King adjusted his borrowed tie in the reflection of a bus window. It was crooked. So was his confidence.
Today was the day.
He was going to apply for a job at MccDonald's.
Not as a manager. Not as a mascot. Just a cashier. Something simple. Something quiet. Something that didn't involve saving the world.
He stepped off the bus and began walking down the street. The city buzzed around him—but something felt off.
People were staring.
Not just glancing. Staring.
Whispers followed him like a breeze.
"That's him…" "The First Shield…" "He ended the Iraq War with a stare…" "I heard his bathrobe is bulletproof…"
King kept his head down. His Engine stayed quiet. For now.
The Kid and the Canon
Then came the voice.
High-pitched. Energetic. Unfiltered.
"HEY KING! SHOW US YOUR SUPER HELFIRE DIABOLIC CANON!"
King froze.
A kid—maybe eight years old—was pointing at him with both hands, eyes wide with excitement.
"You know, the one that terrorized the enemy! Do the pose!"
King blinked. "What canon?"
The crowd began to gather. Phones came out. People murmured.
"He's gonna do it…" "The Canon of Judgment…" "I heard it vaporized a tank in Russia…"
King panicked.
They'll find out I'm not a hero…
His anxiety surged.
His Engine of Terror™ activated.
The Drumbeat of Dread
A low, mechanical rumble echoed through the street.
It sounded like a war drum made of steel and thunder.
People gasped. Some cheered. Others ducked instinctively.
King looked around, trying to calm himself.
Then his eyes locked onto a man nearby.
Ordinary clothes. Calm face. Backpack.
But something felt… wrong.
The man flinched.
King's Engine growled louder.
The man's eyes widened.
Then—he dropped to his knees.
"I CONFESS!" he shouted. "I'm a suicide bomber! I was going to detonate near the embassy!"
The crowd gasped. Police officers nearby sprang into action.
"Hands up! Don't move!"
The man sobbed, pointing at King.
"I thought he was going to vaporize me! I didn't want to die like that!"
The Arrest and the Broadcast
The officers secured the area. A bomb squad was called. The backpack was neutralized.
One officer turned to King, saluting.
"Thank you, sir. You saved lives today."
King blinked. "I… did?"
His Engine rumbled again—louder this time.
Not from power.
From fear.
Now I'm a target…
But the crowd didn't see fear.
They saw vigilance.
"He's just being overprotective," someone said. "That's why he's the Shield." "He sensed the danger before it happened…"
A nearby news reporter had streamed the entire event live.
Within minutes, the headlines read:
"King Foils Terror Plot With Engine of Justice" "The Canon That Never Fired Still Wins" "America's Shield Strikes Again"
Closing Scene
King stood outside McDonald's, staring at the "Now Hiring" sign.
He turned around.
A crowd was still watching him from across the street.
He sighed.
"Maybe I'll try Starbuucks tomorrow…"
His Engine hummed softly.
The legend continued.