"So how did you find this place?" Snooze asks.

"Apparently, there is more to this Campus than meets the eye," Dreadnought laughs, staring afar.

It is a free day here at Paladin's Academy and the flowers bloom while the birds chirp. During these rare instances, students prefer to use the time to relax or catch up on some assignments.

Today, Dreadnought has brought Snooze to the floating gardens, where they are currently going out on a date. Not a lot of people linger here during this time. They sit on one of the smaller islands with only one large tree to accompany them. Its orange leaves rustle in the wind. Next to him, Dreadnought had prepared a food basket complete with sandwiches and juice boxes.

Yet even on such a small island, they couldn't be further apart. While Dreadnought admires the heavenly view, Snooze sits inches away from him with her arms crossed. Only looking at the dirt below.

"We fought our Adviser here," Dreadnought mentions, "it was spectacular. He pushed my soul outside my body, and you could say it was an out-of-body experience, hehe. You should've seen it."

Snooze remains quiet.

"Is something bothering you?" Dreadnought catches on.

"Nothing, it's just..."

"Just what?"

Snooze looks away, "I think we should see other people."

"I'm sorry?" Dreadnought faces her, grabbing her hand.

"I don't think this is going to work out, Dreadnought."

"I.. don't understand."

"You ghosted me for two weeks, not answering your phone. Ignoring my calls."

She pulls her hand away from him.

"I was worried about you."

"And then you just show up out of the blue, and everything's back to normal?"

She stands up.

"That's not how these things work."

Dreadnought also stands up.

"You don't understand, he emphasizes, " I had to."

"Had to what?" Snooze snaps. He takes a step back.

"During our fight with that villainess, Wager, I snapped. Everything became, red and something awakened in me, something bad, really really bad."

He turns towards the setting sun. Two birds fly through the horizon.

"I knew I had to drop everything to master this ability before it consumed me."

He looks at her.

"And everything I love."

Snooze looks disgusted, "Love? I could count the dates we had on one hand. That doesn't constitute love."

She looks away from his gaze.

"Maybe focus on yourself before dragging someone into your world."

She jumps down and leaves.

Dreadnought looks down and sits. He closes his eyes and clenches his teeth.

"God"

He looks at the tree and punches it.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Fuck..." he whispers with his breath, leaning his head down.

*Russel*

Dreadnought looks around confused. "Did the tree just?"

*Russel Russel*

A branch falls from the top of the tree as Dreadnought scratches his head and looks up. Lo and behold, he finds Ms. Winter, the dean herself, her face red as a cherry, scrunched up with a bird sleeping on her head.

"What are you doing?"

Ms. Winter places the bird back in their nest and she gently floats down.

"A-a bird stole my phone," she chuckles modestly, "and I had to chase it here. I was about to leave but then I saw you two going on a date, and then you weren't and it would've been really awkward to just jump down in the middle of that, and I ended up staying for the entire thing..."

She is still very red and discreetly pockets a phone with branches still attached. She puts her two fingers together and looks away.

"I'm sorry you had to see all that," Dreadnought reacts coldly, "I was just about to leave and find Streetwise-"

"THAT IDIOT?" Ms. Winter scoffs, "Trust me Dreadnought, you do not want advice from HIM."

"But he has given me sound advice in the past."

"Unlikely," Ms. Winter remarks, "you only think that because he's the one giving you advice."

"That is true..."

"How about a different perspective?" Ms. Winter asks, sitting down by the edge of the small island. Her silky white hair flowed with the wind. Dreadnought, not having anything better to do, sat down next to her.

"I knew a hero who was in a similar situation with you, let's call him Roadsmart, and he was dating this other superhero, named Artic."

Ms. Winter softly smiles.

"It was during their third year of college..."

"Roadsmart was hailed as the strongest hero of his time. The son of two golden age heroes, all eyes were always on him. He was a natural prodigy, and could do anything he put his mind to."

"Then there was Artic, daughter of a notorious Supervillain, who herself was raised to be even worse."

"Roadsmart, the ever-lovable prick, risked his career and his life, just to convince her that there was a better path. To be better than those who raised her."

"It took some time, and multiple near-death experiences, but eventually, Artic saw the error of her ways, and became a hero just like him."

"After that she had nobody, except Roadsmart, who time and time again, would risk everything he had, just to make sure Artic wasn't treated differently."

"But during their third year, something changed within Roadsmart. A bounty was put on his head by the dastardly Omega Man, then known as the king of villains."

"He started to push people away, claiming it was for their safety."

In one room, 'Roadsmart' hastily starts packing his things. He frantically puts everything and anything he values into one small duffel bag. By the door frame, 'Artic' observes the news, listening about 'Omega Man' threats if Roadsmart did not leave Paladin's Academy.

"Are you actually going to go?" Artic asks.

"Can't you see Artic?" Roadsmart shouts, "I have to go and beat him."

"Alone? He'd kill you."

"I'd win," Roadsmart assures.

"But you don't have to go alone, you can't go..."

"Don't you get it?!" Roadsmart snaps, "I'm the only one who CAN. That's why he's doing this whole bit, just to get at me. If I go, he'll leave the Academy alone."

"But," Artic holds his hand, "you don't have to do it alone. We can help you fight him."

"No," Roadsmart lets go of her hand, "you'd just get in my way."

"Artic began tearing up," Ms. Winter mentions, "not saying a word."

"After everything they've been through. She was just cast aside. Apparently, she was just holding him back."

"Even after Omega Man's defeat, that resentment and distrust never went away."

Ms. Winter looks down at her hand, forming a small ice ring around her palm, before releasing the construct into the wind.

"Now there's nothing left between the two but hate. Affecting everything and everyone around them."

"Even now, Roadsmart continues to insult and degrade Artic, even if she did what he wanted."

"But deep down," Ms. Winter puts her hand on Dreadnought's shoulder, "I think Artic still cares for Roadsmart, and in some ways, he feels the same for Artic."

"Why doesn't Roadsmart just apologize?" Dreadnought asks.

"Because he's an idiot who never realized he was wrong, even seven years later." Ms. Winter pouts.

"But doesn't Artic also insult and degrade Streetwise?"

"She does," Ms. Winter nods, "but only because he started it."

"I see," Dreadnought reflects, "All you wanted to do was help him, in the same way he helped you."

"Me?" Ms. Winter flusters, "No, no, no. This has nothing to do with me."

Her expression shifts back into her colder demeanor.

"I just think in some ways, Snooze is doing this for you."

"I understand," Dreadnought smiles, "thank you for this new perspective, Ms. Winter."

Ms. Winter's phone suddenly buzzes as she answers the call. A familiar voice starts whisper shouting,

"Winter!" Streetwise quietly screams, "The shareholders have been waiting for FIVE HOURS! Where are you?"

"Sorry, Streetwise~ I'm in the middle of something and have to put you on hold."

"WAIT NO DON-"

"Apologies Dreadnought I better get going, If you need further counseling please consult Nimbus."

She stands up and brushes the grass from her skirt.

"Oh, and if you tell anyone about this, I will expel you." Ms. Winter smiles before floating back down.

Dreadnought nods and waves farewell.

"I have never seen Ms. Winter so... human. To think she shares that kind of relationship with Streetwise."

He opens the basket next to him and takes out a sandwich. He watches the sun set into the horizon, as the moon begins to make its way up. He turns and watches this other celestial body floating in space.

"I have to make things right with her, but for now... I could use the space."