Vegas wasn’t having much luck getting any closer to the bot despite her tech ability, so I let down my energy field in hopes that it would lock on and target me. I thought my plan worked too well as it began hurling a stream of bullets at me, which I narrowly blocked. My distraction gave Vegas enough to grab hold of the machine’s leg and begin frying its system. As the bullets stopped and it began swinging, I started firing time energy blasts at it. After about three hits and Vegas’ having done damage to its internal system, the robot collapsed; it would have fallen on the manor had I not protected the historical building with a time field.
Vegas: “I take it you’re not mad at me, if you more or less saved my life.”
Riley: “Getting there.”
Vegas: “Regardless, thank you.”
Riley: “You know, one good thing came from today.”
Ink: “What is that?”
Riley: “The charity event ended early.”
June 24th, 3:30 p.m.
After the attack at the charity function, things went back to normal. I started training the kids again at the Pennsylvania Security Safe House even though I had sworn I would retire. Being that no one remembered my freak out, it didn’t feel so weird to be back. There was still an emptiness inside my chest but life goes on after true love or some shit like that.
Jordan didn’t blab my identity to the press, although he’d never gotten my name, so that might have been a moot point. Not even sure what Jordan could have said other than “Some chick dressed as a waitress turned into Vicis!” Due to paranoia or just wanting to forget about the present, I did watch Jordan from a distance for a few days to make sure he kept quiet. From observation, all he did was draw and spend time with his family. Family. That was now something I guessed I was not meant to have.
Riley: “Class, you are done for the day.”
All the kids ran out except for Emery and Sona, who’d made it a habit in recent weeks of staying after to talk to me. I was glad to see, over the course of weeks, that they were becoming friends as they were a lot alike. Time after time, I had tried to get them to hang out but neither really wanted to do anything with the other outside of class. I thought that when Arcadia let them remember the poison incident, it made them face some uncomfortable things about their past, as both girls had been through a lot.
While Emery had escaped men who probably would have done unthinkable things to her, Sona’s backstory wasn’t any less disheartening. Sona and her father were a small but happy family. Then, in one fell swoop, Mr. Blaso’s minions had shot Sona and her dad. Why? All for a fucking car. The two criminals were fleeing us heroes and thought they would have a better chance to get away if they stole a vehicle. Much like how I saved Emery, I’d done the same for Sona, which again, I got shit for, but was totally worth it. As for the criminals, they were brought to justice after they “fell” and hurt themselves.
Emery: “Would you like to go on a picnic with us?”
Riley: “I think I am going to pass.”
Emery: “What are you going to do, go home and lie on your couch?”
Riley: “Usually, but tonight I am going antihero.”
Sona: “What does that even mean?”
Emery: “You will find out tomorrow in the paper. However, if you want to do a victory picnic tomorrow, I might be up for it.”
With that, I strolled out of the room humming a tune. Everyone deals with pain differently; for me, it was plotting the takedown of a royal pain in my ass. For years, Mr. Blaso had been getting away with murder, and tonight, I would get away with his.
When the evening came, as per usual, Mr. Blaso was heading back to New York City after a long stretch at his mistress’ home, in Upstate. They had had a thing go on for years and from what I gathered she was the woman he loved, but he’d married another for connections. It was a three-way mistake, for sure.
So, as I was saying, there Mr. Blaso was, driving his little sports car and completely oblivious as to what was about to him. As soon as he got on the small bridge, it blew up and his car tumbled into the water. I was surprised that Vegas had helped me make explosives, but maybe not so much as I’d told her we would be square afterwards.
Since the snake had many lives, Vegas and I waited for him to rise from the watery grave, which, sure enough, he did. As Mr. Blaso made his way to the shore, Vegas came out and jumped him. Once Vegas had Mr. Blaso pinned to the ground, she made him confess his sins while I recorded his words. When his confession was complete, I thought about taking him to jail, but Mr. Blaso would just make the tape disappear so I made him vanish as was planned.
Before the night was over, Vegas sent a recording of Mr. Blaso’s confession to all the news media outlets. She made it look like Phantoms and Ghost had sent the tape, which they would gladly take credit for. While that organization didn’t like heroes, they didn’t care much for Mr. Blaso as he was always creating a need for heroes. It was kind of like the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and so we used their ego for Vegas’ and my benefit.
Vegas: “As soon as we leave here, we never talk about this moment again and deny any connection.”
Riley: “Agreed. Good night, Vegas.”
Vegas: “Are we square?”
Riley: “Yes.”
June 25th, 11:17 a.m.
I might have had too much to drink when I got home last night as I slept like the dead. When I walked out of my bedroom, I saw Emery and Sona playing video games. When did that become a thing, where they just let themselves in?
Riley: “I see you both have let yourself in.”
Sona: “You told us we could go on a picnic today.”
Emery: “I made sandwiches and took some snacks from the main building. Basket is on the dining room table.”
I casually strolled over to the dining room and I was not disappointed by all the goodies that Emery had packed. It would appear that I didn’t need to make myself breakfast today, which was fine because I was only going to eat leftover cold pizza. All I needed to do was get dressed and then I could be feasting—wait, was that a bottle of wine?
Riley: “We are not bringing this wine with us.”
Emery: “Why not?”
Riley: “I don’t encourage underage drinking. I will grab some sparkling water and juice boxes from my fridge.”
Sona: “Juice boxes? How old do you think we are?”
Riley: “Fine, more juice boxes for me. Drink the water. I don’t care.”
It only took me fifteen minutes to brush my hair, teeth, and get dressed.
Riley: “Ready to picnic?”
Emery: “You might want to check your phone first as it’s been blowing up since 8:00 a.m.”
Riley: “Why were you girls up so early on your day off?”
Emery: “I’m an early bird.”
Riley: “I don’t even know you.”
Sona: “I would have preferred to sleep in as well.”
I padded over to my cell phone, which was plugged into the wall. It was now at one hundred percent battery and I had fourteen missed calls along with twenty texts from an assortment of people. After quickly texting everyone back, I decided to call Arcadia.
Riley: “Hey. Sorry, I was sleeping. What’s up?’
Arcadia: “Did you see the news?”
Riley: “Again, I was sleeping.”
Arcadia: “Mr. Blaso was caught confessing to numerous crimes and there is a warrant out for his arrest. It appears that he sank his car in a lake before disappearing, but I have a good feeling Mr. Blaso will finally be brought to justice.”
Riley: “Why did he confess?”
Arcadia: “The Phantoms and Ghost are taking credit for it but they aren’t saying his whereabouts.”
Riley: “Good. Maybe he is swimming with the fishes in another lake.”
Arcadia: “Riley, it’s better if he rots in jail.”
Riley: “Such a great use of tax dollars.”
Arcadia: “Always got to look at the negative side of things. T
his is a win. We should take it.”
Riley: “Out of curiosity, who is in charge of all Mr. Blaso’s business ventures now?”
Arcadia: “His son, Tim.”
Riley: “We will see how that goes. Anyway, I promised Emery and Sona a picnic, so I better go. Spread the word that I know so I don’t have everyone calling me on my day off.”
Arcadia: “Will do. Talk to you later.”
After hanging up, I let out a yawn. It was almost too easy to fool Arcadia. I almost feel bad for lying. Almost.
Riley: “Turn on the news.”
It turned out every news station was covering the Blaso story. Sona’s eyes began to tear up before she suddenly ran over to me. I was a bit alarmed when she hugged me as I was not a hugger.
Sona: “Thank you for getting rid of that monster.”
Riley: “I wish I could take credit for it, but I cannot. So let’s go picnic.”
I pushed Sona slightly away so she’d let go. Then I grabbed a blanket along with the picnic basket and headed out the door. The girls followed close behind and we set up our picnic not too far from the house. It was a very lovely afternoon as it wasn’t too hot and the sun was shining. It felt good to be alive and this was the first time in weeks, I actually felt, dare I say, happy. There was just this lingering sadness, but I was trying not to think about that.
June 25th, 3:01 p.m.
Emery: “I’m going to use the bathroom inside.”
Riley: “What, you don’t want to pee in the woods?”
Emery rolled her eyes at me.
Emery: “Be back in a—”
And she was gone. I resumed drinking from my juice box and didn’t even get a full sip before Emery zipped back. Hopefully, she’d washed her hands.
Emery: “Riley! Riley! You have to go inside.”
Riley: “Why? What’s the matter?”
Emery: “All your living room furniture has been pushed across the room and there’s some kind of metal door in the middle of room. There is also some kind of box with a red button that says ‘push me’ and I kind of want to push it.”
Riley: “I swear, Emery, if you are lying—”
Emery: “I’m not!”
Riley: “Call Mac and Arcadia and tell them to get here now.”
The three of us raced to my house and, obviously, Emery won. To my shock there was, in fact, a metal door in the living room with some kind of alien writing on top. Could it be? Had Grier figured out I was still alive and sent a door for me?
Emery: “Mac says we have to stop meeting like this, but nevertheless he is on the way here. He also said that you owe him your first-born child.”
Riley: “Acceptable terms.”
Emery and Sona giggled.
Sona: “Hey, what’s this?”
Sona pointed to three white boxes on the ground. Each box had one of our names on it. We each picked up our designated boxes. Inside mine was a revamped uniform which ditched my traditional cape and colors. This uniform was now black, silver, and red. There were also black gloves, boots, and a mask inside the box. The final item inside was a red, white, and blue necklaces, which didn’t particularly match, but I kind of liked it with the outfit.
Emery; “Cool. We got uniforms.”
Riley: “You are too young for uniforms.”
Sona: “Tell that to whoever gave them to us.”
Emery: “I’m going to try mine on.”
Sona: “Me too.”
As the girls went into the bedroom to change, I tried to figure out who had done all this. Maybe Jax was setting another trap. If Grier had known I was alive and wanted to be with him, I thought he would be here right now. Grier probably still assumed I’d run away. So the only other logical explanation was that Riley from the future had somehow managed to sneak into my house and orchestrate this whole thing.
Emery: “What do you think of our uniforms?”
Riley: “Look great. Now take it off.”
Emery: “I think we are supposed to go with you through the portal.”
Riley; “Explain.”
Emery: “There are four backpacks in your bedroom, two which contain our stuff and one with yours.”
Riley: “What about the fourth one?”
Sona: “Weapons. There is even a pair of power-restricting shackles in there with a sticky note on that says “For Jax.” I think you are supposed to use them on him.”
Riley: “Me, being a key word. I am not going to have you girls go through the portal with me because there may be no way back. Who knows what’s out there or even if you two will like it.”
Emery: “Sometimes in life you have to take risk.”
There was a knock at the front door. Saved by Arcadia and Mac, who I promptly let in. Mac wasted no time analyzing the portal and he confirmed my suspicion that there was time energy all over it. So, apparently, in the future, there weren’t just doors to other dimensions but also to other galaxies. I wasn’t sure if I should be frightened or excited.
Arcadia: “You are awfully quiet, Riley.”
Riley: “This is the door to Reirg.”
Mac: “If you go by the writing up top, then yes.”
Sona: “How do you know what it says?”
Mac: “One of the soldiers was kind enough to translate his alphabet into English. I will just pull it up on my phone and—here we go. It says, Dedicated to Team Occurrence, saviors of Earth and the Flory Way Galaxy.”
Emery: “I think we are supposed to go. The three of us.”
Riley: “I told you, you aren’t going.”
Emery: “The minute that portal opens, I will speed through, so I am just letting you know.”
Riley: “These are powerful aliens. Mac. Arcadia. Please back me up and tell the girls that coming with me is a bad idea.”
Mac: “Actually …”
Arcadia: “I think Sona and Emery should go.”
The girls squealed with delight.
Riley: “No, this is not a good idea. Side panel, now.”
I user Arcadia and Mac across the room.
Riley: “Why aren’t you two backing me up? Seriously?”
Arcadia: “It would appear your future self wants them to go. There has to be a reason for it, and the girls are old enough to make decisions.”
Riley: “They haven’t graduated school and aren’t even legal adults yet.”
Mac: “Reirg has great schools. Not to mention, Emery’s speeding abilities could be useful and as you know, Sona does more than float around. She can shoot water from one hand and lightning from the other. She is a bona fide kickass cloud.”
Mac was right. Emery and Sona were not forces to be messed with. If I let the girls travel to another world with me, would it be the right decision? By the time I made my way back to Sona and Emery I had made up my mind that they were old enough to decide if they wanted to leave Earth.
Riley: “I will let the two of you come to Reirg with me but first we must come up with superhero names for you both. I think Noctilucient for you, Sona. It’s a type of cloud that shines in the night.”
Sona: “I can get behind that.”
Emery: “What about my name?”
Riley: “Urgency.”
Emery: “It’s short. It’s simple. I can get behind the name, Vicis.”
Riley: “I can’t believe we are doing this.”
Arcadia: “Well, someone needs to stop the galactic baddie and rescue the prince.”
I thought about arguing but I couldn’t as everything inside of me was screaming to go through the portal right now. However, we waited until after an early dinner and the use of the bathroom by all before firing up the teleporter. Finally, after picking up our backpacks, plus the bag of weapons, Sona, Emery, and I left Earth for good.
Reirg, June 25th, 5:17 p.m. (Earth time)
How can I describe teleporting across galaxies? Nauseating at best, and I am not even sure how long we were traveling as, before I know it, we were spit out on what I can only assume was Reirg.
Emery: “Whoa.”
Whoa, indeed. The grass was a lilac purple and the sky had hints of red. Leaves on trees were a variety of purple, pinks, and blues. It felt as though we’d fallen into a fairy tale, which I knew was not the case. I swore if I saw a unicorn there was a very good chance I’d look for a place to commit myself. Never in my life had I seen such a place so beautiful and I was really having a hard time coming to terms with it being real.
Sona: “It’s like paradise.”
Riley: “Not going to get my hopes up. Still have to find Grier and potentially stop a wedding.”
Sona: “If it already happened, can you go back in time and stop the wedding since we are on the planet?”
Riley: “I’m not sure how my powers will work here, or any of ours for that matter.”
Emery: “Look, there is a man over there, gardening. I think that’s what he is doing.”
Emery, Sona, and I made our way to the man.
Sona: “Excuse me. Do you know where Prince Grier lives?”
The man looked at us like we had three heads.
Emery: “I don’t think he speaks our language.”
So we waved goodbye, not even sure if he understood that, but he smiled at us nevertheless. My assumption was that the man was of a lower class by the way he was clothed. It was a good chance that, if that was the case, he would not be privy to a foreign language such as ours.
Sona: “So now what?”
Then There Was New York Page 22