"What on my demonic ancestor's titties is that!?"
Gary Gray, or as he was going by now, Monarch. The last task of the students of the Mega Academy on the day of their graduation was to finalize their superhero names as they were one of the first batches that would officially have the occupation of Superhero– their names, legally registered in the government through the Hero Association.
After much deliberation, research, and asking his friends, Gary let go of Dragon Monarch and settled with a shorter name instead.
Monarch– a testament to how he was finally and slowly accepting his lineage as the son of Megawoman. Of course, one or two of his so-called friends might have teased him that it was a bit too serious for someone like him and that it didn't suit him; but still, he registered with the name.
After they graduated, they were quickly distributed in different cities; with most of the foreign students returning to their countries. The Hero Association, however, took into account the Grades of the student, as well as their overall capabilities first before they send a certain hero someplace.
There are, of course, those who wanted to not be stuck in a single place and wanted to roam free– a choice only those Grade-B and above could enjoy. The government did not allow superheroes Grade-C and below this benefit, because there was a chance that they would take on more than they could chew.
And as one of those who had the choice to roam free, Gary was currently leisurely walking in the streets of New York– trying to find trouble left and right. But contrary to his expectations, however, there was nothing to do.
After he and the others graduated from the Academy and officially formed the Baby Crew, Gary had thought that they would finally be able to fight supervillains and save the day. But alas, aside from muggings and stopping petty fights, Gary has not even encountered even a single supervillain.
He encountered many villains, but none of them super.
And so…
"What on my demonic ancestor's titties is that!?"
Gary's eyes could not help but widen as he saw something happening from the distance. He was on top of a building, so he could somewhat see most of the activities that were happening within his vicinity.
And finally, something exciting was happening– and it wasn't just simple trouble. The Hero Association Tower might be under attack. To think he had been spending an entire month stopping petty thieves, and now the very first major malfeasance he will be encountering involves an attack on a government facility; truly, spending his days in New York is finally paying off.
The excitement that was drowning his body right now was enough to make his blood boil.
"Alright," Gary whispered to himself as he kneeled; flipping his heavy cape back. His other hand, touching the floor.
"The people serve the Monarch," Gary then said; the air around him rippling from his heavy breaths, "And in turn, the Monarch saves the people."
Gary then placed the hand he used to fling the cape in front of his face. And as soon as he did so, a mask emerged from the palm of his gauntlet. The mask, covering the areas around his eyes as he expertly wore it.
"And now, the Monarch shall grace you with his presence."
And with those words, Gary disappeared from his spot; leaving a trail of dust as he leaped into the air, jumping from building to building as he made his way towards the Hero Association Tower.
In the 3rd building, however, he stopped. How could he not, when the big metal box that he thought was some sort of aircraft from afar started to mold into something he recognized?
"What the…" Gary's steps that were filled with excitement halted,
"...mom?" He then breathed out as he saw the statue that was suddenly erected on top of the Hero Association Tower. He squinted to check if he truly was seeing what he was seeing; but in doing so, he saw a very small and faint silhouette floating near Megawoman's statue.
"No… fucking way," he then whispered as a smile started to crawl on his face. And before his smile could completely materialize, he placed a finger on his right ear,
"Baby Crew, this is Monarch," Gary said; his breaths, quite heavy and chuckled, "We…
…are finally complete again."
***
"Kevin!? What do you mean 'Kevin'!? It's me, Gary!"
"...Ah, yes."
And just like that, Gary's excitement died down. He was now in front of the Hero Association Tower, blocking the path of a person that he had not seen for months. He even wanted to rush and bearhug Riley…
…but to think Riley doesn't even remember him.
"I was only joking, Gary." And almost as if taking pity on him, Riley shook his head and let out a short but deep sigh, "I know your name, Dragon Monarch."
"Pft," Gary then shook his head as he let out a longing chuckle, "It's just Monarch now. We missed you, man. You don't know how much it destroyed us when we couldn't even visit you in prison. Especially Hannah, she's not doing–"
Gary's somewhat somber words then abruptly stopped as his eyes landed on Riley's arm… which had another set of arms wrapped around it.
"..." Gary blinked a couple of times; his eyes, circling on Riley's arm, Riley, and the owner of the arms that were wrapped around his arm… and he did so repeatedly before backing down a few steps.
"What… the fuck is this shit I am seeing right now?" Gary then gasped as he clasped his head,
"Riley, you… you have another woman?" Gary stuttered as his eyes did not know where to look, "I don't see a harem tag anywhere here, man. Why… why are you creating your harem!? I thought you were in prison!?"
"I was, Monarch."
"Then who the fuck is that!?" Gary's finger violently pointed at V, who was just quietly looking at him with a sort of curiosity in her eyes.
"It's V, Monarch," Riley answered despite Gary's incessant ramblings, "I will be working with her from now on."
"...V?" The tone of Gary's voice quickly became sedated as he looked at V from head to toe… repeatedly. But finally, after a few more nods, Gary once again took a few steps back– passing through the automatic doors of the Hero Association Tower.
"You mean V from the Hope Guild!?"
"Yes."
"What!?" Gary then started hopping in place as he waved his hands; his excitement, screeching in the air.
"Is… your friend alright?" V could no longer keep her silence as she whispered to Riley, "You mentioned he is also on the spectrum?"
"Yes, this is normal for Gary," Riley nodded, "He… is just screeching autistically. We should enter the Tower, secretary Jane and Tempo are still waiting for us."
It took a couple of minutes for Gary to finally settle down. And as soon as he did so, he quickly followed Riley and V, who already passed him without even trying to calm him down. However, as soon as he saw Tempo in the building, Gary's breaths once again started to palpitate throughout the entire floor.
"T… Tempo," Gary stuttered as he clasped his chest.
"...Is your friend alright?" Tempo asked the same question as soon as he saw Gary looking at him as if he wanted to devour him, "Should… we call for a medic?"
"He is fine, Tempo," Riley only shook his head before turning his attention to secretary Jane,
"Am I a Grade-S Superhero now, secretary Jane?"
"I… am still waiting for your evaluations," secretary Jane slightly sighed as she answered Riley's question, "But after the stunt you pulled, I doubt there's another grade they can give you. We will know the results in a few minutes, so please just wait here in the lobby. Now, if you'll excuse me, I still have other registrants to assist."
And almost without pause nor delay, secretary Jane quickly left Riley and the others to talk with the other participants left. Her voice was calm… her slightly trembling legs, however, revealed that she was still shaken from what just happened.
From the 50 registrants that took the test, less than half remained after the stunt that Riley just did. Most of those who remained were those who faired well, one of them being No. 11, whose eyes had been watching Riley for reasons unknown.
"Wait… you took the test?"
And as soon as secretary Jane was gone, Gary finally recovered from his stupor as he walked in front of Riley.
"Yes, Monarch. I had to, it was one of the prerequisites for my release from prison."
"...They freed you so you can register as a hero?" Gary squinted. He was about to say something, but his eyes once again trailed towards V, who clinging like a lizard to Riley.
"...Just what happened to you inside the prison, man?"
"I killed some prisoners, watched several seasons of Italian Mafia RebornI discovered a lot of things about the women in my life…" Riley answered,
"And had sexual intercourse with V before I was freed."
"I see– Wait, what!?"
"R… Riley!"
"What!?"
And it was not only Gary that let out an almost thundering gasp. Tempo, who was just peacefully standing on the side, almost dropped to the ground as soon as he heard Riley's words. He had his suspicion already… but to think it really happened.
How… would the others from the Hope Guild react to this?