An elevator ascended smoothly from the lower floors toward the top. From it stepped Commander Layla Bremm and Johnathan Flicker, both dressed sharply in white innerwear beneath sleek black suits. They moved with purpose, heading to the largest room on the highest floor. A meeting awaited them—a conference with the heads of the Hero Association.
Layla glanced sideways at Johnathan and caught the nervous tension on his face. A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Why the nerves, Mr. Johnathan?" she asked casually.
"Why wouldn't I be nervous, Commander?" he replied. "It's my first time meeting the top dogs."
"Relax. It's just a video chat, not a live audience. They won't devour you with their eyes," she said, her voice teasing slightly.
"Easy for you to say—you're used to it." Johnathan adjusted his tie. "I never imagined I'd be in this position, speaking with the top brass of the Hero Association."
Layla chuckled softly.
"You make them sound like gods."
"In a way… they are," he muttered, rubbing his chin.
"Don't worry, mister," Layla said confidently, her tone lifting.
"It'll be quick. And don't forget—we've got the upper hand. Our heroes pulled off a massive win. Let's go in there and brag about it."
She cast a reassuring smile at the man beside her. Johnathan met her gaze with one that said, if you say so.
Together, they walked into the room, ready to face the meeting—and their bosses.
The doors of the room opened, revealing a pristine white chamber chilled by the efficient hum of the air conditioning. Projection tabs lined the walls, glowing faintly in standby mode.
As Layla and Johnathan stepped in, the room began to dim.
Johnathan looked around, confused by the fading lights. His eyes flicked across the ceiling before he turned to Layla.
"Why are the lights dropping? Don't we need them to see who we're talking to?"
Layla raised an eyebrow, realizing her assistant still had a few things to learn.
"You see, Mr. Flicker, the top officials of the Hero Association keep their identities secret. They never show their faces. During meetings, the light focuses only on the ones being addressed. You'll never see them."
"Oh… I see. Safety precautions," he replied, nodding.
"Hm. You could call it that… or just say they're secretive," Layla said with a small smirk.
The room fell into near-total darkness—except for the light now centered on the two of them, awaiting the start of the meeting.
A calm voice echoed through the room, sounding like a man in his fifties—measured, composed.
"Good day, Miss Layla and Mister Johnathan."
"Good day, sir," both Layla and Johnathan replied in unison, their heads slightly bowed in respect as they greeted the voice.
"We saw what your heroes accomplished," the mysterious voice continued. "It was impressive. They neutralized a threat that many thought would overwhelm them."
"Yes, sirs and ma'ams," Johnathan responded. "We at Ultra City are truly grateful for the Hero Squad. They pushed past every obstacle and came out victorious."
His heart was racing as he spoke, but the words steadied him. Slowly, his nerves began to ease.
Layla, on the other hand, spoke with cool confidence.
"I'm sure there are no more doubters among you now," she said with a cold smile.
Another voice, louder and sharper, spoke from one of the corner projectors.
"Don't get cocky, Miss Layla. Your heroes did well—but don't twist it into a judgment on us."
Layla gave a small laugh. "Oh, I didn't mean it that way," she said, still smiling.
Then the main voice—the one coming from the largest, central screen—interjected, keeping the room in order.
"No arguments, please. This is a brief meeting. We're here to relay essential matters to each other."
The voice turned more focused.
"Ultra City representative, you and your people have done well. Once again, you've proven many of us wrong. We would have loved to speak with the Hero Squad directly, but that will come later. For now, I offer you a word of advice."
A slight pause followed.
"In this world of good and evil, our duty as the Hero Association is to curb the rise of villains. But within our own ranks, there exist both saints and the corrupt. Now that your team has made a name for themselves, tell them this—they've drawn attention. More villains will seek them out, and rival hero alliances may try to compete or challenge them. That is the price of recognition."
The voice continued smoothly.
"Does anyone wish to add anything? Or Miss Layla, do you have anything you'd like to say?"
Layla glanced at Johnathan, giving him a chance to speak—but he remained silent. She turned back toward the screen.
"Nothing to add, sir. Thank you."
"Very well," the voice said. "If there's nothing more, we will end the meeting here."
Gradually, the lights began to return—like the slow rise of dawn. The cold shadows that had filled the room melted away as brightness spread once again.
"Told you it'd be quick," Layla said with a charming smile.
"Even I'm shocked it was that fast," Johnathan replied, then added with concern, "But you didn't mention the city's rebuilding efforts."
Her tone was reassuring.
"Don't worry, mister. They know what to do. That comes with being a city that houses the Hero Association."
"One more thing," Johnathan said. "The man mentioned competition. What do you think he meant by that?"
Layla turned to him as they walked.
"It's normal. Other heroes or squads might try to downplay what the Hero Squad has done. Or they'll push the 'we're higher-ranked, show us some respect' act."
"Oh, that kind of thing." Johnathan nodded. "Well… those guys don't seem like the kind you brag around. They're tough themselves."
"You're right," Layla said. "They are indeed tough."
With that, both Layla and Johnathan exited the room and made their way toward the elevator.
Moments later, the elevator doors opened. Commander Layla and her assistant Johnathan stepped out and found the guys huddled around the TV, eyes glued to the screen.
"Yo, is that the mayor?" Max asked, pointing.
"Wait… this city has a mayor?" Rudy raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
"Yeah, we have a mayor," a familiar voice cut in—Layla's.
The guys turned their heads as she walked in with Johnathan by her side. Her voice was calm, but her expression was far from amused.
"The reason you probably forgot, Rudy," she said, eyes narrowing at the screen, "is because that man is an incompetent fool who only cares about money."
Everyone's gaze shifted to the TV, where the image of Ultra City's mayor was playing live.
"Oh, so he's incompetent, huh?" Jakson scoffed. "Should've known. Guy was missing when the city was falling apart, and now he shows up when everything's clean. What a clown."
Onscreen, the mayor's voice came through the speakers: "My people, we are alive—thanks to the heroes. Tomorrow, I would like to meet with them and congratulate them personally."
Raymond picked up the remote and turned the TV off.
"Wants to meet us, huh? We'll think about that. For now, let's focus," he said bluntly.
"How was the meeting, Commander?" Timothy asked.
"It went well. They wanted me to pass along their congratulations to you all," Layla replied.
"How nice of them," Larry said, his sarcasm clear as day.
"We should be thankful," Timothy added. "Not every hero gets their flowers."
"Your captain is right," Johnathan nodded. "You all should relax and prepare for the mayor's meeting tomorrow."
"Wait—wait, we're actually going?" Max asked, stunned. "I thought we were joking!"
"Nope, no joke," Layla confirmed. "You're all going to meet the mayor."
She and Johnathan then made their way toward the exit.
On their way out, Johnathan leaned closer and asked, "Commander, you didn't tell them what the higher-ups asked you to."
"About that…" Layla's smirk returned as she clenched her fist. "They'll figure it out. Now that they're in the spotlight let's see how they handle it."
***
Back in the room
"Alright, guys," Timothy said, stepping forward. "Tomorrow, we go out to the city like the Commander said. Not for the mayor, though. We go to show the world that the Hero Squad is no joke."
His voice grew stronger with every word.
"We announce ourselves to both heroes and villains. To the heroes: slack off, and we take your place. To the villains: try anything, and we put you down."
His teammates couldn't help but smile—his confidence lit something in all of them. Their Captain's words gave them energy.
They were ready.