Riley Ross-Chapter 192: The New Target

"Ayo… why everybody be lookin' at us like we owe them dough?"

"...Aren't they always?"

"N-no. She's right. They're… staring at us even more."

"Isn't it because of what happened in the morning?"

Once again, everyone was gathered inside the Mega Academy auditorium. This time, all the students were asked to participate, and from all the cameras scattered everywhere, the sudden gathering was going to be broadcast outside the campus.

And these cameras, as well as most of the students' eyes, were all pointed at Riley, causing the Baby Crew to be confused. Except for V, who was confused like the rest of the Baby Crew as to why they were confused.

"It's because of him," she said while staring at Riley. "Didn't you guys hear the news?"

"Girl, ain't nobody in their right mind watch the news that early in the mornin' unless they lookin' for somethin' specific." Bella narrowed her eyes at V. "...Were you searchin' for our resident white boy that early in the mornin', girl?"

"N-no!" V's eyes widened. She tried to say something, but also noticed Gracey and Pauline looking at her weirdly. Even Tomoe, who doesn't really say or do anything, was looking at her suspiciously.

The only one who wasn't looking at her like she did something weird was Silvie. Instead, she even agreed with her.

"She is right," Silvie nodded. "Riley Ross fought with Anastasia at around O'three hundred. Times Square was destroyed… and Megawoman also arrived."

"What?!" This time, it was everyone else's eyes that widened.

"Megawoman appeared?!" Pauline raised her voice without knowing it. "Wait… is she coming out of retirement?!"

She quickly clamped her mouth, but it was too late. The cameras that were already pointed at Riley zoomed in even closer to them, and those who were fortunate enough to sit next to their group leaned close.

If it wasn't for the notoriety of the Baby Crew, most of the students there would probably be rushing at them with questions already.

"You met with the Megawomans again, bruh?" Bella turned her attention to Riley, who had not moved an inch at all since Hannah was knocked out cold, her head resting on his shoulder. But still, Riley answered.

"Yes," he said, making sure not to disrupt his sister's sleep at all. "But I only met with one of her, Bella."

"...Do you and Megawoman have a secret relationship we don't know about?" Gracey joined in on the conversation. "Why does she always come to your aid?"

"She did not come to my aid, Gray." Riley shook his head. "She came to aid the people of New York city."

"But she also came when you were fighting those Dark Millennium shits!"

"She came to help the students, Gray."

Gracey couldn't refute Riley's words, but still, she glared at him. She was about to say something else, but Riley spoke first.

"And you are wrong, V."

"Hm?"

"The media is not here for me."

"But… they're all pointing at you?"

"That is because they do not know what they are truly here for yet, V."

"Uhm…" Silvie raised her hand. "Why do I get a feeling that you know why we are suddenly gathered here?"

"Girl, you don't need to raise your hand. That's cutie P's signature. I know you ain't submissive or demure enough for that, girl."

"Hey." Pauline gasped at the audacity of her words. "And she's just being polite. But… she's right, Silvie. You don't need to raise your hand to speak just because you're new."

"I think the problem here is that there's too many of us," Gracey smirked at Bella. "If this were a novelkiss, we'd literally be consuming half the chapter with just us talking. We need to start culling."

"You lookin' at me because I'm the only black girl here?"

"What the—what does your skin color have to do with anything?! You're the one with the smallest tits!"

"Wh—That's literally V!"

"That's disgusting, she's twelve!"

And as Bella and Gracey once again started flailing their hands at each other, the rest of the group could only sigh and shake their heads.

"Riley," V leaned out of her seat to look at Riley. "Do you know why we're gathered here?"

"I believe I do." Riley nodded. "But I also believe it would be best for me not to say. I do not want to ruin the surprise."

"Wh—"

And before anyone else could ask, Benjamin's voice echoed throughout the entire auditorium.

[L-ladies and gentlemen! On behalf of… the Academy, I thank you all for gathering here today.]

"Oh?" Gracey turned her attention to the stage while her neck was still being gripped by Bella. "Is it just me… or your bro's not as lively?"

"...You right." Bella nodded, squinting at her brother.

[I know you're all wondering why we're here, and why we have cameras everywhere!]

They were right, Benjamin didn't have the usual luster and excitement in his voice. Instead, he was incredibly stiff and not moving on stage at all, just holding his microphone on its stand.

[But I think… uh… we've all known that our Academy has been a target of several attacks ever since the start of the school year. And despite Bulwark and everyone's efforts, the darkness and corruption seem to run deep—and so, it would… uh—Megawoman, everyone!]

Everyone was confused at Benjamin suddenly stopped and then ran away from the stage. They all looked at each other, his last words not yet processing inside their minds. And right when it did, someone suddenly stepped out from the back of the stage.

Everyone held their breath there and then. Bella also quickly let go of Gracey, the hairs on her arm standing up as the person walking on the stage reflected in her eyes.

Everyone caught the golden cape first, and then her long, golden brown hair.

And all of a sudden, the audience of thousands became completely quiet, and the only sound that could be heard in the auditorium was the steps of Megawoman.

Even when she eventually opened her mouth to speak, everyone still held their breath.

[Good morning, everyone,] she said while looking around the audience. [First of all, let me introduce myself. I am… Megawoman, and thank you for having me and giving me a voice to speak to all of you. Secondly, from now on, I will be a special advisor of this campus and will visit classes from time to time—I do not know how much help I could be, but I hope that all of us can learn from each other. That is all, thank you. Bulwark.]

Megawoman took a step back, gesturing to Bulwark, who was already walking to the stand.

Bulwark didn't say anything, only bowing his head to Megawoman before staring at the audience, who were still completely at a loss.

[All of you can breathe now.]

And as soon as he said that, the audience finally realized they were holding their breaths and took a collective heavy gasp.

[A lot of changes will happen now that Megawoman is here.] Bulwark didn't seem to care that no one was listening to him. [The morning classes will remain the same, but the afternoon classes will be completely overhauled starting this week. The superhero classes will now completely focus on practical lessons and tests, more so than they have done so before. You will be notified of the changes as the week progresses. Also…] 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

He continued to speak, but only a handful of students were actually listening to him.

[...the afternoon classes are still suspended, and students are free to roam the campus throughout that time. And as planned before, the student council has prepared several events for everyone. That will be all, thank you.]

"Wait a minute… wait a minute…" Bella had her arms stretched wide, pushing the others into their seats. "Someone slap me! This ain't—"

Gracey slapped her before she could finish her words. Bella was about to retaliate, but she realized that Gracey seemed even more shocked than her.

"You okay, G?" Bella whispered, but Gracey only responded with a hesitant nod.

And soon, Benjamin once again took to the mic.

[W-well… that was something, huh? Megawoman! Would you… would you believe that?! We was just out here—] Benjamin quickly stopped himself, turning back to his announcer voice.

[Anyway, we have multiple events and booths set up everywhere! So, go on and have fun!]

And with that, the students began leaving the auditorium. Most of them were still completely silent, moving like zombies as they exited through the doors.

"H-hm…?" And just in time, Hannah woke up. "It's over? What did I miss?"

"You missed Megawoman's short speech, Sister."

"...Megawoman?"

"Yes." Riley finally moved. "Megawoman will now be loitering around the Academy from now on, Sister."

"I see."

"No, you did not."

"Wait…" Hannah's eyes turned wide, shooting up from her seat as she looked at the Baby Crew. "You mean Megawoman was here?!"

"Is here, Sister."

"Why… why didn't any of you wake me up?!"

***

Meanwhile, back in Riley's Guesthouse, Miss Thursday, previously Champion, previously Ms. December of the Dark Millennium, was at a table with Darkday One.

"Is it too late to quit?" she asked with her arms crossed.

"Yes." And Darkday One answered her immediately, nodding multiple times before trailing a finger across his neck. "I will kill you if you quit, Miss Thursday."

"Then I suppose the Boss would be lying low?" Miss Thursday squinted. "Megawoman is close by."

"No, not at all." Darkday One chuckled, wagging a finger at her face. "On the contrary…

…we have our target for this week. But you don't have to worry, the target is far and away from Megawoman."

"Who and where?"

"Russia." Darkday One tilted his head. "Sofiya Sholova."

"That name… sounds familiar."

"It should." Darkday One once again nodded vigorously.

"She is the country's Minister of Defence."