Prologue
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Prologue - 04/07/25 - 5:32 PM - Carlton City, New Jersey, USA
“THEO!” called Daphne. It was the Fourth of July and the annual celebration for the rich and wealthy of Carlton City, but this year wasn’t like the previous 20. The host, Lance Latham, is deciding his next heir to the company. The tensions are high. The stakes, high and the attendees, HIGH.
“What is it, Daphne? Also, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that in public?” Theodore replied sternly. Theodore Latham was the third child and seemed to have the best chances until his plan for a tech-based branch of Latham Inc. bombed.
“Okay, so like, remember how your last uhm… venture failed?” asked Daphne. Daphne was the youngest Latham, mainly because she’s the result of an affair. But, they try not to hold it against her. Sometimes…
“Yes, I’m painfully aware,” Theo grimaced, his discomfort around that topic was apparent.
“You know that superhero team that’s been on Dad’s case? I was thinking you could do a collab with them!” Daphne beamed. At least her heart is in the right place…
“Why would I do that? Father hates them,” Theo criticized.
“Fine, but you should really- Wait, did you hear that?” Daphne interrupted her own train of thought.
“Daphne. You know I tolerate you, so-” A thud drew the attention of the socialites and tech giants in the drawing room.
“I told you, Theo, I heard something!” Daphne boasted.
Another thud echoed through the manor. Theodore’s eyes darted around; in a city with a rogue gallery filled with an “anti-rich” mentality, it was a prime target for any attacks planned that day. The rest of the attendees just stood around speaking in hushed tones until someone made them louder. A hole twice the size of the dust-collecting grand piano appeared in the wall, and out emerged Maid Robin, a certified rogue whose hobbies include stealing from the rich and giving to the poor and working as one of their personal shoppers the next day.
“HEY PARTY ROCKERS! How’s slumming it this year? No caviar, or like baby spinach and seared… whatever?” Maid Robin asked with that hint of sarcasm that rubbed socialites the wrong way. “Wow, I expect more of a ‘OH NO! IT’S ROBIN!’ reaction than this BLATANT disdain...” She said, growing increasingly bored with their lackluster attitude.
“This is ridiculous!” shouted, Mayor Wilson. “Your antics are not only affecting us, but the whole of Carlton,” He yelled, his voice echoing through the halls.
“Literally so what? It’s not like you CARE about your people?” Robin snapped back.
As their argument continued, with certain…. words being used, no one noticed Justitia. A relatively new humane, a superhuman or meta-human if you will, in America. Known for making hard calls when it comes to morally gray crimes. She works with the Planet Force, of course.
To everyone’s shock, Justitia let Maid Robin go. She was detained, but her bail was posted almost immediately.
“This is an outrage!”
“How could she let her go?”
Voices clashed in discontent. After all, Maid Robin had messed with the very system the socialites relied on. Sirens rang out as cop cars approached, their wails layering over the growing crowd.
Theo found Daphne amid the chaos.
“Great… Father is rescheduling the announcement,” Theo sighed, taking another sip of his champagne.
Daphne puffed up. “Wait, this is your chance.” She turned to him, eyes bright with a new idea. “What if you make a superhero team? People are going to be mad at Planet Watch for what Justitia decided. If you start a team like that, you’d gain influence,” she proposed.
“Well, that’s a novel idea,” He answered back. “But, where would we find people who would join it? See, there’s another with that kind of idea,” Theo gave her a pitiful smile.
“Look,” she pointed to her phone, videos of teenage superheroes around the world filled the screen. “All of these people would be willing,” she scrolled further. “Like this girl! Solaris, she’s based in Toronto. And him! Suzuki, he works in NYC,” Daphne turned back to Theo, waiting for his response.
“Fine, I’ll consider it.”
