Rocky Handsome 2 -

The activation was silent. The tank drained. Rocky Handsome 2 opened his eyes—they were the color of a calm sea after a storm—and the first thing he did was cry.

“You’re not perfect,” The Average whispered, its monotone voice cracking. “You’re a mess.”

Rocky 2 walked in. He didn’t strut. He walked like a man carrying the weight of his own inadequacy. He looked at The Average and said, “I’m not sure I can do this. I’m just a Xerox of a masterpiece.”

“No,” Aris said, handing him a mirror. “You’re better. He had no doubts. You do. That’s your power.”

The Grey Council’s members began to fidget. Their grey suits seemed a little less grey. One of them, a lower-level troll, cracked a smile. Then another. The Average’s chair creaked as it shifted weight, intrigued.

Dr. Aris found him there. “They’re calling you a hero.”