by R. J. Ross
“Then come back to life, Marie! It is cliché in our world for reason!” she says, floating high over the woman that had gone several feet into the snow. “You are not done, yet.”
CHAPTER NINE
So you’re probably wondering where I’ve been during this fight, huh? I took a few moments to toss together a handful of drones and find the best vantages to the fight. Right now I’m sitting on top of the mountain, my phone in my hands as I record the fight between the two. So far they’ve either not noticed or not cared that I’ve got five little recording drones hovering all around them. I should feel guilty for treating this like a show, I know, but really—there’s nothing I can do personally in a fight between such high class capes. Besides, Grandma looks like she’s enjoying herself. To stop her fun at this point would be a crime. Thanks to the time travel episode, she was retired long before she was actually ready.
Maybe, I think a little excitedly, when I’m grown I’ll be able to come up here and go toe to toe with her! I’ll probably lose, sure, but the very idea sends a shiver of excitement down my spine. Is this how Max feels? The question shocks me slightly as I realize why he enjoys his job so much. I’ve never had the urge to test myself against anyone before. I can see how he could enjoy it so much if it feels like this!
Grandma looks at me, giving me a brilliant grin. “You are getting my good side, no, kitten?” Yep, she noticed.
“Absolutely!” I tell her, zooming in on the grin. “You’re beautiful, Grandma!” Just before she replies, Mother shoots out of the snow, slamming into Grandma and sending them both flying miles away. I adjust the cameras, sending the fastest ones to follow them, and get to my feet. I need to follow—
“Zoe?” I hear Rocco say over my earbud. “I’m going to need a bit of help.”
“Did you call Dad?” I ask him, keeping track of the fight through both the cameras and watching closely.
“He’s getting the serum, but he wants us to keep her occupied for fifteen minutes—”
“Oh, that won’t be a problem,” I say. “Grandma’s playing with her.”
“Well, he also wants me to steal the watch back.”
“Oh… um… I think I could get it—”
“I’m the one that’s supposed to do it,” he says. “I think it’s a challenge to prove my loyalty.”
“Did Dad put it that way?”
“No, but he didn’t have to,” Rocco says from behind me. I turn, watching him head for me. “I’m the son of Shadowman. There’s no way they’ll trust me blindly—it’s built into my very powers. I’m not trustworthy by nature.”
“Powers are neutral by nature,” I say, a bit worried by the grim look on his face. “They’re like anything dangerous—guns, fists, even bombs—”
“What good can a bomb do?” he asks.
“It can stop a large group of dangerous people from doing bad things, just like guns can stop a small group. It’s all a matter of how you use it. It’s never the weapon that’s good or evil, Rocco, it’s the person wielding it. It’s like… you might be able to keep a villain from getting a hold of a weapon, but if they’re intent on killing someone, they’ll grab a rock, or a knife, or do it with their fists, or build a bomb out of cleaning supplies! People killed others LONG before guns were invented, you know? I mean, even Cain killed Abel. But it works both ways. You can keep a hero from having a weapon, as well, but if they’re intent on helping someone, they’ll do it using whatever they can get their hands on. Just like the villain does.”
“Yeah, okay,” he says, turning to look at the fight. “I guess,” he adds to himself. He takes a deep breath, his hands clenching at his sides.
“Look, you don’t have to do this—” I start out, seeing worry in his eyes. “I can get the watch for you. Dad doesn’t need to know—”
“You know what I really want to be?” Rocco asks me. “I want to save those kids out there that nobody cares about. I want them to know that someone is looking out for them. If I’m too much of a chicken to do a quick job like this, how will I ever be a real hero?”
“Well, yeah, but I really doubt those kids are between two S-Class supers battling for fun—” and he’s gone, I think as he slides through the nearest shadow. I really doubt he heard that.
I jump off the mountain, flying towards the fight. There’s no way I’m going to let him do this on his own.
***
They’re both females, Rocco tells himself as he races through the Shadowlands, both—okay, that means absolutely NOTHING, he admits a second later. He’s been chased by Marigold, caught by Firefly, and even picked up like a toy by Star Spangled. If ANYTHING, super females scare him more than the males. They are WAY tougher than he is—he’s just a skinny kid from the ghetto that just happens to travel by shadows. He’s been in Cape High long enough to know that he’s not nearly as strong as most of them. Any one of the bigger named kids could wipe the floor with him in a fist fight—even Jack, and Jack’s the slowest of the lot. And Zoe? Zoe punched through rocket resistant glass! She’s like, the sixteen year old granddaughter of one of these ladies, right? She says to stay out of the fight!
He’s going to die. He’s going to die without even having a girlfriend, which is the pathetic part, he decides, cheering up in a morbid fashion. In a school full of cute super girls, he hasn’t done a thing to get a date! “Wow, I really AM pathetic,” he says aloud, startling one of the nearby shadow creatures. “No, okay, I got it,” he declares. “If—no WHEN I live through this, I’ll ask out the first non-attached girl I see.”
Now with a good reason to live, he steps forward, his mind focusing on the task ahead of him.
***
“You just sent the kid into a brawl between S-class capes,” Superior says as they leave Central Hall. Nico has a small box in his hand, one that has two glowing syringes inside. Both are trying not to think about them. To an older cape, it’s the same as the death sentence in a way. Their real age as normal humans—Superior shoves the thought aside. This “Mother” lady should have never messed with his kids.
“He’s a shadow walker,” Nico says. “He should have plenty of opportunities to get close—”
“We’re still in the sunny months, Nico. There’s no night.”
Nico goes silent for a long moment. “I hadn’t thought of that,” he finally admits. “Then we’ll see what he can do, and go from there,” he says. “I’d rather she not run off before we get there.”
“Do you think...” Superior says slowly, only to stop.
“Think what?”
“That it would be better to put her in the Cape Cells?”
Nico goes silent. “With her powers, I don’t think we can,” he finally admits. “She can take over the television signals—she probably has to be close to at least one of the towers, but she knows how.”
“You can do that.”
“Of course I can,” Nico says, “but she uses her powers to do subliminal messaging. She could easily provoke the norms into war—or even just flat out killing each other without sides. She’s too dangerous to have here when she doesn’t play by the rules.”
“But she has a point,” Superior says. “Our species is practically dead.”
“Good,” Nico says coldly. “The less people like you, the better off we all are.”
“You’re like me,” Superior says. “And as long as my children have children, there’s always the chance we’ll have another atomic level manipulator. Just look at Noelle. Your mother says she will have a bit of it.” He goes silent for a moment, looking a bit too thoughtful. “Why haven’t you married Summer yet? You two could have more kids. Your mother’s quite happy with all the grandchildren running around.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Nico drawls with less sarcasm than he was aiming for.
“Who knows, the third might be our atomic manipulator!”
“I can see just how much you value my relationships, Father,” Nico drawls, flying towards the Arctic Circle. “You work
so hard looking out for my emotional well-being.”
“I’m not picky on gender,” Superior says. “Although I could use some more grandsons. I’m a bit full-up on granddaughters.”
“I REALLY have no say in that one, you know.”
“Sure you do—you just have to keep trying.” He looks over. “So what will you do about the son?” he asks.
The evil expression on Nico’s face almost makes him worried. Almost.
***
The fight is going strong. Tatiana hits the ground this time, crashing through the snow and ice several, several feet. She blinks as she sees a hand slip through the ice beside her, grabbing for her wrist. For a moment she just watches as the hand wraps around the wrist, goes still, and then lets go again. “Ah, sorry,” she hears a boy say silently. “I was aiming for the other one.”
“It is perfectly fine!” Tatiana says. “Can I help?”
“No, I’ve got this,” he says, his face coming out just enough to show who it is. “But if you could toss her down here or somewhere close, I’d appreciate it.”
“That will not be a problem.” She takes to the air and he dares to step out slightly, watching the fight. At first Mother had been outclassed, but now she’s holding even with Tatiana, using her powers to supplement her hits and avoid attacks. It’s like the evolution of a fighter in fast-forward. Tatiana is thrilled.
“You can always turn good, Marie!” she says, slamming her knee into the woman’s midsection. It sends Marie flying back a few feet before she catches herself. “I have never seen such fast learning! You are thing of beauty! If only you were not trying to turn the world against supers.”
“Of course I’m trying to turn them against supers!” Marie snaps. “Humans are sheep, and you of all people should understand that—”
“Says woman that was in love with one,” Tatiana says, twisting through the air and slamming one heavily muscled leg into Marie’s side. She watches as Marie hits the exact same hole she’d fallen into earlier. Now to see if the boy can pull off—she sighs as Marie comes up with the boy in her arms, a finger trailing over his cheek.
“Really, don’t you think a shadow walker would be a more useful tool at night?” Marie asks.
“It is night,” Tatiana says easily, her eyes on the boy. She expects to see the fear in his eyes, but the stubbornness is a surprise--a very good one.
“Let him go!” Zoe shouts from behind her. Tatiana turns to look at her, a bit surprised to see the ship floating right behind the girl, along with all the machines from Nico’s room. From the red dots scattered over the ground, it looks like there are several lasers in the mix. “Let him go, or I’ll make you.”
Marie stares at her a bit dumbfounded before letting out a laugh. “Oh, how adorable you are,” she says. “And at such a young age, too! You and all your little lasers—so cute!”
A wave of red dots appear on Marie, joining into one large dot aimed right between her eyes. “You don’t understand, lady,” Zoe says. “You’re done kidnapping my fellow students. You’re done manipulating the norms. And you are completely done as a super. You abuse your powers. You’re going to wind up in the Cape Cells, along with Shadowman. Maybe if you’re lucky you’ll get to see each other once in a blue moon.”
“And you think you’re going to make me?” Marie asks.
“No, I’m just keeping you distracted,” Zoe says as unyielding arms wrap around Marie from behind. She feels a needle poke the back of her neck.
“Let the boy go or Dad'll make it easy to pierce that thick hide of yours,” she hears Technico whisper against her ear. “It’ll strip your powers, leaving you the same as a norm. How old are you, Mother? I’m betting you’re well over a hundred. Do you know what happens to norms at that age?”
She lets go of the boy, who promptly grabs the watch she’s wearing before falling to the ground. “Do it,” she says. “Kill me.”
“You will not!” Tatiana says sharply, making them both look up. “Zoe, kitten, prepare collar—one with insert for glowing green liquid as added threat. Do not be letting anyone, her or any technopath, try to remove it without it stripping her powers and exploding. You can make them as your father does, yes?”
“Yes, I can do that,” Zoe says, racing away for the mountain. Superior moves forward, floating in front of Marie and Nico.
“Don’t even try getting free,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at her.
“You’re letting our species die,” Marie says. “You traitor.”
“I’m not letting it die—I’m improving on it,” he says. “Every Superior child that hasn’t gained my powers or technopathy has taken their mother’s ability and made it worthy of the name Superior. My daughter can manipulate the electric field. My grandson can create entire forests as far as his eyes can see. Do you see where I’m going?”
Her eyes widen with surprise. “I—”
“My daughter is currently dating one of the strongest shifters on the planet,” Superior goes on, looking almost smug. “Can you imagine a Superior shape-shifter? You had an interesting idea, but you aren’t creative enough. My future great-granddaughter will grow up to be a masterpiece of power. She’ll be Mastermental’s granddaughter, as well.”
“I see,” Mother says, looking stunned. “You’re creating an entire army, right here, aren’t you?”
“One that your son will never be able to take down,” Superior says. “Now can we finish her off?” he asks, glancing over at Tatiana.
“Of course not! She is thing of beauty—evil one, yes, but still thing of beauty! I am keeping her,” she declares.
“WHAT?” Nico and Superior demand.
“Nicolas, you are the one that built the Cape Cells, yes? You will set it up so she cannot leave without permission. If she oversteps boundaries, we will take her powers, but as long as she is behaving, she will be part of family!”
“She’s crazy!” Nico says. “We can’t allow her that much freedom—”
“Are you saying that I and your father are not capable guards?”
“She’s after Dad to make Superior clones!” Nico accuses, tightening his hold.
“Oh, that is nothing, it is not as if she will succeed!”
“We can put her in the Cape Cells,” Superior says.
“They have very good guards, yes, but they are not us. We will let it out that ‘Mother’ has lost her powers and died of old age, and she will stay here and help with cooking and cleaning! And if she behaves, we will allow her to brawl with us! And if her son DOES find out and come after her, well, it has become wonderful bait, yes?” There's a wicked gleam in her eyes and the smile she gives him has one slowly crossing his own face.
"You'll call me as soon as he comes," he says, earning a cheerful agreement.
“Help?” Marie whispers pathetically at that offer. Tatiana moves between her and Superior, reaching up and patting her cheek.
“Oh, you will find it quite enjoyable! If you behave for long enough, I will allow you to come to beading classes! We have gotten to intricate designs lately! We will be very good friends, you and I,” Tatiana says with a hint of steel in her voice.
***
We’re letting her live? Now, don’t get me wrong—it’s general practice to put out of control capes into the Cape Cells—but this is a woman that can go toe to toe with Grandma Tatiana! That can hack televisions and brainwash the masses with them! That kidnapped my Aunt Skye—
I grit my teeth, finishing up the collar with extra explosive power. She has to have at least a touch of her abilities or she’ll freeze to death if we keep her up here, but if she’s at the level I think she is, I’m not sure I can STOP her from having at least that much. Dad once mentioned he spent a lot of his time breaking into the Hall computers while he was in the Cape Cells, and he wore both the collar AND the uniform! I grab the collar out of the air and head outside, seeing that Dad still has Mother held tight, with Grandpa and Grandma right there. Rocco is sitting o
n the snow below, looking at the time travel watch curiously.
“We can’t let her stay here!” I burst out as I head for them. “What will you tell Skye when she comes to visit? That you’ve forgiven her kidnapper and brainwasher? Do you know what that’ll do to her?” I demand, handing over the collar when Dad holds out his hand.
“Oh, Skye will forgive her,” Grandma says, waving it off. “We will work through that. Skye is good girl.”
“But it’ll hurt her knowing you’ve taken her in!”
“We’re the most secure place for her, as much as I hate to admit it,” Grandpa says, scowling at her. “Besides, by playing it off as if she’s dead, we might get Herold to trip up.”
“He won’t,” Mother says quietly. “He hates me. I keep trying to connect with him, but it’s obvious that he’s just indulging me. He treats me like a selfish child.”
“Marie, do not lie,” Grandma says, “you ACT as spoiled child. I have seen firsthand.”
Dad hands Mother over to Grandpa, inserting just enough green liquid to take her powers into the slots with a slight scowl. I don’t think he likes handling the stuff—I can’t blame him for that, either. He has the collar clasped around her neck a second later. “There,” he says as she starts to fall. Grandpa catches her and hands her over to Grandma. “This should work—if you try to use enough power to fly, manipulate machines, or run over thirty miles per hour, the needles will automatically deploy. If a technopath, or you, try to take it off it'll inject and THEN explode. Nice touch there, Zoe,” he adds with a nod to me.
“How will we brawl?” Grandma asks me.
“Call either me or Dad and we’ll come up and adjust the collar for the fights,” I say, inwardly sighing. “But you can only do that when you’re certain she isn’t going to run—so it should probably be Dad coming up. The three of you should be enough to stop her with no problem.”
