𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 | 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄

The next morning, I woke early, ready in my superhero costume for the day's debrief with Madelyn Stillwell. As Vought's Senior Vice President of Hero Management, it was her job to manage Vought's vast assortment of individual superheroes and their respective teams, including principally the world's foremost, best and greatest superhero team, The Seven. It was also her job to ensure maximum power and profitability for the company – and that's a job she executed with ruthless efficiency.

I arrived at the sleek conference room on the top floor, the glass walls offering a panoramic view of the city below. Madelyn was already there, seated at the head of the table, her expression as unreadable as ever. She motioned for me to sit.

"Good morning, Supernova," Madelyn began, her tone brisk and businesslike. "You did well last night. The public reception was overwhelmingly positive."

I felt a swell of pride at the praise but knew better than to let my guard down. "Thank you, Ms. Stillwell. I'm ready for whatever's next."

Madelyn nodded, her pale blue gaze piercing. "That's good to hear. Today, we'll be focusing on media training. We want to ensure you're prepared for interviews, public statements, and any unexpected questions from the press. Image is everything."

I listened intently as Madelyn outlined the schedule for the day, which included sessions with a PR expert and a media coach. I knew this was all part of becoming a member of The Seven, and I was eager to excel for their sake.

As the meeting concluded, Madelyn handed her a dossier. "Study this. It's a detailed profile on you—your backstory, your achievements, your motivations. It's crucial that you know this inside and out."

I took the dossier, her fingers brushing over the crisp pages. But there were some details that weren't there. "Why isn't the Black Prom mentioned? Or Chamberlain entirely?"

Madelyn's sharp eyes flicked up at me, her expression unchanging. She leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepling in front of her chest. "The Black Prom and Chamberlain incidents aren't exactly the narrative we want the public focusing on, Carrie."

I tensed. No one had called me by that name since I took on the mantle of Supernova. I was careful, always careful, to keep those memories buried—hidden deep where no one, not even Vought, could exploit them. But Stillwell was never one to miss a beat.

"You see," she continued smoothly, her voice all business, "we've crafted a new story for you. One that aligns with what the public expects from a hero of your caliber. A narrative that fits Vought's brand."

I frowned, glancing down at the dossier in my hands. My "official" backstory was outlined neatly, every detail polished and scrubbed clean. There was no mention of the blood, the terror, or the raw, uncontrollable power that had exploded from me during that terrible night. No mention of my mother, of her religious fanaticism, or the years of torment I endured. It was all too real for Vought, too messy. And messy didn't sell.

"But it's part of who I am," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "It shaped me."

Madelyn's smile was tight. "We know. But shaping a hero isn't just about where you come from, Carrie. It's about where you're going. And where you're going is into the spotlight. We can't have the media digging into... unfortunate incidents from your past. Especially not one as tragic—and violent—as the Black Prom."

I felt my jaw clench, but I swallowed the retort bubbling up inside me. I knew she was right. If the public ever got wind of what I had done, the chaos I had unleashed in that gymnasium... it could ruin everything. Vought didn't want a weapon on the loose. They wanted a star.

"And Chamberlain?" I pressed. "It's as if it never existed."

Madelyn exhaled softly, a rare show of patience. "Carrie, listen carefully. Chamberlain was... a catastrophe. The town is a cautionary tale, one that paints you as a victim of circumstances, sure. But it also casts you in a dangerous light. We can't afford to let people see you as unstable, not with your powers."