Riley Ross
Chapter 57: The Dark History of Supers

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: The Dark History of Supers

"Oh god, now everyone’s looking at me. Why would he even say that?!"

Hannah returned to the Baby Crew, her steps just a bit more awkward than usual. While Victoria, Riley, and Silvie didn’t show much reaction to Spectacular Mustache Man’s words, the others—Pauline, Bella, Gary, and even Tomoe—were very clearly staring at her.

"That was... depressing," Bella whispered as she leaned in. "Also, girl, I didn’t know you were cracked."

"I’m not cracked!" Hannah whispered back, her voice slightly strained. "My powers are just... dangerous."

"That’s the definition of cracked."

"Oh?" Riley blinked as he turned to them. "I did not know that."

"It—"

Before the conversation could continue, Spectacular Mustache Man raised his voice again to short speech by adding more names into the fray.

"And it’s not only Ms. Hannah Ross," he crossed his arms while his mustache nodded for him, "Ms. V and Ms. Silvie Savelievnva are also both several classes above all of you—and they also have a clear advantage, they all awakened their powers as an infant, they were born already having abilities."

The weight of those words sank in fast. Not only did the other students turn their eyes toward Hannah again, but now Silvie and Victoria were catching stares too. Most students, especially Steph’s old friends, started avoiding Hannah’s gaze.

Of course, as her old classmates, they already knew what sort of super Hannah was as she actually unlocked her powers at a very early age. But they initially thought she only had flame-related abilities, but to think... her powers were actually nuclear?

...And they’ve been messing with her for years now?

"But do not misunderstand," Chieftain Amerika stepped forward. "Being born with powers isn’t as glorious as it sounds. When I was young—that is, roughly 500 years ago now—supers were far more rare. Yes, I know. Don’t be surprised. I’m very old."

She laughed, the deep lines on her face creasing further. "In those days, supers were either idolized... or hunted. My grandparents and their ancestors told me of worse times—when babies born with powers were killed outright."

A new hush fell over the students. They were already hit by the harsh reality of Spectacular Mustache Man’s words, and now they were being told of the dark history the supers had experienced.

For a second, they forgot they were in a school for supers because of all the fun they were having.

"Can anyone tell me why we were killed as babies back then?" Chieftain Amerika asked, raising her hand.

No one answered. A few students glanced around awkwardly—some likely knew, but no one wanted to speak. Well, almost no one.

Riley raised his hand.

"Because we were considered monsters, Ms. Chieftain Amerika," he answered.

"That’s correct. And it’s good to have you back with us, Sweet Snowy Little Baby Boy," she nodded. "We—"

But before Chieftain Amerika could continue her lesson, she realized Riley still had his hand raised. She narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before nodding at him.

"Yes?"

"I have a very important question, Ms. Chieftain Amerika."

The Baby Crew subtly flinched at his words. Hannah, Silvie, and Victoria especially, their eyes narrowing in suspicion—they were already being singled out, and knowing Riley, anything could follow, and the attention they were getting would become worse.

"Okay..." Chieftain Amerika was slightly amused. "What is it?"

"Is the ’Chieftain’ in your superhero name a title," Riley asked, completely serious, "or is it part of your full superhero name?"

And when everyone thought the silence couldn’t be anymore quieter, Riley once again proved that he was the king of shutting everyone up. Even after everything they’d just heard... somehow, Riley still managed to be the one to shut the entire crowd up completely.

Chieftain Amerika blinked. She opened her mouth... then closed it again. Even she didn’t seem to know how to respond.

Hannah wanted to reprimand her brother, but the room felt far too quiet for that. Saying anything would just draw more attention—and she already had enough eyes on her for one day.

But after a few more seconds of thick silence, Chieftain Amerika broke it with a laugh.

"Bless me, I’ve forgotten if it was or wasn’t," she said with a smile. "But I suppose now, yes—it’s part of my full superhero name."

"But you are no longer a superhero, Chieftain Amerika," Riley pointed out. "You are retired."

"That I am, aren’t I?" She chuckled.

"Yes, Ms. Chieftain Amerika," Riley nodded solemnly. "That is all I wanted to know. You may continue with your history lesson."

"Thank you kindly, Mr. Riley Ross. But I am far from being a ’Ms.’," Chieftain Amerika nodded, clearly amused. "Now, where was I... Ah, yes. Supers have long been seen as monsters throughout history—and with good reason. We are dangerous. Especially those born with their abilities. I trust I don’t need to explain why."

She scanned the sea of students, watching their expressions before continuing.

"What we carry is a curse. But it’s up to each of you to decide whether it remains a curse... or becomes something greater. Something good. Mustache Boy?"

"And only recently has public perception shifted," Spectacular Mustache Man picked up smoothly. "Thanks to people like Chieftain Amerika, and those who came before us. But more than anyone, it was one name that truly changed everything...

...Megawoman."

Chieftain Amerika stepped forward again, pressing a hand to her chest as she spoke with soft reverence.

"Megawoman came at our darkest hour—and made it brighter. I still remember it. Three centuries ago now. Our technology had advanced, and so had the weapons used against us. We were hunted. Enslaved. "We... we—"

She tried to continue, but her words faltered, her voice almost turning completely silent as she looked down. She wanted to say something, but her words were seemingly swallowed by the weight of her past.

Spectacular Mustache Man gently stepped beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"Chieftain Amerika protected the oppressed," he said,

"Remember, we are all privileged to be in her presence. She is one of the greatest heroes our world has ever known."