That very night...

Many thoughts ran through Max's head as he skateboarded. Well, not that many.

He still couldn't believe Tiffany was that strong. That was one thing. But otherwise, as he skateboarded back home, he had nothing truly bothering him.

Max: Well... this has been one crazy week.

In just the space of a few days, Max, whose life had been almost completely mundane for years, had just, met people who were just like him, in other words, odd balls, almost died twice and even maybe sort of become part some kind of super hero crime fighting team.

If someone had told him that he'd be going through this just seven days earlier, he'd have brushed it off as some kind of folk tale or joke.

After all, who would have thought....

He ruminated on this while he skateboarded home.

Naturally, he'd supersped all the way to Hypercity, but once he'd made it, he reverted to his skateboard.

Say what one would, but it was his way. That's just who he was. A skateboarder.

And to him it didn't matter much, because he'd make it back home eventually.

And sometime after 9pm, he did make it back.

Max opened the door with the house key and walked in.

He heard the sound of dishes and plates in the vicinity.

Max: Hey, mom!

Julianne: Oh, hey, hon. Where've you been?

She, of course, had already deciphered the mysterious code that was, "Where did Max go?"

The answer was obvious. He'd been hanging out with his friends. And on that note, he may have had to fight someone or something.

She noticed a few scruffs and a bit of dirt on his face.

Max: Oh, that. I went out skateboarding to meet up with Rose and the others.

Julianne: Oh....

In any normal case, a mother would go and tidy up her son's face. But in this case, even interacting with the thing she feared most, her son getting hurt, was a terrifying ordeal. So terrifying that she hesitated to even do it, and so, she turned and decided to busy herself with preparing food.

Max: And then, we went out training.

Julianne: Oh, how was it?

She was somewhat relieved to hear it wasnt something horrid, but also still bothered about the fact that Max seemed to be a bit hurt.

Max: It was awesome.

And, of course, like most teenage boys in love with what they are doing, he continued to elaborate on what had happened.

Max: I got to see Ken and Luke fight, and then Luke and Rose and then......

Julianne: Then what?

He was still a bit bothered by Tiffany, but not enough to not feel proud of himself in front of his mother.

Max: ... I got to fight Tiffany, and I won.

Julianne: Oh really! (thinking: So that's who did it. Who'd have guessed she could casue that much damage?) That's incredible honey.

The famous Julianne Hunter is putting her best work in today.

Julianne: I'm so proud of you.

She walked over and gave her son a hug.

Max: Hey..... Mom!

Julianne: (giggles) Sorry, sorry.... it's nothing. I'm just proud of my little man.

Max: Alright.

She let go of her son.

Julianne: Anyway, you'll tell me all about it during dinner. But for now, you need to take a shower.

Max: Ok, ok.....

The teenager dropped his skateboard on the floor and left his shoes behind to go take said shower.

He, about 15 minutes later, came out of his room in his normal clothes.

As for his mother, she lay at the dining room table, patiently waiting for him while also biting her finger nails in a psychological sense.

There was a problem. She, as much as she hated to admit it, was not 100% ready to deal with everything that had happened in the past week.

In just one week her couch potato son had turned into a running jumping excitable child who wasn't just interested in video games or skateboarding,

He was talking to people, laughing, spending time with them.

That was good. That was healthy.

But her son was also putting his life at risk. He was also fighting.

At times like these, she would wish her husband was still alive. He always understood her son in a way she never could. If he was here, she could bet he'd start training him.

Training him. Training him. Training him?  Since he isn't around, should she......?