Sunday morning arrived quietly.
Jack woke earlier than usual. The small apartment looked strange today — boxes sat near the door, a few items already packed.
He stretched slowly and glanced at the Omnitrix. The watch remained calm.
Last night's Four Arms test still played in his mind. Strength like that could change fights completely. But strength alone wasn't enough.
Jack checked the system panel.
[ Hero Points: 10 ]
[ Next Alien Unlock: 100 ]
"Long road ahead." He closed the panel.
Today was moving day.
Right on time, a car horn sounded outside. Jack opened the window. Gwen waved from the car, Peter sat in the passenger seat, and Mary Jane leaned out the back window.
"Delivery crew has arrived!" MJ shouted dramatically.
Jack laughed. "Coming!"
The moving process was… surprisingly fast. Jack owned very little — one small couch, a table, a few boxes of clothes, and a guitar.
Peter carried two boxes at once. "That's it?"
Jack shrugged. "I travel light."
Mary Jane looked around the apartment. "This place is depressing."
"Tell me about it."
Gwen picked up the last box. "Alright, let's go."
Within forty minutes everything was loaded. Peter drove carefully through the quiet neighborhood streets toward the new house. Jack leaned back in the seat.
This still felt strange. Just two days ago he had been living alone in a rundown apartment. Now he had a house, friends helping him move, and an alien watch capable of turning him into monsters.
Life had escalated quickly.
They arrived at the house shortly after. Jack unlocked the door and sunlight filled the empty living room. Everyone carried boxes inside.
Peter placed the couch down. "Way better than the old place."
MJ explored the kitchen. "Ooooh, you actually have space."
Gwen walked upstairs with Jack. The bedroom window overlooked the street — quiet, safe.
Jack nodded. "Yeah. I'm staying here."
Gwen smiled. "Good."
By afternoon, most things were already unpacked. Gwen checked the time. "Lunch."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
"I told Mom to cook extra."
Peter instantly stood up. "Let's go."
They walked to the Stacy house together. The smell of food greeted them immediately. Helen Stacy smiled when they entered. "Perfect timing."
The table filled quickly — sandwiches, salad, soup. Jack hadn't eaten this well in months.
Halfway through lunch, another voice joined.
"Afternoon."
Captain George Stacy entered the room. Police uniform, serious expression. But when he saw the kids he relaxed slightly.
"How's the new house?" he asked Jack.
"Much better than the old one."
George nodded approvingly. "Good." Then his expression became thoughtful. "You kids should avoid going out late for a while."
Peter frowned. "Why?"
George crossed his arms. "Strange things happening in the city."
Jack stayed quiet.
Gwen leaned forward. "You mean the speed guy?"
George nodded. "The media is calling it The Blur now."
Jack nearly choked on his drink.
MJ laughed. "That's actually a cool name."
George didn't smile. "Maybe. But we don't know what it is." He looked at Jack and Peter. "Could be someone dangerous."
Gwen shook her head. "From what people say, the Blur is helping people — stopping robberies, saving hostages."
George sighed. "That may be true. But until we know who it is, we stay cautious."
Jack nodded politely. "Sounds reasonable."
Inside his head he thought: Please don't look too closely.
After lunch they returned to Jack's new house. Guitars came out, drums, keyboard — the band gathered in the living room. Tomorrow was the competition. They needed to be ready.
Gwen adjusted her guitar strap. "Alright everyone. Let's run the full set."
Peter tapped the drumsticks together. "One. Two. Three."
Music filled the house. The sound echoed through the empty rooms — Gwen's guitar screaming with energy, Jack supporting the rhythm smoothly, Peter's drumming carrying the beat, MJ's voice tying everything together.
They played for nearly two hours.
When the final chord ended, everyone collapsed onto the couch. Peter wiped sweat from his forehead. "We might actually win this thing."
MJ grinned. "Confidence."
Gwen looked at Jack. "What do you think?"
Jack smiled. "We won't embarrass ourselves."
Everyone laughed.
Later that night, the house finally became quiet.
Jack stood near the window, the city lights stretching across the distance. Tomorrow was the school festival. He shouldn't patrol too long.
Just a quick run.
Jack looked down at the Omnitrix. "Thirty minutes."
He stepped outside. The cool night air wrapped around him. The Omnitrix dial rose, green light glowed, and Jack pressed it.
KRR-CHAK!
The transformation began. Bones shifted, body stretched. When the light faded, XLR8 crouched on the rooftop.
Jack cracked his claws. "Let's keep it short."
The blur launched into the night — across the rooftops, through the streets, a shadow moving faster than the wind.
Somewhere below, a mugger blinked in confusion before collapsing. A thief suddenly lost his stolen bag. A gang member felt a gust of wind before hitting the pavement.
Within minutes the rumors would grow again.
The Blur had returned.