Right on cue, there was a knock at the door.
Not a second too early. Not a minute too late. Just like always.
That was Aron.
Max had been expecting him, but somehow the knock still set his nerves on edge. He took one last glance at himself in the mirror, just casual clothes for now. Nothing that might give away the real plan hiding underneath. He was planning to change later, after Aron was gone.
He had to play this right.
Opening the door, Max forced a smile.
"It's good to see you with no wounds for once," Aron said immediately. He placed a hand over his chest and let out a dramatic sigh. "Every time I knock, I brace myself for the worst. Thought I'd find you beaten black and blue again. Honestly, this is a relief."
Max let out a soft chuckle. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Once inside, Aron made himself at home like he always did, flopping down on Max's bed and leaning back like it belonged to him.
"So," Aron said, getting right to business, "any big plans this weekend? Something you want to do? Any clues about the Stern family? Because as far as I know, they've gone quiet. No signs. No sudden movements."
That, at least, was some good news. Max nodded, filing that away.
"I do have something," Max said, dragging his desk chair across the floor and turning it around so he could lean over the back. He rested his arms across the top, locking eyes with Aron. "I need you to do something. And I think you're the only one who can pull it off."
Aron straightened, eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay... I'm getting the sense this is something you want me to do solo."
"Don't jump to conclusions yet," Max said, raising a finger. "Let me explain first."
Aron leaned forward slightly, still wary.
"Have you ever heard of the term Super Human?" Max asked.
"I have," Aron replied, "but I doubt it's the same version you're about to give me."
Max nodded. "Probably not."
And then he launched into the explanation.
He told Aron everything, about individuals who didn't just operate outside the system, but above it. About assassins who could dismantle syndicates solo. Soldiers turned into one-man armies. Martial artists hidden away from the world, legends that could wipe out entire platoons.
To someone else, it might've sounded like Max was quoting straight from a comic book. But he tried his best to ground it, pulling from stories, rumors, even whispers in the darker corners of the internet. He knew Aron needed something solid to believe in.
Aron listened quietly, absorbing every word.
"Now that you mention it," Aron said slowly, "I think… I might have heard of something like that before. Can't say I remember details, though."
He paused. "But what does any of this have to do with you?"
Max leaned in.
"Because you know people are still coming after me. You know I can't count on you always being around. And honestly? I don't want to keep relying on you like that."
Aron frowned but said nothing.
"So," Max continued, "what better way to prepare than to find one of these Super Humans and have them train me?"
There was a beat of silence.
Then Aron stood up, brushed off his pants, and turned toward the door.
"Well then," he said with a grin, "let's go find one."
"Wait!" Max said, jumping to his feet.
Aron stopped and raised an eyebrow, half-smiling like Max had just suggested they go wrestle a lion.
"You remember what I said," Max continued. "This is something you need to do alone."
"That's… probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard you say," Aron replied, crossing his arms.
"Look, these people are dangerous. One wrong step, one wrong word, and I'm toast. You, though? You can handle it. You're stronger. Faster. Smarter in a fight. If I'm there, it's just a bigger risk. For both of us."
Max could see Aron trying to make sense of it, trying to find the flaw in the logic.
"We don't know when I'll be attacked next," Max pressed. "Time's ticking."
Aron rubbed the back of his neck. "Then why not let me train you? Wouldn't that be easier?"
"I don't think that would work," Max admitted. "Your skills, they weren't taught, not really. You grew into them. They're instinctual for you. That's why you've never trained anyone before. And that's okay. But I need something different. Something bigger."
Max walked closer, his tone softening.
"You're my Silver Ranger, Aron. You've always been the one I could count on. And right now, I need your skills more than ever."
He reached into his desk and pulled out a slip of paper.
"I've already done the research. I've tracked one down, or at least a lead. There's someone nearby. A Super Human. They call him Hercules."
Aron raised both brows at that.
Max handed him the paper. "Use whatever money you need. Use every resource you've got. This is your mission. Find him. Convince him to see me. Convince him that I'm worth training."
Aron stared at the note in his hands. For once, he didn't speak right away.
"And most importantly…" Max added, his voice low, "don't get hurt. If it gets too dangerous, leave. Promise me."
Aron looked up, and something shifted in his expression.
This was the moment. Would he accept it? Would he go? Or would he insist on staying close to Max, protecting him the way he always had?
It felt like the entire room was holding its breath.
Max decided to give him one last push.
"I'll stay in my apartment all weekend," he said. "No trouble. Nowhere to go. If everything works out, maybe tomorrow we'll go see Hercules together."
Aron's lips twitched into a smirk, then a smile.
"Alright," he said. "It makes sense. I'll do everything I can to find this Hercules guy. I'll get him to meet you. I promise."
He walked over and clapped a hand on Max's shoulder.
"You can count on me. Your Silver Ranger… and your brother."
The word hit harder than Max expected.
Brother.
For a second, Max almost told him the truth. Almost.
But he held it in.
Because no matter how guilty he felt, this was something he had to do. And truthfully? He really did need Aron's help.
"Thanks, Aron," he said quietly.
Aron grinned and turned toward the door.
Max watched him go, the slip of paper still in his hand.
"One more thing," Max called out. "The Super Human I want you to find, they call him Hercules."