Just before entering the Gazette's main entrance, Cisco contacted me to point out an oversight in my writing. Knowing the seriousness of the situation, and with my approval, Cisco had slightly modified my story, adding how all my previous memories of who I truly was came flooding back to me right after my powers awakened a few days ago. I hadn't realized I left that out, so I thanked Cisco for fixing my mistake.
Now, as I entered the office and sat in the designated chair in front of the Managing Editor, she asked me what information I had regarding Sentry. I responded, "Yes, ma'am. I was rescued by him a few days ago, and when he found out I was an aspiring journalist, I asked if he'd be willing to share his story." To my surprise, he smiled and nodded. After that, he flew me to the roof of a nearby building. Right in front of me, he conjured two chairs and had me sit down while he took the other seat.
It took me a full ten seconds to gather myself, and then I pulled out my notepad from my back pocket and a pen from my shirt to start asking questions. I asked, "Who are you? We know you call yourself Sentry, but what is Sentry? Could you share your story with the world so people can understand you and your motives?" After several minutes of back-and-forth, I asked if we could take some pictures together, which he agreed to.
I opened my normal-looking laptop and showed them the clear picture of Sentry and me together, as well as one of him floating, ready to fly away. Miss Siegel's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the images. Then I opened the file containing Sentry's backstory, the one Cisco had modified. With every second Miss Siegel spent reading, her expressions shifted between surprise and wonder at the surreal life of this new hero. People call Superman a god for his unbelievable feats, but would that compare to a living god, who had only just realized his divine heritage? The fact that he was still willing to be a hero and save people, despite his power, showed his mindset—one not of a god, but of a mortal human determined to do the right thing.
After reading my story, Miss Siegel stopped looking at the screen and smiled at me before asking, "Mr. Kyn, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you? You look very young."
"I'm seventeen," I replied, "I just graduated high school a few weeks ago."
I noticed her frown slightly before she said, "I'm impressed with the quality of your pictures. We'll need you to send them over so we can verify their authenticity. As for your story, it's eloquent, clear, and breathtaking. It's rare to see such strong writing from someone your age. You have immense potential, young man. Now, while you're too young to be hired as a senior journalist, I did promise that whoever brought me quality pictures and information would get that position. However, I had someone older in mind when I made that statement. Still, I'm willing to offer you an apprentice position. Once you turn eighteen, I'll give you an evaluation, and if you pass, I'll promote you directly to senior journalist. In addition to that, we'll award you $10,000 for bringing us quality pictures and excellent information on the newest, and possibly strongest, superhero the world has ever seen. What do you think of my offer, Mr. Kyn?"
I was pleasantly surprised by the reward, though not entirely shocked that I didn't get the senior journalist position, considering my age would limit the actions I could take as a journalist. Reflecting on this, I said, "Thank you, Miss Siegel, for this opportunity. Yes, I accept the offer. What should I do now?"
Miss Siegel smiled warmly and then turned to Robert. "Bob, take Kyn to see James in HR and make sure all his information goes through legal before issuing his check for the reward."
I saw Robert's expression turn serious as he nodded at her order. Miss Siegel then turned back to me. "Kyn, you'll start work in a several days, after the legal team completes the background check. It's just standard procedure."
I nodded, understanding that large companies always go through such processes to ensure everything is in order with new employees. Noticing my nod, she continued, still smiling, "It will also take a few days to issue your check, but I promise you this: Tomorrow's early edition will feature your pictures and discussion on the front page. I'll make sure Robert gives you credit in the final article, okay?"
I smiled and thanked her for her consideration. As I sent all my files to Miss Siegel's work email, I assumed the meeting was over and began to stand. But before I could fully rise, she asked, "Just curious, do you have any way to contact him? Something that would allow for more interactions?"
I thought for a few seconds before replying, "When we were taking pictures, I asked if, once I became a journalist, he'd let me be his exclusive reporter. He laughed and said, 'If you do become a journalist, I'd consider talking to you. I haven't spoken to any other reporter or journalist before, so I have no problem with that.' He didn't seem dishonest—actually, he looked like he hadn't even thought about it until he met me. Is that the answer you were hoping for, Miss Siegel?"
Miss Siegel, clearly taken aback by my recounting of the interaction, looked at me as though she were seeing a younger version of herself. She finally said, "Yes, Kyn. You're very sharp. You just secured exclusive rights to one of the newest superheroes. But let me warn you—nothing discussed here should ever leave this room. Do I make myself clear?"
She cast a menacing look at the three senior journalists, who all appeared nervous and quickly nodded. Then she said, "Alright, Kyn, follow Bob, and I'll see you soon. Thank you for trusting this paper with your information. We won't let you down."
I thanked her, got up, and followed Bob out of the office while the other women returned to their desks.
After stepping out of the building, I realized the day had slipped into late afternoon—around four o'clock, to be exact. The air had cooled slightly, and the sun was casting long shadows across the streets of Blüdhaven. Feeling that familiar itch to help, I thought, why not fly around and see if anyone needs saving? With a thought, I willed my street clothes to shift back into my superhero suit. The transformation was seamless, the element X morphing fabric was like a second skin.
An hour passed as I patrolled the city, my senses attuned to every sound and shift in the air. It was quiet—a little too quiet for Blüdhaven, which was never a good sign. Then, my ears picked up on something: the faint buzz of a silent alarm. I focused, zeroing in on its location—it was coming from the business district, from one of the city's major banks.
I activated my X-ray vision and enhanced hearing to scan the situation. A robbery. And not just any robbery—these guys were pros. I listened intently as the leader, a burly figure, barked out orders: "Cat and Dog, get it done. You have 25 seconds. After that, we're out. Snake, make sure no one moves or screams. If they do—shoot to kill."
His voice was cold, professional. The others responded in unison, "Yes, Gorilla, sir!" My heart rate spiked. This was no ordinary heist.
Without wasting another second, I shot into the air and bolted toward the bank, smashing through one of the high windows with a controlled burst of speed. Glass shattered around me as I touched down inside. Using my X-ray vision again, I immediately targeted and destroyed their weapons, turning them into useless heaps of metal.
As the smoke cleared, the criminals ripped off their masks. What I saw left me momentarily stunned—it was a who's-who of dangerous individuals. There, stood Lady Vic, her twin daggers gleaming with an ominous green hue; Boone, also known as Shrike, with shurikens and tonfas similarly glowing; Giz, the tech-savvy hacker genius; and then, shockingly, Cisco Blaine—an undercover FBI agent. This wasn't just a robbery—this was an orchestrated strike.
Lady Vic's weapons weren't normal. My gut twisted when I realized they were laced with green Kryptonite. Boone's shuriken and tonfa were the same. Kryptonite—seriously? I kept my composure, but inside, I knew this fight could've gone south fast if not for my full godly physique awakening.
Cisco was the first to speak, his voice unsettlingly calm. "Sentry, you have two options. Our boss says you either leave Blüdhaven for good or you die here today. Be warned—these aren't your average fighters. Their martial skills are top-notch, and all of their weapons have been enhanced with Kryptonite. Now, what's your choice?"
I grinned inwardly. If only they knew. "I've got a third option," I said, stepping forward casually, the tension palpable. "I knock all of you out and let the authorities deal with you. Sound reasonable?"
They bristled at my audacity, but I didn't stop there. "Now, how about you tell me your answer?" My eyes locked onto theirs, daring them to make a move.
Lady Vic and Shrike didn't even flinch; they moved as one, charging at me in perfect synchronization—a blur of precision and aggression. Shrike launched his Kryptonite-laced shurikens with deadly intent, their green glow cutting through the air like poisonous stars. I dodged effortlessly, catching every single one mid-flight as if I'd done it a thousand times before. The shock on their faces was priceless. They froze, utterly disbelieving that the Kryptonite hadn't so much as phased me. Their eyes went wide with confusion and fear.
Without breaking a sweat, I tossed the shurikens back, each one hitting Shrike with pinpoint accuracy. The impacts were non-lethal but enough to send a clear message. I could see the disbelief etched on his face. This wasn't the fight they had anticipated.
Before Lady Vic could process what had just happened, she lunged at me, her sword gleaming with that same Kryptonite green. She aimed directly for my heart, fully expecting to take me down. But I simply lifted my hand and blocked her attack with one finger. Her momentum stopped cold. Her eyes bulged in sheer astonishment. Yeah, I can do that now.
In one fluid motion, I grabbed her sword and yanked it from her grip, spinning it around as if it weighed nothing. With a swift, controlled strike to the back of her head, I knocked her out. She crumpled to the floor, unconscious before she even knew what hit her.
Shrike, still bleeding from where his own shurikens had hit him, staggered to his feet. The man had guts; I'd give him that. He came at me with his tonfas, swinging wildly, desperation fueling his every move. But I barely needed to try. Each strike he attempted was met with the same response—I blocked them all with a single finger, standing unfazed.
Too easy, I thought, as one final, well-placed hit to his head put him down for good. Shrike collapsed next to Lady Vic, defeated.
I turned my attention to Giz, who was already on the ground, cradling his laptop like it was his only shield against the world. He hadn't even tried to fight. Smart guy. Surrendering was the best option when you're up against someone like me.
Cisco Blaine, the undercover FBI agent, was right behind him. He dropped his weapon, his eyes meeting mine with a meaningful look, one that said, "I've done my job, now you do yours." I gave him a quick nod, threw in a wink, and flashed a small smile. He didn't need to get tangled up in this mess any further. He'd done his part.
But as I stood there, looking over the scene, it hit me. The underworld in Blüdhaven had marked me as a threat. They would do anything, use anyone, to stop me. Lady Vic, Shrike, even Giz—they were just pawns in a bigger game, a game I hadn't fully realized I was a part of. And now that I knew who these guys were working for, the stakes had shifted. I couldn't just beat down the criminals; I had to dismantle their entire empire.
It was time to be more careful, more strategic. If I was going to put a permanent end to this underworld empire, I'd have to think ahead, move faster than they could plan, and hit harder than they expected. One thing was clear—this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
With the situation under control, I created a strong, unbreakable rope out of thin air and tied up all the criminals, making sure their hands and feet were securely bound. I turned to the branch manager, who had been cowering behind a desk the whole time. "Call 911," I told him, my voice calm but firm. "Let them know what happened here."
I gathered up all the Kryptonite weapons, their green glow a stark reminder of what could've been a deadly situation—if I hadn't adapted. Without hesitation, I aimed my heat vision at the pile, watching as the metal and Kryptonite began to melt and liquefy under the intense heat. The room filled with a soft hiss as the toxic weapons disintegrated.
Once they were nothing more than a molten mess, I took a deep breath, unleashing a gust of my freeze breath. In seconds, the glowing liquid solidified into a shimmering, frozen mass. I picked it up, shaping it between my hands until it resembled a perfectly round basketball, its surface now hard as stone but with a faint green tint.
A smile crept across my face as I admired my handiwork. A Kryptonite basketball, something straight out of a twisted comic, but practical in my hands. I decided then and there—I'd hold onto this. The next time I flew into space, I'd take this ball of Kryptonite and hurl it straight into the heart of the sun, where it couldn't harm anyone ever again.
But for now, it was a trophy, a reminder that Kryptonite no longer had the power to bring me down. Soon, it wouldn't have power over anyone at all.
Satisfied with the outcome, I floated up and shot back into the sky, feeling the cool rush of wind against my face. It was time for another round of patrols. But as I soared above the city, I found myself drifting higher—into the clouds, where the world below became a distant hum. I sat on one of the clouds, letting its soft, weightless form cradle me. It was incredible—my body felt as light as the clouds themselves.
I couldn't help but ponder what had just happened. Venus, the thought crossed my mind. I needed a place—a sanctuary, my own version of a Fortress of Solitude. But unlike most versions, I wasn't going to hide it in some remote icy wasteland. No, my fortress would be on Venus. Close to the sun, yet far from the prying eyes of governments and supervillains alike.
The more I mulled it over, the clearer my plan became—a vision of the future that excited me. Terraforming Venus wouldn't just be a personal fortress; it would be a monumental achievement, a world reshaped by my hands, capable of supporting life—my life, my sanctuary. To make that dream a reality, I'd need to move the entire planet into the habitable zone.
A few adjustments here and there, I thought. Shifting Venus roughly 17 million miles further from the sun would place it in a perfect orbit, about 0.90 AU from the sun. That's right in the borders of the Goldilocks zone—where conditions are almost right for life to thrive. It would be far enough away from Earth that it wouldn't mess with our planet's balance, but close enough for me to zip back and forth when needed.
I ran the calculations in my head, marveling at how easily the numbers lined up. A few days ago, I wouldn't have known the first thing about astronomical distances, let alone something like an AU—an Astronomical Unit. But now, the concepts clicked into place as if they'd always been there, just waiting for me to access them.
Venus was currently 0.72 AU from the sun, far too close to be anything but a searing furnace. Its atmosphere was a thick, toxic blanket, trapping heat and crushing anything beneath it. But if I could shift it to 0.90 AU, things would change. The planet would start to cool. The relentless greenhouse effect would lessen. Over time, the thick, acidic clouds would thin out, allowing Venus to breathe again. The temperature would plummet, not just by a few degrees but drastically—double digits, maybe more. Liquid water could form.
The idea of reshaping an entire planet, transforming it from an inhospitable wasteland into a thriving, Earth-like world, sent a thrill through me. Venus could become something more than just a fortress—it could be a second Earth, a world all my own. And with my power, I knew it was possible. This wasn't just theory anymore; this was something I could actually make happen.
A world for me. A new beginning. All it would take was a push in the right direction—literally.
I marveled at how much I'd grown—mentally, not just physically. My mind had expanded in ways I couldn't have imagined, calculating things I didn't even know existed a few days ago. The transformation wasn't just about raw power; it was about intellect, clarity of thought. I was now capable of plotting the terraforming of an entire planet, reshaping its orbit, and mapping out its future as if it were second nature.
I'd even confirmed with my current strength, I could push Venus myself. The thought was mind-boggling. I could literally move a planet. But as grand as that plan was, there was no rush. It was already getting late, and tonight wasn't the night for cosmic feats. Besides, Cass would be waiting for me at home. She came first. Tomorrow, I'd make history; tonight, I'd make dinner.
Just as I began descending back toward the city, my super hearing picked up something that sent a chill down my spine. A gunshot. Followed by more. The unmistakable sound of a shootout between the cops and the Outlaw. My eyes zeroed in on the alley where the fight was happening. I remembered reading this comic—a victim had been shot in a robbery gone wrong, and if I didn't act now, the outlaw also known as Hugh Fletcher will die in that alley tonight.
No time to waste. I shot down like a bullet, ready to change the course of fate.