(Stellar POV)

"You're telling me..." I rubbed my forehead in frustration, standing in the lobby of the Administration headquarters. The receptionist nervously smiled at me from the desk.

"...that neither Prototype nor Isolation have turned Ski Mask in yet?" I questioned.

"They have yet to appear at the Administration and report capturing Ski Mask, Miss Stellar." The receptionist fidgeted.

"Where the hell are they?" I hissed under my breath, walking out of the building. I blasted into the sky, gazing over the city.

Looks I'll be doing even more patrolling today than usual. My college assignment isn't due until tomorrow, I have time to spare.

I flew around the city, looking for any sign of Ski Mask and his lackeys. And of course I didn't find any of them. Where the hell did they go?

I wouldn't find out until later, but apparently the two of them appeared hours later, seemingly from a big fight, and without Ski Mask. Apparently he escaped them.

That doesn't surprise me.

But something still isn't right. I know that something isn't right. Where were they for all of those hours? What were they doing with Ski Mask?

I refuse to believe they were battling for hours straight. So either Ski Mask escaped quickly and they didn't report it for some reason, or they were with Ski Mask for much longer than they stated.

But why? Why would they do that...?

What could they possibly want with him?

Countless theories passed through my mind, but I simply didn't have enough of anything for something concrete.

All I know is that those two are suspicious.

I'll be keeping my eye on them, at least, when Ski Mask isn't causing trouble. My archnemesis is the number one priority for obvious reasons.

And just like that, a whole month passed.

Not a single appearance of Ski Mask. Not a single time he randomly caused trouble. Even his associates haven't done anything. The Maid, Mother Wasp, and Alexis Cromwell have all been completely under the radar.

He must be planning something.

Villains don't just sit around and do nothing. The only time they get to do that is when they're in prison.

So Ski Mask and his group being quiet and staying off of the radar is nothing good. He's up to something, and all I can do is be prepared for when he appears.

They don't understand just how big of a threat he is. But I do.

I was currently standing inside of a large training room alone. It was one of the multiple they had in the large underground training complex under the Administration headquarters, with various different tech and supplies to help us hone our abilities and become stronger.

And sitting in front of me was a large boulder, taller than I was. Yes, this was the piece of technology I was going to use. A large rock.

Perfect. I had specifically requested for this, so I'm glad that they got it for me. I wanted to try testing my power in a new way.

I brought my fingers up to the middle of the boulder, preparing to flick the rock. Without holding back I let out the most powerful flick I could, creating cracks across the rock's surface.

I bit my lower lip in pain, before flicking at the rock again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

It took me a full minute of continuous flicks until the rock fully cracked in half all the way through. I stared down at my hands, seeing my bloody and battered fingers.

I flexed my hands, before effortlessly picking up one half of the boulder. I shifted it over to one hand, but still held it at ease. I grabbed the other half with my other hand but it didn't prove too much more difficult.

I threw one of the halves in the air, before sending the second one after it. As the first came back down I caught it with one hand before sending it to the other and then back into the air.

Even juggling these two boulder halves does not prove enough of a challenge for me. To make sure I continuously performed this action for an hour straight.

Only a light sweat.

I wiped my sweat and stared at my hands in confusion as I set the boulders back down. Have I always been...this strong?

I'm approaching my sixth year of being Stellar, and yet I feel like I've grown in strength more than any other year.

Is it because...of him?

No, don't be ridiculous. What could Ski Mask even possibly have to do with that?

You're just being silly. You've watched too many hero theories and now you've started thinking like a damn conspiracist. One that doesn't even have anything to base their ideas off of.

With a frustrated growl I punched a hole straight through one of the boulder halves. I stared through it, before sighing at myself.

That was me holding back.

Should I not be focusing on strength? Maybe there's a way for me to improve my flight, other than just general practice from performing the act. Maybe I try challenging myself with an obstacle course?

I started to think to myself as I left the room and travelled back upwards to the lobby of the Administration. Upon entering the lobby I was surprised to see a bunch of people watching one of the televisions.

It was a bunch more than usual. Not only were all the lounge seats taken up, but there were also multiple people just standing and watching the television too.

"What's going on?" I wondered as I walked over.

Is it a villain attack? Is it Ski Mask? Am I needed?

"S-stellar!" A man exclaimed in surprise. "I-it's major news! The CEO of Waverson Corporation is moving to Champion City for the foreseeable future!"

Huh, interesting I guess?

"With one of his major rivals, Stromford Industries, also here, I wonder..." The man muttered to himself. "...it must be something major, right?"

I turned around, ready to leave when suddenly the television went to static. A collective confusion washed over the people before the television flickered back-

What is this?

The screen was a dark black, dark enough that you couldn't tell anything except for the fact it was an empty room.

Until he strolled onto the screen.

He faced the camera, his ski mask over his face as always and his hood up. And while it covered his mouth, I had no doubt that he was grinning under it. His red eyes held a mischievous gaze to them as he stared at the camera.

I knew it.

"Hello, Champion City~!" He grinned. "Some of you may know me as Ski Mask thanks to the atrocious naming skills of my archenemy Stellie~"

Stellie?! Huh?!

"W-what's going on?!" Exclaimed a person.

"Shhh!" Another one hushed.

"Is it like this everywhere?!" Another person gasped, running outside.

"I had my precious partner in crime, The Maid, hack our way into broadcasting this message across every television in the city." He continued. "And I would pay close attention, it's pretty important."

"You see, I've come to make an announcement." He smirked. A chair slid from the side, which he promptly sat on. "Thank you." He smiled with a glance to the side.

Who is there with him? The Maid? Mother Wasp? Alexis Cromwell?

"Killian Stromford is a liar, a bastard, a good for nothing scoundrel, and a man who endorses illegal experiments." He stated, crossing his fingers. "I know, huge accusations, right?"

He learned forwards, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'm sure you all have wondered what happened to Miracle, yes? I think you all should be asking the Stromford man himself. Not that he would ever admit it, however."

He chucked to himself, before his tone became serious as he stared at the camera with a stone cold face. "Killian, I know what you've done. I know about the AW-VSD, the I-Genome, and the Miracle project."

"I'm sure you know what they say about villains, right?" He leaned on his hand. "We aren't born, we're created. And we both know that's more true than most would think."

"This is a formal declaration, Killian." He continued. "This isn't over until you pay for your sins. I've already destroyed your North Facility and your secret base in the mountains. So how about we play a little game?"

He crossed his legs, pulling out a small black stick with a cap. Upon flicking the cap open was a bright red button.

"There are multiple bombs placed at the South Facility at this very moment." Ski Mask stated. "More than enough that the whole place will give off a wonderful fireworks show unless my demand is met."

"I want to a specific hero to meet me face to face atop the roof of the DePlanks Mall in ten minutes." He explained. "If anyone else appears, or said hero does not arrive in time, then I will blow up the Facility."

Fine then, Ski Mask. It's time we finally settle this-

"So, Foxfire, won't you join me for a little chat?" Ski Mask grinned.

What?

He chuckled, pocketing the detonator and walking towards the camera. He stared into it with his ruby eyes, a malicious gaze within.

"Isn't this a great, true villain debut?" He laughed. "I think it's finally time you put me on your little threat list, Administration. And when you do..."

He pulled out a black face mask with two simple eye holes. The only design on the mask was a red diamond over the left eyehole that matched the color of his eyes.

"...you can call this Checkmate."