The most famous rumor recently, is the one about the Watts incident on the island he founded – the one where all those people are said to have perished – well, it's said that the Malieranos brought him down. Nobody knows if they also killed all those people, or only killed Professor Watts, who killed all those people.”

Alyandrea: ”That's just a rumor, right? There were no bodies ever discovered, only one superhero's verification that a whole lotta people died, and twenty something survivors.”

Wayne: “No, it's true! My mo-err...uh, hahaha. I mean, my mom is good friends with Madame Time, the police investigator that verified the deaths with her powers. She swore an oath on her job that they were there! Two other heroes are working on the scene right now!”

Alyandrea: “Pfft. I don't believe so many people can die and the world never know they were all kidnapped. How stupid do you think we all are?”

Mr. Abrams: “Those are all just simple rumors meant to deter villains from trying anything against the ten financial backers of Herotopia. Honestly, They probably do have some secret security, but many organizations and Powerful groups do that. Raising your own private security force is common with Villain Haven's Spike in power recently.”

Ian: “FOUND IT! I found something about the 10 families~!”

Aria: “Oh my gosh, Ian! We were JUST talking about them! Mr. Abrams and Wayne already filled us in that they are the Country financial backers and helped provide money for the resources to finance the entire artificial continent itself!

...But what did you find..?”

Ian: “Well, first: it was 30 FAMILIES that financed the continent's founding. Those 10 probably just put in the most money, effort and work and got all the credit.

BUT! What I found, was video evidence that showcases somebody's compilation of camera footage, revealing supposed members from EACH of the 10 families fighting either villains or heroes. The ACTUAL rumor that matters about the 10 families are that they manage to get away with doing whatever they want, be it theft or murder, because they never leave evidence behind them. These videos show people claimed to have been apart of the families, but like Mr. Abrams said... They're all known to be security force staff for various businesses owned by the 10 only. I'd say that pretty much rules out them being mysterious evil masterminds. At most, they're stingy business folk who dabble in the hero industry, and maybe some defected as villains, and were covered up or something.”

Noel: “.....”

{It seems... that the conversation worked itself out pretty well? Thank goodness for Mr. Abrams's nice save! Still, Why don't these guys know us? That one superhero 2 years ago that my brother electrocuted into the hospital knew us, and then the people on the island did as well... I though everybody knew how scary our family was...}

Aeron: “You look confused, so this counts as helping you, not bothering you. Also I am leaving you alone... 20 hours a day.

Only people who matter know the truth. Rumors can be believed about us or disbelieved, but it's extremely easy to erase the memories of a city or country that can't fight back against it. Those who know, are the heroes or villains around the world who avoided the 10 families' memory wiping methods over the years, or their descendants that believed the passed down knowledge. Even if 10% of the world knows... so long as 90% calls bullshit and there's no evidence to prove it, then we can stay clean~”

Noel felt an intense chill course through his spine as that eerie message was delivered. He quickly turned around, only to find nobody there.

Mr. Abrams: “...(I saw nothing.) Anyway, the ten families are really important to us Heroes, but only financially. And we can't verify any further claims as real, unfortunately, until those claims are presented with factual evidence to back them all up. Sorry Wayne.

Wayne: “Nonsense! I fully agree with you, but I just believe the part when Madame Time verified for the police about her discovery of the 23,000 victims.”

{Can... you, just stop talking about it?! I'm having a hard enough time as it is staying calm...I hope I never have to meet snyone from that place ever again...

.

.

.

Oh wait: everybody died back then... that's right....}

Elijah: “What I want to know about is... Noel! Why did you ask about the Ericsons? Was there something you wanted to say, before everybody interrupted you?”

Noel: “...”

Oliviera: “Ah, is that so? Sorry Noel. Please continue!”

Noel: “...”

Wayne: “Oh I'm so sorry Noel! I didn't mean to rant! I just get so lost in the topic sometimes. Please do go on!”

Noel: “...”

{...I didn't wanna say anything!!! Aaah, me and my big mouth. I just meant to think that to myself because dad- er, Father is always ranting about them! What do I...}

Mr. Abrams: “...(I've done my few good deeds for the day. Even a hero needs a break.}”

Elijah, felt much worse than the others for the young 12 year old that had the conversation he started carry on without getting a word in. He was only trying to help...

Yes...

Unfortunately his kindness was met with a deep-seated grudge by a vengeful Malierano.

{This is a set-up! A set-up for interrupting him earlier! I'll remember this, Elijah!!!

.

.

Now, What to say...}

Noel: “Ahem. Well, The man who took me in, apparently he had ties with the Ericsons, you see. He – He told me they sometimes hold joint training sessions between the security staff of the Ericsons and the Rowes{Sorry Lisa<3}, and they... they...-uhm oh! Heehee, I'm not really supposed to mention this, but the Ericsons have their younger generations, or some of them at least, secretly joining in those training sessions for experience. Maybe the boy who beat this...Gravity queen or whatever she's called is one of those young geniuses who've been secretly training with security?”

Mr. Abrams: “(...Pfft. Yeah, only a bunch of kids would believe that garbage. Even a single grandma with the Family name 'Ericson' is a dreadful monster in sheep's clothing, let along a bunch of kids. They've sent us hundreds of heroes to fight on the front lines over the years.)”

Oliviera: “...Hmmm. IF what you're spewing is real facts, and not bullshit – then that random... Nathan Ericson is probably one of those... rich, uppity kids that was given some sort of special tutoring by really famous heroes then. They said gravity girl barely lasted 5 minutes with him as her opponent. That stuck-up Queen tried increasing gravity to 50 times! No response from him. Then she attempted 100 but lost control of her power. Gravity went out of control, and as she lost focus – Bam. He punched her in the gut. It was over by then.”

Alyandrea: “The coach at my regular gym, he was a veteran hero on the front lines, long ago. He always said that training in some sheltered environment against one or two of the same people won't help your skills REALLY reach the top... unless they know every fighting style in the world somehow. If that boy really has been training so hard against a hardened security force, then it's not impossible for him to beat some school girl...”

Aria: “Aaah: 50 times gravity?! That's scary! How can somebody stand in a situation like that without...without becoming paste? Ahhh no – no, I don't want to know. That's too scary a thought!”

Ian: “There are actually anti-gravity devices you can buy from Mechanics in Herotopia. They're really expensive though.”

Mr. Abrams: “*Yawns* Okay, jeez, you children talk way too much. We're about to go on stage soon, and those other two still haven't joined us, so... stalling's over! I'll introduce everybody from here on out. The little guy is Ian. Age 14 and the oldest one here.”

Oliviera: “YOU'RE LYING THERE'S NO WA-”

Mr. Abrams: “No interruptions, please. Wild haired boy is Rise.”

Oliviera: “THAT'S NOT EVEN A NAME IT'S A FUCKING WORD - Mmmph~”

Rise: “...”

Mr. Abrams: “I said no interruptions. Alyandrea is the braided girl who dreams of being a Hero. If it's a mouthful just call her Aly. The tall-ish, quiet kid with Purple hair is Brennan, the light brown and long-haired boy is Wayne. Umm, I believe that's everyone. Oh! And the two kids coming over right now: The energetic do-gooder with short, black hair is Li shun. He's been staying at the dorms ahead of you all due to some, personal circumstances.”

Oliviera: “Mmmmph-Pwah THAT'S ILLEGAL! HE'S SUPPOSED TO WAIT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, I CALL UNEQUAL TREATMEN—mmmph!!”

Mr. Abrams: “The other boy is... well, his name is Leos. Please take it easy on him. He went through a pretty shitty ordeal recently. One I'm not at liberty to discuss with all of you.”

Everyone: “...”

{How anti-climactic. He just, cut everyone short, right as they were getting along so well. Oh yeah, and I wonder why Brennan stopped talking... I almost forgot about him. Yeah, almost. I definitely did not forget. Nope, never.}

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