After ransacking the records and files room in Penspot’s basement and gathering all documents into organized piles, Shining Darkness had found another way to busy himself. Using his super speed, he rushed through the floors of Penspot Tower, knocking out every armed person he came across with light taps to their heads.

After making his way through half of Penspot’s tower, Shining Darkness got a call on his communicator from Death Head.

“Shining Darkness! I’m pinned up here with the primary target! Third from the top floor! Get up here now!”

That was fast, Shining Darkness thought as he got ready to bust through the ceiling.

Measuring his strength, Shining Darkness leaped at the ceiling above him, thinking about how he’d be aiming for the third floor from the top. Then, as he jumped, his body propelled upward, smashing through every story of Penspot’s tower until he crashed through a water fountain and found himself staring down Penspot and her goons.

|X|

The reason Conner could jump with such accuracy wasn’t necessarily because of his superhuman strength.

During the time Conner spent training to control his powers, he always found he could jump any distance he needed to. Flint suspected it might have been flight at first, but Conner’s lack of control once he left the ground nipped that idea in the bud.

While Conner thought this power was simply cool, John found this aspect of Conner’s abilities especially odd.

John had determined that Conner possessed enough strength to deadlift just over one hundred tons. While this was incredible, it wasn’t nearly enough to account for the dozens of miles his leaps could cover. Nor did his legs ever display equal feats of power in any other situation. As of Shining Darkness’ first night out, John still had no explanation for how this ability worked.

Ultimately, Conner decided to call the power Jump Travel and that he would figure out the full details of how it functioned after Penspot was beaten. In truth, that was Conner’s attitude toward all of his powers. Those around him cared more about where they came from and how they worked than he did personally. Conner himself was in too much of a hurry to use these new powers to dismantle his home’s criminal element to care about their origins.

|X|

After warning Penspot and her cronies to surrender and catching a bullet aimed at Death Head’s face, Shining Darkness started walking toward the criminals.

Cracking his neck, the Super Mask said, “I’ll try not to do any permanent damage.”

Suddenly raising her hand to point it at Shining Darkness, Penspot's palm began to glow a light blue as she shouted, “Ice Breaker!”

Internally, Shining Darkness wondered, What the heck is she doing? What is that?

Suddenly, as fast as a speeding bullet, an icicle the size of her arm flew from Penspot’s hand.

Reflexively, Shining Darkness drew one of his swords to counter the conjured ice crystal. As he swung his blade, his superhuman eyesight picked up on just how shocked Viper and Penspot’s other bodyguards appeared.

Hmm. Looks like they don’t know what this is either… Does Penspot have powers like mine, and she’s just been keeping them secret?

The moment Shining Darkness concluded his lightning-fast thought, he got hit with another surprise. As soon as his reinforced steel sword touched Penspot’s icicle, the blade split at the point of contact.

After breaking through his sword, Penspot’s icicle crashed into Shining Darkness’ chest with the force of a tank shell.

Having slid back from the impact, Shining Darkness straightened his posture, felt at his chest, and realized his suit had been slightly torn. Pulling his hand back, causing a tender sting on his skin, a serious revelation hit the Super Mask.

That… That actually hurt! I think that’s the first time I’ve been seriously hurt since I got my powers. I… I think I even have a couple of cracked ribs… Feh. I’ve had worse!

Tightening his fist, Shining Darkness ignored the pain and asked sternly, “What was that, Penspot?”

Looking closer at the crime boss as all the others in the room panicked, Shining Darkness noticed how heavily she was breathing. She seemed exhausted as if she’d just sprinted for a mile straight as she glared at the super-powered vigilante.

Unclenching his fingers, the Shining Darkness frowned beneath his mask and said, “It seems that whatever you just did left you breathless. So, let me make this clear. It would take at least a thousand hits like that one to have a shot at beating me. Are you ready to surrender yet?”

As if a switch flipped in the woman’s mind, her face grew hysterical as she looked to her most dangerous henchmen, shrieking, “What are you waiting for, Powerhouse!? Viper!? Kill that freak!”

“Huh?! But how am I-?” Before Powerhouse could continue, he was silenced by Penspot’s chilly, murderous glare.

After a quick shudder, Powerhouse steeled himself and exclaimed, “Okay, okay! There’s no one tougher than me! No one! I can beat anyone down!”

Stepping past Powerhouse, Viper ripped a cloth of fabric from the henchman Death Head had shot and wrapped up his broken and bleeding hand.

After making sure his makeshift bandage was on tight, Viper stated, “I’ll dispatch Death Head.”

“I told you-!” Penspot began but was cut off by Viper’s insistence.

“He’ll get in the way regardless, so he needs to be dealt with. And I can hear the old man sucking wind like a baby with a bottle. He’s exhausted himself getting here.”

Shining Darkness had been ignoring it until now, but he could hear that Viper was right. Death Head didn’t have much left in him to give to a fight.

The Super Mask was about to insist he could handle both mercenaries at once, but Death Head spoke up first, exclaiming, “You sure sound arrogant, snake-fucker. I nearly killed you last time we fought, and you didn’t have a broken hand then.”

Assuming a fluid, snake-like stance, Viper replied, “True. If you hadn’t gone to save Incognous, you likely would’ve ended my life. But I’ve been practicing since then. And as you learned in our last battle, I can shut out pain rather easily. This broken hand won’t make a difference.”

Putting a knuckle to his hip, Death Head remarked, “Maybe, buuut…” He then raised his handgun, steadied it at the killer’s face, and stated, “Only one of us has a functioning gun, tough guy. And it happens to be the elder who’s too tired to entertain the idea of a fair fight.”

All at once, Viper’s stoic face dropped away to reveal a combination of embarrassment and shock.

Raising his own firearm, Powerhouse exclaimed, “You going blind too, old man!? The rest of us still-!” Once more, Powerhouse was cut off as his auto pistol shattered in his hand.

The Shining Darkness had thrown a knife at not only Parker’s weapon but every single firearm in the room not being held by Death Head. And just as they had when he used them outside, the knives all fell back into the Super Mask’s hands before he resheathed them.

While all the criminals recoiled from the display of superhuman accuracy that left them unarmed, Shining Darkness stated, “I think you’re the one in need of an eye exam, Powerhouse. Now, I believe you were saying that there’s no one tougher than you. Care to prove that?”

Keeping his hand cannon trained on Viper and the rest, Death Head said, “And don’t any of you think about moving a muscle while the Shining Darkness takes him apart like an oversized action figure.”

Shaking like an alarm clock, Powerhouse glared at Shining Darkness while stating, “Takes me apart? Who… Who the fuck do you think you are!? I don’t care if you’re as big as me! I don’t care if you used some trick to blow up the floor! I don’t care if you’ve got bulletproof armor and fancy aim! I’m the Powerhouse, and no one can beat me in a fight!”

Rushing at the Super Mask, Powerhouse went for a corkscrew punch with his mace hand.

Flashes of their last encounter going through his mind, Shining Darkness gritted his teeth with rage.

Deciding to match Powerhouse’s speed, Shining Darkness clashed his fist against the brute’s weapon. The resulting force of the collision broke Powerhouse’s steel mace like glass. However, Shining Darkness pulled back just enough of his incredible strength when his knuckles connected with Powerhouse’s stub. As such, instead of splattering the man’s arm into paste, he just gave Powerhouse’s limb three compound fractures.

Knocked onto his back, the former Mask screamed in agony for a moment. He then fell into shock just as quickly as when he’d lost his hand.

“Still think you’re so tough, bastard?” Shining Darkness asked as the muscles in his arm got ready for another blow.

But before the super-powered man could make another move, though, Shining Darkness heard Hardwire yell at him, “Shine! Your strength control dropped below eighty percent, there! Be more careful if you don’t want to kill anyone!”

Standing over the beaten traitor, contemplating his friend’s words, Shining Darkness let out a noise, “Hrmph.” It was a sound that combined frustration and disappointment as he wondered how far he was about to take that beating. Not wanting to dwell further on the matter and not willing to speak with Hardwire during combat, Shining Darkness walked forward, stepping over Powerhouse.

Penspot and her bodyguards watched in terror at the approaching figure. The Shining Darkness, having effortlessly laid out the strongest criminal present, slowly walked over Powerhouse’s body and toward the other crooks.

Dropping to their knees in horror, the bodyguards all raised their hands and gave out exclamations of, “We surrender!”

Crawling out from behind the chair he’d been using to hide, the one unarmed man screamed, “Me too! Me too!”

Watching these people cower from him, Shining Darkness couldn’t help but feel pity and replied, “Fine. Get on the floor with your hands on your heads.”

Following the horrifying figure’s instructions, everyone but Viper and Penspot were on the ground.

Taking notice of this, Shining Darkness walked up to Penspot’s finely crafted mahogany desk and ripped it in half instantly, throwing the two pieces of the finely crafted furniture across the room.

With nothing left between them, Shining Darkness approached the exasperated crime boss, put a hand on her shoulder, and said, “Despite your ice attack, your people’s compliance put me in a good mood. So, this is your last chance to surrender.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Addressing Viper, Death Head said, “He can be brutal, but Shining Darkness is a gentle soul deep down. Aren’t you scum lucky?”

At once, Penspot’s expression shifted to consideration. Then, as she looked up at Shining Darkness with fear, Penspot asked, “Really? You won’t hurt me?”

Tightening his grip enough to make his point, Shining Darkness restated, “If I have your full compliance, yes.”

Shakily, Penspot reached up and put her palm on Shining Darkness’ wrist, responding, “I… I… Flash Freeze!”

Suddenly, Penspot’s hand glowed again as Shining Darkness felt the worst cold of his life traveling up his arm.

Pulling back from Penspot as his arm burned with frost, Shining Darkness let out seething anger as he glared at the woman.

Having broken out into a massive sweat, her fatigue doubling, Penspot couldn’t even get out of her chair.

Despite her exhaustion, she returned Shining Darkness’ glare and growled out, “I… I never… let anyone talk… talk to me like that…! Freeze to death, you… you bastard!”

Looking at the arm Penspot grabbed, Shining Darkness noticed the cold was indeed traveling up his limb.

Aiming his gun at Penspot, Death Head shouted, “What’d you do to him!? Turn it off, now!”

Unsure of what was happening to him, Shining Darkness thought, Shit! Am I going to completely freeze over from this! Do I need to cut my arm off?! No, my body’s too tough for that…! I could try to rip my arm off instead! That might work!

Just as Shining Darkness began seriously considering such an extreme solution, he noticed the frost had stopped spreading at his elbow. And while the cold itself was painful, to the point that he would need to examine himself as soon as possible, Conner’s arm was still fully functional.

After opening and closing his fist a couple of times, Shining Darkness flexed the titanic muscles in his forearm as hard as he could, shattering the ice covering it. The white and black sleeve of his suit and some skin went with the ice, but the Super Mask was otherwise unharmed.

With a frustrated sigh, Shining Darkness lowered his bleeding limb and focused back on Penspot.

Utterly horrified and too exhausted to raise a hand, Penspot rasped between breaths as she sunk into her chair, “What…?! No! That… That’s supposed to freeze… freeze you solid!”

“Enough,” Shining Darkness said without any hint of patience.

The Super Mask then dashed forward, throwing a gust of wind into Penspot’s face as he tapped her forehead. The force of this tap knocked Penspot and her chair over and sent her tumbling across the floor as she fell unconscious.

“Boss!” Viper shouted as Death Head breathed a sigh of relief.

But before the assassin could do anything other than complain, he felt the same gust of wind hit his face as Penspot before being dispatched identically to her.

With Viper concussed at his feet, Death Head glanced at his handgun, then to the cowering guards, and asked, “Do I still need this?”

“No, sir!” One of the guards cried.

Nodding, Death Head spun his Dessert Eagle before holstering it and stating. “Good. The cops are on their way. And not the ones under Penspot’s payroll. So just stay there and cooperate when they come to arrest you… Oh. And don’t think about using the helicopter to make a run for it. Shining Darkness trashed it.”

While Death Head dashed any hopes of escape for these people, Shining Darkness walked back over to him and said, “I’m going to do one last sweep of the building. You should stay here and keep an eye on the primary targets. Be sure to keep Penspot from doing any more of her ice tricks. Shoot her if you really need to.”

Before Death Head could respond to his student’s sudden orders, Shining Darkness dashed away at speeds too fast for the older man’s eyes to follow.

“I… Huh,” Death Head blurted out before catching himself and switching to an internal voice.

When did Conner get so… assertive? Is he just accepting that I’m retiring, so he’s stepping up? Or did that magic trick or whatever it was shock him into this…? Whatever it is, I like it.

Glancing back at his prisoners, Death Head folded his arms, smiled behind his helmet, and told them, “Well, we best get comfy.”

|XXX|

Miracle City News crews had gathered around Penspot Tower as hundreds of men and women were being taken away by a small army of police.

Present to answer the press’ questions were Death Head, his police partner Detective Jericho, and a new Mask in a monstrous costume. The latter of whom remained silent with his arms folded behind his black and white cape while his eyes glowed white.

At first, only Hive Town’s local news teams arrived on the scene, having received a tip from an encrypted email that Sally Penspot would be arrested tonight. However, as soon as the severity of this story spread, the reporters from all of Miracle City’s news stations showed up.

Death Head had taken it upon himself to explain to the reporters how the Masks and the police had access to all of Sally Penspot’s records, and there was no way for her to escape a life sentence.

For all the common citizens watching this news from their homes, this revelation was like having a weight of terror removed from their shoulders.

After Death Head summarized what was going to happen to Penspot, he switched focus. Gesturing to the other Mask, Death Head explained, “Of course, none of this could have happened without the help of the new Mask, or should I say the Super Mask, the Shining Darkness.”

Nodding, Shining Darkness spoke up with an inhuman voice, “Greetings, Miracle City.”

Resting a fist on Shining Darkness’ shoulder, Death Head said, “Truth be told, Shining Darkness is responsible for most of the work tonight. He singlehandedly apprehended hundreds of Penspot’s henchmen and recovered the crime lord’s physical documents.”

Picking up on Death Head’s wording and the otherwordly vibe of the Shining Darkness, a reporter asked, “Death Head! What do you mean when you call this Shining Darkness figure a Super Mask?”

Pulling his hand back, Death Head said, “I think it would be better if the man himself explained.” Death Head then stepped back, with Shining Darkness taking his place.

Unfolding one of his arms, Shining Darkness lightly flourished his cape and said, “As my mentor said, I am a Super Mask, a quite literal title. I have the strength and speed of hundreds of men, and no weapon wielded by evil can stop me. With my superhuman strength and speed, I was able to incapacitate nearly every criminal in Penspot Tower in less than a half hour. Going forward, I-.”

Cutting in, while most of the reporters seemed mesmerized, one exclaimed in doubt, “You expect us to believe that?! That you’re some kind of Demigod?! Do you have any proof?! Besides those glowing contact lenses of yours!”

Pausing for a half second, Shining Darkness replied inquisitively, “A Demigod…? I wouldn’t consider myself anything of the sort. But if you’re asking for a display of my powers… I can oblige.”

Suddenly, the Shining Darkness crouched into a jumping stance before bursting off of the city streets with a leap. In seconds, the Super Mask had cleared the top of Penspot Tower. With how high he went, if it weren’t for his glowing eyes and the white on his costume, he would have completely vanished into the night sky.

A few members of camera crews nearly dropped their equipment in shock at this sight. Simultaneously, the reporters stood in place, stunned and breathless. It even took the photographers who were present a moment to come to their senses enough to begin snapping pictures.

Even Detective Jericho appeared floored by this feat of power as Death Head folded his arms and waited.

When the Super Mask descended, the reporters had expected a dramatic landing that would shake the ground. Instead, his posture was straight and refined, even keeping one arm folded behind his back. Shocking them further, when the Super Mask landed, the impact caused no vibrations and did no damage to the street. It wasn’t that he’d slowed down at all. Rather, it simply seemed the kinetic force of the Super Mask’s fall had vanished at the moment of impact.

“Hopefully, that was enough to satisfy everyone. I don’t want to risk harming anyone present with any greater demonstrations.” Shining Darkness stated politely.

Despite his helmet being in the way, all the reporters could feel the massive grin coming off of Death Head as he added, “Anyone who needs more than that would be the kind of person who’d see an alien land on their front lawn and still refuse to believe they exist… You mind if I cut back in, Shining Darkness?”

“For your announcement, yes? Of course, Death Head,” The Shining Darkness answered.

“Alright…” Taking in a deep breath as the cameras focused back on him, Death Head stated, “I’ll be blunt and cut to the chase. I’ve been at this job for too long, and my body’s taken one too many beatings to keep going. I’m retiring, and the Shining Darkness is taking over my role as Miracle City’s defender.”

Normally, the reporters wouldn’t have been able to hold themselves back from unleashing a torrent of questions. However, the shock and tinge of fear from the Shining Darkness’ jumping skills left them silent.

Brushing her own surprise aside, Detective Jericho spoke up, adding, “Naturally, I’ll be the Shining Darkness’ police liaison. I’ll be able to answer any questions anyone may have for the man in the future.”

Taking control of the discussion, Shining Darkness elaborated, “Indeed. I don’t plan on making public interviews something I regularly do. If you have questions for me personally, now’s the time. But I cannot promise I’ll have answers that you’ll like, if any at all.”

Finding enough courage, the reporter who had prompted Shining Darkness to display his powers asked, “Who, who… What are you?!”

Bringing a finger to the monstrous mouth of his mask, the Shining Darkness said, “Unfortunately, as part of being a Mask, Super or otherwise, my true identity must remain a secret… What I can tell you is that you needn’t be afraid of me. I would only ever use force against violent criminals. Never would I harm anyone else. Please know that I’m here to help and that you can trust me.”

Despite his voice having the power of a dragon, the Shining Darkness’s tone was strangely soothing. This gave another reporter the clarity needed to speak up.

“If… If you don’t want people to fear you, then why is your costume so frightening?”

Without hesitation, Shining Darkness put his thumb against his chest, stating, “Because those who would do harm unto others for their own selfish gain should be scared of me.”

Before any more questions could be asked, one of the police deputies ran up to Detective Jericho and whispered something to her.

Marching up to the cameras, Jericho put her hands in a few of them and declared, “Alright, sorry, people, but that’s all the time we have! The lowlifes have all been rounded up, so we need to move! Let’s get going, Masks!”

Once Jericho gestured to one of the police vans, Death Head and Shining Darkness exchanged glances before answering.

“Sure thing, partner.”

“Of course, detective.”

Just like that, the two Masks strolled toward the van and got in, closing the door behind them. Soon enough, Jericho hopped into the van’s driver's chair, resulting in the entire gathered force of officers moving out.

|XXX|

While countless flashes of cameras and the rising voices of reporters asking questions rose up outside the van, Death Head and Shining Darkness relaxed slightly.

In his seat, Death Head slouched forward, telling his apprentice, “Good work out there. You handled yourself with the press as Shining Darkness far better than you ever did as-... Well, better than before. You sounded perfectly well-spoken.”

Leaning back, Shining Darkness replied, “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without those online grammar lessons you bought for me.”

Raising a finger to jab at Shining Darkness’ forehead, Death Head said, “Hey, those wouldn’t have worked so well if you didn’t have such a good head on your shoulders. You were speaking like an English Professor in a week.”

“Hehe. I appreciate that… You don’t think I was too intimidating, do you? I want criminals to fear me. Not the public at large,” the Super Mask asked earnestly.

Sitting up, Death Head replied, “Honestly, maybe a little on a couple spots. But actions speak louder than words, and Lord above knows we’re men of action. The Civis will understand you’re on the side of the Angels in no time.”

Straightening his posture, Shining Darkness replied, “You’re right. I’m sure to have a rough reception at first. But the world will see things differently once they recognize the kind of good I can do.”

Poking the star symbol on Shining Darkness’ chest, Death Head added half-heartedly, “And besides, that look of yours is worth it. Incredibly striking. Your merchandise sales as Shining Darkness are gonna make your Incognus profits look like nothing.”

With his glowing eyes widening, Shining Darkness replied, “You know, I hadn’t even thought about that. Ha. I hope you’re right. I could use the extra money.”

“I’ve been in this business for a while, Shine. I know I’m right.”

Glancing out the window of the van, Shining Darkness thought, Yeah… If I make as much as Death Head made while solo, I’ll be able to put Leslie through college, and my parents could even retire early.

Noticing the armored van that Sally Penspot had been loaded into drive by them, Shining Darkness muttered, “And so long as that witch gets what she deserves, the people of this city can start to live without fear.”

Noticing where Shining Darkness was looking, Death Head groaned and said, “We can only hope, partner. We can only hope… More immediately, though, I wanna know what the Hell that ice stuff she threw at you was.”

Remembering he still had his freezer-burned arm behind his back, Shining Darkness pulled it out and remarked, “Oh, right… That.”