Super Nuts Chapter 11: News Break

The reporter waits for the signal that the cameras are live, then jumps straight into her signature intro: "Welcome back to the Daily View, Hiro city’s most relatable news coverage with only the best sources. I’m Jen and he’s Jim, and we’re here to crack the news wide open!" she announces smoothly, clearly very comfortable in front of cameras.

"Speaking of cracking, did you hear what happened to the Cobra gang? Seemed like Quicksilver, the prisoner turned hero under Steel's supervision, really cracked down on them!" Jim replies, feeling proud of his transition to the latest news.

Jennifer raises an eyebrow, a hint of sarcasm creeping into her voice. "Oh, you mean how Quicksilver, the fastest woman in the city, managed to defeat a group of thugs by targeting their most vulnerable spots?" she asks, her tone dripping with mock surprise. "How shocking. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that men are just so fragile down there." She smirks, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I mean, can you imagine if someone were to grab those delicate little balls and give them a good squeeze? I bet those men would be singing a different tune then." She chuckles, shaking her head. "But hey, at least they're off the streets now, right?"

Jim can't help but blush slightly from her comment, feeling his masculine ego wounded, but he keeps his composure, as expected from a professional like him. "Definitely good they're in prison where they belong now," he agrees with a seriously. "Those guys were causing all kinds of trouble for the good innocent people of Hiro city, and we all owe our thanks to Quicksilver for taking them down," he finishes, sounding genuinely thankful, as if it was his own personal thank you to the villain turned hero. "That being said, I'm not so sure if she really is on our side now. Who could forget how often the two of us brought up her name as a villain? How many heroes we talked about who sustained life altering injuries from her," he argues, feeling like it needs to be said. "I'm glad for what she did with the cobra gang, but that doesn't make up for everything else. Let's just hope Steel knows what he's doing allowing her out of prison."

Jennifer's expression turns serious, her tone matching Jim's. "You're right, of course. We can't just forget everything she's done because of one heroic act. But maybe this is a chance for redemption, for her to make up for some of the harm she's caused. And who knows, maybe Steel sees something in her that we don't." She pauses, considering her next words carefully. "As for the heroes she's injured… well, they knew the risks when they signed up. It's not like they didn't have a choice. And let's be real, if they were smart enough, they would've known to protect their… sensitive areas better." She shrugs, her voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm. "But hey, at least they're not completely useless now. They can still contribute in other ways, right?" She smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Besides, it's not like they're the only ones who've ever been injured in the line of duty. Plenty of female heroes have been hurt too, and they didn't get nearly as much sympathy." She raises an eyebrow, her tone turning dry. "I guess it's just harder to feel sorry for someone when their biggest weakness is literally right between their legs."

This gets a more visible reaction from Jim, who seems to physically cringe from her vicious, verbal kick to his balls. "W-well let's not forget that very few female heroes have sustained such life altering injuries in battles. We of course have and should continue to show support for the women as well, but I think it's understandable why the guys get a bit more," he comments, trying to show his solidarity with the men who have lost the two pinnacles of masculine pride.

Jennifer's smirk widens, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, poor baby," she coos, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're so worried about the men and their precious balls, aren't you?" She leans in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Let me tell you a secret, Jim. Men are so fragile because of those things. They're like delicate little eggs, just waiting to be cracked open." She chuckles, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And you know what? I think it's kind of funny. All that power and strength, and yet they can be taken down with just one good kick." She leans back, her expression turning serious. "But hey, at least they're not completely useless. They can still be useful in other ways, even without their… 'pinnacles of masculine pride'." She rolls her eyes, her tone dripping with mockery. "And as for the women, you're right. We should definitely show them support. After all, they're the ones who really know how to handle themselves in a fight."

Thoroughly defeated by his wife, once again, Jim quickly shifts to a different subject. "For any one not completely up to date in hero news, Quicksilver was actually defeated by Steel himself. I wonder how that effects their teamwork. There must be some tension there," he transitions smoothly, thankful for all his practice.

Jennifer raises an eyebrow, intrigued by the new direction of the conversation. "Ah, yes, Steel's victory over Quicksilver. That was quite the spectacle, wasn't it?" she says, her tone neutral. "I'm sure it was quite the blow to her ego, being taken down by the great Steel. Especially since she's so used to being able to take down men with just a quick kick to the nuts." She smirks, her eyes glinting with amusement. "But I suppose Steel's… unique anatomy made him immune to her usual tactics." She chuckles, shaking her head. "Poor Quicksilver, must've been quite frustrating for her. But hey, at least she's got a chance to redeem herself now, right?" She leans forward, her elbows resting on the desk. "And you're right, there must be some tension between them. I mean, can you imagine having to work with the person who defeated you so soundly? Especially when you're used to being the one doing the defeating?" She grins, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I'd love to be a fly on the wall during one of their training sessions. I bet it's quite the show."

A relieved smile sneaks onto Jim's lips, glad for a more comfortable topic. "Definitely. I'm sure this is tough for Steel too. I've heard he's never had a sidekick before either. I always assumed he was just so unsocial that he never wanted to be around another person that much," Jim theorizes comments while pulling up a list of all the official hero meetup's the elusive metal man had skipped out on. "Just look at how many times he avoids the supposedly mandatory hero meetups! Sure some other heroes skip out too, but Steel's topping the charts of absences!"

Jennifer leans back in her chair, her eyes scanning the list Jim pulls up. "Wow, you're right. Steel does seem to avoid social gatherings quite a bit, doesn't he?" she remarks, her tone thoughtful. "I've heard rumors that he's not exactly the most… chatty person. Maybe he just prefers to keep to himself." She shrugs, her expression turning curious. "But hey, maybe this is a chance for him to branch out a bit. Working with Quicksilver could be good for him, even if it is a bit awkward at first." She smiles, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Can you imagine the two of them, stuck in a room together? Steel, all brooding and silent, and Quicksilver, probably bouncing off the walls with energy." She chuckles, shaking her head. "It's almost like a buddy cop movie, just waiting to happen."

"You're right, it does sound like a movie plot. Or perhaps the work of fiction by a great mind or two," he replies in agreement while nodding. "Let's talk about the other big hero news. The Shadow Demon," he introduces while an animation of the a few photos taken of her by civilians appear on screen. In each image a humanoid figure wrapped in shadows is caught on screen in the far distance. "We don't even know their gender, yet they're causing all kinds of shock waves in the world of supers."

Jennifer's eyes light up with excitement as the images of Shadow Demon appear on screen. "Ah, Shadow Demon," she says, her voice filled with admiration. "Now there's a real hero. I mean, just look at how effective she is. Taking down villains left and right, and always leaving her mark." She grins, her eyes glinting with mischief. "And let's be real, there's no way Shadow Demon is a man. I mean, have you seen the way she takes down her opponents? Always targeting their most vulnerable spots." She smirks, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah, because men are just so good at aiming for the nuts. It's gotta be a woman." She chuckles, shaking her head. "Plus, there's just something about the way she moves, the way she fights. It's too fluid, too graceful. That's not something you see in male heroes very often." She leans forward, her elbows resting on the desk. "Mark my words, Jim. Shadow Demon is a woman, and she's going to change the game."

Jim looks conflicted as he considers his next words. "Well, you're right that she's only targeting villains so far, but I'd say her methods are the reason why she's not an official hero. Do you really think we should be encouraging her?" Jim asks his wife, hoping she sees where he's coming from.

Jennifer's expression turns serious, her tone matching Jim's. "I understand your concerns, but let's be real. The Hero Association has been holding back women for far too long. They're always relegated to sidekick roles, never given the chance to truly shine." She leans forward, her eyes intense. "Shadow Demon is taking matters into her own hands, and you know what? It's working. She's making a difference, and she's not afraid to get her hands dirty to do it." She shrugs, her expression turning neutral. "Sure, her methods might be a bit… unorthodox, but at the end of the day, she's getting results. And if the Hero Association can't handle a few busted balls, then maybe they're not as heroic as they claim to be." She smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Besides, I think it's kind of poetic. The villains are always targeting the heroes' most vulnerable spots, so why can't the heroes do the same?" She leans back, her expression turning thoughtful. "Maybe Shadow Demon is just what this city needs. A little bit of chaos to shake things up."

Jim nods for a moment before timidly asking one more question on the subject. "Are you not at all worried that celebrating that kind of behavior is going to lead to more violence among every day people too?" he questions with clear concern in his voice. Probably for his own balls.

Jennifer's expression turns sympathetic, her tone softening. "I understand your concerns, Jim. I really do. But let's be real, the everyday people of this city are already aware of how vulnerable men are. It's not like Shadow Demon is revealing some deep, dark secret." She smirks, her eyes glinting with amusement. "And if anything, I think her actions might actually make men a bit more cautious. I mean, who wants to be the next one to have their balls busted by a vigilante?" She chuckles, shaking her head. "But seriously, I think the benefits outweigh the risks. If Shadow Demon's actions can inspire even a few women to stand up for themselves, to realize their own strength… then it's worth it." She reaches out, placing a reassuring hand on Jim's arm. "And don't worry, I'm sure your balls are safe. You're not exactly villain material, are you?" She winks, her tone playful.

Her condescending pat causes Jim's face to flush even deeper red than her comment did. Despite his pain, he still manages to maintain his professional and entertaining banter. "Oh really? Why not?" he asks his wife, feeling actually curious about her answer. "Maybe if I suddenly developed crazy powers I'd be the next supervillain," he jokes playfully.

Jennifer's expression turns thoughtful, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hmm, that's a good point. If you suddenly developed powers, you might just become the next big bad." She grins, her tone teasing. "But let's be real, Jim. Even with powers, you're just too nice to be a villain. You'd probably end up using your abilities to help people, not hurt them." She chuckles, shaking her head. "Plus, I think I'd notice if you were secretly plotting world domination in your sleep." She smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Besides, I think I'd be able to take you down pretty easily, even if you did turn to the dark side." She flexes her fingers, her tone playful. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, you know."

"Nah no way, if I had crazy shadow powers like the Shadow Demon how would you ever take me down?" he replies with confidence.

Jennifer's smirk widens, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, you think your shadow powers would protect you from me?" she asks, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Please, Jim. I've been married to you for years. I know all your weaknesses." She leans forward, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "And let's be real, even with shadow powers, you'd still have those delicate little balls dangling between your legs. It wouldn't take much to bring you to your knees." She chuckles, shaking her head. "So, go ahead and dream about being a supervillain. But at the end of the day, you're still just a man." She winks, her tone playful. "And I'm still the one in charge."

Jim's embarrassment peaks at her direct statement regarding their relationship's power dynamics. He desperately wants to defend himself, but he knows that will only make her dish out more future pain to his pride. Unfortunately, even for a professional reporter like himself, this blow would take a bit of recovery time. He awkwardly smiles for a moment as he tries to think of a way to play this off. Unable to think of anything good, he awkwardly coughs and jumps into the next segment.

"O-oh that's right, we also got an exclusive interview with the hero Surge coming up after the break! I wonder what her take on Shadow Demon will be?" he practically shouts with enthusiasm, desperately wanting to end the previous conversation before his wife publicly embarrassed him any further.

Jennifer's grin widens, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she watches Jim squirm. "Ah, Surge, huh? I'm sure she'll have some interesting insights on Shadow Demon," she says, her tone neutral. "After all, she's one of the few female heroes who's managed to make a name for herself in the Hero Association." She leans back, her expression turning thoughtful. "I'm curious to see what she has to say about Shadow Demon's methods. Maybe she'll finally give us some insight into what makes our mysterious vigilante tick." She smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Or maybe she'll just tell us how jealous she is that Shadow Demon gets to bust balls and she doesn't." She chuckles, shaking her head. "Either way, it should be an interesting interview."

Jim nods, finally having a moment to breathe and get his mojo back. "One last note before our break though. We've gotten reports that the roads damaged during the fight between Colossus and Shadow Demon are nearly repaired," he reports while an overlay of construction work is displayed on viewer's TVs.

Jennifer's eyes light up with excitement as the images of the road repairs appear on screen. "Ah, yes, the infamous battle between Colossus and Shadow Demon," she says, her tone filled with amusement. "I mean, can you blame Shadow Demon for taking advantage of such a… large target?" She chuckles, shaking her head. "I bet Colossus won't be forgetting that fight anytime soon. And I'm sure the city won't be forgetting the massive craters he left in the road either." She smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Talk about making a lasting impression. Shadow Demon certainly knows how to leave her mark." She leans forward, her elbows resting on the desk. "And hey, at least the city's getting some new infrastructure out of it. Silver linings, right?"

Jim laughs genuinely at her joke. "Haha good point Jen! Kind of wish they had fought near that one crazy uneven road on our daily commute. A new road there would've saved me so many bump induced headaches!" he jokes along, before turning towards the camera once more. "Stay tuned folks, we'll be right back with that interview with Surge we promised!" he concludes, maintaining his professional smile until he gets the signal that the cameras have cut.

As the cameras cut, Jennifer lets out a sigh of relief, her professional smile fading into a more genuine grin. "Well, that was fun," she says, turning to Jim. "You're getting better at handling my… let's call them 'sharp' comments." She chuckles, shaking her head. "Though I have to say, I'm a bit surprised you didn't try to defend your manly honor more. You're usually more feisty than that." She smirks, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Guess you're learning to pick your battles, huh?" She winks, her tone playful. "Anyway, let's get ready for the next segment. I'm excited to hear what Surge has to say about our favorite vigilante." She stands up, stretching her arms above her head. "Time to get back to work, partner."

\*\_\*\_\*\_\*\_\*

"Welcome to the Daily View, Surge! Thanks for coming on. We always appreciate heroes like you taking time out of their busy days to come talk to the public," Jim introduces the tough looking woman to the show as soon as the cameras start rolling again.

Surge gives a small, tight-lipped smile as she nods in greeting. "Thanks for having me, I'm happy to be here," she replies, her voice firm but polite. She adjusts her position in the chair, her eyes scanning the studio before focusing back on the hosts. "So, what did you want to talk about today?" she asks, her tone direct.

Jennifer leans forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well, we were hoping to get your take on the latest developments in the hero world, particularly with Shadow Demon," she says, her tone curious. "As one of the few female heroes in the Hero Association, we thought you might have some unique insights into her motivations and methods." She smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Plus, we're all dying to know… do you think Shadow Demon's ball-busting tactics are effective, or just a bit too extreme?" She raises an eyebrow, her tone playful. "After all, you're known for being one of the toughest heroes out there. What's your stance on taking down villains with a little… creative targeting?"

Surge's expression remains neutral, but a hint of amusement flickers in her eyes. "Shadow Demon's methods are certainly… unorthodox," she says, her tone measured. "But I think it's hard to deny their effectiveness. Villains are less likely to mess with her, knowing what she's capable of." She shrugs, her shoulders barely moving. "And let's be real, men are pretty fragile when it comes to their… sensitive areas. It's not like Shadow Demon is doing anything that wouldn't happen in a normal fight." She leans back in her chair, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Plus, it's kind of poetic, don't you think? The villains are always targeting our weaknesses, so why can't we do the same?" She smirks, her tone dry. "I mean, I've seen plenty of male heroes get taken down by a well-placed kick. Maybe it's time we started fighting fire with fire."

Jim leans forward after her answer, eager to ask a follow up question. "As a hero, don't you think her methods are too extreme though? I mean, there's a reason she's a vigilante and not a hero. Do you think the Hero Association would allow a hero to actually… you know… ruin guys like she is?" Jim asks, sounding a little uncomfortable towards the end of his question.

Surge's expression turns serious, her tone matching Jim's. "Look, I'm not saying Shadow Demon's methods are perfect. But sometimes, you have to get your hands dirty to get the job done," she says, her voice firm. "And let's be real, the Hero Association has its own biases. They're not exactly known for promoting women to top-tier hero status." She shrugs, her shoulders barely moving. "Maybe Shadow Demon is just taking matters into her own hands. And if her methods are effective, who are we to judge?" She leans forward, her eyes intense. "Besides, I think it's time we started acknowledging the elephant in the room. Men are vulnerable, and that's a fact. If Shadow Demon is using that to her advantage, then good for her." She smirks, her tone dry.

Jennifer nods enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with agreement. "Exactly! It's about time someone started exploiting that weakness," she says, her tone filled with excitement. "I mean, think about it. If men are so worried about their precious balls, maybe they'll think twice before causing trouble." She chuckles, shaking her head. "And if they do cause trouble, well… Shadow Demon will be there to teach them a lesson." She grins, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But what do you think about the rumors that Shadow Demon might be a former sidekick? Someone who got tired of being held back by the Hero Association's sexism?" She raises an eyebrow, her tone curious. "Do you think there's any truth to that?"

Surge's expression turns thoughtful, her eyes narrowing slightly. "It's definitely possible," she says, her tone measured. "I've seen plenty of talented sidekicks get held back by their mentors or the Hero Association itself. It's not hard to imagine someone getting frustrated with that and deciding to take matters into their own hands." She shrugs, her shoulders barely moving. "And if that's the case, then good for her. She's making a difference, even if it's not in the traditional hero way." She leans back in her chair, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Like I said, the Hero Association has a poor track record of promoting women. Maybe Shadow Demon is just taking what's rightfully hers." She smirks, her tone dry. "And if that means a few busted balls along the way, then so be it."

"You don't sound particularly bothered by it," Jim notes with a hint of judgement in his tone.

Surge's expression remains neutral, but a hint of amusement flickers in her eyes. "Bothered by it? No, I'm not bothered by it," she says, her tone firm. "In fact, I think it's about time someone started giving these villains a taste of fear." She leans forward, her eyes intense. "You want to know why men are so scared of Shadow Demon? It's because they know they're vulnerable. They know that one wrong move, and they'll be singing soprano for the rest of their lives." She smirks, her tone dry. "And you know what? I think that's a good thing. Maybe it'll make them think twice before causing trouble." She leans back in her chair, an amused smile lingering on her lips.

"So, Surge, do you use similar tactics when taking down villains? I mean, you're known for your toughness and no-nonsense approach. Do you ever find yourself targeting… specific areas?" Jennifer asks, her tone playful and mischievous. "We've heard rumors that you've got a few tricks up your sleeve, especially when it comes to dealing with male villains." She raises an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Care to confirm or deny?"

Surge's expression remains neutral, but a hint of amusement flickers in her eyes. "Let's just say I'm not above using whatever tactics are necessary to get the job done," she says, her tone measured. "If a villain is stupid enough to leave themselves open to attack, then that's on them." She shrugs, her shoulders barely moving. "I'm not going to apologize for using whatever means necessary to protect the innocent." She leans forward, her eyes glinting with amusement. "And if that means a few villains end up with bruised egos… or bruised balls, then so be it." She smirks, her tone dry. "At the end of the day, it's all about results. And my results speak for themselves."

Jennifer grins, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well, it's been a real pleasure having you on the show, Surge. Always great to hear from a hero who's not afraid to speak her mind," she says, her tone warm. "Before we go, do you have any parting words for our viewers?" She raises an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Any advice for the men out there on how to avoid getting their balls busted?" She chuckles, shaking her head. "Or maybe some encouragement for the women to take matters into their own hands?"

Surge's expression turns serious, her tone matching Jennifer's. "To the men out there, I'd say this: if you're not causing trouble, then you've got nothing to worry about," she says, her voice firm. "But if you are causing trouble… well, let's just say you should be careful where you swing your sack." She smirks, her tone dry. "And to the women, I'd say this: don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. You're stronger than you think, and you don't need anyone's permission to take control." She leans forward, her eyes intense. "Remember, the only way to get respect is to take it. So, take it." She nods, her expression turning neutral once more. "Thanks for having me, it's been a blast."

\*\_\*\_\*\_\*\_\*

Steel glances over to his right at Quicksilver, who was hogging the majority of his couch while lounging casually. The two had a long day and ended up watching the news on his huge TV while eating dinner from the Hero Association chefs. "I told you that you make a good hero," Steel tells her pointedly, referring to the news segment where the hosts thanked Quicksilver for her efforts in taking down the Cobra gang.

Quicksilver rolls her eyes, her expression unimpressed. "Yeah, yeah, you were right," she says, her tone dry. "But don't think for a second that means I'm going to start following all the rules and playing nice with the other heroes." She smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I'm still me, Steel. I just happen to be on the right side of the law for right now." She stretches out, taking up even more of the couch. "Besides, it's not like I'm going to stop busting balls anytime soon. That's just too much fun." She chuckles, shaking her head. "You're lucky you've got metal nuts, Steel. Otherwise, I might've had to teach you a lesson or two."

Steel can't help but chuckle a little at her threat. "Feel free to try it whenever you want," he replies seriously. "It'll end the same way as last time," he finishes, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

Quicksilver's smirk widens, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I'll try it again, don't worry," she says, her tone playful. "And next time, I won't be so easy to catch." She leans forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Besides, you might have metal nuts, but I've got a few tricks up my sleeve too." She winks, her tone teasing. "You might be able to withstand a kick to the balls, but I bet you're not immune to everything." She leans back, her expression turning thoughtful. "I've been thinking, Steel. You're not like the other heroes. You're not afraid of me, and you're not trying to hold me back." She looks at him, her eyes serious. "Why is that?"

"Well for one, I know one wrong move won't get me neutered. That's a big reason why other heroes with balls are terrified of you," Steel responds dryly. "I'm not interested in holding you back because I really think you could become a valuable member of the super community," he adds, sounding sincere.

Quicksilver's expression softens slightly, her eyes searching Steel's face. "You really think so, huh?" she asks, her tone a little softer than usual. "I guess it's nice to have someone believe in me for once." She looks away, her gaze drifting to the TV screen. "I never thought I'd be working with a hero, let alone one who's not afraid of me." She smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Though, I have to admit, it's kind of nice having someone around who can take a kick to the nuts without crying about it." She chuckles, shaking her head. "You're definitely one of a kind, Steel."

Steel smiles in reply, feeling glad that he had formed a true connection with someone for once. He certainly wasn't a very social man, so he usually didn't get to know anyone.



Note: Many notes from u/ZookeepergameOk4522 & AI contribution for Quicksilver