Day 144

[from Electron]

A short while after Electron had disabled Titus, a helicopter arrived at the scene. Inside it was a special machine that generated a powerful electromagnetic field within the rear passenger bay, keeping Titus immobilized while he was transported to Black Rock. It had been completed over a week ago as part of SHRED's plans to capture Titus, but it could not have been deployed without some means of incapacitating the villain beforehand, otherwise he would have merely dragged the helicopter out of the sky the moment it tried to land. To this end, Electron had been an invaluable help.

As the helicopter landed in front of City Hall, Martin's voice sounded in Electron's earpiece. "Nice job, Electron," he said. "You've helped us take a real menace off the streets. The people of Silverburg can sleep easy now, thanks to you."

"I don't feel like I really did a lot, to be honest," Electron replied, as he started loading the frozen Titus into the back of the helicopter. Even with the help of his electromagnetic abilities, moving the heavy steel figure was hard work.

"You did enough, kid," said Martin. "Fact is, the city's safe. Whether or not you feel like you actually did anything doesn't really matter."

"I guess not," said Electron.

"Besides," said Martin, "it's good that you're not letting this get to your head. There's nothing more dangerous in a superhero than an ego. Believing you're invincible, and immune to failure, is the first step to defeat. You shouldn't dwell on your weaknesses, but don't act like you don't have any, either."

"Gotcha," said Electron. "Okay, thanks for the advice. I'll keep doing my best."

"You better," said Martin. "Alright, I'm outta here. Good luck, Electron."

"Thanks," said Electron.

With Titus now positioned inside the rear of the helicopter, there was a loud whirr and hum as the electromagnetic generators were powered up. Tentatively, Electron took his hand away from Titus, ready to place it back on him at a second's notice should the villain resume moving again. When he remained still, Electron breathed a sigh of relief and stepped back.

Normally, this was the point at which a superhero would make some kind of pithy remark to his vanquished foe, just before he was taken away by the police. Electron did not have the demeanour - nor the wit - to make such a remark, but Titus wasn't prepared to go without taking one last shot at Electron's confidence. "If I ever get out of here, I'm coming after you," he said. "I know I can take you down, and I'm going to make sure I do."

Electron, however, seemed to have grown in confidence, even after such a brief encounter. "I beat you this time," he said. "I can beat you next time, as well."

Titus looked as though he were trying to smirk, but the electromagnetic field would not allow his facial muscles to move that much. "We'll see about that," he said.

 The helicopter's rotors began to spin up, and Electron retreated away to a safe distance as the winds whipped up around him. He watched silently as the helicopter rose up into the sky before flying away, carrying the imprisoned Titus to Black Rock prison. For now, it was all over, and Silverburg was safe, but Electron knew that his work here had only just begun.

Within minutes, the news of Titus' defeat spread throughout the city, and masses of people began to gather at the steps of City Hall to celebrate the capture of Titus. Electron found himself mobbed by a throng of joyous civilians, all of them congratulating him. "You did it! You really did it-!" "I can sleep easy now, thanks to you-" "My brother's shop was raided by Titus. I'm so glad you finally stopped him-" "Can I have your autograph-?" "Can I have your babies-?" "I'm gonna take a selfie with him!" "Wait, isn't he bleeding?" "Give the man some room! You're crushing him!"

Finally the crowd stepped back, but just as Electron thought that he might receive some respite, the reporters moved in. Five different microphones were hastily shoved in Electron's direction, and the flashing of a dozen cameras dazzled him.

"Electron!" cried a reporter. "Why do you think it took so long for SHRED to organize an operation to stop Titus?"

Electron blinked, thrown off by the sudden question. Dealing with reporters had, most regrettably, not been part of his SHRED training regimen. "Uhh, well… I'm not really the person to be asking that to…" he said hesitantly.

"Do you think they were simply waiting for someone with your specific powers to come along?"

"Uhh… probably," said Electron.

"Electron! Ashley Garcia, reporting live for SNN. Now that Titus is in custody, what do you plan to do next? Will you rest until the next threat presents itself, or will you continue to watch over the city in the meantime?"

Electron found this to be a much better question. He turned to address Ashley directly, speaking into her dark blue microphone. "Well, to be honest, I hadn't really thought about that," he said. "I'd really just been focusing on this one battle. But… I think the people here will feel safer and more secure if they know that I'm there for them, so I'll probably keep watching over the city, and stopping any crimes that I come across."

"Thank you for your time," said Ashley. "I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing you in action again."

Electron felt that he would prefer it if he was never needed again, because if he were needed again, that would mean that the city was in danger. But he had a sworn duty to protect the people of this city, and he was going to do his utmost to uphold it. For now, though, there was nothing left for him to do but continue to deal with the constant barrage of questions, while the reality of the situation began to sink in. He wasn't just Aaron Price any more: now he was Electron, and to the people gathered around him, he was a hero.