Adrian and his dad, David, rushed toward the site of the attack, both dressed in their hero suits. The city around them blurred as they flew, sirens wailing in the distance.
They reached the battlefield within minutes. Chaos spread through the streets: overturned cars, cracked pavement, and terrified civilians running for cover. Groups of aliens darted between buildings, firing strange weapons at anyone in sight.
Several heroes were already there — the Poisonous Viper, moving with coiled precision, and the Orange Tiger, whose striped armor gleamed in the sunlight.
"David! Over here!" the Orange Tiger shouted over the noise.
David nodded and launched himself into the fight, cutting down aliens with swift, practiced strikes. Meanwhile, Adrian followed his father's orders, swooping in to carry injured civilians to safety. He guided frightened families behind barricades and helped them find cover inside nearby shops.
Only once the last civilians were safe did Adrian turn back to the fight. He dashed toward the fray — but David had already cleared most of the battlefield. Adrian relaxed for a moment, convinced the mission was over.
"Behind you!" David yelled.
Adrian spun just as a beam of green light sizzled past his shoulder, leaving a smoking mark on the street. A towering alien stood across from him, its body plated with gleaming armor. Its eyes glowed, and a heavy cannon hummed on its shoulder.
"That one's dangerous," warned the Poisonous Viper. "Step back, Adrian!"
Adrian obeyed, retreating a few steps — but the attack wasn't slowing. More aliens began to pour into the street, larger and stronger than the ones before.
Adrian braced himself and charged at one. It took several solid blows to bring the creature down, and another immediately replaced it. The swarm seemed to single him out, perhaps sensing he was the least experienced. Their combined weight pressed on him until his arms ached and his breathing turned ragged.
Just as one alien lunged for his back, the Orange Tiger intercepted, knocking the creature away with a sharp kick. "Stay sharp, rookie!" the veteran hero barked before tearing through the rest of the attackers with incredible strength.
Meanwhile, David and the Poisonous Viper focused on the alien commander — the one riding inside a hovering tank that projected deadly green lasers. David weaved through the barrage with ease, searching for weak points, while the Viper slithered across the ground, looking for an opening to strike.
The tank's armor held firm against most attacks. David hammered at its joints, each blow shaking the machine but not yet breaking it. The Viper darted in and out, distracting the commander until, at last, a seam cracked along the tank's side.
Seizing the moment, the Viper leapt forward, sinking venom-coated fangs into the alien's neck. The creature convulsed and fell still. The battle was over.
Cheers rose among the heroes. Taking down a commander — a high-ranking alien officer — was no small feat. Still, it was strange that such a powerful enemy had come to Earth at all. None of them lingered on the thought for long.
The Orange Tiger escorted Adrian to a nearby hospital. David joined them shortly afterward.
It's normal for new heroes to get injured," David said gently as Adrian lay on the bed. "Don't let it get to you."
Adrian stared at the ceiling. "But I was useless out there."
"No," David said, shaking his head. "You rescued civilians and fought off several aliens. For your first mission, that's impressive."
Before Adrian could answer, the door opened. Riley and Jake stepped inside, relief on their faces.
"How did you end up in the hospital?" Jake asked.
"I was fighting aliens," Adrian replied, sitting up a little.
"Fighting aliens?" Jake's eyes widened. "You're already a hero?"
Adrian nodded.
Jake hesitated, then said quietly, "I need to talk to you — alone. Come by my place once you've recovered."
Adrian frowned but eventually agreed. After a few more words, Riley and Jake left. David soon followed, called away by other duties.
Two days later, Adrian was well enough to leave. He headed straight to Jake's house.
Jake welcomed him inside, guiding him to a soft couch in the living room. For a moment, Jake seemed unsure how to start.
"Have you ever heard of the 'Lights of Justice'?" he finally asked.
Adrian nodded slowly. "They're the strongest heroes alive. Only seven exist."
Jake took a breath. "You might not believe me… but your dad is one of them."
Adrian froze, his face pale. "What? If that's true, why wouldn't he tell me?"
"I don't know," Jake admitted. "But whatever the reason, don't bring it up with him. If he's keeping it from you, there must be a reason."
Adrian sat back, troubled. After a long pause, he finally nodded.
"Remember," Jake said as Adrian stood to leave, "this stays between us."