One day before classes start, First-Year Dormitories, Paladin's Academy.

Before classes begin, the accepted first years have the choice to move into their on-campus dorms. Most, if not all, students decide to move, since the dorms are pretty decent and the convenience is unmatched.

On the third floor of the dorm building, Quinn is effortlessly carrying a bunch of boxes to his room. He reaches for the keys and opens his room. The door creaks open as he places the box down and breathes a sigh of relief. He jumps to the bed and puts his arms behind his neck. Man, this bed is even bigger than the one I had at the base! Quinn thinks to himself as he changes his position in a number of ways. He finally stands back up and begins unpacking.

The space itself is pretty large, and the layout is that of a 'studio apartment' with a small bedroom, a dining room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Quinn starts by taking out all his clothes and putting them in the closet. Then he pulls out some books, one being a GED reviewer, and another being a Streetwise comic he found. He places them all down on his study table. Finally, he pulls out a picture of him, Matter, and Streetwise posing for the camera, which was taken right after their interviews. He touches the frame and wipes away a tear as he places the picture right by his bedside table.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoes in the hallway. He quickly runs out the door to assess the situation. He sees a guy rubbing the back of his head, wincing in pain, surrounded by boxes.

"Are you alright?" Quinn questions.

"I'm good, just a little overexertion," the guy laughs as he clutches his chest.

"Do you need to go to the clinic?"

"It's fine. Just let it pass,"

"Here, let me help you to your room," Quinn says, carrying the man to his room.

"Right over there, 304,"

"Oh, we are neighbors then. My name is Dreadnought."

"Double Trouble, but my friends call me D.T."

"Can I call you D.T.?"

"Yeah man, helping out makes us friends."

"What interesting insight," Dreadnought says as he places D.T. down on the couch. He then grabs some water and sits beside him.

"Thanks,"

"You are welcome, friend."

D.T. smiles at him as he continues to sip some water.

"Do you want to be left alone?"

"Not really. I appreciate the company."

"Okay then, But I will be honest, I am not good at small talk."

"Then let me help you with that," D.T. smiles as he places the cup down. "How are you enjoying Paladin's so far?"

"Apart from the entrance exam, things have been good."

"I know, right? The escape room was pretty tricky."

"Escape room?"

"Yeah, we were locked in the orientation hall, and one of the guys saw that there were clues all over the table. We had to team up in order to get out!"

"They must have changed it. When I took the exam, it was a free-for-all."

"Oh, guess they wanted to test you guys physically."

The two neighbors continued to talk about their experiences in Paladin's. After a few more minutes of talking, Dreadnought helps Double Trouble carry his boxes and even helps him unpack.

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"Hey, sorry for bothering you with all this," D.T. says while rubbing his neck.

"It did not bother me, and I am happy to help," Dreadnought replies.

"I owe you one, Dreadnought. If you're ever in a pinch, I'd be happy to help too." D.T. extends his hand out.

"Thank you, D.T." Dreadnought shakes his hand. He then waves goodbye as he leaves the room.

While walking back, someone shoves him in the shoulder, causing him to hit the wall. It's White Mask, the man who fought Dreadnought during the entrance exam.

"You should watch where you're going," White Mask says, glaring at Dreadnought.

"What is your problem?"

White Mask doesn't respond, as he flips him off and walks away. Dreadnought dismisses the encounter as someone approaches him.

"That one is certainly a mystery," someone says.

"Tell me about it," Dreadnought responds. He does a double-take and faces the person.

"I believe we have not met yet. My name is Dreadnought."

"Sureshot."

"It is nice to meet you, Sureshot."

"Likewise, Dreadnought. So, what's your backstory?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Your backstory? Why are you doing all of this?"

"You cannot just ask that on someone you just met!"

"Why not? It helps establish mutual bonds. I myself am a world-class marksman. In my hands, anything is a deadly weapon. My father was a soldier turned hero who trained me to kill from the moment I was born."

"That sounds terribly irresponsible."

"Maybe for you, I turned out great! So, how about you?"

Dreadnought scratches his head. He couldn't possibly reveal the things he went through just to be here. But if he were to be honest, it might help with the pain. It would be nice for someone else to know the truth, the whole truth, but he quickly removes the thought. He remembers the last person who knew even a fraction of his story and where that got him. Maybe instead, he can reveal parts of the truth, parts that won't endanger Sureshot.

"I know what it's like to be helpless, to cling unto hope that someone out there will save you. I don't want people to feel helpless and alone. I want to save them in their darkest hour. Be a Superhero that can reassure them that everything will be alright even when things seem tough."

"Well said my friend. See, that wasn't so hard!" Sureshot pats him on the back.

"In the future, I suggest you don't lead with that. Most people aren't as accommodating as me."

"Alright, I will try a different approach next time." Sureshot laughs as he walks away.

While the encounter seems odd, Sureshot's methods have proven effective. Dreadnought exhales hard, as he laughs to himself, entering his room. He takes a quick shower and heads right to bed. He stares at the ceiling and forces his eyes to close. He grabs a blanket and tries to steady his breathing. He shifts around the bed, changing his position again, and again, and again.

"Come home, brother. Our siblings miss you."

"Brother, our parents are furious. They've taken their frustration out on little Peter."

"How long will you let them do this to us, brother?"

Quinn wakes up in a puddle of sweat. His hands are shaking and his breath is rapid. He quickly grabs his phone and calls Streetwise,

"Yellow?"

"Chris, it's happened again."

"Easy, remember what we practiced?"

"Right."

He grabs a brown paper bag and starts breathing in, and out. In, and out. In, and out. Finally, his breathing is stable.

"What happened this time?"

"It was Jacob's voice, and he was telling me to come home."

"Jacob huh? That makes Joseph, David, Peter, and now Jacob. I think im seeing a pattern."

"Have you found anything regarding home?"

"Nope, all I got was Tatlos, and he won't budge. Says he'll only talk to you."

Quinn remains silent. He clutches his phone and crushes the paper bag.

"Look, why don't you focus on your first day? I hear you got show and tell today. That could be fun."

"Okay, thank you, Chris."

"Don't mention it, buddy. I'm always here to help."

Streetwise hangs up, as we see him in a warehouse, surrounded by several goons. All of them are knocked out, all except for one.

"Sorry about that, now where were we?"

"You made a big mistake coming back Streetwise. When the boss hears about this-"

"Oh, he will, 'cause you're going to tell him," he grabs the goon by his collar, "Hell, let everyone know! Streetwise is back in town, so this is your first and final warning." He grabs a dangling chain and wraps the goon up, leaving him suspended. Streetwise claps his hands and walks outside the warehouse. He's stopped by several cops, all of whom are pointing their guns right at him.

"Freeze!"

"Relax fellas, I'm a superhero!"

"Are you?"

"You've never heard of me?"

"Stand down, officer. It's Streetwise, the worst superhero to ever live."

A man walks forward, sporting a blue vest and black pants. He has a muscular build, featuring blonde hair and blue eyes. Looking at it, he's actually taller than Streetwise.

"Officer Wyatt! I didn't think you'd still be NAPD." Streetwise offers his hand.

"It's Detective Wyatt to you, Menace. What brings you back here?" Wyatt shakes his hand.

"Didn't you hear? I'm teaching now."

"Really, never pictured you a teacher."

"That's what happens when you get kids."

"You finally settled down? Give Ms. Winter my warm regards." Wyatt laughs.

"Haha, I certainly will. You guys got it? 'Cause classes start in just a few hours."

"Yeah, we've got it here. It's good to see you back Streetwise."

"It's good to be back!" Streetwise salutes Wyatt as he jumps high and swings across town. In just a few more hours, the Paladins will have their first class of the year. In the next chapter, we shall see how the first-year Paladins deal with their first-day introductions.