Once he’d taken care of his business in the restroom, Conner grew himself back to his powered form and went to speak properly with Death Head about his outing.

With his glowing eyes lighting up his face, Conner walked across the warehouse and yelled to Death Head, “Alright, boss. Is there anything else you think we need to go over before we…? Hey, wait. Where’s Hardwire?”

Getting out of his chair while leaving his helmet behind, Death Head explained, “He went to grab some stuff from the kitchen just before you flew in. I’m sure he’ll be back in a second or two.”

Pulling a high-tech watch out from under one of his white gloves, Conner said, “I told you, I can’t fly. I can just jump really well now… Whatever. It’s just that Hardwire told me he wanted to see his scanner’s readings after my first field test.”

Nodding, Death Head replied, “That’s sensible. But onto my questions. First off, do you feel comfortably sure that you can use your powers without killing a normal person now?”

Looking at his hand while clenching and unclenching his fist a few times, Conner answered gravely, “If I take it slow, yes. But even then, I need to be careful.”

Folding his arms, Death Head closed his eyes and sank into deep thought. Conner had seen his mentor assume this pose whenever they needed to strategize before important missions. This always signaled to Conner the next move they made would be of vital importance and he shouldn’t try to interrupt Death Head’s train of thought.

After a minute, Death Head came out of his thinking pose and stated, “Alright. With how important tonight’s events are, we can’t afford to wait. So long as Hardwire’s gadget has even somewhat positive results, we’re making our move.”

“Right. Of course, Boss.”

Lessening the reins on his serious demeanor slightly, Death Head smirked somewhat and stated, “And, depending on how well you do tonight, you could be ready to operate entirely on your own, and I could retire from the front lines altogether.”

Initially, Conner’s face turned pensive at Death Head’s statement.

However, Conner was able to take a deep breath, smile back, and sarcastically remark, “Don’t tempt me to underperform, Boss.”

Pointing at Conner, Death Head told him in an unamused tone, “Don’t even joke about it, Shine.”

“Alright, alright. Don’t blow a gasket, Death Head. I can’t help it if I’ll miss working with you,” Conner replied half-heartedly.

Allowing his gaze to drift to the ceiling lights, Death Head sighed and stated, “If I could help it, I’d be doing this job till my dying breath. But I’m fifty-five, my body’s a wreck, and age catches up with us all eventually… I mean, except maybe you. With those new powers of yours, I bet you could keep working as a Mask so long as you’ve got a pulse.”

With a sudden realization on his face, Conner replied, “I… Wow, I hadn’t even considered that… Still, I’m worried that I might be too young to start working on my own. At least you were in your early twenties when you first started as a Mask. I haven’t even turned eighteen yet.”

Chuckling, Death Head looked back at Conner and told him, “I don’t think you need to be worried, Shine. Your birthday’s in just a few months. And even without those powers of yours, you’re already better at seventeen than I was at twenty-five. You’ve at least got my vote that you can handle yourself.”

Warmed by his teacher’s words, Conner smiled sincerely and said, “That… I appreciate that, Boss.”

Just as Conner said this, John, or as he was known while on the job, Hardwire, came walking into the room. He entered from the door connected to the hallway that led to the hideout’s kitchen. And in his hands were a couple of water bottles and protein bars.

As he walked in with the food and beverages, John absentmindedly said, “Alright, Death Head. I got peanut butter and dark chocolate. Which one do you-? Oh, shoot! Co- Er, Shining Darkness. You’re back already. Want me to go grab you something too?”

With a casual wave, Conner told John, “No thanks, I’m good, man. If I get hungry, it’d be faster for me to go grab it myself.”

Shuttering comically, John remarked, “I swear, I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that new voice of yours.”

Noticing the wrist scanner in Conner’s hand, John’s joking demeanor vanished. Hastily, he dropped the spare water bottle and a protein bar on top of a crate before rushing to his friend’s side.

Without a word, John attempted to yank the scanner from Conner’s grip. However, even the simple pinch Conner used to hold the device was far too powerful for any Human to hope to snatch an item from. With reflexes as fast as his, Conner understood what John was doing before he finished taking his first step toward him, so he decided to play a minor prank.

Smirking as John gave a second tug, Conner asked him, “Forget your manners, bro?”

Relaxing his arm, John looked directly at Conner and frowned with a sigh before asking, “Are you serious?”

Raising a finger, Death Head stated with an instructive smarm, “Manners are always important, Hardwire. It’s all part of the lessons I hammered into his head.”

With an exasperated grimace, John stared at Death Head accusingly.

He then straightened his posture and asked, “May I please have the vital scanner I built for you, Shine?”

“Well, of course, Hardwire,” Conner replied earnestly. And with a satisfied smirk, he lightly tossed the scanner John’s way.

Catching it easily enough, John began eying his creation almost like an expectant father.

“It should only take me a minute to process everything in here. Now let’s see what you’ve got for papa…”

As John sat down, began working his device’s interface, and slipped into the zone, Death Head remarked, “Hardwire’s sure weird with his tech, isn’t he?”

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“Maybe. But considering our line of work, I don’t know if you’re one to talk about obsessions, Boss,” Conner said half seriously.

Folding his arms, Death Head narrowed his gaze at Conner before telling him, “You know… If you weren't completely right, I’d let you have it for that remark.”

As Conner chuckled at his small verbal victory, John jumped to his feet and exclaimed, “All done!”

Unfolding his arms, Death Head raised his brow and commented, “Already? Wow. You weren’t kidding about it how long it would take you.”

Spinning the scanner by its band, John said, “Well, I did make the thing, after all.”

“So, what does it say? Am I ready or not?” Conner asked.

Fiddling with the gadget, John explained, “So, it says your level of control over your strength is at ninety-one point seven percent within acceptable parameters. Regarding your speed and aim, you’re at ninety-seven point nine percent and one hundred percent, respectively.”

Smiling, Death Head declared, “Sounds to me that Shine here is ready to go then.”

At first, Conner contemplated the faint risks that came with those numbers and whether or not he could believably blunder the mission after hearing his test results. However, his train of thought quickly got derailed when he processed what John said about his aim.

Tilting his head and raising his hand, Conner asked, “Wait. You said my aim’s at one hundred percent? How? Didn’t you say that something like that should be impossible with this device? Is there something wrong with it?”

Raising the scanner up, John said, “I wondered the same thing. So, I triple-checked it while you two were talking and assuming I wasn’t listening. There’s nothing wrong with the scanner. So, either my programming’s off the mark, or one of your powers is having perfect accuracy. If I’m being realistic, I’d say it’s honestly a fifty-fifty chance on which one it is.”

Giving a light punch to Conner’s shoulder, Death Head told him, “I’ve been saying it must be. You haven’t missed a mark since you got your powers.”

Putting a hand to his chin, Conner said, “Well… I don’t have any reason to doubt Hardwire’s skills, so… I guess it has to be the case.”

Realizing this power's implications for his personal concerns, Conner accepted that there would be no believable way for him to fake a failure.

“Alright. We need to finish this mission by tonight’s end. I’m going to scarf down my protein bar and water. We can head out after that,” Death Head said while making his way towards his meal.

Plopping back into his seat, John commented sarcastically, “I guess I’ll… stay here to provide tech support… If you can even call it that.”

Unable to tolerate John’s self-criticism, Conner forced himself out of contemplation and walked up to him.

Gesturing supportively, Conner told his friend, “Hey, don’t sell yourself short, bro. You’ve been a big help ever since you started giving us radio support. Not to mention how you’ve stepped up your gadget game since I got my powers.”

His attitude improving somewhat, John replied, “Thanks. Glad you think so, Shine. But, really, it’s not that big a deal.”

Folding his arms behind his back, Conner stated proudly, “Well, yeah. The stretch cable you made for me is a godsend for when I overshoot a jump. And that improved armor saved Death Head’s life at least a couple times.”

Full-on pride overtaking his demeanor, John smiled and said, “Alright, alright. I get it. I’m awesome. You don’t need to swell my head up any more.”

“Good. And don’t forget it. I’m not gonna have my own brother think bad about himself,” Conner said as he leaned down and poked John in his chest.

Raising his voice to cut into the conversation, Death Head said, “Thinking poorly, not think bad! We’ve been over this a thousand times. With your kind of power, I expect you to talk like a civilized and educated man.”

“Right. I’m sorry, Boss,” Conner replied nervously while straightening his posture.

Finishing the last bite of his protein bar, Death Head exclaimed, “Chomp! And don’t forget it! Munch! If you want the Shining Darkness to mean something, then you need to be a saint in and out of costume.”

Instant, Conner’s face went from that of a boy seeking approval to a veteran soldier about to enter battle.

Clenching his fists as his brow furrowed, unsettling John slightly, Conner stated, “I promise you, Death Head; the Shining Darkness will bring an end to crime in Hive Town and all of Miracle City!”

Swallowing his food, Death Head smirked a bit at Conner’s attitude. He then grabbed his helmet, planted it on his head, and worked its stability straps into place.

From behind his helmet, Death Head declared through a metal muffle, “Alright, then, Shine. If you’re really a Super Mask like you say you are, then I expect you to be the kind of man who keeps his word.”

Taking his mask out of the pocket he’d shoved it into, Conner answered, “Of course, sir. I swear I’ll live up to your expectations… Starting with tonight.” Conner then donned his mask, threw his hood up, and flourished his cape to add that final dramatic touch.

Checking to ensure his handguns were loaded, Death held a clip of armor-piercing rounds in his hand as he stated, “Hey now, don’t sell yourself short. Your streak of having my confidence started almost as soon as we started working together.”

“I… I appreciate that, Boss,” Conner then glanced at John as he watched their conversation. “But to parrot my brother, I don’t need a swelled ego. I don’t want you to overlook anything I could improve on just because I have powers now.”

Loading his clips, Conner could almost feel Death Head smirking under his helmet as he replied, “Alright, you wimpy glowworm. I’ll be sure to point out every way that you’re still a complete failure.”

Nodding as he smiled back, Conner snarked back, “I’d expect nothing less from such a grouchy old stick in the mud like you, Boss.”

After exchanging a hearty chuckle that John hesitantly joined in on, Death Head and the Shining Darkness exchanged one last knowing stare. The veteran Mask then holstered his guns as the Super Mask cracked his neck and knuckles.

Walking up to his protege, Death Head put a fist against his chest and told him, “Alright, Shining Darkness. It’s time to head out. The window still open?”

Glancing upwards, Shine nodded as he confirmed, “Yes, it is. We’re good to go, Death Head.” He then grabbed onto his teacher’s arm and flung him onto his back.

Not missing a beat despite his age, Death Head moved with great agility as he flipped around and clung to Shining Darkness’ back.

Despite how awkward this may have looked, the simple fact of the matter was that this was the fastest means of travel if the two were to go anywhere alongside each other. Just as it had been when the Shining Darkness had rescued that man earlier.

As Shine crouched and aimed his jump, taking his passenger into account, Death Head told him, “Alright! Let’s get going! To Penspot Tower!”

“And to bringing down our city’s biggest crime boss!”

Without another word, Shining Darkness took off with Death Head on his back, the two traveling through the window and then the city sky.

Folding his arms as he watched them leave, John muttered, “You know… I should build some Death Head-style armor for myself. Then I could go on rides like that too… Oh, shit! I need to get on the computer and check the police and crime traffic for them!”

Running over to the high-end laptop Death Head had set up for him in one of the headquarters’ corners, John threw on his headset, booted up his rig, and got to work.

As he checked for any signs of a hacker’s signal on his machine, John remarked, “Jeez. Can’t believe this all started with Conner in the hospital those couple of years back. And now we’re bringing down Sally Penspot… God sure has weird plans, I’ll say that much.”