[hr][hr][center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjYwLmZkOTYxMi5RVTVFVWtWWElFaFZSMGhGVXcsLC4w/just-in-the-firestorm.regular.png[/img][/center][hr][b][i]31st October, 2025[/i][/b][hr]
It happened fast, faster than he could register. S’tann had fallen in pain when Andy flared up, his eyes wide in pain; that much was to be expected. But then he’d started speaking in a language unfamiliar to Andy’s ears, fear adding to his agony, backing up against the mess hall’s wall as he tried to regain his footing – the first sign of diplomacy gone wrong. Then Mari flew in, as impulsive as ever, hooking the Martian to the ground, and for a moment, Andy thought that he would stay there.

He was wrong.

The way S’tann fought back was brutal, fuelled by an animalistic rage that Andy had never seen in the Martian before. In two swift moves he took her down, unleashing blow after blow of destructive power. Just when it looked like he was going to kill her – just when Andy had the thought of doing something – someone from the crowd leapt into the fray, tackling S’tann to the ground, only to be thrown away like a ragdoll by a child throwing a tantrum. 

Before he could feel sorry for Mari’s saviour, before he could be thankful, a voice he knew erupted from him behind him. Its owner was engulfed in purple flame, a stark contrast to his golden-orange glow, and her gaze told of nothing but blame and contempt. [i][b]“What are you doing?”[/b][/i] yelled Nora Norwich, [b][i]“What did you do?!”[/i][/b]

She was angry at him. Why was she angry at him? He’d done nothing to her. She should be focusing on S’tann, who had battered Mari like she was nothing but a punching bag, S'tann, who had just moments before tried to – [i]S’tann[/i]. Andy’s eyes widened in realisation. “Nora, I – ”

He couldn’t finish his sentence, though. A blast of wind, strong and forceful, pushed him backwards, forcing him to take a step to regain his balance. In front him stood Kieran, S’tann’s fist in his hand, the Kryptonian lecturing him, just as Andy had but a few moments ago. He had no doubt that if Kieran hadn’t been there to stop S’tann, he would be dead meat – the hole in his chest making his punctured lungs look like a scrape on his shins. 

Eyes sweeping over the cafeteria, he said, “Kieran, thank you,” just loud enough for the Kryptonian to hear, before he caught sight of Mari, now joined by Freddie. [i]Oh, thank god, Freddie, you beautiful Brit,[/i] he thought, walking over to him with painful steps. Kieran had this. He didn’t need any help. “Freddie,” Andy called out, wheezing. As he arrived he took notice of an unfamiliar face, blond and undisputedly lost. A new guy. Great. Of all the times... “Uh – sup,” he managed to say, little more than a gasp, the pain now invading his body. Heatless fire still covering his lower body, he collapsed onto his knees, kneeling next to Mari. “Don’t mind me,” he wheezed, “I’ll just stay here.” He closed his eyes. “Goddammit, I’m sorry. This is my fault.” Then he opened them, looking at Freddie, his mouth shaped into a weak smirk. “So… How’s your morning been?”