(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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The backup engine hums steadily.
Sparks float in the air like orange fireflies.
Stitches growled, thumb jamming the trigger again—
click. click. click.
Nothing.
"...."
His eyes twitched.
Slowly… like a predator realizing another predator had entered its den… he turned his head.
Gwen stood with her hands raised,
Fingers trembling, eyes glowing red as she held the pecifier's circuitry in a digital chokehold.
Her voice cracked.
"Don't… don't fire it."
Stitches' expression twisted into something demonic.
His painted clown smile stretched wide with fury.
"You—little—INGRATE."
He stepped forward, the metallic floor trembling with each stomp.
Thud. Thud.
"I raised you from scraps… I rebuilt you twice… I taught you EVERYTHING!"
He jabbed a trembling finger at her.
"And THIS is how you repay me?! Betraying me for some—some pretty-faced professor who spouts heroic nonsense!?"
Gwen flinched.
"...."
Not at the insult—
But at the raw hatred in his voice.
Rudra stepped between them,
Shielding her with his body.
His aura flickered gold and red.
"Enough,"
He said calmly.
Stitches snarled, eyes bloodshot.
"...."
"I should've crushed those pathetic emotions in you when I saw the signs! The curiosity! The hesitation!"
He aimed the dead pecifier again—
Hand trembling with rage.
"But fine… if I fall—"
His grin stretched wider, veins bulging on his temple.
Grin~
"—I'll take EVERYONE with me!"
With a roar, he smashed the pecifier on the ground.
CRACK!
The device sparked violently.
"No—!"
Gwen gasped.
But too late.
Stitches grabbed two emergency coolant canisters from the wall—
Slammed them together—
Twisted the valves—
And the temperature plummeted instantly.
SHHHHHH—
WOOOOOM!
Liquid nitrogen sprayed across the room, ice racing like white fire.
Pipes burst.
Wires snapped.
The engine chamber shuddered violently.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Gwen clutched Rudra's coat.
"He's… he's going to cause a chain reaction—!"
Stitches laughed maniacally,
Backing toward the open hole Rudra had smashed earlier.
"I'll freeze the whole engine core! The levitation dampeners will fail—Sky High will drop like a ROCK! Thousands dead—heroes humiliated—and Royal Pain's legacy revived!"
His voice cracked with fanatic madness.
Hahahaha~
Rudra stepped forward, eyes glowing fiercely.
"You won't touch this school."
Stitches aimed a jagged metal shard toward the coolant stream.
"I ALREADY HAVE!"
He slashed the line completely—
BOOOOOM!!
A wave of freezing vapor exploded outward like a vengeful blizzard.
Rudra threw up a Brahmastra barrier around Gwen instantly—
The golden energy rippling under the icy blast.
Stitches staggered backward, frost already creeping up his arms.
But he kept laughing.
"This is it! This is how HEROES DIE! HAHAHA—"
Suddenly—
THUD.
A figure landed in the shattered doorway behind them.
Wind swirled.
Heat rippled.
Rudra didn't even have to turn to know—
"...."
"...."
"...."
Will Stronghold had arrived.
Hovering.
Both of his inherited quirks surging together.
He stared at the chaos—
The ruptured coolant lines, the shattered walls.
Gwen trembling, Rudra standing firm
And Stitches laughing like a demon.
Will clenched his fists so hard they cracked.
"You hurt my parents… you hurt my friends…"
Will's righteous monologue echoed through the chamber.
"—you're done."
But his voice hit nothing but…
Ice.
Stitches stood frozen mid-laugh—
Mouth open eyes wide arms half-raised—
Turned into a grotesque statue of cracked blue frost.
The coolant explosion had flash-froze him completely.
Will blinked.
Blink~
"...."
"…Huh?"
Gwen let out a shaky exhale.
Rudra, still shielding her with a single arm, took one look at the ice sculpture and said dryly.
"Well… that was anticlimactic."
Gwen snorted despite herself.
Snort~
"...."
But Rudra's eyes immediately shifted to the backup engine—
The one powering up below.
A thin layer of frost was rapidly creeping across its surface.
'If this one freezes—even for a second—the school plummets again.'
Rudra raised his palm—
A red flame began to spark—
But then—
FWOOOM!
FWOOOM! FWOOOM!
Fireballs rained down like meteors through the hole above.
Steam blasted everywhere as the ice cracked.
"...."
A familiar voice shouted.
"MOVE!"
Warren Peace descended through a column of roaring flame, eyes blazing with fury.
He landed hard beside Rudra and Gwen,
Fire swirling around his fists.
"I'll handle the ice,"
Warren growled.
"You stopped the fall. Let me finish the job."
Rudra nodded once and lowered his glowing hand.
Nod~
'This kid… He deserves this moment.'
Warren slammed both hands toward the backup engine—
KRAAASH!
A tidal wave of fire washed across the machinery,
Melting the creeping frost before it could choke the engine.
Heat and steam exploded outward.
Alarm lights flickered back to green.
A mechanical voice echoed through the chamber through the speakers
"BACKUP ENGINE—STABLE."
Warren let out a long breath, wiping sweat from his brow.
Sigh~
"Damn that felt good."
WHOOSH—
WHOOSH—WHOOSH
Vines shot down the shattered shaft,
Wrapping around beams and railings like living ropes.
Dozens of students descended from above—
Ethan, Magenta, Zack, Speed and several second-years—
And at the front—
Layla Williams landed gracefully in a cradle of vines.
Her eyes scanned the smashed engine room—
The frost, the fire, the half-destroyed floor and finally…
Rudra.
"...."
"...."
"...."
She rushed toward him, heart pounding.
"Professor Ra-One! Are you hurt?!"
Rudra shook his head with a small smile.
"I'm fine. Everyone else?"
Layla let out a sigh of relief…
Sigh~
And only then realized how close she'd gotten—
Hands on his shoulders, eyes searching his face.
She blushed and stepped back quickly.
Blush~
"...."
"I—I mean… good. That's good."
Gwen, still at Rudra's side, raised one eyebrow.
Will landed next, staring at the frozen Stitches and muttering:
"Uh… was he like that the whole time? Because I totally had an epic speech prepared."
Rudra patted his shoulder.
"Save it for next time."
Warren snorted.
Snort~
"...."
The danger subsides.
The engine hums confidently.
Students gather around, talking excitedly, adrenaline still shaking in their hands.
But two things stand out.
Gwen, who keeps sneaking glances at Rudra—
A mixture of guilt, awe… and something softer.
And Layla, who stands protectively near him—
Green eyes sharp and worried.
And Rudra—
Caught right in the center—
Just lets out a long, long sigh.
Sigh~
"...."
With the engines stabilized and the fall halted,
Rudra led the group upward through the ruined shaft.
Vines lifted them, firelight guided them, and the students—
Still trembling from the near-death event—
Moved with a newfound unity.
As they emerged into the main auditorium…
Gasps rose everywhere.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Parents stumbled out from corners, drenched from sprinklers.
Heroes—
Now tiny children—
Huddled together in oversized costumes.
The once-proud faculty stood at barely three feet tall,
Voices squeaky and confused.
And at the center—
Struggling to hold his levitation wheel chair steady—
Professor Medulla… as a kid.
His massive head was the same.
His tiny body… wildly mismatched.
His hair wriggled,
Gripping the wheel's edges as he hovered toward them.
"Ah! Finally!"
Young Medulla squeaked,
Grabbing the broken Pecifier from Zack's trembling hands.
"This device is primitive… unstable… and frankly insulting. But I can fix it in—"
He squinted, calculating.
"—half a day."
Zack blinked.
"...."
"Seriously?"
The kid-sized Medulla rolled his eyes dramatically,
Hair tendrils flapping like annoyed tentacles.
"Yes. And no, I do not require a babysitter."
He turned to Rudra.
"You, Ra-One… bring me three third-years. Those with stable quirks and functioning brain cells. My lab awaits."
A group of third-years—
Immediately stepped forward.
Not because he chose them…
But because they were the only ones brave enough to follow a tiny genius into a possibly exploding laboratory.
Medulla let out a huffy sigh.
Sigh~
"Acceptable."
And with a whirl of his levitation wheel—
WOOSH
—he zoomed down the hallway, shouting.
"DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING IN MY LAB UNTIL I ARRIVE! ESPECIALLY THE RED BUTTONS!"
The three students scrambled behind him, terrified.
As the echoes faded, every parent… every hero… every student turned toward one person.
Rudra.
Standing tall.
Clothes torn, soot streaking his arms, hair messy from the chaos.
But steady.
Unshaken.
Josie Stronghold stepped forward, holding Will's tiny father by the collar like a misbehaving puppy.
"Professor Ra-One…"
She said softly.
"…you saved them. All of them."
Steve—
Now child-sized—
Crossed his arms stubbornly and muttered.
"I would have helped if I wasn't three feet tall."
Rudra bowed respectfully.
"I only did what needed to be done."
Layla stared at him like he hung the moon.
Will nodded in gratitude, still awed.
Nod~
Warren cracked his knuckles but said nothing—
His silence spoke enough.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Gwen… stood behind the group, avoiding eye contact.
But the guilt and conflict in her eyes was unmistakable.
Rescue teams arrived.
Parents hugged their children.
Teachers stumbled around in child bodies, confused but safe.
Rudra's gaze swept the ruined hall…
And he allowed himself a small, tired smile.
TWO DAYS LATER...
The world had barely stopped shaking.
Two days since the attack.
Two days since Stitches fell.
Two days since Sky High,
The pride of hero education,
Had plummeted from the sky and been saved at the last second.
Every major news outlet was ripping the story apart.
Parents demanded safety.
Agencies demanded accountability.
Heroes demanded answers.
And Principal Powers had just finished her fourth press conference,
Looking exhausted behind her perfect smile.
Today was Rudra's turn.
NEWS STUDIO...
LIVE INTERVIEW BROADCAST...
Bright studio lights bathed the room in soft white.
Cameras rotated slowly.
Sound technicians whispered into headsets.
Rudra sat on the modern leather chair—
Composed.
Calm.
Clad in a sharp black blazer over a navy shirt.
A silver badge on his chest read: RA-ONE.
Across from him sat the anchor.
Maria Reynolds, a famous journalist known for grilling heroes without mercy—
The type of woman whose smile promised both charm… and trouble.
She adjusted her mic,
Crossed her legs,
And gave Rudra a polished anchorman smile.
"Good evening, Mr. Ra-One,"
She said, voice smooth like velvet.
"Thank you for joining us."
Rudra nodded politely.
Nod~
"Good evening."
The red LIVE sign lit up.
Cameras rolled.
Maria leaned forward.
"Mr. Ra-One, the entire nation watched Sky High fall—quite literally—and be saved only at the very last moment. You have emerged as one of the key individuals responsible for preventing catastrophe."
Click.
The camera zoomed in on Rudra's face.
"Can you tell us,"
Maria continued,
"what exactly happened that day?"
Rudra took a calm breath.
"...."
His voice steady and grounded.
"A villain infiltrated the school grounds and sabotaged Sky High's levitation engines. Their goal was mass casualties. But thanks to the cooperation between students, staff… and heroes…"
He inclined his head slightly.
"…We were able to restore the engines before impact."
Maria raised an eyebrow.
"...."
"Multiple sources report that you, personally, repaired the damaged engine—even though it was a highly advanced, delicate mechanism requiring deep scientific knowledge."
Rudra smiled faintly.
"I simply… improvised where needed just temporarily."
Maria blinked.
Blink~
"...."
"That's a very humble response for someone who saved the whole damn school..."
The audience chuckled lightly.
Chuckle~
"But tell me, Mr. Ra-One… how did you avoid the sedative gas released during the sabotage?Reports indicate it should've put down even top-tier heroes."
Rudra leaned back slightly.
"It seems my body reacts differently to foreign substances. A part of my ability."
Maria's eyes narrowed slightly—
Not out of distrust, but curiosity.
"A very convenient ability,"
She said.
"A very helpful one,"
Rudra replied calmly.
Maria shifted gears, eyes sharpening.
"Many parents are demanding answers. How did such a dangerous infiltrator enter Sky High—a school claiming to be the safest hero academy in America?"
A tense silence fell across the studio.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Rudra did not flinch.
"Security loopholes existed,"
He admitted.
"Sky High has already started fixing them. But what matters most is that every staff member is committed to ensuring this never happens again."
Maria tapped her pen thoughtfully.
"And what about you? Your role was… unprecedented. Fixing the engine, neutralizing the villain, escorting students, protecting faculty—"
She leaned forward again.
"Who are you, Mr. Ra-One?"
A hush fell.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Even the crew leaned forward slightly.
Rudra's eyes softened.
"A teacher,"
He said simply.
"One who puts his students first. Everything else… is secondary."
Maria blinked, momentarily stunned.
Blink~
"...."
Just as the segment was about to wrap up—
"One last question, Mr. Ra-One."
Maria crossed one leg over the other, a sly, dangerous smile forming.
"There are rumors you're particularly popular with the female students."
Rudra choked slightly.
"...."
Maria continued brightly.
"Some students—both Layla Williams and Gwen Grayson—were reportedly seen staying close to you during evacuation. Any comments on… that?"
The camera zoomed in.
Rudra felt a metaphorical bead of sweat roll down.
He cleared his throat.
Cough~
"My only focus is their growth and safety. They are my students. Nothing more. And I hope please refrain from mentioning them public."
Maria smirked, satisfied she had gotten something, even if not scandalous.
Smirk~
"Very diplomatic answer, Mr. Ra-One."
Rudra exhaled quietly.
"Thank you."
"And with that—thank you for joining us. America owes you gratitude for what you did at Sky High."
The camera panned out.
The LIVE light dimmed.
Maria removed her mic and leaned forward.
"That was… refreshing, Mr. Ra-One. You're either incredibly honest… or incredibly good at hiding secrets."
Rudra gave a calm smile.
"...."
"Maybe a little of both."
She laughed softly.
Giggle~
"Well, if you ever decide to give the news world an exclusive behind-the-scenes story—call me."
She winked.
Wink~
Rudra blinked slowly.
"…I'll keep that in mind."
Rudra's interview hadn't even finished airing before the internet erupted.
On HeroNet —
America's biggest hero forum...
@StarSpangledMom:
That Ra-One boy is SO polite. And handsome. And saved my niece's school. God bless him.
@QuirkDebateKing:
Hold up—he repaired a SKY HIGH ENGINE?? That's S-rank intellect + combat ability in one package. Monster-level.
@TeenHeroFanGirl ⚡:
RA-ONE LOOKED SO COOL SAYING "I'M JUST A TEACHER." AAAAAAA??? MARRY ME SIRRR.
@MomOfThree:
I want him teaching MY children, omg.
@SkepticGuy:
Something's off… no background? No quirk registry? Hm.
@CatherineVolt_DIDNT_MEAN_TO:
STOP CALLING HIM OUR SHIP. WE'RE JUST FRIENDS.
(Immediately deleted.)
News Banners Flash Across the Country...
BREAKING: "RA-ONE'S CALM RESPONSE UNDER PRESSURE WINS PUBLIC TRUST."
"New Hero Ra-One: America's Most Eligible Bachelor and Mysterious Teacher?"
"Who Is Ra-One? Public Demands Background Transparency."
SKY HIGH CAFETERIA...
EVERYONE WATCHES THE INTERVIEW...
Lunchtime.
The cafeteria buzzed like a festival.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Every student was glued to the giant TV screens mounted near the ceiling.
Rudra's interview replayed for the third time.
And each time the students reacted the same way.
TV:
"I am just a teacher. My duty is to protect my students."
Screaming.
Actual screaming.
KYAAAAA!!!
First-years and third-years jumped out of their seats.
"HE'S SO COOL!!"
"LOOK AT THOSE EYES—THE CONFIDENCE!"
"BRO. He saved us, fixed the engines, beat a villain, AND looks like that?!"
"You think he has a girlfriend?"
"He probably has a wife, kids, AND a secret lover—someone that powerful can't be single!"
"SHUT UP, DON'T JINX IT!"
And on one table, several girls already had notebooks open.
"RA-ONE FANCLUB — DRAFTING FIRST MEETING AGENDA"
Even a few boys muttered respectfully:
"Man's a sigma."
"That interview was hard."
"Peak masculinity."
Layla Williams sat with her closest friends—
Will, Zach, Magenta—
Watching the broadcast.
Her expression changed every five seconds.
• proud smile
• confused frown
• slight blush
• annoyed pout
• repeat
As the interviewer mentioned Layla's name—
TV:
"Some students—including Layla Williams—were reportedly close to you—"
Layla froze mid-bite of her veggie burger.
"...."
Her friends stared.
Zach whispered,
"Uh oh… here we go…"
Layla's face turned bright red.
"Wh—why would she say it LIKE THAT?!"
Magenta grinned.
Grin~
"You were close to him during well..."
"It wasn't like THAT! He was just helping!"
Layla protested.
But the blush on her cheeks made everyone exchange knowing looks.
Zach snickered,
"Girl, you're jealous because the whole country is crushing on your creative professor."
Layla slammed her hands on the table.
"I'm NOT jealous!! I'm just—concerned! Yes, concerned!"
Will coughed.
Cough~
"Uh-huh. Definitely not jealous."
"WILL, SHUT UP!"
The cafeteria around them exploded again as Rudra was shown repairing the engine.
Layla stared a little too intently at the screen this time, whispering.
"…he really is amazing."
Meanwhile, at a different table—
Gwen Grayson sat surrounded by her usual entourage.
But she wasn't watching like the others.
She was leaning forward, eyes narrowed, focused.
Her calm posture…
Contrasted with the tiny spark of irritation in her gaze.
TV:
"Popular among female students—Layla Williams and Gwen Grayson—"
Her eyebrow twitched.
One of her minions burst into giggles.
"Gwen, they said your name on TV with his! You two have gossip now!"
Gwen calmly took a sip of her strawberry soda.
"Hm."
She didn't blush.
She didn't smile.
But her grip tightened on the glass—
Just a little.
"...."
Inside her head?
'Layla Williams? Again?'
As the students screamed over Rudra's stoic answers…
Gwen's eyes softened for a second.
She whispered under her breath.
"Of course he handled it perfectly. That's why… he's interesting."
Her friend poked her cheek.
"Gwen, are you blushing?"
"What? No."
She turned away.
"...."
"I'm just… analyzing."
"Analyzing his face?"
Gwen kicked her under the table.
Layla felt a stare burning into her from across the room.
She turned.
Gwen was looking at her.
"...."
"...."
Layla narrowed her eyes.
Gwen narrowed hers back.
Spark! Spark!
SPARK!!!
The air crackled like a villain showdown.
Students nearby whispered:
"Oh no… here we go again…"
"The Gwen vs Layla cold war…"
"They're fighting for Ra-One's attention, aren't they?"
Zach grinned,
Grin~
"Bro… Professor Ra-One has NO idea what rivalry he just created."
Layla huffed and crossed her arms.
Huff~
"He's a teacher. A teacher. I'm not interested."
Gwen stood and walked past Layla with a smug smirk.
Smirk~
"It's fine if you're not interested, Layla. Means one less competitor."
Layla nearly exploded.
"GWEN!!"
Will buried his face in his hands.
"Oh boy…"
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone too!!!
Guys it will motivate me more?