Mornings came too early.
Tony hated mornings
Especially the ones that started with him standing infront of the mirrior,trying to look like someone who believed in justice.
He put on his new grey and black jacket,squinting at his reflection.
"I look ridiculous".
The Heroes Academy wasnt far from Tony's apartment.
Up ahead,from where he stood, he could already see it,bright white walls,huge windows and statues of the 5 heroes who destroyed Black Maws ten years ago.But the was something else bothering Tony apart from the hero statues.
Another tall statue of some famous hero of the late 90's stood in the middle starring back at Tony like it recognise him.
Security was tight.Drones floated around scanning everyone who walked in.
Tony sighed "All this for people who kick ass in capes.Classy."
Stepping pass the crowds of applicants Tony went inside the academy,somehow to him it felt like a stadium or it seemed more like it.Floating drones continued scanning everyone as they as they passed through metal detectors.
Giant monitors played highlight reels of the famous heroes monitors played highlight reels of the heroes-smiling,waving,saving cats from trees and helping old people crossing roads.
Tony kept his hands in his pockets,pretending not to care.He wasnt here to play hero no,he was here to find out why Cipher wanted him here.
"Name?"
The woman at the registration desk looked bored
"Tony"he said
"Full name"
He hesitated."Tony ....Heromart
"Thats not-"
"Hyphenated"he intterupted quickly."Its a long story"
Sighing,the woman handed him a wristband with a glowing blue core.Dorm Z-13. Orientation starts in fifteen.
"Dont be late"
As he walked he stared at the number.
13
He couldnt tell if Cipher had a sense of humor or fate was just mocking him.Z-13 was his code name as a grunt in the Black Maws era.
The courtyard was noisy,too noisy that even Tony felt like he would leave any minute.
"Yo!You new?"
Someone called from behind.
Tony turned back to see who it was.A tall guy with spiky red hair,his uniform half unzipped like he owned the place.
"Name's Kai,the guy said offering a hand.Senior class four.Titan's underman."
[Senior class fourth,what does that mean,on top of that what does he mean by underman,is there some sort of hierachy going on here]
"Cool" Tony said "I am Tony,just got here."
Kai turned to the crowd."Man,can you believe it,we get to work near the heroes."
Tony stared at the recruipts."Yea.Real heroes lucky us."
The orientation hall was packed .Seats filled with staff,assistants and recuipts while a cheerful woman on the stage went on about "teamwork,unity and the honour of serving the heroes.Tony tried to listen but he was too busy trying to sit comfortably in the stiff chair.
"Thud"
The lights went out for a few seconds ,then;
Music started loud,and annoyingly heroic,almost like something from a movie trailer.
Shoot!!
A sharp beam of light came out of the main enterance cathing the eyes of the audience.
One by one,the heroes appeared,they didnt walk like you would normal expect,no they came crushing striking impossible and heroic posses in perfect synchroization
Wind whipped through the hall,flipping papers and knocking Tony's hair into his eyes like he kinda deserved it.
Titan-the leader(superhuman type) came crushing from above.His physique alone could tell you he is stronger than a thousand elephants.
Pinkvolt(superspeed type),ran up and down along the room taking selfies with the audience.
Bluewhale(water type),spilled tiny particles of water from his mouth somehow forming a rainbow.(odd right?)
Greenarrow(arrow type),he shoot explosive arrows enhanced with party glitters.
Spectra(the engineer)stood on top of floating drones.
The crowd went wild.Phones came out.People clapped hands,shouting the heroes names.
Tony?
Well he was unimpressed,he just sat there.He neither clapped hands or moved.He just watched them,the same old heroes from ten years back,the ones who destroyed everything and got statues for it.
His hands curled into fists on his lap.
Kai leaned over,his eyes wide open ,shouting over Tony's ear, "Its them The Big five".
[So this are the guys who destroyed Black Maws] "They are something else huh?"
Titan finally spoke,his voice echoed around the room clearly enough for everyone to hear.
"Welcome future heroes,to where justice is born".his teeth shone,too bright for Tony to stare.
"Every challenge you face here will forge you." Titan continued,Your bodies,your mind,your souls,all tempered by purpose!Because this acedamy is not just a school.It's where justice is born!!
The crowd went crazy again.Flashing of phones never seemed to stop.
Kai shouted over Tony's ear,excited, "Dude,isnt this amazing."
Tony falsey nodded!! "Yeah.Really inspirational,makes me wanna do justice."
Titan rose his fist dramatically."To be a hero you must bear the weight of every life you sve and everyone you couldnt.But still,we rise.Because true heroes never-"
-Shut up,Tony thought.
The speech went on like Ten,Fifteen,Twenty minutes?Who knew,Tony was already bored.
By the time he started quoting something about "Justice is unstoppable".Tony spaced out,staring at the wristband on his hand.
Z-13
Cipher you better have a damn good reason why you sent me here.
Titan grinned,his teeth shone,brighter than the sun.
"Today marks the start of your journey,a journey of courage,sacrifice and unity!"
"Ten years ago,the world suffered under Black Maws shadow!!"
Tony's head run in thoughts "Yeah i remember that like it was yestarday.Trembling sure,because of you guys."
Titan kept going."We...the Big Five..fought not for glory,but for peace!For every innocent life crying out for hope!"
"Uh-huh.Really noble,I bet that statue outside wasn't for peace,though.Probably voted yourself in that one."
The crowd cheered,clapping hands and phones continued flashing.
Titan raised his hand,his voice was too clear for everyone to hear(didnt need a mic). "Ahero is not measured by strength...but by the heart that guides it!Remember that recruits!The world looks up to you,its future protectors!!"
"Protectors huh?Tell that to the cities you flattened for justice.Tell that to people who got caught in your crossfire".