Kevin walks into Gundam’s workshop. Gundam is passed out on the floor, drooling.

Kevin: (I’m starting to wonder if he has a bed for himself.)

Kevin starts shaking Gundam to wake up.

Kevin: Hey, wake up! We’re supposed to be on patrol!

Gundam wakes up.

Gundam: *groggy* 5 more minutes…

Kevin: It’s 4 in the afternoon!

Gundam: Oh… 10 more minutes…

Kevin: Oh, come on!

Gundam slowly gets to his feet and stretches.

Kevin: When did you fall asleep?

Gundam: Technically, I never did. I passed out from exhaustion.

Kevin: Okay… when did you pass out from exhaustion?

Gundam: Sleep interferes with my work, so I put it off until I finish what I’m doing.

Gundam walks to his workbench with Kevin’s costume lying on it.

Gundam: Your suit was a little generic for my liking, so I added some titanium plating to the chest, legs, and arms. The added protection will reduce the damage you take from attacks and remove some of your weak points.

Kevin examines the suit.

Kevin: Won’t that make it heavier? I’m not saying I’m not grateful or anything. I’m just having difficulty seeing the purpose.

Gundam: Titanium is a strong but light metal. It is as strong as steel and twice as strong as aluminum but is 45% lighter than steel and only 60% heavier than aluminum. So it’ll provide adequate protection while only slightly compromising speed. It’s a win-win.

Kevin: But with my quirk’s pain tolerance increase, do I really need armor plating? Shouldn’t I strive to have my max speed so that my attacks hit hard and fast?

Gundam: The data says otherwise.

Gundam grabs a notebook and hands it to Kevin. Kevin takes it and opens it.

Gundam: I watched all four of your fights from the Sports Festival twice before I made the upgrades. I made some observations about your fighting style and potential points of worry. Your quirk’s ability to decrease the amount of pain you feel is handy, and you use it in a simple yet effective way: you fight recklessly and often don’t bother dodging, if not at all. Your fights are brutal, with both sides taking a pretty hefty beating regardless of who loses. With all that said, just because you can handle the pain of attacks doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect yourself; yes, the armor plating will decrease your speed, but that isn’t essential. Your durability and overall ability to survive on your limited timeframe are far more critical to you, so that’s what you should prioritize.

Kevin flips through the notebook.

Kevin: (There are extensive notes on everything from each fight, from Jace to Killian to Aaron to Justus. This guy really is a genius.)

Gundam grabs his chair and sits down next to the workbench.

Gundam: You can keep that, by the way. I only needed it to work on the costume; it’s more valuable to you than me.

Kevin: Uh… thanks.

Gundam: Don’t mention it.

Kevin: So… is that all you did?

Gundam: Very eager, I see, well you’re in business. There's one more thing.

Gundam reveals a blue button on the back of Kevin’s glove.

Kevin: What’s that?

Gundam: It’s a device that will allow you to easily inject yourself with your adrenaline-suppressing serum. The way you did it in the Sports Festival was practical but could easily be countered now that people know about your secret weapon. The gadget has a max of two charges. It only has one loaded right now because that’s all you brought with you.

Kevin: Huh, how does it work?

Gundam: Well, the activation button is on the side of your index finger knuckle. The blue button is what holds the serum. So if you ever want to use it, just click the button.

Kevin: It won’t break while I’m punching?

Gundam: The glass is highly durable. There’s nothing to worry about.

Kevin: Alrighty then.

Gundam: Well, now that that’s taken care of.

Gundam gets up, grabs a remote on another table, and presses a button. The floor opens as Gundam’s Mech Suit is elevated.

Gundam: Suit up. We’ve got work to do.

Kevin: Yessir!

Police flood the street with a police line formed to keep citizens and news crews away from an apartment building.

Police Chief: Make sure nobody gets past that line.

Policeman: I wasn’t planning on it, Chief!

Police Chief: I know, but we need to be extra careful. We’ve got a potential crisis on our hands.

A man who looks like a lion approaches the lead officer, Ash accompanies him.

Police Chief: Thank goodness you’re here, Lionel!

Lionel: What’s the situation here, Chief?

Police Chief: We got a call about a potential threat in the building.

Lionel: What kind of threat?

Police Chief: A woman passed by a door and overheard two people arguing about blowing up the building. She got scared and called 911. We’ve already talked to the landlord and got an ID on the guy renting the room.

The police chief and Lionel approach a police car with a laptop lying on the hood. The officer using it pulls up a file.

Police Chief: Steven Webb, a villain that goes by Hackmaster, his quirk allows him to morph his fingers into any wire or adaptor he needs. Combine that with his expert-level computer and hacking knowledge, and you’ve got a guy who could break into any security system on the planet.

Lionel: I see…

Lionel goes into deep thought.

Police Chief: Is something wrong, Lionel?

Lionel: Hackers are known for being discreet, so why would he do something so loud and boisterous like blowing up a building?

Police Chief: We have no idea, sir, we were just about to make first contact before you arrived, but we wanted a hero on sight if he tries to put up a fight.

Lionel: Has the building been evacuated?

Police Chief: Of course.

Lionel: Good, have you determined how many accomplices he has?

Police Chief: The woman who made the call reported hearing two voices, so that’s our minimum. We’re not sure if there are more.

Lionel: Alright, then let’s get this going. I’d like to make this a non-violent endeavor. Ghost Girl, observe closely this will be good training for negotiation tactics.

Ash: Right!

The Police Chief hands Lionel a megaphone.

Lionel: I’ll start by informing them of the situation and telling them to come quietly. We’ll see how they respond and go from there.

Police Chief: Rodger.

Lionel: *Megaphone* Alright, listen up, Hackmaster! We have the building surrounded. Please come out of the room with your hands-

Voice: *speaker* We’re not going to be doing that.

Everyone turns their attention to the laptop.

Ash: Was that-

Voice: *through Laptop* I know you think you have this under control, but we hold all the cards here.

Lionel: I assume this is Hackmaster?

Hackmaster: *laptop* Good guess, kitty. Want some meow mix?

Lionel: Now isn’t the time to be snarky.

Police Chief: You realize you’re surrounded on all sides, right? There’s no way you’re leaving that room without being detained.

Hackmaster: You have no idea how wrong you are.

Lionel: You’re outnumbered, and more heroes will be on their way if you try to resist. We’re more than right.

Hackmaster: Here, let me show you something that will change your tone.

The web browser on the laptop opens and goes to the quirk registry.

Lionel: What is he doing?

Police Chief: He hacked the system. The computer is under his control.

The page of Xavier Kline opens.

Hackmaster: This is my “accomplice.” My demands are simple; I want a helicopter with close to a full tank of fuel on the roof within the hour. That’s a hard deadline. If it is not met… Well, I’ll let you do your requisite reading.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Hackmaster disconnects from the laptop. Lionel and the Police Chief start reading the file and get tense.

Ash: Is something wrong?

Police Chief: Oh boy…

Policeman: Do we believe him?

Lionel: We have to. The consequences could be catastrophic if we don’t.

Police Chief: Lionel is right. We can’t mess around with this.

Ash: (What’s going on?)

Lionel: Rally up your men and prepare an evacuation of the surrounding area. I’ll call the Center of Hero Operations and inform them of the situation.

Police Chief: I’m on it.

The Police Chief leaves.

Lionel: Ashley, help the officers with anything they need.

Ash: What’s going on?

Lionel: We have a situation on our hands. I need you to just do as I say.

Ash: What kind of situation? I’m confused why your whole mood changed.

Lionel: I’m sorry, I can’t say right now, just follow the officers’ orders and help in any way you can. I have some calls to make.

Ash hesitates but complies with Lionel and leaves. Lionel takes out his phone and dials a number. In the background, the laptop can be read clearly: Xavier Kline, Quirk: Nuke.

Lionel: *talking into phone* Hello, this is Lionel… we have a situation in Atlanta.

Inside Iota’s control room: Iota and Zaire watch the news broadcast in front of the apartment building.

Zaire: The situation is getting tenser; I wonder why.

Iota: Yes… yes, it is.

Zaire notices Iota is in deep thought.

Zaire: What are you thinking, Master?

Iota: Oh nothing, don’t worry about it. I’m just a little curious about something.

Zaire: Yessir.

Hayze continues walking up the trail, visibly exhausted. Finally, he collapses, and his eyes revert to normal.

Hayze: (This bites… It’s not much farther, but I’m at my limit. I want to keep moving, but I can’t now.)

Hayze rolls over to his back and stares at the clouds.

Hayze: (I thought I had improved so much since the year began, but this task is opening my eyes. I’ve only developed rudimentary moves; I haven’t progressed enough in my quirk mastery. If this training is this intense the whole way through, it’ll be hell, but it’ll be worth it to get stronger. I can’t stay this weak. I have to keep fighting to improve. It’s the only way I’ll achieve my dream.)

Hayze sits up.

Hayze: (I won’t allow myself to fall further behind. My accomplishments in the Sports Festival felt great, but they mean nothing if I don’t grow my skill set. I’ll finish this hike in one try, and then I’ll work harder than I ever have before to complete the rest of Adrian’s training. I swear on my life!)

Fearmonger and Wes watch over the prison yard.

Wes: So... when it comes to prison fights… How do you guys stop these guys from using their quirks?

Fearmonger: Cameras are everywhere in this place. If anyone uses their quirk, we’ll see, and they’ll be promptly punished publicly and brutally. Remember Wes: Fear is the greatest deterrent known to man.

Wes: Yeah, but that can’t work on everybody… Can it? Even the best dictators face resistance.

Fearmonger: No, sometimes there are the occasional troublemakers, but like I said, they’ll be promptly punished with the keywords being publicly and brutally. None of these prisoners have quirks that are too advanced or dangerous. They could never stand up to me, let alone all the guards as well.

The two stare out towards the prisoners.

Fearmonger: I assume you’re asking about fights because you’re a little bored.

Wes: No, no, that’s not it, it’s uh...

Fearmonger: It’s okay to be bored, remember as pro heroes, it's our job to protect the peace, so when we’re not doing that in ways that can be seen directly, it can feel a little dissatisfying.

Fearmonger takes out his wallet and grabs his hero license.

Fearmonger: Although I work as a prison warden, I’m still a pro hero, and there are times when I feel like I’m not fulfilling my duty. But, you need to remember this: If there’s nobody to protect, then our job has already been done.

Wes: Huh… that’s a good point. I guess it’s easy to get roped up in wanting to fight and forget what our jobs are really about.

Fearmonger: Yeah, but I’m also bored so let’s entice violence between the inmates.

Wes: Hell Yeah!

Inside the villains’ apartment, Hackmaster is typing on his laptop while Xavier is pacing back and forth.

Hackmaster: X, you really should calm down. They won’t risk anything with you here.

X: I don’t want to be in a cage again! I don’t want to go back! I can’t go back! I spent too long being a prisoner. I need to be free; I need revenge! If your plan doesn’t work, I’ll blow this whole damn place up!

Hackmaster: It will work X! Don’t blow a gasket!

The two stare at each other sternly.

Hackmaster: Remember what happened last time they captured you?

X: This isn’t the same as last time!

Hackmaster: What happened?

X: You got me out…

Hackmaster: Exactly, and I’ll do it again. You want revenge on the government that locked you in a prison cell when you were just 6 years old, right? Then stay calm and trust me. I have this handled.

X is silent for a moment.

X: Fine! But I’m still gonna pace!

Hackmaster: Fine, just don’t do anything you’ll regret.

X furiously returns to pacing.

Hackmaster: (He’s an idiot, but he’s a valuable idiot… I hate dragging him around with me, but once he’s served his purpose… I’ll be rid of him.)

Outside, Lionel and many of the police officers have gathered around. Gunslinger and a hero with multiple blades coming out of her outer forearms have arrived.

Policeman: So what are we dealing with here, Captain?

Police Chief: One of the villains inside has a quirk called Nuke. He can infuse his bloodstream with nuclear energy and fire beams from his fists… or… go boom.

The officers look tense.

Police Chief: Look, I know you’re all scared, we’re all hands on deck here, but this is a situation that I can’t force anyone to stay in. If you want to leave the area to be with your family, or god forbid your family is nearby, go be with them.

A few officers leave the group.

Police Chief: As for the rest of you, we are on full evacuation mode, we have a plan to counteract these villains, but if that goes belly up, we need to have as many people out of this area as possible! Understood?

Officers: Yessir!

The officers disperse to aid civilians. Alexis, Karma, and Ash are standing off to the side together, watching their respective heroes converse with the Police Chief.

Alexis: It’s nice seeing you guys. It’s too bad it’s under these circumstances.

Karma: Yeah, I wish they would tell us what is going on.

Ash: There’s a villain in that building with an S-tier quirk called Nuke.

Alexis and Karma both look at Ash with shock.

Karma: Lionel told you that?

Ash: No… I snuck a peek at the police laptop when Mr. Lionel wasn’t looking. I feel bad for doing it because he didn’t tell me himself for a reason.

Karma: Well, that explains why all the officers and heroes are so tense.

Alexis: I guess we’re staring death in the face then.

Karma: At least we got a taste of that during the forest attack.

Alexis: Yeah… “we.”

Karma: Hm?

Ash: Is something wrong, Alexis?

Alexis hesitates.

Alexis: No offense, Karma, but I find that statement annoying coming from you.

Karma: What? Why?

Alexis: You weren’t out there with the rest of us fighting… you showed up after Aaron, Wes, and I fought our hardest just to discover that magnetic jerk’s weakness. Then you cleaned him up with no problem.

Ash and Karma are surprised.

Alexis: That doesn’t mean I’m not appreciative that you showed up to help us out, but you weren’t in danger at all, so don’t act like you were.

Karma: Alexis… I-

Blader walks over to the girls.

Blader: You three girls will help me with evacuating civilians in the area. The police are on it, but they could use some help from heroes. Follow me.

The 3 Girls: Yes, ma’am!

Blader starts running, and the three girls follow behind her; Ash looks at Karma, she looks disheartened by Alexis’ words.

Ash: (I’ve never seen Alexis act like that. She’s usually so calm and collected, but we don’t know how hard Aaron, Wes, and she had to fight to survive that night. So I guess it makes sense that she’d be touchy. I don’t resent Karma for staying behind. Silver told her to, but I mean, she could have refused… I can’t think about this now. I need to concentrate on doing my part.)

Gunslinger and Lionel stand in front of the building.

Gunslinger: So that officer said we have a plan… mind me askin’?

Lionel: Kline has been on the run for quite a long time. There’s a task force designated to track down and capture him.

Gunslinger: Well, it looks like they’ve been doing a lousy job if he was allowed to get this deep into a goddamn city!

Lionel: They didn’t know Hackmaster was with him. I’m sure he’s been keeping Kline off the grid, but I can’t believe they would mess up months of hiding in such a trivial way.

Gunslinger: Yeah… I guess that’s true. What’s the backstory on this guy?

Lionel: Simple. He developed an S-tier quirk and has been under government watch for most of his life.

Gunslinger: How do you “watch” a guy who could nuke a whole block off the face of the earth?

Lionel: Kline developed his quirk when he was 6 years old… he discovered what it could do when he accidentally nuked his town’s church, killing nearly 100 people… his parents were among those vaporized.

Gunslinger: Jesus Christ...

Lionel: After that incident, he was contained in a specialized cell that would detect his nuclear energy level and blast him with snow and ice to cool him down, virtually disabling his quirk. He was contained in that cell until just a few months ago when his cell’s equipment “malfunctioned.”

Gunslinger: That’s where Hackmaster comes in, I bet.

Lionel: Bingo, he’s been on the run since.

Gunslinger: So what does Hackmaster guy have planned with Kline? Clearly, he wants him for something if he went through all the trouble of breaking him free.

Lionel: I have no clue.

Gunslinger: Well, damn. I guess things could get dicey soon.

Lionel: Yes, but the task force assigned to his capture is en route. We have to put our faith in them.

A nearby officer with clouded eyes overhears the conversation between Lionel and starts walking away. The officer heads down an alleyway where Iota and Zaire are hiding out. Iota places his hand on the officer's forehead.

Iota: Now, let’s see what’s going on.

The officer repeats everything Lionel said back to Iota. Iota then releases his control, and the officer passes out.

Iota: Zaire.

Zaire: Yes, Master?

Iota: Go get Wyatt.

Zaire: As you wish.

Zaire opens a warp gate and walks through it.

Iota: Ah, I love opportunity.

Hayze reaches the top of the mountain and spots Adrian’s house.

Hayze: Finally!

Adrian: Good work, you made it to the top.

Hayze turns around to see Adrian behind him.

Adrian: I honestly thought it would take longer. Did you cheat?

Hayze: No!

Adrian: Well, that’s good.

Adrian pats Hayze on the shoulder and starts walking away.

Adrian: Follow me.

Hayze follows behind Adrian.

Adrian: I’ll give you some time to rest, then we’ll test your stamina. Once you pass that, I’ll start teaching you some moves.

Hayze: You already came up with moves? You’ve hardly even seen my quirk in action.

Adrian stops walking.

Hayze: Is something wrong?

Adrian spins around and throws three heat grenades at Hayze.

Hayze: Huh!

Hayze barely dodges by ducking. The grenades disintegrate after missing.

Hayze: (That’s my move…)

Adrian: It’s a simple move, but it’s a good start for a novice.

Hayze turns his attention to Adrian, whose irises are red.

Adrian: But I can teach you some better ones.