Congratulations, You’re Illegal!

Tson's fingers dug into the cracked pavement, his mind a whirlwind of static and fire. His body trembled — muscles seizing, then releasing, like they were learning how to move all over again. He wasn't wearing the Sentinel suit anymore. He was the suit.

Grayson took a cautious step forward, his voice low and steady. "Tson… talk to me. Are you still—"

A sudden jolt cut him off.

Tson's head snapped up, his eyes glowing an electric blue, veins lit with pulsing circuitry beneath his skin.

Grayson tensed.

Tson exhaled, the breath distorted and shuddering as if it came from two voices at once — his own, and something deeper, more resonant. His hand pressed to his chest, feeling the energy stabilize, the static in his mind smoothing to a low hum.

"I'm here," he said, his voice layered and unnatural. His fingers curled and uncurled again. "It's me. But it's more than me."

Grayson's breath came slow, relief tempered by unease. "That's… better than the alternative."

Kevin stepped closer, arms crossed. His sharp gaze flicked to the ruined containment field still sparking behind Tson. "You just took a full Overdrive surge and walked away. That shouldn't be possible." He raised a brow. "What the hell changed?"

Tson pushed himself up. His movements were too smooth — precise in a way that wasn't quite human. He glanced at his arm, watching the sleek plating pulse with faint blue light, the bulk of the exoskeleton gone. It wasn't armor anymore. It was him.

"Everything."

Before anyone could respond, a sharp chime broke the moment.

Grayson checked his device, his expression darkening. News feeds flickered by — a surge of new vigilantes, masked figures making waves. But that wasn't what made Tson's stomach drop.

Three familiar faces flashed on-screen.

Sentinel. Ghost Shade. The Sleuth.

Him. Kevin. Grayson.

Tson's mind spun. Where did they get this footage? How long had they been watching? This could ruin his chances at the academy.

Grayson noticed his clenched fists. "They don't know who you are. You can still apply. They'll never know what kind of hero you'll become."

Tson frowned. "Right… full suit, hero name only. Or… go the ID hero route." His voice wavered. "Or change the suit entirely."

Kevin shrugged. "Looks different now anyway. Maybe they won't recognize you."

Tson glanced between them. "What about you guys? Aren't you worried this ruins your shot?"

Grayson smirked. "I already hacked the system. Bypassed all that. Want me to do the same for you?"

Tson shook his head. "I told you — I'm breaking every record the right way."

Grayson's grin didn't fade. "For me, helping people matters more than titles. Hero or not."

Kevin nodded. "Yeah, I'm with Grayson. If I see someone struggling and I just ignore it, what's the point of having these powers?"

Grayson's device pinged again. His smirk widened. "Well, looks like I'm officially in. Just got my license." He tilted the screen toward them, notifications blinking. "Didn't slow me down."

Kevin groaned, crossing his arms. "Why not just redesign your suit?"

Tson looked down at himself, his fingers twitching as the suit shifted in response. The plating rippled, reshaping slightly. It wasn't armor anymore — it was alive, bonded to him.

"I don't know if I can," he admitted, voice low. "It's not something I wear. It's me now."

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "So, you're stuck like this?"

Tson hesitated, then shook his head. "No. I can figure it out. I just need time."

Grayson chuckled. "Better do it fast. Academy catches wind of this, you're done before you even start."

Tson's jaw tightened. He wasn't about to let some leak destroy everything he'd built. His fingers twitched again, and the suit responded — plates shifting, the glow beneath his skin dimming.

Kevin let out a low whistle. "That's cool."

Tson exhaled sharply. "Let's hope it's enough."

A new alert flared on Grayson's screen. His grin vanished.

"Distress signal. Downtown sector."

Kevin straightened. "Threat level?"

Grayson tapped the display, his brows furrowing. "Unclear. Big enough to send an open call to licensed heroes."

Tson met his gaze. They weren't licensed — at least, not all of them. But that had never stopped them before.

Kevin cracked his knuckles. "Guess we're about to see what your new suit can really do."

Tson rolled his shoulders, feeling the power in his veins steady, controlled.

"Let's move."

Grayson made sure his license emblem was visible before teleporting out.

Tson was already gone, vanishing in a blue streak of light.

Grayson grabbed Kevin mid-jump, and in an instant, they were both gone.

They landed in the heart of the city. No explosions. No enemies. Just a lone figure standing in the street.

A tall man, lean but athletic, his tailored suit crisp and flawless. His blond hair was neatly styled, his sharp blue eyes cool and unreadable — like they could cut straight through you.

Tson's heart skipped a beat. He recognized him instantly.

Maximillion Luthan. The mayor.

Luthan crossed his arms. "Grayson. Tson. Kevin. I need you all to register as heroes. Last time you stepped in, you saved lives — so I'm giving you a freebie. But next time? I better see licenses."

Grayson smirked. "I already have mine."

Luthan nodded. "Yeah, I gave it to you despite your… history with the Spy Association. And despite hacking the system." His eyes lingered on Tson. "But your brother and his friend still need to register. Don't even think about setting foot out here again without doing so."

The weight of the moment settled on Tson's shoulders. His fists clenched.

He wasn't about to stop now.