A Family Stronger Than Steel

Chapter 09

The boiling rain continued to pelt down on the Boiling Isles as Hunter kept pace with Superboy. He rode his staff, the only way he would be fast enough to keep up with his flight. They followed the Masters of Disaster's trail with Superboy's newly acquired ability to see through solid matter. Wherever the band of criminals had retreated, it was outside of Bonesborough, taking the two of them through the dense forest.

The two made an odd pair: one was a loyal servant of the great Emperor Belos; the other was a vigilante. Yet, their shared goal of bringing the Masters of Disaster to justice united them.

"I can hear your mumbling," Superboy said, glancing at his companion. "What's on your mind?"

"I was just thinking out loud," Hunter replied, his voice low and thoughtful. He adjusted his grip on his staff.

"About what?"

Hunter glanced at him, his expression unreadable. Yes, he wore a mask, but that wouldn't stop Superboy from seeing through it. "Duty. Purpose. Why do we do what we do?" he pondered, his mind filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions.

Superboy stopped and faced him. "We do it because someone has to," he replied, a sense of determination in his voice.

"That's it?" Hunter scoffed, his voice laced with disbelief. "My purpose in life is clear. I serve Emperor Belos, the man who saved me from misery. My loyalty and power lie in obeying him. Where are yours?"

Superboy shook his head at the stark contrast in their beliefs, the tension between loyalty and justice, power and altruism. "Loyalty isn't blind obedience. I do what I do because I believe in justice, in protecting those who can't protect themselves," Superboy said, his voice firm. "Because it's the right thing to do."

"You expect me to believe someone as powerful as you is motivated solely by altruism?" Hunter raised an eyebrow skeptically.

Superboy smiled. "Power means nothing without purpose. And mine is to make this world better, no matter the cost. The emperor may hold power, but that doesn't make him infallible."

"Careful, Superboy, your words are dangerously close to treason," Hunter warned, his tone dripping with seriousness. His grip tightened on his staff, a silent threat. "Suppose I believe that you are as selfless as you say you are. What do you gain from it? Emperor Belos rewards loyalty. He grants his followers power and influence. Why throw that away?"

"Because it's not about rewards," Superboy said. "It's about responsibility. If we can help, we must. Even if there's no glory, there's no honor. Even if it means standing against our leader."

Hunter's eyes narrowed. "You're a fool. Emeper Belos is our salvation. He brought order to the Isles."

"Order at what cost? You may not see it now, but his rule is built on fear and oppression," Superboy replied, his voice unwavering. "I know because I can hear those suffering under his regime crying under their breaths so that they're not heard."

"You're delusional," Hunter scoffed. "And if our emperor is such a monster, why don't you do something about it? I mean, what's to stop you from flying to his castle right now and taking him down yourself?"

Superboy shook his head. "It's not that simple."

"Sounds like you're just making excuses," Hunter retorted, crossing his arms.

"I'm not. If I used my gifts to remove Belos by force, the Isles would be afraid of me, and rightfully so. If people saw that, what would stop me from becoming a tyrant? Who would be able to stop me?" Superboy's voice carried the burden of these questions; the weight of his responsibility was evident.