4

With snake-boy diverted, you turn your attention back to goat-boy. He's already bounding up the street, bleating curses as he flees. Which is just as well—your only goal here was to stop the teens from killing each other, since getting involved is technically an illegal act of vigilantism.

Before any Powered individual can start a career as a professional hero, he or she must apply for a Powered Hero License. To lessen the number of applicants, the DRPR makes the process rather lengthy and expensive. You've completed all the paperwork and passed the Power competency tests, but you've been saving up for a while to pay the hefty application fee.

So, with goat-boy gone and snake-boy neutralized, it's time to leave before you get into any unnecessary trouble.

"They were at it for almost five minutes and no one did a thing."

You turn around to find a mother and her young daughter standing on the sidewalk, both looking relieved. The mother presses a tissue to the little girl's forehead, against a small cut.

"They were blocking the door to our building," the mother says. "We tried to run inside but got hit with some debris. These Ani-gang fights have been getting so much worse lately…Anyway, who do I have to thank for stopping them?"

"I'm just doing my part to keep the neighborhood safe," you say, shaking her hand.

"Well, thank you," the mother says.

"Are you a real live Powered Hero?" the little girl whispers, gazing up at you.

"Oh, yes they are," the mother answers.

"Just get home safely," you say as you continue toward home, not wanting to admit that you aren't a real hero—

At least not yet.

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