Gen Z

The party didn't last long for the two boys, Edward had convinced Michael to leave but Elizabeth chased after them to see if something was wrong.

"Are you guys leaving already? The cake isn't even out yet!" Elizabeth didn't like the thought that they didn't like the party.

"I had so much fun Elizabeth but I think we should head home. It gets dangerous when the sun sets and I don't want my mom to worry," Edward said with a polite smile but Elizabeth could tell he was lying and it wasn't in her place to question them.

Michael looked at Elizabeth, he could see the sadness in her eyes, he stepped in front of Edward to take over the conversation.

"I never did congratulate you, did I?" Michael said, Elizabeth's eyes lighting up because Michael had been distant since he came here and she assumed it was his encounter with Liam.

"You don't have to, I have figured you aren't the expressive type," Elizabeth said, anyone could see Michael was generally uninterested in things so it wasn't anything personal.

Michael slowly placed the strand of hair dangling on her face, tucking it behind her ear but his hand never left her face.

"I don't have to but I want to, I'm proud of you… Lizzy," Michael's voice was soft, it felt like she was talking to a different person.

Edward, however, knew what Michael was doing. This was an act, Michael was very likable when he wanted to be but his intentions have never been genuine.

Edward watched in silence, he had no plans to directly influence or come in the way of how Michael interacted with people.

Elizabeth was all smiles, everyone liked to feel special and right now, that was exactly what Michael was doing to her.

"Thank you, Michael. That means a lot coming from you," Elizabeth was happy that Michael was finally reciprocating her offer of friendship.

"Don't get carried away and eat all that cake, I'm still coming for mine! I had fun but too much of everything ruin anything." Michael joked, his hand leaving her face, this not only removed the unease that Elizabeth was feeling with them leaving but had given Elizabeth a false sense of companionship.

"Hahaha! I'm glad you had fun! I look forward to meeting you in the camp!" Elizabeth said with Michael smiling in return. This would have been a wholesome moment if Michael didn't have any ulterior motives.

Michael said his goodbye and Edward saw the look on Michael's face, it was a look of utter disgust. Edward worried about Michael, and it was sinking in harder these days because he wanted to be a supervillain.

He knew something about Michael that no one else knew, not even Michael himself.

-

The deceased superhero was soon discovered alongside the fresh heap of corpses piled up in the corner. Everyone was instructed to keep it under control or it was more accurate to say a gag order had been placed by the more influential groups of superheroes.

"T-This is bad…" Alessia blurted out, she blamed herself because she was the one that found and suggested that they track him.

Samuel was full of tears because the person that died was one of their stronger heroes yet he was killed so easily. They had severely underestimated the power of this supervillain.

"It's not your fault, it's not your fault either Alessia. These things happen in our line of work. He went there to stop someone evil, he gave up his life to oppose evil. Questioning your decision is throwing mud on his name," A man said, he was a lot older than them.

He had a full-on mustache, he was easily in his early twenties with wavy black silky hair.

He went by Damon, he had no superhero name but the public came up with one for him and that was Incognito as he never left any trail or proof of his existence during his rescues.

"We need to be strong, I don't know why The Slasher returned but he's being allowed to kill as he pleases and that stops now. I will go myself and I will bring him to justice," Damon said, something was inspiring about his speech.

He allowed them to grieve the loss of their own but he didn't allow them to blame themselves.

"But Alessia and Samuel, never again should you do this again," Damon was firm with this, they weren't kids anymore and needed to understand that there are consequences to their actions.

"How long are you going to fucking pamper them!?" Fred protested, there were only four people present right now, including Fred as the rest were on various missions and couldn't return yet, and were oblivious to the passing of Boy Of Steel.

"They sent him to his death because of a stupid reason! They should be punished!" Fred kept on ranting, his brown eyes filling with tears. Samuel and Alessia hung their head with Damon allowing him to get everything off his chest.

Before Fred could speak further, he felt his chest pressed against Damon's bulky chest.

"This is what being a superhero is about, more of us will die and others will replace us but our job is to save as many as we can before we pass the torch. I founded this group because every one of you shared this ideal. I understand your anger Fred but I will not tolerate your tone. What a hero is lost these days, no one hunts down supervillains that they aren't sure of defeating anymore, Boy Of Steel is one of the bravest heroes I have seen," Damon's voice was like that of a father, he calmed everyone down as Fred's tears soaked through his shirt.

"I will personally bring The Slasher to justice, I promise you all this," Damon reiterated, his resolve unwavering.

He was the leader for good reason and he was confident in his abilities as he had more experience as opposed to the younger ones.

But little did they know, a chain of events was about to be set off by the decision they were about to make.