And The Silver Spoon
When you get back to the scene of the crime, Apex is unconscious, lying in an Apex-shaped hole in the pavement.
Looks like you got there in the nick of time.
You're able to detain the villain, though not without him landing in a couple of powerful hits of his own. Before the police can come cart him away, you scoop Apex up in your arms and sprint away.
You take him to the roof of your building. You deposit him carefully on the ground as you remove your mask.
"Easy does it," you soothe. Yeesh, parenthood has made you totally lame. Good thing you're not Bolting anymore as it is.
You think distantly for a moment how if Theo were to somehow stumble upon this scene, he would bounce off the walls in joy. The Bolt, his favorite superhero, being his dad all along, and Apex, the rookie superhero new to the streets of New York and Theo's newfound obsession, both on the roof of his home.
Imagine that.
You check for a pulse. It's weak, but there.
"C'mon, kid. Up and at 'em. We have some talking to do."
Apex's masked head twitches. You impatiently tap your fingers on your thigh.
"Wakey wakey. C'mon, my kid'll be home any minute. He can't know you were ever here."
Apex reaches forward and wraps an enhanced hand around your arm tightly. Too tightly. You tug on it for a moment.
"You're okay, you're safe. The threat has been contained. Do you know who I am? Do you know where you are?"
"You're the Bolt," Apex says raspily, almost as if he's in immense disbelief. You swallow the ego boost that it gives you for the sake of the circumstances.
"I am, that's good, kid. And do you know where you are?"
Apex reaches a trembling hand up to his mask. He rips it off.