Surging Emotions

Three days of defensive upgrades had completely transformed the underground laboratory. Makeshift equipment occupied most of the space, wires crisscrossed like spiderwebs, and the acrid smell of burned electronic components filled the air.

Gwen leaned over the workbench, her nose nearly touching the base of the mechanical flower. She held a screwdriver between her teeth while using both hands to fit the final microchip into its reserved slot. Her ponytail was tied carelessly, with loose strands falling over her vision. Impatiently, she brushed them aside with her shoulder and muttered, "Just a little more to this angle... That MODOK bastard actually dared to set his sights on our work. I'll make him regret it! Once I'm done here, I'm going to turn his hideout upside down!"

"The virus program has been completed with three layers of nesting." Li's voice came from behind her, carrying unconcealed exhaustion and unease. Sitting in his computer chair, he turned to face Gwen. Blue light from the monitor reflected off his pale face, and he curled up in the chair as though he wanted to hide himself away. As a transmigrator, he understood MODOK's danger all too well. Every line of code he entered made his heart pound wildly in his chest.

Gwen took off her goggles. The dark circles beneath her eyes were especially noticeable, yet excitement still gleamed in them.

She rubbed her sore eyes, grabbed a wrench from nearby, strode over to Li, and plopped herself directly onto his desk. Her legs swung back and forth, nearly brushing his face. "Hey, Li, quit looking so down in the dumps! It's just MODOK. With Wanda and me watching your back, he won't even lay a finger on you! The electromagnetic pulse device only needs its final calibration. Once I finish it, if those mechanical freaks come for us, I'll blast them straight to scrap!" As she spoke, she reached out and vigorously ruffled Li's hair, making his already messy strands even more disheveled.

Wanda, who had been leaning against the corner wall while maintaining the sensory barrier, had her eyelashes tremble slightly. Ripples spread through the previously steady scarlet energy around her. She opened her green eyes, which were filled with vigilance, unconsciously hugged her arms tighter, then walked toward them.

"I sensed unfamiliar energy fluctuations last night. The feeling... was very cold, like the sound of metal scraping mixed with electrical currents. It was especially strange. And this morning, on my way to class, I kept feeling like someone was following me, but whenever I looked back, there was nothing there." Wanda spoke seriously. When she finished, she grabbed Li's wrist, pulled him up from his chair, and looked straight into his eyes. "Li, do you know something? Don't hide it from us. We're your shield. No matter how big the problem is, we'll carry it with you!"

Li's face instantly turned deathly pale. He wanted to deny it, but Wanda's stern gaze stopped the words in his throat. MODOK's threat weighed on his heart like a massive boulder, but he did not want the two girls to worry. Before he could organize his thoughts, Gwen leaned closer, crossed her arms, and raised a brow. "That reaction says something's definitely going on! Don't bottle it up by yourself. Spill it already! If you still won't talk, I'm going to tickle you!" As she spoke, she made as if to reach for him.

"We can't just sit around and wait. I know AIM has a secret base on the outskirts of the city. Security there is tight, and it might contain some of MODOK's research materials. If we can find his weakness, maybe we can turn the tables on him." Li took a deep breath as he spoke, though his voice trembled slightly.

This was something he had dreamed of again. In his dream, he had seen MODOK's mysterious base.

He realized that he was becoming more and more like a teenager. Perhaps that was the result of transmigration.

Excitement flashed through Gwen's eyes, and she immediately jumped up, accidentally bumping into the workbench. The parts on it clattered loudly. She did not care at all, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails nearly dug into her palms. "Count me in! Perfect chance to test out my newly modified gear." She hurried over, forcefully flipped open a rusted toolbox, and revealed a miniature electric vehicle inside. Its body had been modified beyond recognition. The added electromagnetic jammer and signal-blocking device looked crude but ingenious, while the homemade radar scanner mounted on the front was still wrapped in tape to hold it in place. "Look! I gave it an engine with triple the power, plus a sonic emitter that can interfere with mechanical lifeforms! When the time comes, I'll drive straight in at the front and send all those guards flying. You can hide behind me, and I guarantee you won't get hurt!" Gwen gestured as if charging forward, her face brimming with confidence.

Wanda was somewhat hesitant. She bit her lip and looked worriedly at Li and Gwen. But before she could speak, Gwen had already walked up to her and thrown an arm around her shoulders, carrying the scent of motor oil. "Don't worry! If anything happens, I'll be the first one up! You can support us with your magic from the side. The two of us will keep Li in the middle. Nothing can go wrong!" Gwen's words were like a flame, igniting Wanda's courage.

Wanda looked at Gwen's confident smile, then at Li, who had drawn his shoulders in slightly. A powerful urge to protect him rose in her heart. She nodded gently as scarlet energy flowed around her fingertips. "All right, then we'll go together. Li, if there's danger, you have to stay close to us. You're not allowed to leave our side for even one step! If you dare run off, I'll drag you back with magic!" Wanda's tone allowed no argument. She even reached out and gently pinched Li's cheek as if soothing a child.

Over the next two days, the three of them practically lived in the club activity room. Gwen worked day and night tuning the electric vehicle. Even when her fingers were cut by tools, she would only wrap them up casually before continuing. Once, she became so absorbed in her adjustments that she failed to notice Wanda behind her. Only when Wanda wrapped her arms around her from behind and held a cup of hot cocoa in front of her did she realize. "Take a break and drink something warm. If you work yourself into the ground, who's going to protect our little Li?" Gwen froze for a moment, then smiled and accepted the cocoa. "You really are thoughtful! Once we deal with MODOK, I'll treat you both to a big meal!"

Wanda constantly tried to strengthen the sensory barrier with Chaos Magic. Every time she overused her powers, she would collapse exhausted into a chair, but after resting for a short while, she would resume practicing. Li wanted to persuade her to stop, but Wanda silenced him with a single look. "Don't worry about me. Just protect yourself. If I catch you secretly trying to tough things out again, just see how I deal with you!"

Late at night, moonlight streamed into the activity room through the blinds. Gwen had fallen asleep at the workbench, still holding a screwdriver in her hand. Seeing this, Wanda quietly stood and draped her own coat over Gwen. Her movements were as gentle as if she were touching a fragile treasure. Then she walked over to Li, who was writing code, pulled his chair around, and made him face her. Li jolted in fright and nearly fell out of the chair.

"Li, actually... I can tell that you're very worried. If you're scared, lean on my shoulder and sleep for a while." Wanda spoke gently.

"I'm not!" Li blurted out, but when he saw the concern in Wanda's eyes, his voice softened.

Wanda did not give him a chance to keep hiding it. She cupped his face in her hands and said earnestly, "Stop putting on a brave face. You're the treasure we have to protect. If there's anything you're afraid of, anything you're worried about, you can tell us. We'll always be by your side and drive away every danger." As she spoke, a flicker of scarlet light appeared at her fingertips and gently brushed over the back of Li's hand. "Don't worry. We'll always be together. We'll protect you."

Li looked into Wanda's resolute eyes, then remembered Gwen's carefree but deeply caring manner. His heart filled with emotion. He nodded, his throat tightening like that of a wronged child. "Mm. Always together."

In the distance, the city lights still shone brilliantly, yet they could not conceal the approaching storm. The three of them still did not know what dangers and challenges awaited them ahead, but at this moment, Li knew that he was no longer so afraid.