'Our Work Study took out the entire spring break. Still, it felt as if it was over in a flash, and then the third term began. Our first year that Berk seemed as if it had just flown by, and suddenly there was just three months left.'
Hiccup was now standing in front of the class, smiling.
"First, I would like to welcome everyone back for spring break and their Work Studies," said Hiccup. "Now, onto business; today's class will be a tactical briefing. We will each share our accomplishments, challenges and etc., from over the winter break. So without further ado, let's get suited up and head straight to the Ground Alpha."
The door then opened, and Eret entered. "Quiet! It's time to get started!"
All the students immediately grabbed their cases and began making their way to the locker rooms.
"As you can see, I've already told them of the schedule as per your instructions, sir," said Hiccup.
"Good," said Eret.
"Man, Hiccup, you're really taking charge today," said Clueless.
"Well, I certainly learned to be more confident and express myself," Hiccup admitted.
"And I have to say I kind of like it," Astrid winked.
Hiccup immediately turned pink. "Uh… thanks."
"Mr Eret, please report the staff room immediately," said Principal Dustin over the mics.
Everyone was now in the locker room getting changed.
"So what was all that about?" Helga asked eagerly.
"What was what about?" Astrid asked.
"The way you winked at Hiccup."
"I was only paying him a compliment," she said, turning slightly pink. "We are friends, after all."
"And yet you're still wearing that gauntlet he gave you for your birthday," Ruffnut teased.
"It's a useful device," said Astrid strongly. "I would be a fool not to use it, especially after all the hard-working put into it."
"Astrid, you really should tell him how you feel," Heather encouraged. "Guys never make the first move; they are always afraid that they will be rejected."
"You make it sound as if it's some sort of battle."
"Isn't it?"
In the boys' locker room, they, too, are getting changed, and they notice Fishlegs' new outfit. He was now wearing a new pair of gauntlets which had wire built into them, allowing them to grapple onto things.
"Those new gauntlets of yours must be heavy," said Dogsbreath.
"Not with my powers, but carrying them around in a suitcase is not easy," he admitted. "I needed an easier way to move around, and I remembered Hiccup's cables. With these, I can easily swing around or grab onto anything long distance."
"That is rather impressive," said Hiccup. "From my own experience getting to a disturbance quickly is the first step."
"Can't wait to see what you learn from the number one hero," said Ragnar. "Still shocked that Snotlout asked his old man to mentor you."
"I only did because I owed Hiccup and Ranger favour," Snotlout huffed.
Soon everyone was at Ground Alpha, where they were met by Forge.
"Ah, nice to see you all," he said.
"Where's Mr Eret?" Clueless asked.
"I'm afraid an urgent matter had risen up, so he had to leave school immediately with Loudspeaker. So, I'll be taking the class today," said Forge.
Eret and Loudspeaker were making their way to Helheim prison; the two of them had just received some distressing news.
"Can't you make this thing go any faster?" Eret asked.
"Enough already, relax," said Loudspeaker sharply.
Eret looked at him and saw the anxious look on Loudspeaker's face. He had known since their time at Berk, but he had never seen him so anxious.
"During the fight at B.A.R.F, something felt off even back then," said Eret. "Just how low will lose bastards go? This is just too far."
"I, for one, refuse to believe it; I bet Alvin and the others got it wrong," said Loudspeaker.
Once they reached Helheim, Alvin escorted them inside towards an observation room.
"I know I'm not telling you anything new, but indulge me," said Alvin. "Red Death's bodies have been drastically genetic engineered to withstand multiple powers. However, they are not living humans. They are complete messes down from their brains to their hearts."
Further down the corridor, they met Technora. "My people have been working round-the-clock to see they could reverse the effects, but they're quite permanent. Those things are nothing more than puppets with no will of their own. There were no doubt created using Drago's power as well as advanced genetic engineering.
However, we also know that it is possible for Drago to restore power to another and have it omitted from what they already possess. Normally this mixture can break their minds, but some with strong enough wheels can withstand it."
"Technora, we skipped our classes to come here," said Eret. "So, let's get to the point, shall we?"
"Eret…" said Loudspeaker placing a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down."
"We have to provide background thorough or else will do about it here might be too much to bear," said Alvin as he inserted the code.
"This guy is a core member of the League of Villains," said Technora as the security door opened.
"If we can get him to spill some intel that hit them where they hurt, but unfortunately, he's rather a stubborn one. We do get some trivial stuff, but when it comes to more concrete stuff that puts the League at a disadvantage, he clams up."
"Okay," said Loudspeaker.
"It's sophisticated, but it took us a long time to figure out what's going on," Alvin admitted at the end of the monitoring room. There, on one of the monitors, they could see Ryker. "They have combined a bunch of powers, a base where there is no base for any new power. However, we have identified the power that caused the mutation. It turns out it belonged to a kid you were quite familiar with in your Berk days. A young boy who lost his life far too soon while working to save others."
Eret and Loudspeaker just stood there, completely speechless, unsure what to say or believe what they were hearing.
"We found that the power is very similar to that belonging to Karl Dikson."
Eret immediately began thinking back to his schooldays about 5 years ago. He had been in the same year as Loudspeaker and Karl, and they became fast friends. Karl was very skilled and rather enthusiastic; he had the ability to form clouds of mist and could even solidify them, allowing him to ride on them.
'Back then, we were working hard to become heroes together.'
"Eret! Throk!" said Karl as he ran up to them. "I've thought when we graduate, we should start a Hero Agency. When we combine powers and work together, we can handle just about everything. I mean, there are three of us, after all, so even if one of us slips up, there's no doubt the other two will always have his back.
You know what I'm always saying? Eret has an eye for detail, no pun intended, and Throk is a master of negotiations. Let's start an agency, so what do you say?"
"Ha, sure, but no fighting about money, okay," said Throk.
"Goes without saying. Eret, you win?"
"I don't know, got to think it over before I agree," said Eret solemnly.
"What is there to think about? Let's just do it!"
'When Karl Dikson died, he and I were doing our Work Study together. He got caught in a collapsing building, there one second and gone the next. He dreams of the three of us starting an agency but died after showing those plans with us.'
"In other words, Ryker is a type of Red Death, albeit a more humanoid one," said Technora. "We don't know how, but we can assume that Drago somehow stole Karl Dikson's power and then gave it to Ryker."
"You remember what they used to call us?" said Loudspeak looking at Eret. "Class A's Three Dumb Amigos. This doesn't make any damn sense!"
Technora closed her eyes. "Drago said this to me when I asked why he constantly attacked Berk. 'It's simple, really; where else can one find such a concentration of outstanding metapowers? It's almost like being a dog under the table in a five-star restaurant.' I found the entire conversation disgusting.
I don't believe in any more than you'd, but the fact remains that the mutated power most certainly belongs to Karl Dikson. Ever since Drago first emerged, I had been developing technology for us to examine metapowers more closely in the event that we could capture Drago and we would be able to return the powers that he had stolen. I have yet to make much headway, but I can at least determine whether these powers originated from. I know it doesn't make sense, but when dealing with pure evil senses, the first thing to go."
"Screw it anyway," said Loudspeaker.
"Right now, we've got him sedated because if we don't, he will try to use his powers to escape," Alvin explained.
"This still doesn't explain why we're here?" said Eret.
"Trapster, you've always had an eye and ear for detail as well as drawing out information even from the most tightlipped of individuals," said Technora. "We're hoping with you and Loudspeaker that you might be able to loosen his tongue. It is, after all, possible that he would respond to you two more than us."
"You seem way too many movies; miracles like that don't happen."
"Miracles do happen, and they often lead to possibilities," said Technora as she began to escort them to the interrogation room. "Take the Red Death that Hellfire defeated. The report stated that it had a distinct personality and that are displayed a hyper-fixation on powerful fighters. Many analysed its DNA they found that its original body belonged to a common hoodlum who spent his living as an underground street fighter. Makes sense, doesn't it?"
"Meaning it had aspects of its personal life before getting mutated?" said Eret. "But what does this have to do with Ryker."
"Ryker is strong-willed, but according to our medical standards, he has had his body modified no doubt to handle the power that he had received from Drago," Technora explained. "In fact, it is entirely possible that he had no powers. After all, Viggo is a technopath like myself, but Ryker doesn't possess any powers similar to his younger brother."
"You're saying that Ryker was born with no abilities."
"Remember, only about 60% of the world has metapowers, but 30 years ago, that percentage was a lot small. Many of the followers that Drago accumulated in the past were actually given abilities, but not all of them could handle them. Thanks to the advancements in genetics, that may no longer be the case. If so, they would need resources and the working lab, plus someone to actually know what they're doing."
"So that's the kind of information you want us to get out of him," said Eret.
"Anything would be useful," said Alvin. "Do whatever it takes to make him talk."
Eret and Loudspeaker soon entered the interrogation room, and on the other side of the glass, they could see Ryker in a restraining jacket. He was currently fast asleep so that he could use his abilities to escape.
"Still don't understand why I'm here," said Loudspeaker.
"Ever heard of good cop bad cop? The two of you can be more opposite even if you tried," said Technora.
"And what will you do if we don't get anything out of him?" Eret asked.
"We'll bring in Karl's family," said Alvin.
Eret then looked directly at Ryker. "I will never allow his parents to come face-to-face with their son's murder."
Ryker then began to yawn.
"He's awake," said a guard.
"Go ahead and start," said Alvin.
Ryker opened his eyes and came face-to-face with Eret and Loudspeaker. "What's this? What an unexpected guest. I don't think we met since the Berk raid."
"And the pleasure is not my," said Eret.
"And I see you have brought a friend," said Ryker looking at Loudspeaker. "Loudspeaker, was it? Why so quiet?"
"you better hope I don't raise my voice, pal?" Loudspeaker growled.
"Is a twinge of resentment I hear. Don't tell me after all this time; you'll still saw that I attacked your beloved students."
"Oh, believe me, I haven't forgotten, but we're a little more focused with old events."
"And what would you mean by that?" Ryker asked.
Eret looked at Ryker hard. "Viggo is your brother, right?"
"Quite correct; tell me how you manage to capture him as well?" Ryker asked curiously.
"He still at large along with your boss," Eret admitted.
"Viggo always was two steps ahead of everyone else; it's the main reason why Drago recruited him. He also found my ability rather useful for quick getaways."
"Yes, and wanted to ask you about that," said Eret. "Metapowers are somewhat genetic. True, some people are born with different abilities than that of their parents or siblings, but most of the time, they do have some form of similarity. However, your ability to transport through gates and your brother's technopathic powers are quite different from one another."
Ryker shrugged. "I'm a soldier, not a scientist; I can't really understand these things."
"Then let me explain it in terms you can understand; you didn't gain your parents," said Eret as he leaned closer towards him. "I think someone gave you your powers by combining certain other abilities together."
"You think that Drago bestowed upon me powers when I had none?" Ryker laughed.
"We already know you're metapower is the combination of at least two powers," said Eret. "One of them belonged to a very old friend of mine, who had been killed in a massive accident five years ago. Authorities never discovered how that building collapsed, but they do suspect that a villain was at work."
"And now you think that I'm responsible, a bit of a stretch, don't you think?"
"Please, we at least know that you are somewhat responsible for his death," said Loudspeaker. "You might as well come clean now."
"I was there, I admit, but I never actually killed the boy, at least not directly."
"What do you mean?" said Eret.
"I pretended that I needed help, and being the hero he was trained to be, he rushed in to help. He never even considered perhaps it was a trap. You can be sure that he fought valiantly until the end, up until Drago stole his power."
Eret clenched his wrists. "Karl, you always never looked before you leapt. He was a kindhearted person; you are taking a stray cat if you found one. He acted upon instinct, I overthought, but he always pulled me along."
"Are you making a confession?" Ryker mocked. "You do realise we're not standing in a church, nor am I a priest."
"Nothing could ever dampen his spirits; he was always looking ahead. He never once worried about the consequences, despite the fact that a single misstep would mean his death. He was part of the reason why I became a teacher, and for that reason, I have become incredibly strict with my students."
"I heard a rumour that you expel quite a few of them," said Technora.
"Yeah, but only on paper," said Loudspeaker
Technora frowned. "Huh?"
Back at Berk, Class 2-A were gathering around in the classroom.
"Did you see how grumpy Trapster's face was today?"
"Yeah, it freaked me out, man."
"He's always scary."
"No, he was like super scary as bad as he was when he expelled us."
"Yikes, I still have recurring nightmares about that day. I thought it was all over for me."
"It wasn't so bad," said a young girl. "I mean, it sucks, but we all grew because of that experience."
"No, no, no!" they all disagreed.
"There are plenty of ways to help us grow without expelling us."
"Expulsion goes on our permanent record. How will we ever get jobs?"
On his first day as a teacher, Eret went a Principal Dustin with his proposal.
"The authority to expel and reenroll them?" said Principal Dustin.
"Yes, sir," said Eret. "Sacrifice for others is different than throwing your life away. When these naive kids get the two mixed up, I can expel them and give them a little death so they'll learn. Then I'll reenroll that way; they'll know what its stake is and strive to reach even higher. I urge you to authorise it, sir."
Principal Dustin sat there for a moment, thinking hard. "Hmm, the freedom you're asking does fall in line with Berk's core philosophy."
Eret was now looking directly at Ryker with a fierce expression. "You know why I did it? I didn't want them to make the same fatal mistake Karl did! I didn't want them to become heroes to devalue their lives in the name of empty justice! At the same time, I wanted them to be like him; I wanted to shake them into heroes who motivate and inspire! And I want all the greatest heroes to live long and happy lives!"
"Karl was the best of us, and because of you, he's now gone," said Loudspeaker standing up. "Your criminal record is getting longer and longer, but if you give us the information we need, you might need to save yourself."
"Do you honestly think I will feel guilty for killing such a child after everything that I've done?" Ryker scoffed. "I will not betray my masters, especially after what they've done to improve my body."
"I get the feeling you don't truly like taking orders from others," said Eret as he rose to his feet. "Face it too, then you're nothing more than their getaway car and even the one single effort to rescue you. Face it, you're all alone, and no one is going to save you."
"It doesn't matter whether they seem you're not. You're doomed either way," said Ryker. "You should see what that mad quack has accomplished in a hospital of his."
"A hospital?" Eret smirked.
Ryker's eyes widened. "No, it wasn't a hospital. It was—I have nothing more to say to you."
"Trapster… Loudspeaker… that's enough," said Alvin over the speakers. "You did well."
Loudspeaker sat on the chair and looked at Eret. "Hey, your eyes okay?"
Eret just stood there with tears in his eyes. "They're a bit dry, but no big deal."
The sun was beginning to set when they stepped outside of the prison.
"He said hospital," said Technora.
"I'm sorry we couldn't get any more out of him," said Eret.
"Don't be; you got more out of him than anyone else," said Alvin.
"What's going to happen to Ryker now?" Eret asked.
"We still need a fair idea what the League has done to his body, so we can be doing a little bit of experimentation on our own," said Technora.
"So easily spend the rest of his life as a lab rat; he deserves worse," said Eret.
"I don't disagree, after what he did to your friend," said Technora. "You certainly had some big dreams back in the day, and you chased them together. I'm sorry that we had to reopen those painful wounds, but trust me when I say something good has come out of it."
"These Red Deaths, what exactly are they?" Eret asked. "What's the point in creating such monsters?"
Technora asked the very same question Drago, and his answer made her sick to her stomach.
'I don't know why you people refuse to understand? It's like making a fine wine. To get the juice, one must trample the grapes, and all I really want is to continue savouring all delicious oats.'
"Who could say," said Technora. "Who cares? My sole concern is to make sure there will be no further victims. I'll do whatever that requires."
"I'm just hoping to see some progress," said Eret.
Eret and Loudspeaker then drove away.
"Right then, I better send this up to the chain," said Alvin. He pulled out his phone. "Hospital? Even if that alone does not tell us much, it gives us a place to start, at least."
In her office, the president of the Health and Safety Commission had just received the update on the interrogation.
"I see; we appreciate your hard work," she said.
Hawks was currently at the Liberation Army's villa with Twice when he heard his phone ring.
"There's a raging at Justin Memorial Hospital, were questing backup!"
"I'm busy right now; I'll have to pass," said Hawks and then tossed his phone to one side.
"What was that?" Twice asked.
"They're always turning to me, man."
"Oh, hero work?"
"Yeah, I mean, I am the number two guy, after all."
"Impressive. You're no big deal, man."
I'm going to grab a drink will quick; you want anything?"
"Black coffee. With lots of milk and tons of sugar!"
"Cool, you guys," Hawks smiled as he left the hospital. That message was, in fact, a secret code from the Commission telling him what to investigate. 'Hospital? The pieces are falling into place, all that's left now is…'
Deep within a hospital, Drago mad scientist, was performing his ultimate experimentation.
'A human with his ego still perfectly intact who possesses unlimited power. The ultimate being who Drago and I have sought for all this time. My masterpiece! Excellent, Krogan, you're coming along nicely. Better than I even imagined.'
He was looking down at Krogan, who strapped an operation table; he currently had a massive wire held in his chest with thousands of electrical bolts passing through his body. He was still perfectly conscious and was screaming his lungs off in pain and anguish as the mad scientist laughed.
