“I didn’t see you at the announcement after party,” said the Agent.

“I’m not one for parties and don’t work here for the parties either,” I said curtly.

“Oh well. It was a good time. You could have met some of the new heroes joining us at the agency. With the big expansion and everything, we have been swamped with the changes and the need to adjust to having almost double the number of heroes. Yes. It is that big. As such, we’ve decided to have a mentor program during the transition.”

“A sidekick for me,” I interrupted.

“No. A mentorship. It is different. They will not be stuck under the care of other heroes for long. Just long enough to go through the more extensive training and education that is required of full members. Whenever they aren’t on a mission with one like yourself, they will be in school full time learning how to be a hero and will be learning how to be better.”

The Agent gave Naomi a knowing look, his eyes softening slightly at her evident displeasure. "I understand your reservations, Naomi, but this is a crucial time for the Agency. We need experienced heroes like you to guide the newcomers. It's not just about teaching them skills—it's about instilling the right values and judgment."

I sighed, my expression unyielding. "Fine. But I'm doing this for my job, not some permanent thing. Who's the rookie?"

"Ah, right to the point. Your rookie. You'll be mentoring Pyre. He's young, but his abilities are quite potent. He can manipulate fire—quite a spectacle at the demonstrations. He's eager to learn, perhaps a bit too eager, but he has potential."

Naomi's brow furrowed at the mention of 'eager.' "Eager can mean reckless in our line of work."

"Which is exactly why he needs someone like you. Someone focused, determined, and can complement his powers nicely. Meet him tomorrow in training room four. He's been briefed about your role as his mentor."

“I’m not sure if teleporting complements fire very well, but I do need someone by my side who can deal more damage.”

“I think you will do just fine. He is a smart kid, and your communication scores have been great. Your presentation of those skills could be used more, but I understand that not all of you heroes want to be on TV for interviews or on the front headlines of newspapers.”

The next day, I entered training room four with a brisk pace and a mind swirling with strategies and admonitions. I found Pyre already there, the air around him shimmering slightly with heat. He was a young man, perhaps in his early twenties, with bright eyes and hair that seemed to flicker between shades of red and orange as if reflecting his fiery abilities. His suit was simple and not overly designed yet. It seemed specialized to allow for a range of motion while offering strong protection for his chest and back. I recognized the materials around the metal chest piece. They kept the temperature regulated and the heat away from sensitive components. It would fit any fire-wielding hero well.

"Blink! I've heard so much about you!" Pyre exclaimed, stepping forward with a hand outstretched. His voice carried a vibrancy that filled the room. "It's an honor to be mentored by you. I've followed many of your missions through the archives."

I took his hand, feeling the warmth radiating from his skin. "Just remember, Pyre, this isn't about hero worship. It's about learning to be effective and safe. Can you handle that?"

"Absolutely!" Pyre's enthusiasm didn't wane. "I'm here to learn. Teach me, and I'll do my best to follow."

My stern expression softened just a fraction. "We'll start with the basics of tactical positioning. Your ability is powerful, but without control and strategy, it's as dangerous to us as it is to any adversary."

As we moved through drills and exercises, my initial irritation gave way to a grudging respect. Pyre was indeed enthusiastic, but he was also attentive and quick to adapt. His control over his flames was impressive, though his judgment in using them was still raw.

"Think, Pyre! Every action has consequences!" I called out as Pyre narrowly avoided setting a practice dummy ablaze too close to their simulated allies.

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"Got it, got it!" Pyre responded, dialing back his flames and recalibrating his approach.

“In the field, I can teleport away, but not all our team can do that. Consider how our powers meld together and work off of each other. I can get us in and out of locations quickly and allow you fast access to vital points on enemies when they may be able to crush you normally on approach. I would highly suggest that you focus part of your training on situational awareness and then your high-power attacks. You are great at that, but you need to be wary about how the fight around you is going. We don’t want more damage to affect the area and people we are trying to save.”

Pyre nodded, his expression serious. "Understood, Blink. I'll work on it."

The rest of the day was spent honing their coordination. Blink's teleportation and Pyre's fire manipulation began to sync more fluidly, creating a dynamic duo capable of both rapid offense and strategic defense. By the end of their training session, both heroes were exhausted but satisfied with their progress.

As they were packing up, my communicator buzzed urgently. I glanced at the screen, and my eyes widened. "We've got a mission already. There's a fire in an apartment building downtown. It's spreading fast."

Pyre's eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and determination. "Let's go!"

We arrived at the scene to find chaos. Flames licked the sides of the building, and thick smoke billowed into the sky. Firefighters were already on the scene, but the blaze was overwhelming their efforts. People were trapped on the upper floors, their desperate cries for help piercing through the roar of the fire.

"Blink, you get the people out. I'll control the flames and create safe passages for you," Pyre said, his voice steady despite the urgency.

“Let’s do that.” I nodded, my artificial intelligence already mapping out the quickest routes and displaying them on my mask. "Stay focused, Pyre. We need precision here."

With a deep breath, Pyre stepped forward, his hands glowing with an intense heat. He raised them towards the building, and the flames seemed to respond, bending to his will. He created a corridor of safety through the inferno, the flames parting to reveal a clear path.

I didn't waste a second. I teleported into the building, appearing in a smoke-filled hallway. Already, I could hear the panicked voices of the residents, and quickly made my way towards them. Huddled together was a family of four, their faces streaked with soot and fear.

"Hold on to me," I instructed, her voice calm and reassuring. As soon as they were all touching, I teleported them to safety outside the building. I repeated this process, each time returning to find more people in need of rescue.

Meanwhile, Pyre was a whirlwind of controlled fire. He directed the flames away from the escape routes Blink was using, ensuring that the paths remained clear. His focus was intense, sweat pouring down his face as he maintained his control over the raging inferno.

"Blink, there's a group trapped on the top floor!" a firefighter shouted, pointing towards a window where several people were waving frantically.

“You’ve got this!” said Pyre enthusiastically. “They are already pumping water near that area. Just jump to the ladder they already have sent up and move from there.”

One of the middle-level windows exploded. Smoke billowed out, and heat radiated out from the exposed area. The firefighters were quick to add the area to their routine. Soon, fire followed the smoke as whatever was kept in the room fueled the fire.

I already know of the ladder they had set up. It is clear and empty for now. Planning my route, I teleport from the ground to the ladder and the top floor in 2 steps. Entering the top floor, I find that the fire hasn’t invaded the place very well. My mask isn’t made to mitigate the smoke. I could have chosen one that covered my entire face back in the day, but I like to have some of my face exposed while falling mid-teleport, and eating is a pain with a full mask. Some of the doors are open, having had people flee the building already. I quickly start checking the doors left unopened. There is no knocking as I teleport directly in.

The process is a bit strange as I have no idea what to expect. My body naturally avoids teleporting into things. I would have been dead long ago otherwise. The first room is empty. I check the second room and realize it would be best to rely on my mask to amplify sounds to identify where the people on the top floor are.

I teleported into the third room, and this time, I found a young couple huddled together, their eyes wide with fear. "It's okay, I'm here to help," I said, extending my hand. They grasped it tightly, and in an instant, we were outside, safe from the flames.

Returning to the top floor, I used my mask's sound amplification to locate the remaining trapped individuals. The muffled cries led me to a room at the end of the hallway. Teleporting inside, I found an elderly woman and her small dog, both looking terrified. "Hold on to me," I instructed, and with a quick teleport, they were outside, reunited with their family.

The building was almost clear, but I knew there could still be stragglers. I made one final sweep of the top floor, ensuring no one was left behind. Satisfied that the floor was empty, I teleported back outside to find Pyre still holding the flames at bay, his face a mask of concentration.

"Everyone's out," I called to him. "Let's get this fire under control."

Pyre nodded, his focus unwavering. He directed the flames away from the building, allowing the firefighters to douse the remaining hot spots. Slowly but surely, the inferno began to subside, the flames retreating under the combined efforts of Pyre and the firefighters.

As the last of the flames were extinguished, a cheer went up from the crowd that had gathered to watch. Pyre and I exchanged a weary but triumphant glance. "Good job, Pyre," I said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You did well today."

Pyre nodded, exhausted from the work.