by Nathan Howe
“It's not that bad. Most people enjoy it the first time. It's the tenth or twelfth time you start to hate it. You're lucky you won't have that many.”
James sighed. The classrooms were above ground with windows overlooking downtown Cynosure. James grew to despise the view while being trapped here. At first, he was in awe of it, the large buildings and the river, with Midtown in the background. But he craved to be free able to roam the streets again.
Standing on the tenth floor of the building, the view wasn't the same as from James’ room. James took a seat in the back of the class. Colby leaned down, “I'll fetch a few swords for you to decide tomorrow. Enjoy.” He smiled as he left.
In the front of the room stood a stocky man with scars marking his face, and matte gray hair. He stood firm in front, “I'm Marcus,” he said once the room settled. “I'm a retired officer from Cynosure Police. I was a Captain in downtown. Before that, I spent years as a detective in Robbery Homicide. I'll be going over investigative procedures.”
Several of the younger hero trainees in the room whispered to each other. James picked up a bit of it. They were in awe of being around an actual police officer. They had super powers, and they were in awe of an ordinary man. It didn't compute for James. Why would they be impressed with an average person?
The day bored James, it dragged on and on. Marcus went into different issues about working with the police. Then he went into the police investigative procedures. James had trouble imaging how this could ever be interesting.
The next afternoon Colby handed James a broadsword. “A fine choice,” Colby said.
“Thank you.”
It took James hours to settle on what type of sword he wanted to use. For a while, he thought of trying to wield a katana. But settled on the broadsword because it allowed the arm and nanobots better control. It allowed James to think less and move faster while he used it.
“One more surprise for you,” Colby said. He led him up to another level of the building. Petrice stood there in her uniform, but it was different. They upgraded it. “What do you think?”
“It's nice.” The pink and purple tights now held armor padding. The pattern remained the same. But she also added a cape that flowed behind her.
Colby leaned into him. “You're ready for a patrol now. A uniform and a name are required.”
Awesome. James had been waiting for this day. He wanted a cool outfit. Growing up seeing the heroes going by in their shiny uniforms always excited James. “Do I get to select my outfit?”
“Some of it. The colors.”
“Cool.”
“And you'll choose a code name before you can go on any patrols.”
A name. He'd need to do this and had been thinking about this a lot while he was in training. He settled on one last night, he hadn't told anyone yet. Didn't want to have one too early. “Broken,” James said. It fit him. He was broken, no longer whole. But he'd been put back together. He was incredibly thankful for that. But he wanted a reminder, and his name would always do that.
Colby nodded. “I'll put it in the records, Broken.”
A few hours later James now wore a shiny new hero uniform, in red and black. Similar to most of the others, but it lacked the protective pads of Mortals.
“Why no protection?” Broken asked the tailor.
“Your protection is your speed. We do not want to slow you down. If in the future, it is decided that armor will suit you we will add it.”
“Oh. Thank you.” Broken worried a little about not having the extra layer of protection. He couldn't transform like David.
Petrice
Petrice landed on the top of the midtown headquarters. James or rather Broken remained behind still receiving his new uniform, a big step. They'd soon let up on the protection for both of them and let them do hero work. Petrice hadn't liked the hand-to-hand training, but it was necessary. Hopefully, she wouldn't need any of it. If she did, things were going poorly which was the way the investigation into David and Scott went. Nothing yet. Still stuck on the Netherworld connection.
Valiant Rush continued to search to no avail. He was doing his best. She flew to meet with him and Invincible. She worried about this. Meeting two important heroes in Midtown, Cynosure for that matter, never a good thing. Hopefully, it was regarding David and not her training.
Petrice made her way down to Invincible's office, his secretary waved her in. Invincible held his phone, he nodded at Petrice from behind his desk. Valiant sat in front of it. Petrice took the seat next to him. “I understand,” Invincible said. “We are doing everything we can. I'm investigating a lead. When I learn something, I'll let you know.” He listened and nodded his head before speaking, “I will chief. I'll call you back later.” Then he set the phone down. He used a handkerchief to pat his forehead. “Chief of Police, the one non-Ardent that scares me.”
Valiant nodded. “Me too. She can be intimidating.”
Petrice heard a lot of things about her since she became Chief of Police a few years ago. Mostly good. She didn't let her officers run amuck. Since she took over, the common street crime was reduced.
“Well, you said you had a lead, Valiant, on Stone Rush,” Invincible said.
“It's not so much a lead,” Valiant said. “But you remember that affair in Djinn park a month or so ago.”
Djinn Park was a sore spot for most heroes in the Hero Coalition. The way the Faith of the Withering had completely overrun the area making it the most dangerous part of town. A bunch of low-level Ardents and non-Ardents had caused the problem. They believed in an Ardent from eons ago was going to come back and give them ultimate power.
Invincible grunted. “Of course I do.” He sighed. “Yet another sore spot in that area.”
“I hoped to talk to the Private Investigator Steve. See what isn't in the reports. And if he's heard anything from Chilling. I've been reaching out to Chilling. And nothing. He's the expert on the Netherworld. But no one has seen him in months.”
Invincible rubbed his chin while he thought. “I've tried to reach out to Chilling's regular contacts. They said he's been in Azure City. But talking to Steve might provide more useful information. And it is a good test for Mortal and Broken.”
And they finally got to the reason Petrice was here. A field test. Nice. She wanted to do real work. Even if only just a fact check mission.
“I can fly over to Broken, he should have his uniform by now.”
Invincible picked up the phone, “Janice, call to inform Colby we are sending Broken on a task with Mortal. And can you procure the address of the Private Investigator Steve in Djinn Park for Mortal.”
Petrice collected up the address on her way out and rushed out of the building. She couldn't wait to go on a mission. James would be ecstatic to just vacate the building. It was nice to be let out without them trying to make sure she wasn't being followed by zombies or anything else. The last few days they had let up on the over protection.
It didn't take her long to make the flight over to meet James. The more that Petrice flew, the faster she got. By the time she arrived James was ready to go.
“I can't believe it,” he said standing in front of the building. James was going to test how far and fast he could run, while Petrice flew above. They gave James a communication device. However, it was a waste with Petrice's abilities. It's better to be prepared than not. James took a depth breath. “Fresh air. It smells so good.”
She smiled. “I smell body odor and gasoline.” Petrice wrinkled her nose.
“Yeah. Isn't it great?” James stared up at the Sun, letting it sooth him. His new uniform glistened in the light. “Let's go.”
“Don't go too fast.” Petrice learned that most super speeders ran faster than she could fly. “If I can't keep up I'll tell you, and vice versa. Okay?” Petrice said.
“Roger that.” James sprinted away to the north to Djinn Park. Broken was fast with the nanobots giving his legs extra strength and endurance, but Petrice kept pace with him.
They made the trip in decent time since they could avoid the traffic in the city, and congestion filled most the roads now, during evening rush hour. Petrice was glad that James was able to run. If they had to drive, she would have broken a window.
The building of the private investigator, who had cool magic powers, was a dump. Petrice had trouble seeing an Ardent living and working here. It wouldn't be safe. They walked into a room with a desk tucked into the corner, and workout equipment taking center stage. Mixed in with the equipment was a man wearing nothing but gym shorts. He was enveloped in tattoos and rippling muscles. There wasn't a wasted spot on his skin; each and every place held a tattoo. His pitch black hair with a buzz cut made him look tough. Adding that with his toned body, he made an attractive package to Petrice.
“You can close your mouth,” James said. Petrice snapped it shut.
Steve glanced up. “Great, heroes. You can leave.”
“We want to ask you questions,” Petrice said. She walked into the center of the room, the hint of stale cigars lingered. It was dark and dingy with the door closed behind them. “It's about the zombies you fought.”
“Shocking,” Steve said. He touched his arm and made a cigar and matchbook real, carrying both in his hand, leaving his skin tattoo-free in their place. “Kid, I told Inflamed everything. And CPD. It's in the reports.”
He lit up the cigar and took a deep puff and went over to his desk and sat behind it. “Please. We're being assaulted by them in midtown. They took my cousin, ambushed Mortal here. We just want to see if they are related,” James said.
Steve's eyebrow perked. “Are you sure they are Netherworld Zombies?”
Petrice nodded. “I touched their mind.”
“Ouch,” Steve said. “I'm sorry. I hope it didn't hurt too much.”
“One of the oddest and most painful experiences in my life.”
Steve tilted his head back. “I want to assist you. Unfortunately, it's all the report. Fools messing with the Netherworld. Hunting for something. And before you ask, they never said, and I never found anything.”
Petrice hoped he might have something he left out. “Are you sure you left nothing out?”
“Trust me, kid. I didn't. Inflamed was very persuasive this time. If I did, she'd make me regret it. And I enjoy my life as it is. All I can do is guess. And I'd say you're dealing with the leader of those idiots. I didn't arrest him.”
“Okay,” James said. He put his arm around Petrice to guide her out. She wasn't happy.
Outside it was misty, the Sun had begun its slow descent out of the sky. James' nostrils flared. “Do you smell that?”
“Rotting flesh.” Great. “Zombies.”
The coalition would never let them out of the headquarters. James and Petrice were surrounded in seconds, at least ten of them. James had his sword out ready to strike. The door burst open from Steve's building. Steve stood there with katanas in his hands. He lunged forward to strike, and James followed his lead.
Tentacles rose from the ground surrounding each of the zombies keeping them secured. The monsters couldn't move far in each direction. Petrice gazed up into the sky to reveal the source. Hovering twenty feet in the air was Chilling wearing his signature dark blue and black uniform, with a hood and mask concealing most of his face. Darkness from the Netherworld leaked from him, and a chill surrounded him. He commanded both the Netherworld and ice. Petrice flew up to join him in the air. She had never met him. She’d read about him and seen him from a distance. Chilling was one of the oldest heroes around, rumors surrounded him. It was whispered about he was so old that he was one of the first, here when the Event happened.
“Mortal.” Chilling nodded. He didn't take his eyes off the zombies below. One by one he released them, allowing James and Steve to make quick work of them. The slaughter efficient as Steve and James worked maneuvering around the zombies. And they both floated slowly to the ground to join them in the now safe streets of Djinn Park. Well, as safe as this part of Cynosure can be.
“Where the hell were you?” Steve asked as soon as they landed. “I almost died because of these damn things.”
Chilling stared silently for a moment. “I'm sorry Steve. Was out west researching.”
“Well, do you know what's going on?” James asked. He stood next to Steve with his sword still out.
“Again I do not, young man.” He twisted to Petrice. “Someone is out to harm Ardents, nothing else.”
Steve rolled his eyes. “The great Chilling. And he's no help.” Steve pivoted and went back into his building. The frustration on his face was apparent.
“Ignore him,” Chilling said gesturing. “Walk with me.”
Chilling lead them into the Park. “Someone aided people to venture further into the Netherworld. Deeper than I'd dare go. Luckily Steve removed the people he befriended.”
Petrice didn't like the sound of that. Chilling was the greatest known user of Netherworld. And if someone were trying to best him it would only lead to death and destruction. Chilling continued, “I've been researching ever since your brother, Super went missing.”
“You thought then it was connected to the Netherworld?” Petrice asked. Until recently she hadn't figured it had anything more to do than Scott wanting to be the most powerful Ardent around and that wouldn't happen in Cynosure.
“I had a feeling. The Netherworld began to act up then. Many new users. I hoped if I left Cynosure whatever caused the Netherworld to act up might reduce. But it got worse. And I learned little while away. Just beware. The only useful information I learned was what this leader wants. A stone.”
“A stone?” James asked.
“It's a powerful one.” Chilling paused and recalled a memory. “Well protected. It's a gateway to the Netherworld, it allows people to go deeper in and pull out more. Dangerous. And in Steve's report, they mentioned them investigating for something. It must be the Stone of Azuria.”
Spector
“Master,” David said as Spector burst the cell that held him. The cell wasn't necessary, but it had one of the few beds that David fit on. It also reminded One Rush who was in charge. It let Spector retain his authority over him. Super lived in one similar. No one here had an actual room but Spector. He smiled. A small show off who was the man here.
Spector walked over and sat next to David who had aged in the short time here. Years older than the young college kid when he was transitioned to the dark side. “I have something for you. It will make you even more powerful and able to seek revenge on your sister and cousin.”
David smiled. “Yes.” He nodded.
Spector reveled in the damage he did to David. Converting him from the goody-two-shoes, he was, into a killer. One that demanded to kill.
“Revenge.” David's eyes glistened with the Netherworld bleeding into them.
That was what Spector wanted to hear. “Fetch the belt and his new costume.”
Two of his minions carried in a large belt that gave the wearer power. Immense power. The Belt of Raijin, created by one of the first Ardents. When worn, the person would gain the powers of Raijin. The ability to summon lightning. Spector hoped with his stone skin and the belt he'd be unstoppable.
“Stand.” David stood, and Spector's minions dressed him in leather pants, a full mask that concealed his face, with a menacing skull on it. Then they placed the belt on him.
The air in the cell crackled and swirled around David. A moment later David stood in the center drastically different, now covered in tattoos. All related to Raijin. A terrifying image. Spector's spine tingled. Spector's best work.
“I have a mission for you.”
“Yes. Master.”
James
They left Chilling in the park. James was glad to be out of his presence, something about him made James uneasy. Instead of running and flying they walked through the park. Petrice was deep in thought, her eyebrows furrowed.
James feared this might be the last time he would ever step a foot
outside again. A one and done. He didn't like that. The idea of not being able to go outside again. James took care to make this trip last as long as possible. He wanted to enjoy at least this one trip outside. It didn't matter that it was Djinn park. It didn't worry James that The Faith of the Withering might attack.
The scent of pine from the trees relaxed James. The wind through his hair soothed his tension. The birds chirping let his mind drift. Back to school, sitting outside with David in the summer casually checking out girls.
“Did you see that?” James asked.
“See what?”
A flash of red lightning off in the distance and thunder. Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. They continued to walk in the park towards Cynosure River and downtown.
“There,” James said pointing to the west away from downtown.
“Saw it this time,” Petrice said. “What do you think?”
Before he answered it happened again this time much closer, the heat from it radiated into the surrounding area. Once it dissipated, a large man stood in the center. He had stone skin similar to David, but that is all he shared with him. The man was covered in a shroud of tattoos and wore a face mask with a skull. He only wore leather pants and combat boots. It made for an interesting and terrifying appearance. Unmoving he stared at Mortal and James eyeing them with intent.
“A friend of yours?” James asked glancing in her direction, but not taking his robotic eye off the man.
Petrice shook her head. She didn't take her eyes off him. Sheer terror formed on her face and her knees sagged.
“What?” James asked her.
“He's connected to the zombies. I tried to scan his mind. It's blocked. A hive connection. It's not the same as them, but close.” Her face was pallid, she wiped sweat from her forehead. “He might lead us to David.”
With that knowledge, James sprinted right at him, pulling his sword. James struck with full force. The sword bounced off his stone skin.