My Superhero University | Season 03, Episode 01: We were the Kings and Queens of Promise
Narration: Pandora's box had been opened. While killing supervillains and criminals still wasn't the norm, some heroes were starting to become more proactive and excessive in their use of force, occasionally going so far as to beat their targets within an inch of their life.
Sam: One step at a time, one work at a time, one day at a time
Narration-Martin: There was something gravely wrong when he was protecting the criminal from the enforcers of the law. An eye for an eye just left everyone worse off, and if villains thought that death awaited them then they would choose to go down in a way that would kill off more people. Through it was interested to see a villain break down and offer their hands for cuffs at the sight of a hero while avoiding someone else.
Vivian: If this is some weirdness, I can probably blow the whistle to...who? Dammit.
Vivian: And stop trying to butter me up. I'm pretty sure you're doing this as a test run for poor pure Sally. You want to make sure it works properly, and Holiday probably wouldn't bite given what she's said. You've not given a damn about me before and now I'm on top of your list? Unlikely. That being said, a new body might be useful. You can keep that "wind in your face" bit though. I like being stronger and faster now. Maybe tempt me with something more useful than a regular human shell and I'll be your huckleberry.
Martin: You utter and complete monster, do you not even understand for a moment how you are hurting your friends, or are you so self centered that you can't even imagine for a moment how others feel?! You're sorry for how we feel? You accepted the gift of a mass murder! Regardless of this! You looked like you were about to kill yourself in front of someone who cares about you because you were scolded. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH YOU HURT HER? HURT ALL OF US?
Ryuu: I wish I knew what to say, but that one kinda went completely out of our hands. You were great, but this one felt like it went out of our hands a long time ago.
- Short Synopsis: In the aftermath of the temple incident, the university tries to shore up the squads' teamwork with a class by Fujin. Meanwhile the Iridium Wonders try to heal their own nakama in the aftermath of their return from the Abyss.
- First Post: 13 July 2019
- Webcomic Time: 1 March 2020
Tropes - Unmarked Spoilers Below
- A Taste of Defeat: In this case, Fujin tries to teach the squads to strengthen their teamwork in response to the issues at the temple. In the case of the Iridium Wonders, rehabilitating one comrade finally turned out to be beyond them and all the resources of the university. The IW's camaraderie ensures that the failure hits them hard.
- Bargain with Heaven: Less of gift of prophecy and more Vivian was there and she was already prepared, but Mahvash offers to let Vivian in on her current work, crafting the androids fleshy and bone bodies. Vivian, through a combination of mistrust and high demands, turns it down.
- Beware the Nice Ones: Martin it turns out, does have a limit when his friends abuse other friends and come ready with one excuse too many.
- Gentle Touch vs. Firm Hand: Martin catches up Mahvash in deciding to have Dante work on himself before returning.
- Get A Hold Of Yourself Man: Martin's last attempt at an intervention after he stops the suicide attempt.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: The IW's and the university's efforts with Dante become this, many times over. The sessions with Laurie never addressed his fundemental issues. Both Bozo and Avajax guarded his mind for him to be possessed and dominated by Dementius anyway. The fallout of that led to further breakage. And the IW's attempt to suppress Dementius to help Dante's healing only lead to him pulling away (and towards his abuser) and trying to harm himself in front of Sally, definitively proving himself unfit for further work.
- Wham Episode: See above. The IW's attempt at reconciliation goes far off the rails.
