Metting Heros

Stepping into the Spotlight( rough draft v2)

The morning was abuzz with anticipation as Josh made the call to the Hero Agency. The phone call was brief but held a world of promise - an appointment was set

In the quiet that followed, Josh sank into his thoughts, a whirlwind of emotions colliding within him. Excitement, nervousness, uncertainty, and anticipation all swirled together in a dizzying mix. He was stepping onto a stage he had only seen from afar, about to play a role he could have never predicted.

"So, AISYS," Josh began, his tone contemplative as he looked out the window, at the bustling city that was soon to know him as more than just another face in the crowd. "What do you think our hero name should be?"

Their conversation was a kaleidoscope of ideas, some serious, some absurdly humorous. AISYS proposed everything from Black Star to Echo Mirage, each name analyzed for its implications and symbolic meaning. However, their brainstorming session was interrupted more than once, by a phenomenon that was new to Josh: attention.

He could feel eyes on him, turning to follow his figure as he walked down the street, curious gazes tracking him on the subway. With every passing day, AISYS's modifications, although minimal in incognito mode, were becoming more noticeable. His body had changed, subtly shifting towards a more androgynous yet undeniably attractive form, and people were noticing.

Upon reaching the Hero Agency, Josh found a private spot and activated AISYS into hero mode, a transformation process that was as discreet as it was elegant. His appearance morphed into a striking form that could only be described as a gothic magical monster girl, blending seamlessly with the natural supermodel-esque beauty that had been becoming his norm. The need for a secret identity was paramount in his line of work, and AISYS had done a commendable job in creating a distinct divide between Josh the civilian and their hero persona.

Walking into the agency was like stepping into a new universe, filled with beings who defied the very laws of nature. Yet even in this crowd of extraordinary individuals, Josh found himself at the center of attention. His unique aesthetic and the impressive aura of power around him made him stand out, casting a magnetic spell over the heroes and staff alike. He suspected this was due to the suit being designed by and for a villain, the visual style and design language being more intense than the bright colored soothing pop that was the 'in' style with heroes currently.

The first stop was the administrative office, where Josh was handed a thick sheaf of paperwork to fill out. Documents that covered liability waivers, non-disclosure agreements, media handling, confidentiality clauses, and more. AISYS assisted, scanning and auto-filling the documents with data accuracy and speed no human hand could match.

Once the paperwork was complete, they moved onto orientation, led by a veteran hero named Comet, who had been with the agency for a decade. Comet was a handsome man with a charming smile, silver hair that glittered as though it held a galaxy, and a powerful aura that could only come from years of saving lives and battling villains.

Comet led Josh through the expansive facility, showing him the medical wing, the high-tech training rooms, and the debriefing halls. They even took a detour to the rooftop, which served as a landing pad for heroes who could fly. All the while, he explained the daily operations, code of ethics, emergency protocols, and the importance of teamwork.

Next was the introduction to other heroes. Some were familiar faces, heroes whose exploits Josh had followed in newspapers and on television. Others were new faces, rookies like him, who had joined the agency in recent months. Josh was met with warm welcomes, enthusiastic handshakes, and a few flirtatious winks from both sexes.

The power testing and classification process was a crucial part of joining the Hero Agency. It determined how well Josh could control his abilities, his overall power level, and where he would fit in the complex ecosystem of heroes.

The testing took place in an enormous, stark-white chamber. A massive viewing window separated the evaluators from the testing area. Josh stood alone in the middle of the room, the hum of energy shields and advanced tech surrounding him. His heart pounded, but he was ready.

"Begin when you're ready, Areia," the evaluator announced, smoothly pronouncing his newly chosen hero name. It had taken some brainstorming and deliberation, but Josh and AISYS had finally settled on a name. Areia, an aspect of Aphrodite related to war, felt fitting.

The evaluator nodded and signaled him to start. Josh squared his shoulders.

The first part of the test was a demonstration of basic abilities. Josh showcased what he could do on his own: impressive above human agility, strength, and speed, owing to AISYS's modifications. He highlighted his capabilities in combat, using a simulated enemy. His blows precise and debilitating at least on the baseline human analogs but less so as the advanced dummy was set to higher and higher levels.

AISYS was there too, of course, providing Josh with an impressive level of mission technical support and tactical analysis. With AISYS, he could access detailed information about his surroundings, interpret complex data quickly, and adapt to ever-changing circumstances. The AI remained a constant, soothing voice in his ear, her advice and insights instrumental in enhancing his performance.

However, they were careful to hide their full capabilities. While Josh and AISYS trusted the Hero Agency, they wanted to keep a few cards close to their chest, especially considering AISYS's origins and the general wariness towards AI.

When it came time to discuss potential changes to their powers, they remained vague. Many heroes saw their powers evolve and develop over time, and it was no different for them. They stated that they were still exploring the extent of their abilities, leaving the rest to the imagination.

The evaluators seemed to respect their discretion, noting down their observations without further questioning.

The Evaluator looked at Josh with a friendly yet professional expression. "Areia, your performance was solid," she said, her tone more neutral than enthusiastic.

They were seated in a private room, a projector showing a digital summary of the results from the test Josh had just completed.

"Alright, let's go over our system. Hero Agency operates on a sophisticated Hero Ranking system. First, we assign you a Designate your Bracket based on your capabilities and skill level, which includes annotations for your power's strength and control. Secondly, we classify you based on the type and nature of your abilities. This, we call your Classification."

As she began to explain the ranking system, an image flashed up on the projector, showing five distinct tiers. "The Bracket ranks are Initiate, Apprentice, Guardian, Elite, and Legend. You'll be starting as an Initiate. This is the rank we give to heroes new to the field, still learning control over their powers. Apprentices are those who have shown proficient control and some successful field experience. Guardians are the seasoned heroes, who have not only mastered their abilities but also boast significant experience in the field. Elites are veterans, with noted accomplishments and authority within the hero world. And Legends... well, they are exactly what they sound like. The paragons of the hero world. They're few and far between, their feats the stuff of legends."

The Evaluator gave him a kind smile. "We all start as Initiates. Don't be disheartened. The journey of becoming a hero is a marathon, not a sprint." the Evaluator continued. "Each hero's ranking is followed by two letters and numbers: 'P' for Power and 'E' for Experience, three levels each, indicated by a number from one to three.". These notations refer to the primary reason you've been given your current rank."

She tapped on her screen again, and an updated chart replaced the previous one. "For instance, 'P1' suggests that the power level is relatively lower for the rank. 'P2' would mean that the power level is consistent with what we expect for the rank, and 'P3' indicates that the power level is higher than average for the rank. The same concept applies for 'E' - Experience."

Her gaze returned to Josh. "Your current annotation is 'P1/E1', which indicates that you're at the Initiate level and both your power level and experience are seen as relatively lower for your current rank. But don't worry, it's quite common for heroes starting out."

She continued, emphasizing her point with hand gestures, "It's important to remember that these annotations aren't meant to box you in. They are merely guideposts to help you understand where you currently stand and to highlight areas where you may need to improve. But they're not definitive, nor permanent. As you grow, as you learn, as you gain experience and your powers evolve, these annotations can and will change."

"Regular evaluations every six months offer the chance for these to be reassessed, for you to be given feedback and recommendations, and to ensure that the missions assigned to you align with your capabilities," she explained.

"Classifications are a different matter. They're designed to categorize heroes based on the nature of their powers," she continued, switching the screen to a diagram filled with categories and subcategories.

The main classifications included Physical, Elemental, Psychic, Technological, and Transformation-based heroes. Each of these was further divided based on the specifics of the powers.

"Physical heroes exhibit superhuman physical attributes, Elemental heroes control or generate natural elements, Psychic heroes possess mental powers, Technological heroes use technology or AI, and Transformation heroes can alter their forms in certain ways," she explained.

"Your demonstration has placed you in a unique category. We've classified you as a Hybrid Hero, a mix of Technological and Transformation-based hero. It's a rare classification, providing you with a distinct set of advantages and challenges."