The late afternoon sun glinted off the river as you focused, hands moving in smooth, fluid motions, directing the water to bend and flow around the garbage littering the bank. It was peaceful, even meditative, feeling the weight and rhythm of the river respond to your hydrokinetic control. Not only were you practicing your skills, but you were also doing something meaningful—cleaning up the water, trying to make a small difference.

As the water danced in the air, droplets suspended in perfect arcs, you sensed someone approaching before you saw him. You lowered your hands, letting the water settle back into the river. Turning around, you saw The Deep, swaggering over with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Hey, look at you!” he greeted, his tone overly cheery, almost patronizing. “Cleaning up the river and playing with water like a little kid. Nice trick. Very… Avatar of you.” His grin stretched wider, but there was something lurking behind it—something that made the air around him feel just a bit colder.

Deep's forced smile faltered, and his eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his voice dropping into something much less friendly. “Don’t you think you’re getting a little too comfortable with this whole water-power thing? You might wanna dial it down a notch, Aang wannabe.”

His words were dripping with sarcasm, the fake politeness gone, replaced with a simmering resentment. It was no secret that your rising popularity in Vought’s circles was rubbing him the wrong way. You could see it in his body language—the clenched fists, the subtle twitch in his jaw.

“I’ve been the aquatic supe around here long before you showed up,” Deep continued, his tone darkening. “I am the Seven’s go-to guy when it comes to water. You? You’re just… extra. And trust me, there’s no room in the Seven for a second-rate water bender. You’re better off sticking to the minor leagues where you belong.”