Days passed, and Astrea struggled to resist the urge to sneak out and explore the world. She'd been warned by her parents to stay close to home, and she'd promised to behave. But as she watched the news, she couldn't help feeling like she was missing out.
The world had quieted down about the incident in Nectar, and Electro was safely locked away in his cell. Astrea's parents were relieved, but Astrea couldn't shake off the feeling that she'd only just begun her journey.
As she played in the farm field, Astrea's enhanced hearing picked up a distant explosion. She froze, her heart racing. Without hesitation, she quickly put on her homemade suit and spread her wings.
"Astrea, wait!" her parents called out, but she was already airborne, flying towards the source of the explosion.
As she approached the location, she saw a multi-apartment complex engulfed in flames. The screams of families trapped inside pierced the air, and Astrea's fear gave way to determination.
She flew down towards the building, carefully carrying anyone she could find on the ledges or balconies to safety. The heat was intense, and her wings caught fire, but she pushed through the pain.
Once she'd rescued those on the outside, Astrea flew into the building, using her strength to move debris and carry civilians to safety. But one family's desperate cry stopped her in her tracks.
"My boy! He's still inside!" the mother wailed, her voice hoarse from screaming.
Astrea's heart sank, but she didn't hesitate. She flew straight into the burning building, searching for the child. Finally, she found him, and as she held him in her arms, she tried to calm him down.
But it was too late. The room exploded, and Astrea was caught off guard. Flames engulfed her and the child, and she screamed in pain as more of her wings were burned.
When she looked down at the child in her arms, her heart broke. He was smoldering, his small body lifeless. Defeated, Astrea jumped out of the building, the child's body still clutched in her arms.
The worried family rushed back, and when Astrea showed them their child's body, they broke down in tears. Astrea's eyes welled up with tears as she handed the child over to them. She couldn't bear the pain and guilt that washed over her.
She immediately left the scene, her wings injured and her heart heavy. She didn't go far, collapsing near a forest as she sat down with her face in her hands.
Meanwhile, back at POP HQ, the team was relaxing until they received a call from Marvel. "There's a situation," she said, her voice urgent. "We've received intel that a terrorist group in Rushmore has acquired weapons of mass destruction. We need you to infiltrate the site and neutralize the threat."
The team sprang into action, donning their gear and boarding their stealth jet. A few hours later, they reached Rushmore and infiltrated the terrorist site, taking down guards with ease.
Aqua, with her water manipulation powers, took point, clearing a path through the guards. "I've got this," she said, her voice calm and confident.
Nova, with his explosive energy blasts, provided cover, taking out any terrorists who got too close. "Covering your six, Aqua," he said, his voice steady.
Zenith, with his superhuman strength, smashed through doors and walls, clearing a path for the team. "Moving in," he said, his voice deep and commanding.
As they fought their way through the terrorists, each member of the team used their unique powers and abilities to take down the enemy. But when one of the team members accidentally tripped the alarms, the mission turned into a full-blown battle.
"Incoming!" Aqua shouted, as a wave of terrorists rushed towards them.
"Taking point," Nova said, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts that sent the terrorists flying.
"I've got the flank," Zenith said, his massive strength sending terrorists crashing to the ground.
The team fought in perfect sync, their movements choreographed by years of training and experience. But when the leader wanted to report back, a strange voice echoed through the comms system.
"Well done, Protectors. You've walked right into my trap."
The leader's earpiece dropped to the floor, and a PRISM agent's voice came through, urgent and panicked. "Hello? Did you confirm the presence of the weapons? What's going on out there? Respond!"
The scene shifted back to the news report, where a reporter was speaking about the multi-apartment complex fire.
"...The unknown individual who battled Electro just a few days ago was present here, saving dozens of lives. Unfortunately, one life was lost. The child, Theodore, will be deeply missed by his family. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time."
The reporter's voice was somber, and the camera panned out to show the smoldering ruins of the building.
Later that day, Astrea trudged through the farm field, her wings still injured. She reached the front door and knocked softly. Her dad opened the door, his face furious, but when he saw the injury on her wings, he quickly led her inside.
Her mom rushed downstairs, and together they used the first aid kit to clean her wounds. Astrea winced in pain, but she didn't say a word, her mind still reeling from the events of the day.
As they tended to her wounds, Astrea's parents exchanged worried glances. They knew their daughter was in over her head, and they weren't sure how to help