Chapter One Hundred and Seventy One

...

Layla held Warren's hand tightly as they made their way down the hallway for the tenth time. The amount of chocolate he'd eaten after Halloween had made him toss and turn during the night, and Warren was grouchy as a result. He'd napped earlier and was feeling a little better, but he was mostly determined to make sure he could walk properly before Ida returned for yet another assessment. As promised, his dosage was lower today, and thankfully his mind was more alert, but his pain felt sharper as a result.

Some of the glass from the broken building was still in his body, tiny fragments and fractured shards beneath enough layers of skin that it hurt. However, because they were so tiny, they weren't deep enough to be cut out. Ida had promised they would all be pushed out of his body without him even noticing once the drugs were completely out of his system. Warren knew it was true - he'd punched enough things as an angry prepubescent teen to know how long splinters stayed in his skin - but it was still distracting to move and feel a sharp piercing pain every now and then.

"All right, we're almost there and then we're stopping, okay? I'm tired," Layla added, squeezing his hand.

Warren couldn't help but feel relieved. He might have overdone it with this tenth lap, but he refused to admit it. "Y'know what sucks? Stronghold could have three buildings fall on him and he'd be fine, but I'm still recovering after a week."

Layla raised an eyebrow. "Do I get an invite to the pity party next time?"

Warren frowned. "It's not self-pity, it's just... okay, there's a bit of self-pity, but it still sucks," he added at Layla's unimpressed look.

"There was at least fifty percent self-pity in that, but yes, it does suck. That's why we're getting stronger and we're not letting a building take us down again. I'm working on strengthening my plants, so I'll get Robin to create boulders to drop on them and we'll find out the strongest combination that won't crush us as well, okay?"

Warren let out a shuddering breath and nodded. "Okay. Thanks, hippie."

"You can help with the plants too, but wait until you're fully recovered. Ethan's right: we have more control with our original powers at the moment."

Warren nodded reluctantly. "All right, hippie. I'm hoping it will wear off quickly. Even the lower dosage fucks with my head," he muttered, wishing he didn't feel fuzzy on top of everything else.

Down the hallway, the elevator beeped, and the doors slid open to reveal two arguing men. They continued their argument as they stepped out of the elevator, walking down the hall, barely noticing their surroundings.

"I'm just saying you could apologise! For fuck's sakes, Ex - "

"I already tried that, remember, Baby? Besides, I'm... who are you?" Ex asked, furrowing his brows on seeing the redhead and glowering brunette. They had hair so he figured they weren't with the other group of kids, at least.

"They're Dr. Spattle's patients. Did you even read the email from Honey, Ex?" Baby asked with a heavy sigh.

"She sends a lot of emails, Baby; I can't be expected to remember each and every one of them. That's why I've got you around," Ex said with a grin.

Baby muttered something under his breath, then looked to the two teens, who were watching them intensely. "Are you two all right? Besides the obvious, of course," he said, seeing numerous yellowing bruises covering their bodies.

"Who are you?" Warren asked, his voice rough with pain from thorns under his skin.

The pain from the vines was different to the pain in his body, almost familiar by this point, but it was a surprise to feel it so clearly after all this time, especially with two random people he hadn't met before. Though, if Honey knew them, Warren supposed he shouldn't be surprised after all.

Not yet, Layla's vines whispered, but the two men were surprisingly close to being permanent, even without the recruitment speech.

"I'm Baby, and this idiot is Ex. We're part of the building's security team."

"Don't call me an idiot, Baby. What'd I do?"

"You pressed the wrong floor on the elevator, to start off with," Baby said, raising an eyebrow at him.

Ex opened and closed his mouth. "That was a mistake; it doesn't mean I'm an idiot."

"Everything else means you are," Baby groaned. He sighed and returned his attention to Layla and Warren. "Nice to meet you both in person. If you need anything, just press the security button at the bottom of the doorway. You can kick it if you can't bend to reach it," he added.

Warren frowned at the instruction, then at Layla. They both looked at the doorway next to them to find the emergency button. By the time they'd discovered it on the inside of the door, Baby and Ex were both gone.

"What the hell was that all about?" Warren muttered, even as Layla took his hand again and they headed over to their beds.

"No idea. Honey wants them to be permanent for whatever we do in Montana, but I want to know more about them first. I'll see if Adam can find anything while you sleep," Layla said firmly, settling Warren on his bed and kissing him.

Warren would have argued, but when he opened his mouth to do exactly that, he yawned widely instead. "Okay, fine. But I want to read it when you're done. And don't eat my Halloween stash."

"Let's see if he can find anything first; I highly doubt that Baby and Ex are their real names," Layla said, moving to settle on her bed and get her phone out, and very firmly not making any promises about his chocolate stash.

Warren was asleep before Layla had even unlocked her phone.

...

Adam looked at the images from the Sanctuary building's security system - he'd helped design the system, and added a small backdoor for himself to access at any time - and as he looked at each of the security team members, he wondered what drugs Layla and Warren were on. He'd have to ask his Ma to lower their dosages, 'cause there were obviously some serious side effects.

Adam: have you two lost your goddamn minds?

Layla: not that I know of. What's wrong?

Adam: they're ex-military, at the very least!

Adam: you want me to hack the US Defence Force ex-personnel records?

Adam: they don't even share those with other government departments

Layla: you got into the UN without an issue?

Adam: yeah, their email, not their top security clearance employee files!

Layla: if it's not possible for you, don't worry about it :)

Adam glared at the screen. He sent some glaring emojis just to add extra force to his glare, then sent a few more.

Adam: you know I can't resist a dare!

Adam: for fiddlesticks' sakes!

Adam: Cee, did you change my autocorrect?

Craig: this phone is disconnected

Adam: YOU CAN'T TEXT THAT!

Adam: DON'T FIDDLESTICKS WITH MY PHONE!

Adam: YOU CHANGED THE ALL-CAPS TOO?

Ry: you've gotta admit, that's dedicated

Justina: how long did Cee have your phone to change both lower and uppercase autocorrect?

Adam knew it had been a mistake to give Craig his phone to complete a level in Kwazy Kupcakes, goddamn it.

Adam: you're all losing internet for an hour

Adam: 'cept you, Eth; I know you're studying

Zach: Eth says thanks!

Zach: wait, am I losing internet, too?

Layla: so will you do it?

Adam sighed and ran a hand over his hair. "Fuck."

Adam: I'll try

Honey: you realise I hired them and have their files, right?

Adam could have hugged her at that moment. He was good, but he wasn't that damn good. Not yet, at least.

Connor: You also could have asked me directly? Or Ry, even? We've known them for years.

Layla: You're busy with the Super Bureau site in Montana

Warren: We didn't want to disturb you or bring up potentially bad memories.

Ry: asking through group chat probably wasn't a great idea then :P

Honey: I need the internet to send them through to Layla and Warren though

Robin: can't we all get them?

Honey: no

Honey: they're too large to send. I'll bring the physical files over for you to read

Honey: save a fun-size M&Ms for me

Adam: fine, you can all get the internet back

Adam: Cee, you have one bar of reception for the rest of the day

Adam: use it wisely

Craig: oh, I will ;)

Adam: you just lost it

Jewel: awwww

Beau: please?

Grant: you two are meant to be studying for your Business assignment

Craig: I can help!

Adam: no, you can't. You're barely passing Business for Hero Alter Egos

Craig: that's not how I was going to help ;)

Craig's icon changed from 'online' to 'offline' in the next instant.

Adam: everyone shut up and study or you'll face the same fate!

Wisely, no one responded to his message.

...

Jared and Mr. Boy had offered to chaperone the first day of the museum trip, which had both seniors and juniors attending. Thankfully, there were enough parents and guardians to fill up the required ten allocated chaperone slots, and Principal Powers had been almost gleeful when she admitted that Josie Stronghold was not one of them. Jared doubted anyone would mind, except maybe Jetstream herself.

Twelve adults to chaperone almost one hundred teenagers was going to make for a long and painful day, he was sure of it. The museum had closed to the public for these two days (the freshman and sophomore group were tomorrow, with Mr. Medulla and Boomer) to allow privacy for the super teens, and they were providing catering, so he hoped the idea of free food would settle some of the high strung emotions and personalities. If they got through the day without a fight or some priceless artefact breaking, Jared would call it a success.

Angelina, Frieda, Nina, Tilda, and Sonny were all names he recognised for the chaperone list. Another five parents and guardians had offered, and he recognised their names from the PTA committee with Angelina, though they didn't live in the Sanctuary apartment building with him and Sarah, so he didn't know them quite as well.

The museum curator, Yichen Zhao, was a super with the ability to keep people calm, and had promised to use his power at three set times of the day to assist for a smooth excursion. Jared knew him from their days at college, and wondered if Principal Powers had offered Yichen a job at Sky High to do the same thing on a daily basis.

The chaperones met the school buses in the museum's parking lot, the parents talking with each other as they waited for the children to descend.

Jared checked the bus to make sure no one tried to stay behind, then went to greet the parents and give them their list of assigned students. Mr. Boy was on another bus that had just landed, and Jared could hear the excited noise from the students from here.

"Good morning, how are you all?" Jared asked as he approached the group of chaperones, noting Nina drinking from a thermos and eyeing the loud bus with wariness.

"I'm wonderful! And so excited! Isn't it a lovely morning?" one of the parents asked.

Nina rolled her eyes and took a long drink of her coffee.

Jared smiled briefly. "It is. Glad to see you're so excited, you'll need that energy to keep your ten assigned kids in line."

The woman's smile faded. "My what?"

"We've all been assigned ten children to watch and ensure they don't leave the museum. Principal Powers sent a list of the questions they have to answer so we know which areas of the museum they need to visit. Please tell me you actually read the email, Lorraine?" Angelina asked, eyebrows raised.

"I read the part about the catered food and exclusive museum tour."

"I wondered why you'd volunteered," Angelina muttered.

Lorraine glared. "I can keep an eye on ten kids. They're just children."

Jared wondered if Mr. Boy would take a bet on how long some of the chaperones would last. He cleared his throat and handed out the assigned lists of the Heroes and Hero Support each chaperone would be looking after. "Your assigned lists. Please make sure they are in their first exhibition by nine, in the catering area at twelve, and back downstairs in the foyer by three. They have their questions, but there are extras in the group folders I'll be handing out shortly. Please ensure that the Hero and Hero Support do their own questions, rather than the Hero Support being delegated all of the work."

Lorraine looked at her list, face paling and eyes widening. "I've got Josie's kid?! I thought she'd be here? Is she not here? Anyone want to swap groups? I can't meet a Stronghold dressed in sweats," she muttered, wrinkling her nose.

"The children already know who their chaperone is. So sorry, Lorraine," Angelina replied, Nina snickering into her coffee.

Lorraine cursed under her breath and pulled out her phone, scrolling through it quickly. Jared wondered if she was going to finally read the email or try for a fake emergency to get out of chaperoning.

Angelina looked out across the crowd of students and saw Milo standing with a group of friends, including Corvin and several of the teens she had met at the apartment's welcome party. Craig was wearing a kilt and doing some weird dance to make Ethan laugh, if the stoic teen's expression was any indication, Adam recording it on his phone while Milo and Zach laughed.

"Five bucks says Lorraine tries to leave after lunch," Nina muttered to Jared, drinking the last of her coffee.

He grinned. "You're on. I didn't think you'd be here with Warren still recovering from the super flu."

"Warren's sleeping it off. Besides, I get a day off work and away from the Mayor. I should be paying you for this," Nina said with a snicker.

Jared had seen the latest polls and gave a sympathetic nod.

"All right, we're all ready and raring to go! Isn't it a lovely morning?" Mr. Boy asked brightly.

He sounded far more genuine than Lorraine and was greeted with smiles rather than disbelief and scorn.

"All right, everyone! Groups of ten with your assigned chaperone," Jared called out, introducing each of the chaperones so the kids could line up.

A few kids hugged their friends like they weren't going to see each other again. Becky barely glanced at Hayley as she determined who her Hero Support partner was, her hopeful expression fading when Ethan stepped beside her.

"Good morning, Becky. Are you ready for our paired assignment?" Ethan asked.

"You're the one with the boyfriend, aren't you?" Becky asked, eyes narrowed.

"Yes, though I have several qualities beyond my relationship with Zach. I'd be happy to list them, if you're interested in knowing me beyond being your assigned Hero Support for today's excursion?"

"Ugh, no. Just... go do the work and we'll both leave each other alone, deal?"

"Unfortunately, that isn't possible. You have to do your half of the assignment or else we both fail. Principal Powers has hired analysts to ensure the handwriting is different, so I can't do the work in a different colour pen and pass that way. I would if I could; I refuse to fail an excursion," Ethan added sternly.

"Fine. Whatever, give me the sheet and I'll answer mine before we go in there."

"The questions relate directly to the exhibitions. If you fail, I fail. We are not failing," Ethan said.

Becky rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Zach winced as he passed by to get to his assigned Hero in Group Two. Seeing Ritchie slip a notebook into his bag, Zach realised he'd only brought the worksheet and several pens with him. "Hey, Ritchie. Good idea, bringing a notebook with you. We might need more paper if they're long questions. I still can't write as small as Ethan can."

Ritchie frowned, then understanding dawned and he nodded quickly. "Yeah, for the museum. Right. Looking forward to lunch?"

"Always, man," Zach said with a broad grin.

"Who've your friends been paired with?" Ritchie asked.

Zach looked around curiously, trying to spot everyone and work out who their partners were. "Ethan's with Becky, Adam's with the new kid, Corvin's with Felix. They're all in Group One." He frowned when he realised Ritchie was typing on his phone and not listening. "Lorcan and Ryuu are in our group. I can't see the others," he lied.

"Who's Felix?" Ritchie asked, thumbs paused over his screen.

"Hero Support," Zach said, Ritchie looking disappointed at the short response.

Zach, of course, knew more about his classmate: Felix had super fast reflexes, but since it only lasted five seconds, he'd been made a sidekick. But he didn't want to talk to Ritchie when he was clearly more interested in his phone. Zach caught a glimpse of the screen as he looked over once more and saw Felix's name followed by several question marks. Maybe Ritchie had been listening after all, but why the hell was he typing their conversation? That was weird, right?

Ritchie finished typing on his phone, then looked up and scanned the crowd, frowning. "What about that kid with Najair? He's your friend, isn't he?"

Still weirded out, Zach very purposely didn't look over to where Najair was standing with Milo in Group Three, and just shrugged instead. He felt the same sort of feeling in his stomach that he'd felt whenever he'd come home to find his father drinking or yelling at his mother and Heidi. It was a sort of dread that made his mouth dry, his stomach churn, and his whole body thrummed with a desperate need to stay silent just so he wouldn't draw Ritchie's attention again. He'd never really talked to Ritchie before, but he was suddenly wishing he didn't have to talk to him ever again.

Ritchie's frown deepened. "Well, isn't he your friend?"

"Uh, I need some water. Mr. Bowie, can I go get water, please? Ethan has my water bottle in his bag," Zach said.

"Sure. Did you bring a bag with you? You'll be better off carrying it than running to Group One every time you need a drink," Jared said, handing Nina the folder for Group Two.

"I'll get one," Zach said, trying not to stumble as he made his way over to Ethan.

"Hey, Zed. C'mon, I've got you," Donny murmured, slinging an arm around Zach's shoulders and keeping him upright as they walked to Group One with Lorraine, who was busy brushing off Brandon's shirt and making sure he looked professional with a potential full day with a third-generation Stronghold. She hadn't been able to do anything about the sweats, but her shirt was unbuttoned to reveal cleavage and her makeup done up. "Super Jesus, that family is fucked up," he muttered.

"Which one?" Zach asked, struggling to regulate his breathing.

"Well, most, really. But Brandon and his mother, Lorraine. It's like the Levinsky's all over again, except white bread American. They might actually have a shot with the Strongholds," he mused. "Oh, and Ritchie's a snake, but you can't let him know you know. I've got a plan for him," Donny said, grinning broadly.

"What? How do I not let him know I know? And how do you know?"

"Why do you think I can't sit in the cafeteria anymore? I'll dim it for you, okay? Focus on lunch; you were looking forward to that," he said, and Zach's breathing became deeper as Donny did something to his brain, making the last few minutes fuzzy and difficult to focus on.

"What's going on?" Ethan asked, surprised that Zach and Donny were both there and by the glazed expression on Zach's face.

"Zach needs a bag and water bottle," Donny said. "I walked over with him 'cause so I can see Wendy on the way back. Both of her parents are chaperoning, so we can't sneak off to make out."

"Ugh, get back to Frieda and Group Five before you can't text her, either," Adam muttered, poking Donny between the shoulder blades.

Donny grinned and turned to give a mocking salute. "Sure thing, Ace."

"Thanks, Donny," Zach said as he shouldered his messenger bag and water bottle.

"All good, Zed. Text me if it doesn't last and I'll come find you, okay?"

Zach swallowed hard and nodded, rejoining his group. Donny went to Wendy's group under her mother's watchful eye.

"All right, everyone, settle down!" Jared called, waiting until the noise had died down to continue, "We're going to head inside shortly, and I want everyone to remember who you represent and to be on your best behaviour today. Does everyone have their worksheets? Hands up if you don't," he added.

A few students raised their hands, Angelina giving Paul and Cathy their worksheets in Group Three, while Tilda passed out worksheets for Group Four.

There was a rush of noise as a super landed in the parking lot, the super flight descent causing enough wind for several people to hold onto their skirts and kilts. Will landed and walked over to the gathered students and adults, grinning at a few broadly.

"Hey, everyone. See, I told you we weren't late, Maj," Will said confidently, heading over to Group One.

Jared didn't like singling students out and made it a point of pride to not do that if he could simply talk with them one-on-one. However, exceptions needed to be made sometimes... "Thank you for joining us, Will. However, as you didn't go to school, you were marked as absent during home group. You've also put the entire school in danger by flying here with a power, alerting any potential villains in the area to a flying super in this location. The school buses were provided for the day, which is why everyone went to the school first. You were sent instructions to your school email, and a mass text was sent to all students to read their emails. Including Magenta, who I presume is with you?"

Will's face turned bright red in an instant. He brought Magenta out of his jacket. She shifted back to human and hurried over to Group Four before she could get into trouble, too.

Adam: I didn't do anything, I swear!

Donny: don't worry, he's just an idiot who distracted Magenta with sex. She read it this morning and by then it "was too late to say anything"

Ethan replied with so many eye-roll emojis that Zach's phone screen was covered in them.

"What's going on?" Ritchie asked in a whisper.

Zach frowned, looking from Ritchie to Will. "Uh, Will arrived late? Not even you could've missed that entrance."

"Oh. Yeah, I thought you got something important on your phone."

Zach turned the screen off and slipped his phone into his pocket, his stomach churning. Focusing his mind on the upcoming lunch, Zach shouldered his bag and hoped he could get through the day without actually talking to Ritchie more than necessary.

Adam locked his phone screen when he saw the look of curiosity the new kid was giving him. "Hey. Been in Maxville long?"

The new kid shook his head.

"I'm Adam; your name's Drago, right?"

Drago nodded.

"Mute or you don't wanna talk?"

Drago held up two fingers.

"Don't wanna talk? Okay, I get that. It'll make answering our questions difficult, but if you've got a phone, we can text, yeah?"

Drago blinked, his mouth and nose screwed up as though considering Adam's offer, then he nodded. He unlocked and navigated through his phone, holding it out with the contact screen displayed.

"After last year, I don't touch other people's phones anymore; I'll tell you my number, 'kay?" Adam said, rattling off his number when Drago nodded.

Drago: hi :)

Adam: hey

Drago: what happened last year?

Adam was surprised by the question. For someone too shy to talk, Drago certainly didn't have any qualms asking the hard and heavy questions over text!

Adam: some assholes dragged me through the dirt in the school paper, saying I hacked other people's phones.

Drago glanced at him, then typed again, his fingers almost as fast as Adam's.

Drago: did you?

Adam raised an eyebrow, sort of expecting the question but surprised nonetheless.

Adam: if I did, do you actually expect me to answer that?

Drago paused, then grinned and started typing again.

Drago: that wasn't a no

"All right, everyone, I'd like to introduce the Maxville Super Museum's curator, Yichen Zhao," Jared announced, Drago and Adam both looking up.

Yichen Zhao smiled at the gathered students and adults warmly. "Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Maxville Super Museum. I hope you like the super exhibitions that have been created. You all have specific questions to answer relating to different sections and themes within the exhibitions, and a few to discuss with your partners. There are speakers at most of the exhibits that provide additional information. Feel free to ask me if the speakers don't answer your questions, or if they don't work. I'll be at the front reception," Yichen added. "There are feedback forms available as well, so please take the time to fill those in, and I can improve the exhibitions before they open to the general public next week."

"Thank you, Yichen. Everyone, stay with your group and chaperone. We'll be doing staggered entrances so we don't bottle neck; this isn't Jetstream and the Commander vs. the Caveman," Jared added with a grin.

The first group filtered into the museum, Will still looking sullen about being lectured. Jared ignored the expression and asked Yichen when he would use his power to keep the students calm.

Yichen grinned. "That was it; you're welcome. I'll do another around lunch, and a third before you all go so they're calm on the trip back."

"Well, it's a little disappointing to find out they were being kept calm rather than following my instructions, but it's better than nothing. Thanks, Yichen."

"No problem. The front desk has security cameras so I'll keep an eye on them as a whole. If anything is damaged, Principal Powers included a stipulation that the offending student's parent or guardian would compensate the museum."

"Believe me, I know. I had a lot of angry parents calling me about that. But on the plus side, most volunteered to chaperone so they can keep an eye on their kids," Jared said, raising an eye meaningfully over to Lorraine as her group started on their tour.

Yichen grinned. "I heard her complaining through the sound-proof doors, so I'll be making sure that group behaves, don't worry."

"Thanks, Yichen. All right, Group Two with Nina, your turn," Jared said.

"Which exhibit are we looking at first?" Zach asked Ry, even as he took his questions out of the bag Ethan had given him.

Ryuu looked at his clipboard. "Gender and Supers. Cool."

"I want to come back and see the whole exhibition. It looks like we're given five sections and there's ten to go through," Lorcan said, looking from the questions to the map.

"Well, that answers our first question," one of the Hero Support students mentioned to their Hero, Zach snickering.

"Damn, our questions are different," Ritchie muttered, seeing his and Zach's first question was different.

"All right, let's get to the first exhibit and then you can bitch and moan about your questions," Nina said, glad for her second coffee and the colourful map.

Group Three were on their heels in the foyer, Angelina taking a map for herself and leading the way to Super Jobs.

Group Four were next, Tilda glancing at her daughter in worry as Magenta continued to talk to Wendy without stopping for a breath. Wendy's patience had improved of late, but the purple teen made her want to snap, so Wendy was sure to break eventually. Tilda just hoped it would be in one of the exhibits that were covered by glass and wouldn't be ruined by an indoor monsoon. Taking a map, she looked to the folder Jared had given to her, and led the way to Super Superstition.

Frieda followed with Group Five, Donny glancing after his girlfriend longingly and already looking forward to lunch.

"Ah, you're good with directions, aren't you, Donny? Get one of those maps and you can help me guide these dears to our first exhibit. Ooh, Supers and Sex. I hope they have those ancient carvings from when women's bodies were worshipped," Frieda said gleefully.

Knowing she was giving him the map to distract him only helped a little. Hearing Frieda talking about sex made everyone blanch and Donny appreciated the blank thoughts for the moment. "Thanks, Frieda."

"You're welcome, dearie. I hope no one minds if I take photos of those carvings. Babs will get a kick out of them," Frieda said, patting Donny's forearm as he offered his arm to guide her and the others through the museum.

Maleah exchanged an incredulous look with her partner as they followed after Donny and Frieda.

Mr. Boy, Sonny, Jared, and two more chaperones led the last of the groups into the museum. Yichen followed, shutting and locking the doors to ensure they would be left alone, and then went to settle in at the front desk with the security cameras.

...

The Supers through the Ages exhibit wound around the room with a large portion dedicated to the Strongholds: Captain Stronghold, the Commander, Jetstream, and even a smaller section for Airborne, which made Will preen for five whole minutes. There was also a section before Captain Stronghold, who had risen to fame in the sixties and seventies, with supposedly ordinary citizens completing incredulous feats long before Captain Stronghold had punched his way into the limelight. Following that section was a curtain that piqued Ethan's interest, but he had questions to answer and a Hero to try to keep in line.

A news clip played on a screen in front of Ethan, showing a woman lifting a bus off her child. Despite her bright-eyed expression, Ethan thought her excuse about adrenaline and fear seemed rehearsed. Below the screen were news articles showing one or two citizens surviving all kinds of disasters, both manmade and natural. Some citizens attributed their survival to luck or religion or fate, but others refused to comment.

Ethan watched the news reports about parents lifting incredibly heavy structures and vehicles off their loved ones, citizens running into burning buildings to save people and pets without a smear of soot on them, and how citizen technology evolved in leaps and bounds without a technopath in sight. He had to wonder at the last one, considering Sue Tenny hadn't been recognised for her power until technology had become more commonplace. Perhaps they had existed before technology had become what it was today? It was all speculation, of course, and designed to make people think, but everyone/e knew Captain Stronghold was the first super. Well, apart from Super Jesus, of course.

Ethan finished writing his answer in the workbook, then looked to where Becky had been standing a moment ago. She was no longer there, and instead was flirting with Brandon and giggling, twirling her hair around her finger and batting her eyelashes at him. Ethan doubted Lorraine would do a thing, since she was trying to suck up to Will, and had already gotten them lost by refusing to take a map, so she was clearly unreliable as a chaperone or a navigator.

Annoyed, Ethan headed over to Becky to pull her away from Brandon again and get her to focus on their assignment. It took three minutes to write something, at most, and as long as it was in her handwriting, he wouldn't fail. Jade, Brandon's Hero, looked annoyed as well. She mouthed 'thank you' when she realised that Ethan was coming over to get his Hero away from her Hero Support, but Brandon scowled when he saw Ethan.

Becky looked over and glared at Ethan. "Ugh, why are you so obsessed with me? Are you sure you're gay?" she sneered.

"You need to write your thoughts about the exhibit piece," Ethan said, holding out the booklet to her and trying to breathe through the rage that was starting to flood his logic and rationale.

Becky laughed. "I'll make this easy for you, okay?" she said in a simpering tone, taking the booklet and taking Brandon's pen out of his grip, smiling brightly before writing three words in each of the Hero Response sections. "There. Now, leave me alone."

I don't care! was written in each section.

Ethan considered it for a moment, then decided the assessment requirements were met with the handwriting definitely not his, and nodded. "I'll still need your input for the verbal discussions."

"Consider it the same answer for everything," Becky snapped, then turned her attention to Brandon again. "Oh. I stole your pen, didn't I?" she asked, eyes wide as she put it between her pouting lips in an obvious innuendo that had both Jade and Ethan rolling their eyes.

Brandon's cheeks went pink and he nodded eagerly.

"Fuck this. I'm not failing because of this shit. I'm going to find Mr. Bowie," Jade snapped, leaving the exhibit before anyone could stop her.

Not that Lorraine noticed, anyway, Ethan thought, shaking his head as he headed over to where Corvin and Felix were standing in front of a series of news clips - both old and new - of citizens dodging speeding trains.

"Hey, Eth. Is it more plausible to dodge a speeding train with leg muscles or by judging the timing?" Corvin asked.

Ethan almost cried in relief at the prospect of an intelligent conversation involving thought and debate. "Are they super powers?"

"Super powers," Felix said with a decisive nod.

"Then judging the timing would be more plausible. Even super leg muscles are still constrained by human limits, and you can't turn abruptly without doing serious damage to your body. A person with super judgement could tell they couldn't dodge the train, especially like that one on a curve," Ethan said, nodding to the TV screen behind them.

"I could dodge it, easy!" Felix argued, moving side to side with his reflexive speed. "A train track isn't that wide!" He moved again with his speed, this time going between back and forth, and side to side, and back again. On his third loop, Felix went back too far and knocked into Will, who fell backwards onto Lorraine.

Magnus, Will's Hero Support partner, burst out laughing as Will tried to catch himself and ended up grabbing Lorraine's breasts, far too reminiscent of his fight with Villainess. Magnus covered his mouth, laughter still bubbling out as Will and Lorraine hurried to straighten up, and Will glared at him fiercely.

"Holy utility belt. I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Felix asked, his eyes wide.

"Watch it!" Will snapped, embarrassed and loathing that several people from Group One were laughing at him, including Becky and Brandon, and even his own partner.

Heroes shouldn't be laughed at!

Lorraine's cheeks were pink, the same colour her son's had been only moments ago, and she straightened her shirt. "All right, everyone, go back to your questions and stop laughing! You're not meant to be having fun!"

"Yes, far be it from children to enjoy learning," Jared deadpanned as he walked into the exhibit with Jade. "Becky, return to your Hero Support. I want to see at least three sentences for each question or you will fail English for Heroes. You're barely passing as it is," he added sternly.

Becky paled at the reminder and practically stomped her way over to Ethan. "Give me that!" she said, ripping the booklet from his hands.

Ethan hissed in pain at the paper cut, blood welling. He sighed as he lost the droplet that included the blender.

"Blood stains get minus marks," Jared called out almost cheerfully, and turned his attention to Lorraine. "Let's go have a chat, shall we?"

Lorraine's cheeks turned pink again and she followed Jared to the entrance. Jared didn't want to go too far and let the kids ruin Yichen's exhibit, but he also didn't want to call out yet another person that morning in front of everyone.

Becky scribbled out three sentences, glaring the whole time. Ethan stayed quiet and focused on applying a bandaid to the cut on his finger. He just hoped Becky's newfound enthusiasm would last for the next exhibition at Super Jobs.

...

End of the hundred and seventy-first chapter.

Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed it!