Act 1: "The Unsung Hero"

Three days after the battle with the Simurgh, Alexandria, known to very few in her private life as Rebecca Costa-Brown, sat behind her desk in the PRT headquarters. Her office was a stark contrast to the chaos she had just left behind in Canberra. The room was meticulously organized, with neatly stacked papers and a polished, minimalist decor. She reviewed reports with the precision and focus that had defined both her civilian and heroic careers.

The think tank members were gathered in the conference room, their expressions ranging from concerned to outright bewildered. The topic at hand was the sudden disappearance of the Simurgh and the mysterious appearance of the new cape who had the same firepower as anyone from the Triumvirate.

Rebecca listened intently as the head of the think tank, Dr. Milton Salinger, voiced their collective frustration. "Director, we have analyzed all available data, but the blackout during the critical moment of the confrontation has left us with significant gaps. Are you absolutely certain about the new cape's involvement? We need to understand what we're dealing with."

As the PRT director, she had the power to raise a task force of her any choosing, and she'd used her privileges very rarely like this.

Rebecca leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. "I understand your concerns, Dr. Salinger. Legend, Eidolon, and Alexandria saw him with their own eyes. He was instrumental in their efforts to contain the Simurgh. His strength and speed were extraordinary, and his actions could have contributed more to the outcome of the battle."

Dr. Salinger exchanged glances with his colleagues. "The blackout, caused by the Simurgh's interference, prevented us from getting any visual confirmation. Dragon was cut off entirely, leaving us with no surveillance footage. Without concrete evidence, it's difficult to assess the full extent of his capabilities or even his identity."

Rebecca sighed, her mind replaying the chaotic events. "I realize how unusual this situation is. The Simurgh's influence disrupted our technology and communications in ways we hadn't anticipated. I want to know why."

One of the analysts, a young woman named Ellen, spoke up. "Director, we've been scouring reports and databases for any information that could lead us to this individual. So far, we've come up empty-handed. If he's as powerful as you say, he should be on our radar. Yet, there's no record of anyone matching his description."

That could only mean this new cape was new or was someone from an alternate Earth.

"We need to keep looking. He might be new, or perhaps he's managed to stay under the radar until now. But this is important. The public believes that the Triumvirate has chased the Simurgh away, but it was more complicated than that—"

"You believe it was this new cape who single-handedly chased the Simurgh away?" Dr. Salinger was confused. "Black Mountain," he traced the words in his mouth, feeling uncomfortable all too of a sudden.

"Not single-handedly," she countered.

The situation was unclear, but whatever the 'new cape' did, he had disappeared along with the Simurgh. Or maybe it was the other way around?

Rebecca had debriefed the think tank about what the Triumvirate saw. Of course while still maintaining her identity as Alexandria a secret… When they arrived at the Black Mountain where Eidolon picked up the Simurgh's location, all they saw there was a charred trench so wide as if the God of lightning himself carved the Earth.

According to Eidolon, there had been a space-time displacement, something roughly impossible to discern except for Eidolon at that time who marked the Simurgh and simulated various thinker powers while fighting and countering her.

Sadly, the think tank could get nothing out of the available information. This seemed important enough for the Doctor Mother to personally see to this mysterious problem they found in their lap.

"According to Alexandria," Rebecca carefully picked her words apart, thinking how to deliver her conjecture in the most efficient way possible. "She believes the Simurgh was panicking… What do you think about the theory that the Simurgh attempted to kill this new cape by any means necessary to the point she had to isolate him to make the perfect kill?"

It sounded too far-fetched even for her, but she couldn't imagine another possibility otherwise. The Simurgh had plenty of opportunities to escape, but she would only do so after either she was pushed too much by them, or if she had achieved her goals.

At first, they thought, the reason for the Simurgh escaping was because they had pushed her just enough, but now, Rebecca was having second thoughts…

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on everyone. Rebecca knew the frustration of dealing with the unknown, especially when it involved something as dangerous as the Simurgh. The fact that a new player had entered the field, one powerful enough to stand toe-to-toe with an Endbringer, only added to the complexity.

"Director," Ellen continued, "there's another concern. If the Simurgh was somehow involved in his appearance, we need to consider the implications. Could he be a result of her manipulations, or worse, could he be under her influence?"

Rebecca nodded. "It's a possibility we can't ignore. We must approach this with caution. Until we have more information, we need to prepare for all eventualities. Continue your search and increase our surveillance efforts. If he shows up again, I want to know immediately."

For all they knew, the Simurgh might have teleported to a far-off alternate Earth where she either dropped or fought the strange cape…

"Director, what do you think of the tentative name 'Namarrkon', since he had a lightning bolt in his chest, had lightning powers, and his first appearance is in Australia?" asked Dr. Salinger.

Rebecca leaned forward, steepling her fingers as she considered the suggestion. Naming a new cape was always a delicate matter, especially one as potentially significant as this. Moreover, giving a name based on a myth? This was honestly a first, giving myth-based names to a cape who just appeared for the first time.

Giving names based on myths was meant as a warning and recognition that a cape was considered powerful enough to be equated with gods from folktales and the like.

"Namarrkon," she repeated, testing the name on her tongue. "The lightning spirit from Australian Aboriginal mythology. It's fitting, given the circumstances."

Dr. Salinger nodded, a hint of relief visible in his eyes. "Yes, Director. His lightning powers and the fact that he appeared in Australia made us think it was appropriate."

Rebecca remained stoic as she gave the green light. "Do as you like."

Ellen chimed in, "Director, if we do decide to go with Namarrkon, it might help us in tracking public perception and media references. Having a name gives us a way to categorize reports and sightings more efficiently."

Rebecca nodded, considering the practical aspects. "You're right. Now, get out of my office…"

As the think tank members filed out of her office, Rebecca sat back in her chair, her mind still racing with the possibilities and uncertainties surrounding the new cape. The room, once bustling with discussion and analysis, now seemed eerily quiet. She reached for her phone, her fingers dialing a secured number with practiced ease. This line was encrypted, connecting directly to someone who dealt with the most sensitive and critical aspects of their world.

The phone rang twice before it was answered. A calm, authoritative voice came through. "This is the Doctor."

"Rebecca Costa-Brown speaking," she replied, her tone measured and precise. "We need to talk."

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Meanwhile, in a place disconnected from the heavy drama of capes and world politics, Natalie Veder was pacing back and forth in the police station's waiting area, her anxiety evident in every step. Her face was etched with worry, and she clutched her phone tightly, willing it to ring with some good news.

Her husband, Herbert Veder, walked up to her, his own face a mask of exhaustion and concern. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Natalie," he began softly.

Natalie turned to him, her eyes wide and pleading. "Herbert, tell me they have something on our son. Please, tell me they know where he is."

Herbert's expression was strained, the struggle within him visible. He took a deep breath. "I just spoke with the officer in charge. They're doing everything they can, but there's still no new information."

Natalie grimaced, her frustration boiling over. "Our son has been missing for nearly 80 hours! Where is he? How can they not know anything?"

Herbert pulled her into a gentle embrace, trying to provide some semblance of comfort. "I know, Natalie. I know. But we have to keep hoping. They said they're expanding the search area and bringing in more resources. They're not giving up."

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. "But what if something happened to him? What if—"

"No," Herbert interrupted firmly, shaking his head. "Don't think like that. We have to stay positive. He's a smart kid. He'll come back to us."

Natalie nodded, though her worry remained palpable. "I just don't understand. He was just going to his friend's house. How could he just disappear?"

Herbert squeezed her hand. "We're going to find him. We have to believe that."