With a soft click, the door shut behind me.

“I do apologize for taking over your office like this,” Lady Snow said, an amused smile on her face. “Please, have a seat.”

I sat in front of my own desk, the whole situation surreal.

“I’ve been following your exploits for quite a while now.” My heart stuttered to think that of all the people out there, she held any interest in me. This was the Lady Snow, who’d stopped the behemoth monster that emerged from the sea, who had saved lives and yet caused havoc too, who was the neutral party whenever the Union and Villains Corp. had to meet.

“Real shame, that whole business at the Union,” she grimaced, and then leaned forward, “I have a gift for you.”

“What?”

“You’re not Valiant anymore. You’re going to need a new image, a new name, a new look, now that you’re back out there.” Lady Snow’s voice was gentle.

“Oh,” it hadn’t even crossed my mind.

“And I’d like to contribute to that,” Lady Snow handed me a package wrapped in blue paper with a silver bow. “You’ve been treated badly, and I’ve always liked your style.”

Lady Snow winked, “Now, you don’t have to use it, but I think it’d be a nice touch.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“Well, I just stopped by to give you that, but please send Dark my regards. And good luck, dear.”

With that said, Lady Snow dematerialized. She left behind a flurry of snowflakes that winked as they shivered through the air, and then drifted down to coat the floor, my desk, and hair.

“Wow.” I touched a snowflake that rested on the desk, and it melted at my touch.

I picked up the package and ran my finger over the soft silkiness of the ribbon, and then untied it.

Inside, what looked like black fabric lay neatly folded. I scooted my chair back and picked up the length of cloth. It unwound to reveal a cape. The black material swirled, and subtle embroidery lined the hem in intricate designs.

There was a note at the bottom of the wrapping.

It’s mostly intangible, so it can't get caught on anything.

A small laugh escaped me. I clasped it around my neck, and twirled.

The cape billowed out, before settling down in slow motion.

“Valiant,” I whispered my old name, the syllables feeling strange in my mouth, “hmm.”

Just because I’d joined Villain Corp, did that mean I’d given up who I used to be? My new path didn’t invalidate my past.

I clutched the package to my chest and ran out the door. Yes, I had a prison break to plan, but an important part of villain and hero hood was looking the part too.

“I’ll be right back,” I called out to Shelley as I passed her.

I couldn’t get to the tele station fast enough.

Once I was home, I went straight for my closet.

From the back I pulled out a box I hadn’t opened in months and months.

Inside sat the relics from my days at the Union. The items attached to more painful memories I quickly brushed to the side, and then picked up my folded costume.

The pale blue material sent a bolt of nostalgia through me, and I held it against myself.

“Thank you, Lady Snow,” I said. With her gift, she’d given something back to me I had assumed was lost. I didn’t need a new image or name or look, no matter what anyone thought.

Elira Bell of Villains Corp. could still be Valiant. I would prove it.