Benny and Frank's journey took them to different corners of the academy, visiting the other flag-bearers who had grown even more distant in recent years. The weight of their past experiences seemed to hang over them, an unspoken tension that made each reunion feel like a fragile thread about to snap. But Benny, determined to get one last glimpse of his old classmates before he and Frank left for their training abroad, insisted they pay a visit.
The first stop was Beth Coleman, the flag-bearer known for her unshakable resilience and her mastery of defensive tactics. She had always been calm, collected, and fiercely protective, but even Benny could sense that the years had changed her. The exuberant energy she once carried had been replaced by a quiet, almost serene confidence.
They found her in the academy's training facility, working on a new technique. Her movements were fluid and precise, as though she were conducting an intricate dance with the air itself. She didn't notice Benny and Frank at first, so they waited for her to finish her routine before calling out.
"Hey, Beth!" Benny's voice echoed through the empty space.
She stopped mid-move, turning with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh, it's you guys," she said softly, wiping sweat from her brow. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to check in before we leave," Frank said, his grin wide and unbothered. "How's everything been?"
Beth exhaled slowly, dropping her guard for the first time in what seemed like ages. "I've been... busy," she answered, her voice betraying just a hint of exhaustion. "Training's been a lot, and I've taken on some heavier responsibilities with some of the newer heroes. It's hard work, but it feels good to keep moving forward."
"Is it just about moving forward, though?" Benny asked, his voice more earnest than he intended. "You never take a break, do you? You're always pushing yourself, but I've noticed you've been different lately. You don't seem the same."
Beth's eyes flickered, like she was debating whether to answer honestly. After a long pause, she sighed and sat down on the nearby bench. "You're right. I've been different. But what else am I supposed to do? The world doesn't stop just because we get tired. We're heroes now, Benny. We've got to keep going. And sometimes... sometimes it feels like there's no room for anything else."
Benny was quiet for a moment, understanding more than she realized. He glanced at Frank, who gave him a silent nod. "We get it. Just don't lose yourself in it, okay? We all have our moments when we need to stop and think."
Beth smiled weakly. "I'll try. But it's not easy when the whole world expects you to be perfect all the time."
After a brief silence, Benny stood up. "Anyway, we'll see you around. Keep your head up, Beth."
The next stop was Paul Brunted, the flag-bearer who had once been the embodiment of bravado. He was known for his overwhelming physical strength and no-nonsense attitude, yet beneath it all, Benny had always known that Paul carried a deep fear of failure. But as they approached his training grounds, Benny could tell that Paul had changed in ways they couldn't have predicted.
They found Paul on the field, not in the middle of a battle, as one would expect, but practicing in solitude. His usual boisterous nature was gone, replaced by a quiet focus. He was lifting enormous weights with ease, sweat dripping down his forehead as his powerful arms strained to lift the weight higher.
Benny waited until Paul noticed them before speaking up.
"Hey, Paul! How've you been?"
Paul lowered the weight and wiped his hands on his shorts before standing up to greet them. There was no cocky grin this time, just a tired but genuine smile. "Hey, Benny. Frank. Didn't expect to see you guys here."
"Yeah, well, we're heading out soon," Benny said. "Just wanted to stop by and see how things have been for you."
"I've been training," Paul answered plainly. "Getting stronger, keeping up with my responsibilities. You know how it is."
Frank raised an eyebrow. "That's it? No big summer plans? No partying or anything?"
Paul shook his head, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. "It's not like it used to be. I can't afford to get lazy. The world's changed, and we've changed with it."
Benny studied him for a moment. "You've changed. You don't sound like the old Paul anymore."
Paul's expression softened, and he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "Maybe. It's just that... after everything that happened, I realized I wasn't as strong as I thought. I didn't just want to be the strongest physically. I wanted to be strong in every way. So I've been working on that. But I can't shake the feeling that... something's missing."
Benny hesitated, the weight of his words sinking in. "It's Akio, isn't it?"
Paul looked away, his jaw tightening. "Yeah. It's him. I keep thinking about the moment when we lost him. And it feels like we all just... moved on without him. Like it never really mattered. I guess that's what bothers me the most."
There was a long pause, one that felt heavier than the weight Paul had just lifted. Benny placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know. I think about him too."
Finally, Benny and Frank made their way to Kenya McLane. She had always been the one with a radiant personality, a warm smile that could light up any room. But lately, Benny noticed that she had withdrawn from her usual bubbly self. There was an air of introspection about her now, as though she had spent too many sleepless nights grappling with something.
When they found her, she was sitting on a ledge, staring out at the horizon, her powers swirling around her in delicate, glowing patterns. She didn't notice them until Benny spoke.
"Kenya."
She turned, her smile soft and distant. "Benny. Frank. What's up?"
"Just checking in," Benny said, lowering himself to the ledge beside her. "What have you been up to?"
Kenya's eyes flickered as she gathered her thoughts. "You know, the usual. I've been doing a lot of soul-searching lately. Figuring out what my role is in all of this. I've always been the light-hearted one, the person who brought others together. But after everything that happened... I don't know if I still fit that mold. Things are different now."
Frank studied her for a moment. "Are you okay?"
Kenya smiled faintly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine. Just trying to figure out who I am now. We're all changed, aren't we?"
Benny nodded quietly. "Yeah. We are."
With the visits to the flag-bearers completed, Benny and Frank stood in silence for a moment, their thoughts heavy. They had seen the changes in their friends, felt the weight of the unspoken past pressing down on them. But there was one last stop, one they couldn't avoid. The place where everything had begun—and where it had all ended.
Akio Kita's mom.
They arrived at her modest home just as the sun was beginning to set. The porch light flickered softly, casting a warm glow over the small house. Benny felt the familiar pang of guilt in his chest as they approached the front door. It had been so long since they had seen her, and even longer since they had truly spoken about Akio.
When Mrs. Kita answered the door, her eyes were tired but kind, and there was a quiet sadness in the air that seemed to hang around her.
"You've grown," she said, smiling faintly as she welcomed them inside. "Both of you."
Benny smiled weakly. "Yeah, we're not kids anymore."
She led them into the living room, where Akio's old things still lingered—his school jacket on the back of a chair, a picture frame with a family photo on the mantel. Benny's throat tightened, and he felt the weight of the silence in the room.
"How have you been, Mrs. Kita?" Frank asked gently.
She sighed, sitting down in the chair next to them. "I'm doing okay. It's been hard. Losing Akio was... devastating. But life goes on. I try to stay busy. Keep going for him."
Benny nodded quietly. "We haven't forgotten about him. I just... I want you to know that we think of him all the time. He meant a lot to us."
Mrs. Kita smiled softly, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Benny. I know you did everything you could."
As Benny and Frank left the Kita household, the weight of the visit hung in the air. They hadn't talked about Akio directly, but the shared understanding was enough. The memories of their friend, of the sacrifices made, would never fade. No matter where they went, no matter how far they traveled, Akio would always be a part of them.
And as they walked away into the night, Benny knew that he and Frank had their own paths to follow—but they would never forget the one who had been left behind.