[Flashback – Ultra City Alleyway – Years Ago]
"No, don't shoot! I beg you, please let them be!" a woman pleaded, shielding two boys behind her.
"Timothy, run away with Axel! Get to safety—I'll be fine!" she shouted to the teenage boy.
Timothy clenched his fists, eyes wide and wet. He picked up the unconscious little boy, Axel, and placed him on his back.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything, sister… I hope you forgive me," he whispered as he ran, tears falling freely.
The woman smiled faintly as her younger brother and son disappeared down the alley.
BANG.
Her body dropped to the ground, blood spilling and streaming through the cracked pavement.
---
[Present – Ultra City – Hero Squad Dorms – Morning]
Timothy gasped and shot up from bed, chest heaving.
"Why this memory... Of all things I could dream about, it's this one. The one where I was useless."
He stood, walked into the bathroom, and turned the tap. Cold water rushed over his hands as he splashed it on his face. He stared into the mirror, sighing.
---
[Hero Squad Dining Hall]
"Good morning, Cap," Jakson greeted.
"Morning, Jakson. Morning everyone. I hope you all slept well," Timothy replied, composed once more.
"You're dressed already? Where are you off to?" Raymond asked.
"Leaving for Starc City?" Tyler added, raising a brow.
"No, it's local—within Ultra City. Just need to visit a relative. I'll be back before noon."
Timothy turned and left.
"So… we're free today, right?" Max asked, hopeful.
"Not really. We're training. So eat quick and meet me at the training room," Frost replied, not looking up from his wrist device.
"Ugh, can't we please have one damn free day?" Jakson groaned, throwing his head back.
"We'll get a free day when villains start taking weekends off," Frost added dryly.
---
[Elsewhere – Hero Association Headquarters]
Layla Bremm stood before a massive digital screen in a conference room, in a live meeting with the heads of the Hero Association.
"As you all know, we at Ultra City have found heroes to protect us. All we need now is proper funding."
One suited official responded bluntly, "Why are we funding a city with a low crime rate?"
"Low crime rate, you say?" Layla's voice rose. "They stopped a flood from a sea monster and contained a major threat. And I have reason to believe something dangerous is coming."
Another man spoke. "But they let the culprits—Sun and Wukong—escape."
Layla responded without pause. "Since that day, neither has been heard from again."
The room fell into argument—until the man in the center screen, larger than the rest, raised his hand.
"Enough."
Silence fell.
"Miss Layla, I understand now that Ultra City has capable defenders. I will no longer consider shutting down your branch."
He continued. "As always, we follow Hero Association protocol. B-rank heroes will be paid—regardless of crime rates. They risk their lives. That is enough."
Layla nodded. "Thank you, sir."
The meeting ended. As she stepped out, Jonathan met her.
"What did they say?"
Layla smiled faintly. "The big man assured us of funds."
Jonathan sighed with relief. "Thank the heavens."
---
[Night – Ultra City – Tora Link Way – Abandoned Metal Factory]
Inside the humid, dim factory, sweaty workers hammered molten metal. The air was foul, heavy with the stench of burning iron and human sweat.
Then, a man entered—regal and commanding.
He wore flowing black-and-gold desert robes. His eyes were cold, his expression controlled yet terrifying.
He stepped in, face wrinkling in disgust.
"Ugh… Why does it smell like a pack of wet dogs in here?" Al-Daeem muttered.
The workers turned to him, irritated and confused. One large man stormed toward him.
"Repeat what you just said!"
Al-Daeem turned his piercing gaze on him. "I said… you all smell like wet dogs."
The man raised his hand to strike—shhk!—his arm was sliced off in an instant.
"My arm! My arm!" the brute screamed, collapsing.
"You didn't have to cut his arm off, Silas," Al-Daeem said, not looking back.
Silas stepped forward, his blade dripping. "How dare a weakling raise his hand against the strong?"
Al-Daeem smiled.
"I'm not here for the rest of you. Just two men."
His eyes scanned the room.
"Joshua and Eric Mede. Come out. I know you're here."
Two brothers emerged cautiously.
"What do you want from us?" asked the elder, Joshua.
"I want you to join me."
"In what sense?" asked Eric.
"Revenge," Al-Daeem said coolly. "Don't you want to get back at those buffoons in Halloween costumes?"
The brothers didn't hesitate. "We're in."
Silas turned to Al-Daeem. "What about the rest of them?"
"Kill them all."
The workers began to scream and scatter—but it was too late.
Silas moved like a wraith. His blade danced through the factory, slicing through flesh like paper. Blood sprayed in wide arcs. Screams echoed against metal walls. Severed limbs fell like rotten branches. The ground turned slick with gore.
It was a massacre.
---
[The Next Morning – Factory Exterior]
A woman screamed as she walked past the Tora Link Way factory. Civilians gathered in horror. Police arrived quickly, blocking them from seeing the full scene.
Layla Bremm called the Hero Squad.
---
[Tora Link Way – Interior]
The factory's doors creaked open. The metallic stench of dried blood hit hard. Inside, it looked like a warzone.
Bodies lay mangled. Blood pooled everywhere, soaking into cracked concrete. Bones and flesh scattered like broken pottery.
Even hardened heroes flinched.
"Who the hell did this…?" Frost whispered.
Mega Panther's eyes locked on the wall. His voice dropped low.
"There's something written… in blood."
All eyes turned.
"WE ARE COMING."