(Five Years Ago)
The city was alive with chaos.
Screams echoed through the streets as buildings crumbled under the force of a battle between Empire Gold, the Number One Hero, and Lord Kaizer, the Titan of Destruction.
Hidden in the shadows of a narrow alleyway, a fourteen-year-old Arthur watched with wide, awestruck eyes.
Empire Gold stood like a golden statue, his body radiating an aura of invincibility. His Trigger—"Impervious Form"—made him completely indestructible as long as he maintained focus.
He had saved hundreds, maybe thousands, with that power alone.
Arthur clenched his small fists.
"One day… I'll be like him."
---
The battle raged on.
Lord Kaizer, a monstrous figure with skin like reinforced steel, laughed as he swung a fist the size of a car.
Empire Gold extended his right arm and dashed towards him.
*BOOM!*
Releasing a shockwave from his feet.
Arthur flinched but didn't run.
"He's going to win," he told himself, "He always wins."
But something was wrong.
Empire Gold was slowing down. His golden right arm glowed as he prepared to strike.
Then—
*BANG!*
A gunshot rang out.
Empire Gold staggered.
Arthur's breath caught in his throat.
"NOOO!" Empire Gold was shocked to hear that a child was still present. Instantly turning to Arthur location.
Without thinking, he locked eyes with Empire Gold.
His left eye flared.
Empire Gold's golden glow vanished.
And in that split second—
Lord Kaizer's fist plunged straight through his chest.
Before tossing the body to where Arthur was standing.
---
Silence.
More Heroes arrived—flashes of light, explosions, the roar of battle. But Arthur didn't see any of it.
His vision was locked on Empire Gold's body, lying broken on the ground.
Lord Kaizer laughed as he was finally subdued, his massive frame collapsing under the combined might of the Top Heroes.
"Pathetic," Kaizer spat, blood dripping from his lips, "That punch wasn't even my strongest. His body shouldn't have broken so easily."
Arthur trembled.
Then, before he could stop himself—
He stepped forward.
"It was me."
The Heroes turned.
A scrawny, white-haired boy stood before them, tears streaming down his face.
"I… I looked at him. My left eye… it stops Triggers." His voice cracked, "I didn't mean to. I just… I wanted to help."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
"You."
A towering Hero—Conquer, the Raging Hero—grabbed Arthur by the collar, lifting him off the ground.
"You killed him."
Arthur didn't resist.
He didn't even cry.
He just closed his eyes and waited for the punishment he knew he deserved.
---
The trial was swift.
No one cared that Arthur was a child.
No one cared that it was an accident.
All they saw was the boy who killed the Number One Hero.
The media dubbed him "The demon child"—a villain in the making.
He was thrown into Ironhold Penitentiary, a prison reserved for the worst criminals in the world.
The first year was hell.
Beaten. Starved. Forgotten.
But Arthur never fought back.
Because deep down, he believed he deserved it.
Until one day—
He stopped feeling anything at all.
---
(Present Day)
Arthur's hands clenched into fists as the memory faded.
Flamestar was still holding his hand, her grip warm.
"Arthur?" she asked softly, "You okay?"
He exhaled.
"No."
Then he looked up at the smoke rising from District 9.
"But that doesn't matter right now."
Flamestar nodded.
"Then let's go."
And together, they ran toward the disaster.