Hanna looked at the intruder. He wore what was probably meant to be a reassuring smile, but just came off as fake and set her on edge. His suit was crisp and he carried a briefcase with him. One might even think he was lawyer visiting his client. In this case he was more like a lawyer about to draft someone into the army.

  "Hello miss Montgomery. Mind if I take a seat?" The man asked in a polite voice.

  Hanna immediately did not like this guy. Everything about him just set her off, she couldn't really understand why but everything the guy did made her uneasy.

  "Uh I guess? Not really sure why you'd ask."

  The man for his part took that in stride without trying to explain himself which Hanna found relieving. It was always annoying hearing someone go on a long winded explanation of why they did something. She was not in the mood to say "I understand" or "okay" to a conversation she wouldn't even follow.

  The man took the seat opposite of Hanna. He pulled out various files before neatly placing them on the desk.

  "Let's see. Use of power without proper license. Use of power against a civilian without proper license. Powered Assualt. Deadly use of a power without proper authorization to do so. Not registering yourself with the Empowerd Association. Committing theft as an empowered."

  The man puased giving the now very nervous Hanna. What was going on? Why was he just spouting out things? Was she being charged? Would she be sent to prison? What was going to happen to her?

  "These are just the charges that would be labeled against you if we only included the illegal use of powers. There's a litany of other non powered related charges. Do you understand your situation?"

  Hanna nodded her throat suddenly feeling dry. Was she going to prison? She didn't want to go to prison! She'd just been defending herself!

  "The heroes Association is willing to intervien and have all charges dropped on the condition that you attend the Heroes Certifcation program for at least 2 years. It's a wonder-"

  "No." Hanna cut him off. Coldly. She did not want to become a hero.

  "No? Might I ask why?" The man replied an eyebrow raised.

  "I'm not interested in becoming a hero. My dad never wanted that for me and said as much. So, no."

  The man did not reply. He simply began to gather his papers. Neatly stacking them before he replied.

  "Then I wish you the best of luck. The offer stands until I walk out that door."

  "Thanks. I guess I'll be going to court." Hanna said without much emotion. The man chuckled at this and the suddeness of it made the unprepared Hanna flinch back. Why was he laughing? Did she say something funny?

  "Oh... there won't be a court case. Miss Montgomery you clearly don't understand your situation."

  Hanna looked at him. Confused, frustrated. What the hell was this guy on about.

  "Title 6 of the National Disabilities act in regards to individuals with disabilities who develop powers will be declared mentally unfit if any criminal charges are levied against them. You would be remanded without trail to an empowered Mental Health facility."

  He looked her in the eyes letting it sink in.

  "So. You can accept my offer and join the ranks of heroes. The deal also grants many privileges and concessions rarely given to students. Or you can selfishly spend the rest of your days in the care of others while people may die or suffer when they may have been saved."

  Hanna just sat there. Unable to process. She didn't want to be a hero. She also didn't want to have everything she worked for taken. She'd worked to become independent. She wasn't perfect, but she'd worked hard to get to were she was. Now she could loose it all because of some bullshit law?

  "I'll... Take it." She said meekly. Defeated.

  "You'll take our deal?"

  Hanna nodded. And the man began to unstack the papers.

  "Then I'll just need you sign these papers once you've had the chance to read over them. Would you like anything to drink?"

  She politely declined as she started signing the paper work. By the time she finished the stack. The man brought in 4 more stacks without so much as an apology. Seriously was she expected to read all of it?

  By the time she finished 3 whole stacks, which was a litany of various boring legalize Hanna remembered that she had conjured hands and by this point and started having them sign things in record speed.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  It had taken what felt like an entire day but had actually been more like 4 hours. It was fortunate that Hanna was a quick reader or she suspected that it might have actually taken 8 hours or more.

  " I hate you and your bureaucracy." She stated to the man when she finished with the last of the documents. The man replied by handing her a grocery bag.

  Curious Hanna inspected it and found to her joy candy, mtn dews, two video games, and a new controller.

  "HOWEVER I understand that forgiveness is a virtue." She quickly backtracked.

  "How wonderful of you. Will you need transportation to the school? Don't worry about your things the Academy has already begun the process of moving things to your new dorm."

  Hanna blinked at him before replying "I can't drive." This was all way to fast. She had been expecting to at least have a few days. They wanted her to go now?

  "Then transportation will be provided. You haven't eaten have you?"

  Hanna gave a slow shake of her head not really sure we're this was going. Then in a snap she was dry retching as the world became a kaleidoscope of colors and images and infinite realities each following its own laws. Then all at once the images disappeared and she found herself in a large hall.

  The hall was massive with a plush carpet and statues of various heroes each with a plaque detailing the heroes names. Hanna simply stared around and nodded. This was certainly in line with how the last few days had gone.

  The man lead her through the hallways some containing what was clearly classrooms though most seem to exist solely to be labyrinthine in nature. Eventually they made it to a small reception area.

  "I'm afraid this is were I leave you. I have some business to take care of. And you have an orientation to get through."

  With that Hanna found herself in a strange place. In a situation she had not wanted. With no escape. The only Highlight of the day was a simple message that had appeared the morning after the fight.

  She took a seat on one of the leather couches that anyone who had to wait in reception would be familiar with. She wasn't sure which direction to go. She thought about the fight she had been in and a thought had come to her.

  What if she had never had to set up the pot but instead could conjure elemental hands. It would give her more options if... when she got into a combat situation.

  Her second idea was to give the hands some kind of intelligence. That way the hands wouldn't need her to give them constant orders and could act autonmisly.

  She was about to put input both ideas into the system but was interrupted when a young women with short cropped hair and a formal suit called out her name.

  "Hanna Montgomery? The headmaster is ready to see you.

  The women wasted no time escorting her to the a small but comfortable office. Both walls were covered in book shelfs with impressive looking names and tittles. The room was furnished with the usual plush leather chairs.

  "You've never read any of the books." Hanna stated at an older man who sat patiently at his desk. The desk was your generic desk. Stack of paper, fancy looking pens, and a laptop open.

  "No unfortunately they are mostly for decoration. Helps to convince students I'm smarter the I am. We can keep that secret between me and you ay?" The man replied jovial in a loud voice that made Hanna want to cover her ears.

  Hanna simply nodded. She was honestly starting to feel overwhelmed and just wanted to get through all of this and recharge. Preferably somewhere isolated. Without people. With lots of snacks.

  "I suspect that your feeling overwhelmed and with your..difficulties in mind I suspect you would prefer If I was blunt and to the point." He puased and Hanna just stared after nearly a minute had passed in awkward silence she realized she was supposed to respond.

  "Yes."

  The Headmaster took that in stride and responded.

  "You may find the methods we use heavy handed and that is for a reason. That reason is the double point buff. In nearly all cases of someone with a severe mental or physical disability the system awards them that buff.

  "Which makes all of them targets for villains. In the past they have even broken into mental health facilities to kidnap people like you."

  He puased allowing Hanna time to process that information before she nodded in acknowledgement.

  " This is why we do everything we can to get you here. This academy is one of the most defended places on earth, few armies could even hope to take it and would suffer dearly for it. Having said all of this you do have a choice to make."

  He then proceeded to pull out 2 papers from the drawer in his desk before placing them down with a dramatic flair.

  "The paper on your right is a voluntary admission to the academies mental health facility. It is one of the best in the world and I suspect you'd be comfortable. However, you would have very limited freedoms and would rarely be allowed to leave the campus ground except on the yearly holiday trips. This would be for your own safety."

  He gave her a few minutes to properly process that information before he moved to the explanation of the other paper.

  "On your left is a student admission form. You would admitted into the Academy for the heroes Certifcation program. Approved accommodations would already be applied. These acomdations on the academic end would be extra time on written exams and homework. Verbal reminders to stay on task. On the training end, coaches would offer you extra training as well as a mandatory sensory training."

  "On the life spectrum of things. Should you choose this route you will be granted your own dorm room rather then required to share it. You would also have monthly mental and physical exams. You would be allowed to leave Academy grounds as long as you get a year 2 or above student to escort you."

  Hanna took her time and the headmaster didn't complain. He simply waited patiently for her to make her choice.

  "If I choose the student... will I be allowed to leave the academy?"

  He didn't react or give away anything and simply smiled before replying.

  "If you make it to second year you will be allowed to leave the academy and live your life free of restraints. As you will be determined to be capable of defending yourself."

  Hanna sped up and practily lit the paper on fire with the speed at which she signed the left paper.

  "I'll have a student give you a tour then"

  One choice made Hanna had a second choice to make. She looked at the screen and found that both choices for powers would cost her 10 points. She really wanted both and spent the whole time agonizing over the descion before she eventually chose.

  Just in time for whirey man with loose blond hair to practically appear right next to her.

  "Hey names mike! Your Hanna right?"