Oakland, the home of the great Super Lavender

The crisp autumn air of Oakland did little to cool the simmering resentment within the Yellow Disk. Betty, fresh from her training and the unexpected favor of Damian Yole, felt a subtle shift in the team's dynamic. Even Kastor, usually so focused on his own ambition, seemed to notice the sidelong glances and hushed whispers that followed her. He’d treated them to a celebratory meal after their grueling preparation for their first mission, a gesture that had felt more like a patronizing pat on the head than genuine camaraderie. The others – those who hadn't been as immediately recognized by Damian – were clearly unhappy. Betty, the new prodigy, was getting all the attention, all the focus, as if she were some favored princess. It wasn’t just about admiration; there was a whisper of something more, something akin to jealousy, even a hint of a crush, directed at Betty from their leader.

Damian, oblivious or perhaps unconcerned by the undercurrents, finally announced their mission: escorting a man named Colt Brussels to Canada. Lori, ever the optimist and perhaps expecting a more dynamic heroic endeavor, seemed a little disappointed. She’d envisioned battles, rescues, something grander than a simple transport. But the mission was the mission.

The journey began, the hum of the transport vehicle a stark contrast to the unspoken tensions. Colt Brussels, a man of quiet demeanor, broke the silence. He turned to Betty, his voice soft, asking about her weeks, her experiences. Betty answered honestly, detailing her training, the newfound confidence, the strange allure of the Sword of Slayers that still felt like an extension of her will. Lori listened, her gentle nature always attuned to the emotional currents. But Kastor, ever the pragmatist, found Colt’s questions unnecessary, even odd. Why probe so deeply into the recent past of a young hero on a simple escort mission? His intuition, usually sharp, couldn't quite grasp the subtle unease that prickled at the edges of his mind.