by Simon Archer
“Yeah.” Kara nodded. “I, uh... I actually broke a record, to be honest. Brad nearly had me for a bit, but I beat the crap out of him in the build phase.”
I lifted a brow. “Brad?”
She gestured at the guy the twins were speaking to next to Jack. “Some tool from Otvale. What with the way he’s been glaring your way, I guess he’s a fan.”
I shrugged and returned to the steak with a bit more gusto. Cutting a piece, I held the meat between my teeth and spat, “He can get in line. I’ve got a whole city’s worth of them.”
Kara barked a laugh, and I was so glad to hear the sound that I couldn’t help but stare. We locked eyes again, and I smiled her way. She reflected it back and finally eased a bit.
“Anyway, my power set revolves around technology,” she said. “You give me a cellphone, I can turn it into a laser gun.”
Eric’s eyes lit up, and he immediately dug deep into his pockets. He handed her his phone, and Kara smiled at his excitable nature.
“Show me!” he squealed. “Uh, please. I’m curious.”
Kara took the phone a gentle sigh. Her red bangs fell in front of her eyes as she focused on the phone which began to shift and mold in the palm of her hand. The hard plastic cover went flat and circular. The internal parts reassigned themselves to other roles, and the screen condensed until it became a glowing disk. A button appeared on the side, and when she pressed it, a hologram danced over the device. It was a layout of the current room. She spread her forefinger and thumb with a gesture, and the view widened to cover the entire academy, then to the district, then to the city.
Eric was impressed. “A live holographic map?”
She tipped her head and scrolled again rapidly until we saw the whole planet spin against a blanket of stars. “I tapped into a satellite,” she said like it was as easy as breathing. “You can track anyone, anywhere.”
“You’re fucking with me,” Andie said, her voice hushed and her eyes wide as hockey pucks.
“Nope,” Kara said with a proud smile.
“That’s impressive as hell,” the blonde added. “And really useful.”
“Can you track my father with that?” I don’t know why I asked what I had, but the question was out before I could hold it back.
Kara hesitated only a moment, then she moved her fingers rapidly over the hologram until it was focused on the island I used to call home. It zoomed into the tall tower where my father worked, and a dot appeared, stationary, in what I remembered to be the dining hall.
“He’s a dot because he’s out of view of the satellites,” she explained, “but given estimations and reports, he’s there.”
“You’re gonna save the world someday,” Andie said and reached around me to clap her on the back. “It took you, what? Two minutes to do something that everyone else has been struggling to accomplish for years? You’re awesome.”
Kara ducked her head and blushed so vehemently she matched the color of her hair. With a gesture, the phone returned to its original state, and she passed it back to Eric who carefully examined the phone in wonder as if convinced it was going to start spouting holograms again.
“Mr. Saito was impressed when I showed him some other ideas I had,” Kara continued. “He asked me to keep working them and said that he was going to share some of my designs with Triton.”
I lifted a brow and glanced at the staff table. “Mr. Saito?”
She pointed at an unassuming man in a suit and tie. I didn’t recognize him, and she smiled and explained, “Hiro. You know, Mindbender.”
That explained why I didn’t recognize him. He was a hero that worked through tricks and hallucinations from the shadows. He was a relative unknown compared to forces like Triton, but anyone who knew their hero history recognized how much good he had done in his career.
Eric’s eyes widened and bounced a little bit in his chair. “Mindbender was the single reason we won the Battle of the Bay! Lord Inferno’s been trying to find him for years.”
“It was quite an honor,” Kara said with a nod. She glanced at Eric and then cleared her throat again. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to be rude, but I didn’t catch your name.”
“Oh, I’m Eric! I’m zappy.” Eric twiddled his fingers, but no sparks appeared there. He shook his hands furiously and tried again, but still nothing. “Well, I’m usually zappy. Anyway, I just barely qualified to get in. I turned eighteen last week.”
“I thought you looked young,” Andie said as she jabbed her fork Eric’s way.
“A natural talent, my mom said!” he said proudly. “She’s gonna be so stoked when she finds out I made friends with a Gateon.”
“And I’m Andie,” the blonde said with an easy smile. “I’m stretchy, obviously. Nice to meet you, Kara.”
Kara laughed and shook her head. “Stretchy, huh?”
“That’s what he said!” Andie chuckled.
I held up my hands in surrender. “It’s true, I did. She’s lived up to the hype, too.”
“We made a good team on both trials.” Andie clapped me on the back, looking proud of herself. “I chose well.”
“You did,” I reassured her. “You’d still be on the other side of that bridge if it wasn’t for me.”
“Probably true.” Andie settled back in her chair and huffed a little at the memory. “The last part of the course required teamwork. I bet that was Triton’s doing. He’s always going on about it in his speeches, isn’t he?”
“Sure, but he’s got a point,” I said. “We finished that tournament together. Without you and Eric to back me up, I’d probably be a smear on Matt’s fist.”
“Not true, Nick,” Andie countered. “You were holding your own against all three of them for a while there.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t count when I’m powered,” I said humbly.
“I’ll say,” Andie grinned. “You were fuckin’ amazing. Flight, laser eyes. You breathed and caused a whirlwind for God’s sake. And then there was all that super strength. Matt can take a beating, apparently.”
Kara followed my eyes to the man in question, and she lifted a brow. “You mean cousin Matt? As in Matt and Kristen? I didn’t think they’d hold a grudge.”
Andie lifted a brow at that. “Cousin?”
“Cousin-like,” I amended as I shook my head. “Last I saw them, they were teeny tiny and obsessed with their mother. They visited every Christmas for a while.”
Kara nodded. “We’d all celebrate with the Gateons. It was a pretty big affair for years.”
“Yeah, until Mom was murdered and my dad went crazy,” I seethed out. Kara’s hand found its way to my back and rubbed it in slow, soothing circles. I shook myself and left the bitterness where it lay. “Anyway, Matt’s got it in for me. Kristen hasn’t really spoken two words since we met on the course, but I don’t think she’s much better. She seems really focused on protecting Matt and backing up his insanity. He even brought up my mother in the final tournament. Blames me for everything my dad’s ever done. Dude’s convinced I’m going to turn into my dad or some such nonsense. I tried getting through to him, but he won’t listen. He’s—”
“An idiot,” Andie cut in. “The only one in danger of turning into your father is him. I meant what I told Judgment. Matt’s too angry. If he doesn’t get a handle on it, he’ll go villain by the end of the year, mark my words.”
I shook my head and glanced Matt’s way again. We met eyes, and he scowled at me with such pure, utter hatred that I had to look away first.
“It’s not that simple,” I told the others. “They’ve suffered a lot because of my father’s actions. They lost their mother too.”
“Welcome to the world.” Andie shrugged. “I’m sorry, Nick, but I don’t have pity for people who attack first and ask questions later. Until he starts acting like a man instead of a little boy throwing a temper tantrum, I’ve got no respect for him. I won’t waste time pretending otherwise.”
Kara watched the exchange with a lifted brow. “
It sounds like things got pretty heated during the tournament. I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I agree. I think he’s being stupid.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I reassured her. “I’m not going to lie, the hostility hurt... but I don’t need their approval. I know where I stand with my father, I know what I want in life. The twins can fuck off.”
Andie cheered with a fist pump and then clapped me on the back again. “That’s the spirit! Fuck ‘em!”
“It’s odd they’re so obsessed with the idea that you’ll turn into Lord Inferno,” Eric piped up, glancing over at the twins thoughtfully. “Like it’s a bad thing. Inferno was the greatest hero in the world, saved millions before he flipped. He was even Triton’s hero, did you know? Said that in an interview once.”
“Until he went insane,” I muttered.
“Sure,” Eric added with a shrug of his shoulders, “your dad might be a menace now, but he saved my granddad’s life once. We’ve still got some of his old posters in our attic. When I call you a Gateon, I don’t mean in reference to the villain that’s terrorized the world. He’s not a Gateon anymore, Nick, but you are.”
Of all the things I was expecting Eric to say, that wasn’t it. I was oddly moved.
“He’s slaughtered thousands,” I pointed out. “Whatever legacy he had, it’s long gone now.”
Andie nudged me with her shoulder. “He has you, doesn’t he? Eric’s got it right. You’re not your dad, but you can still walk in his footsteps without turning into a monster.”
“I... I suppose,” I conceded. It twisted my heart to hear it, but it left a warm feeling to know that I was surrounded by people who believed that much in me. “I just want to make things right. That’s all.”
Kara hugged me and leaned her head on my shoulder. “Stop fretting so much. You’re gonna develop worry lines.”
“And we can’t mar that perfect face.” Andie chuckled. “He’s too cute. It must be protected.”
“He is,” Kara agreed, “even when he’s pouting.”
“Especially when he’s pouting.”
I sighed, rolled my eyes, and then hugged them both. “Thanks, girls.” My tone was somewhat sarcastic, but it was all in good humor. I glanced at Eric and nodded his way as well. “I appreciate it.”
At the staff table, Triton stood and rang his glass for attention. He waited until a hush fell over the tables and all eyes were turned to him.
“Congratulations to the new students of Valcav Academy,” he began. “We’ve had two records broken today, and they will be marked in history for future applicants to conquer. Everything you do here will reflect upon future generations. Do not take the weight of that lightly. The year will be full of strife, and you will need to maintain a strong and steady course, but I know that each of you has the makings of a true hero.”
His eyes settled on me, and I stared back, butterflies dancing around in my stomach. “It’s up to each of you to define what that means. Finish your meals and rest well. Tomorrow, we start bright and early in your new courses.”
Triton sat back down and immediately entered a hushed conversation with Gemma. I glanced at the two girls, then to Eric, and sighed.
“Goodbye, steak,” I joked. “Hello, homework.”
Andie was already standing, excited to get started. “Time to kick ass. I’m gonna go check out the dorm. You coming, Kara?”
Kara’s eyes lingered on me, and she shook her head. “I’ll stop by later. I want to catch up a bit more.”
“Alright, I’ll find a good fluffy bed for you,” the blonde quipped as she hurried off
Kara and I ended up talking far into the night, long after Eric left. By the time we were finished, the dark circles under her eyes had become quite evident. I eventually escorted her to her dorm, and she yawned and hugged me tightly.
“Goodnight, Nick.”
“Goodnight, Kara.”
We didn’t kiss, but I noticed the way her eyes fell to my lips. Instead of making contact, I nodded and headed back the way of the boy’s dorm. She stopped me with a hand, drawing my attention back again.
“I... I never said it, but... thank you for the flowers.”
“The flowers?”
“The ones you gave me before... anyway, they meant a lot. So... thanks.”
I smiled, and she smiled back. Her eyes could light up a black hole. I could die in them and be content.
“Maybe I’ll get you more,” I said. “Red ones this time. To match your hair.”
She fingered a strand and blushed a little. “I missed you, Nick. I’m glad you’re here.”
“I missed you too. Goodnight, Kara.”
“I... goodnight, Nick.”
Chapter 4 - Eric
“Eric, has everything been as you expected, honey? Are you settling in well? We saw that you were accepted. The dorm is big enough, isn’t it? You can still come home, you know—”
“Oh my gosh, Mom.”
I didn’t mean to cut her off, but I was so goddamned excited. I couldn’t believe the day I just had. It felt like I was sinking through the world because it wasn’t real enough to sustain me anymore. The phone protested with static when I accidentally shocked it, and I winced, trying to calm back down again.
“Oh my gosh,” I repeated.
“Honey? Are you okay?”
“Okay? Oh my gosh. Mom, I made friends with Nick Gateon! The Nick Gateon!”
“You mean Junior, yes?” She wasn’t nearly so enthused as I was, but I loved that she humored me, anyway. “He’s the son, right?”
“Yeah! I can’t believe it! Can you believe it? I can’t believe it!”
I wasn’t expecting to make friends at Valcav, let alone the acquaintance of someone like Nick. To be honest, I was dizzy even from the experience of attending the trials. I’d been surrounded by so many talented people and so much history all at once.
Superheroes and villains have ruled our culture for hundreds of years, and Alexandria had been home to the greatest of them all again and again. Before he passed away, Grandpa and I often wondered why that was. Perhaps there was some secret supernatural nature to the city encouraging mutations in children, or maybe it really was down to chance. Whatever the case, I’d picked up where my grandpa had left off and dedicated my life so far to the study of heroes and all their achievements.
It wasn’t just a fascination for powered people, though that in itself was certainly a fun subject full of wonder. No, Grandpa saw our study as a quest into the purpose of human nature itself. For every amazing hero, there was a cruel villain to balance them. And some, like Inferno, rose to the heights of one side, only to tumble down into the depths of another.
The Gateon name was considered a curse to most in the city, and even though we’d only just met, I could read the anxious little lights in Nick’s eyes whenever he met someone new. He was always worried that curse would come to pass and punish him for deeds not even his own. It was bizarre to think that someone as powerful and talented as he was, with that incredible blood thrumming through his veins, would have to fight so hard just to earn the respect of his peers.
My family felt differently because Inferno had saved our lives once, and that still mattered despite his tumble into darkness. Not that we advertised the fact, nor were we eager to see his takeover progress throughout the world...
Inferno really had committed horrible atrocities, and many might not ever be forgiven. Still, it was hard to argue the dictator’s point when his empire was clean, his streets safe, and his people cared for. Most didn’t know that, but I was nothing if not a nerd. I did a lot of research. Inferno’s people were happy. Ridiculously so.
My grandfather and I studied the Gateon case thoroughly when I was younger, and we both decided that everyone had a driving point that could be twisted if pressed hard enough. Someone had found that point in Inferno, and it was Nick who had largely paid the price for it.
When I first met him, I maybe came off a bit too strong. That happens sometimes
, I know I’m pretty excitable. Nick’s a legend in his own right, and there he was, eye to eye with me like it was completely normal. I had dedicated my life to studying people like his family, and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was.
Then the round started, and he was off climbing the walls like it was second nature, and I couldn’t believe his raw talent either. He broke a record set by his father, and if that wasn’t destiny calling, I don’t know what is.
Nick wasn’t just strong in terms of latent power, he was smart too. Calculating. Forgiving. Good-natured. Amazing. All the makings of a great hero and I was already close enough to witness it happen.
“You sound very happy, dear,” Mom’s voice broke through my thoughts. “This is a pleasant turnaround from before.”
I froze and immediately curled up where I sat on the bed in my dorm room. As ecstatic as I was a moment ago, I was suddenly nervous again.
“I’m... I’m trying, mom,” I muttered.
“It sounds like this Nick is a good influence on you.”
“He’s been through a lot more than me, and yet he’s so unshakable. I just... I just want to be good enough. I want to be like that, you know?”
“You are good enough, honey. I’ve been saying that for years.”
“I know, I...”
“Have you been going to your appointments?”
“Of course, mom. Everything’s already taken care of. I still can’t believe my psychologist is fucking Mindbender. That’s—”
”Language, Eric.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled, anyway. “Sorry. I’d give you a penny if I were there.”
“You owe me one when you visit, young man.”
I fell back on my pillows with a sigh and stared up at the ceiling. I felt like I was swimming. It was so hard to believe that today even happened.
“I’m very proud of you,” my mother whispered. “I love you so much. Your father is also very proud. He’s been watching the video of your trials all day.”
Five months ago, I thought my life was over. My mother found me curled up in the cemetery half-delirious with fever. It was Grandpa's grave where I’d found solace. He’d been recently buried after several years of battle with illness, and I wasn’t quite willing to let go.
