Hoarfrost and Thirteen walked side by side on the downtown Detroit sidewalk. It was early night and the streets were fairly busy, and yet the sidewalk was clear for them as people gave the pair a wide berth, whispering loudly to each other as they looked on in nervous awe.

“Is that… the Ultimate League uniform?”

“I know them! That’s Hoarfrost and that man…”

“Why are they here? Is something happening?”

Hoarfrost made an effort to smile slightly despite his nerves to relieve some worry from the staring people as he walked. Thirteen stared straight ahead at their destination a few streets up ahead.

The Federation building towered over all the others in the downtown area by a significant margin. It was built like the empire state building as a statement and was apparently slightly taller than the original. Its most striking feature, however, was how it glowed the Federation’s official color, crimson, like a burning, bloody pillar of steel in the night.

As Hoarfrost drew closer to the building, its size became increasingly apparent. The sheer ominous, imperial feeling of the building made his instincts beg him to turn the other way, but he walked on, steeling his nerves.

As they walked within eyeshot of the entrance of the building, they saw rows of Federation members standing quietly in line along the street. Their hands were at their sides and their eyes cold and bold as they stared down at Hoarfrost and Thirteen. Their uniforms were crisp black with crimson highlights, the higher ranking among them seemingly delineated by a dark red sash with badges.

Even from a distance, Hoarfrost felt an inexplicable pressure in the air emanating from the group.

It couldn’t be… are they all high-level supers?

In the middle of them stood three such people with badges glittering on their sashes, including Sarah Muse, who had the most badges out of them all.

Hoarfrost and Thirteen stopped on the other side of the street from the gathering of members. Hoarfrost found his body had suddenly stiffened. Panicked, he looked out of the corner of his eyes at Thirteen, who looked utterly unfazed by the display of power, his conduct completely natural despite the tense atmosphere.

Ah… Thirteen is so effortlessly in control, unlike my own helpless natural personality.

I don’t have a choice. The trial has already started. To meet his expectations, I have to start using my powers from now on.

If I need it just to conduct myself properly… I can only hope my powers will last until the end of this mission.

Hoarfrost let the cold spread within him. Then he met the calm, challenging eyes of the Federation members head-on with a cold, confident gaze.

Sarah smiled knowingly as she watched the reactions of the two visiting heroes. Then she stepped forward and said, “I’m Fifth Federation Boss, General Sarah Muse. Welcome to the heart of my city, ambassadors of the Ultimate League. It is an honor.”

The two officers on either side of her stepped forward as well.

The one on the right had a hulking figure and crossed arms. “Federation Lieutenant General Jack Gimer,” he said curtly.

The other officer had a mustache and trimmed appearance. “I am Federation Lieutenant General Ferman Ley. A pleasure to meet you,” he said.

After Thirteen didn’t say anything for a couple of seconds, Hoarfrost spoke up.

“I am Ultimate League Hero, Twelve, and this is Thirteen,” Hoarfrost said with a cold smile.

“The newly recruited Twelve and the mysterious Thirteen, hmm?” Sarah said, “What an interesting choice of heroes.” Jack’s expression darkened beside her.

After looking at Hoarfrost and Thirteen for a moment as if appraising them, she continued, “Well, now that we have the formalities out of the way, please, come this way into the building so we can get started immediately. Oh, and I hope you didn’t feel threatened at all by the gathering of members. They were just here to welcome you after all.”

She smiled again and turned around, walking through the glass doors of the building. Hoarfrost and Thirteen followed her through, the rows of Federation soldiers watching them calmly as they did.

Hoarfrost kept his eyes forward as he walked. A show of force as if saying they look down on our strength as heroes, exchanging pleasantries and making us match their pace… they’re making it as clear as day that we’re in their territory and we’re going to do things their way.

The building lobby was made of smooth, marbly stone. It had a front desk manned by multiple uniformed workers and guards, an elevator to the side, and on the back wall, an enormous Federation flag engraved in the stone. On another wall, several sentences were engraved in bold, stylized red letters. Hoarfrost didn’t need to read them to know that it was the Freedom Code, a core part of the Federation’s organization outlining their beliefs. He had read about it from his hero tablet.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

These guys are really over the top with loyalty to their organization… Hoarfrost began to think, before quickly clearing his thoughts of distraction with his power.

Sarah turned around, “Now… would you prefer to look around the building? The least we can do for you ambassadors as a gesture of trust is to show you whatever you want to know about our facility and operations since you’ve placed yourself in our hands. Or perhaps you would like to get straight into negotiations?”

Before Hoarfrost could speak, Jack interjected, “General Muse, if I may?”

“What is it, Gimer?” Sarah said.

“Unfortunately, I cannot acknowledge these two,” Jack said, “I was prepared to accept whatever heroes the League sent us, however, I didn’t expect that they would choose the two most lacking in reputation and reliability for such an important meeting. Unless they can demonstrate their own abilities and understanding of our organization, I refuse to move forward in negotiations.”

“Hmmm, that's true… while Gimer says it rather bluntly, he’s still right,” Sarah said, “The Federation puts merit above all else. Since neither of you has much of a track record, it is only natural that we would want to be certain in your abilities before moving forward with discussions that could very well dictate our futures.”

I have to play along here.

“Your position is understandable,” Hoarfrost said, his power still activated, “Your words are not rude. It is the fault of the League for sending us two despite knowing it would put you ill at ease and even may offend you. However, I can assure you that we are both more than capable to carry out our tasks, but how could we convince you of that?”

“How well-spoken,” Sarah said with a small smile, “Well, am I right to assume you are going to exercise your Right to Challenge, Gimer?”

Right to Challenge… If I remember correctly, that is one of the key clauses in the Code of Freedom that upholds the idea of an absolute meritocracy through challenges and stakes to give power in society to the strongest through survival of the fittest.

“Correct,” Jack said, his arms still folded, “The stakes I propose are simple. It will be a battle of strength and strategy to assess your competency as heroes through one on one matches. If I win, the Federation would not acknowledge the strength of Twelve and Thirteen and any further discussion would be impossible. If you win, the Federation will acknowledge you and will not question your status as fitting ambassadors for discussion. That is, if the other Federation representatives agree to the terms.”

“The terms are more than enough to satisfy us. Would you agree, Feyman?” Sarah asked.

“Of course,” Feyman said, “Naturally, I would like to participate in the battle as well.”

Hoarfrost looked at Thirteen sidelong. Thirteen caught his eye and raised an eyebrow at him as if saying it’s your decision.

It’s not like it’s much of a choice in the first place. If we don’t accept, the mission is over immediately.

“We accept the terms,” Hoarfrost said.

“Then without further ado, let’s head to the Ceremonial Arena,” Sarah said, in her usual calm and carefree tone, “Follow me.”

They went into the spacious main elevator. She clicked on the button for the lowest underground floor.

Hoarfrost stood quietly as the elevator started moving. His mind raced, his logic sharpened by the coldness of his power.

What is the objective of their first move of challenging us? To assess our powers? To murder us with some sort of staged accident or trick?

Sarah Muse met Hoarfrost’s eyes, interrupting his thoughts. She gave him another small, knowing smile.

It’s as if she’s mocking me for being helplessly caught in her plans.

Well, as long as I have these powers such cheap provocation isn’t going to work.

He returned her gaze icily, then looked down again, resuming his thinking.

And what’s more, something bothered me from the start…

Why did Muse ask for two heroes to come? If this meeting was really about negotiations, it would have been better to ask for a group of specialists from different Sectors who had better knowledge of the inner workings of the League and how it could work with the Federation.

What do these clues mean? What is the bigger picture, the overarching goal the Federation is trying to achieve with this mission?

The elevator stopped and its doors opened. Hoarfrost had to increase the output of cold in his body to keep the surprise and wonder from showing on his face.

Although they were deep underground, fake stars glittered above them and a breeze tousled their hair. The arena built in Ancient Roman style with a depressed area in the middle about the size of a football field filled with packed dirt. An enormous bell sat on a high tower rising up from behind the stands. Overall, the arena had a distinctly awe-inspiring and otherworldly feel.

“Welcome to the Ceremonial Arena!” Sarah said, “It’s pretty nice, isn’t it? I made it myself. It works automatically in case people need to settle a challenge privately. The bell rings to signal the start and stop of each match and a team of specialists wait on call in case medical attention is needed.”

Hoarfrost fleetingly tried to comprehend how such a structure could be built before quickly dismissing those thoughts with the conclusion that the arena was an insane feat of architecture.

Then she put a finger on her lips and said, “Hmm, I wonder who should fight first. Perhaps Twelve and Ley?”

Moments after that, Hoarfrost stood in the starting position of the field with Feyman Ley on the other side, who stood with a natural, ready fighting stance. The rest of the group watched from the stands.

Hoarfrost briefly looked at Thirteen, whose posture was relaxed despite how he was watching closely. Are you watching, Thirteen? I wonder what you’re thinking right now and how much you’ve figured out about what’s really going on here…

Hoarfrost shook his head of distracting thoughts. He stood quietly and calmed himself, waiting for the bell to signal the start of the match. He held his head high, took deep breaths, and his breath steamed out white. He took the time to conclude his line of thinking from the elevator.

Well, the conclusion is that this is, without a doubt, some sort of trap. Unfortunately, which part is the trick is impossible to tell right now, so that isn’t very helpful.

Hoarfrost looked across at Feyman and his blue eyes narrowed, his expression tightening.

All I can do now, though, is win this battle. Quickly, decisively, and without mercy. My real mission is to show my resolve and strength to Thirteen after all, and I’ll start that with this victory.

The bell rang, its sound so deep and pure that it vibrated through Hoarfrost’s body.

“Bring it on,” he said quietly, his icy eyes promising death.