10

"Don't even joke about it," LB says. "This one dude from MetaMedia said that my album sounded like an alarm clock having sex with nails on a chalkbo—"

"I know you are still there, Amir!" a voice shouts from above, and you see a figure standing on the ledge of the balcony overlooking the hall. "And I have hundreds of eyes looking for you!"

Still hidden behind the pillar, you all exchange confused looks.

"Is that…Subliminal?" LB asks, taking a peek. "No way."

"It seems to be," Flit says, checking their phone. "It says here he escaped a federal facility a couple of weeks back when Kludge broke out. He was in the low-security area, too."

"That's because the guy was never that much of a threat," LB says, scratching his head. "He was totally cringe. Couldn't influence more than one person at once. I mean, the last time he got caught, he was trying to rob an old lady. It was just a coincidence I was walking my dog nearby."

"Seems like he got a massive power-up somehow," Flit says.

"****. Some of them are coming over," LB says, risking another peek.

"All right." Flit turns to you and starts undressing rapidly, revealing portions of their colorful costume under their clothes. "Let's get geared up. And don't even pretend you aren't wearing yours under your clothes, too, Huguel. I know you too well."

"This is gonna make a hell of a song," LB says, as you and Flit abandon your civilian identities to become superheroes again.

A Few Moments Later