“So, Star-Strong and Morph, huh? Thanks hun.” Dirge winked at the barista, who went away blushing.

“I didn’t know this place even had waiters.” Star-Strong said, awkwardly squeezing into the seat. Morph was squished in beside him, but any discomfort was lost in his star-struck gaze. He was having lunch with Dirge!

“They do when you’re me.” Dirge laughed. “Anyway, you did good back there. Kept that guy busy, got the money back, kept collateral to a minimum. Nice work. Too bad you were a poor matchup for that Natural, otherwise would’ve been a sweep.”

“Natural?” Star-Strong asked.

“Yeah, guy’s got a record. He was born with his powers, a natural super. More of ‘em are popping up every year, each with stronger powers.” he explained.

“Dirge’s one of the first Naturals on record!” Morph blurted, and Dirge smiled.

“Kid’s sharp. Morph, right? Yeah, Morph and Star-Strong. Well, those aren’t bad names-but you should be sure they fit you. Branding’s an important part of your image, and image is everything.”

“Oh? I would’ve thought saving people was the most important part of being a hero.” Star-Strong said with a frown. This guy reminded him too much of Stellar, hero of the Wh’thegnnin star system.

“Oh true, true. But that’s why you gotta pay attention to your image. Think about it; when people see you, it’s gotta remind them of peace and safety. Just being there’s reassuring, you dig? You’ve gotta, what’s the word, inspire hope. They should look at you and know everything’s alright.” Dirge said. He sipped his iced mocha frappuchino with a deep sigh of satisfaction.

“That’s...a good point." Star-Strong admitted.

“Now I see you two, you’ve got something good going for ya. The kid’s got style, I like the hood and mask. Very mysterious, pretty cool. Makes you hard to read, hard to predict. Trust me, the public loves it when they think you’re capable of anything. Can use it to get the drop on villains, too.” Dirge nodded approvingly. Morph made a...happy sound, lost in fanboyism. Dirge turned to Max. “You, on the other hand? I get what you’re going for, that earnest, all-American patriot boy-next-door look. But it’s played out nowadays. You should take a cue from the kid, his is much more practical.”

“Considering the nature of his powers, the details of his costume are of little concern. His clothes alter with him, we’ve tested it thoroughly.” Star-Strong said. His hands were clasped tightly together, to ensure he didn’t make any questionable moves. Like give him the finger.

The table creaked.

“I’m just trying to help out a coupl’a newbies. I had to cancel my tour just to be here, you know. I gotta do the job I was called for.” Dirge said.

“It seems you already have.” God, he sounded just like Stellar too.

“Yeah, but I might as well stick around, show you the ropes. Tell you what, since I’m here for the week, why don’t I take over the senior hero observer for a bit? Don’t think your previous one’s gonna be on his feet for a while, didn’t seem that good.” he offered.

“We’d love it!” Morph exclaimed, then shrank back down under Star-Strong’s glare.

“Thanks for the offer, but we have to get back. Unfortunately, we can’t decide that ourselves, we have to abide by the decisions the higher-ups come to.” Star-Strong said, shuffling out of the booth. “Again, thanks for everything, but we’ve got to get going. I’ve got a feeling we have a massive report to get started on, and no time like the present.”

“My offer stands as long as I’m here, y’know. I’ll have my people call yours, you can think it over. Also might wanna think about losing the cape, it’s a hazard.” Dirge said, bemused.

“Suit yourself, not us please.” Star-Strong said brightly, dragging Jason along. His words hit the shapeshifter and he groaned.

“Really?” he deadpanned.

“Really. Come along now, Morph!” Dirge chuckled as they left the shop. Amateurs, but at least they had spunk.

Outside, Morph hurried to keep up with the older hero’s pace, cape fluttering as he marched down the street.

“Hey, Ma...Star-Strong, what’s up with back there? Dirge’s the best super in Silver City, he’s world famous! We should’ve jumped on an opportunity like that!” he said.

“Perhaps, but his flagrant dismissal of our choices rubs me the wrong way. Even if he’s good, I’d rather work with someone a little less condescending and a little more...enthusiastic.” Star-Strong said as diplomatically as he could.

“You really wanna patrol with Golden Gazelle more than Dirge?” Jason asked, astonished. Star-Strong nodded.

“I’ve met quite a few generals, heroes, heads of state, and other various important people in my time up north, as it were. Less of them thought of those under their care than they should. I’m not impressed. Heart matters, and matters a lot. Speaking of which, you showed quite a lot of heart yourself today-and very little brain.” Star-Strong said sternly.

“What? Why!?” Morph exclaimed.

“Because instead of trying to assess the situation, you just jumped in trying to rely on your power alone. Gazelle did that, look where it got him. Heck, the robber did that.” Morph looked down, embarrassed. “More than that, what would’ve happened if your ‘plan’ worked?”

“I would’a beat him up.” Morph mumbled, and Star-Strong raised an eyebrow.

“Really? You would have punched him, with spikes in your fists? What if he had no powers. What would you do then?” Suddenly, it hit him. Morph looked down at his hand, and shifted into spikes again. Each was nearly eight inches long; if he used what Star-Strong had taught him and threw a punch the way he should, then that would drive those spikes into…

“Eeugh.” he said, retracting the spikes. Star-Strong nodded.

“Yup. Think before you act. Not that I believe you could’ve hurt him, you’d have gotten yourself killed. And you very easily could kill someone, with your abilities. It’s one of the core tenants of being a superhero: ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’” he said sagely.

“Did you just quote Spider-Man at me?” Morph deadpanned, then shook his head. “Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright!” Star-Strong laughed and hoisted him up on his shoulders with a yelp. “You’re twelve. You’re expected to mess up when it comes to life stuff, let alone heroing. You’re getting it, you’ll come through when you need to. I promise.”

“…got it.” was all Morph could say. Star-Strong bent to launch them into the sky. Suddenly, a thought occurred to Morph.

“Hey, Star-Strong? You kinda chewed me out for my performance to help me, but didn’t Dirge kinda do the same thing for you?” he said. Star-Strong froze. The people on the street were giving them strange glances as they passed the crouching hero.

“Ah ha ha ha ha ha, my boy! That’s a different thing entirely! Don’t worry about me!” he tried to laugh off.

“Really.” Morph deadpanned.

“Yup.” Morph just stared, nonplussed. “Anyway! Dirge was nice to make the offer, but unnecessary. Now let’s get back and forget about it.”

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When they walked in the Intrepid Inc. HQ, Harrison was waiting for them.

“Ah, you’re here. Golden Gazelle’s on leave, but Dirge generously made us an offer. He’ll be supervising you two this week, be grateful.” he ordered.

“Aw nuts.”