The three of them stood in a quiet corner of the Association's prep room, away from the other examinees who were still shooting them wary glances.
"Alright, let's get to know each other since we will be stuck with each other for two weeks." Arthur said, crossing his arms, "Names, Triggers, and dreams. Let's hear it."
Miles fidgeted with his shock baton before speaking first, "Miles Thomas. My Trigger is… um, Shadow Wyrm. I can summon her, and she… uh, gets a little violent sometimes." He hesitated. "I live in Coastal City. And I guess… I just want to become the number hero."
Arthur nodded, "Arthur. My trigger is Absolute Authority. Left eye disables Triggers, right eye summons my knight." He smirked, "Live with my team in Golden City. Future plans? Nothing but surviving I guess... actually I'm going to make someone I know the next number one hero."
Gwin clapped her hands together, practically vibrating with excitement, "Gwin Scarlet! My powers are Blood Manipulation! I live in a super cozy mansion with my parents and I hope you both will take good care of me." She beamed. "My dream is to have a family of my own. Now that I have friend and husband, I'm one step closer to achieving that dream."
Miles blinked, "Wait, friend?"
Arthur and Gwin both turned to him.
"Yeah," Arthur said, like it was obvious. "You're on the team. That makes you our problem now."
Gwin nodded vigorously, "Bestie status automatic."
Miles stared at them, his throat tightening, "But… my Trigger. People usually—"
"Kiddo, I have no reason to judge you for powers. Matter of fact, I'm the last person allowed to judge anyone." Arthur said as he rest his back against the wall.
"My powers have always made people feel uncomfortable, but I always try my best to make it less scary to them. That's why bestie, even if your powers are scary, just know that I will think it's cool." Gwin added cheerfully.
Miles eyes begun to watered. He quickly wiped them with his sleeve, but the small, disbelieving smile stayed.
Arthur pulled out his phone, "I almost forgot, team huddle. My mentor wanted me to take a selfie with the team for memories."
Gwin immediately latched onto Miles' arm, dragging him close, "Smile, bestie!"
Miles, still wide-eyed, managed a shaky grin as Arthur held up the phone.
"Say 'misfits,'" Arthur said.
*Click.*
Arthur examined the photo—Gwin's manic joy, Miles' tentative hope, his own dry amusement, "Team Misfits. Fits."
Gwin gasped, "We need matching outfits! And team bracelets! And—"
"Maybe another time," Arthur said, pocketing his phone.
---
A sharp whistle cut through the chatter.
"Examinees!" A tall man in a high-collared blue suit stepped forward, "You will address me as Knowledge. Now you will follow me for your written examination."
The crowd began to move, but Knowledge held up a hand.
"And a reminder—cheating will result in immediate disqualification and using your trigger during the written test. Your team will be given points base on how much they know on multiple questions regarding the hero association code of conduct. Your team will need at least six points to pass and the results will be published tomorrow. "Failing to earn six points will result in your entire team being eliminated from the Analysis Exam. Then you will have to repeat for it next year."
The examinees begun whispering amongst each other about whether they studied or not.
"Last year, seventeen out of twenty-five people failed the written test. If you don't even know the laws that you are supposed to enforce, then I suggest you apply for a job at your local market. Teams make your way to the exam room." Knowledge explained
As they filed into the exam room, Miles glanced at his teammates—Arthur, relaxed and unbothered, and Gwin, humming as she skipped beside him.
He wondered, whatever they will score enough points to pass.