After the intense battles and training, the Shadow Hunters decided to take a well-deserved break. The sun bathed the village in warm light as Hiro, Ayla, Ronan, and Aqua strolled through the peaceful streets. Their minds, however, remained on their newfound powers and how best to use them.
Aqua, ever the analytical one, had taken the time to prepare a ranking list for the team. She stood confidently in the center of the group, holding the neatly written list in her hand.
"Alright," Aqua announced, gathering everyone's attention. "I've assessed each of our strengths and weaknesses—without considering Hiro's shadow powers. Here's how we stand."
The team gathered around, curious to see the results.
"First, let's talk about speed," Aqua began. "Hiro, you're the fastest among us, no surprises there. Ayla, you're second. Ronan and I share the third spot."
Hiro smirked while Ayla nodded, acknowledging the results. Ronan rolled his eyes playfully, nudging Aqua. "Guess we'll have to work on that," he joked.
Aqua continued, "Next is agility. And again, Hiro, you're in a league of your own. You move like lightning—literally. As for the rest of us, I'd say we're about equal."
Hiro couldn't help but grin, enjoying the recognition of his agility.
"Raw strength is where Ronan shines," Aqua said with a smile. "Ronan, you're the strongest by far. Ayla and I are second, and Hiro, sorry, but you're last."
Ronan flexed his arms exaggeratedly, causing the others to laugh. "Not everything is about strength," Hiro countered with a shrug.
"True," Aqua agreed, "which brings us to flexibility and versatility. Hiro, your range of abilities is unmatched—you can adapt to almost any situation. Ronan and Ayla follow behind, and I'm last."
Ayla crossed her arms, feeling a sense of pride in her own versatility. "Looks like we've all got our specialties."
"For defenses, I take the top spot," Aqua announced confidently. "With my Earth powers and water barriers, I'm the best at holding the line. Ronan and Ayla come in second, while Hiro, well… you're the most vulnerable."
Hiro rubbed the back of his head, knowing his offense-focused abilities didn't lend themselves to defense.
"And finally," Aqua said, "there's Battle IQ. I'm first here, naturally." She smirked playfully. "Ronan, you're second, Ayla third, and Hiro... you've got a lot of heart, but you could use some more strategy."
The group chuckled, with Hiro giving an exaggerated sigh. "I guess I've got some work to do."
After a moment of quiet reflection, Aqua concluded, "Overall, it's clear. Hiro and Ayla, you two are the top contenders in terms of all-around skills. Ronan, you're a solid second, and I round out the list."
The team nodded in agreement, appreciating how Aqua's assessment helped them better understand their individual strengths and weaknesses.
"Now that we know more about each other's abilities, we can plan even better for future battles," Hiro said, glancing at each of his teammates.
Ayla smiled at Hiro. "Yeah, but don't think that just because we tied in our last fight, I'll let you get the upper hand again."
Hiro chuckled. "Same goes for me. We'll just keep pushing each other to be better."
As the day drifted into the evening, the Shadow Hunters felt a renewed sense of camaraderie. Their powers had grown, but so had their bond as a team. They were ready for whatever came next.