covers and turns on the TV. Breaking news flashes across the TV.

The caption reads: BOY WONDER, city superhero, does it again. Who is he? Where did he come from?
Then his attention turns to the ceiling. He lays there staring and blows hot air from his mouth.

CLOSE UP: Shaky clips of James in his hoodie, stopping the armed theft at the jewelry store. The armed man's face is barely visible, revealing blue eyes.

CLICK.

The TV shuts off, and we...

...Fade TO BLACK.

The end.