(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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As Rudra and Surge Rider rode through the night,
The hum of their engines eventually faded into the quieter suburbs of the hero district.
The neon glow gave way to sleek modern homes—
Sprawling estates protected by cutting-edge technology.
Surge Rider slowed her glider and turned to him with a teasing grin.
"How about a stop at my place? You deserve a breather, Ra-One."
Rudra considered for a moment, then nodded.
Nod~
"Sure... Why not? Lead the way."
A few minutes later...
They arrived before a mansion that looked like it belonged more to a tech mogul than a hero.
Walls shimmered with defensive mechanism with digital glyphs,
Drones hovered along the perimeter,
And a security field pulsed faintly in the air.
Rudra gave a low whistle.
"You sure this is your home and not a secret hero armory?"
Cathrine aka Surge Rider chuckled, tossing her hair back.
Chuckle~
"Depends on who's asking."
She pressed her finger to the scanner by the gate.
A soft chime sounded,
Chime~
Followed by a smooth voice,
'Identity confirmed. Catherine Volt—access granted.'
Then, a second layer of security slid out—
A sleek, rotating eye scanner.
She leaned forward, the machine scanned her iris, and the heavy gates parted silently.
Hiss~
Both heroes walked through the manicured path to the front door.
But before Cathrine could touch the handle, it swung open on its own.
Standing there was a towering man,
His presence radiating quiet authority.
His muscles were still sharp despite his age,
His green hair combed neatly but had a cyber-punk style.
The faint scar near his temple told stories of old battles.
He froze halfway through a greeting—
His deep voice trailing as his sharp eyes landed on the armored figure beside his daughter.
"Catherine… you're home early—"
His tone shifted mid-sentence, suspicion flickering in his gaze.
Rudra stood calmly,
The red light from his armor pulsing faintly.
The man's expression hardened slightly before turning into measured curiosity.
"...."
Cathrine broke the silence with a bright smile.
"Dad! This is Ra-One. He helped save those kidnapped girls tonight."
The old man blinked once.
Blink~
'What the hell he is doing here?'
Then, realization dawned on his face.
"...."
After introducing Rudra, Cathrine beamed with pride.
"This is my father—Kaizen Volt, the current Director of the Hero Public Safety Commission."
Rudra froze for a second.
"...."
'Director… Kaizen Volt?'
That name carried weight—
One that even heroes spoke with a mix of respect and caution.
He hadn't expected her father to be the Director of Hero Public Safety Commission.
Recovering quickly,
Rudra stepped forward,
His expression composed beneath the faint red gleam of his armor which reveled as the mask shifted back to the hood and he removed it.
"It's an honor, Director Volt."
He extended his hand.
Kaizen, momentarily caught off guard, blinked—
Blink~
"...."
But within a breath, his years of discipline returned.
His grip was firm, the kind of handshake that measured a man silently.
"The honor's mine,"
Kaizen replied evenly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the young hero before him.
Frown~
Cathrine clapped her hands lightly, breaking the tension.
Clap~
"Come on, both of you—don't just stand there like statues. Let's go inside."
They entered the spacious,
High-tech living room—
Walls lined with holographic displays of past hero operations, commendations,
And photos of Cathrine in her early hero training days.
Kaizen motioned for Rudra to sit.
Both men sat in silence.
Neither spoke a word—
Each caught off guard by the turn of events.
The air between them was thick with unspoken thoughts: one assessing,
"...."
"...."
The other simply trying to process how he'd walked straight into the home of the Hero Public Safety Commission's Director.
Moments later...
Cathrine returned, cheerfully holding a tray.
"Here! Freshly baked biscuits!"
She said proudly,
Placing a plate in front of Rudra before hurrying back toward the kitchen.
"I'll get the juice—I almost forgot!"
Rudra smiled politely and reached for one of the biscuits.
Just as he was about to take a bite,
Kaizen's expression changed drastically.
"...."
His eyes widened,
And he subtly shook his head no—
Frantically waving his hand as if warning Rudra of impending doom.
Rudra froze mid-motion,
Biscuit inches from his mouth.
His sharp instincts picked up on the older man's look of genuine concern.
"...."
He slowly set the biscuit down.
Cathrine returned moments later with a glass of orange juice, her eyes sparkling.
"Sorry! Totally slipped my mind."
Rudra accepted it with a grateful nod and took a sip—
Nod~
Careful to avoid the biscuits altogether.
"Thanks,"
He said lightly.
As soon as she left the room again,
Kaizen leaned in, lowering his voice.
"Listen,"
He whispered gravely,
Glancing toward the hallway to make sure she was gone.
"For the love of your teeth and your digestive system—don't eat anything my daughter cooks. You might not make it out alive."
Rudra blinked, then couldn't help the quiet chuckle that escaped him.
Blink~
"That bad, huh?"
Kaizen sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Sigh~
"Son, last time she baked cookies, even the dog hid under the bed."
Rudra had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing out loud.
Cathrine reentered the living room,
Now dressed casually in a sky-blue hoodie and jeans.
Her hair was down,
And she plopped onto the couch beside Rudra with the easy confidence of someone completely at home.
"Sorry for the wait,"
She said cheerfully, picking up her own glass of juice and taking a long sip before grabbing the remote.
"Let's see what's on."
The TV flickered to life—
Instantly showing a breaking news report.
"—and once again, tonight's top story: the new hero known as Ra-One has successfully dismantled a major criminal network disguised as an ice cream shop. Multiple kidnapped victims have been rescued, thanks to his quick action and bravery—"
The screen filled with clips taken by onlookers.
Ra-One carrying the rescued girls,
His armor glinting under the streetlights,
His glowing bike vanishing into distance.
Then came interviews—tearful parents, overjoyed children thanking their unknown savior.
Cathrine's grin widened as she turned toward Rudra, elbowing him playfully.
Grin~
"Well, well… looks like someone's trending."
Rudra rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, looking away.
"Yeah… didn't really mean for that to happen."
Kaizen chuckled softly from his armchair.
Chuckle~
"Heroes rarely do,"
He said, half teasing, half impressed.
Then the newscaster introduced a clip of an elderly woman—
One of the victims' grandmothers—
Her voice trembling with emotion.
"That Ra-One… his parents must be the luckiest people alive, to have raised such a good-hearted son."
Rudra's faint smile faltered.
"...."
His eyes lingered on the screen for a moment longer before he quietly looked down at the untouched biscuit plate.
The warmth in the room seemed to thin around him.
Cathrine noticed the subtle shift in his expression—
How his shoulders had stiffened,
"...."
The light in his eyes dimmed.
Even Kaizen's sharp gaze softened,
Reading the unspoken weight behind that silence.
"...."
No one said anything for a few long seconds.
Then Cathrine gently changed the channel to something lighter—
A comedy rerun—
And flashed a small, understanding smile.
They chatted a little after that—
Small talk about hero work, academy life, and Kaizen's dry humor filling the space again.
But the earlier brightness never fully returned to Rudra's face.
When the time passed down quitly,
Rudra stood and offered a polite bow.
"Thank you for the hospitality,"
He said sincerely.
Cathrine saw him to the door, her tone soft now.
"You're welcome anytime, Ra-One… or Rudra,"
She added with a teasing smile that didn't quite hide her concern.
He smiled faintly, nodded, and stepped out into the cool night.
Nod~
As the gate closed behind him and his high tech red bike reformed out of cubes beside him,
The glow of its light reflected briefly in his eyes—
"...."
Bright, yet quietly lonely.
Three months later…
Life at Sky High had settled into a steady rhythm for Rudra.
Between teaching classes, overseeing hero training sessions, and occasionally completing system-assigned missions under the name Ra-One,
The days had begun to flow like clockwork.
This afternoon was no different.
The cafeteria buzzed with the familiar chaos of students laughing, gossiping, and trading heroic bragging rights over lunch.
Rudra, tray in hand, picked a quiet corner table—
His usual spot away from the noise—
And began eating in calm silence.
That peace lasted all of thirty seconds.
Someone slid into the seat opposite him with deliberate confidence, the motion smooth and unapologetic.
"...."
Rudra's fork paused halfway to his mouth.
He raised an eyebrow and glanced up.
Sitting across from him was none other than Gwen Grayson—
Sky High's resident "villain,"
The mysterious tech prodigy whose sharp mind was matched only by her sharper smirk.
She met his gaze with a disarming smile.
"Mind if I sit here, Professor?"
For a brief moment,
Rudra said nothing.
"...."
Then, setting his fork down, he gave a small, polite nod, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.
"If you're asking so nicely, how can I refuse?"
Her smile deepened as she placed her tray on the table, sitting gracefully.
"I figured the quietest spot in the cafeteria would belong to you teacher."
"Or,"
Rudra replied calmly,
"you just wanted to make everyone think you're about to hack into my grading system."
A soft laugh escaped her—
Chuckle~
Light, but carrying an edge of mischief.
"Who says I haven't already?"
That earned her a subtle but knowing glance from Rudra,
Who resumed eating as if her words didn't surprise him.
The two sat in an odd, comfortable silence after that—
"...."
"...."
The kind that made nearby students whisper and glance their way.
The silence between them lingered—
Neither awkward nor comfortable, just thick with unspoken curiosity.
Gwen stirred her drink absentmindedly,
Her eyes flicking toward Rudra every few seconds as though studying a puzzle.
"So, Professor,"
She began casually, her tone light but her gaze sharp,
"you've been at Sky High for a few months now, but no one seems to know much about where you came from. Transfer from another academy, maybe?"
Rudra didn't look up immediately.
He swallowed a bite of food, then replied evenly,
"You could say that."
She tilted her head, undeterred.
"And before that? You were… what? A hero on active duty? Or maybe a private sector type—one of those independent vigilantes who works off the grid?"
Rudra gave a faint chuckle and finally met her eyes.
Chuckle~
"You've been doing your homework, haven't you, Miss Grayson?"
"Curiosity's a virtue,"
She said smoothly.
"And sometimes a dangerous one,"
Rudra countered, his voice calm but carrying a weight that made her pause.
Then he offered an almost teasing smile,
"Let's just say my past doesn't like being in the spotlight."
She leaned back, eyes narrowing just a fraction.
Frown~
The way he dodged the question confirmed what she already suspected—
She'd found nothing about him because he wanted it that way.
Before she could press further,
Crash!
A sudden crash! broke through the cafeteria chatter.
Trays clattered to the floor,
Followed by the unmistakable sound of someone shouting.
Both Rudra and Gwen turned toward the commotion.
Near the center of the cafeteria,
Will Stronghold stood frozen, his face pale as a plate of mashed potatoes slid off his tray… right onto Warren Peace's chest.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Warren's jaw tightened, a low, dangerous heat shimmering around his hands.
His fiery temper was as famous as his flames, and right now both were seconds from erupting.
"Oh no…"
Gwen muttered under her breath, watching the tension escalate.
"Here we go again."
Rudra sighed softly,
Pushing his chair back with deliberate calm.
Sigh~
"Excuse me, Miss Grayson,"
He said as he stood,
His tone carrying the kind of authority that made even Gwen pause.
All around, students began backing away from the brewing confrontation between Will and Warren.
Flames crackled faintly in the air as Warren clenched his fists.
Warren's patience finally snapped.
With a furious roar,
He thrust his palm forward—
FWOOOSH!—
A jet of fire erupted, scorching across the cafeteria floor.
Will yelped, barely dodging in time,
His shoes skidding against spilled food as flames licked the air where he'd just stood.
Plates shattered.
Students screamed—
But none moved to help.
Instead, half the cafeteria had their phones out, cheering and recording,
The room flashing with camera lights as if this were entertainment.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Someone shouted.
Layla's face turned pale as she saw Will diving under a table for cover, his hands trembling.
"...."
"Warren, stop!"
She shouted, but her voice drowned in the roar of fire and laughter.
She turned desperately toward the cafeteria in-charge,
Who nodded in panic and bolted for the door.
Nod~
"Principal Powers! There's a fight!"
His voice echoed down the hall.
Layla took a step forward to intervene—
But then a firm hand rested gently on her shoulder.
"...."
She turned and froze.
Rudra stood behind her, calm as ever, his expression unreadable.
"Professor Ra-One!"
She gasped.
"You have to—"
He raised a finger to his lips.
"Watch,"
He whispered.
Layla hesitated, confused—
But something in his tone made her trust him.
She stepped back.
Across the room,
Warren was advancing again,
Heat radiating from his body in waves,
Eyes blazing red with fury.
"You think you can just walk away after that, Stronghold?"
He growled.
"Your friends, your family—none of them can protect you from me!"
That last sentence hit Will like a punch.
His fear twisted into something sharper.
"...."
His eyes flashed, his breathing heavy.
Then—
Without warning—
He moved.
Grabbing the table in front of him,
Ahhhhhh!
Will lifted it like it weighed nothing and swung it upward in pure instinct.
The heavy steel table along Warren went flying hit the ceiling hiting Warren's chest with a crash,
Sending him sprawling backward through two chairs before landing in a heap.
The cafeteria fell silent.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Phones lowered. Mouths gaped open.
"...."
Will stood frozen, staring at his own trembling hands.
Rudra's eyes narrowed slightly—
Not in surprise, but in quiet understanding.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
'So… his quirk finally shows itself,'
He thought.
Layla gasped beside him, covering her mouth.
Gasp!
The silence shattered when Warren groaned and pushed himself up,
Glaring at Will with fury and confusion.
But before he could make another move, a sharp,
CRACK!
Authoritative CRACK echoed through the air as Principal Powers materialized, eyes glowing with white energy.
"That's enough!"
She shouted, her voice booming through the cafeteria.
She ordered both Will and Warren to go to the principal office she will talk to them there.
Principal Powers folded her arms, her stern gaze fixed on Rudra.
The hum of chatter had faded from the cafeteria,
Leaving only the sound of trays being cleared and the faint buzz of the ceiling lights.
"You were right there, Rudra,"
She said, her tone firm but not angry.
"You could've stopped that fight before it escalated. Why didn't you?"
Rudra sat and leaned back in his chair,
Calm as ever, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Smirk~
"Because,"
He said lightly,
"it wasn't my fight to stop."
Principal Powers raised an eyebrow.
"Not your fight?"
He nodded, then gestured toward the direction where Will and Warren had left.
Nod~
"Will's been living in his father's shadow for too long. Everyone calls him the Commander's son, but no one sees him for who he is. Today, he needed to stand up for himself—not hide behind anyone else's protection, not even mine."
The principal's expression softened slightly.
"You think that little brawl gave him confidence?"
Rudra chuckled, sipping the last of his juice before standing up.
Chuckle~
"Not the fight itself… but realizing he can fight back when it matters. Sometimes, confidence doesn't come from winning—it comes from daring to act. See now he realise he has a quirk."
Principal Powers studied him for a moment, then exhaled and smiled faintly.
Sigh~
"...."
He shrugged.
"Let's just say… I've my share of experience."
With that, he walked past her, tray in hand.
As he dropped it off, Layla—
Who had been quietly observing the conversation—;
Looked at him with newfound curiosity.
Rudra turned to her briefly, offering a knowing look.
"Don't worry, Layla. He'll be fine. He just took his first real step today."
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone too!!!
Guys it will motivate me more?