When night falls here in Paladin's Academy, the urge to break some rules rises higher than the sky. As superheroes in training, first-years don't often see as much action as their upperclassmen. Yet, wanting to prove themselves, some students sneak out at night to commit vigilante justice. Tonight, one student has that itch, and they want nothing more than to bash some heads in.

In one of the rooms in the first-year dorms, someone is keenly listening to police dispatch,

"All units, we have gotten word that a Supervillain was spotted tonight near the farmer's market. Suspect is wearing a cloak, with a silver demon mask. Any nearby units please investigate and report any more sightings."

"Silver Demon Mask? A cloak. There's no mistaking it, it's him."

The light shines on one newspaper report,

"Another Victim of the Demon Nocturne."

Tonight, the student hero White Mask only has one goal: avenge his mother.

Before he departs, he thoroughly checks his gear and his information. First, his gauntlets, both equipped with a grappling hook for traversal. Then his belt, filled with smoke pellets for cover, and flash pellets for distraction. He reaches around for his retractable staff, yet finds it still broken.

Shit.

White Mask thinks to himself, " I don't need it, just need my mask."

On the table to his left, he finds most of his masks broken. Either from training, or other, more illegal activities.

SHIT!

It looks like before departing, he'll need to make some stops. But that's for later, with his gear checked, it's time to review his information. White Mask takes out a small brown folder with a tag Nocturne. He checks to see what he knows about him:

Nocturne. Real name unknown. Unique Ability, unknown. 6'2 and 250 lbs. Proficient fighter, mainly CQC. He sports a helmet with demon iconography and tactical armor. His weapon of choice are a pair of modified Zenithium knuckle dusters, capable of temporarily disabling someone's Unique Abilities.

He was a member of Overlord's original Twelve and was rumored to be ranked seventh. The Twelve were ranked in pure power and strength. He had killed sixteen superheroes, most notably the iron detective, Noir-Knight. He also had two hundred confirmed kills, the least for any member of the Twelve.

During Overlord's attack on Paladin's Academy, Nocturne betrayed the twelve, telling student hero Streetwise about the attack beforehand, allowing the heroes to defeat the Twelve in the battle known as "Battle for Tomorrow." After turning himself in, he was killed in prison. Stabbed twelve times by an unknown inmate. All his equipment and gear have been confiscated by the Coalition.

White Mask closes the folder and thinks,

"Two ideas. Either a wannabe has stolen his shit, or that bastard faked his death. Doesn't matter, someone's dying tonight."

He hides the folder and heads out of his room. Before he leaves, White Mask knows he can't do this alone, and only one student is crazy enough to even attempt something like this,

"I'm in," Sure-Shot nods.

"I haven't even told you what we're doing," White Mask says confused.

"Don't really care. I'm bored. Whatever it is, let's do it."

"Then suit up soldier, we're going Villain hunting."

Sure-Shot quickly dons his green and yellow army uniform. He puts on a classic World War Two helmet with goggles and holsters a small pistol.

"I didn't know you were armed," White Mask comments.

"This is my old man's. A modified Walther p38. He said to only use it when putting sick bastards down, and my slingshot is broken."

White Mask realizes that this guy is indeed crazy. But he needs a little of that tonight. After recruiting a likeminded sidekick, he still needs some gear before heading out,

"Alright C.P., what the hell do you want?" J.U.L.I.A. yawns, only in an oversized t-shirt.

"Don't abbreviate Captain Powerless. You'll put me on a list. And I need a favor."

"A favor huh?" she suddenly perks up, "you know the cost of my favors?"

"Put it on my tab."

"Doesn't even care about the consequences. I like that. Alright, come in."

J.U.L.I.A.'s room is a mess. Bits of scrap and machinery everywhere. It reeks of machine oil and gear lubricant. In this metal chaos, White Mask barely recognizes a bed, with a contraption, a doohickey, and a whatchamacallit. In the corner wall sits a table, also covered with blueprints, holograms of blueprints, and a flatscreen T.V.

"So, uh, whaddya need?"

"I need a mask, a weapon, and a motorcycle."

J.U.L.I.A. looks around the giant metal trash pile, "Let me seeeee..."

From the rubbish, she finds a big silver domino mask. Its jagged edges could probably cut the person wearing it. Nonetheless, it still only covers the eyes and the bridge of the nose.

"Here, this should go with your Noir-Knight wannabe look," she hands it with a smug grin.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"My other mask was better, it at least wrapped around my head."

"Beggars can't be choosers. Just try it out."

White Mask sighs and puts the silver mask on. It sticks to his head with comfort and quickly boots up, making the eyes of the mask glow light blue.

"This is a state-of-the-art combat mask. Easy to wear, and easy to remove if you need to. It has state-of-the-art scanning capabilities, including x-ray, and infrared. It also has a 72-hour battery life and features my personal operating system. Even has an emergency contact directly to me. It's not wall hacks tho, so don't abuse the scanners. And there is a slight chance of permanent blindness while using the scanners, but it's no biggie, promise!"

"Not bad," White Mask nods, "and a weapon?"

"Right, how about this?" J.U.L.I.A. grabs an L-shaped metal rod and hands it to White Mask.

"Here's a stun tonfa. A simple and elegant design, made of black anodized aluminum and a rubber grip. Press this button on the handle to activate the taser at the tip. It's capable of sending 50,000 volts all across the human body. Also here's a holster for it, since it's not retractable."

"Very nice. Thanks, Julia, I owe you one," White Mask smiles.

"Ah, don't mention it. But I think you still need one more thing," she smirks.

"What's that?"

"A way out."

Suddenly, the public announcement system activates throughout the campus. Students and faculty quickly pay attention to this sudden declaration,

"Attention all Paladins, due to an attack on Paladin's bridge earlier this afternoon, all transportation between Paladin's Island and New Arden will be temporarily closed for two days. Those who do not have a place to sleep are welcome to stay at the Alumni's Village for no extra cost. If you have any questions or concerns, please approach any of the Paladin's staff."

"FUCK!" White Mask exclaims.

Sure-Shot removes his helmet and holds it over his chest, "Well, it was fun while it lasted."

"If only someone knew a secret tunnel that connects the island to the mainland," J.U.L.I.A. remarks, gracefully raising her hand over her forehead.

"We could use a plane?" Sure-Shot blurts out.

"You know a way out?" White Mask asks.

"Quick history lesson, what was Paladin's Academy built on top of?"

"An island?" the duo answered.

J.U.L.I.A. rolls her eyes, "the old Coalition of Heroes base. Seriously?"

Neither of them responds.

"And below that, is Noir-Knight's Castle."

"He has a castle?" Sure-Shot questions.

"Yes! Every great hero has a base of operations, and we just so happen to be near one. Now I haven't been there myself, but I know someone who could guide you."

"You're not coming?" White Mask wonders.

"Fuck no. I'd rather sleep. Besides I'm on strike two, and I won't risk joining whatever this is."

"Aren't you also on strike two?" Sure-Shot mentions. White Mask doesn't comment.

"Here," J.U.L.I.A hands them a small plastic card, "go to room 212, and give them this card. They'll know what that means."

White Mask pockets the card.

"Well, good luck out there gentlemen. Don't get into too much trouble, not that I would know."

The pair nod, as they head for the room J.U.L.I.A told them about. After a minute of walking, they finally arrive and White Mask knocks on the door,

And the one who answers has long black hair, a slender physique, and the most vivid purple eyes you've ever seen. It almost feels like staring into the galaxy itself. Each planet sparkling like diamonds. It's like time itself slows down to the millisecond, just to admire, to cherish little moments like...

"Dude," Sure-Shot elbows White Mask, "you good? You haven't said a word."

White Mask snaps out of his trance, to find Glimpse, just a few inches across from him. Her hair was messy, with a bit of drool on the side of her lips, and a sleeping mask resting on her forehead.

"J.U.L.I.A. told us to give you this."

She groggily reaches out and grabs the card, "Aw man. Just give me a few minutes."

Glimpse yawns and closes the door.

"What was that back there?" Sure-Shot interrogates.

"Huh?"

"You froze. Like a dear."

"No. I didn't. And dears don't freeze"

"Uh yeah, they do. It's a popular phrase most hunters use."

"Never heard of it."

"Really?" Sure-Shot takes a step back, "like a dear in headlights. You've never heard of it?"

"Oh, you mean a rabbit."

"What?"

"A rabbit in headlights, that's the saying."

"No, no, no. It's a dear. Because deers stop moving when they see a car."

"That's dumb. Deers run when they hear a leaf crushed. You're telling me they just stand still when a hunk of metal has flashlights?"

"Yeah. It happened with my old man. They were cruising on 66 when they saw a deer on the road. They honked at it but it didn't move. Had to shoot the poor bastard."

"He shot it?"

"He did. Came with a dear head and dinner. Could never forget that night."

The door opens in front of the two and Glimpse walks out. Sporting a purple jacket with yellow goggles.

"F-follow me," she says. The two boys follow her lead, descending down to the basement of the dorms. This is where students do their laundry, featuring a plethora of washing machines everywhere.

Glimpse leads them to one machine in the corner. On the surface, it looks no different than the rest of the washers. She taps the card on top, and after a few seconds, the washing machine starts to transform. Metal panels start extending from its side until the machine becomes an elevator. She gestures for all of them to enter, and after going in, the elevator begins to descend.

When the elevator doors finally open, White Mask cannot believe what he sees.

Beneath Paladin's island, hidden from the world above, lies "The Castle"—Noir-Knight’s sanctuary and command center. The underground fortress pulses with a vibrant energy, blending medieval grandeur with modern innovation. The stone walls are adorned with rich tapestries, their bold blues and slivers catching the light of strategically placed torches and sconces. These flames dance in sync with sleek, futuristic lights that line the corridors, casting a warm, almost regal glow throughout the space.

In the center of the hall, Noir-Knight's prized vehicle, the "Cavalry," rests like a sleeping monster. Its matte-black exterior and angular design contrast with the medieval aesthetics, yet it feels like a natural extension of the space, ready to race through the streets of New Arden. However, the dust on the vehicle suggests that not one person has ever awakened this slumbering beast since the death of her master.

Considering the fate of the late hero, the fact that this place still happens to be so clean shows the respect of the current Paladin administration.

"I never thought I'd see this place," White Mask smiles. He rushes towards Noir's car as he wipes the dust off its roof.

"The computer's busted," Sure-Shot laments, "looks like the only thing available are the lights."

"J.U.L.I.A. said to just get in the car," Glimpse points towards a narrow tunnel "then lower the drawbridge."

"We get to drive the Cavalry?" White Mask giddily responds, "hell yeah!"

Without hesitation, White Mask opens the door and hops in.

"Shotgun!" Sure-Shot shouts, getting into the passenger seat.

Glimpse however starts walking back to the elevator.

"Wait!" White Mask calls, "where are you going?"

"I'm heading back up. I did what J.U.L.I.A. asked."

"Really? Not going to come with?"

"I... don't want to get into trouble..."

"Trouble?" White Mask smirks, "we're not going to cause trouble. We're here to save lives."

He pulls out a recording of the police scanner and plays it for Glimpse.

"A villain is out there, and we're going to need some help in stopping them."

"Shouldn't the teachers investigate?" Glimpse reasons.

"Nah they wouldn't. This is beneath their pay grade. We're all these people got, and they need our help."

White Mask starts revving the engines. The cavalry starts humming a violent purr.

"Besides, this is the way to show those damn boomers that we're more than just students. That we are heroes too."

Glimpse puts her hand over her chest.

"What do you say?"

She takes a deep breath and enters the car with them. White Mask gives her a reassuring nod.

"Alright Aerondight, let's go stop a villain!"

White Mask slams the gas, as the Cavalry rushes forward, leaving a trail of dust and smoke behind.

To Be Continued.