Three months.
That was how long the ruins had stayed silent.
Now, steel rose where rubble once lay.
Tema stood at the edge of the rebuilt grounds, staring at the structure that replaced what had been torn apart. The new headquarters didn't try to imitate the old one. It didn't hide behind warmth or wooden walls. It stood tall and clean—layers of reinforced glass, matte alloy panels, and wide open platforms designed for movement rather than comfort.
It looked like a place meant to survive.
Behind her, footsteps gathered. Not hurried. Not fearful. Just… curious.
"This is it?" Peppy muttered, hands on her new chips that she bought on the way. "Wow. I thought it'd look scarier. Or at least have foods painted on it."
Chitki adjusted her glasses, already scanning the exterior with her tablet. "Shock-absorbent walls, modular floors, energy-dispersal framework… this place can take a direct hit and still stand."
"CAN WE GO INSIDE??," Chiki asked instantly, hopping onto a railing before Tema shot him a warning look. "Does it have secret tunnels? Or buttons that blow things up?"
"No," Chitki replied flatly. "And if it did, you wouldn't be allowed near them."
Poppy smiled faintly, eyes sweeping over the wide training fields spread out behind the building. "Separate zones… medical wing… dormitories… This is bigger than before."
Water Beauty crossed her arms, trying—and failing—to hide the slight awe in her eyes. "Tch. Took them long enough. But… I guess it's decent."
Mr. Monkey didn't look up from his phone. "Wi-Fi better be good. Otherwise, I'm leaving."
Bandri stood quietly near the back, one hand resting protectively on Bandy's shoulder. The boy stared up at the building without saying a word, lightning no longer crackling around him—just a quiet, contained presence.
Muka yawned. "Do they have snacks."
Chiki answered. "OH! I almost forgot about you. Can you give your introduction again?"
Muka murmured. "Potato....chips...."
Chiki replied. "Hi potato chips! Nice to meet you!."
Clementess said nothing, fingers curling slightly at her side as she took in the open space, the high ceilings, the absence of cages or closed doors.
Tema exhaled slowly.
"This headquarters," she said, finally turning to face them, "was built so none of you ever have to feel trapped again."
Chiki answered. "Two minutes in and I feel trapped by not exploding anything."
That made a few of them pause.
The doors slid open.
Inside, the building felt… alive.
Wide corridors branched into multiple wings—training halls with adjustable terrain, recovery rooms filled with advanced equipment, common areas that didn't feel like barracks, and rooms clearly designed to be personal, not assigned.
"This place is huge!" Peppy exclaimed, immediately running ahead. "WHERE IS ALL THE FOOD ?!"
"Inside your stomach.," Poppy said, exasperated.
Tuka stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "So… where's the training ground?"
"Multiple," Chitki replied, typing rapidly. "Strength, endurance, combat simulation—"
"Good," Tuka said, already smiling. "I need all of them."
Bear walked quietly, hands in his pockets, gaze drifting across the space. When Chiki leaned over and whispered, "Think it's strong enough to handle you breaking stuff?"
Bear glanced sideways. "Only if you don't touch anything first."
Chiki gasped. "RUDE."
They reached a massive central hall.
At its center stood a towering screen—dark, inactive.
"What's that?" Peppy asked.
Chitki looked up at it. "Ranking board. Performance tracking. Mission efficiency. Growth metrics."
"…Is it on?" Bandy asked softly.
Chitki shook her head. "No data yet. It'll stay offline until I initialize it."
Tema watched the dark screen for a moment longer than necessary.
"Take your time," she said. "This place isn't about numbers. Not yet."
Laughter, chatter, small arguments—life slowly filled the building again.
High above them, far beyond the training grounds, something shifted.
A shadow crouched on a distant structure, perched unnaturally still—knees bent, fingers resting against cold metal. It didn't move. It didn't breathe loudly. It simply watched.
Waiting...
Below, unaware, the heroes stepped fully into their new home.
And somewhere between steel and silence—
The next phase quietly began.