The sky above Townsville was a muted gray, the kind of cloudy day that would generally make people stow away in their homes or simply watch the incoming storm pass by from behind the safe windows of their work. Still, despite the gloomy overcast, the city was the polished modern utopia it was meant to be. Skyscrapers stretched into the clouds, perfect glass reflecting the busy streets below where tons of people hurried along their daily routines. Several lines of hovercar traffic zipped through the air, invisible highways stacked between buildings vertically. While below, the citizens flowed through the streets and sidewalks like little winding rivers.

Overall, it was a splendor to live in the city. Neon and blue-light signs showcased advertisements, an example of one hyping an upcoming concert from performers called Puffy AmiYumi, a popular pop band among the newer generation. Additionally, street vendors gathered as many customers as they could, serving people with all sorts of cultural delicacies as the fresh smell of food lingered in the air. Everything just felt alive today, despite the approaching storm.

The invasion was not here. The world was far from ruined, quite the opposite.

In the center of it all, a crowd had gathered at the base of Townsville's City Hall, a towering, historic building. Much similar to a government building, it was spotless in a glistening white marble. Alone, it stood as the symbol of order and governance, home to the bustling streets. Its broad steps lead up to the grand entrance, packed with the bowed heads of dozens of people waiting for something important. There was no rush as many of the people patiently waited, eager for the upcoming event today.

At the top of these steps, a small wooden podium stood out with a microphone fixed in place. A cool breeze blew against the red, white, and blue velvet banners as they draped. Standing behind this podium was a familiar, short-statured old man. He fidgeted nervously, adjusting his round, oversized glasses as they sat crookedly over his fat nose. Another hand pinched at the edge of his white mustache as he chewed the inside of his cheek, preoccupied with the thoughts in the back of his mind.

Beside him, a tall woman remained composed as per usual. Her puffy, wild ginger hair had been held back, though still blocked part of her face. A clipboard rested comfortably against her left breast, clasped close to her as she stared out at the crowd. One of her hot red heels would occasionally tap against the step below her, but otherwise, she remained perfectly still.

"Uhm, Ms. Bellum," the Mayor spoke in his familiar high-pitched voice. "Do you think it's going to rain? I think I forgot to check the weather channel today!"

He squinted up at the sky, watching the dark and heavy clouds roll right over straight toward City Hall.

She lifted her head to the sky, remaining unphased. Shortly afterward, she looked toward the event schedule meticulously laid out on the clipboard nuzzled beside her.

"It's possible, Mayor," she replied smoothly. "But we're not expecting a downpour until another hour."

The Mayor let out a sigh, though his fingers kept twitching as they tapped rhythmically against the wood. He shifted nervously, looking out at the people gathering in the square below, then up again at the sky, as if hoping the clouds might somehow vanish like many of the problems in this city. The Powerpuff Girls were good at making that happen. "I can't help but notice that they're getting closer, and fast! When is Major Glory supposed to arrive?"

Ms. Bellum glanced down at her watch as she lifted her wrist, gleaming silver. "He's scheduled to arrive in about thirty minutes, sir. There's still time."

"Oh dear," the Mayor sighed. "I do hope he isn't late. It wouldn't look good if Major didn't show up on time. People are already waiting!"

He looked out toward the crowd, where journalists, families, and curious loners were waiting eagerly. Children sat on their parents' shoulders, waving little star-spangled flags with Major Glory's emblem on them. Vendors still tried to push for taros, fighting through the crowd to sell snacks and plastic souvenirs.

His secretary nodded beside him, taking a step closer. "Don't worry, Mayor. Everything is under control. Major Glory is rarely late for anything, and I'm sure if he is, he has a good excuse."

Despite the reassurance, the Mayor didn't seem to stop. He kept looking out toward the sky, watching the clouds roll in. The faint mist of a heavy downpour kept closing in, already past the Sunken Mall and right beside them.

Off in the distance, away from the crowd gathered at the steps, stood a young boy and his father, watching from the edges of the square. They were far enough that they could see the bustle of people, but close enough to still feel the excitement.

This young boy was just nine years old, standing beside his father, mimicking his every move. His small hands were tucked into his jeans pockets, copying the way his dad casually stood. His short auburn hair was neatly combed for the occasion, though flew in the breeze. Over his pale white skin, he wore a plain crimson t-shirt, a simple, worn thing that had been his favorite for as long as he could remember. His sneakers were scuffed in dirt, and his wide, innocent blue eyes looked out with curiosity and wonder that only a child could have on a day like this.

He turned to look up at his father, who watched with a calm, knowing face. He was tall and broad-shouldered, though the years had softened him up a bit. He had gained some weight, a little belly fat showing signs of a comfortable home life. His wavy mousy hair falling just over his shoulders was wild, with a few gray hairs showing his age. His emerald green eyes were acute and observant, in his mind thinking about how this whole thing would turn out. He wore a plain navy blue t-shirt, tucked casually into his jeans just to match his son's red for the patriotic hero. Although, it looked a little too high on the waist, and his socks were still able to be seen over his worn shoes. He had an unmistakable Dad-like look to him.

The kid hopped from one foot to the other, hardly able to contain his excitement. He turned to look up at his father with bright eyes as he asked in a rushed voice, "When are we gonna see him?!"

"Soon," his father looked down at him with a soft smile. He expected him to be like this, knowing how much Niles had looked forward to this moment. Resting in one hand was an umbrella he had brought with him, knowing about the storm ahead of time. "Though we might get a little wet. This rain doesn't seem to be letting up."

He frowned a little, but it could easily be changed at any moment. He looked out toward the dozens of people in front of him, the sounds of conversation and excitement. Even with the approaching storm in the back of his little mind, the heavy clouds now made things much darker. The wind picked up slightly, tugging at their clothes as he looked back at his father, the excitement still flickering in his eyes. "But he's still gonna come, right?"

"He'll come, Niles," his father assured him. Though deep down, he didn't want to tell him that they might have to leave. "We just need to wait a little bit."

The boy nodded, reassured for the moment. He looked back at the podium, shifting on his feet. They stood there, side by side, waiting together.

Finally, the storm arrived.

The first few drops fell softly, barely noticeable amidst the chatter of the crowd. But Niles' father was quick to notice. He glanced up, frowning as he reached for the umbrella. Then, he snapped it open, shielding him as the rain began to fall a little harder.

Niles felt his father's arm wrap around his shoulders, pulling him closer under the cover of the umbrella. The gust of wind tugging at his red shirt got a little violent, and the first cold drop hit his face before he wiped it closely. He pressed closer to his father's side, feeling the warmth and solidness of him, comforting him.

"We're safe here," his father murmured, his voice low and steady as he hugged Niles a little tighter.

Niles' wide eyes watched the storm continue rolling in. His breath went warm in the cool air, but he stayed still under his father's protection.

Around them, the crowd reacted much more abruptly. Hoods were thrown up, a few umbrellas popped open, and dozens of voices popped up filled with worry. People who had been excited moments ago were now beginning to break off, moving away from the open square toward any nearby buildings to stay safe. The vendors who had done so much were scrambling to close up their carts, pulling tarps over their stalls, and calling it for a day before they could be ruined.

In a matter of minutes, the festive atmosphere nearly died. The crowd, once engaged, was thinning to just a handful of people as the ground turned slick. The wind howled a little louder, sending a small breeze of papers across the square and whipping at the umbrellas that remained.

Up on the steps of City Hall, under the grand archways of the entrance, the Mayor watched the crowd disperse with sorrow. His fingers tugged at his coat as he hurried up to the microphone, his voice crackling through the speakers anxiously.

"Don't worry, folks!" the Mayor called out, trying to be cheerful. Sadly, his anxiety was much clearer. "He'll be here soon! Just, uh, hold on tight! We have a little storm, but only a delay for a bit!"

He gave a nervous laugh, glancing to his left where Ms. Bellum stood. She checked her watch again, the same calm expression on her face, but she furrowed her brow as she noted the time. She leaned toward the Mayor and whispered something, to which he nodded excitedly.

The announcement did little to calm the crowd. Those who were closest to the podium grumbled, glancing up at the sky before deciding to leave altogether. The storm was only growing stronger, and it seemed less and less likely that the patriotic hero would arrive.

Niles' father shifted uneasily, looking at the clouds. He sighed heavily, the regret coming in as he looked down at his son.

"Niles," his father started, gently but firmly. "I think we're gonna have to head home. This storm's getting bad. We shouldn't stay out here much longer."

He turned to him, eyes wide with disbelief. "What? No!" His voice squeaked from the disbelief and hurt. "We can't leave! I wanna see Major Glory!" He stomped his foot on the ground.

"I know, buddy," he said, keeping his tone calm. "But it's getting too dangerous out here. Look, people are leaving–" he gestured toward the dispersing crowd. "-and the storm isn't letting up. We gotta head home before it gets worse."

Niles was not having it. He shook his head fiercely, already getting wet as he jumped out into the rain. "No! I want to see him! I'm not going anywhere until I do!"

Before his father could respond, he broke away, running toward the steps of City Hall. He darted through the rain, his shoes splashing against the wet pavement as he weaved past the crowd. He had an overtly determined look on his face, not caring for what his father would think.

"Niles!" his old man hollered at him. He quickly swung the umbrella over his shoulder as he began jogging, feeling the rain pelt down. He was getting more frustrated, glaring slightly. "Niles, come back here! Now!"

By the time he reached the steps, Niles had already stopped, standing defiantly at the base of the City Hall steps, soaked through but refusing to move. He stood and looked up at the podium where the Mayor was with his tiny fists clenched, soaking wet. He blinked past the rain, pretending to be a little statue as he waited.

"Ugh, Niles..!" His father, now thoroughly drenched, pulled out his phone with a grumble, shaking his head as he pressed the familiar number. "Don't make me get your mother on the line!"
The boy just stood there, ignoring him. He wouldn't take it, and he disregarded any care for what his parents might think. He had to see him, no matter the cost.

His father just groaned, gritting his teeth as he held the phone up to his ear. The line rang once, twice, before a warm voice picked up on the other end.

"Hi, honey," came the distinct and familiar tone. It was sharp, and analytical, with just the right amount of attitude. "How are things going over at City Hall? Got a downpour yet?"

He sighed into the phone, looking at his son who was standing defiantly a few steps away in the rain. He started, "You won't believe it. The storm came in, and Niles refuses to leave. He ran up toward the steps and-"

"Mhm, let me guess," his wife interrupted, teasing him. "You're stuck in the rain, he's mad at you, and I'm about to tell you I was right?"

He groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, yeah. You're always right, even when you're not. I know, Menna."

"You got it," she chuckled, condescending yet affectionate. "Gregory, you know how he is. He loves everything about that superhero and his league. But seriously, if it's not that bad, make him stand out there and learn his lesson. He's going to see sooner or later if he won't come. I'd rather have him come home sad than angry and mope all day rather than throw a tantrum."

His father nodded, staring at him while he stayed there. "Sounds good."

"Good luck, Dad of the Year," she added, eating this up. "And don't forget to remind him who's in charge!"

He huffed, shaking his head. He hung up the phone with a sigh, pocketing it before turning back toward his son, who stood with his arms crossed, looking stubbornly up at the City Hall step. He stood there, and so he also waited. Hesitantly, he spoke up again.

"Niles," he called out, this time softer. "If you wanna wait, then go ahead, but if don't wanna get wet, come over here so we can go home. The rain's only gonna get worse!"

But Niles didn't move, and the storm raged on around them, the event now hanging in limbo as the Mayor fumbled with the microphone, trying to reassure the few remaining people that everything would be okay. A couple of raindrops fell down his stiff face as he challenged everything around him with a glare.

Without any care in the world, he waited. The storm continued rolling in, the rain pelting down on him. By now, his shirt was completely soaked, sticking to his small frame. To his father, it was going to be about thirty minutes—maybe a little longer—but to Niles, it felt like a lifetime.

The crowd that had once filled the plaza had disappeared. People shuffled off toward their hovercars, complaining about the storm as they went. Vendors packed up their carts, hurrying away to go about their day as the noise of the bustling city faded into the background.

But Niles stayed.

He looked back at his father, still standing comfortably under his umbrella a short distance away. He was watching back with a tired look, not saying anything anymore, just waiting for him. Niles thought briefly about the comfort of that umbrella, how nice it would feel to be warm and dry. His father had always been right about this kind of stuff–weather, safety, the practical things–but this was different.

He turned back to the podium, wiping rain from his face with a sleeve. He thought about Major, how all the times he had watched him on TV, the exciting episodes where he swept in and saved the day with fearless courage. Niles imagined standing beside him, wearing a cape just like his, helping protect the city from the villains that lurked in the shadows. In his mind, it was always bright and sunny when Major Glory was around. There was never rain, nor storms.

That dream kept him stuck in place as the minutes ticked by. His little body grew tired, aching from standing in the crisp rain for so long, but still, he didn't move. He shuffled his feet a little to stay warm, his shoulders bouncing up and down to keep the blood flowing. But the longer he waited, the more his excitement died. His arms started to feel heavy, his feet chilly, and after a long time, he began doubting himself.

Was he really going to see him? Was it worth standing here like this? His breath was shaky, the rain taking any ounce of warmth away from him. He bit his lip, trying to keep that doubt away, but it kept coming back. He glanced back at his father again–he was still there, patient yet concerned, and his tiredness was really how Niles was beginning to feel.

Just as Niles' hope began to fade, something flashed.

A sudden burst of light cut through the sky, brilliant and unexpected.

Both the Mayor and Ms. Bellum looked to the sky, eyes wide as they spotted a streak of light cutting through the thick clouds above. The wind howled, and the rain lashed, but for a moment, all attention was on the brilliant, golden figure ascending from the airspace.

Having fought an eye through the storm, a beacon of sunlight shined down as he made his grand entrance. His star-spangled suit shimmered like a jewel, the bright blue and red fabric hugging against his broad chest. His boots landed with a heroic thud on the steps of City Hall.
A flowing cape whipped dramatically in the wind, snapping behind him like a streamer. He stood tall, a confident smile on his square jaw as he looked at the gloomy scene in front of him. His chiseled face, followed by his golden hair, indicated just how sharp and handsome he was. He was a young super, giving him the appearance of a living legend who just stepped out of a comic book page.

He placed his hands firmly on his hips, striking the stereotypical pose. The storm may have made things dark, but in that moment, the sky seemed bright simply because of his arrival.

"Well, if it isn't the Mayor of our humble city!" he boomed, his patriotic voice able to be heard across the plaza.

The Mayor perked up immediately with a wide smile on his face, having forgotten about how nervous he was. He jumped for joy as he began sprinting over, shouting, "M-Major Glory! Thank goodness you arrived! I was beginning to think the storm washed you away! Ahohoho!"

He raised an arm, gesturing toward the city as if addressing a cheering crowd, despite the fact that only a handful stayed. The hero spoke up with a dramatic flare, "Apologies for my late entrance. I just finished thwarting Doctor Diablos and his dastardly demonic henchmen!"

"But never fear!" Major Glory announced, puffing out his chest. "For I, Major Glory, have arrived!"

The wind whipped around him as he finished, and the few remaining stared at him in awe, their spirits lifted by just his sheer presence.

The Mayor eyed him up and down as he gripped the microphone with new excitement. "Well, thank goodness! One of our city's finest has made it to the award ceremony! This is wonderful!"

Niles stood frozen, his small body trembling as he stared at the sight in front of him. His sapphire eyes were huge, his jaw hung open, unable to believe what he was seeing. For him, this wasn't just a hero–this was the hero. The star-spangled suit, the flowing cape, the confident pose, it was like one of his favorite episodes had become a reality right in front of him. His heart beat loudly in his chest, building up as if it were about to explode.

His father was also caught off guard. He couldn't hide a surprised smile, and for a second, that childlike joy stirred his own heart. His eyes shifted from the hero down to his son, watching the pure joy on his face. He was quietly happy, enough to completely disregard the rain. He hadn't seen this boy so thrilled in a long time.
The man slid a strong arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer.
Niles glanced up, excitement suddenly turning to dread as he misunderstood, thinking his father was about to take him away. He pleaded meekly, "No…"

His father shook his head, chuckling. "I'm not taking you away, bud. Just don't want you catching a cold out here. We'll stay, but let's keep you dry, huh?"

The boy blinked, confused but relieved he wasn't going to miss a second of this. He wasn't taking him away, but urging him forward. After a quick scrub off his head and face with his father's shirt, Niles felt a hand gently nudging his back, and with that, he felt hesitant bravery build up. He took a step forward, and with each step, he swallowed his fear and kept going. His father guided him every step of the way. They reached the front steps and practically had a personal ceremony for just this single hero. Even if the rain took away a lot of color, to Niles, everything was bright.

The Mayor reached up on his tiptoes to pin yet another medal onto Major Glory's chest. Despite having given this man nearly hundreds by now, the ceremony never seemed to feel any less meaningful. It had taken on a more informal tone, given a small crowd and a growing storm, but there was still care and pride for the gesture. The Mayor's fingers fumbled with the medal, but he managed to secure it in place, grinning up at the towering hero.

"Another medal for one of the greatest heroes of Townsville!" the Mayor exclaimed happily through the microphone. He gave a small bow, as he customary, even though everyone present knew how many he had.

Major Glory stood tall, puffing out his chest proudly, though still suppressed a knowing chuckle. Another one for the collection. He had lost count of how many he'd gotten, but the act was still warming to the heart. Still, the theatrics were part of the persona, so he responded with a deep, "Thank you, Mayor! It is my greatest honor to serve our fair city!"
He then turned toward Ms. Bellum, who stood beside the Mayor, smiling warmly but saying nothing.

Down below, Niles watched in absolute awe, his heart racing faster. The ceremony was wrapping up, and he knew this was his chance.

His only chance.

The excitement was too much for him to contain, and before he realized it, he slipped away from his father.

"Niles!" his father whispered, instinctively reaching a hand out to grasp him. But he was too late. Niles was already moving a mile a minute, breaking up the stairs, determined to get to see the hero he had idolized for as long as he could remember.

As he reached the steps, his excitement got the better of him. A foot slipped, and he stumbled, falling softly on his hands and knees.

"Oof!"

His heart began aching, not from pain or embarrassment, but from the fear of missing out. With a fierce determination, seeing his dream within reach, he kicked up and made it nearly to the top of the podium.

Back at the top, Major Glory's bright smile faded. His grand facade shifted as he saw the small boy trip and scramble to his feet, his father quickly after him to catch him off guard. Something tugged inside him, and for a split second, the act dropped, something more human appearing in his eyes.

He hesitated, glancing briefly at the Mayor and Ms. Bellum, who both were caught off guard by the scene. Although, the secretary gave a soft nod, smiling at the sight in front of her. The Mayor, however, tilted his head in confusion.

The hero stepped forward, moving delicately and slowly. He abandoned his act as he watched Niles approach right in front of him, looking up with wide eyes and a hopeful expression, despite the scraped knee.

"Hello, young man," Major greeted gently. He made sure it was sincere, as though he knew how important this encounter was for the boy standing in front of him.

Gregory finally reached them, slightly out of breath, his own heart racing more from worry than the exercise. He immediately snagged a hand on his son's shoulder, apologizing quickly. "I am so sorry about that–oh gosh, I hope we didn't disturb the ceremony. Again, I'm sorry–"

The hero lifted a hand calmly, turning to look up at Greg with that same warm smile. He chuckled softly, "No, it's alright, sir. I believe the moment this storm rolled in, the ceremony had already been disturbed. Besides, I think a little courage like this deserves some recognition!"

He lingered on Niles for a moment, seeing his soaked clothes stick to him and some of the scuff on the knees of his jeans. Behind those big, innocent blue eyes was a fiery courage he could recognize. Major Glory straightened himself but stayed at his level, touched by this child's pure persistence.
"You stayed out here… just to see me?" he asked in awe. "Through all this rain? Even when most of the crowd went home?"

Niles nodded quickly, swallowing. His small hands fidgeted in his pockets nervously. His heart was practically spilling out of his chest, but he stood stoutly.

"I admire that hope," he said with warm respect. "It takes a special kind of bravery to stick around, no matter how tough it gets. And running up those steps the way you did? Falling over and getting right back up? That takes guts!" He grinned a little wider. "You remind me of myself when I was younger, sticking around with ol' Uncle Sam. What's your name?"

Greg, still standing behind his son, gave Niles' shoulder a little squeeze. "Go on. Tell him your name."

Niles hesitated, looking up at him, then back to Major. He swallowed, his voice coming out shyly. "N-Niles.."

Major Glory nodded, the name ringing in his ears like he could remember it decades later. "Niles, huh? That's a strong name."

He glanced at the Mayor and Ms. Bellum, who still watched with quiet approval, and then back down at the boy. With a dramatic flare, he gave Niles a small salute. "Keep up that bravery, Niles. The world needs more people like you: bold, and daring!"

Major Glory stood tall again, the warmth never leaving his face as he looked at Niles. "How about a quick photo? To remember this moment!"

His eyes lit up even brighter, if that was possible, and turned to his father with a hopeful pleading face. Greg, already knowing the answer, pulled out his phone and wiped off the rainwater with his sleeve.
"Alright, Niles, get in close and stand still!" he said, preparing to capture what would undoubtedly become one of his son's favorite memories.

Major Glory placed a muscular, reassuring hand on Niles' back, kneeling slightly to get in the frame. Niles, his heart soaring, stood as tall as he could, trying to suppress the giddiness. He stretched his smile wide, showing the gap where one of his front teeth fell out.

Snap!

"There we go," Gregory said, checking the screen to make sure it turned out well. It was flawless, and he was satisfied. Niles darted back to his father, still starstruck. The man looked to Major Glory and extended a hand for a handshake.

"Thank you for that," he said, looking down at him. "He's loved you ever since he was first able to start walking."

The hero chuckled, grasping his hand firmly. "Oh, it's nothing! I'm always happy to make time for my truly dedicated fans!" He gestured toward the handful of others, who were now starting their way up to get in line right behind them. "Kids like Niles make this all worthwhile."

Greg nodded, appreciating the sincerity. He nudged his son as he said, "Alright, champ, time to say goodbye."

Niles waved eagerly, his smile still glued to his face. "Goodbye, Major Glory!"
His voice was ecstatic, holding the joy and excitement that came perhaps once in a lifetime. He turned to waddle beside his dad, struggling to contain his happiness.

As they walked away, his father chuckled, shaking his head at his son's uncontainable happiness. Niles' steps were light, bouncing alongside his father like the giddiest little kid in the world.

Together, the both of them left the ceremony and bundled together under the safety of the umbrella. As they fought through the storm, Niles just couldn't look back. Whether it was some sort of newly heightened excitement, or still coming to terms with the facts, he kept moving forward and didn't look back. An eye twitched, and it was like his face was glued to the same smile.

When they reached the family hovercar, Gregory chuckled, unlocking the doors with a tap. It was a sleek silver, built with four ink-black leather seats behind tinted windows. Behind it were two bulky thrusters in the back on each side, and two wide headlights in the front.

"So, was it worth waiting in the rain getting to meet one of the Justice Friends?"

Niles plopped himself in the back seat, closing the door beside him. He proudly strapped his seatbelt over his chest, his teeth still chattering from the chilling breeze. "Y-Yes," he barely spoke up. He curled his hands over his arms as he began rubbing them, breathing in and out.

As his father got into the front, he peeked up from the backview mirror and narrowed his eyes. "Hm, we'll have to get you warmed up. Your mother would kill me if I brought you home like this," he said, starting the car and cranking the heat up. "C'mon, let's head home."

By the time they reached home, droplets still slipped down the windows of the hovercar as they pulled into the driveway. Greg switched off the engine, and for a moment, there was only the gentle pitter-patter still going on. The two of them hopped out, and Niles' father watched him dart to the front porch, shaking the water off of him like a wet dog.

Once the door was opened, Niles didn't hesitate. He dashed inside, his shoes skidding against the polished wood floor and quickly crouched to take them off.

Inside the Robinsons' home was a mix between modern and slight-futuristic. The walls were painted a clean white with hints of gray, giving it a spacious feel. Soft lights had been turned on from the lamps, giving a warm feeling compared to the dull storm outside. It gave an ambient glow as Gregory stepped inside, letting out an exhausted sigh.

As Niles dashed into the living room next, he spotted his mother, Menna, lounging comfortably on the couch. A soft blanket was thrown over her lap, her hair tied back in a loose, slightly messy bun (one that could hold a bow if the opportunity presented itself) with long strands flowing down her back. She had a soft shape to her face, a gentle yet focused look in her azure blue eyes, wearing a casual outfit that could come off as a business semi-formal with a black turtleneck sweater, khaki pants, and socks.

On the screen, an intense action scene was going down. In a high-speed car chase, an auburn-haired man and a blonde woman in a tuxedo and dress were shooting out of open windows at men with sharp fangs of teeth (presumed to be vampires). She seemed to be invested in it, nitpicking some of the practical effects but still paying attention to everything going on.

Gregory entered the room lastly, neatly placing down his shoes and following his son with a knowing smirk.

"Mom!" Niles burst out, leaping onto the couch and climbing into her like he hadn't seen her in days.

Menna glanced down, pleasantly surprised by the sudden affection but wasn't annoyed. She grinned, ruffling his messy hair, and teased, "Hey there, my little Nile river. You two boys look like you had quite the adventure out there."

Greg chuckled, leaning in and giving her a quick kiss on the forehead before making himself comfortable on the other side. "You could say that again."

"You won't believe it! You won't believe it!" he bounced up and down, shaking out of her grasp. "He came! Major Glory came! I got to take a picture with him! He was there!"

She raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" She blinked, turning to look at Gregory. He was already sitting there with an amused grin, enjoying her reaction. "So he did come. How long did you guys have to wait?"

"About thirty minutes at most," his father said, pulling out his phone. "He was only a little late."

Menna made a face. "Hero of the city and still shows up late to his own award ceremonies. Hmph. Even kids with superpowers like his still show up on time."

"Dad! Dad!" he immediately switched parents, grabbing onto his arm. "Show her the photo!"

He nodded, holding a hand up as he began pulling it up. "Alright, settle down, monkey. I'm getting it."

After a few moments, Menna fixated her eyes on the picture taken. She took the phone and looked at it, taking in each little detail as much as possible. Then, her entire mood shifted. She smiled, caressing a thumb over the screen before handing it back to her husband. "You should get that framed, hon. It looks good!"

An audible gasp came from Niles as he turned to him again.

"Yeah," Greg nodded, then began getting up off the sofa. He waved with a leisurely hand, stretching. "C'mon, buddy. Let's go print it off so we can hang it up in your room."

"Woo!" the boy leaped off the couch, immediately trailing off and turning down into the hallway.

His father grunted as he called out, "Slow down! You're gonna slide across the floor and fall! No running in the house!"

Menna sighed with a pleasant grin, looking up at him and folding an arm over the sofa.

Greg just stared back, a weary but satisfied gaze.

"I'm glad things worked out for him," she said sweetly, turning back to the TV. "He's never gonna forget what you did for him today."

He chuckled back, giving her a soft look. "Just wanted to give him a special day is all," he said, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I got worried when the rain came in, but don't tell him I said that."

"Well, mission accomplished," Menna leaned into his touch, her smiling widening. "You deserve a little credit too, you know."

At that point, he flashed her a sly grin before slipping away toward his office, where Niles was still waiting with excitement. Once inside, he powered on the printer–a sleek, compact stark-white box that hummed softly. It projected a faint holographic blue light, waiting for orders. Niles watched with eager eyes as the machine created the image, layer by layer, giving it a modern, holographic effect that would bring out the color and life of the scene.

Greg lifted the 3D printer and fitted the picture into a slim, magnetic frame, allowing the photo to seamlessly hover just slightly off the wall. "Alright, let's go put this up!"

As he handed it down to him, the boy took it and carried it like it was a priceless treasure to his living room. He picked the right spot just above his desk–a good place where he could wake up and see it every day. As his father helped him, they adjusted the tilt to the perfect angle.

They both stepped back, Niles staring at the image of Major and himself, eyes wide with joy. He beamed, unable to look away from it.

Once it was set, Greg stepped back, admiring their handiwork. "There you go, Niles," he said, ruffling the boy's wavy hair. "A little reminder for today."

He looked up, stepping forward and wrapping a little arm around his torso. "Thanks, Dad."

His father wrapped an arm around him, holding him just a little tighter this time. He warmed up immediately, rubbing on his back.

"Anytime, kiddo. Anytime."

11/3/24
Thank you for reading! This took some time to work on since I've been cleaning up my fan fic, but I'm excited to finally get it out. After taking a break from writing more, it feels refreshing to come back to this universe.

Being the most prominent member of the Justice Friends, Major Glory has always been a favorite for Niles (from Dexter's Lab). With the episodes I watched and the research I did, I took the general approach of making him the stereotypical strong-man/Superman sprinkled with American zeal. Admittedly, when I first wrote for him, I wasn't as attached. However, the more I write for Major, the more I really like him as a character and role model for my OC.

Other characters used were The Mayor and Ms. Bellum (from PPGs).

Gregory and Menna Robinson are also other original characters I decided to include since I didn't want Niles to have any sibling/maternal connections to canon characters. (I don't think I ever will, to be fair.) I only want to go so far by implementing the avatar (the protagonist of FusionFall), so I decided to treat him as an unnamed side character in the background of one of the shows. I've been meaning to get to them for some time, and I was planning on adding them in the original fan fic, but I never got around to it. The extra time helped me get a feel for them, and also an insight into Niles' home life before the fusion invasion.
Either Dexter's Lab, Powerpuff Girls, or Sym-Bionic Titan (from peer reviews) could make Niles an unnamed extra. I think he'd fit in any of those three given his character.

At the start, the advertisement for Puffy AmiYumi references a band in the actual game itself, where their advertisements can be seen across the Downtown area of the world map.

The show that Menna was watching is a reference to a set of films in the Ben 10 universe called 'Darkfall', which is a parody of Twilight.