Lets go back a few days,
Two days had passed since Astra Noire stopped a falling meteor and saved nearly two thousand Emperor Penguins.
Two days since she cracked the Dawnforge arena floor with her landing.
Two days since the entire world decided she was either the second coming of a god…or a terrifying reminder of how small humans could be.
Now, she was being summoned to the International Hero Council Headquarters.
And the world watched.
◆ The Ceremony
The headquarters hall glowed with polished marble and impossible silence.Rows of ambassadors and retired legends lined the chamber.Cameras floated like metallic insects above the crowd.
Astra stood behind the curtains.
Her heart thumped fast.Her shoulders stiffened under formal robes.Every instinct screamed that she didn't belong here.
She expected nervousness.
But what she didn't expect…was him.
A shadow moved behind her.
◆ The World's Strongest Hero Appears
A giant approached.
A mountain of a man, wearing a black coat that flickered with embedded nanofibers.A man whose existence reshaped the air around him.
Atlas Valor.Hero Name: Titanheart.The strongest living hero on the planet.
If he had wanted to, he could've stopped that meteor himself.But as rumors said—he usually "couldn't be bothered."
Astra froze.
"S-Sir Atlas," she managed.
Titanheart didn't speak at first.His gaze moved over her like slow-moving gravity, weighing, judging, measuring.
Finally—
"You're the child who stopped the meteor," he said, voice rumbling like a distant quake.
Astra swallowed. "Yes."
"You crossed borders without permission.""You entered restricted airspace.""You disregarded international procedures."
His tone was flat, emotionless.
Astra's hands tightened."There were penguins in the impact zone," she said softly."They would have died."
Titanheart said nothing.
Astra's throat tightened."People weren't in danger. But those animals… they were defenseless. I couldn't ignore it."
For a long breath, Titanheart simply stared at her.
Then, unexpectedly—
"…Good."
Astra's eyes widened.
Titanheart stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Strength without heart creates monsters.""Heart without strength creates martyrs.""You managed both."
He paused.
"Do not let the world twist that."
Before Astra could respond, he turned away—conversation ended by his choice alone.
Astra was left standing, breath shaking, unsure if she had just been praised, warned… or challenged.
◆ The Medal of Honor
The grand hall lights shifted.
A holographic banner unfolded above the stage—
"Recognition of Extraordinary Service — Astra Noire"
Astra stepped forward as flashes burst from every camera.
A council elder pinned a silver-blue medal to her chest.
"For saving lives beyond your borders," he declared,"for acting when adults hesitated,and for your unmatched courage…we award Astra Noire the Medal of Honor."
Applause thundered through the chamber.
Astra bowed shyly, cheeks red, trying not to faint.
◆ Broadcast to Dawnforge Stadium
Meanwhile, the entire ceremony streamed LIVE over a giant holographic screen at Dawnforge Stadium.
Students gasped.
Some heroes-in-training cried.
Even teachers stared, stunned, as Astra bowed on an international stage.
Bam choked on air."HOW… is she even real!?"
Roger pointed at the screen."The penguin queen is winning AWARDS now!?"
Zack shook violently."She punched a meteor. A METEOR. And she's getting medals for it!?"
Rain watched quietly, warm admiration on her face.
Raze smiled faintly, relieved to see Astra safe.
But one person's reaction stood out.
◆ Arin's Conflicted Smile
Astra's brother, Arin Noire, stood in the Gaurdians viewing box.
He didn't cheer.
He didn't look shocked.
He didn't even clap.
Instead… he smiled softly.A smile full of things he didn't say aloud.
Pride.Fear.A brother's impossible mixture of both.
His friend near him noticed it.
"You're proud of her," he said.
Arin's eyes never left the screen."I am."
His voice dipped lower.
"But every time she does something miraculous… the world expects the next miracle. And if she fails even once, they'll tear her apart."
His friend rested a hand on his shoulder.
"She won't face that alone, She has so many of her friends standing with her"
Arin finally looked at him.
"I know," he whispered."That's why I'm smiling."
He felt a little envy towards her power, But her brother never once hated her.
◆ After the Ceremony
Back on the stage, Astra finished answering post-ceremony questions with stiff politeness.
"Yes, I like penguins.""No, I didn't mean to scare the research team.""Yes, the meteor was very heavy—thank you for asking."
Titanheart was already gone.Dignitaries discussed global policies Astra didn't understand.Reporters shouted a dozen questions at once.
Astra looked down at the medal glinting on her chest.
It felt too heavy.And too light.And too confusing.
All she wanted…was to go home.
◆ Back at Dawnforge
The hologram finally faded.
The stadium burst into applause and cheers.
Bam wiped tears dramatically."She's officially the coolest person alive!"
Roger pumped both fists."THAT'S OUR CLASSMATE! GET ON OUR LEVEL!"
Even Gray nodded with genuine respect.
Serene Noire, Astra's mother, placed a hand on her chest.
"She always scares me," she whispered."But I've never been more proud."
His friend watched Arin quietly.
"So… when she returns to class tomorrow," He said,"she's going to be drowned in attention."
Arin exhaled.
"And she'll pretend she hates it," he murmured."But inside… she'll be happy."
He paused.... for a moment.
"And I'll be happy too."
◆ Closing Scene
In a quiet corner of the headquarters lobby, Astra walked toward the transport bay, medal gleaming under soft lights.
She didn't feel like a hero.
She felt like a teenager who loved penguins and accidentally caused an international media storm.
A small smile tugged her lips.
"…I hope the penguins are warm."
Outside, a shuttle hummed to life, ready to take her back home.
Back to Dawnforge.Back to her classmates.Back to the tournament.
Back to the life where she wasn't "Astra the Meteor Stopper"…
…but just Astra—the girl who tried too hard, cared too much, and flew too fast.
The world had changed because of her.
But Astra Noire had not.
Not yet.