In a chalk-white lecture hall here in Paladin's Academy, Calcite conducts his general sciences class with the first-year heroes. After weeks of not meeting, he is keen on getting everything back on schedule. For a few days before the Festival of Paladins, are the midterm exams.

Sitting in the front is White Mask, diligently taking notes like his life depended on it. He slams another energy drink down his throat as he tries to prepare for Calcite's graded recitation. Next to him is Sure-Shot, reading a book frowned upon by most people. Behind them is Double Trouble, who is snacking on some dry crackers, and next to him is Dreadnought, with a cup of black coffee, and even darker eye bags.

"Now, before I start the lecture, let us review where we left off. For extra credit, who can tell me the origins of our Unique Abilities?"

"Asteroid Z?" Double Trouble raises his hand.

"Be more specific, Mr. Trouble."

"On March 16th, 1979, a large asteroid named Asteroid Z crashed in Kazan, Russia. Within the rock was a new type of rock which when exposed to humans, caused abnormalities to form. After a period of adjustment, it became the new normal and we all got superpowers."

"Not bad, five points. Next question, when do these powers usually manifest?"

"During puberty," Magnetic Monopole mentions.

"Good, three points. And what are the three classifications of Unique Abilities?"

"Blasters can blast stuff, Shifters can change their body temporarily, and Monsters have their body changed permanently," J.U.L.I.A recites.

"I'd also like to mention that these classifications are dumb," she adds.

"I would be inclined to agree," Calcite nods, "Four points. And the final question, for ten points, who coined these terms, and what was the title of the paper?"

Silence.

"Anyone?"

Calcite sighs, disappointed more in himself than his students.

"It was The New Zenith of Humanity, by Dr. Robert Lasiloo, written in 1983 during the period of adjustment."

A collective "ooooooo" hums through the class. A gentle facade of pretending to know.

"Since this is where you all seem to be lacking, I will be assigning a reaction paper on Dr. Lasiloo's findings. To be submitted next week. Take the rest of the time to read and review, and also next week, we will be diving into Zenid-18. You are all dismissed."

"Do we have a class after this?" Double Trouble asks Dreadnought while packing his things.

"I don't know," he responds.

The two head for the cafeteria, which is currently filled to the brim with students and faculty alike.

"That's a lot of people," Dreadnought comments.

"No kidding, just look at the line for McDaniel's."

"Is there any other place to eat?"

"We could always eat out, I could use a change of scenery. Sound good?"

Dreadnought looks around and sees a familiar-looking girl with long black hair. He carefully avoids her gaze.

"Yeah, sounds good."

The pair leave the cafeteria and embark towards Paladin's station. Luckily, with everyone preoccupied elsewhere, the station features no lines, and no one riding the trains. They quickly board the oncoming vessel and depart for New Arden.

"Soooooo," Double Trouble rubs his neck, "how are you and Snooze?"

"We broke up."

D.T.'s eyes widen, as he bites his tongue and looks away.

"Sorry to hear that."

"It's fine," Dreadnought whispers.

"Don't worry about it Dread, you know what they say, when one door closes, another one..."

CRASH!

The train comes to a screeching halt as all the doors seal themselves shut. Red lights begin to flood the corridors while an automated voice starts to speak,

"Dear Passengers, please remain calm. The train is currently under attack and has engaged all defensive protocols. Nearby heroes have been contacted to assist. For now, stay inside the train."

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

A loud roar shakes the vessel. The metal around the two heroes starts crunching and deforming. Yet another sound catches them off guard. At the end of the train, several screams echo throughout the hall.

"Passengers?" Dreadnought asks.

"Oh fuck," Double Trouble laments.

Outside the train, and currently rampaging on Paladin's bridge, is a gigantic Void-Born. Its body is composed of a blue whale but is now corrupted with arms and legs, amounting to a 100-foot-tall monster. Its screams caused shockwaves all across the sea, shaking the ocean bed and the bridge. In its hands is the Paladin's train, barely holding itself together.

"I'm not waiting around for this thing to eat us. I'm going out!"

"Wait," Dreadnought pleads, "didn't you hear the train? The heroes are already on their way."

"Why wait?" Double Trouble smirks, "You've got heroes here."

Double Trouble slams the emergency button. Opening the door across from him and gives Dreadnought a big smile as he jumps out and starts running up the Void-Born's arm.

"Whale, whale, whale. What do we have here?" he says while laughing. He claps his hands together and three other Double Troubles emerge from a small cloud of smoke. The four of them continue to make great strides up the Whale's arm until they finally reach its shoulder.

"Now what?" one clone asks.

"Simple really, we make this bastard let go of the train," the main one says.

"And how do we do that?"

"Hitting him where it hurts!" one clone screams, pointing to the monster's eye.

All four agree and grab onto the whale's back. They all climb in unison until they reach the monster's face.

"Gentlemen, FUCK HIM UP!"

In pairs of two, the Double Troubles jump down and start punching the monster's eyes. It screams in pain crushing the front of the train.

"Maintain fire!"

Inside the train, Dreadnought slides down through the hall. He witnesses how the front has been destroyed and tries to protect those below.

"To the light I go, like a flame to a moth. May I call forth the Duke of Hell Astaroth."

He transforms into his Infernum form and glides down to the lower segments.

"Just a little more!" Double Trouble shouts. His heart beating faster than ever before. All he can hear is the outcome of this fight,

"Double Trouble beat an Ultra class Void-Born!"

"He's the greatest of all time! Even stronger than Streetwise!"

"Please marry me Double Trouble, you're so cool!!!"

"Double Trouble! Double Trouble! DOUBLE TROUBLE!"

After a few more punches, he notices the other clones have stopped punching. They all seem to be clutching their left arms.

"You guys good?"

Poof, one by one the clones start to dissipate, as a tightness starts to spread through his chest. His whole body becomes numb and he starts breathing heavily. He clutches his chest while desperately holding onto the monster's eyelid. He tries to reach for his phone but he drops in into the waters below. His heart beats faster and faster, but without blood passing through...

He lets go.

"You want to be a hero?" A girl asks, "but with your condition..."

"It's the reason why I wanna. If this is all the time I have left, I might as well go out fighting."

"You don't have to fight. You can stay here, with all of us. And run the bakery together."

"I'm sorry Sis, but, I've made up my mind. I want to be remembered..."

"As a Superhero."

A hand reaches out and catches Double Trouble as he falls. In one quick motion, she places him down by the bridge and gives him a small pill and a bottle of water. He quickly swallows the medicine as he starts to calm down. He looks and sees a woman, with long blonde hair and a stylish red jacket.

"Sparkplug?" he mutters.

"Just in the nick of time," she winks. Behind Double Trouble are the other civilian passengers and Dreadnought tending to the injured. He sees Double Trouble and checks on his condition.

"Dreadnought, protect the others. This might get a little messy," Sparkplug orders. She cracks her knuckles and neck as small sparks of red lightning start emitting from her body. With a smile, she jumps into the air and starts sprinting across the Void-Born's body.

The whale tries to swat her away, but she is way too fast for it. She slides across its forearm, reaching its shoulders and back until she reaches its head. She then leaps up high above and pulls her arm back, before diving back down and shouting,

"STATIC SHOCK!!!"

She slams back down, filling the beast with violent amounts of red electric energy. Frying its brain and sending several electric currents flying out of it. Its eyes roll back before falling back down to the ocean floor. A massive wave erupts from it but luckily it doesn't reach the bridge or the mainland.

"She.. she beat it in one punch," Double Trouble mutters in disbelief.

"Of course she did, she is an Ultra Class hero," Dreadnought smiles.

Several ambulances and trucks from Avalon arrive to contain the scene. Medics check on the passengers while Avalon grunts begin to examine the massive Void-Born. Dreadnought helps D.T. to one of the ambulances as the paramedics begin checking on his condition.

"You're fine now," says the doctor, "but the risk of another heart attack is still high. I would recommend a lifestyle change. For now, take these pills to reduce swelling."

"Got it doc, I'll be sure to check in," Double-Trouble smiles briefly. The doctor leaves him alone as Sparkplug arrives.

"You boys alright?"

"Yeah, I'll manage," D.T. assures. He clutches his left arm and winces.

Sparkplug removes her jacket and wraps it around Double Trouble. She gently puts her hand on his shoulder,

"Not a lot of heroes could say they went up against an Ultra Void-born and lived. Good job out there Double-Trouble."

"Oh, thank-"

"But, that was incredibly stupid. I saw what you did, and how you pushed your limits. What do you think would happen if no one else was around?"

Double Trouble looks away.

"How can a hero save others, if they can't save themselves first? You cannot be this reckless in our line of work."

Double Trouble just nods.

"Get some rest, we'll be headed back shortly and you are going to spend the night with Remedy, understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Sparkplug leaves the two boys alone as Dreadnought sits beside D.T.

"You know, charging head first like that. That was quite the bold move."

"You were right Dreadnought, we should've just waited for the heroes."

"What?" Dreadnought shakes his head, "The way I see it, you bought us time. If you hadn't acted, I wouldn't have been able to save the others."

"You saved the day Double Trouble, albeit almost getting yourself killed."

Double Trouble smiles, "I guess I did. Guess I just have to train even harder to make sure my body can keep up!"

"That's the spirit buddy," Dreadnought smiles back as he extends his fist out. Double Trouble grins, bumping fists with Dreadnought. The two gaze toward the horizon together. The future might be uncertain, but they won't face it alone.