I grunted as I slowly put down a bus filled with countless people. The doors opened, and medical professionals were already on the move to check on the people and bring them outside the large vehicle for further care and analysis. I smiled and waved, and people thanked me for saving them. Normally, that warm feeling in my chest would have made me feel whole. Instead, I wished they hated me.

  I flew across Toronto. There were dozens of rescuers on the scene. Now that the fires and machines no longer threaten Toronto, they can move in. Truly, they’re the real heroes, moving in despite everything and without any superpower to their name. It wasn’t just them; Paladin was doing the same thing I was doing, but on a smaller scale. Lifting vehicles full of people before running to evacuate to a safer place.

  He’s doing pretty well, especially for someone who has more than twelve broken bones, I know from using my SEE Goggles X-Ray. Mage led the charge of medical professionals going into the city. Apparently, she knows a good amount about rescue and health. Ranger and Kinetic are trying to find more people who are stuck or lifting injured people back to safety. Fighter and Scarlet Knight are doing the same thing as them, but add the role of trying to hunt any remaining combat bots in the city.

  I lift myself high in the sky, allowing me to get a clear view of the city. It's mainly the downtown area that was affected by the attack. Still, I’d never seen Toronto reduced to this sorry state. Multiple skyscrapers and other buildings were either pulverized or falling apart. My mouth twitched as my hands shook.

  My throat felt dry, and I wanted to fly out of there. To go back to my house to read some books. To run away. I was listening to the news station through my SEE Goggles, and the info they gave…it was bad.

  “Approximately three hours ago, Toronto was attacked by a large group of robots led by a giant robot dubbed the Scorpion King. Thankfully, Red Justice, along with several superpowered individuals have dismantled the Scorpion King along with its robot minions.” Said the female news anchor.

  “It didn’t take long for the attack to reach the President of the United States. According to him, the robot invasion is a terrorist group known as The New World Order, deranged terrorists that want to topple society itself. However, the USA has already apprehended its members and leader-”

  She proceeds to drone on about how the USA is cool and thanks to the sacrifice of good soldiers. They put an end to their operation. And while the public was sighing in relief, I was here fuming. I wanted nothing more than to fly around the globe to find those rats in the government who thought this was a good plan. Then beat the ever living crap out of them.

  I wanted to beat them, to show that despite all their power, they would not stop me from getting them. And most importantly, I wanted to tell the entire world how much of a fraud the government is. How are they willing to sacrifice countless lives just to capture me? It's taking everything in my power not to, because I know it's pointless. Despite all the lies and lack of mercy shown, people will always turn to the people in power.

  Even if they are hated. No way, they’ll trust a vigilante even if I get Squad Nova to back me up.

  “Unfortunately…” The news anchor said, now taking a sad tone, “Fifteen people died.”

  And just like that, all my anger vanished like smoke. I became still as a statue. Fifteen people…dead? But I saved a lot of people, didn't I? I saved the day! This is just a lie the government made up to get a rise out of me!

  I tried to summon my rage, but instead I felt nothing. Cause I know deep within me that she wasn’t lying. People died, and it's all my fault. The revelation of such a dark fact made the world spin for me. I forced myself to land on top of the CN Tower’s roof.

  With a body shaking like a leaf, I sat down. My eyes widen in shock and disbelief.

  “Fifty-three injured and since it's still early…the number of injured and deaths are expected to rise-”

  “Oh god.” I ripped the SEE Goggles off my ear and threw them away.

  I watched as it became smaller and smaller before falling to god knows where. But I didn’t care. I covered my face with my hands as hot tears poured out of my eyes. This is all my fault. If only I had not been stupid and arrogant, fifteen lives and other people wouldn’t have to suffer. With one decision of foolishness, I have hurt people physically, mentally and financially.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  What kind of superhero allows that to happen? What kind of superhero would make a huge mistake like I just made? I…I wanted to disappear. I want to be turned to dust and be forgotten. To erase myself from history. I stayed there for god knows how long.

  My tears have dried up, and I could only stare at the once pretty downtown of Toronto with an empty expression, but with a heavy heart. Sitting in a fetal position as my cape blows in the wind. I wondered how my family is doing back home, I wondered if they were worried about me. Just like the countless people worried that family members, friends and lovers will make it back home after this incident. That just made me feel even worse.

  I was about to stand up to fly to the moon, away from everything, only to feel someone’s familiar silhouette pulling themselves into the top of the tower with a grappling hook. It was the Scarlet Knight or Gavin, its armour now dusty and having suffered a bit of damage. He didn’t say anything, only staring at me. I didn’t dare look at him, too ashamed to meet his gaze. He silently walked next to me before dropping down into sitting with me.

  We sat there watching the city, silently. The two of us didn’t make a sound for several moments. Until finally, Gavin spoke.

  “So, what are you doing here? Isn’t a superhero supposed to be down there with the rescue?”

  I bit my lip, knowing that he’s right.

  “But I’m not the hero…I’m the naive fool that caused this mess…”

  Gavin slowly nods his head. “Ah, I see so that’s why you’re sulking out of sight.”

  We once again returned to silence. The quietness, instead of feeling peaceful, felt like the air in my lungs was being squeezed. I felt like drowning. I swallowed heavily and began talking.

  “It's my fault. People will lose business, homes, and belongings. Some even-” I cringed. “Got hurt and died.”

  I croaked out. Fresh hot tears spilled from my eyes. God, I’m so pathetic. I took down a weapon even more powerful than a nuke, and yet I’m bawling like a five-year-old. I never hated myself more than that moment.

  “Yeah, I suppose if you hadn’t taken the deal. Those people would still be alive.” Gavin said, casually, which only made me want to sink to the earth.

  A part of me wanted him to shout at me. To call me a fool or curse me out. Yet, when I looked at Gavin with watery eyes, he was still as a statue. I couldn’t tell what face he was making, but I was nearly sure it wasn’t one of anger or disappointment, just calmness.

  “But, what are you going to do about it?”

  “...What do you mean?”

  Gavin slowly reached for his helmet before pulling it up. It made a bizarre clicking sound before a burst of steam came out of his neck. After waiting for a couple of seconds, he pulled his helmet to reveal his face. I was right, he didn’t look angry, instead his expression was one of calmness. He seemed so relaxed, like his godson and protege didn’t just mess up big time.

  I cringed at the bleeding that came from his nose and forehead. His eyes squinted; they looked tired. I feel like he wanted to just close them and pass out, not that I could blame him.

  “Red. You said back then that you would take responsibility for whatever happens, right?”

  I scoffed, looking away. My face is angry to hide behind my guilt and self-loathing.

  “Yeah? Well, clearly I’m talking nonsense. I have no clue how to take responsibility.” I let out a bitter chuckle. “How pathetic am I, right?”

  Gavin didn’t respond for several moments before he started talking again.

  “I know it's hard. That weight that you’re feeling, it feels like carrying the whole world on your back, right?”

  “How did you-?”

  “That feeling is the pressure and burden of the consequences of your actions. I get it, I really do. But you have to keep going.”

  I clenched my fist; this time, I was actually angry. I whipped my head and glared at him. “Are you kidding, after everything that happened!? You really think I should just forget and pretend nothing happened!”

  Gavin shook his head. “That’s not what I’m saying. Sometimes things like this happen. Sometimes you’re going to do something big with good intentions, only for people to get hurt by your actions.” He released a tired sigh before continuing.

  “Yes, everything right now is caused by your decision, even if we didn’t see what would happen. But what’s important is that you take accountability for what happened. That's what makes a good hero, someone who can still stay and help in the fallout.”

  I looked at him meekly.

  “How can I do that?” I say with a broken voice.

  Gavin finally turned to me. His eyes shining from the sunset.

  “Use that new money to help people, help the victims of this tragedy to recover and become a better hero. That’s how you take accountability for what happened.”

  “...But…the people who died-”

  “Make sure their lives didn’t perish for nothing. Use what happened here as motivation to become a stronger hero, because right now, at this moment. The victims of Toronto need Red Justice.”

  He grabs something from his utility belt. It's my SEE Goggles that I threw away; he probably grabbed them as they fell. Gavin offers it to me, while I could just stare at it with hesitation and fear. My hands shook, my throat felt drier than even the hottest deserts. I clench my fist to stop the shaking.

  I’m afraid. Scared of making more mistakes. I know that at the end of the day, what happened was caused by me. But I won’t run away; everyone needs me. This isn’t the time to feel sorry or be a coward. I grabbed my SEE Goggles and placed them on my face.

  I rose up, and Gavin did too, placing his helmet back. He gives me one more nod before zipping away with his grappling hook. I released a deep exhale before I jumped off the CN Tower. It's time I take responsibility.