"Another week of underestimated heroism. Another week of saving an ungrateful city."
Blood Night walked through the streets with his characteristic gait - long strides, chest puffed out, like a general inspecting his conquered territory. Each shadow that moved around him seemed to whisper his name with reverence, at least in his imagination.
"You know, I've been reflecting on my heroic journey. Maybe I'm being too generous. Maybe I should be more selective about who deserves my protection."
The night was particularly quiet. Even the criminals seemed to be avoiding the streets, which he interpreted as further proof of his growing success.
"Just look at the power of my name. Even the bandits stay home when Blood Night patrols the city."
It was during this self-congratulatory walk that he arrived at the Moskol neighborhood. It was a region that contrasted with the city center - smaller houses, narrower streets, a more intimate atmosphere where neighbors still greeted each other by name.
Blood Night was absorbed in his grandiose thoughts when a young voice pulled him from his reverie.
"Hi, how's it going?"
He turned abruptly, finding a boy of approximately twelve years old standing a few meters away. Thin, disheveled hair as if he had just woken up, glasses that seemed to have been inherited from someone with a bigger face. There was something in the boy's posture that suggested confidence, but also an almost scientific curiosity.
Blood Night closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slapped his own forehead with the palm of his hand.
"What is it, teenager?"
The boy showed no intimidation. On the contrary, he took a step forward, as if he had found exactly what he was looking for.
"I want to make a partnership with you."
The answer was so direct that Blood Night was momentarily speechless. He looked at the starry sky and sighed theatrically.
"My holy writer, can you remove this teenager from my story?"
The boy frowned, looking around confused.
"Who are you talking to?"
"To MLP, don't worry," Blood Night responded, making vague gestures to the air. "They'll take you out of here right now."
An awkward silence settled in. The boy continued looking around, as if expecting mysterious people to appear to take him away. When nothing happened, he cleared his throat and tried again.
"You know, I can help you with several things. I can give you a lot that you can't even imagine."
Blood Night began to walk, waving dismissively with his hand.
"You're making my story boring for the readers. I hate teenagers. You're all... predictable."
The boy ran to catch up with him, keeping pace at his side with impressive determination.
"Who are you, anyway? Your mother must be calling you for dinner."
"My name is Kel," said the boy, showing no offense at the disdainful tone. "And I'm the second scientist... I mean, the second smartest person in the multiverse."
Blood Night stopped walking so abruptly that he almost tripped.
"What?"
"The second smartest person in the multiverse," Kel repeated with absolute naturalness. "Because the first is my father."
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a shrill laugh exploded from Blood Night. He doubled over, holding his stomach, laughing with an intensity that echoed through the empty streets.
"Hahahaha hahaha! Let me see if I got this right..." He tried to stop laughing, but new bursts of laughter interrupted him. "You... you're the second smartest person in the multiverse?"
Tears began to stream from under his mask.
"Who told you that? Who nominated you? Was there a ceremony? A diploma?" More laughter. "It can't be... you said that to yourself, didn't you?"
He pointed at Kel as if he had discovered the secret of the century.
"Teenagers... what fertile imagination! What limitless creativity!"
Kel crossed his arms, observing the laughing fit with an expression that mixed patience and irritation.
"So what? You call yourself the greatest hero in the world. Nobody told you that either."
Blood Night's laughter ceased instantly, as if someone had flipped a switch.
"That's completely different," he said, adjusting his mask and regaining his composure. "You don't understand anything. The people call me Blood Night. That's a sign that they love me, respect me, venerate me."
Kel tilted his head, studying him with scientific curiosity.
"Blood Night... which in Portuguese means 'Night of Blood'. Yeah, it really sounds like an affectionate name that loving people would give someone."
Blood Night completely ignored the sarcastic observation.
"I'm not going to waste my time talking to an extra in my story. You are, at most, a supporting character who appears for two chapters and then disappears."
He turned to continue his walk, but Kel's voice made him stop once more.
"Wait. Come with me. I'll show you something that might change your opinion about extras."
There was something in the boy's absolute confidence that awakened Blood Night's curiosity. It wasn't typical teenage bravado - it was the security of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.
"Alright," he sighed. "But after this you leave me alone forever. No more interruptions in my epic narrative."
Kel smiled - a smile that contained much more knowledge than should fit in a twelve-year-old face.
"Deal. But I guarantee that after seeing what I have to show you, you'll want me to be part of your story."
**[M.L.P - Multiverse: Forbidden Legacy]**