by R. J. Ross
“It’s not surprising,” he says. “An S class super with the ability to go through anything isn’t likely to have her feet on solid ground. In fact, even on her days off I get reports of her walking around a foot off the ground in plain clothes. Reality and Skye don’t tend to see eye to eye.” He looks at her, for all of a second, a little grin on his face. “When the natural laws don’t apply to you, logic doesn’t have much of a foothold, either, I think. That’s true for almost all of the S class I know.”
“But Nico seems logical,” Doris says. “And Superior seems stable as a rock, right?”
“That’s because they’ve decided they LIKE certain laws,” he explains. “So they pretend to follow them—unless it gets in their way, that is. Then they do what they want. Superior always has been like that, and what I’ve seen of Nico is no different.”
"Should we get closer to where she is?" Doris asks after a long moment.
"You read my mind."
CHAPTER NINE
Why am I singing "Tie Your Mother Down" under my breath? The question seems to be echoing through my mind, but I can't seem to stop myself. It's like the song is stuck on repeat in my head. It would shock Jack to know that I'm a Queen fan, sure, but Jack's got nothing to do with this—and yes, I really am. I love all the classic rock bands, and a lot of the contemporary ones. But there's something really, really wrong about being stuck on THIS song when I'm about to finally be reunited with Mother!
I'm not sure HOW I knew how to find her. It's strange—one moment I was… what WAS I doing? I reach up, touching my temple and frowning. I was doing something important, I know.
"Justin!" I hear Skye say. Before I can blink, she's throwing herself into my arms happily. "You came back for the dino ride, didn't you?" she asks with a huge grin.
"I came back for Mother," I say, only to yell at myself when she pouts, "but we can do the dino ride later, okay?" I offer. Look, first off, YOU try saying "no" to an S class super villain. It isn't smart. And secondly, who wouldn't want to ride a skele-dino? It sounds awesome! In fact part of me is shouting that we can take half an hour and—
"Well, pooh," Skye says. "But I'm going to hold you to that, okay?" she says before letting go of me.
"Come in, my boy," I hear Mother say. I jerk, wondering why I feel a cold chill run down my spine. I shove it off, heading inside with a huge smile.
"You look beautiful, Mother," I say, heading to the chair where she's sitting. I dig through my pockets, pulling out a copy of my latest CD. It's a year or two old, and I feel guilty for that fact, but hey, I hadn't exactly planned this out. "I brought you a gift—it's my latest CD. I'm going to do a new one soon, I promise!" I tell her, sitting as she motions me down.
"Oh, Justin, don't fall for it!" someone wails. I look over at the purple haired girl sitting across from us. "She's not your mother!" she says.
"Please deal with her, Skye, won't you?" Mother says, not even looking over at them.
"Okay!" Skye says cheerfully. I can't help but stare at the purple haired girl, something niggling at the back of my mind. The mission—
"Thank you, Justin," she says, looking at the CD fondly. "This will be most helpful. You're such a good son," she adds, reaching out and touching my hand. The song lyrics are screaming in my mind.
"I have a question," a male says from behind me. I look up, watching blankly as Senator Herold strolls into the room. "WHAT do you think you're doing?"
"Oh Marvin!" she says, her face lighting up with joy. "You didn't tell me you were visiting today! I could have prepared something for dinner!"
"Mom," he says, "what is JUSTIN GREGORY doing here?" he demands, ignoring completely how she tries to fix her hair. "And worse! SKYSTEP!" he bellows, waving a hand at the super villain in question. I dare to look over at Skye—she's trying to play a card game with the tied up girl. Mother HAD said "deal" with her, I guess. It sort of makes sense.
"How can I keep you from seeing them if you hold my hand?" the purple haired girl asks. Kirsten, a part of my mind provides. Her name is Kirsten. I'm here to—
"Explain what you're thinking," Herold says sharply, looking at Mother.
"You have no right to talk to Mother like that!" I say, getting to my feet and stepping between them.
"I have EVERY right," he says, looking down at me. He's remarkably tall. I didn't expect him to top six feet by so much, I think. Then again, I've never really thought about this old guy at all. I'm not really big on politics. I don't even know which party he's from, now that I think about it.
"Justin, sweetie, stand down," Mother says. "Let me talk with your big brother for a while. Why don't you go get us something to eat? I'm sure there's a restaurant or fast food joint near here!"
"Yes, Mother," I say, starting for the door.
"You can't send JUSTIN GREGORY out for fast food! Do you even know who he is?" Herold demands. "He's a famous teenage heartthrob! The moment he even steps into one of those places he'll be attacked by rabid fangirls. Really, Mom, don't you think ANYTHING through?" He waves a hand at all of us. "Wipe their minds and send them home."
"But I like them so," Mother says, frowning. "Really, Marvin, you need to relax and enjoy yourself at least once!" She crosses one leg over the other. "But fine, Skye, sweetie, will YOU go get us something to eat?"
"Sure, Mother!" Skye says, hopping to her feet—nope, disregard that. She's standing a foot off the ground. In fact, she's not even wearing shoes, is she? I hadn't noticed that earlier. Her socks don't match. "Wait, hmmm…" she looks around, thoughtfully, and heads to a corner to grab a large stick. "This should work!"
"For what?" Herold asks after we all stare at her for a moment.
"To do a stick up, of course!" Skye says with a proud grin. "I'll be back! If the helicopters fly by just keep from being seen, okay?"
"You can't stick up a fast food joint!" Herold practically wails.
"You suck," Skye says to him, looking strangely serious. "My OTHER brother would let me stick up a fast food joint!"
"Other brother?"
"Technico!" she says.
Herold looks faint.
"She's right," I admit with a shrug. "If Technico is her brother, he'd let her do it—he did it once, himself, sort of." He'd held all of the customers hostage, at least.
"Technico is NOT your brother," Herold tells her, finally. "Mom brainwashed him, just like she did the rest of you—"
"No, actually, I've never met the man," Mother says, studying her fingernails a bit too intently.
"You've never met the man," Herold repeats. "So she actually IS the sister of a Hall member?"
"TWO Hall members!" Skye says. "Liz is my sister!"
"And who is Liz, dare I ask?"
"Firefly!"
Something is screaming in my head that this conversation needs to stop. I groan, rubbing my temple for a moment. "She's delusional," I say. Herold looks over at me. "There's no way she's related to Technico and Firefly—she's got to be making it up."
"Why is that?" Mother asks.
"I'm not—" Skye starts out, only to stop.
"Because they're Central and she's South, right? She's ALWAYS been South, they've always been Central—well, other than the time Nico was in the Cape Cells—"
Oh crap, I shouldn't have called him Nico. They're staring at me, especially Herold. "Hey, look, I'll get the food," I say instead, digging my black rimmed glasses out of my pocket. "But if we're going to feed all of us, I'll need an extra hand—can I have her come with me?" I ask, motioning to Kirsten.
"Why is she tied up, Mom?" Herold asks, glancing over at me again before changing the subject. Maybe he didn't catch my slip up, after all? I mean “Technico” and “Nico” sound alike.
"Oh, I can't do anything with her," Mother says. "She's one of those little healers they have running around—a mental type. But that's why I can't let her go. She'll tell people about you and me, darling, and we can't have that out in the public, now can we?"
"Yo
u can't do anything with her?" Herold asks.
"It just goes right back to how it was," Mother agrees. "It's really quite fascinating, actually. Who knew these humans had such interesting abilities? But we're going to have to keep her under wraps. You know, until after we've taken over the world."
"We are NOT taking over the world!" Herold says. Something in his tone tells me they've had this argument several times before. "I'm not going to let you, Mom. I'm only trying to become president because supers like you overreach themselves in this world—I'm going to stop that from happening."
"So… tacos sound good?" I ask, heading for Kirsten's chair. "I could really go for Mexican right about now."
"Stop right there," Herold says, holding out a hand to me. I pull to a stop, my fingers still reaching for the ropes that bind Kirsten. "Mother, are you sure you have him under your control?"
"Why of course I do," Mother says. "Look at the boy, he's willing to do anything for me."
"But he's taking the mind healer with him."
"Well he obviously can't take Skye! As dear as she is, she does seem a bit ill-equipped for operating in society."
"He's taking the one you said—no, this is the perfect opportunity, go get us tacos, boy," Herold says, waving me off. "Take your little girlfriend, as well." But his actions aren't matching his words, I realize as his hand reaches into his pocket. He walks over to me. "But before you go," he says silently, placing a hand on my shoulder, "swear that you won't tell a soul about this incident. If this were to get out, well, who knows what would happen to the two of you?"
I swallow, feeling this unnatural pressure bearing down on me. Without thinking I find myself nodding, and stepping back. For an old guy politician, he's seriously scary. I feel someone take my hand and I jerk, looking at Kirsten. All of a sudden things snap back into place.
Oh crap, I think as I hear Mother make a startled sound, I am in the most dangerous situation of my life.
***
"We could go in there and just finish this," Superior says. He, Nico, and Mastermental are floating almost a mile away from the warehouse where Justin is. "If we cut off the head, we'll be done with the whole problem."
"According to the kids, she controlled Shadowman like she did Justin and Skye," Nico says. "Shadowman's almost as old as you two—"
"Not hardly," Superior snorts.
"And you willingly admit that?" Nico asks. "Regardless, we don't know who else she's gotten to, and we don't know how she's using Herold—or if Herold is using her. Besides," he says, his expression hard to read, "don't you want to know if she really is like you?"
The look on Superior's face turns hard. "If she is, it's best to get rid of her now."
"You're not thinking about the most problematic part," Double M says mildly.
"What would that be?" Nico asks.
"You just sent Negatia's son into a very dangerous situation. If you turn that situation into a full out S-class battle, she would have every justification to get you both sent to the Cape Cells."
"And the healer," Nico says. "We can't risk a healer, Dad," he says reluctantly. His mind is so focused on the fact that the "D-word" just slipped out without him noticing. "Especially if Emily is right and she's a mental healer."
"With as rare as healers are, you have a point," Double M says. He jerks, abruptly, and races forward without explaining. The Superiors look at each other for all of a second before chasing after him.
Something huge must have happened.
***
Crap. Crap, crap, crraaaaaap—we're all going to DIE—
"Mother, you said she was a mental healer, correct?" Herold says almost blandly.
"I did mention it, yes," Mother says, a little smile pulling at her lips. They both know I've regained my senses, but it sounds like they think Kirsten did it. Thank GOD.
"Who are you?" I ask, grabbing onto the fact with both hands. "What am I doing here? I've got a concert that I should be getting ready for!" The look on Kirsten's face might give us away—she's completely confused. "You!" I say, looking at her. "You're that one girl from the park, right? Did you drag me here?"
"I—" she starts out. She's going to fumble it, I can tell. Her eyes are wide and her mouth is moving but nothing is coming out.
"You're just lucky I happen to like my fans," I tell her. "But if you think you're going to drag me off to some strange place and kidnap me, you're seriously wrong—all kidnappings are legally required to be on HTV," I tell her, hauling her backwards toward the door. "That way my teammates can save me dramatically—although WHEN I became the resident damsel in distress, I have no clue," I mutter.
We're almost to the door. I take another step back, only to bump into a solid object. I turn, looking up with dread. Herold stands right behind us. "I'm afraid I can't allow this just yet," he says. "Not until we take care of this properly."
"You're such a good son," Mother says happily as he pulls a small metal gun out of his pocket. I gulp, certain he's going to kill me, but he doesn't even aim it at me. He aims it straight at Kirsten. "This should allow us to clean up the problem," he says. A flash of light hits her and her eyes widen. The blood leaves her face and she sways, falling over. "Now, if you would, Mother?" he says.
"Of course my dear," she says, finally getting out of her chair and walking over. She reaches for Kirsten's face, caressing her cheek. "Forget, little one, forget all of this—" but I see her mouth move silently, and I know she added something that even my super hearing couldn't pick up.
Before I know it, she's turning to me. I find myself drowning in her kaleidoscope eyes as her hand reaches for me—
I can't stop myself. I scream at full power, hitting her with everything I have. She even goes flying back a few feet before catching herself. It's enough to make Herold let go of me so he can plug his ears with his fingers. I grab Kirsten, glancing at Skye for all of a second before racing away at top speed. Skye waves goodbye in that brief second.
I run, certain I’m about to die, only to feel relief slam through me at full power when I catch sight of Nico, Mastermental, and Superior. I head for Nico, Kirsten slung over my shoulder, and grab on as he holds out a hand. "We've got to get out of here."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Technico," Herold says from behind me.
"I'm afraid I can't return the sentiments," Nico says, pushing me behind him.
"And you are?" Herold asks Superior. He completely ignores Mastermental.
“I’ll just be leaving, then. Well done, Justin,” Mastermental says silently, nodding to us before flying away.
Superior nods his head, not answering as Nico taps on his watch. I grab on just before we teleport away. The cold is almost refreshing when we get to where we're going. I take in a deep breath and look around, not surprised to see Aubrey and her other healers staring at us a bit blankly.
"We've brought you a new healer," Nico says, pulling Kirsten off of my shoulder. She's still unconscious. "She's had her powers taken, I'd say."
"Herold shot her with this little metal gun," I say. "And then Mother told her to forget everything that happened, and maybe something else. I couldn’t hear it."
"I see," Superior says, his eyes lighting up slightly. "That's a good way to deal with a mental type."
"So what happens to me?" I ask as the healers descend upon Kirsten to get her back on her feet. "Do I just go back to touring? There's a chance they'll come after me again—I know what's going on."
"You have a point," Nico agrees. "We'll cancel the tour—and bring your group back into the school. You've accomplished your main goal already," he adds, nodding to where Kirsten is waking up slowly.
"Where am I?" she demands as she looks around. "It's FREEZING!"
"Alyssa, can you spare your second snow suit?" Aubrey asks, taking over. I expected that.
"Now, since it’s as good a time as any, let’s wrap this up. Justin Gregory, you are officially released from super duty," Nico says in a formal tone. "Once this is
over and we've dealt with Mother, I'll make you a power stopping bracelet. You can return to the life you've wanted. Your name will be taken off the list of future and active heroes for the rest of your life."
"Wait… so you'll just kick me out of the school?" I ask. “Out of the Hall?”
"That's what you've wanted, right? If we stop your chances of losing control completely, there's no reason to keep you in the game. We just need to inform your mother."
"Mother?" I repeat.
"Your real mother," he says, heading for one of the screens on the wall. Negatia appears on the screen, her expression pale, her hands shaking slightly. I've never seen so many emotions on her face before—especially when the look turns to relief. "Are you okay, Justin? They didn't do anything to you, did they?"
"I'm fine, Mom," I say, letting out a slow breath. It's good to see her face.
"We're calling to tell you what your kid's decided for his life," Nico says, going straight for the heart of the matter. "Right now he's in a dangerous position—we'll keep him protected at the school until it's taken care of, but as far as I'm concerned, he's done his duty as a super."
"I don't see how that's your decision to make," she says, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"It's my job as a principal to declare whether a student is capable of going into the field or not," he says. "It's in the contract you signed, if you want to look for yourself. In order to recompense you for a lost super, I'll see that you get first pick on any one student you decide on, outside of those already determined. If they go along with it, the debt will be paid, if not, well, you can pick another one."
"But—"
I find myself saying the exact same thing. My hand goes out, trying to stop him before I realize it. This is everything I've ever wanted—freedom from the shadow my father left behind, freedom from the risks, freedom from wearing tights for the rest of my life. So why am I hesitating? Nico looks at me, not saying a word.
