The news of my apparent death from Karson stunned me. It wasn't long after he beckoned Johnson that the three of us were back together in the room we were in before I was taken away to wherever I was when I became a Hero.

  Johnson spoke after catching his breath, "Holy crap, you do live! Well, who's your sponsor? How many powers did you get? I bet you'll get an Offense role."

  There was only one thing I understood from Johnson's mouth and it was not any of his questions. I put my hands out to signify that he was in geek mode as we call it. The back of my hands interrupted any train of thought I did have.

  The other two studied my hands with me and started to information dump on me about the shapes on my hands.

  Karson showed disappointment on his face, "This sucks, he's F-Tier."

  Johnson grimaced in response, "Nah, not really. His left hand shows he is a trifecta in F-Tier power types. That has to put him in at least D-Tier."

  "Not if none of them can get past the first section. He could have five power types and still be an F-Tier. It's based on limitations, stupid. Now his right hand is what is more interesting."

  Karson grabbed my right wrist and shoved it in Johnson's face before he went on a tangent again. "His shape is three shapes and not one. Not only is he the first we've seen with more than one power type, but he is also the first we've seen to have every Hero Role as well. He might be in the weakest tier but-"

  I snatched my hand back from Karson and tried to rub the nerd off of it. Why did I allow them to do that with my body? "If y'all two are done expositioning my hands, tell me why this place is more barren than the barrack's cafeteria on veggie lasagna day?"

  They both looked at each other before Johnson nodded to be the one to explain, "We were waiting on you but now that you're here, follow me while we talk." He guided me to the stairwell and that's when I saw how much damage the penthouse had taken. From crumbled walls to entire floor ceilings missing, it was a miracle the entire building didn't collapse.

  My face gave me away as Karson spoke up from behind, "You should know that Heroes can become Villains through the slightest corruption. An estimated forty-five percent of Heroes became Villains within the first hour. The damage you see happened the first day."

  I was still lost on what a Hero was, never mind a Villain. Knowing that others who were chosen like me failed to stay a Hero fueled my determination to be a true paragon even more.

  We reached the ground floor which was missing the front wall. All that was left was a beam of light outside. I turned to Johnson with a concerned look, "I ain't finna* be probed, am I?"

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  With a soft but stifled chuckle, Johnson shook his head, "Nah, nothing like that. It's where you part this world and take whoever is nearby with you to the next stage in your journey as a Hero."

  A pit dragged down in my stomach as my sense of touch retreated deeper into my skin. The realization of my life changing became real. It reminded me of the day I got on the plane to become a soldier and said goodbye to the civilian life.

  With the past drudged up, I quickly turned to Johnson, "I can't leave her again, where is-?"

  Johnson had his hand up as if he predicted my question. Karson came from around the corner with a leash in hand. I hadn't noticed he left but the claws against the tile are one I could never mistake.

  Sudden joy erupted out of me, "Menace!" I ran and slid on my knees to greet my fur baby. I took note of my newfound strength and made certain to be more gentle.

  Karson handed me the leash while he shook his head, "I can't believe he actually thought about his sea otter at a time like this. Wow."

  I ignored his babyless comments and held Menace in the air. Karson said more but I was too occupied with my important tasks.

  Johnson tapped my shoulder while he replied to Karson, "At least Dennis still has all of his pets. How many cases and plants have you killed?"

  I stood up and quickly covered Menace's ears since she tends to get agitated with yelling like Karson was doing, "First of all, I was at fault for two of the five totals! And my plants only died after I moved in with you!"

  I stepped into the light with Menace in my arms and saw a screen pop up.

  [Register your Hero name]

  Despite the months spent on physical training and research on surviving comic apocalypses, I had yet to think of a name. I mean, my first name is related to an angel.

  [The name Angel has been taken, please choose a different name]

  The message alerted me to the intrusiveness of whatever system made me a Hero. Well, let's try another name that's related.

  After the name went through, another screen showed up. This time I had to call the two bickering idiots over for a question.

  "Are y'all able to see this?" I pointed ahead of me but they let me know that I was only pointing at air.

  [You can take those around you as Fans. Beings that are not sentient will be given sentience upon arrival. Designate your Fans]

  I chose my two favorite idiots and my fur baby, Queen Menace. Before I confirmed my selection, I turned to the other two, "Oh snap! Where is my wife?"

  Johnson started hysterically laughing as Karson let me in on the apparent joke, "We were wondering when you'd notice. You do not have to worry. She became a Fan of her brother who is a Hero."

  My eyes showed shock before horror as I knew what kind of person my brother-in-law was. "I'm guessing he was in that forty-five percent?"

  Johnson had taken a break from laughing to answer me, "Surprisingly not! At least while here anyway. Who knows, he might have become a Villain the moment he got beamed up."

  A person as vile as him could never be a good by choice. If he was still a Hero when I meet him next, it'll tell me all I need to know about how awful the corruption is to a Hero. I had no plans on failing but I could use all the motivation I could get.

  I confirmed my selection and then saw a bright light and a screen in front of me.

  [You have 3 Fans]

  [You are assigned to Hero Squad #100]

  [Hero Squad #100 (Level 1 - Bronze V) will compete against Villain Squad #811215 (Level 1 - Bronze I)

  Wait, did that just say compete?