by Nathan Howe
“Yes, Ma'am.”
“Have you ever tried to, in heat like this?”
Lorenzo nodded his head.
“And?” Wildfire asked.
“I can, but not as well as in cooler temperatures.”
“Good. Continue to practice. Most of the heroes here are the opposite of you. Valiant Glow and me control fire. Albeit in extremely different ways.” That was an understatement. Lorenzo couldn't think of two who accessed fire in any more different ways. Of course, no one understood how Phoenixes did it, to begin with. But he was sure it had nothing to do with a wicked sword. “And we are just a small fraction of the heroes here with fire. You're the only ice hero I have. I requested someone like you. A lot of the villains are fire as well. You're a solid addition to us here in Johnstown.”
Now it made sense why he was here. To help battle the fire villains that tended to venture south. “Thank you, ma'am.”
Lorenzo hoped he didn't disappoint Wildfire. He vowed to practice his powers here. To make sure he was able to battle the fire users better. In training, he regularly came out on top against them.
“Get settled in. Be here Monday morning, six sharp.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“You are both dismissed.”
Anais turned to him. “You have a place set up to stay?”
Lorenzo nodded and jumped back into Anais' car. A short time later, they arrived at the new home they had arranged for him back in Cynosure. Anais helped him find the right place and joined him in checking it out for the first time.
Anais was about to leave. “If you want to hang out this weekend, here's my contact info or if you want help just getting round. Otherwise, I'll see you Monday.”
“Can you pick me up Monday morning?”
“Really? Almost no one ever wants to ride with me a second time.”
“I don't want to walk.”
“Gee thanks,” she said. “I'll be here.”
“Thank you.”
She exited his apartment, leaving him alone.
Lorenzo unpacked his bags. He hoped the rest of his stuff didn't get lost on the way here. He took out his hero uniform. Mostly blue, with white padding for extra protection. And a blue visor for his face, to protect his eyes from the ice shards that he formed flying up and blinding him. It took up half the closet in his tiny room.
Taking it all in, it finally hit home that he wasn't in training anymore. He was out and doing what he’d always dreamed of. He was finally a fully-fledged hero.
The moon provided the only light through his windows, but Lorenzo was ready for his first official day as a hero. He stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom. The uniform gave him confidence and helped him truly appreciate his powers. Every time he dressed in it, he smiled, even though he’d had it now for six months. Every time he put it on it reminded him of his father dressing every day for work in his Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform. How proud he was. Even though he wasn't an Ardent, he still helped the country. His father had wanted Lorenzo to join the military like him and help that way, like many other Ardents had done. But Lorenzo wanted to help in a different way. To be a hero, to wear a costume and save people every day. To follow in the footsteps of his Ardent idols, Invincible and Lider. He almost joined the military for his father who was his true idol, but in the end, the Hero Coalition’s call was stronger.
Monday morning and a rap at the door sounded at quarter to six. Anais had arrived right on time. He opened it, and Anais stood in her uniform, a paler blue than his own with pink accents. The arms and shoulders were armored. It didn't completely cover her, leaving her midriff exposed. It wasn't uncommon for heroes who didn't need as much protection to do that, both men and women. Gorgeous. The uniform highlighted her natural beauty which Lorenzo hadn't noticed on Friday.
“You can stop drooling.” Anais gestured down the hallway to the exit and walked off, Lorenzo right on her heels.
“Sorry,” Lorenzo said. “I didn't mean to stare. It's just you look so different in your uniform.”
“We all do. And you don't look too bad yourself. Wildfire will have a patrol for us today. To test us.”
Lorenzo figured it would be a long local training session before being sent into the field for actual patrols. Sitting around in training rooms bored him to tears. Going on a test would be so much more useful.
Sure enough, Wildfire waited inside the headquarters, in a large open room, used for roll call. Wildfire stood front and center. About a dozen other Ardents filled the room, all lined up, standing in pairs. Anais stepped up to the left and Lorenzo joined her. Wildfire nodded. “Now that our two newest members have arrived. I'll start with this week's schedule.”
She rattled off heroes' names and the sections of the town they would be covering and what shift. It all flew over Lorenzo's head. He didn't know any of the heroes or the locations of town. Once done she walked over to Anais and him. “I want you two to take the first shift, the seven to three shift of Northwest.”
Anais leaned over, “North past the airport.”
“Oh, thanks.”
In the rear of the headquarters, they had a row of large SUVs sporting the Hero Coalition logo. Anais took the keys from the board behind a desk at the rear exit of the building and lead the way to their assigned vehicle.
Anais had been slightly better this morning on the trip over, but Lorenzo didn't expect a trip across town to be event free. After Friday, a few accidents along the way wouldn't be a surprise. “Maybe I should drive,” Lorenzo said next to the SUV. “So I can learn the city better.”
“Next time, Frosty. I got the keys. I drive.”
Great. Lorenzo braced for the worst, but she drove reasonably. Abiding by all the traffic laws, using signals and being respectful of those around her. He glanced at her with a quizzical look in his eyes. “What?” Anais said.
“I expected to be holding on for dear life,” Lorenzo said.
“It's not my car,” Anais veered off the expressway. “Have to be respectful of the logo on the side.”
That made sense.
On the side streets, Anais drove even slower. Letting Lorenzo take in their surroundings, scanning the streets for trouble as they drove. If either of them could have traveled with their powers, they would have parked the SUV and traveled that way. Lorenzo wished he worked that way. Over time, he’d learned to enjoy not having that ability, though, and used it as motivation to improve. He tried to trick himself into liking riding along in the Hero Coalition vehicles.
“Be on the lookout for groups of people dressed in orange with a hellhound on it somewhere.”
Before Lorenzo finished up in Cynosure, he had been given a packet of information about Johnstown. It talked about some of the main groups of ruffians that hung out in the city. “The Inciters?”
Anais nodded. “They have a larger presence on the west side away from our headquarters. They spotted leader Igniteus here recently too.”
The packet contained several pages dedicated to him. None of it covered the years before he had arrived in Johnstown and used his powers for a hostile takeover of the Inciters. All they had was a detailed list of his powers: a fire-based Ardent who carried a razor-sharp ax made of Bisallium, which meant it cut through anything. The notes made certain to tell you to avoid it at all cost. It'd cut off a limb like a hot knife through butter.
“I hope he's not around today,” Lorenzo said. Keeping a keen eye out the window as they drove slower than snails.
“Me too. I haven't seen him in person, and part of me hopes I never do. φωτιά might be able to stop his ax, but I don't want to test that.”
Lorenzo wasn't so sure the sword would stand up to his ax. Bisallium was supposed to be unbreakable. The toughest known metal around and her sword, while magical, didn't appear to be made of it.
“I wonder how my ice shield would hold up. I only tested it against Bisallium once. It didn't go well.”
Anais giggled. “I'm sure it didn't.”
<
br /> A minute later as they rounded a corner, Lorenzo spotted a group in the orange and black vests with hellhounds on their backs. “There,” he said pointing to the right.
“Yup,” Anais said. “You ready?”
“Sure.”
The SUV slowed to a stop. Lorenzo stepped out and started to walk over to the group. Anais was next to him a few seconds later carrying the sword. Part of it was comical. The sword was larger than her, but she held it with confidence. When the group turned and saw it, their jaws dropped.
“You have two decisions,” Anais said. She lifted the sword in front of her. Flames covered it and then jumped over to her, covering her much like Lorenzo had seen back in Cynosure with the Ardent Burning. A bright blue flame engulfed her, matching her uniform. In a matter of seconds, she was completely covered. “Easy or hard.” She smiled. “Please pick hard.”
Lorenzo stepped away, hot as it was without Anais adding to it, but the temperature increased dramatically with her using the sword. He reached into his inner reserve, pulling the little moisture in the air to freeze it. His powers didn't allow him to create ice out of nothing. Water had to be in the air. It was harder here than in Cynosure or back home north of Lenience City. Still, he managed to form a shield and cover his hands in ice. In the north, he'd create a sword of ice, but that was much more difficult to do here.
Both standing next to each other, one with blue flames and a giant sword and one with ice in blistering heat, made for an impressive sight. At least some of the Inciters didn't like what they saw. Several of them just dropped to their knees holding their hands up. A few made a run for it, but none attacked them. “I’ve got the runners,” Anais said, and sprinted after them dragging her sword behind her.
On his uniform were several types of restraints for the different types of Ardents. From his reading, all of the members of the Inciters had fire-based powers of some sort. Most of the restraints they issued were resistant to heat. Lorenzo went about placing the restraints. At the same time, he used his communication device to contact headquarters. “This is Frosty,” Lorenzo said. “I have four members of the Inciters under arrest. Valiant Glow might be bringing more. Requesting transport.”
Just the way they trained him. “You don't have to be so formal,” came back over the radio. “And I received you loud and clear. Johnstown police will be arriving with a Hero Coalition member to oversee. Twenty minutes.”
A few of the thugs he had constrained started laughing. “Knock it off,” Lorenzo said.
“You're gonna die soon, hero,” one of them said and spat on the ground. Another of them gazed up to the roof of a nearby building. Lorenzo froze. All his ice melted away. Igniteus stood on the roof, glaring down at him in his crimson armor, the only member of the gang that didn't wear orange. A sun unto himself.
“Release them,” he boomed. Lorenzo stepped back, nearly tripping over the thugs.
“I . . .” Lorenzo stammered. His eyes were glued to Igniteus' ax and the thought of getting his head chopped off went through his mind. He swallowed and searched around for Anais. No sign of her whatsoever. Beads of sweat rolled down his face. Terror filled him.
As he stepped back, a figure landed in front of him. The temperature rose again. Damn, it's hot. White feathers blocked his view. Wildfire had arrived. She didn't acknowledge Lorenzo at all. She stared up at Igniteus with her wings fully stretched. A moment later, several fires formed in front of her. The flames she created almost appeared alive, dancing in front of her.
That's when Anais arrived, dragging behind her two of the thugs that had made a break for it. When she saw Wildfire, she followed her gaze up. She immediately dropped her sword and the fire that covered her vanished. She stood frozen as did Lorenzo. Igniteus and Wildfire stared each other down.
“Leave, Igniteus.” Wildfire raised herself into the air slightly, a foot or two from the ground. “You don't stand a chance, one on three.”
“Three? Please.” He howled. “They are petrified of me. They can't even move a muscle.”
“It matters not. I can take you alone. Be gone.”
Igniteus tossed his ax around nonchalantly. Lorenzo couldn't believe his bravado. He stood ready to attack. “Fine. Until next time, my love.” He spun and walked away disappearing from view.
Lorenzo let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Wildfire dropped back to the ground, turned. “You two,” she hissed, and the fire disappeared. “Separating like that. You could’ve have gotten yourselves killed. Never, ever do that again, or I'll send you off to Podunk nowhere.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Lorenzo stuttered out. “It won't happen again.”
“Good.”
The Johnstown police truck rounded the corner. A few minutes later they rounded up the Inciter members they had into the truck. Lorenzo and Anais drove away to finish their shift.
The next week went off without any incidents. Lorenzo was grateful. Anais even let him drive some. It helped him learn the area better. The streets of Cynosure and all the rivers dividing the city up provided a much different challenge than Johnstown. Here you didn't have to worry about that as much, the lone river cut across a small fraction of the city, making it much easier because you didn't constantly have to find a bridge to cross.
This week they patrolled the same section of town, just the afternoon shift. Lorenzo liked this shift better because it let him sleep in later. He never was the best morning person. While in school he was good at faking it, but in reality, he dreaded waking up early, especially before the sun was up. Mornings were the devil and Lorenzo loathed them.
“It's been too dull,” Anais said next to him. She diligently scanned the streets as Lorenzo drove. “I want some action.”
Lorenzo agreed. The weeks blurred together with the same since the Igniteus attack. “Me too.”
“You know what I want?” Anais faced him with a sly smile.
“I'm not going to like this, am I?” Lorenzo asked. Already dreading her answer. He feared it would be crazy and unsafe.
“Nope.” She gave him her best innocent look. “I want a chance to redeem ourselves against Igniteus.” She smiled with confidence and appeared amused.
Lorenzo nearly slammed the brakes of the SUV. “No, thank you. Let Wildfire handle it. Or better yet, call in a bunch of members from the Hero Coalition to take him out. I'll watch from a safe distance and let them duke it out.”
“I'm sure we'd be a help to them. Look at us. The little minions run from us or just give up.”
“Just the way I like it.” That wasn't entirely true. “I wouldn't mind some more fighting with them, don't get me wrong. But not with a guy that can cut my head off without trying. Nope. I'll pass.”
“Suit yourself. I'll take all the glory, partner.”
Lorenzo pressed on the gas again, picking up some speed. Then the SUV smashed into a behemoth of a man who had landed right in front of them. The rear wheels lifted off the ground. The airbags deployed, nearly knocking Lorenzo out. They jerked again when the vehicle settled back on the ground. “Who or what was that?”
“That would be the second in command of the Inciters, Ignis Dom.”
“He's a giant demon with horns and fire surrounding him.”
“I told you. Everyone here is a fire Ardent but you.”
“I know. He's just creepy.”
They jumped out, both activating their powers. Anais contacted headquarters. “We've been ambushed by Ignis Dom.”
“Roger,” came back. They would have the location and send reinforcements.
Lorenzo had been practicing day and night to get used to the heat while creating his ice. The shield and ice fist formed easily, but he still hadn't been able to form his ice sword. He might never be able to, but that didn't stop him from trying. Both of their communication devices squawked at them, “ETA five minutes.”
Great. They might not last that long. Lorenzo circled around the front of the SUV. Ignis Dom stood holding a fireb
all in his hand. “Ready, Ice Boy?” he smiled showing fangs, razor sharp. “Let's see how much heat you can take before you beg me to end it.”
It would be tough standing against him, but Lorenzo prided himself in his will to not back down. To give it his all, even if he faltered against Igniteus. “You'll be the one asking for mercy.”
Lorenzo hoped it sounded like he meant it. It was tough to tell. He was trembling inside. A moment later, Anais appeared behind Ignis Dom sword up, about to strike. She swung, but Ignis Dom twirled and threw his fireball at her. It hit its target but had no effect whatsoever on her. “Please, you can't hurt me with your puny little fireballs,” Anais said, taunting him.
“I have more than just fire, you little upstart.” He lunged at her with hate in his eyes. His size may have given him an edge in strength, but it slowed him down. Anais easily avoided him. Lorenzo jumped into the fight, smashing Ignis Dom in the back with his fists. The ice made them tougher, like using brass knuckles on people.
Ignis Dom grunted. “I'll make you pay for that.” He spun on the spot, throwing another fireball. Lorenzo held up his ice shield to absorb most of the heat. It melted slightly.
Ignis Dom reached out faster than Lorenzo realized he'd be able to. Gripping Lorenzo’s ice shield, he lifted him into the air. The temperature increased, and his ice melted, rapidly forming puddles of water around him. Ignis Dom, being close to two feet taller than Lorenzo, clutched Lorenzo's shield, keeping him easily a foot off the ground,. With the shield quickly disappearing, he grabbed hold of his uniform and violently ripped pieces off, before punching Lorenzo in the face. Lorenzo screamed in pain, his face swelled, his visor cracked. Anais jumped onto the front of the SUV and then sprung towards them with her sword slashing through the air. She landed her strike on the left side of Ignis Dom. He dropped Lorenzo and grunted.
“Enough!” Igniteus boomed from across the street. They were doomed now. They could barely handle Ignis Dom alone. The two of them would take them out in a matter of seconds. Several more minions of the Inciters surrounded them. More and more arrived, circling them in and leaving no way out. Definitely done for.