It was a sunny day on the slayground, and nine-year-old Dell was having a blast. His parents sat on the bench, their eyes following his every leap and tumble as he ran around with a massive smile. Laying on his mom's lap in a cozy little ball was the newly adopted addition to the Whispers family, his baby brother King.

Dell climbed across the monkey bars with controlled agility and strength so as not to bend or break them. He could have as much fun as any other child playing. Still, he was responsible for keeping his unnatural strength in check. After playing on the monkey bars, Dell noticed a boy about his age standing awkwardly by the seesaws.

He was scrawny, even by nine—or ten-year-old standards, and dressed like the child of a noble. He was also pale, with ruffled blonde hair and burgundy red eyes that held a sense of loneliness. He seemed very out of place in the slayground filled with boisterous children. Dell felt a pang of empathy for the boy and approached him. While Dell does have a happy life, he also knows what it is like to feel different and out of place.

Dell dropped down and walked over to the boy. "Hi," Dell said, trying to sound friendly. But the boy flinched at the sudden intrusion, his eyes widening in surprise. Dell could see wariness in his eyes; he was not used to being approached. This made him feel more determined to make a connection. "Are you okay?"

The boy hesitated before responding, "I'm fine; I'm just not used to all this." The boy looked around the slayground. "Is there something you want?"

"I just wanted to say hello. My name is Dell; what's yours?"

The boy blinks owlishly. "H-Hunter," he stammered.

"That's a cool name," Dell smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Hunter. Do you want to play a game with me?"

Hunter's eyes lit up with curiosity. "A game?"

"Yeah, a game of tag or hide and seek. It's always more fun with someone else," Dell suggested.

"I… I don't know how to play," Hunter admitted shyly, looking down at his feet.

"Oh…" Dell had never met a kid who didn't know how to play tag or hide-and-seek. I can teach you. It'll be fun, I promise." Hunter hesitated momentarily before nodding slowly, a small smile forming.

They spent the next hour chasing each other through the slayground, Hunter quickly picking up the rules and enjoying the thrill of the game. Dell couldn't help but smile as he watched Hunter's confidence grow with each round they played. But like kids usually do, they got bored and decided to switch to a different game.

"Are there any games you know, Hunter?" Dell asked, eager to keep the fun going.

Hunter thought for a moment. "It's not a game, but I know martial arts. I could teach you some moves if you're interested."

The prospect of learning something new piqued Dell's interest. "Okay!"

Hunter's social awkwardness melted away as he demonstrated self-defense moves to Dell: flawless dodges, punches, kicks, shoulder throws, and blocks. He was like a mini Emperor's Coven scout training a recruit.

"Whoa!" Dell exclaimed. "Teach me that!" He wanted to learn the shoulder throw.

Hunter blushed. "Okay, first you shift your weight and—" Hunter tossed Dell over his shoulder effortlessly, causing Dell to land on the grass with a thud. "Sorry!" Hunter exclaimed. "I… I got a little carried away…"

"THAT WAS COOL!" Dell exclaimed with no sign of injury or pain. "Do it again!" Hunter's confidence soared as he continued to teach Dell more self-defense techniques.

Dell mimicked the move, stumbling a bit. "Like this?" And he gently threw Hunter over his shoulder, surprising both of them with his quick progress.

Hunter nodded, impressed. "Exactly! You're a quick learner." He rubbed his back as he got up.

"Little Prince, time to go home," a voice called out as a muscular, dark-skinned man with green eyes dressed in purple approached them. A furry biped demon who could easily pass for a beast demon was with him and started sniffing Dell. "Eberwolf, where are your manners? Apologize to the youngster."

"It's okay," Dell said, patting Eberwolf on the head, which he seemed to like.

"Dell, it's time to—" Baba began as they walked over to him with Mom and King. They stopped upon seeing the man. "Darius, is that you?"

"Raine Whispers and Edalyn Clawthorne, it's been a long time," Darius said with a smile. "Are you babysitting like I am?" He looked at Dell and Hunter.

"Dell's our son," Mom explained, a hint of pride in her voice.

"Ah, my apologies. And congratulations to you both," Darius said warmly.

"Thank you," Mom replied, smiling. "Married life and parenthood has been quite the journey."

"I see you've made a new friend," Baba said to Dell, then looked at Hunter.

"I'm Hunter," the other boy said respectfully.

"As much as I would love to stay and catch up, the Little Prince needs to go home now," Darius said as he took Hunter's hand.

Hunter's expression fell. "I have to go, too. Uncle will be waiting."

"We'll see each other again. Friends?"

Hunter hesitated, then smiled. "Yeah. Friends."

Little did Dell or Hunter know, this would be the last time they would see each other, as life took them on different paths…

The meeting between the Coven Heads was full of various discussions on the future of their magical community. Some for not for the better.

"I object!" Osran, leader of the Oracle Coven, interrupted, his raspy voice booming across the table. "We cannot discuss media control without addressing the issue of censorship first."

"Hm? And what, pray tell, do you mean?" Adrian Graye inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"The Oracle Coven has been in charge of distributing information to the masses with honesty and transparency," Osran explained, his eyes narrowing. "I will not allow this charlatan to taint our reputation with his propaganda and lies."

"Ossy, you misunderstand," Adrian interjected calmly. "I am not here to spread falsehoods; our emperor has simply entrusted me with monitoring which stories do and do not align with our societal values. Especially when it comes to Superboy and his controversial escapades."

Superboy has remained a sensation among witches and demons alike. His powers were unparalleled, and his arrival sparked awe and fear across the Boiling Isles and its leaders.

"I would hardly call saving lives a controversial escapade," Darius retorted, crossing his arms. Eberwolf barked in agreement. "You're just jealous that Superboy's heroics are overshadowing your accomplishments. We have nothing to be afraid of."

"Only a fool wouldn't be afraid of a boy who can fly, has strength beyond measure, and can shoot fire from his eyes," Terra Snapdragon added.

"True, but that doesn't mean we should automatically demonize him," Scooter Crane added.

"Did I forget to mention that he's an alien? He's not even a real witch."

"While Superboy has shown no intent of causing harm, we must remain vigilant and prepared for any potential threats," Lilith interjected. "Let's not forget that power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals."

"Says the woman whose position of authority is dependent on whether or not she produces any weapons capable of harming him," Darius retorted. Eberwolf made an "Ohhh" sound and raised his paw like a high-five. Darius rolled his eyes and high-fived Eberwolf.

"Speaking of which," Emperor Belos spoke up, "Lilith, how goes your research on making weapons?"

"With the Blights' assistance, progress has been made. Though I had to call in some assistance from Luthor Corp., Lionel is cooperating with us." Lilith snickered. "But Odalia was not happy about it."

"Mrs. Blight's opinion is of little consequence when advancing our power and influence," Emperor Belos stated firmly.

"Yes. We are currently in the final stages of development and hope to have a prototype ready for testing soon," Lilith replied confidently. "We've come across a strange crystal that defies all analysis."

"Keep up the good work, Lilith. We will need those weapons sooner rather than later."

"Understood, Emperor Belos. I will continue to push forward with the project," Lilith assured him.

"Speaking of weapons," Hettie Cutburn of the Healing Coven spoke up with her thick accent. "My coven has been analyzing the creature within the Skull. It remains in stasis. Whoever trapped it did not want it to be released. We believe it may be a power we cannot control if awakened."

"All things can be controlled," Emperor Belos replied confidently. "Continue your research, Hettie. We may need it. And while we're on creatures," Belos fixed his gaze on Hunter. "What of the escaped basilisk?"

Hunter hesitated. "It's elusive. But I won't rest until I find it."

The emperor nodded. "See to it. Adjourned." As the meeting dispersed, Hunter lingered. "Yes, Hunter?"

"I just... I'm worried. I feel like I'm failing you," Hunter admitted, staring at the floor. "That I'm not doing enough."

"Nonsense. You are one of my best soldiers. No, you are my best soldier," Belos assured his nephew, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Uncle," Hunter replied. Then Emperor Belos' grip tightened, making him wince.

"However, there cannot be any room for error." His eyes burned blue behind his mask. "Don't make me regret trusting you, Hunter."

Hunter swallowed hard, nodding. "No, sir. I won't let you down, Uncle. I promise."

"Good," Belos replied, releasing his shoulder. "Get some rest. You have a long night ahead of you."

Hunter nodded and hurried away. He had to track down the basilisk before it caused any harm to the Emperor's Coven's forces and the innocents across the Boiling Isles. He knew his uncle was counting on him.

But he felt like there was something else missing. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt an emptiness in his chest. What was it?

Hunter shook his head. No. There were more important things to focus on. He had a mission to complete.

But the emptiness in his chest did not go away.

The monstrous and relentless waves threatened to swallow the vessel, creaking and groaning as it battled the storm. Captain Salty and his crew clung to the rigging, their faces etched with fear as boiling water lashed against the deck, barely dodging the splashes.

The storm had come out of nowhere, catching the seasoned sailors off guard as they fought to keep their ship afloat amidst the raging sea. Lightning cracked overhead, illuminating the chaos surrounding them as Captain Salty barked orders above the deafening roar of the wind.

"Hold fast, me hearties!" The captain shouted. "We'll weather this storm together and come out stronger on the other side!" Though battered and weary, the crew found renewed determination in his words. Captain Salty stood at the helm, his one good eye squinting through the rain, trying to steer the ship back to the Isles. They had to warn Bonesborough of the coming storm.

Lightning forked across the sky, illuminating the chaos. The ship and her crew were mere playthings in the hands of the angry sea. A mighty push from a rogue wave sent the boat reeling, but Captain Salty's steady hand on the wheel kept them from capsizing. However, this did not stop a crewman from being thrown overboard.

"No!" Captain Salty bellowed.

However, just as he and his crew thought the man was lost to the scorching hot sea, Superboy ascended, carrying the crewman back to safety. "I got you." He said. The crew gasped, their fear momentarily forgotten. Superboy's cape billowed, and he looked at them as if assuring them they would all be okay. He landed on the deck and let the crewman down safely. "Who's the captain?"

"That would be me, Superboy," Salty replied with a grateful smile. "Thank you for saving my crew member."

Superboy nodded. "I need everyone to hold on tight; we're going to fly out of this storm." Superboy took flight and dove into the boiling sea with a massive splash. Superboy was lifting the ship out of the water with a mighty heave. The crew quickly grabbed onto anything they could find as Superboy lifted the boat into the air, guiding them to safety.

Captain Salty clung to the mast, his claws digging into the wood. He'd seen many things in his years at sea, but this—this was something entirely different. "He's got this!" The crew watched in awe as Superboy maneuvered the ship through the storm effortlessly.

Superboy carried the ship back to the Isles' port and gently set it down, the crew cheering and thanking him profusely. He landed back on the deck. "Is everyone here and accounted for?" Superboy asked, scanning the faces of the relieved crew members.

"Aye, we're all here." Captain Salty nodded. "Thank you, lad. You've saved us."

Superboy grinned. "No problem. I'm just doing my best to help."

Before Superboy could fly away, Captain Salty had one more request. "Mind if we take a photo?" he asked, pulling out a battered old camera. He brought it from the Owl Lady's stand some years ago. "For the scrapbook, you know."

Superboy blinked, surprised. "You're a fan?"

Captain Salty nodded. "Aye. I have been following your adventures for a bit. You're a proper inspiration."

Superboy's cheeks reddened. "Well, shucks. Sure, let's take one."

They posed, rain-soaked and windswept. One of Captain Salty's crew members held up the camera, and Superboy grinned like a kid.

Click.

The moment was captured—side by side—a pirate captain and a superhero. "I have to get going, but it was a pleasure meeting you, Captain Salty," Superboy said, shaking his hand. "Perhaps we'll see each other again someday."

Captain Salty smiled warmly. "Aye, that would be grand. Fair winds and following seas to you, lad."

And with that, Superboy took to the skies, leaving Captain Salty and his crew standing on the dock, waving goodbye.

Dell flew through the air, the wind whipping through his hair as he soared above the Isles. The thrill of being a superhero never got old for him. As he was flying, his eyes began to bother him slightly. He stopped to rub them and squinted. "Ah!" He screamed as he realized he was seeing right through his hands; his skin was transparent.

He felt his vision shift again. It was as if a veil had been lifted. Suddenly, he could see through the walls of the buildings below him and the ground itself. He saw subterranean creatures scurrying in their tunnels and the roots of the trees reaching deep into the soil. Other peoples' bones, like delicate lacework beneath their skin or scales, were also visible. He could see their hearts beating, the blood flowing through their veins. He blinked, and his vision returned to normal.

"Is this a new power?" He wondered. "How many am I gonna get?"

Dell's superhearing picked up the sounds of thunder and rain in the distance. He looked back at the storm-charged skies out in the distance. The storm was getting closer and would be on top of the island.

"Eda! Raine!" Dell's hearing picked up Luz's crying for her mentors. It probably related to her disguising herself as an abomination for Willow during school. He told her something was going to go wrong! He told her!

Dell flew to the Owl House, leaving a sonic boom in his wake, and hovered outside the house. Luz, covered in abomination goo, was hugging Mom and Baba. "Hey, hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?" Mom exclaimed, trying to push Luz away. "You can't just go around hugging people covered in abomination goo!"

"What happened?" Baba asked Luz.

"Your lesson worked!" Luz exclaimed. "Keeping junk in my pocket saved my life!"

"Oh, that's great," Mom said, relieved.

Then Luz gasped as if remembering something. "Oh, no! Willow and Gus!"

Dell landed next to her. "What about them?" He asked, concerned for his friend.

"They're in danger! This mean girl, Amity, is going to get them—"

"Luz!" Willow shouted as she and Augustus, who is now going by Gus after Luz nicknamed him that, came out of the woods and hugged her.

Dell blinked. These were not the dire circumstances he'd expected.

"Are you guys okay?" Luz asked, relieved to see them unharmed.

"We managed to escape just in time," Willow explained, still catching her breath. She then noticed Dell, as Superboy, was off to the side. "Superboy? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, uh…" Dell began. "I heard screaming and thought someone was in danger. But I seem to have been mistaken."

"Well, Willow and I appreciate you looking out for us," Gus reassured him. Dell nodded.

"Oh, Luz, you won't believe this," Willow said excitedly. "Everything is perfect now!"

"It's true. I don't believe it." Luz replied bluntly.

"Principal Bump was so impressed by the plant magic that he's switching me to the Plant Track! Look!" Willow backs away and snaps her fingers. With a glow of green magic and a twirl, her sleeves and leggings go from magenta to green.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Luz exclaimed, genuinely surprised. "Congratulations, Willow. You deserve it." Willow beamed with pride, grateful for her friends' support and encouragement.

"Congratulations, W… Miss," Dell corrected himself but was honest in his praise. Willow blushed and giggled. It wasn't every day that someone would get complimented by a superhero.

"Oh! What about Amity? Is she going to get you in trouble for what happened today?" Luz asked, concerned.

"I don't think so," Gus said. "Last we saw, she asked Bump if today could be extra credit. We don't have to worry about Amity getting Willow in trouble."

"That's a relief." Luz sighed. "Well, I can't wait to see you in action next time I sneak in.

Willow and Gus winced, saying, "Uh, about that. You're kinda, sorta... banned." He pulls out and unfurls a poster reading "BANNED" with a picture of Luz covered in abomination goo under it.

"That's my girl!" Mom exclaimed, proudly pointing at the poster.

"Eda, do not encourage her!" Baba scolded, shaking their head. "Luz, you understand you are grounded for this, right?"

"What? For how long?"

"Until further notice; no magic training or leaving the Owl House until then."

"Aw man," Luz pouted.

"We could come here and teach you what we learned," Willow suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, we could have our training sessions right here," Gus said with a smile.

"Aw. That would be nice. But... I have pretty great teachers already," Luz said, looking at Mom and Baba with gratitude.

"Yeah, that's right. Luz is OUR student." Mom said proudly before taking the banned poster from Gus. "Ah, baby's first wanted poster. Good job, kid." She pats the top of Luz's head.

"She's gonna grow up into a lil' hellraiser," Raine predicted with a chuckle. "But we'll make sure she's the best hellraiser."

"Oh, Mx and Mrs. Whispers, is Dell home?" Willow asked the two adults. "I want to tell him the good news."

"Sorry, but he's not here," Baba responded. "He's out… on an errand."

"We can tell him tomorrow at school," Gus suggested, looking at Luz with a smile. "He'll be thrilled to hear it."

"I'm sure he will," Dell said to himself. He slipped back into his Superboy persona. "Well, if everything here is settled, I better check on the town. I saw a boiling rainstorm in the distance, so you should all get back inside before it hits."

"Thank you for telling us, Superboy," Willow said gratefully. "My dads will be worried sick if I'm caught in it, and I gotta bring my plants inside."

"I don't wanna worry my dad, either," Gus added. "See ya, Luz."

Gus and Willow waved goodbye as Dell flew off until he was out of sight. Once they were gone, Dell landed back at the Owl House and placed his concealment stone around his neck. He reverted from the heroic Superboy to the mild-mannered Dell Whispers.

"Why do you have to hide your powers like that?" asked Luz.

Dell sighed. "It's just easier this way. I don't want anyone to treat me differently because of what I can do."

"Do you think Willow and Gus will treat you differently if they know?" Luz asked, concerned.

Dell shrugged. "Maybe not, but… it's better to keep things simple."

"Enough chit-chat," Mom interjected. "We gotta fortify the Owl House for the coming storm."

King is putting a bandage on a burn Luz got on her arm from the rain. He then puts another bandage on his snout. "Look, now we're boo-boo buddies," he said.

Luz squealed, then fell as if overwhelmed by the cute act. "Oh, my gosh, I love you so much."

"Hoot! Hurry it up with that force field," Hooty whined. "That rain is getting closer to my precious stucco."

"Yeah, yeah. We hear ya!" Eda shouted as she and Raine stood side by side, twirling their staves and weaving intricate spelts to create a protective forcefield around the Owl House. The boiling rain pounded relentlessly against the shield, each drop boiling as if the heavens were angry.

"A boiling rainstorm on the Boiling Isles. The weather here is so fun." Luz said brightly.

"Yeah, we don't have weather," Eda said. "We have plagues, gorenados, shale hail, and painbows."

"It's like a rainbow, but looking at it turns you inside out," King added with a shudder.

"That's never happened to me," Dell said, raising an eyebrow.

"It wouldn't affect you; your outside and insides are made of steel," Raine said. The magic had sapped their strength, leaving them breathless. "So, until the boiling rain stops, no one is allowed outside tonight."

"Age catching up with you, Rainestorm?" Eda teased her partner. "We've faced worse than this."

"Oh, you're one to talk about age catching up," Raine shot back with a grin. "You're as tired as me."

"Me, the Owl Lady, tired? Never. I could stay up all night if I wanted toawwwn," Eda replied, a yawn overtaking her last word. But I suppose a little rest wouldn't hurt." She stretched her arms above her head.

"Hey, Eda," Luz began. "Why are you called the Owl Lady, anyway?" She pointed her thumb at Dell. "Superboy, I get it because he's… well, super. And the big 'S' is a big giveaway."

"It's cause I'm so wise," Eda replied confidently. Dell and Raine had to suppress their chuckling. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, dear," Raine said, straightening their face.

"Hoot! I think it's 'cause she coughs up rat bones!" Hooty interjected.

"Nah, I believe it's because she's easily distracted by shiny things," King added confidently.

"What? No, I…" Eda began to protest when King suddenly pulled out a pen with a fake yet sparkling diamond on top. Her pupils dilated. "It sparkles and shimmers. It shines and delights. I must have it for my nest!" Eda leaped at King, who sidestepped her, and she crashed onto the ground. "Ow."

"You have a nest? I want a nest!" Luz exclaimed.

"Are you alright, Mom?" Dell asked his mother while helping her to her feet.

"Fine, fine. I'm fine," Eda grumbled, rubbing her sore backside. "Ugh. That force field took it out of me more than I thought."

"Come on, let's get you to bed early," Raine suggested as they helped walk their wife inside. "Come on, everyone."

" Mom, Baba," Dell said. "I was planning to go out on patrol."

Eda frowned. "Out there? In this storm?"

"It's the perfect cover for crimes," Dell replied. "How many Coven Scouts will even be patrolling in this weather?"

"You do have a point… Just be careful, Dell," Raine said, concern evident in their voice. "We don't want you getting hurt out there."

"I'll be fine, I promise." Dell smiled reassuringly. He then looked at Luz and King and, in an authoritative voice like an older sibling, told them, "You two behave yourselves while I'm gone, okay? No causing trouble."

"We will," Luz assured. However, Dell did not quite fully believe her.

"Come on, Eda, let's get you your potion and go to bed," Raine said, taking Eda's arm and leading her upstairs.

"Always the responsible one, Rainestorm," Eda tiredly muttered with a small smile.

"Someone has to be." Raine and Eda climbed the stairs until they were out of sight.

Dell changed into Superboy. "I'll see you guys later." And with his superspeed and flight, he took off into the stormy night sky, leaving Luz and King alone in the living room.

"I think bro is wasting his time," King commented. "Who's even gonna commit crimes during a boiling rainstorm?"

The rain hissed against Olivia Wirres' pale skin, highlighting the electrical magic current coursing through her veins. The same current shielded the witch from the scorching droplets. Her electric veins pulsed with anticipation as she led her fellow anarchists, the self-titled Masters of Disaster, through the empty streets of Bonesborough. They were going to commit crimes during this boiling rainstorm.

Valerie Cana grinned, red-hot flame magic dancing in her eyes. The rain sizzled against her skin, but she welcomed its touch. Fire danced within her, hungering for release. "We'll turn this city to ash before the night is over," the fire witch declared, her voice laced with excitement. "That should be enough to send the Emperor's Coven a message that we will no longer be controlled."

Geoffrey Forche clenched his fists, the ground trembling beneath the rock demon's feet. "My earth magic will bury anyone who gets in our way," he added, his gravelly voice filled with determination.

"What's the job this time, Olivia?" Misty Haze, a spirit made of vapors and shadows, asked, her translucent form hovering nearby.

"Bonesborough Geological Institute," Olivia replied, her eyes sparking with mischief. "They got their hands on a fancy new rock. Something not native to the Isles or even the Demon Realm. I know some collectors in the Night Market who'll pay a fortune for it. Enough for us to get a ship and ditch this good-for-nothing island for good." Olivia grinned, already picturing their future adventures on the high seas.

"Sounds good to me," Geoffrey said. "Let's get to work."

"I don't know; it seems a little boring for my taste," Valerie said, crossing her arms and looking skeptical.

"I figured you'd say that," Olivia replied. "This is our last night on the Isles, so let's make it ours for the taking. Let the Masters of Disaster make their mark on Bonesborough like never before!"

The Masters of Disaster made their way through Bonesborough, leaving a trail of mayhem in their wake. Olivia's electrical magic zapped a couple of street lamps, shortcircuiting them. Geoffrey's earth magic crumbled the road under a parked carriage, sending it flying. Misty phased through the walls of various stores and came out with as many of their snails as she could carry. And Valerie set a statue of Emperor Belos ablaze, laughing hysterically.

The rain pounded against the roofs of buildings as Hunter teleported from roof to roof with the aid of his staff. For whatever reason, he was impervious to the scalding touch of boiling rain.

The Golden Guard's armor shimmered in the downpour as he patrolled the town he was sworn to protect. Vigilant for any signs of criminal activity. Darius had told him he was wasting his time worrying about petty thieves and ruffians. In his exact words, 'Who would be foolish enough to commit crimes during a storm like this?' But Hunter knew that every life he saved mattered. Then, Hunter spotted flickering flames in the distance as if to prove his point. Trouble was afoot.

Hunter teleported across the rooftops, hopping from one to the next until he reached the source of the fire. Then, he followed the path of destruction until he spotted the infamous Masters of Disaster gathered in front of the Bonesborough Geological Institute.

"Geoffrey," Olivia Wirres ordered her rock demon accomplice.

"With pleasure," Geoffrey roared, and with a mighty stomp, he split the ground beneath, crumbling the building's doors open.

"Steal it, Mist. We'll keep watch."

"Got it, boss," Mist said as her smoke-like form slipped inside the building.

Whatever it was they were after, Hunter was not going to let them get it. He jumped off the roof, using the power of his staff to slow his descent, and landed in front of three of the four criminals. "Hello, criminals; you've made quite the entrance. But I'm afraid your little heist ends here," Hunter smirked, twirling his staff with a confident swagger.

"Golden Guard," Livewire sneered, her electric-blue eyes narrowing.

"The one and only," Hunter replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Stop whatever you're doing, and we can all go home peacefully. Well, I'll go home peacefully; you all will spend the rest of your days in prison."

"You think you can stop us, Golden Guard? We'll see about that," Valerie hissed, hurling fireballs at Hunter. His movements were a blur, teleporting away out of the way of the fiery assault. And when he wasn't using his staff, his regular dodges and weaves were a testament to his Emperor's Coven training from a young age.

The fireballs exploded against the brickwork of the buildings behind him, leaving scorch marks. "Nice try, but you'll have to do better than that," he taunted.

Olivia smirked. "We intend to." Her electric-blue eyes were like storm clouds, charged with energy and malice. Her lightning bolts tore through the night, a stark contrast to the deep rumble of thunder that followed. Hunter channeled the magical reserves from his staff to form a shield, flickering with a ruby-red hue as it absorbed the electrical attack.

"Gotcha now!" Geoffrey taunted. His manipulation of the earth was a sight to behold. The ground heaved and split, sending shards of asphalt and cobblestone into the air.

Hunter's eyes gleamed with determination as he gracefully cartwheeled out of the way of the shards; his movements were almost bird-like, his body twisting in the air with a seamless blend of acrobatics and magic.

Valerie resumed her attack on Hunter as he summoned another shield that deflected the fireballs. Geoffrey split the ground beneath him, forcing Hunter to leap into the air, flipping backward to avoid falling into the chasm that had formed. However, the rock demon used this opportunity to raise a mound of earth beneath Hunter. He quickly teleported out of the way and landed safely on solid ground. However, this distracted him long enough for Olivia's lightning bolt to knock Hunter's staff out of his hand. "Agh!"

Olivia's unexpected attack caused Hunter to stumble back, momentarily disarmed. The Masters of Disaster closed in, their confidence growing as they saw the Golden Guard unarmed and vulnerable. As Hunter scrambled to retrieve his staff, Valerie hit him in the chest with a fireball. The impact echoes through the empty streets. If it were not for the armor he wore, Hunter would have been seriously injured. But it still sent him reeling.

"It looks like the Golden Guard isn't so great after all." Olivia taunted.

As the three assailants advanced, their silhouettes cast long, ominous shadows in the flickering light of the nearby flames. They were ready to deliver the final blow. Hunter, though winded, pushed himself to his feet, his resolve unwavering. He gritted his teeth, determination burning in his eyes, as he prepared to face his foes again.

Dell soared above the rain-covered town, keeping eyes and ears open for any signs of trouble. His vision continued to bother him as he saw through the walls of various buildings. And even the houses of the townspeople. His new powers seem to manifest at the best or worst times—no in-between.

As he flew, his super-hearing picked up something in the distance. A fight. He veered toward the source. Below, a Coven Scout with golden armor was fighting off a group of witches in front of a building with the doors demolished. Dell's gut was telling him that this was a situation that required his intervention. He swooped down as a rock demon hurled a massive stone at the scout. The stone shattered upon hitting Dell's chest.

"Superboy?" The Coven Scout looked up in surprise.

"Oh, crap!" One of the women, a fiery witch, exclaimed.

"Are you alright?" Dell asked the scout, extending a hand to help him up.

"I'm fine," the scout replied, getting up and brushing off debris from his armor.

Dell looked back at the witches. Their magic varied—fire, earth, and lightning—but their intent was apparent: to destroy anyone and anything who stood in their way. "It doesn't have to end in violence. Let's talk this out," Dell suggested, hoping for a peaceful resolution.

The fiery witch, her crimson hair dancing in the rain, sneered. "You think you can stop us, hero? We're the Masters of Disaster! We don't negotiate with the likes of you!" The fiery witch summoned a torrent of flame from her hands.

Dell's heat vision blasted the flames away before they could reach him. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

The rock demon responded, "You can't stop us!" He punched the ground, sending a wave of earth toward Dell and the scout.

Dell closed the gap between himself and the rock demon with speed. With minimal strength, Dell grabbed the rock demon's arm and twisted it behind his back, immobilizing him. "I don't want to hurt any of you," Dell said firmly. And it was true—Dell was managing his strength to ensure he didn't cause permanent damage.

The rock demon grunted in pain. "Too bad, 'cause I intend to hurt you!" The rock demon stomped on the ground, creating a mini earthquake that surprised Dell and caused him to lose his grip on the demon's arm. The rock demon took advantage of the opportunity to launch a counterattack, swinging his massive fist towards Dell's head.

CRACK!

"AHHHH!" The rock demon cried as he broke his hand on Dell's head. Dell quickly seized the opportunity to deliver a blow to the demon's chest, knocking him to the ground.

"You're going to pay for that!" the electrifying witch of the group said as she and the fiery witch combined their elemental magic to blast Dell. The attack sent Dell backward, but he regained his balance, levitated off the ground, and pushed forward. The shared stream of fire and electricity was doing little to stop Dell's advance.

"He IS super," the fiery witch exclaimed.

"Just keep it up; we'll eventually wear him down," the electrifying witch said confidently. But Dell continued to push through their combined attack.

"Olvia, I got it!" A fourth voice shouted from behind the witches. Like a gust of wind, a spirit flew out of the building and behind the electric and fire witch with something glowing and green in her hands.

At that moment, Dell started to feel a strange sensation creeping over him, as if his energy was drained away. Suddenly, the combined attack that he was resisting with ease became overwhelming, and he was blasted into a wall. "Ugh!" Dell grunted. If it weren't for the witch's wool absorbing most of the magic, he'd be more hurt.

The witches looked on in shock at what had happened. "Did we just hurt Superboy?" The electric witch asked in disbelief.

"I think we did." The fiery witch replied, her voice trembling with glee. "I say we keep it up!"

"No, Valerie. We got what we came for. Geoffrey! Misty! Let's go!"

"You got it, boss!" Geoffrey, still recovering from Dell's blow, stood up. He channeled his earth magic and made a hole in the ground wide enough for them to escape. The witches quickly disappeared into the hole, leaving Dell on the ground, weakened but alive.

When they left, Dell felt his strength return and slowly got up. "What happened to me?" Dell wondered.

"That's what I'd like to know," the Coven Scout said, walking up to Dell. "I thought you were supposed to be the strongest being on the Isles. How could you lose to some punks like the Masters of Disaster?"

Before Dell could respond, his eyes bothered him once more as he saw through every solid object before him. This included the Coven Scout's golden mask, where he realized he was a teenager like him. "Heh, this coming from a fellow teenager," Dell chuckled.

"Wh… I'm not…" The Coven Scout stuttered, clearly caught off guard by Dell's revelation.

"I can see through solid objects. It's a new power. I didn't think the Emperor's Coven would send kids out on missions like this."

"I am no kid! I am Emperor Belos' right hand. The Golden Guard."

"Regardless of your title, you're still just a teenager like me," Dell replied, his eyes narrowing as he continued to see through his facade. Still, there was something about the Golden Guard that Dell couldn't put his finger on. He feels like they have met before. "Look, we can continue to argue about our age and titles, or we can focus on stopping those witches. Who were they, anyway?"

"Don't you keep up with the news? They're the Masters of Disaster. They're a group of powerful witches who have been causing chaos all over the Boiling Isles," the Golden Guard explained, his tone serious.

"They were clearly after that rock. And they seem too much for either of us to take on alone. I suggest we work together." Dell suggested. "I know not everyone in the Emperor's Coven is thrilled with me, but I truly am here to help protect the Boiling Isles from threats like this." He stuck his hand out, hoping he could convince the Golden Guard to join forces. "We can put our differences aside and focus on the bigger picture of keeping our home safe."

The Golden Guard looked at the hand hesitantly before finally reaching out and shaking it. "Fine," he agreed, with a hint of reluctance. "But don't think this means I trust you completely." Dell nodded, understanding the guard's reservations but grateful for the temporary alliance in the face of a common enemy. "If you can see through solid objects like you say you can, then maybe you can track down where they are going."

"That's what I was thinking." Dell walked over to the hole the Masters of Disaster used to escape and focused on trying to see through the ground and follow their path. After a few moments, he found their tunnel and pointed east. "They went that way." The Golden Guard nodded and set off together to pursue the villains.

A pair of crimson eyes glinted in the darkness. An unwavering gaze observed Superboy and the Golden Guard from the rooftop of a nearby building. The basilisk had been slithering in the shadows, its slimy flesh immune to the relentless downpour of boiling rain, stalking the streets for a meal. It had witnessed the raw strength of Superboy and the Masters of Disaster. Their potential. It hungered for it all.

The basilisk's desire was primal, driven by an instinctive need to consume that which held power. It coiled, ready to strike, its forked tongue tasting the charged air. The streets of Bonesborough were its hunting ground, and tonight, it hungered for more than mere sustenance—it craved supremacy. It would make the Emperor's Coven pay for everything they've done.

The Masters of Disaster would serve as appetizers. The main course is Superboy.

The Masters of Disaster inspirations:

Olivia Wirres = Livewire

Valerie Cana = Volcana

Geoffrey Forche = Geo-Force

Misty Haze = The Mist

Thank you so much for patiently waiting, and I hope you look forward to the conclusion of this mini-arc in the next chapter with the introduction of Parasite.

If you enjoyed it, please favorite, follow, and leave a review; feedback is appreciated.