The following morning, Andy called his family into the living room. Standing before them in casual clothing, wearing his natural light skin and white hair, he took a deep breath.

“Everyone,” said Andy. “My life as a superhero hasn’t been easy. I never thought I would be hated this much, and I never thought that the hate would follow me home. Twice now evil people have come to Partition City because of me. The E.H.O.D. wouldn’t have lured two supervillains here if not for me, nor the Sons of Purity.”

“None of that’s your fault,” said Amelia.

“Yeah,” said Abigail.

“I know,” said Andy. “But that doesn’t change the facts, and I get the feeling that this won’t be the last time people come looking for me.”

Andy looked at his father, and John, sighed.

“Yeah,” said John. “You’re probably right.”

Andy took a deep breath. “And so, I’ve come to a decision. I can’t wait around for the next crisis to come calling at home, and there’s just too much I can’t help with for the Redwell City investigation. I’m sure Paramount will call me when he needs me, but I’ve decided to be proactive.

“I’ve decided to become a bounty hero.”

The shock on everyone’s face was evident. Abigail looked confused, while Samantha and Amelia grew worried. Martin mouthed a silent, ‘awesome,’ while John gave Andy a serious look.

“Are you sure, Andy?” asked John.

“Bounty hunting is dangerous work,” said Amelia. “Even for someone like you.”

“Mom’s right,” said Samantha. “You get hurt by supervillains coming here, and now you plan to go after them?”

“I do,” said Andy. “Like I said, it’s about being proactive. The more supervillains I fight, the more experience I’ll gain, which will help me in any future battles. The more of them I catch, the more credibility I’ll have as a hero in the eyes of the public.’

Andy grew serious. “These hostile media outlets want to find every excuse they can to drag my name through the dirt, but each supervillain I put away will be a notch in my favor. I’ll rip those excuses from them one by one. The one thing I can’t do it wait around and do nothing.”

“You…” Samantha stuttered. “You won’t go alone, will you?”

“Blacksting’s agreed to show me the ropes,” said Andy.

The whole room remained silent. Andy looked around at worried faces, and even Martin looked worried now as he’d absorbed everyone else’s concerns. Soon, Andy looked towards his father, and though John Gatlin shared everyone else’s worry, one couldn’t mistake a small hint of pride in his eyes.

“Are you sure this is what you want, Andy?” asked John.

Andy nodded. “A man has to leave his childhood home someday. It may not be how any of us imagined it, but I think now is the right time.”

Everyone looked towards John, who gave it some thought.

“Very well,” said John. “Go, with my blessing.”

Andy nodded, and then turned to his mother.

Amelia Gatlin looked on the verge of tears. “I’ll never stop worrying about you.” She said. “But I know a mother cannot protect her children forever. So as always, if this is really what you want, then you have my full support.”

Andy took deep breath. “Thank you.”

He walked forward and gave both his parents a big hug, and soon the other children joined in, one big family group hug.

“Does this mean you have to go away?” asked Abigail.

“I’m afraid so,” said Andy.

“You’ll be alright,” said Martin. “I know you will.”

“Yeah,” said Samantha. “Take care of yourself, Andy.”

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Andy nodded. “I will.”

###

Andy walked through the forest with Rick, Brian, and Laura Landry, shadows running over their faces as the sun rose above the trees. This was actually the first time Andy had seen Celerity’s alter ego, but since she basically knew who he was now, she figured it was only fair to show him. It was kind of surreal seeing Celerity with blonde hair, but it wasn’t a bad look for her.

“Bounty work, huh?” asked Rick.

“Yeah,” said Andy. “I would have asked you guys, but…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” said Rick. “When you’re at full power we’d probably just get in the way.”

“When are you setting out?” asked Laura.

“Three days,” said SteelStar. “Blacksting says he’s still weak from whatever they were pumping him full of. Once he’s recovered, then we’ll set out, which suits me fine. It will be nice to catch up with everyone for a few days.”

“Yeah,” said Brian. “I’m sure you could use some down time after… you know.”

The walked in silence for a moment, their faces somber. Finally, they reached the hidden bunker where the Iron Eagle was hidden. As they walked down the steps, they heard voices. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, they found a group of Valtarians gathered, with Erica, Cathy and Silas talking to them. Andy even saw some of the parents out there, including Carl’s parents.

Andy raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on here?”

“We’ve had some talks with the other Valtarians,” said Rick. “Our people have kept to themselves as much as possible, but recent events have made it clear that the world isn’t going to ignore us.”

“I would have thought that Valtarians would be even more resistant to becoming superheroes,” said Brian.

“Some of them,” said Rick. “A few even took off, but I had a long discussion with everyone last night. I think the other Valtarians are waking up to the fact that the world isn’t going to ignore us. We can either continue to hide ourselves away, or we can start helping make this world a better place. We can’t expect humans to keep sheltering us for nothing in return, and they certainly can’t do that if the E.H.O.D. takes more power. On top of that, I think many are feeling guilty that they didn’t help with those mutant attacks unleashed by the Sons of Purity. So, the Fullmetal Force is going to stay in Partition City to help train people for a while.”

Rick looked over and saw his father Tobias talking to some of the younger Valtarians. Tobias looked over, saw his son, and the two of them nodded to each other.

Andy sighed. “Good grief. You decide to stay in Partition City just as I’m about to leave.”

“It’s a cruel twist of fate, alright,” said Rick. “But don’t worry. If you’re ever in trouble again, we’ll be right there.”

“Yeah,” said Laura. “Same here.”

“Thanks, guys,” said Andy.

Brian didn’t say anything, but looked around. Of in the distance, he saw Brenda in her natural Valtarian form, with yellow skin. She was currently being instructed by Erica how to shoot a rifle. During the instruction, Brenda saw Brian out the corner of her eye and looked over. Seeing him, Brian caught a sad look in her eyes and understood immediately.

Neither of them had the life they wished they had.

###

Andy spent the next three days taking it easy. There were a few fires and a mutant or two, but with the Fullmetal Force to help out, they were able to subdue the problems easily. For the first time in a while, Andy found time to hang out with his friends and family, sharing stories with the Fullmetal Force between gaming and movie sessions. They even found time for some backyard basketball. Without superhero stuff to worry about, Andy was in much higher spirits, and Brian started feeling better. Even John Gatlin was looking more energetic than usual.

But all good things must come to an end, and when the three days were up, Blacksting was ready to go. Andy’s parents, his siblings, the Fullmetal Force, Brian and Laura all met him at the forest outside Partition City to see him off. Though he wore his SteelStar costume and superhero form, this farewell made him feel like Andy.

“I’ll worry every day,” said Amelia, hugging her son.

“I’ll give you every reason not to, I promise,” said Andy, pulling away.

Next John hugged his son. “I’m proud of you, Andy. Your courage in the face of all this gives me hope.”

“Thanks, dad.”

Next, Andy had a group hug with Samantah, Martin, and Abigail.

“We’ll miss you,” said Abigail.

“Yeah,” said Samantha. “We will.”

“Go catch some villains,” said Martin.

Andy just smiled.

Next Andy hugged Brian.

“Good luck out there,” said Brian.

“Thanks,” said Andy. “And don’t worry. You’ll find your place in this world. I know it.”

“Thanks.”

Next, Andy hugged his old Valtarian Friends, a big group hug.

“Take care of yourself,” said Rick.

“I will,” said Andy.

“You better,” said Erica teasingly.

“I’m sure he will,” said Cathy.

Finally, Andy found himself face to face with Laura.

“Didn’t think I’d be going solo so soon,” said Laura.

“Don’t worry,” said Andy. “With more Valtarians have taken an interest in being superheroes, you’ll probably get a lot more help before long.”

“I’m sure,” said Laura.

They hugged in silence for a moment. Finally, he pulled away and turned to Blacksting, taking a deep breath.

“I’m ready.”

“Very well,” said Blacksting. “We’ll need to walk a little bit first. It’s dangerous for me to take off this close to ordinary people.”

Andy nodded, turning to the others. “Goodbye everyone.”

Everyone said their goodbyes, and Andy followed Blacksting deeper into the forest. They walked for a while, and Andy started to thinking of himself as SteelStar once more.

“Nervous?” asked Blacksting.

“A little,” said SteelStar. “But I’m not going to let that stop me.”

“Glad to hear it,” said Blacksting. “Let’s face these challenges and get stronger together, SteelStar.”

“Amen to that.”

Finally, when they were far enough away, SteelStar turned to metal, while Blacksting opened the chitin panels on his back. SteelStar flew into the air, while Blacksting flapped his insect wings, the gust of wind blasting dust everywhere as the two of them soared up. Soon they were flying over the treetops, ready to begin their next mission.

End of Episode Four