Kevin pulled up to the PRT headquarters in his gleaming muscle car, the engine's deep rumble and his throttle, grandly announcing his arrival. It was night time, and the agents ending their shifts couldn't help but stare as he smoothly navigated the car into a parking spot. The car, with its sleek black finish and polished chrome accents, was a testament to his skills and a walking advertisement for his shop.

As Kevin stepped out, adjusting his leather jacket with a cocky smile, a few agents wandered over, their curiosity getting the better of them.

"Nice ride," one of them said, eyes wide with admiration and awe alike. "Where'd you get it?"

Kevin smirked, leaning casually against the car. "Built it myself," he replied. "Fox's Auto and Mech Repair. We specialize in custom jobs like this."

Another agent, who was still in awe, ran a hand along the car's smooth surface. "Man, this thing is a beauty. What kind of engine are you running?"

"Supercharged V8," Kevin answered, a hint of pride in his voice. "Modified the internals for better performance. It's pushing around 700 horsepower."

The agent whistled appreciatively. "That's impressive. How long did it take you to put this together?"

"A couple of hours," Kevin said, shrugging as if it was no big deal. The truth was that it hardly took a couple minutes with his telekinetic and magnetic powers. "Had to source some rare parts, do a bit of custom machining. But it was worth it."

"Do you do bikes too?" another agent asked, joining the small crowd that was gathering. He was young. Hardly above 25 years old.

"Sure do," Kevin replied. "Anything with an engine, really. We do repairs, custom builds, restorations. You name it. You can get discounts, besides we're branching out too. Can't be satisfied with cars and bikes alone."

One of the agents stepped forward, a thoughtful look on his face. "I've got an old bike that's been sitting in my garage for years. Think you could bring it back to life?"

Kevin grinned with a nod. "Bring it by the shop. I'll take a look at it. We can make it better than new."

The group of agents nodded appreciatively, clearly impressed. Kevin could see the wheels turning in their heads, imagining the possibilities for their own vehicles.

"So, what brings you to the PRT today?" one of the agents finally asked.

"Just some routine stuff," Kevin said nonchalantly. "Got to check in, keep things above board, you know?"

The agent nodded, giving the car one last admiring look. "Well, good luck with that. And if I need any work done, I know where to go."

Kevin gave a nod and a quick salute before heading towards the entrance of the PRT building. As he walked away, he could hear the agents still talking about his car, speculating on the kind of work they might bring to his shop. He smiled to himself.

He had certainly made an impression, and that was just the way he liked it.

Kevin walked into the brightly lit PRT building, his footsteps echoing softly in the spacious lobby. He approached the reception desk, where a stern-looking woman was busy typing away at her computer.

"Excuse me," Kevin said, his voice calm but assertive. "I need to meet with Armsmaster. My name's Kevin Fox."

The receptionist barely glanced up from her screen. "Do you have an appointment, Mr. Fox?"

Kevin smirked slightly. "No, but if you tell him my name, I'm sure he'll see me immediately."

The receptionist finally looked up, her brow furrowing with skepticism. "I'm sorry, but Armsmaster is a very busy man. You'll need an appointment."

Kevin leaned in a bit closer, maintaining his confident demeanor. "Trust me. Just tell him it's Kevin Fox. He'll want to see me."

The receptionist hesitated for a moment, clearly debating whether to follow this unusual request. Finally, she sighed and picked up the phone, dialing a number quickly. "Sir, there's a Mr. Kevin Fox here requesting to see you… Yes, immediately."

She hung up the phone, her expression shifting to one of mild surprise. "He's expecting you. An agent will be here to escort you shortly. Please, take a seat."

Kevin nodded, giving her a small, satisfied smile. "Thank you."

He moved over to the comfortable couch in the waiting area, sinking into the plush cushions. He glanced around the lobby, noting the various agents and staff moving with purpose. This place was a well-oiled machine, and he could see why it was so effective at maintaining order in Brockton Bay.

After a few moments, Kevin's eyes widened in mild surprise as he saw a familiar figure approaching. Miss Militia, with her iconic American flag scarf and calm, authoritative presence, walked towards him.

"Mr. Fox?" she asked, her tone polite but with an edge of curiosity.

"That's me," Kevin replied, standing up and extending his hand. "Didn't expect to see you here, Miss Militia."

She shook his hand firmly giving a nod to him. "Armsmaster thought it would be best if I escorted you myself. Follow me, please."

Kevin nodded, falling into step beside her as they made their way through the corridors of the PRT building. "I have to admit, I'm a bit flattered. I didn't think my name would get this much attention."

Miss Militia glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "Armsmaster and I have been keeping an eye on new arrivals, especially those with unique skills. Your work has piqued our interest."

Kevin grinned. "Glad to hear it. If you ever desire a car or bike, or even want some modifications, you may always come around the shop."

"Nahh. I think I will pass. I have a bike already." Miss Milita said jokingly.

"I don't think, you will say the same in next couple of days. We have been working on a new vehicle. You will probably eat your words then." Kevin replied with a soft laugh. There was no way that they were going to ask for it. There were already various e-mails and calls of buyers for various vehicles, he had advertised on his social media pages.

He was going to drown in e-mails and calls when he will launch his next project.

Miss Militia didn't say anything. She led Kevin down the corridor until they reached a large door marked "Armsmaster." She knocked lightly before opening it and stepping inside, Kevin following closely behind.

The room was expansive and filled with an impressive array of gadgets and instruments, clearly a high-tech lab designed for the most advanced tinkering. Tools and devices were meticulously organized, each piece of equipment gleaming under the bright lights. In the center of the room stood Armsmaster, his imposing figure even more striking in person. Beside him was a teenage boy in a distinctive costume, mask on, likely Kid Win.

Armsmaster looked up from his work and nodded in greeting. "Mr. Fox, Miss Militia. Welcome." His voice was deep and authoritative, fitting his reputation.

Kevin glanced around the room, taking in the impressive setup before meeting Armsmaster's gaze. "Thanks for seeing me on such short notice."

Armsmaster's eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing Kevin. "What brings you here?"

Kevin remained calm, his expression steady. "I wanted to inquire about patenting some of my designs and inventions. I thought it best to speak directly with you."

Kid Win, who had been tinkering with a small device, looked up curiously. Armsmaster crossed his arms, considering Kevin's request. "Patent your designs, you say? That's not a common request for a rogue. Most prefer to keep their work under wraps."

Kevin nodded. "I understand, but I'm not most people. I believe in the potential of my inventions and want to ensure they're protected and used properly."

Armsmaster glanced at her, then back at Kevin. "Alright, let's hear about these designs."

Kevin smiled slightly, feeling the tension in the room ease just a bit. "I have a few ideas for advanced vehicle modifications, some of which you might have seen on my social media page. There's also some innovative energy storage solutions and, most recently, a Hard Light Gauntlet I've been developing."

Armsmaster's eyebrows raised at the mention of the hard light gauntlet. "A hard light gauntlet, you say? That's an ambitious project." His interest was immediately visible.

Kid Win stepped closer. Kevin could see the appreciation in his eyes. "I've seen those videos. Your bikes and cars are amazing. But a hard light gauntlet? That's next-level stuff."

Kevin shrugged modestly. "I like to challenge myself."

Armsmaster nodded slowly, his interest clearly growing. "I see. Patenting such advanced technology would require a thorough review. We have protocols in place for this sort of thing. The Government and PRT takes a strict route while dealing with Tinker made patents. Tinker tech is extremely dangerous in the wrong hands."

Kevin met his gaze steadily. "That's why I came to you. I want to make sure everything is done by the book. You're one of the best afterall."

Armsmaster uncrossed his arms and gestured to a nearby table which was rather clean and devoid of usual instruments. He could spot incessant flattery any time. "Alright, let's discuss the specifics. Show me what you've got."

A clear voice interrupted him from overhead. "I must say, I'm also intrigued by what you want to patent, Mr. Fox."

Kevin looked up, startled by the disembodied voice. The voice was clearly feminine and he could feel the slight hints of modulation on it. Or maybe, it was due to the speakers. "Who's that?"

The voice replied, "I'm Dragon. I've been observing through the cameras in Armsmaster's lab."

Kevin's surprise quickly turned to respect. The woman was clearly the best inventor of the whole world. She surely deserved respect due to that achievement alone. "Dragon? It's an honor. I've heard a lot about you."

"Likewise, Kevin. I've seen your work on social media. Impressive, to say the least."

"Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you, even if only virtually."

Armsmaster interjected immediately. It was clearly a formality on his part. Dragon was already joining them, from what he knew about her. She could never pass such an opportunity. "Dragon, would you like to join us for this demonstration? Your insight would be invaluable."

"I already am, Armsmaster," Dragon responded smoothly. "Please proceed."

Kevin nodded, slipping off his jacket to reveal the gauntlet on his arm. The sleek, metallic design shimmered under the lab lights. "This is the hard light gauntlet I mentioned. I'll show you its primary function."

He activated the gauntlet, and with a soft hum, a vibrant red energy shield materialized in front of him. The translucent barrier crackled with power, illuminating the room with an otherworldly glow.

Miss Militia, standing nearby, looked impressed. "That's...quite something. What's the energy source?"

Kevin smiled. "A small Polymorphic crystal, I managed to synthesize. It's stable and generates immense power."

"Polymorphic crystal?" Asked three voices all at once. Dragon, Armsmaster and Kid Win; all three voices joining together.

Miss Militia hid her amusement behind her scarf mask. It was quite amusing to hear the three of them do it simultaneously.

"Yeah. It's a new element, I have synthesized. Heavily powerful as an energy source. A little around three grams is sufficient to provide the gauntlet running continuously for two years." Kevin explained calmly.

Armsmaster, now visibly interested, stepped closer to examine the shield. "We will go on to it later. I'd like to see it in action. Miss Militia, would you mind shooting at it?"

Before she could respond, Kevin interjected. "Actually, Armsmaster, I believe you have a hammer here. Perhaps we should start with that. Let's start from blunt force and then move to it."

Armsmaster nodded, reaching for a sturdy, weighted hammer from a nearby table. "Very well. Let's see how it holds up."

He took a breath and brought the hammer down with a controlled but forceful swing. The energy shield absorbed the impact effortlessly, barely flickering. Armsmaster hit it again, harder this time. Still, the shield held strong.

"Remarkable," he muttered. "Not even a dent."

Miss Militia stepped forward. Her energy flickered to form a standard pistol in her hands "Shall we test it with live rounds now?"

Kevin nodded confidently. "Go ahead. If Armsmaster don't have a problem." He placed the shield on the wall and moved back to the group.

"Do it." Armsmaster interjected. He wanted to see it in action. Besides, the technology was certainly interesting. Taking the shield to the training area and then shooting it will probably take another 15 minutes. Better to save that time.

Miss Militia nodded and took a step back. She slowly aimed her weapon at the shield. Kevin braced himself, though he knew the shield would withstand it. Miss Militia fired a single shot. The bullet hit the shield with a sharp crack, the energy barrier absorbing the impact and dispersing it harmlessly.

"Impressive," Dragon's voice echoed through the room. "The shield seems to be highly efficient. What's its energy consumption rate?"

Kevin deactivated the shield, lowering his arm. "Surprisingly low, given the output. The polymorphic crystal is incredibly efficient. It will take two years to run out of energy before it's replaced or destroyed. Currently, I am thinking of reducing the amount of crystal a little, instead making it chargeable. It would still run for hours and days before needing charging."

Armsmaster was clearly impressed. "This could revolutionize defensive technology. Your gauntlet is going to be a game-changer."

Kevin smiled. "I thought it might be useful. That's why I wanted to discuss the patent process. I believe it can benefit more than just me."

Dragon's voice resonated through the lab's speakers, calm but heavily curious at the same time. "Kevin, is your technology replicable? Could others produce these gauntlets?"

Kevin nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. He knew the limitations the technology of the other Tinkers had. "Yes, they can. As long as they have the right materials, particularly the polymorphic crystals, any competent person should be able to construct them."

The room fell silent for a moment as everyone absorbed this information. Armsmaster, standing closest to Kevin, looked particularly thoughtful. "That's quite remarkable. It's rare to find tinkertech that's so easily replicated."

Kevin continued, sensing their interest. "There are some limitations, though. For instance, the hard light constructs created by the gauntlets will disappear if they exceed a distance of fifteen feet from the gauntlet itself. I've managed to push it to twenty feet, but beyond that, the constructs become unstable and dissipate."

Miss Militia, leaning against a nearby workbench, raised an eyebrow. "So, it's not ideal for long-range offensive capabilities?"

"Exactly," Kevin agreed. "It's impractical for creating offensive items if your target is more than twenty feet away. The constructs are best suited for defensive purposes or close combat."

Armsmaster nodded, understanding. "That makes sense. It would be a powerful tool in close-quarters situations but not as useful at range. Still, the potential applications are impressive."

Dragon's voice chimed in, thoughtful. "Have you considered any potential enhancements or ways to overcome the distance limitation?"

Kevin shrugged. "I have some ideas, but they're still in the theoretical stage. I need more time to experiment and see what's feasible. The neurological interface's delicate stuff and hard blunt force would risk breaking it. If that happens, one can't make the constructs of his own will and will be limited to circle shaped shield and baton. The neural interface is what make the magic happens." To explain it better, he let a spear form in his hand.

Miss Militia spoke up again, her tone appreciative. "Even with those limitations, what you've created is extraordinary. It could save a lot of lives in the field."

Kevin replied a warm surge of satisfaction. "That's the goal. If I can help protect people and give them a fighting chance, then it's worth it."

"You will need to coordinate with PRT and the government on the patent process. Dragon might help you there. Ensuring this technology can be produced on a larger scale will be certainly vital, considering the Endbringer fights." Armsmaster proposed with a considering frown.

Dragon's voice was firm yet encouraging. "I'll assist in any way I can. This is a significant breakthrough, Kevin. You should be proud. You would certainly be getting paid heavily for these gauntlets."

"Yeah. Money's always welcome. I just wanted to contribute in my own way. The Endbringers possess a lethal threat to humanity. If they aren't stopped, we may be facing existential crisis soon." Kevin commented with a frown.

The room suddenly felt silent. Noone usually talked about those taboo topics.

"You mentioned something about polymorphic crystals. How did you create them?" Armsmaster asked curiously, shutting down the awkward silence. Kevin was right. Even he could see and feel the threat they possessed in themselves. However, now was not the time to dwell on those morose thoughts. He had never heard of those materials that Kevin proclaimed. And the boy claimed that he had invented them. Such a statement was no small proclamation. Discovering a new element wasn't something which should be taken lightly. He recalled him telling his powers of being some sort of matter manipulation. He hadn't understood clearly then.

Kevin casually leaned against the workbench, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's part of my powers. I can manipulate matter to generate the material I need."

Miss Militia and Kid Win exchanged puzzled glances. Kid Win voiced their shared confusion. "Manipulate matter? What does that even mean?"

Kevin smirked. He tapped the wooden table beside him. Instantly, his hand and entire body was made of wood.

"Holy shit!" Kid Win cursed, eyes wide with astonishment. Even Armsmaster seemed taken aback, and Dragon's silence indicated her interest. Miss Militia was seeing with slightly wide eyes at him.

Kevin explained, "I can absorb different types of matter and, in doing so, become a living mine of those materials. I can then use them to create whatever I need."

Kid Win, still reeling from what he'd just witnessed, asked, "So, you can absorb any material? Like gold or diamonds?"

Kevin nodded with a grin. "Absolutely. Anything I touch, I can absorb and utilize."

Kevin's grin widened as he pressed a button on his gauntlet. With a bright flash of light, a huge box materialized in front of him. The room was filled with stunned silence as they took in what had just happened. Armsmaster's eyes, usually so composed, betrayed a hint of jealousy, while Miss Militia and Kid Win stared with slack-jawed amazement. In Miss Militia's case, her scarf hid her expressions but her thoughts were clearly visible for him.

Dragon's voice broke the silence, filled with barely concealed awe. "You have technology capable of teleportation?"

Kevin nodded, his smirk growing. "Yes, but it's limited to inorganic materials for now. Perfect for transporting supplies, tools, and other non-living objects."

Armsmaster, recovering from his surprise, stepped forward to examine the box. It had Armsmaster written on it. "What's in it?" His room was covered by sensors. If there was a bomb in it, the sensors would have alerted them by now.

Kevin gestured for him to open it. "Consider it a gift of good faith."

Armsmaster hesitated for a moment before lifting the lid. Inside, nestled on a bed of foam, was a collection of rare and valuable metals. There was Rhodium, Yttrium, Lutetium, Gadolinium and many other metals. Some of them were extremely rare, each marked and roughly around 2 pounds. There was a small fragment there labelled as Polymorphic Crystal too. It didn't look much. Probably 10 grams, if the weight written on it there was true. There were also two gauntlets likes of which Kevin wore in his hands. Strangely they had 'For Armsmaster' writen below them.

Armsmaster's eyes widened in surprise, and even Dragon's usually composed voice had a note of admiration. "This is incredibly generous, Kevin." The metals alone were probably in millions. That alongside two prototypes of Hard Light Gauntlets.

"What do you want in return?" Armsmaster asked with a frown. Such a generous gesture was bound to have some motives behind it.

Kevin shrugged nonchalantly, though he couldn't hide his satisfaction. "Think of it as the beginning of a productive partnership. I want the recommendation of yours, probably Dragon too. You see, I have been thinking about creating a guild for rogues like us."

"You want recommendations so that Director Piggot and the PRT would approve it." Miss Militia concluded with a frown.

"Exactly. Though the box is simply a gift with no motives. They are bound to agree. I am a living mine of valuable items. I am always going to be in high demand. Everyone would want a piece of me for my powers. PRT, Toybox, Tinkers, Gangs..." Kevin pointed out.

Dragon and Armsmaster remained silent. They both knew inwardly that he was right. The PRT would like to be in his good graces without a doubt. The boy was much sharper than either of them had imagined. He had clearly known his worth and approached slyly.

"I have never heard of a guild of rogues." Kid Win commented looking at the box with a barely concealed want in his eyes.

"Yeah. There's not any. That's why, I am planning to change it." Kevin replied with a nod.

The halls of Winslow High School were eerily quiet. Danny and Gwen moved through the corridors hurriedly. Gwen's senses were honed, tracking the faint trail of Taylor's mana with an intensity that left no room for error.

"She's close," Gwen murmured, her voice tight with worry. "Take the next left."

Danny followed her lead, his mind racing with fear and anger. Taylor hadn't come home at her usual time, and when their calls went unanswered, Gwen had quickly tracked her to the school with her powers. Danny's stomach churned with a mix of dread and frustration. Winslow had always been a sore point, but this felt different—this felt wrong.

They turned the corner, and Gwen's expression darkened. "I can feel her mana coming from inside the lockers," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Danny's heart skipped a beat as they approached the row of lockers. The stench hit them first, a putrid mix of decay and chemicals. Gwen swore loudly, her concern morphing into rage as she pinpointed the source.

"Here," she said, pointing to a specific locker. With a simple swipe of her index finger, the lock snapped open, and the door swung wide.

Danny's breath caught in his throat as he saw Taylor inside, unconscious and crammed into the narrow space. The locker was filled with tampons, used sanitary pads, and other vile objects. The sight was sickening.

"Oh my God," Danny gasped, his face contorting in shock and fury. "Taylor..."

He moved forward to pull her out, but Gwen was faster. With a fluid motion, she wrapped tendrils of mana around Taylor, carefully lifting her from the locker and laying her gently on the floor. Danny knelt beside his daughter, his hands trembling as he checked her pulse.

"We need to get her to a hospital," Gwen said urgently, her eyes never leaving Taylor's pale face.

Danny nodded, his voice thick with emotion. "She's alive, but we need to move fast."

Gwen reached into her bag, pulling out her phone. "I'll call for an ambulance."

As she dialed, Danny cradled Taylor's head in his hands, his eyes glistening with tears. He couldn't believe this was happening. The thought of his daughter enduring such cruelty made his blood boil. He took out his phone. Something he never used much due to its part in Annette's death. He took pictures of the locker carefully. He knew that evidence mattered heavily as the DWA's personnel and from his previous encounters with the police. The photos would serve a good evidence. Whoever was behind it, he would make them pay.