(Stellar POV)

That annoying little-!

I hate him!

"He got away again!" I grumbled to myself, clutching at my hair as I paced around on top of the roof.

"Well, it could've been worse." Foxfire replied, looking over the edge of the roof. The police were outside of the bar, detaining the men in the red suits. The ambulance with the bouncer that Ski Mask had shot had already left. "There were no casualties. That's always a win."

"I know." I sighed. "It's just so frustrating. That's three times now he's evaded me, and we both know he's coming back."

"And who does he think he is, calling me his chivalrous bombshell!" I stomped my foot on the roof in anger, while still making sure to hold back my strength. "He pisses me off!"

"I wonder what everyone would think if they saw their Hero of Hope like this." Foxfire said, an amused tone showing through the distortion.

"You're right, I need to calm down." I sighed.

"I was more pointing it out because I thought it was funny." Foxfire stated. "I never would've imagined you were like this. You just seem so perfect from afar."

"I'm supposed to give the people hope." I replied. "I have to be."

"Don't worry, you're good at your job." Foxfire stated, patting my shoulder. "And we will take down this...Ski Mask fellow. Was that seriously the best you could come up with?"

"Don't blame me, he's always wearing a ski mask." I crossed my arms.

"Naming things is not your strong suit, apparently." Foxfire chuckled. "We better head back to the Administration quickly and report. After all, it's not often a villain evades you thrice."

"Rarely." I nodded. "Alright, come over here."

"Do we really have to...?" Foxfire sighed. "The Administration headquarters is close."

"Yes, but it's still faster if we fly." I smirked.

"Fine..." Foxfire walked over, allowing me to pick her up and put her into a princess hold. I floated off of the ground, before flying through the air at a moderate pace. A minute later and we landed outside the Administration, where I finally put Foxfire down.

"I'll never not feel embarrassed by that..." Foxfire muttered.

"Would you rather me carry you like a sack of potatoes?" I replied.

"No, actually..." She considered it. "...no, the shippers would still use that as fuel for fire."

"Are there that many fans that ship us?" I questioned. "It's only been a few months."

"You don't want to know..." Foxfire sweatdropped. "...it doesn't really bother me, but it's embarrassing to be shipped with my former idol."

"Hey, what do you mean former?" I lightly punched her shoulder in a playful way as we walked through the doors and into the lobby.

Everyone in the lobby turned towards us with warm smiles. "Stellar! Foxfire!" The receptionist greeted. "How can I help?"

"Hello." I brightly smiled. "Just stopping by for reports."

The receptionist nodded as the two of us turned and walked towards an elevator. The elevator doors opened, a few people leaving before we entered.

Now Foxfire and I stood in the elevator with a few other people in formal attire. They seemed excited and nervous, which I couldn't blame them for. I imagine it's quite the unique experience to be taking an elevator with superheroes.

As the elevator slowed down and stopped we exited onto our floor. Here at the Association, every superhero has their own room at the headquarters when on the job.

The Association is basically how we all can be superheroes professionally. They pay us for our work, give us benefits, send us on missions, and bring us to work together.

The system works quite well. It's sort of like a normal job, with shifts and "offices" and stuff, just with the twist that it's all about superheroing.

The shift that Foxfire and I were on just ended, meaning we should make our report for the day. When not on shift, that's when we get the time to work on our personal lives. Or to just patrol despite not being on shift anyways.

I'm personally very thankful for it, because it allows me to do my college work when not on shift patrolling and fighting crime. I've heard from Luminosity about how it was before the Association was created, when all superheroes worked individually, and it sounds rough.

Foxfire and I walked up to the door with the name Stellar on it. I put in my special password for my room, opening the door and flicking the light open. Foxfire and I entered, before closing the door and locking it.

The room was quite simple. It had a bed, a computer, a desk, and a board on the wall. I also had a poster of Luminosity.

"Finally, I can take this thing off." Sighed Foxfire, pulling down her hood and taking her mask off to reveal a girl with soft blue eyes and brown hair tied in a ponytail. "You're lucky that nobody recognizes you despite having your full face exposed."

"Glasses, a different hairstyle, and a different attitude make all the difference." I nodded.

"Who am I to argue when it works?" Shrugged Foxfire. "Well, you ready for the most boring part of the job?"

"No." I groaned.

I sat down at the computer, quickly creating a new document. I started to write the report as Foxfire stood behind me and audibly pointed out edits. After a good few minutes we finished.

We have to be as detailed as possible with what we can remember happened, writing down every incident. You never know when one random thing in one report happens to coincide with another random thing in a different report.

After finishing the report we then sent it in. I laid on my bed, tired, as Foxfire sat down in the chair and stretched.

"Think they'll put Ski Mask as an official villain in the database?" Foxfire wondered.

"They'll at least put his servant. She's a powerhouse." I answered, staring at my blank ceiling. "But they should put him in too. He shouldn't be underestimated. He's the one calling the shots."

"Yeah. He knows how to play us heroes like fiddles." Foxfire added. "He took a hostage, then injured said hostage so that someone would have to focus on keeping the hostage from bleeding out."

"He did the same thing the last time I encountered him." I stated. "I could've gotten both of them, but he said 'isn't there some people you should be saving.' Worst part is, he was right."

"Hey, what matters is that you saved those people. We'll catch him." Foxfire assured.

"Yeah, thanks..." I sighed.

"You have any exams this week?" Asked Foxfire.

"I do..." I groaned. "...In a few days. I need to do a lot more studying for it."

"You and me both." Foxfire sadly chuckled. "I still can't believe we ended up being in the same college."

"It is surprising." I giggled, sitting up. "I mean, a few months ago we didn't know each other at all. And now we're close enough to know each other's secret identities."

"Still can't believe it." Laughed Foxfire. "Feels like a dream."

I rolled on the bed, moving onto my stomach and placing my hands under my head. "So, how are things with your crush?"

"It's just the usual." Foxfire sighed. "I don't really expect anything. He's a customer, and I think he's just a flirt in general."

"You don't know for sure, though?" I replied.

"I don't." Foxfire smiled. "Who knows? Any boys catch your eye yet? Anyone on campus? Off of campus?"

"No." I shook my head. "No one."

"Boo." Pouted Foxfire.

I rolled my eyes at her. "I'm not in a rush. I'll find someone."

I got off the bed, cracking my back. Foxfire stood back up, placing her mask back on and then pulling her hood up.

We exited my room, immediately running to a coworker we get along with.

"Frostbolt. Hey." Greeted Foxfire.

"Foxfire. Stellar." He greeted coolly.

Frostbolt wore a simple white eyemask and a blue skintight suit with flexible white armor pieces. His light blue hair easily grabbed attention, matching his cold blue eyes.

He had a very blunt nature, but was quite the kind person. We weren't close enough to him to know his secret identity, but he was someone we could count on in a pinch.

Him and I worked together with the legendary Fortify to capture Deathhand just a few months ago.

"You seem tired." I pointed out.

"Long day." He stated. "Another fire. People are having trouble figuring out who is starting them. No suspicious people. Nothing strange caught on camera. A fire just appears."

He turned towards Foxfire. "Any ideas, since you have a fire based power?"

"I'm not sure." Foxfire thought about it for a moment. "The fire just starts by itself, no one near it?"

"Yes." Frostbolt stated.

"Some sort of remote activation." Foxfire stated. "But I'm not sure if that's from some sort of power or some sort of technology. Like a device that perishes in the fire."

"I did not consider such a technology." Frostbolt nodded. "I will suggest that as a possible method in my report. Thank you, Foxfire."

"No problem." Foxfire replied. Frostbolt opened his door, stepping into his room and leaving us alone. "I'm going to my room to study. I'll see you later, Stellar." Foxfire waved.

"See you later." I waved as Foxfire left.

I entered the elevator, heading to the first floor and exiting the Administration. Flying into the air, I quickly maneuvered to the place I wanted to go.

The Hall of Heroes, as it's nicknamed. Also known as the Champion City Heroic Museum.

I landed down in front of it, entering as if it was normal. Some people gasped and took photos of me while others didn't care. Superheroes were such a regular occurrence now. Luckily civilians don't bother heroes unless it's a special event, considering that a lot of the time we're on a job.

The security let me in easily. I had become a regular here, part of the reason being that heroes got free entry. No need to pay as long as I'm Stellar.

After passing the entry and security and entering the actual museum, once again I saw the incredibly sight that gave the museum the nickname it has.

And it's this giant hall with six huge statues of the original six heroes that created the first superhero team.

The Champions.

This superhero team started Champion City's change into the large and vibrant city it is today. These are the heroes that I greatly respected.

Justice Man, the Hero of the People.

Luminosity, the first Hero of Hope.

Liongale, the Bravest of All.

Fortify, the Strongest Protector.

Medic, the First Healer.

And Siren, the first Rallying Hero.

These are the heroes that inspired me when I was young. And now, I've taken over the mantle as the Hero of Hope. I don't know if I can ever live up to her legend.

But I'll keep trying.

That reminds me, they're making a statue for Miracle, aren't they? They said on television it would be the largest statue of a hero since these original six.

Poor Siren. I heard from Mom that she shut herself after no one could find him for months. This is why I have to do my best to stop these villains. I don't want people to have to hurt from losing someone they love, like she did.

Or like Mom and I did.

So, you hear that Ski Mask?!

I'm coming for you!