Chapter Two: The Birth of the Heroes

The training montage began, with each scientist working closely with their anthro counterpart to hone their newfound abilities. Elara worked with the Ricefield rat. A beautiful, rare, non-binary rat, who could manipulate shadows and had the agility of a cat burglar. They named them "Specter". Dr. McLaren took charge of the strongest male, Brown Rat with superhuman strength and a penchant for acrobatics, dubbing him "Hercules". 

Dr. Flora bonded with the most graceful Black female rat, whose touch could heal injuries and illnesses, naming her "Grace". Dr. McCoy found themselves paired with the most curious and clever of the bunch,  Woodrat with an affinity for technology, and named him "Whizkid". Lastly, Dr. Luna worked with the remaining female, a Marsh rat whose eyes could shoot beams of pure lunar energy, calling her "Luna-Fire". 

Days turned into weeks, and the Victorious Vermin grew stronger, and more adept at using their powers. They gradually got the hang of their powers and gained their personality. Specter could now slip through the tiniest of cracks. Personality-wise, they’re, is a introvert. They’re shy, don’t talk much, and have a fondness for mystery novels. 

Hercules could benchpress a small car, break bricks, and bend metal bars. His Personality, he’s kind-hearted, supportive, and loves to live life on the edge. Grace's gentle touch could mend bones in seconds, likewise, her personality matches with her powers. She’s gentle, and caring, has a curious mind, and loves sweets. Whizkid can hack into the computers mainframe with ease, and have a fondness for electronics and video games. Lastly is Luna-Fire. Luna could illuminate the entire room with her dazzling beams and shoot laser beams from her fingertips. She loves playing sports, boxing, and action movies. Throughout the weeks, they grew more and more curious about the outside world, their eyes lighting up when the scientists spoke of Gnashville's bustling streets and the people who called it home. 

"Can we go outside, please?" Specter asked one day, their voice a mix of hope and trepidation. " W-We like to explore the outside world for a bit." Said Whizkid.

Elara looked at her team, her mind racing. They had grown attached to these creatures, but the risks of exposing them were immense. However, she knew that keeping them cooped up forever would be cruel. "Alright," she finally said, "but we need to be careful. We'll take you out at night when there's less chance of anyone seeing you." 

Before setting out, the scientist gave the rodents special headbands to wear. With it, they can disguise themselves as humans. " There, now you guys can go undercover without scaring anyone," Elara said.

The night was cool, and the streets were slick with rain. The neon lights cast a colorful glow over the pavement. 

The Victorious Vermin stepped out into the city for the first time, their eyes wide with wonder. Nashville was a symphony of sounds and smells, a cacophony of life that thrummed through their enhanced senses. They stuck to the shadows, Specter leading the way with unparalleled stealth. 

Hercules admired the towering buildings, while Grace searched for signs of pain or suffering that she could ease. Their minds were filled with joy and amazement, with child-like wonder.

Music echoed through the alleyways. Luna-Fire's eyes lit up at the sight of the street performers, her heart racing with excitement. Without warning, she leap-frogged over Hercules and landed in the center of the circle. Her lunar beams transformed into a mesmerizing light show that had the crowd gasping. The performers stared, stunned, but then broke into applause, mistaking her for a talented new member of their troupe. 

The rodents watched from the shadows, their hearts swelling with pride. This was more than just an experiment; they had become a team, a family.

But their joy was short-lived. A piercing scream shattered the night, and they all turned to see a purse snatcher racing away from an elderly woman. 

Without hesitation, Hercules dashed forward, his muscles bulging as he closed the gap between them. He pounced, catching the thief mid-stride and pinning him to the ground. The purse went flying, and Whizkid darted out to catch it, their reflexes faster than lightning. They handed it back to the trembling woman, who looked at them with a mix of shock and gratitude. 

"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. You're welcome, Ms.," Hercules said.

The team regrouped, their hearts racing. "We need to keep a low profile," Elara reminded them, though her voice was filled with pride. They nodded and continued their nocturnal exploration, their eyes peeled for any signs of trouble. As they ventured deeper into the city, they stumbled upon a group of vandals tagging the side of a local business. Grace took the lead, her healing touch restoring the graffitied wall to its former pristine condition. The vandals, caught in the act, were stunned by the sudden appearance of the anthro rodents. 

They tried to flee, but Specter's shadowy form blocked their escape. "You’re not going anywhere," they murmured, their eyes gleaming in the moonlight.