Riley Ross
Chapter 58: The Importance of Names

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: The Importance of Names

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

Spectacular Mustache Man didn’t really need to say it—every student there had grown up learning about Chieftain Amerika. In the United States, her name was etched into history. How could they forget, when she had once been considered for the presidency?

And not just for any term—but the very first one. The only reason she wasn’t the country’s first president was because she had turned the offer down.

It was all in the textbooks. They’d learned it back in primary school.

Still, a reminder never hurt.

"Chieftain Amerika is the very definition of a hero. She—"

"Mustache Boy, that’s enough..." Chieftain Amerika cut him off gently, her previous tired voice now gone. "We’re not here to learn about me. But... thank you."

She glanced at him and offered a faint smile before turning back to the students.

"And children, I didn’t do it alone," she said, brushing off the attention. "It was Megawoman who truly freed our people. And don’t make the mistake of thinking it was only non-supers who enslaved us. No—it was often our own kind. Supers who turned against each other. Who sold one another like cattle."

Her expression darkened slightly.

"And it wasn’t just supers. Anyone who looked different, who didn’t fit the mold... they were hunted too. Our history is cruel and unkind. But Megawoman—she changed that. Not with force, though she had more than enough of it. She could’ve ruled the world if she wanted to. No one could’ve stopped her...

...But she didn’t. She showed us a different path. She led not with violence, but with compassion. By helping those who needed it, no matter who they were. That’s what ushered in this new era—the one we’re living in now: the Age of Heroes."

"Ahem," Spectacular Mustache Man stepped beside her with a nod, his mustache curling slightly as he addressed the class again.

"But with the Age of Heroes, of course, came something else—the Age of Villains. For every light, there are dark days. Monsters will always exist, no matter how much good we do."

He took a breath, scanning the students’ faces one by one.

"It is not the Academy’s goal to make heroes, no," he said, slowly shaking his head. "We don’t expect that from any of you. But what we do expect—what we hope—is that when the time comes, and you find power in your hands, you choose to be good people."

He paused, letting the words sink in.

"Because when you have power, being good... is already more than enough to change the world, more than enough to make the world a better place for all of us—that was the lesson Megawoman left behind. She may have stepped down over a decade ago, but everyone still remembers the things she did. And maybe someday, centuries from now, people will forget. But they will never forget her name. Megawoman. And they will remember that it stood for something great... and more importantly, that is stood for something good."

"S-shit..."

"What the—are you crying?"

Gary quickly covered his mouth, his throat tightening as tears welled in his eyes. Hannah took a step back from him, her brows raised—but she couldn’t deny it... Spectacular Mustache Man’s words had gotten to her, too.

In fact, even Tomoe had her eyes closed—but whether it was from being moved or merely tired of standing, only she would know. Spectacular Mustache Man’s words hit differently for everyone, and for a moment, most of the students held their breath in quiet reflection.

But Spectacular Mustache Man wasn’t quite finished tugging at their heartstrings.

"And hopefully..." he continued, massaging the edge of his mustache, "...when you have children—and your children have children—they’ll remember something good when they hear your name."

A few students began to clap at the conclusion of his speech. More were about to join them, but Spectacular Mustache Man suddenly raised his hand.

"So, my question now is..." he said, his voice suddenly taking on a sharper tone, "Why do none of you have any creative names?! Seriously?!"

"Uh oh..." Chieftain Amerika sighed and slowly stepped back toward her students. She was about to dismiss them, but Spectacular Mustache Man’s voice boomed again, this time directly at her.

"Chieftain Amerika!" He barked, jabbing a finger in her direction. "Where is the student who named himself Captain Farts?!"

The student who named himself Captain Farts flinched, quickly hiding himself amongst his peers.

"What about the Phantom Pharter?!" Spectacular Mustache Man turned his fury on another. "Flying Flatulence?! Why does everything have to involve farts?! Are all of you nine?!"

"Mustache Boy..." Chieftain Amerika exhaled wearily, shielding her students with her arm like a protective mother hen, even summoning her wings. "You should be used to this by now."

"No!" Spectacular Mustache Man shouted, shaking his head so hard his mustache went rigid, slicing the air like blades, "Names are important! Why do you think people remember supervillains more?! Because they have better names! And I mean no disrespect to Megawoman, not at all—but that name... she started this."

"Mustache Boy... It’s just the fate of superheroes to have names that are... subpar."

"What?! Mine is great!"

"Well..."

"Argh!" He then whirled toward his own class, causing a wave of flinch to ripple through the group.

"You!"

"Y-Yes?!" A girl raised her hand timidly. Everyone quickly parted as they focused on her, and it wasn’t that hard to do as she was... consuming more space due to her weight.

"Why would you name yourself Hurricane Katrina?!" Spectacular Mustache Man demanded. "And what does that have to do with you having twelve siblings?! Do you even know what Hurricane Katrina did to people?!"

"W-Well..." Katrina blinked, cheeks jiggling as she stepped forward, "...My name’s Katrina and I can, like, make winds? And... there’s already someone named Hurricane Katrina?"

"Hurricane Katrina’s a typhoon! How old—Argh!"

If Chieftain Amerika hadn’t physically held him back, Spectacular Mustache Man might have lunged at her.

But he wasn’t done. Not even close.

Very slowly, his gaze drifted toward the Baby Crew... and locked on to them.

"And you!" He said, eyes twitching as he pointed to them all. "Why do all your names have ’baby’ in them?!"

Then his mustache quivered as he zeroed in on Riley.

"And you!" His voice cracked. "Sweet Snowy Little Baby Boy?! Who is ever going to say a name that long?!"

Riley blinked. "It only has one more syllable than your name, Mr. Spectacular Mustache Man."

Spectacular Mustache Man looked like he was about to rip out his mustache in despair.

Thankfully, before he could erupt, a new group emerged from around the side of the building—led by none other than Bulwark.

The moment Spectacular Mustache Man laid eyes on the Headmaster, he cleared his throat, straightened his back, and composed himself. Chieftain Amerika followed suit, stepping forward to greet him.

"Headmaster," she said with a respectful nod.

"How are you, child?" Bulwark smiled warmly at her.

"Still alive," she chuckled. "Did you need something?"

"Oh, not me." Bulwark stepped aside, revealing the pair of familiar faces trailing behind him.

Detectives Jake and Dorothy.

Uh oh... why are they here again?

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