Meeting Room 1. Late Afternoon. Paladin's Academy.

Team Red reconvenes from the battle in Meeting Room 1. While none of them sustained serious injuries, their pride as heroes has been severely wounded. Streetwise enters the room to check on the team and give them their grades.

"Well, if it's any consolation, you guys aren't the worst team in Paladin's history. That goes to Bulknut of batch 15. Poor guys." Streetwise shakes his head as he presents his findings to the team using a small tablet.

"First off, the lack of communication was staggering. You didn't even bother reporting to each other. I think that was your worst blunder by far."

"Combat-wise, you all did pretty well. All except two of you, who shall remain nameless. You know who you are. Better keep practicing."

"As a team? You guys get an F."

"Don't worry, this was a mock exam. This score won't reflect on your final grade. However, for my subject, this team will stay together until the semester's end. So you better do some team building even outside my class."

"With all of that said, don't beat yourselves up. This was your first-ever exercise as a team, so, of course, you'll make mistakes. I have sent my personal evaluations for each of you via email, so check your spam folders. And yeah, I'll see you guys around."

Streetwise leaves the room as the team remains silent. One by one, each member leaves the room, until only Dreadnought and Matter remain.

"You think he was referring to us?" Matter asks Dreadnought, her voice shaky and her head down.

"I do not think so?" Dreadnought reassures her, "I mean, we will never know until we see the electronic mail."

"Dammit." Matter softly whispers, her eyes swelling up. She clutches her fists tightly.

"He was right about one thing: this was our first battle as a team. Losing is a part of the process."

"Maybe for you." She says while standing up and leaving. Dreadnought sighs as he exits the room too.

Meanwhile, in the faculty room, Streetwise and Aegis hand over their cash to Ms. Winter and Glance. Streetwise sighs as Ms. Winter and Glance leave the room laughing.

"Didn't you teach me not to gamble?" Aegis remarks while fixing her desk.

"You should've listened." Streetwise cracks his knuckles. Sparkplug enters the room and greets them both.

"How did it go with Team Red?" Sparkplug asks.

"Depressing. Never seen team morale so down."

"And you did nothing?" Aegis asks.

"I... left them alone with their thoughts. Good reflection time."

"Jesus Streetwise, at least treat them to a pity meal or something."

"It's called tough love. Besides, it's College. We're not supposed to hold their hands through this."

"But maybe we should," Sparkplug interjects. "After all, we are training them to become Superheroes."

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"Remember Barcode? He didn't do jack shit. Hell, he left me alone with a Void-Born the size of a bus!" Streetwise raises his hands in bewilderment.

Sparkplug laughs, "You always bring that up. Can't you let it go?"

"Over my dead body."

The three of them laugh as they hear a knock on the door.

"Who knocks on doors? What is this, middle school?"

"It's called ettiqute." Aegis comments as she stands up and answers the door.

"Good afternoon, Dreadnought. What brings you to the faculty?"

Streetwise and Sparkplug take a peek. They see Dreadnought at the door, asking for Streetwise. He walks up and thanks Aegis as he closes the door behind them.

"What's up?"

"Um, I think you should check on Matter."

Streetwise turns his head in confusion. "Why? Did she get hurt?"

"Well, not per se, but earlier, she was on the verge of tears."

"Oh boy." Streetwise pats Dreadnought on the shoulder. "Thanks for bringing that up. Let's go."

The two walk around campus, asking around if anyone has seen her. They check the lounge, cafeteria, library, computer lab, main hall, and even some classrooms. They eventually find a lead, as a student tells them that someone has been hogging the smaller simulation room. They find Matter all alone, beating the living daylights out of a poor simulated thug. She looks up to both of them as she kicks the thug away.

"Oh. Well, if it isn't the Sensational Streetwise. The prodigy of his generation. Regarded as one of the greatest heroes to come out of Paladin's. Are you here to bless me with your immaculate wisdom?"

"I wouldn't say immaculate. Maybe just humble advice." He says, jumping down to her.

"Save it. I don't want to hear ANYTHING from you."

"Alright, no talking. How about we watch something?"

Matter just glares at him as Streetwise removes his mask. "Computer, play mock battle, August 25, 2012. Focus on student 2012316519."

"Simulation Activating."

The hologram begins to project a luscious thick forest as the camera focuses on one man swinging from the branches. He's wearing a dark grey and blue outfit with a full mask and white highlights. On his chest is a big 'SW' written in white. This is Streetwise from eight years ago, in his first year at Paladin's Academy. Other student heroes surround him as they continue to traverse this vast jungle.

"Alright team listen up, we're up against Sparkplug and Team Red. I'll admit, it doesn't look good. But we'll carry on! Right?"

"Right!" The team responds in unison.

"Let's split off from here. I'll scout ahead and pick off anyone I can find. The rest of you, stick to the plan. Got it?"

"Got it!"

Streetwise separates from the group as he continues swinging on. As he's looking around, he misses one of the branches and falls,

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

*splat*

On the ground, there is a Streetwise-shaped hole. Dreadnought laughs out loud while Matter silently giggles.

Luckily, three student heroes stumble across the hole. They dig him out and throw him aside.

"Well, well, well, If it isn't the Streetwise Loser. Come to surrender?"

"Hey, Ragno, Elbowgrease, Farrick. Lovely day we're having, huh?"

"Yeah, it's going to get even better when we deck your schnozz!" Elbowgrease remarks.

The three boys start going ham on Streetwise. He eats some hits before he pushes the three aside. He conjures his glowing white ropes from his arms as he assumes a boxing stance. He throws one of the ropes at Farrick as he pulls himself to him, slamming his fist into his chest. Ragno comes from behind and puts Streetwise into a headlock. Farrick then punches Streetwise in the gut. Modern Streetwise cringes as he watches the three boys tie him with his own ropes.

"Look's like this Street wasn't so Wise. He He He Ha!" Ragno laughs as the three boys throw him into Team Red's holding cell."

"Alright, Computer, that's enough. Deactivate the recording."

"Simulation deactivated."

"Well, now you've both seen what the Paladin's Prodigy was like during his first year. See what I mean?"

Matter wipes the tears from her eyes as she laughs. "Streetwise loser! I can't!"

"I cannot believe you had such humble beginnings." Dreadnought comments.

"Look, everyone has to start somewhere. Even a prodigy has off days, which that totally was."

"Riiiiight. Not you getting bullied by 'Elbowgrease' of all people."

"I'll have you know Elbowgrease was one of our best before he retired, so, it was an honor to be punched by him."

"Suuuuuure." Matter laughs.

"Like I said, no need to punish yourselves from earlier. Even the best of the best started from zero."

"Then how did you earn the nickname 'Paladin's Prodigy' if you too started from zero?" Dreadnought ponders.

"That's a story for another time. How about we all grab a bite to eat huh? Maybe invite the rest of Team Red for food."

"As long as you're paying, Streetwise Loser." Matter continues to chuckle.

"I should've left you to sulk." Streetwise shakes his head. The three heroes exit the room as Team Red grabs a free meal, courtesy of Streetwise. While their first battle was a failure, Team Red can only go up from here.