Welcome to Altropolis

Welcome to AltropolisAfter Kaldar’s dramatic arrival on Earth, he and Crystal had spent months training, preparing to defend the planet from any galactic tyrant foolish enough to invade. But now,Kaldar faced a challenge unlike any he’d known before: high school.Kaldar: Ugh! This is unbearable. I’ve lived in this city for months and still don’t get why I have to go to school.Merauna: You need to blend in, Kaldar. If you don’t, people will start asking questions.Kaldar: I know, I know… but come on! I’m the Legendary Hero! Shouldn’t that count for something?Merauna: Even Heroes need an education. And you can’t just shout your title in public.Kaldar scoffed, but Merauna’s words triggered a memory.Flashback: Two Months EarlierThe trio sat in a dimly lit apartment, the air thick with tension. Crystal paced near the window, arms crossed. Merauna stood by the table, holding a newspaper with the headline:“Mysterious Energy Surge Near Altropolis—Government Investigating.”Crystal: This is getting out of hand. That teleport stunt you pulled last week? It lit up half the city’s sensors.Kaldar: I was saving a cat from a tree!Merauna: You vaporized the tree, Kaldar. And the cat ended up in orbit.Kaldar: (Shrugs) It landed safely. Eventually.Crystal: Look, if we want to keep Earth safe, we need to keep you under the radar.Merauna: Which means blending in. No flashy powers. No heroic declarations.Crystal: And definitely no cosmic duels in public parks.Merauna: We’ve enrolled you at Orion Crest Academy. It’s in Altropolis. You’ll be just another teenager.Kaldar: (Groans) School? Seriously?Crystal: Think of it as undercover training. Learn Earth customs. Build trust. Stay hidden.Kaldar: Fine. But if anyone challenges me to a duel, I’m not holding back.Merauna: Just… try not to duel the math teacher.Back to Present DayKaldar: (Scoffs) What’s wrong with saying I’m the Hero? It’s true! Merauna: It draws attention. If the government finds out who you really are, they’ll come after you—and Crystal.Kaldar: (Pauses) So… I have to keep my identity secret?Merauna: Exactly. And no fighting at school. If you get into trouble, the principal will expel you.Kaldar: (Frowns) Principal? Is that some kind of warlord?Merauna: (Laughs) Not quite. They’re the head of the school—an authority figure.Kaldar: (Eyes widen) So, like a supreme ruler of the school realm. Got it.Merauna: Close enough. The school’s called Orion Crest Academy. It’s in Altropolis.Kaldar: Perfect. I’ll teleport there using my Heroic Technique.Merauna: Just make sure no one sees you.Kaldar: Relax. I’ve got this. The Hero!A surge of energy surrounds Kaldar as he prepares to teleport.Vuaaaaam!Merauna: Hey, Crystal? Crystal: ………Kaldar: (Sighs) Things haven’t been great between us. We argued… said things we didn’t mean. He’s keeping his distance from the land of the living.Merauna: Will he come back?Kaldar: Eventually. He just needs time.Merauna: Okay. Well—you’re gonna be late.Kaldar: You sure everything’s sorted? Tuition, paperwork, fake ID?Merauna: My mom handled it. You’re officially “Kaldar Ryzone.” Fees are paid till graduation.Kaldar: Sweet. Well—see ya!Kaldar vanishes in a flash of light.Merauna: (Sighs) Let’s just hope he doesn’t blow his cover on day one…Meanwhile, at Orion Crest Academy…Mr. Sullivan: Class, we have a new transfer student joining us today—his name is Kaldar Ryzone.Students murmur as the classroom door creaks open.Mr. Sullivan: Welcome, Kaldar. I’m Mr. Sullivan, your teacher for this semester.Kaldar: (Grinning) Pleasure to meet you, sir—and the class.Mr. Sullivan: You can take the seat up front.Kaldar: Got it.Kaldar slides into his chair, scanning the room with curiosity.Mr. Sullivan: Today, we’re discussing the role of technology in human civilization. Can anyone give a brief overview?A student in the back raises his hand.Mr. Sullivan: Yes?Student: Technology’s been part of mankind since the invention of the wheel.Mr. Sullivan: Good answer. I hope you’ve all noted that down.The class responds with a half-hearted murmur.Mr. Sullivan: (Sighs) Moving on—Kaldar raises his hand.Mr. Sullivan: Yes, Kaldar?Kaldar: Do we know who invented the wheel? And if so, why isn’t their name in any textbook?Mr. Sullivan: Excellent question. Unfortunately, archaeologists haven’t identified the inventor. It’s believed early humans—cavemen—developed it.Kaldar: Fascinating. Thank you, sir.Mr. Sullivan: You’re welcome.Suddenly, chaos erupts in Altropolis…A monstrous figure towers over the city—King Kaiju, Lord of the Underworld. His roar shakes buildings as civilians flee in terror.Kaiju: People of Altropolis! I am King Kaiju—and this planet now belongs to me!Police Taskforce: Sir! You’re under arrest! Surrender immediately!Kaiju: (Growls) Pathetic.With a swing of his claw—CRASH!—a wall collapses, sending debris flying.Back in the classroom…Students scream. Panic spreads. Kaldar stands up, eyes locked on the chaos outside.Kaldar: Mr. Sullivan!Mr. Sullivan: (Shaking) Y-yes?Kaldar: May I use the restroom?Mr. Sullivan: In the middle of a crisis!?Kaldar stares with heroic conviction.Mr. Sullivan: (Stammering) F-fine. Go!Kaldar bolts from the room, finds the nearest stall, and transforms.In the heart of Altropolis…Kaiju: Mwahahaha! You can’t stop me! I’m invincible!Police: You’re surrounded! Hands in the air!Kaiju: You dare challenge me!?He hurls rubble toward the officers—until…Kaldar: (Appearing midair) ECHO GUARD!A shimmering forcefield blocks the impact.Kaiju: Who dares—!?Kaldar: I’m the Hero. And your reign ends now.Kaiju: A boy? You think you can defeat me?Kaldar: I don’t think—I know.Kaldar: HEROIC SWORD—RAPID SLASH!Swoosh! Blades of energy strike Kaiju’s hide—but he barely flinches.Kaiju: Is that all? Disappointing.Kaldar: (Grimacing) I need more power—Star Step Dash! Heroic Pulse!Kaldar charges, landing a fierce blow—KLINK!Kaiju: Boring.THWAK! Kaiju’s fist sends Kaldar flying—CRASH!Kaldar: (Coughing) He’s too strong… How do I win?Kaiju: You’ll never be strong enough!Kaldar: Let’s find out—HEROIC CANNON—BLAST!BOOM! Kaiju staggers, bleeding.Kaiju: You dare spill my blood!? ENERGY ABSORPTION!Kaldar fires again—but Kaiju absorbs the blast.Kaldar: What!? Kaiju: I’ve made your power mine.Kaldar: Then take this—COMET BREAKER!Kaiju blocks with a sentient barrier—CLINK!Kaldar: Tch! HEROIC TITAN—ACTIVATE!ZAP! A colossal energy construct rises behind Kaldar.Kaiju: What is that!? Kaldar: The Heroic Titan. And it’s here to crush you.Kaldar: HEROIC PUNCH!BOOM! Kaiju reels.Kaldar: HEROIC PRISON—ENGAGE!A celestial cage traps Kaiju.Kaiju: Let me out!Kaldar: I think not—HAAA!BOOM! Kaiju screams as the energy surges.Kaldar: (Panting) That… was rough.Kaldar glances at the city, then vanishes.Back at school…Kaldar detransforms in the hallway.Kaldar: Right… back to class.He rushes in.Mr. Sullivan: Mr. Kaldar—where have you been?Kaldar: Uh… stomach ache, sir. You said I could go.Mr. Sullivan: Oh, right. Take a seat.Kaldar sighs in relief.Mr. Sullivan: Can you summarize what I just said? Kaldar: …No.The class laughs.Mr. Sullivan: Pay attention next time.Bell rings.Mr. Sullivan: For homework, read about the Aztecs. Kaldar—stay a moment.Kaldar: Sure… What’s up?Mr. Sullivan: What really happened during your “toilet break”?Kaldar: Just a stomach ache.Mr. Sullivan: So the masked hero wasn’t you?Kaldar: …No, sir.Mr. Sullivan: You’re a terrible liar, Kaldar.Kaldar: So… you think it was me?Mr. Sullivan: I know it was you. And I won’t tell anyone.Kaldar: Why not?Mr. Sullivan: Because I’m a superhero too.Kaldar: What!?Mr. Sullivan: I’m The Flaming Claw—member of the League of Heroes.Kaldar: League of Heroes…?Mr. Sullivan: Meet me at 5 PM in front of the school.Kaldar: I’ll think about it.Kaldar exits, deep in thought.Outside…Kaldar: Crystal!?Crystal glows in his pocket.Crystal: Kaldar! My boy!Kaldar: What are you doing here?Crystal: Checking in. I sensed you used Titan Mode.Kaldar: So? Crystal: Don’t use it recklessly. You risk going berserk.Kaldar: Berserk!?Crystal: If you lose control… you could destroy the planet.Kaldar: How do I control it?Crystal: Use only 10% of its power.Kaldar: That’s enough?Crystal: More than enough.Kaldar nods, then opens a portal.In the desert…Kaldar steps through. A cloaking field drops, revealing a massive hidden palace.Crystal: Whoa… You built this!?Kaldar: And cloaked it. No one will ever find it.Crystal: Impressive.Kaldar: Time to meet that superhero.Kaldar transforms—energy crackling.Kaldar: THE HERO!Crystal merges with his suit. Power surges.Kaldar: Let’s make an impression.Swoooosh!

To be continued...